Seed Basket

March has come to last day and now we move onto April. Where have 3 months gone?
Here in Texas it is never really safe to start the garden and planting until after April 20th. Of course most of the time everyone gets spring fever and starts early. Even me on a few occasions and ended up loosing plants to a late freeze.
One of the true signs for me that is OK to plant is the Mesquite trees-once they put on buds it's safe to plant. What signs do you use in your part of the world?












This simple box has been turned into a basket with covered seed packets. I also found a set of plant stakes at the home improvement store and made some matching plant id stakes. (I don't think they are weather proof but sure cute)

I used lots of supplies, All from Close to My Heart

The main stamp set is the April Stamp of the Month-Flower pot. I also used all CTMH markers for coloring the images.

Scallop Circle Overload

I am guessing I need to put up the Scallop circle punch. If a tool is sitting out on my work table, you can almost bet I will use it. I went through the same thing with the edge distresser.

Supplies from Close to My Heart-

Cocoa cardstock

Juniper cardstock

sorbet cardstock

pattern paper from unforgettable

cocoa ink

thank you stamp set

western flourishes stamp set

twill ribbon

foam tape

corner rounder

other-circle punch

scallop punch

hole punch

Tie a ribbon around the old Oak tree

Tie a ribbon around the old oak tree is a song I think? Or maybe it's a yellow ribbon in her hair?
Anyways, I thought I was being really clever using the scallop circle as the tree and a free hand trunk.
supplies all from Close to my Heart-
Chocolate Cardstock
Sweetleaf cardstock
colonial white cardstock
pattern paper from twitterpatted
thank you stamp set
foam tape
chocolate ink
sorbet ribbon
sweetleaf ink
other-
scallop punch

More Thank yous!

Here are more of the mass production of Thank yous-

Supplies from CTMH-

Colonial White Cardstock

Dutch Blue Cardstock

Cards and pattern paper from Everyday Celebration collection

Chocolate ribbon

Everyday Celebration stamp set

foam tape

Thank you stamp set

Chocolate ink

other-

staples

So many Thank yous!

Dear Blog (and all your readers)

I am so sorry that I have neglected you over the past few weeks. Life has gotten so busy and I just couldn't find the time. In addition, that lighting storm 2 weeks ago knocked out my Internet in the house. Please forgive me and I promise to do much better.

Yours truly

Aaron

I have lots of reasons why I haven't posted much lately-I have been running more and more-I will be running my 1st road race in the morning (weather permitting, shows that we will be having 50-60 mile an hour winds) and I am really excited. I will post some pictures next week if it happens-

The other-All these thank you cards. I was asked to help out someone in need and make 65 Thank you cards. It really has been keeping me busy. This is one set that I made and I just love them. When life gets back to normal I will be making more of these to put in my etsy store.

Supplies are all from CTMH-Bamboo Cardstock, Desert Sand Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, Crystal Blue Cardstock, Desert Sand ink, Crystal blue ink, pattern paper from Felicity collection, Tickled pink stamp set, Thank you stamp set, rustic alphabet stamp set, twill ribbon pearl Other items-scallop circle punch

Lady Bug Easter Card

A Black card for Easter? But I just love how the flower pops off the page because of the black.
Supplies from Close to my Heart-
black cardstock
white cardstock
pattern paper from Animal cookie
Black ink
paper flower
paper leaf
Dream big stamp set
Say it with style stamp set
Liquid glass
Black brad
prisma glitter
other-
black rhinestones
black ribbon
circle punch
scallop punch

Easter is almost here!

Easter is coming sooner than I am ready for this year-I only have a few cards done. I have had this card for over a year-Made it last year for a Paper Crafts project call.

Supplies from Close to My Heart-

Creme Brulee Cardstock

Tulip Cardstock

Desert Sand Cardstock

Sorbet Cardstock

Chocolate ink

Chocolate rub-ons

Creme brulee brad

I think this was for a project call where you could only use 3 items-my choice was cardstock, rub-ons and a brad

Pinocchio!

I thought I would use some more of my Pinocchio book from the goodwill store. Projects with text are so popular now, in fact I just worked on a Call from Paper Crafts for that very thing.

Supplies from Close to My Heart-

Black textured Cardstock

Colonial white cardstock

Desert Sand ink

Olive ink

Creme brulee ink

versamark

clear embossing powder

black ribbon

Western flourish stamp set

Say it in Style stamp set

foam tape

pewter brad

paper flowers

other-

label eight die cut from nestiblities

vintage book page

Craft Fair items

With less than a month left for my 1st craft fair of the year, I have been trying to stock up on some items to sale.
This is a wonderful set of 5 note cards, a note pad and a beaded pen. All in a wonderful desk organizer. The template for the desk organizer was purchased, you can find that info here.
Supplies from Close to My Heart
Moon Doggie paper pack
honey cardstock
garden green cardstock
Cranberry ink
honey ink
bamboo ink
olive ink
foam squares
Extreme Happiness stamp set
Colonial white ribbon
other-
pen
micro beads
thin ribbon
note pad from Office Max




Here you can see the note card and matching envelope.



And in the final picture you can see the beaded pen and note pad. If you would like to make a beaded pen, do a search on YouTube, there are several videos on how to do it.

My Charm Bracelet

Last Monday was my Birthday(I turned 34, but I don't feel that old). It was a "charmed" kind of birthday. Anyone and everyone who asked what I wanted for my birthday was told James Avery charms. I finally filled my bracelet enough to hear a "jingle" when I wear it.
Some of the other highlights of my birthday were a great shirt from my sister, seeing Alice in Wonderland in 3D and a handmade card from my blog friend Sparkle.

Seed Pocket & FREE Template

I have been working on my Stamp of the Month display board. I created this really cute seed packet pocket.
Because I love you all so much I made a template for it.

Supplies from Close to My Heart-
ColonialWhite Cardstock
Crystal blue Cardstock
pattern paper from twitterpatted
Sweetleaf Cardstock
Chocolate ink
Goldrush marker
Heavenly blue marker
sweetleaf marker
chocolate ribbon
foam squares
tiny pearls
Flower pot stamp set
other-
seeds

click on the template image to in large it-

If for any reason it wont print clearly, just send me an email to kabrown63@hotmail.com and I will reply with a PDF attachment.

Enjoy!

Get out your shades!

So bright you gotta wear shades!!!

I made a set of these cards in ocean blue, lime green and hot pink!!

Supplies from Close to My Heart-

Black Cardstock

Ocean Cardstock

Ocean ink

Black ink

Black marker

clear sparkles

A paisley stamp set

other-

scallop punch

Black ribbon

small flower punch

St. Pat's Paper Sack Card

I watched this video over at youtube. Just loved the idea, but Valentine's had already past.

I did shorten the measurements of my card to fit the smaller lunch sacks that I had. In addition I added an insert to write a message on.

Supplies from Close to My Heart-

Sweetleaf Cardstock

Colonial White Cardstock

Olive Cardstock

Olive ink

Sweetleaf ink

So Lucky stamp set

other-

velcro

scallop boarder punch

Pocket Card

When I first laid eyes on the CTMH Spring Catalog I knew that Top Stitch Paper Collection would be my favorite! (I love them all now, it just takes awhile for some of them to grow on me!)
This is a really simple pocket card, so easy to make.

Supplies from Close to My Heart-
Chocolate Cardstock
Colonial White Cardstock
Baby Pink Cardstock
Baby Pink ribbon
Pretty Pins
Chocolate Button
floss
Chocolate ink
Baby Pink ink
Heavenly Blue Ink
Pattern Paper from Top Stitch
Rub-ons
Love struck stamp set
glue dots

Have a wonderful weekend-I am headed out of town to help my sister move. Be back next week!

Rain Card

On Monday I headed to the post office to mail off my Extravaganza artwork and application.
For those of you who don't know what Extravaganza is-it's the best creative part of Close to My Heart Convention.
Its were you see the newest products from close to my heart in the most creative ways, taught by the consultants to the consultants.
Being a CTMH Consultant is one of the best things that happened in my life, and going to the annual convention rates top on my list.
This is one of my items I sent off with my application.

I printed off the sentiment on my computer using CTMH font and add the Color ready Alphabet stickers to finish off the "rain".
It may be hard to tell, I also add a very thin layer of Liquid glass to the boots and umbrella to give them a shinny finish. I used Caboodle paper, and added a little black ink and rub-ons.
Supplies from Close to My Heart-
Caboodle Level 2 paper packet
Black ink
Sorbet marker
Irresistibles Lots of Dots letters
liquid glass
Tiny tabs
Spring time stamp set
foam squares
other-
Velcro

So, as I wait (not very patiently, I might add) for news from Close to My Heart. I could really uses some happy thoughts and good juju sent my way!!

A Bee using Buttons

I see lots of buttons being use to make such cute things right now. I see them as flowers, bugs, hot air ballons and bike tires. I thought I would give it a shot.

Supplies from Close to My Heart:
Olive Cardstock
Vanilla Cream Cardstock
Juniper Cardstock
Veranda Creative Basics pattern paper
juniper ink
juniper waxy flax
Smiles stamp set
Love struck stamp set
Buttercup buttons
desert sand ink
prisma glitter

I used the leaf stamp from Smiles to create the wings of the bee.