Hello There...

... my apologies for the big gap between posts, I have been having a few issues with blogger not wanting to log me in. However, I am here now, so maybe the problem is resolved!!

If you follow me on Instagram (ChrissyML) or Facebook you would have seen my new little crafting companion Archie. He is a  very cute diluted ginger tabby cat, rescued from an Animal Shelter just after Christmas. He has become my shadow, he keeps running off with my scissors and pens and loves pretty paper as much as I do!!

Over the past few days my buddy and I have been colouring up a storm with Watercolour Pencils and images from the Spring Critters Stamp Set. This is one of the sets you can find in the new Seasonal Expressions and co-ordinates with the Spring Critters Thin-Cut Dies. I am very excited by the addition of Thin-Cut Dies in the Close To My Heart product range, they bring a whole new dimension to my crafting.

Thin-Cuts are metal dies that you can use with your favorite die cutting machine to cut shapes that coordinate perfectly with some of the  My Acrylix® stamp sets. They are ideal for those of you who really dislike fussy cutting. I prefer to stamp my image first then run it through my Cuttlebug machine with the co-ordinating Thin-Cut Die before colouring and using in my project designs.

This is Archie's "sad face" I wouldn't let him chew this pencil although, he has added teeth marks to almost all the others!! He was very intrigued with my colouring and blending and happily sat on my desk to watch the process...well almost, there were a few moments where he wanted to "help"!

...and this is the card "we" created with the coloured images. The sweet little bunny shapes were cut in half and placed inside square shapes almost to make them appear as if they were popping out to say Hello! The strips of patterned paper came from the Penelope and La Vie En Rose paper packs and trimmed with a tiny piece of glitter paper. The sentiment was stamped in black ink combining 2 of the sentiment images from the Spring Critters Stamp Set.

I am hoping blogger continues to co-operate as I have lots of fun projects to share combining colouring techniques and Thin-Cuts be sure to pop back for a visit soon... to see the full range of Thin-Cuts available click here!

Wishing you a great weekend and some relaxing colouring time :)

Craft for a Cause

During February, I am raising awareness and much need $$ for Operation Smile™. If you can assist me, it would truly be appreciated
Operation Smile™ is a not for profit organisation providing reconstructive surgery to children and young adults born in developing countries with facial deformities. Every three minutes a child is born somewhere in the world with a cleft lip or palate with one in ten of these dying before their first birthday. A cleft lip operation costs as little as $300. 

To help me raise money for this worthy cause, all you need to do is contact me to organise a crafty get together with your friends. We can make cards or a scrapbooking page. Cost per person to attend is $10 with half this fee being donated directly to Operation Smile™.  I will supply all the materials and tools needed to complete the project.

If you are unable to host a get together, but would love to make a donation?... then this fun little stamp (available only in February) is just for you!

Filled with adorable icons and loveable sentiments, this stamp set will be a wonderful addition to your collection  Not only will you be getting a high-quality stamp set by taking part in this promotion, but Close To My Heart will also donate $7 USD of the proceeds from the sale of this stamp set to Operation Smile™

This is a whimsical little card I whipped up using this stamp set...it features Kraft Cardstock and black & white papers from the La Vie En Rose and Basic Fundamentals packs. The telephone and speech bubbles images were stamped in Cranberry and Black ink, then fussy cut and adhered to a circle shape cut from the Cricut® Art Philosophy Cartridge. The circle was outlined with the Black Marvy® Uchida® LePen™ Journaling Pen to co-ordinate with the stamped outline of the speech bubbles - it worked a treat!

At the "heart" of Close To My Heart is the desire to help others—whether that’s showing you how to preserve your favourite memories and create beautiful artwork or giving back to those in need. That’s why you will find a line of  Operation Smile™ goodies in my Online Store where we donate a portion of each purchase to Operation Smile™ - simply click here to see what is on offer and how you can help.

... and did you know donations can be made every time you purchase from my Online Store?? -  all you have to do is round up your purchase. For example; if your purchase totals $98.50? -  you can round your total to $100 and $1.50 will be donated to Operation Smile™...easy peasy!


In my previous career as a Dental Nurse I have assisted both Oral Surgeons and Orthodontists with treatments associated with a cleft condition and seen first hand how these surgeries improve a child's way of life - things we take for granted, eating, hearing, speech and teeth. If you would like to know more about Operation Smile™ follow this link: http://australia.operationsmile.org/

Since 1982, Operation Smile has provided hundreds of thousands of free surgeries for children from more than 60 countries, please consider joining me to help even more children in need.

Stamp of the Month - Balloon Animals

Wow another new month!! Can you believe it is February already?? The kids are back at school, Summer sport is winding down and if you think it is time to claim a little play time in your craft, then I have a super cute stamp set that you will want to ink up!!

Take a peek at this month's Stamp of the Month - Balloon Animals a 13 piece stamp set that includes sentiments as well as an array of sweet balloon animals that include elephants and monkeys, making it very appealing for children's birthday cards

 

I chose a very classic/primary colour palette for this birthday card . I stamped the Balloon Animals in Crystal Blue, Honey and Cranberry  onto White Daisy Cardstock and then cut each image out individually to piece together the design.

 

 



I wanted my images to look like were actual floating balloons so I added some very thin slivers of Black Cardstock to look like string. These thin pieces of cardstock were less than 1/16th in width and they were very tricky to adhere! However, this is when my trusty Bonding Memories™ Glue Pen came into action! I LOVE the Close To My Heart Bonding Memories™ Glue Pen  - it has a small-tip applicator making it perfect for those teeny tiny pieces.  It is acid free and creates both permanent and temporary bonds...and at only $7 it has that perfect price too!! If you click on the picture below it will take you straight to this item in my Online Store where you can add it to your shopping basket... it is certainly a 'must have' item for every papercrafter!

 

The papers used in this card are featured in the Penelope and Regatta Paper Packs that was released last month be sure to check them out in my Online Store too... lots of bright, pretty and geometric prints to be found! The Happy Birthday sentiment was stamped in Black ink and is one of 5 sentiments found in the Balloon Animals stamp set. The card was finished of by embellishing with 3 little black glitter stars found in the Black Fundamental Assortment.

 

 

As usual you can purchase the Stamp of the Month (a D-size stamp set, that usually retails for $27) for just $7.50 AUD  when you place an order of $75 or more in Close To My Heart products in my Online Shop... you will simply be prompted at check-out to add it to your order.

When you visit my Online Shop this month be sure to take a look at the "Share the Love" promotion.  During February you can also purchase the exclusive My Acrylix^® Share the Love D-size stamp set (CC1060).  Filled with adorable icons and loveable sentiments, this stamp set will be a beautiful addition to your collection—but there is more to this stamp set than meets the eye! Not only will you be getting a high-quality, swoon-worthy stamp set by taking part in this promotion, but Close To My Heart will also donate $7 USD of the proceeds from this stamp set to Operation Smile™, an amazing organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates for children all over the world!* Keep a look out on social media all month long to see this stamp set in action, and remember to post your own artwork using the hashtag #ctmhsharethelove to help bring attention to this amazing and worthy cause

Be sure to pop back here in the coming days as I have some cards and layouts to share  using both these stamps sets....have a great week!

1 Stamp Set - 3 Cards

Everything has been coming up roses over the past couple of weeks on my blog and today is no exception! There is no doubt that I have loved playing with the
January Stamp of the Month - Beloved Bouquet. This stamp set offers so many options for cardmakers and scrapbookers alike. It could be used for just about anything...Anniversary, Birthday, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Thinking of You, Thank you and so much more. However, there is some sad news... you only have a few more days to add this stamp set to your collection! If this is your "must have" stamp set too?... then pop on over to my ONLINE SHOP and place your order today and avoid disappointment.

Featured below are 3 cards created using the January Stamp of the Month - Beloved Bouquet that really highlight the versatility of the stamp set. I love that you can whip up a simple and effective card in just a few minutes or spend time in your craft room with inks and paints to create something a little more detailed. Whatever option you choose, I know this stamp set will help you create a masterpiece.

Don't forget you only have until the end of the month to add this lovely stamp set to you collection -  just $7.50 when you place an order of $75 or more in Close To My Heart products either online in my store, by phoning or emailing and placing your order directly through me... with 14 images included, this is stamp set is seriously great value!

Enjoy!

More Beloved Bouquets

I have been creating like crazy with this month's Stamp of the Month - Beloved Bouquet... you name it, layouts, cards etc  they have all been stamped in beautiful roses!

This is one of the layouts I shared at the 2 workshop events this weekend. It really showcases how the new Regatta Paper Pack can be used for more than just nautical themed projects... it is certainly very pretty used here.

The layout was based on the sketch below that I designed and altered slightly to add a large journaling box. I plan to use this page in a Heritage album and wanted an area to write down all the historical facts along with my memories.

The stamped images were all fussy cut and layered into the corner of the pages. I used Pomegranate, Sapphire, Flaxen and Glacier Inks. The stamped flower clusters were then complemented with leaves cut from the Cricut® Artistry Collection along with an assortment of embellishments - Glacier Fundamental Assortment, Blue Enamel Dots and Red Enamel Gems.

Don't forget you only have until the end of the month to add this lovely stamp set to you collection -  just $7.50 when you place an order of $75 or more in Close To My Heart products either online in my store, by phoning or emailing and placing your order directly through me... with 14 images included, this is one very versatile stamp set!

... and while you are browsing in my online shop take a peek at what is on offer for National Papercrafting Month - an exclusive Picture My Life™ Live Your Day set of fabulous cards for only $13.50. They were designed to coordinate perfectly with the sensational Everyday Life™ 2016 Planner Pages and My Crush^® Everyday Life Pages, so you can seamlessly integrate pocket scrapbooking into your 2016 planner. In the coming days I will be sharing the next instalment of my planner ideas and I will show you how I have used this set. However, in the meantime you can check them out here.

Happy shopping and creating Crafty Friends xx

Stamp of the Month - Beloved Bouquet

It is time for another new sketch over at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and because I am currently "obsessed" with the January Stamp of the Month...yes, it's a big favourite at the moment and it is getting used in so many of my papercraft projects... I thought I would combine the two.

Sketch Challenge # 141

 

Beloved Bouquet - S1601

 

 

I decided to reverse the sketch, and alter the design a little. I shortened the border strip and moved the sentiment to the lower section of the card... and this was the result.

I used another of the new paper packs recently released by Close To My Heart called Penelope - this pack simply makes me smile... is it so bright and pretty. It includes 12 springtime style prints - 12" × 12" B&T Duos™ (2 each of 6 double-sided designs). The floral cluster was created using the 2nd generation stamping technique along with the base & shade method - the Beloved Bouquet stamp set has been designed to help you create this great textured effect - here's how... stamp the solid base in a light colour of ink (2nd generation ink) and the matching detail image in a darker colour directly over it. For this card the flower and leaf images were stamped in Thistle, Pixie, Honey and Pear Exclusive Inks™. I used this same technique for the background section of ink splatter stamped with an image from the Ink Blot Stamp Set. There are 7 sentiments to choose from in this month's Stamp of the Month set and all of them would have been perfect for this card but I chose to use "you mean so much to me". I love the brush stroke style of font used for this image. The card was embellished with the Pixie coloured washi tape from the new Limeade Washi Pack and 2 little heart stickers - the pink heart from the Kaleidoscope Complements and the black glitter heart from the Black Fundamental Assortment.

If you would like to play along with the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge or see what the design team created using this sketch - you can find the Atlantic Hearts blog here. To purchase the Stamp of the Month - Beloved Bouquet, head on over to my online store and while you are there, browse through the complete list of new products.

If you are interested in attending one of my upcoming workshop events?? You will find me in Melbourne on the 16th January (Heidelberg) and the 17th January (Mulgrave) the registration fee for both events includes your choice of a Scrapbook or Card kit featuring this month's Stamp of the Month and the 3 new paper packs (Charlotte, Regatta and Penelope). Click HERE to register for Heidelberg or HERE for Mulgrave. I'd love for you to join us for some papercrafting fun...everyone is welcome!!

 

Happy New Year

 

Happy New Year & Welcome to 2016 - wishing you a year full of love, laughter and lots of create fun!... today I am super excited to announce the release of our brand new Seasonal Expressions catalogue.

It is available for you to view right now on my website just click here. It contains a gorgeous array of new ideas and product to kick start your creativity in 2016!... especially our 3 new "Workshop Your Way Kits" - you will love this innovative concept... with just 1 kit you can complete 3 Double Page Layouts, 2 Picture My Life/Pocket Page Layouts and approx. 8-9 cards all with cutting guides and instructions. Best of all if you can't attend my workshops or prefer to scrap in the comfort of your own home?... you can follow a step by step video such as this one featuring the new Charlotte range.

 

Pictured below is the new Regatta Workshops Your Way Kit that I have been busily creating a variety of summer fun and pretty floral projects with. It is such a versatile kit...it contains a great nautical theme, a cheerful colour palette and a lovely selection of flowers that includes stickers and die-cuts.

 

 

The cover of the new Seasonal Expressions catalogue was my inspiration for this card that also uses some of the Regatta Complements featured above.

 

 

The pocket and leaf shapes were cut from the Artistry Cricut® Cartridge while the 3 larger flowers and Glacier coloured leaves were created from our brand new die-cutting system...yes! another exciting newcomer to our range called Thin Cuts -  metal dies that can be used with your favourite die cutting machine to cut shapes that co-ordinate perfectly with the My Acrylix®  stamp sets. There are 4 to choose from and the one I have used here is called Springtime Wishes it has 11 different shapes of flowers and leaves and works alongside the Springtime Wishes stamp set. The stamped flowers and leaves were then complimented with the die-cut and stickers included in the Regatta Complements Pack. The "Thanks" sentiment can be found in one of the new stamp sets found in the Seasonal Expressions called Friendly Wishes - a great value set of 9 sentiments for $10.00! I also used  Glacier Extra Thick Twine,

Enamel Blue Dots and Red Enamel Gems to embellish this card.

 

Although today is release day you can SHOP NOW from our New Seasonal Expressions catalogue, everything is available in my online shop and can be delivered right to your doorstep - perfect timing for those of you spending your Summer Holidays crafting up a storm - Enjoy!