March Project Using Cricut CTMH Artiste “C” Key and Tommy Paper Pak

Posted on March 14, 2013 by RHR

Have you seen the new Tommy paper packet in the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book?  I just love it.  As soon as I saw it, I knew exactly what pictures I was going to use with it.  My youngest son is turning 10 next month and I still hadn’t scrapped his baby pictures and announcement.  These pictures really make me smile and it was a shame they hadn’t been put in his book.  I think I was waiting for the exactly the right paper to come along, because I wanted to make sure I did the pictures justice.

So here it is! 

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My sweet Luke at 3 months old proudly displayed using the Tommy Paper Pak which you can purchase here and the coordinating Tommy Assortment and Complements Canvas Shapes. 
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I also used the new Outdoor Denim Cheveron Ribbon to add detail to one of the canvas shapes.  You will love the quality of these canvas shapes.  They are heavy and self-sticking.  Of course, I used my cricut Close To My Heart Artiste Cartridge to cut out the “baby Boy” text.

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Since it has been 10 years since these photos were taken and my memory isn’t that great.  I decided to ask my family members to journal on the boxes, things they remember about Luke when he was a baby.  He still makes me happy with his sweet smile.  If you would like to learn how to make this layout or just want to get back to crafting…contact me…not only do we have some really fun retreats coming up, I can send you a CTMH idea book full of beautiful projects.

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March Stamp of the Month

To place an order to qualify for this month’s Stamp of the Month join my online gathering here.  Now’s a great time to join Close to My Heart…why not consider joining my CTMH team? You can find out more about that here.

 

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Special Mother’s Day Weekend Mini Retreat….

Posted on February 26, 2013 by RHR

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Do you need some time to scrap but can’t get away for an entire weekend?  RHR has a special mini retreat designed just for you and it’s the perfect Mother’s Day gift.  Arrive Friday, May 10th at 10am and stay until Saturday, May 11th till 10pm for 36 hours of crafting bliss!  (for $50 more stay over until Sunday).   Two dinners, breakfast & lunch will be provided.  All this and the regular snacks, sodas & craft tools for $150 . After one and a half days of crafting bliss, we have planned it so you will get  home just in time to celebrate Mother’s Day with your loved ones.  To register go to:  http://www.rabbithillranch.com/Scrapbookretreatreg.html.  Questions, give me a call at 619-204-5189 or email customerservice@rabbithillranch.com.

Discounts do not apply to this special offer.

Bet you can’t guess who I am in the picture above!~  <:

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Paper Cupcakes Blog Hop #6

Posted on February 14, 2013 by RHR

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Welcome to the Paper Cupcakes Blog Hop #6.  If you came from Karen Cullen’s blog you are in the right place..  This month you will be treated to creations that have utilized the ”F” key of the CTMH ARTISTE collection Cricut Cartridge.

My artwork was inspired by page 16 of our latest Idea Book.  I am coordinating a meeting for 175 National Charity League Board Members.  When I saw the beautiful Chantilly papers in our new Idea Book, I knew that was what I wanted to use for the meeting decorations.  (I have already done a wedding using one of our paper packs for the theme…why not a board meeting?).  It took a few hours to cut and make the many flowers utilizing the different flower cuts on our Artiste and Art Philosophy cartridges.   To make it easier to make the flowers I use the extremely fine pointed tweezers from CTMH, many people find the  CTMH quilling tool is also helpful in

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making flowers.

Anyone who attends one of my Scrapbook retreats will learn how to make these flowers and more.  Click here if you are intersted in attending.  I have a few spots left for March 1-3rd.

To add an additional sparkle, I randomly placed bitty sparkles inside the flowers using the fine pointed tweezers.

To glue it all down, I used our liquid glass glue on the My Creations Bracket Frame.  I cut a square piece of the yellow Chantilly background and texture paper (B&T) for the back of the frame.   The letters were from our Dimensional Elements Monograms.  For the Spring banner, I cut the letters out of our White Daisy card stock using the basic Cricut font.  I gave them elevation with 3D foam tape.   I love how the white letters stand out on the Twilight card stock.  I also used the Twilight Ink to stamp the frame from the “Frame Flair” My Acrylix stamp that coordinates with the cut out on the CTMH “Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge“. 

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The banner was made with the My Creations Mini Banner  pennants.  The Chantilly B&T was cut exactly to size using the Art Philosophy cartridge (measure top to bottom when entering size).  I added embellishments from the Chantilly Complements Dimensional Elements distressing the edges with Twilight ink and

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glitter gel.  I plan to add ribbons using the very cute Chantilly Textiles our new fabric line.  I also plan on using the new My Creations Muslin Drawstring Bags stamped with sayings from our For A Friend Acrylix stamp for favors.  My next decoration to tackle
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will be the 22 table centerpieces  …ideas anyone?  Let me know what you think…and don’t forget if you purchase $50 worth of CTMH products this month you will qualify to purchase the February Stamp of the Month for only $5.  It’s the perfect size to stamp on our Muslin Drawstring bags.  You can join my February gathering by clicking here.
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Now hop on over to the very creative Dana Simone-Kurtz ‘s page to see more ideas using the Cricut Artiste Collection. If you get lost, just hop on over to Bren’s Blog for the full list.

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Do You Need To Get Away This Weekend?

Posted on January 24, 2013 by RHR

We have one more spot available for the crafting retreat this weekend, January 25-27th.   If you are able to break away, give me a call.  We have a spot with your name on it!  There is a wonderful group of women coming and I’m planning lots of fun.  Guests can arrive anytime after 10am on Friday and will stay as long as  Sunday 3:00pm.

Everyone will receive dinner on Friday and Saturday and a yummy French Toast breakfast made by me on Sunday morning (so you can continue scrapbooking).  There are snacks, sodas & waters available throughout the weekend.

To get everyone jumpstarted, each guest receives a 12 x 12 scrapbook layout make & take.  There will also be some fun games/prizes throughout the weekend.  I will be there to help teach new techniques or assist in finding the right stamp or embellishment.  If you need anything, there is an on-site store that also stocks adhesive at a lower price than the craft stores.  You won’t need to bring any linens as that is all provided.  As far as crafting tools we have a ton so you don’t have to pack everything (unless you want too).  I also am giving each guest a copy of the new Close To My Heart Idea Book that goes online February 1st!

It’s supposed to rain this weekend…what could be more fun than hanging out with a wonderful group of ladies while crafting to your hearts content?    Cost is $220 (all inclusive)  discounts earned from a previous purchase will be honored.  I’d love to have you join us!

*Scrapbooking Cartoon by Isabella Bannerman

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Paper Cupcakes Blog Hop #5

Posted on January 14, 2013 by RHR

Welcome to the Paper Cupcakes Blog Hop #5.  We are focusing on the “BE MINE” key of the Close To My Heart ARTISTE collection.  If you came from Heather Plotzke’s blog ~ http://heatherplotzke.blogspot.com, you are in the right place.   I decided to do a scrapbook layout this time.  I gave my cricut a good workout.  First, I designed a heart border and the title “You are the picture of Love“ using Cricut Craftroom and our Artiste and Art Philosophy cartridges.  Check back tomorrow for the cricut cut file.  I suggest you use a new Cricut Blade when cutting this file because it will make it look sharper.

Do you notice anything new here?  I used the new acrylix stamp set “Frame Flair” D1546 from the soon to be released Spring/Summer Idea book to make the frames for the p

ictures.  This stamp set coordinates with the Art Philosophy cartridge.

I used the Artiste cartridge to cut the cupid and multiple hearts.  The string is our Black Waxy Flax, which works great because it holds it shape.   I also used the B&T Duos “For Always Paper Packet” from our new Idea Book as well.  I love this new paper…can’t wait for you to see the new Idea Book, which will be available here on February 1st.

This month we are celebrating National Papercrafting Month, we’re offering a new product, available through January — our Whooo’s Your Valentine kit! This darling kit, which retails for $40, can be yours for only $10 when you spend $35 or more in Close To My Heart product. The kit includes 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sh

eet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit! Perfect for gifts and classroom projects, the Whooo’s Your Valentine kit will make Valentine’s Day a cinch!  You can qualify and buy the Whooo’s Your Valentine kit today for only $10 in my store here.

If you order $50 in product you will also qualify to purchase the versatile Stamp of the Month a $17.95 value for only $5.

I hope you enjoyed your sneek peek at some of the items coming in the new Idea Book… 

Now hop on over to  Karen Cullen’s blog~ http://karenscreativenest.blogspot.compage to see more creative ideas using the Cricut Artiste Collection. If you get lost, just hop on over to Bren Yule’s blog ~http://closetomycricut.com for the full list.”

 

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Better and Cheaper Coffee! A Perk From the Past.

Posted on January 3, 2013 by RHR

Like many people, I really like coffee.  To save money I had long ago decided to brew my own  at home rather than spend a bunch at my favorite coffee shop every day (although I still do this occasionally).  So, I invested in a nice electric coffeemaker, grinder and expensive coffee beans usually from the green mermaid (you know who she is).  When I started doing retreats, I had to find a way to produce large amounts of coffee.  That’s when I invested in a 40 cup large percolator.  The first time I used it, I didn’t have enough Starbucks on hand so I used some inexpensive pre-ground coffee instead.  Everyone kept telling me how good the coffee was and asked me how I made it.  It really did taste different.  It was smooth verses bitter.  The next retreat I had purchased more Starbucks so I filled the percolator up with the expensive stuff.  It tasted great, but no better than my first batch of the pre-ground Walmart can I had before. 

I wanted to see if I could replicate that taste but in a smaller amount because daily, my husband and I only drink one glass each.  So, I purchased a Fiberware small, inexpensive percolator  (it was around $24) for my stovetop.  The results were the same, the coffee really tastes better.  Not only am I saving money on coffee, I am also saving on filters because the perculators do not use a filter.  Less waste.  I was talking to my mom about it and she told me this is how they made coffee not that long ago.  If you are the person that sets your timer to have your coffee ready for you when you wake up, this method probably won’t work for you because this perculator needs a person to turn the stove on and let it perk for about 8 minutes.  Although there is probably an electric one that can do that for you too.  If you want to try something new (that is really old) and save a bit of money as well, you might want to give it a try.  Sometimes the old way really is better….

Speaking of coffee, I had to share something my husband got for me at a garage sale as it does relate to this topic in a round about way.  I love collecting cookbooks.  I have way too many, but my wonderful husband recently purchased two moving boxes full of old ones from an estate sale.  These books are so fun to look through.  Some are from the 1930′s.  I will definitely have to share some of the funny things I have found in them.  One of the most touching books is really a cookbook binder put together by a grandma in 1942.  The front tag says “To Grandma from Hazel”.  .  As I read her notes, I feel like she was writing them for someone to read in the future (probably Hazel, and me & you)…  One of the most interesting is the note and article about coffee shown here.  The article talks about Pioneer Coffee which is coffeee made from bran because there wasn’t always coffee  available in those days.   It also gives a recipe for Home Made Cereal Coffee (urrrr yum?) .   The note on the side of the article says “World War brought us down to this in 1943″…  I hope & pray we are never brought to this ever again… I haven’t tasted these concoctions, but they don’t look like they contain caffine.  Earlier I said  sometimes the old way really is better…but again sometimes it is not.

 

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My Creations Star

Posted on December 31, 2012 by RHR

Every year our family puts up two trees.  One at home and one at RHR.  In the past we always put an angel on top of the tree, but this year we heard a story about why people put stars on top of the tree, so we decided to start with a new tradition.  Immediately, I thought of the Close To My Heart My Creations Star.   First I placed pieces of copper foil over the star’s rays and rubbed my finger along the seams to show me where to cut the foil.  I cut the pieces a bit larger than needed so they would overlap. 
Then I used my Big Shot and an embossing folder to emboss the pieces of the copper foil.  Lastly, I used liquid glass to adhear the embossed foil to the star.  On the back I used crafty power tape to adhear a rubber band so the star could be attached to the top of the tree.  All our guests thought it was a heavy copper star.  Inside the new Spring/Summer Close To My Heart Idea book is a picture of this star with a sign attached.   This Idea book will be available on Februray 1st.  I think I will add a similar sign to my star that says “Emmanuel” for next year.    I’d love to hear what you are doing with your Close To My Heart 3D My Creations projects.

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Paper Cupcakes Blog Hop #4! Using the “8/*” key of the CTMH ARTISTE collection

Posted on December 14, 2012 by RHR

Hello, welcome to the Paper Cupcakes Blog Hop #4!

If you came from Linda Taylor’s blog, you are in the right place. This month’s blog hop is focusing on the “8/*” key of the ARTISTE collection page 38 of the CTMH ARTISTE instruction book. Each blogger has used at least one image on that page and current CTMH product to design something special to share with you. This month we are thinking ahead to New Year’s, so I decided to make a homemade holiday cracker.

The clock is the image that I cut using the Cricut Artist cartridge. I wanted to use warmer colors than the traditional black and gold for New Year’s, so instead I opted for a feminine color scheme with the My Reflections La Belle Vie paper packet. I love this paper! If you like it as well you should order some now because it will not be carrying over in our new CTMH Spring/Summer Idea Book. You have until January 31st to place your order for some (or while supplies last). I love CTMH’s Glitz Glitter Gel. I used the Silver color to highlight the clock hands and body. To glue on the detail I used the CTMH glue pen.

For the items inside I used random ephemera such as a ticket, wooden 2013 numbers, buttons, charms, etc. CTMH has several embellishments that would add wimsey to your cracker such as the Number Plates, Mini-Medley Accents Collection, Timeless Charms, Brocade Assortment, and Memo Assortment. I used the first CTMH Cricut Cartridge “Art Philosophy” to cut the 2013 banner and our Baker’s Twine Harvest Assortment as the banner string.

I wanted this project to be easy so I could quickly and economically make one for everyone at my New Year’s Party. To make this cracker, I saved cardboard toilet paper rolls and then covered them with pink crepe paper length-wise. I wrapped each with a strip of La Bell Vie Black & Pink B&T (background and texture paper) and then cut the clock using the pink and black cardstock from the paper packet. To create the “happy 2013″ I used the versitile CTMH Cricut “Art Philosophy” cartridge and Cricut Craftroom and designed the image. You can download the image here. You will need the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge in order to have the file enabled to cut. If you would like to know more about how to make your own designs or use this file, contact me or sign up for one of our upcoming retreats! To finish off the text, I colored it in with the CTMH’s Glitz Glitter Gel. I raised the clock image off the cracker a bit by using some Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares. Lastly, I filled the tube up with trinkets and tied it up with our Black Waxy Flax.

Don’t forget to ask Santa for your favorite CTMH products or even a Scrapbook Retreat for the new year! I know an elf that would be happy to assist him to make your crafting dreams come true!

I believe you have reached the end of the blog hop…you can start over from the beginning by clicking over to Bren’s Blog for the full list of participants.

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Close To My Heart Master’s Degree

Posted on December 13, 2012 by RHR

Did you know that Close To My Heart Consultants have a Training Academy?  We do and it is great.  I have been an advocate for online training for a long time…I started my work career as a Computer Network Training Coordinator and worked in many aspects of Technology training.  Later I completed my Master’s in Technology Management through University of Phoenix’s On-line program…the first time I met my classmates was at graduation!  Back then we didn’t have access to online videos and the classes were simply done via plain text messaging.  Ten years later I am so excited to be participating in Close To My Heart’s on-line Training Academy.  Pictures, helpful links, videos, audio chats, art classes, business classes, motivation, team meetings, conferences, new friends and FUN!  It this sounds like something you would like to try, give me a call, we’d love to have you join our team!

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