Gift Idea #5

Last year I saw several Close To My Heart consultants making these Tic Tac snowman cards. I'm not sure who originally came up with the idea or poem. Shayla, my niece, and I made several of these for her to give to friends last year. I made a few this year for a craft show and to have on hand for gift giving. The poem says:

He's cute, kindly

and full of good wishes.

He wants to give you

these snowman kisses.

Supplies (All Close To My Heart): Aspen Paper Packet (Twilight and Patterned paper), White Daisy cardstock, Black ink pad, Orange marker, Outdoor Denim ribbon

Other: Tic Tac, Computer print out of poem

Gift Idea #4

I made these Mini candy bar holders and passed them out to my coworkers instead of cards this year. If you want to know how to make them you can find the directions here.

Supplies:

Evensong Level 2 Paper Packet (Close To My Heart), Festive Thoughts Stamp Set (Close To My Heart), Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon (Close To My Heart), Scallop Punch (Stampin' Up), Velcro, Candy bar

Gift Idea #3

Last year I saw a Chapstick holder made by another Close To My Heart Consultant. I thought that was a neat idea for a stocking stuffer! It's another great way to use small pieces of paper too.

All Supplies from Close To My Heart:
Cranberry cardstock, White daisy cardstock, Everlasting Creative Basics Collection paper and ribbon (retired), Red sparkles (retired), Christmas Melodies stamp set, It's a Party stamp set

Gift Idea #2

These gifts have been called "clippy boards" among Close To My Heart Consultants. They are a quick and easy project to put together. It's a great way to use scraps of paper too!

Supplies: Patterned Paper from Sarsaparilla and Caprice Collections (Close To My Heart), Ribbon (Close To My Heart), Flower (Close To My Heart), Corner Rounder Punch (Close To My Heart), Rhinestone and Pearls (Kaiser Scrapbook), Binder clips, Post-It Notes

Gift Idea #1

I'm so inspired by the work I see of other bloggers and CTMH consultants. Often I save a project idea on my computer for those times I need a gift idea. With the holidays approaching I needed several of those ideas. My niece Shayla asked for my help to make something for her friends. I showed her several ideas and this is the one she picked. This is a chocolate box designed for Ghirardelli squares, but it could be used for many things. I found the tutorial here.

Supplies: New England Ivy cardstock (Close To My Heart), Evensong Creative Basics Collection -patterned paper (Close To My Heart), Ribbon from Walmart, Ticket Punch (Stampin' Up)

A Few Things I've Been Making

For the last few weeks I've been frustrated with having bursitis in my shoulder. So I haven't crafted in awhile. It's been getting better through rest and physical therapy.

This week I was on vacation and I made a few things. Actually many things! Here are two boxes. The first one is a heavy card board box inspired by another Close To My Heart consultant. It's called "Christmas in a Box". Use it to keep all of your cards, gift tags, and materials for gift giving in one place.

Supplies (All Close To My Heart): My Creations Memory Keeper (box), Evensong Creative Basics Paper, Cranberry Cardstock, New England Ivy Cardstock, Olive Cardstock, Big Pinks (flowers), Cranberry reinker, New England Ivy reinker, Sparkles, Buttons

Close To My Heart has designated January as National Papercrafting Month and put together a beautiful collection. I received my preview order last week and it's one of those paper collections you don't want to cut. Awhile back I purchased some wooden items to alter. I have a few pollyanna gift exchanges in the coming weeks so I decided on a Key to My Heart Box. Now I made a gift I don't want to give away!

Supplies: Wooden Box (Kaiser scrapbook), Paint (Making Memories), Key to My Heart Paper and Stamp Collection (Close To My Heart), Big Pinks (Close To My Heart), Circle Window Charm (Close To My Heart), Fibers - Waxy Flax & Ribbon (Close To My Heart), Key (7gypsies)

Cards using Die-Cuts

Close To My Heart has a special offer for the month of November. It's collections of die-cuts with some dimensional elements that coordinate with their color palette. Here are some cards using the Autumn Harvest collection.

Design: Originals "Triple the Fun"

Supplies (All Close To My Heart): Enchanted Level 2 paper packet, Cottage Floral stamp set, November Word Puzzle stamp set, Autumn Harvest Die-Cut collection, Dimensional Elements Flower Garden, Sparkles, Piercing Tool, Originals book

Design: Stair / Step Card, I just learned this card design from a fellow CTMH consultant. It's so fun and would be great to use for place cards at a table.

Supplies (All Close To My Heart): Enchanted Level 2 paper packet, Shining Star stamp set, Autumn Harvest Die-Cut collection, Sparkles

Photography Art Piece

My friend Randi has come up with a wonderful idea. She has been collecting old windows from barns and houses to showcase photos. She is an awesome photographer. This piece is hanging in her living room.


Sometimes she has asked me for paper to mat pictures for these windows. A few weekends ago she wanted to complete a piece together. She asked me to pick out some of my favorite photos and then paper to coordinate with them. I decided to use pictures I have of lighthouses. Then I chose Close To My Heart's retired paper Metropolitan. I've been hoarding this paper :) I love it, especially for black and white photos.

Randi had the perfect window for the project. It matched the paper. We didn't need to paint it, but we sanded it to give a weathered look. After cleaning it up we decided on a layout and cut the paper to the correct size. That was the hardest part! I'm happy with the way it turned out, but now I need to find a place to hang it!

Homecoming Album

I haven't been to a high school football game since I was in high school. That was over 15 years ago! This past Friday was homecoming and my niece was the Sophomore princess. She was escorted on the field by my brother (her dad). I had a long weekend so I decided to put together a quick album for her. Next weekend she will be in a parade. I put the album together with rings so more pages can be added later.


Supplies: Acrylic cover (Zutter), Patterned paper (Bo Bunny), Rubon letters (Close To My Heart), Paper flowers (Prima), Jumbo eyelets and rhinestone brads (Stampin Up), Rhinestones (Kaiser scrapbook), assorted ribbon, ring binders

A Blog Is Born

Remember the name game you play when you pick an adjective that starts with the same letter as your name? Well for me it was crafty. So now I welcome you to Crafting With Crystal.