Ta-da! I have a CTMH website for your convenience!

I am so excited to announce that I now have a Close To My Heart website for you to access and use called http://debbietuggle.myctmh.com/ !  It will allow you to see all the features that are available on the official CTMH website like Art & Soul episodes on CTMH-TV, Stamp of the Month, etc., PLUS ...

• view my very own artwork and preview class projects
• browse my calendar of events
• AND also SHOP online!

Throughout the year, Close To My Heart has web-only specials that I will now be able to make available to you, including the upcoming great online scrapbooking software suite - Studio J - click here to preview it!
I hope you will browse the new website and tell me what you think!

Have a safe and merry New Year's Eve!  Lord willing, I'll "talk" to you again next year!  God bless!

Three projects

Hi, again!  I had promised to post some of my other projects so here they are.  The variety of crafts that CTMH allows me to do with their great coordination of colors, patterns & embellishments is one of the reasons I am really "sold" on their products!

Here's a stationery holder with monogrammed cards that I made a while back. It uses "Life Delights" paper, the "Eastertime" stamp set that has a basket weave stamp, and the Baroque Alphabet set for the monogram (I love that set!).

I went to a crop in October and planned the layout below, using a really versatile paper called "Backcountry."  It's really fun to use this paper for outdoor-sy pictures.  Some of the stamps used are "Backwoods" for the trees and the camera is from "Pitcure Perfect."

I also made a really fast card that taught 3 techniques: stamping on chipboard, masking a stamped image, and edge distressing for a 3-D look. The swirls are made with "Western Flourishes" and the sentiment is from a truly useful set called "Gracious Greetings."  The 2 little brads in the upper corner were placed using a "brad buddy" technique a friend taught me.  If you will leave a comment, I'll let you in on my "secret" for perfect brad placements :-)  !

May this Christmas season be one of unforgettable memories, especially as you remember that Jesus is the real Reason for this Season!

Making memories with you ....

Candy gift project

Hi again!  Just thought I'd share a little project my daughter and I did to celebrate her one year anniversary as a full-time journalist.  We used stamp set B1309 "Fun Times."  I thank Lisa Stenz for posting her pretty version and then crediting Karen Werner with the tutorial.  I had to edit their measurements to fit the Hershey candy bar that we used.  I didn't take a picture of another slider I made - the GIANT Hershey bar - yup!

Turned out nice, didn't they?  I'll be posting a couple of other projects I planned for my 2nd crop as a vendor but I'll post those later.  Until then, have a sweet day and God bless you! 

One of my "pride and joy" ...

Here I am again - now it's been almost 3 months since I posted! I've got to get with the program - ha,ha,ha!! Real quickly, the majority of my time is occupied by my family. As most of you know I have 8 children, 3 of which are college or older age. My oldest, Jessica, is a journalist (graduated Suma Cum Laude from UCF) with the Hometown News group. She works for the Indian River County edition so here in Melbourne you don't get to see all her stories (about 4-6 per week). However every so often there's a story that overlaps the local interest of counties and her story will show up in our Brevard Edition. Well, today there's one about the Space Coast Ballet company which is her's. It may be out this week or next so pick up your free copy, unless it's already delivered to you, or read it online now by clicking on the title here below (here's the opening paragraph) - enjoy!

Ballerina twirls her way to Big Apple
SEBASTIAN - Though she only stands 4-feet 9-inches tall, Emily Slawski is reaching new heights in the world of ballet. The 13-year-old Sebastian girl has been chosen to dance the part of Clara in "The Nutcracker" this holiday season with the Radio City Rockettes ...

Another little project

I thought I'd share with you the other make-n-take project I made at the crop last weekend. It is a little 3x3 card that can be used as a gift enclosure. Of the many things that the clear My Acrylix stamps can help you accomplish the "clearest" is shown in this one: lining up your images to place it exactly where you want and to do multiple stamping. The "thanks" is stamped on a twill ribbon so you can place it exactly on the ribbon and not miss by going off the edge. The flower is actually done with 3 stamps! One is the solid inside done in the beautiful pinky-orange "Sorbet" color, the outline and the center are then done in Chocolate. This little card says a lot in a little space!

Stamp sets: Aspiration (flower), For Every Occasion ("thanks")

Paper: Unforgettable

Other materials: Chocolate and Colonial White cardstock, Twill ribbon, stylus for dry embossing, sanding block, Sorbet and Chocolate inks

It's been 2 months!

Wow! A lot of activity has been going on in my life and just no time to update this bloggy thing! Well, I just got back from my 1st ever multi-day crop as a vendor (or as anything, for that matter). What an experience! It was fun and exhausting at the same time! Here's a couple of pictures of my display area:
My friend, Becky, and I shared the experience and we did a make-n-take each day. We were honored to have received some very positive feedback from the ladies who attended!

Here's a picture of my 1st make-n-take and the matching 2nd page:

Materials used (all CTMH)
Stamp sets - Daydream and Footprints, Homestead alphabet
Desert Sand and Spring Iris Inks
Desert Sand Carstock for matting and border
Colonial White Cardstock for bases
Majestic Blue B&T

All in all it was a great weekend!

Get "Tickled Pink" before it's too late!

The pretty promotion kit, "Tickled Pink," ( see left column) is so popular that if you want to get one, you'll need to act soon because it is only while supplies last! It can be yours FREE when you purchase $60 worth of stamps (not including the Stamp of the Month or custom stamps). For example, I purchased one of the large alphabets (E-size) plus 2 of the Solos (B-size) that totaled $62.85. By making that purchase & getting the kit free I now have 4 stamp sets (kit comes with a D-size stamp set), coordinating 12x12 sheet of textured die-cuts, 6 sheets of cardstock and 4 sheets of coordinating papers PLUS embellishments, a foam tool and instructions for layouts! It is really a great deal! Call or email me to order yours!

Summer '09 Idea Book ...

A brand new Idea Book is now out and there is absolutely something for everyone in it - from camping to flowers to children to teens! You can see an online version of it at the Close To My Heart website under "Products" - click here. Any one who comes to one of my events will receive a printed copy of their own!

Comments are working!

Thanks to Deb and Darlene for helping check out my "Comments" problems. You may now post a comment and I will be able to see it! On another note, we had a good time doing the Easter Layout, each lady with their "tweaking", making the layout truly their own. If you missed tonight, I'll be hosting another get together to celebrate the new Summer Idea Book debuting today, May 1st. Now, however, it's time to rest ... God bless!
~Debbie~

Checking out comments

Seems like my comment area was not working right so this is a test post ... would some of you try to post to see if this is working? Thanks!
~Debbie~

Updated Layout with Photos!

My previous photos needed some"help" so I finished the layout completely including my girls' pictures. What do you think? (layout, I mean!)

Well, not to brag or anything but my girls are cute, too!
Some of the how-to's I'll be showing include: making scallopped edges using the corner rounder; using liquid glass for glossy look to the flower centers and to adhere the buttons; popping stamped images for a 3-D look; using stamps to create background paper & embellishments.If you're in the area, I'm doing this layout for free with only limited seating available, so call or email me to let me know you'd like to come!
God bless you tonight! ~ Debbie ~

"Easter" Themed Layout

Recently someone commented that I had done a lot of cards and projects but not a layout. I decided that Easter photos would provide great inspiriration for a layout to get me back into the swing of these type of workshops. THIS COMING Thursday, April 30th, from 7-10 pm I'll be hosting this get together and it will be at NO COST to you! I need to get back into layouts so you can help me by coming and doing it with me! Space is limited to the first 12 that RSVP so call or email me ASAP.















The pictures are not the best buthere are both pages. They do look better in person - LOL! On the left you can put one vertical 4x6 plus journaling or another small picture. On the right you have room for a vertical and a horizontal 4x6, 2 3x3's, and a journaling spot ot another small picture. You can post here to let me know your thoughts but please RSVP by email at debbietuggle@gmail.com.

God bless you tonight!

April's Stamp of the Month

Just thought I'd encourage you to look closely at the Stamp of the Month for April, World's Best Dad, in case you like it. I'll be placing an order on April 30th, the last day it will be available. Click here for how to order it at a discount, even for free, depending on other purchases!

New kit - "Tickled Pink" - for National Scrapbooking month

Hi, everybody! I thought I'd try one more thing before bringing my new blog-learning to a close for the evening.
The newest promotion that CTMH is doing is called "Tickled Pink" and it is fabulous! I just got mine today! Glitter paper, textured cardstock, die cuts,


















embellishments, a great tool, PLUS a D-size stamp set that coordinates perfectly with the die cuts - WOW!! Here's a picture showcasing a sample layout made with the kit. You can't see the glitter but most of the the flowers are actually die cuts stamped with the included stamp set but the white ones are crocheted flowers! You can click here to download a PDF file that details the kit's contents and how you can get it for FREE! It is available now through the end of May, while supplies last. I think you'll love it!

Still working on getting this "blogging thing" going!

You know, computer communication is great, but it sure does take time; especially when you are someone who can't let it go until it's ... just... right...! Ha, ha, ha! Anyway, I wanted my blog to be a place to share and display my "Close To My Heart" creations, cards, layouts plus any other "crafty" thing I do. Card making and scrapbooking are just my latest in a long list of crafting likes but it has really gotten me hooked! I do machine embroidery as well with my mom. We have a website of rthat which you can reach via this link: MD's Unique Creations I am also trying to get a "pretty" newsletter going and you can subscribe to it by going to the right hand side of my blog page and entering your email address.

Well, I know its a lot of things to do in addition to my family's going's on but, like a lot of you, crafting provides me a creative outlet and CTMH has given me some beautiful stuff to add on to my love of crafts! That's all for now .... God bless you!

Valentine's Day cards

Here are pictures of the cards I designed for Valentine's Day this year. I used the stamp sets "Soul Mates" and "Heartthrob."

Welcome to Debbie's Crafting Corner

Welcome to my blog - my attempt at trying something new in cyberspace! It is my desire to share my creations with you, primarily my new love for stamping, scrapbooking, cardmaking, and other"-ing" that primarily involves the wonderful products from Close To My Heart.