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Papercrafting inspiration, techniques, projects and beautiful supplies from Close To My Heart(R) featured here.
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Monday, March 27, 2017

Planner Monday: Try New Things

Among the multitude of goals I have for April, "Try New Things" is at the top of that list. This week I focused on working with an art medium that I've been "meaning" to do for well over a year now! I know you can relate. So simple but pretty - acrylic paints. A light wash was perfect for my Planner Pages, some tags, cards...etc. No other medium besides stamping used. The look reminds me of washed wood at the beach. I learned that stamping on the paint did take longer to dry. So, get out that heat gun to set it quicker or get some patience. I will post some cards and tags later in the week but for now here is my #PlannerMonday.

I'd love to know what "New Things You Would Like To Try"?  Feel free to comment.
Here is my April Top Five:
  1. Try a new art medium. (check)
  2. Try a new recipe.
  3. Try a new business idea to grow my social media following.
  4. Try a new vegetable in my garden - plant the starter seed.
  5. Try going to Yoga twice a week! - Yoga is not new to me but GOING is.  LOL
#AddCreateAfterEveryAnd!
 #WishesAreSweet
#Don'tJustWish...DO! 
#TheGoodLifeIsSweet
 #ThereIsAlwaysAnAND!
#PlannerBling  #AndShouldAlwaysSparkle

The supplies I used are:
**I have been using Plan On It! Stamp Set, Some Kinda Wonderful and Good Life Complements and Silver Sequins all year long. The Silver Sequins are also great because they are flat. They add dimension and sparkle but minimal bulk.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Cricut Flower Market Cartridge

Do you love the paper flower craze all over Pinterest? CTMH Cricut(TM) Flower Market Cartridge is chock full of layered flat flowers perfect for cards and scrapbook layouts  as well as beautiful dimensional flowers for mixed media projects or home decor, tags and wall art. The creative possibilities are limitless.

There is a You Tube Video series devoted to this cartridge.  Every individual key has a 3 minute long video that gives you quick details on how to use each image, and then ties those images into project samples!


It's fabulous, so check it out here: Cricut Flower Market Single Key Project Videos.


Get your own Cricut Flower Market Collection by clicking here: I want it!


Key 1 Video Right Here - Right Now.

Monday, March 20, 2017

Planner Monday: Love Life As Much As You Live It

April 2017 Planner Quotes

"Love Life as much as you Live it"
"Try New Things"
"Life is Discovering that there are Infinite Possibilities.
 Art is the Sharing of those Discoveries"


I have to admit that as I end a theme for each month I get a little melancholy. I fell in love with my Planner Bling from February (coffee cups) and March's Teacup, Zen, Journaling theme.

However, this is what I am Discovering through my Planner Journey:
  1. Each Month, Week, Day is an Opportunity for a new start.
  2. My Planner is a Wonderful Art Journal that I can always go back to.
  3. Many of my Accessory and Bling Jewels can be used over and over!
  4. A New Theme allows me to refine my Focus, Learn a New Technique, and Challenge myself Artistically and Professionally.
  5. A new Month, Week, Day also reminds me to Appreciate what I HAVE accomplished.
For the month of April, I chose to use the Picture My Life Live Your Day Scrapbooking Cards. The set includes 36 3x4 cards and 20 4x6 cards and are on CLEARANCE for $3.00. Click here to check them out: Everyday Life PML Set.

I sliced and diced up this set for the flowers, note card pocket, and note cards. Thin foam tape was used under the flowers for a small bit of dimension while keeping a compact profile as a planner. These are all of the items I used: April Art Supplies





The My Acrylix Stamp Set I've been using right along is:  Plan On It (D1701)

"Looking forward to a few April Showers producing a bunch of May Flowers!"

Be sure to follow along on my other Social Media outlets for Card, Scrapbook, Mixed Media, Techniques, Events, and Special Promotions offered by me.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Updated Career Wardrobe Adventure!

Today's Blog has nothing to do with Papercrafting. It's all about my new venture with Stitch Fix. As I get older I find I hate shopping more and more for clothing. What?!! There is a company that will do it for me within my parameters of price, fabric, style, occasion, color, fit and size?! What?!! They will do it for a $20 "Styling Fee" per event which is REFUNDABLE if I keep even just ONE item out of the Five items they send per "Fix"?  What?!! I can return the whole thing for FREE.

Well, I need a spring/summer 2017 refresher so let's give this a go. The most I have to lose with Stitch Fix is the $20 Styling Fee if I don't buy anything at all from the five items they send me.  I can order a "Fix" one time only as I want or go on an auto-ship schedule of my choosing (bi-weekly, weekly, monthly, quarterly...). And, I can change it or cancel it anytime I want. I can also reschedule a "Fix" if out of town.

So, I'm giving it a try and will give you the good, bad, ugly and hopefully more so the pretty. I have absolutely no tie to Stitch Fix so you can be assured you will get the truth. All I ask is if you think you'll want to try this out...grab my referral code/link below. I receive a $25 referral credit which makes my posting time well worthwhile to me. Thanks girls and boys. (Yes, this is for men too, and they also have Plus sizes for us ladies.)

Here goes my first "Stitch Fix" for March 2017.

I was sent Five Items for this Fix: Blush Sweater, Cuffed Jean Capri, White Tunic, Cargo Cinch Jacket, and Animal Print Flat Shoe. All was packed beautifully. Notice I look a little wrinkled so that was my first "get over it" moment. You will not receive a pressed/steamed ready to wear outfit. It will need a little bit of TLC before you walk out the door. Second, I needed to be more specific on type of fabric NOT to send me. (I hate Rayon and Poly unless a small part of a blend.) This was my fault as there is plenty of space when creating your profile to be specific with your preferences.

What I did love was that my stylist really listened to me. I linked my special Pinterest Board to my Profile. (Highly recommended.)  You put your Pinterest Board link into your Stitch Fix Profile and that gives your Stylist access then to see your pins. My Board is called "Stylin". Feel free to check it out here. Chris' Stylin Pinterest Board   I loved that my Stylist gave me layering options, animal print shoes, included the color blush, and went casual/comfy. for me. All per my request.

So, what did I keep? I only kept one item: the Cargo Cinch Jacket. I loved I could cinch the waist, the fabric was nice and will travel well, the neutral color is versatile, quality was great in that the seams were all bound with a cute polka dot fabric. It's on the inside of the cuffs, but I know it's there. My $20 "Styling Fee" was thus applied toward cost of jacket which made this jacket a total of $50 including tax.

The following items were returned for the following reasons:

  1. Blush Sweater: Seemed a little big and boxy but mainly returned due to 100% Rayon (my fault)
  2. White Tunic: Loved the neckline, length, and print but again 100% Rayon (my fault).
  3. Capri, Cuffed Jean: I already own a pair almost exactly like them. They were very comfortable and petite which is key for me. But, back they go.
  4. Animal Print Shoe: I so wanted these to work out but they gaped at the sides, were very stiff, and gave me absolutely no support. 


All in all, I give this "Fix" a four out of five stars since two of the items were my fault for not being more specific on fabric. I learned a lot from this first fix. I updated fabrics on my profile and shoe preferences (sneakers and mules). I also tweaked shirt size. I think you need to give your stylist a few shipments to get to know you. I'm excited for my next "Fix" in April and will report back.

Here are a few notes to keep in mind:

  1. You will receive five items in each "Fix".
  2. There is no shipping to you or for returns.
  3. You pay a $20 Stylist Fee per Fix which is refundable if you buy one item.
  4. If you want all 5 items you get 25% off your "Fix" and the $20 Stylist Fee refunded.
  5. You have ONLY 3 days from when you get your fix to return any items. This is key.  They give you a return envelope already labeled, and it can go USPS. Just put it in your mailbox.
  6. Create a special Pinterest Board with outfits you love and link it to your Profile so your Stylist can get to know your tastes and preferences. (Genius!)
  7. Be as specific and accurate as you can when you create your profile. It really helps your Stylist.
  8. I'm giving my Stylist 3 tries. If no major success by then...I ask for a new Stylist which is completely acceptable and actually recommended. (Love!)
  9. Your items will be wrinkled and your items are NOT all made in America. You need to be ok with these two things.
  10. You receive "Stylist" look board flyers with your shipment with recommended outfits for you. I will be using these to recreate some of these recommended looks with my new cargo jacket and some items that I already own in my closet. (Loved this!)


Ciao Bella's!

My Stitch Fix Link



Monday, March 13, 2017

Planner Monday: Planner Meets Art Journal

The week of St. Patrick's Day is an especially emotional week for me, and I do all I can to create a zen environment for myself where I can find peace of mind, heart and soul. The theme for my Planner this week focuses on Journaling, Calming Senses, and scheduling time for Me. With these goals in mind, I used the March Stamp of the Month: Tea-rrific and stamp sets Good Thymes, and Plan On It. These three stamp sets along with gold heat embossing, gold shimmer trim, white and gold ribbon and twine all aided in the creation of this beautiful Planner Layout, Bling, and custom Folder with Journaling Cards. All I need now is some spa music and a lavender candle. And, yes, I did use real teabags and packets in this layout ;)
It smells and looks #TEA-RRIFIC!









Like this look? Click on the blue Follow button under my Blog Title to get automatic updates when I post, and click on Shop With Me Link for the items used to create this look.

Monday, March 6, 2017

Planner Monday: 3/6/2017

Focusing on my business goals, I wanted to mix in some fun teacups from the March Stamp of the Month: "Tea-rrific". Afterall, what are business goals without some whimsy and bright colors mixed in to inspire a person! Products used are listed below with a link. Enjoy planning your week with  me.





Shopping List:
CC178 Everyday Life Stripes Album and Inserts Bundle $15.95
X7217C Some Kinda Wonderful Complements $6.95
Z3264 Good Life Complements $11.95
D1701 Plan On It Stamp Set $17.95
Z3145 Picture My Life Overlay Black $4.00
Z3211 Everyday Life Washi Tape $1.25
Z1920 Gold Polka Dot Washi Tape $2.00
Z3220 Picture My Life Journaling Cards $2.00
S1703 March Stamp of the Month: Tea-rrific $5 with a $50 order or $17.95 retail

Total of $67.05 retail (tax and s&h will be additional). These are all items I have been using and will continue to use throughout the 2017 planning/journaling year. You will get good use out of everything.

If you love it all click here and your cart will be pre-populted. If you want to pick and choose, just edit items in your cart prior to checkout: http://flourishinghearts.closetomyheart.com/Retail/ViewCart.aspx