NEW!!! 6" Mini Photo Cube Towers :)

These are what I have been busy designing!  I'll be doing a Mini Photo Cube Tower Workshop at my house as well as at the fundraiser for Grant's scout troop. The cost will be $10/3 block tower.  I'll cut all papers, all you have to do is stamp and assemble!

The "boy" tower is made using the "Super Hero" paper packet from CTMH and the "girl" tower is made using the "Roxie" paper packet.  These towers will showcase as many as six 1 1/2" photos.   These would make adorable desk decorations for your office or would be the perfect item to give as a gift.  Mine will be sitting on my entertainment center with my kids' pictures on them :)  

There are MANY pictures in this post so that you can see the full effect of the cubes.  I absolutely LOVE them!  The toppers are made using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge (available only through Close To My Heart).  Ask me how to buy the cartridge for 50% off!

  

Sick Baby = Time for Crafting

Averi is feeling under the weather today and has taken longer naps than she usually does.  I decided to take advantage of the down time while my house was quiet.  Tommy's at work, Grant's at school, Averi's sleeping in her swing and I was being crafty!!!

Grant's behavior charts are in full swing at school.  What exactly does this mean on the crafting front?  I needed a fun way to track the number of happy faces that he earns towards his reward.  He's going to a Blue Jackets game on Feb 12th with Tommy.  A prize he won at school for good behavior  :)  He wants a long sleeve Blue Jackets shirt to wear to the game.  For those of you who know me, you know my great love of couponing, recycling items into new items, and thrift stores.  We lucked out and found a hoody at Goodwill :)  Not only are we supporting a great cause, we got the shirt at a GREAT price and Grant will be thrilled once he finally earns it. (lets hope it happens before the game!)   Here's my fun take on tracking his happy faces earned.  The one baby food jar started out with 16 pompoms (the "Happy Faces To Go" jar).  Every time he earns a happy face on his behavior chart, he moves one to his "Happy Faces Earned" jar.  He hasn't seen them yet but I told him I'd come up with a fun way to track it ... I think he'll be excited!

A project that I had made on Monday evening came in SUPER handy on Tuesday night!  Just as Grant was getting ready to start his homework (a spelling activity that I usually help him with) Averi decided she was hungry.  Crisis was averted by my project from the day before!  I made him a magnetic board with his spelling words on it.  He was able to get the board down and quickly get his homework done.  The board also looks MUCH neater than the usual mess we have on our garage/kitchen door.  No hooks were needed because I put magnets on the back :)  Each week we'll just change the spelling words :)

I am working on another project but that will have to wait for another post!

Thank You Card :)

After Crafty Kids today I decided to engage in some craftiness myself.  I created a thank you card for my cousin.  My goal was to do an all stamping card.  This proved to be more of a challenge that I thought it would be.  I never realized how much I depend on the patterns of papers to create cards.

This year one of my goals for the year is to step outside of my comfort zone (you know, the same place I pull my customers to all the time lol) and try new things.  I have never EVER liked my water brush and seeing as I couldn't find my trusty, reliable blending pen, I opted to try out the water brush once again.  This was the first time that my water brush work has turned out half way decent and not looking like I dumped a glass of water on my project.  I still have a LONG way to go to be able to say my project looks good but I'll consider it a victory seeing as it's something that I'm actually willing to show others ;)

Made using the Stamp of the Month for June 2012 

(I can see this stamp is going to be a favorite of mine!)

This part was a little more challenging seeing as I wanted to keep it all stamping.  

It took a little more creativity on my part :)  

Stamping along the bottom of the envelope

Stamping along the seal

Crafty Kids ~ Projects completed for January :)

Crafty Kids was SUPER busy today!  Some of the children missed the November workshop so we had all sorts of projects on the go!  Payton created the cutest birthday gift tags using the ornaments.  I will post pictures of her work once I receive the pictures :)  

The magnetic memo boards were a hit!!!  Everyone did a super job making their boards.  There were many steps to making the clips for the boards but they all turned out amazingly well!  I was hoping to take pictures of the finished projects today but got so wrapped up in the projects that I didn't even take my camera out.  As parents send pictures to me, I'll post them for you all to see.

We also made superhero Valentines treats with Tootsie Roll Pops.  Thank you Pinterest for this adorable idea!!

Many people question the talents and abilities of children (especially when it comes to using stamps & inks) but my Crafty Kiddos always do a great job!  Next month we will be making coin banks and Easter cards featuring the "Peeps" stamp from the new idea book :)  If you're interested in signing your child up for Crafty Kids, message me for details :)

My son Grant with his board.

Grant showing off his Superhero Valentine. 

Superhero close up (sorry for the poor lighting!)

The cape of the Superhero :) (again, poor lighting, sorry!)

Crafty Kids ~ January

This is one of the projects that the children will be completing at their Crafty Kids workshop for January.  

They're magnetic display boards.  I made the sample one for Averi's room from the Sophia paper packet (it matches the colors in her room PERFECTLY ... I used the same papers to make her name banner).    I will use hers to hang her headbands on.  The one that Grant makes will be used to display pictures/notes/artwork.  It's a super easy project for the kiddos to do and it looks great :)  These also make terrific dry erase boards.  Grant likes to use them to practice his spelling words on them.  

Everyone will create decorative clothespins in the color of their choice.  The edges of the clothespins will be inked and magnetic strips will be added to the back.  The kiddos will get to add their name in papers that match their clips.  The letters were cut out on my Cricut machine and made into stickers using my Xyron sticker maker.  

We will also be making a few Valentines cards.  (photos to come once the workshop is done)

If you're interested in signing your child up for Crafty Kids, it's a month to month registration so feel free to pick and choose the workshops that work for your family!  Next month we will be making milk carton coin banks and Easter cards (with the ADORABLE new "peeps" stamp from the Spring/Summer 2012 idea book!)  

~Bobbi~

Update Time!!!

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope that 2012 has been treating you well :)

I wanted to take a minute to update everyone on the happenings in my Close To My Heart world.

                                     New Spring/Summer Idea Book!

The new Spring/Summer Idea Book goes live February 1st!!!  This is BY FAR my favorite idea book so far!  Corporate received requests for more "boy" papers and they delivered in a big way this time!!!  As always, there are fabulous gender neutral and beautiful "girl" paper as well as an amazing superhero packet and a camoflague packet!  They outdid themselves with new stamps including some background stamps that can be used to create your own custom made papers! 

    I am offering additional hostess perks to the first 3 people who host gatherings from the new idea book!  Host a qualifying gathering (minumum $150 in sales ~ either a home gathering or online gathering) and receive a free A-size stamp of your choice!  Contact me to get your gathering set up!!  Below are a few of the new amazing packets available for the first time in the spring/summer 2012 idea book! 

          




       

        

                                                                  

                                                   Last Chance!

The current idea book is only good through January 31st.  If you want to get any paper packets or embellishments from the current book do it now!  (Roxie, Typeset, Sonoma and Elemental will carry over into the next idea book).  As always , stamp sets from the fall/winter 2011 idea book will be available through the duration of the spring/summer 2012 idea book. 

   I have online ordering available now through January 31st.  If you're interested in placing an order (there is a terrific "while supplies last" clearance section!)  email me and I'll send you the invite.  Be sure to choose the $4.95 shipping option for your best value! 

                                               Crafty Kids

Crafty Kids is up and running!  We have had fun creating all sorts of fun projects!  You can sign up for this on a month to month basis.   The fee for Crafty Kids is $10/child.  I offer two different classes.  Workshops are held on the 3rd Sunday of every month.  The 12:30 class is for children ages 3 - 5 and the 2pm class is for children ages 6 and up.  Next month we will be creating coin banks and non-breakable mirrors.  Fees for Crafty Kids are due by the 25th of the previous month.  If you're interested in signing your child up for February's workshop just give me a call.  Spots are limited so sign up early!!!

                                                         Parties

I am starting a new endeavor for the new year!  Need something to do at your child's birthday party?  Contact me, we can set up a workshop project, I'll come to your house, do the project with the group and bring all of the necessary supplies.  Fees will vary depending on which project you choose.  Call me to discuss specifics on this.

                                                      Fundraising

This is also another new avenue for the new year.  This is probably one of the easiest fundraisers that your group will EVER do! No door to door sales, no collecting money, no delivering orders ... All you have to do is send out emails!!!  I will set up an online gathering for your group, send out the initial emails and then the fundraising fun begins!  The families will send out the invites to their family and friends.  All orders are paid for online and items are shipped directly to the customers and your group will earn 15% of all sales!!  Want to take it a step further?  Find a gathering place, host a crop, and make even more money for your group.  I will attend the crop to teach some new techniques and help your attendees expand their scrapbooking/paper crafting skills.  Contact me for more information!

I will be mailing/delivering new idea books in the next few weeks.  Once you receive your copy of the new idea book, place a $50 order and get this extremely versatile stamp of the month for just $5 !!!!  All boxes shown in the image below are created using our exclusive Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  The $99 cartridge has over 700 images on it and comes with 3 My Acrylix D-size stamp sets as well as 3 Dimensional Elements sheets!   Want to purchase the Cricut cartridge for 50% off?  Host a qualifying gathering of $250 or more and purchase it for $49.50 plus tax! 

                                                                                                       

I hope that this email finds you well and please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you achieve your scrapbooking potential this year :)

                  ~Bobbi Dailey~

                    (937) 209-0008

           craftedworks@yahoo.com