February Stamp of the Month

Home Sweet Home - Available February 1 - February 28, 2013

You can get this amazing stamp set for only $5 with a qualifying order of $50.00. Add the stamp set to your cart at full retail price ($17.95), or add it during your checkout at the promotional price.

If you are interested in the artwork shown above, please contact me and I can help you select the items used to create it.

Set of 4 stamps. Recommended Blocks: 3"x3" (Y1006)

Purchase yours here today!

Kelsie Necklace

 

I made this necklace for my niece, Kelsie (hence the name!)  This layered necklace is so freaking cute that I wanted to keep it for myself!

 

Supplies:

1 Lobster Clasp

Cording String

12 Jump Rings

4 Crimp Beads

2 Small Ribbon Clamps

6 Charms (I found these cute mirrors at Michaels)

25" Lace or Crochet Trim

26" Chain

24" Chain

24" Pearls

25" Beads

 

 

I started by adding the jump rings to each end of each piece of chain.  Then I placed the ribbon clamps on the end of the lace and again added jump rings.  Next, using the crimp beads on the ends of the bead cording I created a loop to attach my jump ring and then started stringing on the pearls (thanks to my old job at the jewelry store this went rather quickly!).  Repeat for the larger beads.  Take all the strands (with jump rings on each end) and group together with one single jump ring (this creates your layers).  Attach the lobster class...and then randomly place the charms on the necklace.  Perfect!!

Cas-Ual Fridays Challenge CFC84

In keeping with my list of motivations for the New Year...I found this simple card contest online at Cas-Ual Fridays and decided I should enter it.  I loved the idea behind it: Create a clean and simple Thank You card.  Clean and simple is my style and a card meant I get to use some scraps!  So here is what I came up with!  Wish me luck everyone!!

 

I am a bit crazy about the scraps of paper that I save.  I had these circle frames from a previous Cricut project that I just couldn't get rid of.  I overlayed them on one another over a grey piece of cardstock.  I love the dimension and simple pattern it created.  To finish it off I made an orange border to cover the loose ends of the Cricut scraps and cut a simple "Thanks" to finish the card.  I hope you all love it as much as I do!!  You can see my card stacked up against the competition here.



Online Gathering

Each month I host an online gathering on my Close to my Heart shopping site.  Make sure to join this gathering when making an online order for a chance to win the hostess benefits for that month.  Everyone who orders will have a chance to win free and discounted products!!  You have nothing to lose...join the gathering with an order for your chance to get FREE STUFF!!!  To join this month's gathering go to http://jessicaanson.ctmh.com/ scroll down to the bottom and click "JOIN".

January Stamp of the Month

Happy Valentine's - Available January 1 - January 31, 2013

You can get this amazing stamp set for only $5 with a qualifying order of $50.00. Add the stamp set to your cart at full retail price ($17.95), or add it during your checkout at the promotional price.

If you are interested in the artwork shown above, please contact me and I can help you select the items used to create it.

Set of 7 stamps. Recommended Blocks: 2"x2" (Y1003), 2"x3.5" (Y1009), 2"x6.5" (Y1010), and 4"x5" (Y1012)

Purchase yours here today!

****And don't forget the Whooo's Your Valentine Kit also!  You can get the sweet kit for $10.00 with a $35.00 purchase and I'm throwing in a $10.00 gift certificate with each kit!****

Husband Birthday Card

 

Tomorrow is my husband's birthday...so I made this simple card for him. I wanted no frills but something special. I was also able to use a few scraps that I had in my massive scrap box and custom stamped the background on the kraft paper. I hope he loves it as much as I do!

 

Supplies:

White Daisy Cardstock

Kraft Cardstock

Cocoa Cardstock

Honey Cardstock

Cocoa Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad

Enjoy Life My Acrylix® Stamp Set

Durables Round Stud in Antiqued Gold

 

You can purchase any supplies used in this project here! 

 

And don't forget that I am still running the special for the Whooo's Your Valentine Campaign...for every kit ordered you get a $10.00 gift certificate!!

 

 

13 Motivations for the New Year

Lately I have been in a funk (I would rather hide under the covers all day than interact with another human being).  This, unfortunately, is a familiar routine for me because I have suffered from depression for many years.  With help from counselors, medication, and a steady support system I am able to pull out of my funk without letting it completely consume me.  One positive thing about these funks is my ability to reflect on my life.  Out of my most recent funk I have realized that I need to find some long-term motivation; so I have decided to start the new year off right (don't we all decide this?).  To maintain motivation while making improvements to my life I made a list of things (13 to match the year!) that I will focus on throughout the year.  To help me stay motivated I am sharing my list with my support system and you...Here goes!

13 Motivations for 2013

1. Build intimacy in my marriage.  My husband and I have a wonderful marriage and we get along great...I just don't want that to disappear.  I want to maintain and build upon the intimacy that we have.
2. Nourish my spiritual life.  I am much more calmer when I attend church regularly...I need to get back to that!
3. Nurture current relationships.  I have not been the greatest friend lately.  I need to make and spend time with friends and reach out to them more often.
4. Read more.  I am going to read one non-school related book each month.
5. Accept that I will grow old.  This will happen and I need to start taking preventative measures so I age gracefully...this means washing off my makeup every night before bed no matter how tired I am.
6. Get physical. I feel better when I exercise regularly; so why do I always stop once my yoga or piloxing classes are done?
7. Be positive. I am a firm believer in being positive in life and positive things will happen; however, I need to stop dwelling on the negative.  I also, need to stop expecting it.  No one likes a Negative Nelly!
8. Quit holding grudges.  Leave the past in the past; don't stew and simmer on others' shortcomings.  If I can change, so can others, and I need to give them a chance to prove that!
9. Be more stylish. I need to get out of my jeans/t-shirt/sweater uniform!
10. Say yes. Saying no leaves little opportunity to new experiences and adventures.
11. Create. Create something new at least once a month and share it with others.
12. Make the house a home.  I've lived here for almost two years...it is time to move in already!
13. Take care of myself. Relax, eat right, take breaks, and share my feelings.

There it is!  What is your motivation for the new year?