Updated the blog - check out the November Specials tab above!

Slow computers make keeping up with the blog a <<loooooong>> process but I think I've got it done!  And just in time to offer my ...  drumroll, please ...

2nd Annual Black Friday Special Sale

with lots and lots of what I love best - overlapping sales opportunities!  Just take a look ...

• November Stamp of the Month for as low as $5!
• Exclusive Christmas stamp "Holiday Wishes" for only $5 with $25 in other stamp purchases!
• Mystery Hostess with a chance to win at least $25 in FREE products!
• FREE Shopping Rewards - the more you shop the more FREE products you get!
• Additional savings when you purchase the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge!
• Retiring products at up to 80% off in "While Supplies Last" sale!
• Includes purchases of Studio J memberships in the Black Friday sale for more value!

Believe me, I know how to stretch my family's budget dollar and I can help you do it as well!  Just click on the "November Specials" - "Stamp of the Month" - "Studio J" tabs right below my title/header to see all the details!

Countdown to Crown Mystery Hostess (5 Days) & Tip of the day

We're coming down the home stretch with only 5 days to go in our fun Mystery Hostess game.  Now, I haven't had many to play with me but that simply increases your chances to win!  Again, the prize for our Mystery Hostess is $25 to spend on her choice of CTMH products - who wouldn't want that freebie?  Remember to get your order, of any size, in to me by Sunday, March 28th, to be entered in the drawing and it could be you who gets crowned as the March Mystery Hostess!!

You know, especially on busy days, we say, "Oh, I'd really like to make a card for so--n-so but I just don't have time."  Then we rush out, spend and hour between driving, shopping and purchase a flat card that's nice but doesn't have that little extra we would like it to.  You know, a handmade item doesn't have to be elaborate!  It can be beautiful in its simplicity and also much more cost and time effective than buying a card.  Here are a couple of cards showcasing that idea from a fellow CTMH consultant, Lisa Stenz:

Thefirst one is a favorite of mine because of the flowers.  They can nest one into the other and give a 3-D look so easily! They are actually made out of paper so you can take a little sponge and color them whatever you like to match your project.  The next one is also easy because you can take one flower image, stamp it at different heights and voilá you have a bouquet!  Well, I hope you enjoy this tip.  If I can ever be of assistance just let me know!

Making memories with you,

~Debbie~

March Madness continues... Random Stamping tip

Okay, ladies!   I have one order in the pool (who will receive the "Bee Mine" Petite Perks stamp set) but we need a few more so that we can crown a winner of the March Mystery Hostess contest and $25 in CTMH products of her choice!  Don't forget to get your order in by Sunday, March 28th, in order to qualify for the special stamp set and extra chances for the grand prize (see the previous post for details).

I'd like to share another tip with you that I really enjoy - random stamping!  You can create your very own, one-of-a-kind paper with your stamps and inks!  Because the CTMH stamps are clear and stamp so well, you can place a variety of images on your blank paper and create a beautifully patterned paper yourself.  Here's a sample of one of my first attempts, only using 3 stamp images and one color of ink on white cardstock:

While I have gotten better at it, it was pretty simple and fast to make it.  Select your biggest stamp image and use a "triangle pattern" to stamp the image around your paper: stamp once and then go up or down to the left and then to the right.  It is easier to show than to explain but I hope you can deduce it from the picture.  Remember to stamp off your paper to give it that look of a printed pattern.  Then follow with the other images in descending size order.  Here's a picture of how I used a piece of that paper in a layout:

Here's a picture (from another consultant) showing a layout with multi-color random stamping - gorgeous and I love that stamp set for a beach layout!

I really enjoy that technique and I hope you do, too.  If you need more info on random stamping, call or email me and we'll talk.  That's all for now - good night and God bless you!

Making memories with you,

~Debbie

March Madness - a CTMH version

I decided that I wanted to enjoy a little March Madness game time like my husband enjoys with his college basketball TV viewing, but do it the Close To My Heart way! I invite all of you to join me in this contest, where you can earn FREE product if you are chosen as the March Madness Mystery Hostess plus a bonus prize for your purchase. Email me and I will send you the complete details!

For the next couple of weeks, I will posting some ideas for crafting that I hope you will enjoy so stay tuned!  To get us started I thought I'd post a card I made as a "thank you" for my daughter's physical therapist.  It's a design called an "easel card" because the open flap of the card sits like an easel on the back side of the card.  Here's a link to a wonderful step-by-step tutorial on how to make it and a picture of my card:

Making memories with you,