Stamp Fairy Presents

   When getting my house ready for the mini 8 hour crops, I think about where the ladies will sit, what they will eat for dinner, what little prizes I can give, what big prizes will be at the end of the evening, what techniques I will teach, and the most important to me is what stamp fairy presents I will create for the ladies.  Each crop I make 3 "Stamp Fairy Presents" to give during the day.  Each present has Close to My Heart paper and something is stamped on it somewhere and best of all the presents are Close to My Heart products and chocolate of some kind.
  This crop  I went with a chocolate theme.  The little chinese takeout box has chocolate mints inside.  I used the "Wonderland paper" for the box and the stamp is from the December Stamp of the Month.  The rub-ons are chocolate.  The topper is made from the retired "Twitterpated paper" and I used the upcoming April Stamp of the Month.  The heart shaped box is made with "Cocoa paper" and I stamped the center using the upcoming March Stamp of the Month.  Inside the is a mini stampset. 

 What do you think of the presents?  When you attend a crop, do you like getting presents and prizes or just one or the other?  The future dates for the mini crops are:

March 24, 2012 SOLD OUT

May 19, 2012

September 22, 2012

November 10, 2012

These crops sell out quickly.  So don't delay!  I am taking reservations for the May 19th date.

Hugs, Holly



Make A Miracle Challenge

Ladies I am looking for your help to raise the money needed for this great cause. Please help me make a difference in others lives. You can donate on my website, even without making a purchase. This great fundraiser goes until March 31, 2012.

Please visit http://ctmh.com/hollyvalerius to make your donation.

Hugs, Holly

Sneak Peek #4

   Are you getting excited about the new Spring/Summer Idea book from Close to My Heart?  I know I am so stinkin' excited to share it with you!!!!! 
   Remember on Saturday, February 18th with be the new Idea book Open House from 6:00-10:00 pm.  Please RSVP if you are planning on joining me for some fun and you will be making a project.  RSVP's need to be made by February 13th, to ensure I have cut for your project.

   Ready to see another project using new products?  This is a card I am making for the unit swap.  I used the new "Stella" paper pack, "Just for you" stamp set, a clear sparkle, cocoa cardstock, and cocoa, sunset and tulip ink.

What do you think of this card?  Let me know your thoughts.

Hugs, Holly

Sneak Peek #3

   Are you liking the little sneak peeks I am giving you this week?  Today I am going to share with you another project that could be done at a home gathering.  Wouldn't this be fun to do with your friends and family.  I may even use this project for the Februay 18th Open House.  I am just not sure if I like this project better than the one from yesterday.

Today's gift card holder uses the new "Lucy" paper pack, "Just for you" stamp set, desert sand, cotton candy, and blush ink, a chocolate button, clear sparkle, and ribbon from the pink collection.  The flower is cut from the Art Philosophy cricut cartridge.

This is the inside of the holder.  I used the "Lucy" workshop on the go stamp set, hollyhock bitty brads, grey wool, blush, hollyhock, creme brulee ink, and sweet leaf and creme brulee cardstock.  The gift card would be placed on the sweet leaf card stock, under the little flap that is created from the brads.  You would write your message on the creme brulee cardstock that is tucked in the bag pocket.

What do you think of this project?  I would love to know your thoughts and opinions.  Do you like this one better than yesterday's gift card holder?  Please leave me a message.

Hugs, Holly

Sneak Peek #2

    Today I am going to share with you a gift card holder.  I am thinking about making this my project for the February 18th Open House.  What do you think????

     This gift card holder is used with the new Florentine paper pack, a banner from the Close to My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, sweet leaf ribbon, "A Garden" stamp set and new bitty pearls.

This is the inside of the holder.  I used Bamboo cardstock and stamped the message from "A Garden" using desert sand ink.  Everything has been edged in desert sand.  The gift card would go into the top part (white).

This is a super fun project.  I would love to make it with you at the Open House and at your next home gathering.  You can choose from any of the 8 new paper packs: Lucy, Cruisin', Florentine, Stella, Footloose, Superhero, Pemberly, and Victory. 

Hugs, Holly

Sneak Peek of the new Spring/Summer Idea Book

    I was working today at my craft table on some card swap designs and a unit meeting project.  Over the next few days I will be revealing some of the designs that I came up with.  I would love to hear from you, your thoughts on these projects.

   Remember on Saturday, February 18th. at 6:00 pm will be my New Idea Book Open House.  We will be doing a project using some of the new paper, stamps, and embellishments.  Please RSVP to me by Monday, February 13th, so I can have your project cut.

   This card uses black, juniper, and grey wool cardstock along with Cruisin' paper.  I used the new "Born to Ride" stamp set.  The ink is black and cranberry.  A very manly card.  What do you think?

Love Your Layout: January 2012

Studio J is fun and easy to work with. Have you tried it out yet? This month Close to My Heart is running a great special. When you buy 9 layouts with your membership you will get the 10th. one for free. Come on over and your hand at Studio J!!!!!

Retiring Products from Close to My Heart

This is the list of all of the products that are retiring from Close to My Heart.  You can shop online or host a home gathering before January 31, 2012 to get your fun items.  I wouldn't delay, some of these items might sell out before the month is over.

There is a long list of retiring product :
Paper Collections
Typeset Workshop On The Go (WOTG) Kit – G1024 - $29.95
Roxie WOTG Kit – G1025 - $29.95
Elemental WOTG Kit – G1026 - $29.95
Dreamin’ L2 Paper – X7142B - $9.95
Dreamin’ My Stickease – X7142C - $4.95
Dreamin’ WOTG Kit – G1027 - $29.95
Sonoma WOTG Kit – G1028 - $29.95
Mischief L2 Paper – X7144B - $9.95
Mischief Compliment Rub-Ons – X7144C - $4.95
Mischief WOTG Kit – G1029 - $29.95
Believe L2 Paper – X7145B - $9.95
Believe My Stickease – X7145C - $4.95
Believe WOTG Kit – G1030 - $29.95
Wonderland L2 Paper – X7146B - $9.95
Wonderland My Stickease – X7146C - $4.95
Wonderland WOTG Kit – G1031 - $29.95
Sophia L2 Paper – X7131B - $12.95
Sophia My Stickease – X7131C - $4.95
Mayberry L2 Paper – X7136B - $12.95
Mayberry My Stickease – X7136C - $4.95
Lucky L2 Paper – X7137B - $12.95
Lucky My Stickease – X7137C - $4.95
Fanfare L2 Paper – X7138B - $12.95
Fanfare My Stickease – X7138C - $4.95

Stamp Sets
A Hop – A1112 - $6.95
A Little Buzz – B1353 - $9.95
A Little Everything – D1408 - $17.95
A Love – A1103 - $6.95
A Paisley – A1105 - $6.95
A Posy – A1102 - $6.95
Adoption – A1098 - $6.95
Adorning Corners – D1322 - $17.95
Always In My Heart – A1101 - $6.95
Ambiance – C1349 - $13.95
Around The Block – D1377 - $17.95
Baby Love – B1368 - $9.95
Backgrounds and Borders – D1463 - $17.95
Beary Best – C1363 - $13.95
Beary Busy – C1409 - $13.95
Beautiful Butterflies – B1373 - $9.95
Beautiful Things – D1298 - $17.95
Believe In Your Dreams – B1322 - $9.95
Beloved – B1343 - $9.95
Birthday Blast – C1436 - $13.95
Birthday Boy – C1411 - $13.95
Bless This Nest – C1445 - $13.95
Blooming Layers – C1449 - $13.95
Bon Apetit – D1367 - $17.95
Boom! – B1354 - $9.95
Bunny Love – B1324 - $9.95
Campin’ Fever – D1353 - $17.95
Carefree – C1447 - $13.95
Catching Waves – D1466 - $17.95
Charmed – C1385 - $13.95
Cherished Flourishes – D1413 - $17.95
Ciao – D1461 - $17.95
Circle Around – D1300 - $17.95
Circle of Love – D1438 - $17.95
Circle Together – B1372 - $9.95
Connections – D1330 - $17.95
Cruisin’ – D1471 - $17.95
Cupcakes Sprinkles – D1336 - $17.95
Daydream – D1297 - $17.95
Down By The Sea – C1451 - $13.95
Dream Big – D1399 - $17.95
Dreams Come True – D1470 - $17.95
Enjoy Every Moment – C1395 - $13.95
Extreme Happiness – C1356 - $13.95
Family – C1305 - $13.95
Family Ties - Adult – C1346 - $13.95
Family Ties – Children – C1345 - $13.95
Family Ties – Pet – B1350 - $9.95
Fill In The Blank – D1465 - $17.95
Flower Pot – D1409 - $17.95
For Every Occasion – D1187 - $17.95
Friendship Blessings – D1191 - $17.95
From My Heart – C1443 - $13.95
Fun Times – B1309 - $9.95
Happy Holidays – D1431 - $17.95
Happy Moments – C1437 - $13.95
Hero – D1474 - $17.95
His and Hers – C1460 - $13.95
Horizon – C1454 - $13.95
Hot Diggity – C1407 - $13.95
Howdy – D1435 - $17.95
In The Month Of April – C1405 - $13.95
In The Month Of February – C1403 - $13.95
In The Month Of July – C1417 - $13.95
In The Month Of June – C1416 - $13.95
In The Month Of March – C1404 - $13.95
In The Month Of May – C1415 - $13.95
It’s A Zoo – C1360 - $13.95
Just For Boys – C1338 - $13.95
Just For Girls – C1337 - $13.95
Just The Ticket – B1323 - $9.95
Kanji Phrases – C1339 - $13.95
Let’s Go Camping – C1355 - $13.95
Little Princess – C1414 - $13.95
Love Always – D1337 - $17.95
Love Birds – C1396 - $13.95
Love Ya – D1460 - $17.95
Magic Tabs – C1448 - $13.95
Makin’ Waves – C1365 - $13.95
Ms. Chillin’ – D1404 - $17.95
Ms. Scrapbook – B1352 - $9.95
Notice The Details – D1378 - $17.95
On The Edge – C1399 - $13.95
On This Day – D1468 - $17.95
One Of A Kind – D1410 - $17.95
Over The Rainbow – D1426 - $17.95
Paisley Praise – D1414 - $17.95
Piece of Cake – D1407 - $17.95
Play Day – D1360 - $17.95
Post Card – Travel Series – D1357 - $17.95
Precious Love – C1444 - $13.95
Priceless Love Word Puzzle – D1348 - $17.95
Recipe Box – D1364 - $17.95
Retro Tech – C1446 - $13.95
Royal Birth – D1441 - $17.95
Salutation Seals – C1461 - $13.95
Shining Star – D1320 - $17.95
Smiles – C1397 - $13.95
So Lucky – C1390 - $13.95
Soul Mates – D1254 - $17.95
Springtime – D1415 - $17.95
Star Power – D1403 - $17.95
Summer Breeze – C1453 - $13.95
Summer Days – B1375 - $9.95
Sweet Baby – C1359 - $13.95
Take Luck – B1364 - $9.95
Tasty Treats – D1427 - $17.95
Tea Time – C1438 - $13.95
Thank You – D1361 - $17.95
Thrill Ride – D1425 - $17.95
TLC – C1364 - $13.95
Togetherness – D1402 - $17.95
Treetops – C1368 - $13.95
Trellis – D1451 - $17.95
True Happiness – D1365 - $17.95
Two-Step Backgrounds – D1473 - $17.95
Unity – C1422 - $13.95
X-Treme – D1432 - $17.95
You Did It – C1351 - $13.95
You Rock – D1346 - $17.95
You’re Great – D1434 - $17.95
You’re Sweet – B1351 - $9.95

Ribbon
Colonial White Ribbon collection - Z1126 - $7.95
Cranberry grosgrain ribbon - Z1103 - $6.95
Cocoa grosgrain ribbon - Z1100 - $6.95
Colonial White grosgrain ribbon - Z1102 - $6.95
White Daisy grosgrain ribbon - Z270 - $6.95
Wings Level 2 Assortment - Z1398 - $4.95

Floss
Embroidery Floss - Red/Pink - Z1092 - $3.25
Embroidery Floss - Green - Z1094 - $3.25
Embroidery Floss - Blue/Purple - Z1093 - $3.25

Waxy Flax
Waxy Flax - Cranberry - Z1086 - $3.95
Waxy Flax - Sorbet - Z1249 - $3.95
Waxy Flax - Juniper - Z1248 - $3.95
Waxy Flax - Crystal Blue - Z1247 - $3.95

Brads
Designer Brads - Colonial White - Z1274 - $3.95
Decorative Brads - Pewter - Z1146 - $3.95

Mini-Medley and Eyelets
Mini Medley - Antiqued Copper - Z1275 - $4.95
Mini Medley - Colonial White - Z1276 - $4.95
Foundry Metal - Bookplates - Z1147 - $3.50
Soft Set Eyelet Tool - Z1208 - $14.95
Soft Set Eyelets - Black and White Daisy - Z1228 - $3.95
Soft Set Eyelets - Chocolate and Colonial White - Z1229 - $3.95

Coordinating Collection Embellishments
Midnight Felt Shapes - Z1462 - $3.95
Harvest Charms - Z1633 - $4.95
Holiday Pockets - Z1486 - $4.95
Top Coats Icing Overlays - Z1468 - $4.95
Lucky Level 2 Assortment - Z1356 - $4.95
Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots - Z1359 - $3.95
Bliss Level 2 Assortment - Z1355 - $5.95
Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment - Z1386 - $4.95
Fanfare Level 2 Assortment - Z1400 - $4.95
Just Blooms Spring Blossom - Z1266 - $7.95
Just Blooms White Daisy Variety Pack - Z1300 - $5.95

Color Ready Alphabets
Color Ready Alphabets - Oxford - X5749 - $3.95
Color Ready Alphabets - Hodge Podge - X1406 - $3.95

Dimensional Elements
Dimensional Elements - On Target - Z1226 - $5.95
Dimensional Elements - Flurry - Z1225 - $4.95

My Creations Items
My Creations - Board Book - Z1310 - $6.95
My Creations - Journal - Z1268 - $7.95
My Creations - Memory Showcase 9x9 - Z1198 - $5.95

Misc.
Rubber Brayer - Z616 - $12.95
Eyelet Tool Replacement Punches - Z1245 - $2.95

Wedding Shower Favors

  My cousin, Lynn, from California got engaged just before Christmas.  The whole family is so excited for her and Ike.  The wedding will be here in Michigan this coming July.  We are planning a spring shower for April 1st.  I am planningn on making the shower favors for her.  I will be making 60 pillow boxes with a paper rose on each.  We will be filling them with tea bags for the adult ladies and M & M's for the little girls that will be coming.

I used the Close to My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge for the pillow box and the rose and Sophia paper from last spring's ida book.  
The boxes are cut at 5 1/2" on the cricut in daisy white.
The roses are cut at 3" on the cricut in blush.
The belly bands (Sophia paper) is at 3" x 7".
The last step was to add stardust glitz on the roses.

What do you think of them?  Do you like the stripe or the tiny dot one?  Let me know what you think.  We can make these cute boxes at your next gathering!!!  They are fun :)

Hugs, Holly

10 Favorite Things...

   Do you have favorite things that you like to do, eat, or play with?  Maybe your children or grandchildren do.  I have the scrapbook layout for you!  Join me on January 19th at the Allen Park Biggby coffee shop to make this layout.  Class is at 6:30 and the fees are $10.00.  Please RSVP and prepay by Monday, January 16, 2012 to me or the shop.

I would love for you to join me for class.  Come and try it out.  We have a ton of fun in class monthly!!!

hugs, Holly