Say goodbye to those ugly sticker present tags!!!

Every year I spend countless hours wrapping Christmas gifts. Most years I am still wrapping into the wee hours of Christmas morning. Wrapping gifts is an obsession of mine, the thought of putting a Christmas gift in a bag scares me! It may seem silly that I spend so much time on something that is just going to get ripped off, but in our house it wouldn't be Christmas if our gifts weren't wrapped to the nines under the tree.

(Obsessed? Just a bit. These were empty boxes I wrapped just to take pictures with!)

Christmas morning is more enjoyable when we literally unwrap each of our gifts. Only one person at a time unwraps, this way my husband and I enjoy each of our children's faces when they slowly or quickly (Tasmanian Devil style) reveal their gifts. Instead of a crazy free for all of bags and tissue paper flying finished in 10 seconds, we leisurely sip coffee or hot chocolate as one child opens a gift while the others look at their gifts until breakfast time. In years past I would purchase special licensed character paper for each child, that way they knew exactly what gifts were theirs. Not this year. This year I decided to spend my money on better things, and bought the cheapest paper I could find.

A HUGE roll of brown craft paper.

Everyone's gifts will be wrapped up in this stuff. No worries, I will stamp some of the paper, and all gifts will be decked out in ribbons and bows. The presents will still be just a beautiful as years past.

When I purchased the ribbons and bows I took a peek at tags. Are you kidding me, have you seen the options out there?!? The most affordable ones are stickers on a roll. Been there, done that, once our oldest son unwrapped his little sisters princess underwear because those stickers always come off the present, and "Santa" just slapped the sticker on the closest present. Thus the years of over priced individual wrapping paper. The other options are beautiful pre-made embellished tags, usually individual (not on roll), have good adhesive, and are .... absolutely not what I am going to spend my money on since I just gave up the pretty paper! There is no way I am going to pay a dollar a piece for them, especially when the gift they are attached to may not even cost a dollar!

So what is a paper-crafter like me to do??? Oh that's right, *Ü* I have an entire roomed filled with goodies to make some of my own. With a little inspiration from Close To My Heart, the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection, Inks, Papers, Ribbon, and a bit of bling I will have plenty made just in time for Christmas. More personalized and beautiful than the store bought tags, at a fraction of the cost. Since I am using up my supplies do you think "Santa" will bring me some more? *Ü*

So if you are tired of cheap ugly sticker tags, and over priced pretty tags, just like I am, here is a bit of inspiration for you. Happy Crafting!

Supplies used are all Close To My Heart
Stamp Sets: December 25th
Cardstocks: Twilight & Heavenly Blue available in the Bright Blue Shade Pack, Pear available it the Summer Cardstock Collection*, and Kraft
Inks:Crystal Blue, Desert Sand, Heavenly Blue, Pear and Twilight
Embellishments: Bitty Sparkles, Colonial Waxy Flax, and Sweet Leaf Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Cricut Art Philosophy Collection

*Sweet Leaf Cardstock and Ink are great alternatives to Pear!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday Season!

Thanksgiving is only 17 Days away...

Every year my Aunt throws an amazing party for Thanksgiving. All family members are invited to attend along with their families, and it is a blast! Everywhere you look there is something going on. The ladies are gathered in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on yummy southern dishes, the men are gathered around the pit smoking turkeys and hams, the teens (and an adventurous Dad or two) are in the yard playing tag football,and the kids are running from the sand pit to the horse pen and back. There is always plenty of catching up, visiting, and laughing going on, not to mention a few rounds of dominoes. All in attendance leave late in the evening with bellies full, loaded up with "to-go" plates for later and a smile from ear to ear across their face. I looked forward to every Thanksgiving on "the ranch" nearly as much as Christmas morning. I love to bake so every year I ask if there is something I can bring and every year I get the same response "Just your family and an appetite." So every year I bring a small gift to say thank you. This year I was lost at what to give, then Close To My Heart came to the rescue.

This Thanksgiving Card using My Acrlix So Grateful Stamp Set is the perfect inspiration. So with just a couple of weeks till the big day I am off to make a few of these and maybe some orange slice pumpkins. Happy Crafting!


Supplies used are all Close To My Heart
Stamp Sets: So Grateful
Cardstock: Mischief Level 2 Paper Packet*, Sonoma Level 2 Paper Packet**, Colonial White and Grey Wool (Both available in the Neutral Cardstock Combo Pack)
Inks: Olive, Sunflower, Sunset and Grey Wool (to sponge card base)
Embellishments: Mini-Medley Accents Olive Collection

Optional Supplies:
*Sunset Cardstock with cross hatched pattern using Sunset Marker instead of Mischief Level 2 Paper Packet
**Olive Cardstock Sponged with Olive Ink instead of Sonoma Level 2 Paper Packet

On This Day .... I have found some inspiration!

I have always wondered what to do with the On This Day Stamp Set . In this video from Close to My Heart there are a ton of ideas and great inspiration.

Use the any of the Month stamps to truly personalize a birthday card and remember the little details. Use any of the "squarish" stamps to create a random tone on tone background paper that is unique. Of course don't forget to use it to mark the date for a picture of event on a layout. The ideas are endless!!

Aside from the stamp the color combination options are gorgeous! Use any color with the Craft and Bamboo card stocks. Such as Red Barn or Outdoor Denim for a country feel. Or choose another set of neutrals to go with the Twilight and Sweet leaf accents. Grey Flannel and Grey Wool would complement beautifully, or even Parchment and Vanilla Cream for a softer more subtle look.

Finding inspirtation and creativity is as Fast, Simple and Easy as sitting back and enjoying a good craft project. Keep you eyes and heart open for the idea coming your way.

P.S. If you would like to purchase anything on the video or other Close to My Heart Products please feel free to shop online here or email me anytime!

Basic Tutorial for Studio J

Here is a video on how to start using Studio J; Close to My Heart's on line scrapbooking software. It's completely free to try with no obligations. I love my scissors, sparkles, and paper and will never give them up but with Studio J you can complete projects easily and print multiple copies to share. Not to mention you can always add a little "somethin' somethin' " once the layout arrives at your door. Studio J is my "on the go, need some me time, just give me a chance to get it all done" scrapbook corner. Late at night when the heat tool and punches will wake someone I Studio J. I love it and can't wait to give out this years family gifts. Personalized recipe book anyone?

Springin' Up Flowers

I love to making flowers with the Spring Up stamp set. Its simple easy and takes all of the guess work out of where to cut and what to do. From cards to layouts Spring up Stamp set is fun, easy and versatile!

New Ideas for Ribbon

If you are like me there is nothing better than sparkles and pretty ribbons. Close to My Heart has just launched a new line of Designer Ribbons.This video showcases the new Pink Designer Ribbon Collection. It's a great jumping off point to use all those ribbons you have. There is also a New Blue Designer Ribbon Collection, as well as the classic Sweet Leaf and Colonial White Designer Ribbon Rounds Collections. I hope you enjoy watching!