Here's a St Patricks Day card for ya!

Key to making a shamrock is having HEARTS stamps! Stamp them around in a circle and add a "center" and a stem- whalah!

FLOWER POWER!

OK- so i have to admit I'm a little to young to understand "flower power," however FLOWERS are BIG right now! Ribbon flowers, paper flowers, and decoupage are everywhere! Here are two Id like to share with you! You either LOVE these or Hate 'em! They take as little time to create but are super duper cute! Start with 8-12 circles. You may need more or less - it depends on the size of your circles. I have used 1 inch scallop punch for mine. Don't forget you can make circles of any size with your cricut!

Fold one side of the circle in towards the middle. Make sure the top is 'flared' out just a tad and the bottom is more tight.

Do the other side same as first fold.. It should resemble a 'cone.' Squeeze bottom so it keeps its shape..

Do all your circles! ;-) LEAVE one flat.. you will adhere your 'petals' to this one. I use glue dots. I just stick a couple on there and start layering my petals. I found that it is easier to start with 4 like the photo below and just 'fill in the gaps.' If you go in a circular pattern laying them down - it may end up uneven. Some of my petals are a tad bit on top of each other but for the most part fit on the circle flat. :-)

When you get them all on there, center with a brad, ribbon, sparkle, or a button! (or anything CUTE you have on hand!)

I finally decided on one of our NEW buttons from our pink assortment... tied in the middle with some natural hemp. I used this flower as an embellishment for a card for Will's speech teacher!

Here is another flower I've posted before.. It's using a 1 inch non scalloped circle punch. I used 9 petals flat instead of layering... Looks very different but its the exact same technique!

As i was re-posting this flower I ran across this layout and thought it was worth re-posting- AWWWWW SUMMER!! LOL

Here is another paper flower! Technique below.. Its amazing to me how much different they look with different color paper but same technique!

This is my fav!!!

These are a bit more complex but still VERY easy- I promise! ;) start with 4 large circles & 1 small one. you can actually use 5 large if you wish - it doesn't show up either way... I used a 2 inch scallop punch for this paper flower.. start by folding one in half.. It doesn't matter yet which color side you fold inside or outside.

Fold in half again and open back up. You are making these folds for 'creases' only.

Fold one side up to the middle crease. Repeat with the other side so that both sides are folded to the middle crease and looks like this.

Make sure all folds are crisp and then OPEN it ALL back up! ;)

Fold in half again...NOW is when it counts which side you fold up.. Whatever color you want to SHOW the most needs to be on the INSIDE! I wanted the pink to show so i folded with the orange on the outside. Now you want to 'pinch' it up with both hands so that it looks like below.. (remember those lil dooeys we used to make in school-you opened and closed- they had numbers, colors, and names of boys! - kinda like that!)

Once you get it pinched up together it should look like this. Then fold flat.

When you flatten it - it should look like this. (sorry the pic is blurry..)

Now you want to flap over one lil piece on the top.

This is what it should look like!! TOTALLY worth the trouble right!!?!? ;) okay - now do the other THREE that same way.. You remember how right? ;)

Put some adhesive (again i use 'glue dots') on that 4th circle..

Start laying them on.. Again- i adhere them across from each other first.. it just lines up easier to me that way. :-)

This is what you should have! FUN FUN!

Don't forget to put your 'center' i the middle!!! ribbons and /or buttons are my fave!

What's going on this MONTH?

Well CTMH DOES have the BEST Stamps on the Block wouldn't you say?! ;-)

Get a free My Acrylix® block when you buy My Acrylix® stamps! At Close To My Heart, we know we’ve got the best clear stamps and blocks—and we’ll prove it! Throughout March, when you buy your favorite My Acrylix® stamps, we’ll give you a free My Acrylix block. Not only will you have the best stamps on the block, you’ll have the best block, too! Just purchase $25 US / $30 CAN in stamps and you can choose from two of our most versatile block sizes: 3" × 3" (Y1006) or 2" × 6 1/2" (Y1010). Offer valid March 1–31, 2011. Limit one free My Acrylix® block per order per customer. Qualifying stamp purchases include A-, B-, C-, D-, and E-size stamp sets, including Stamp of the Month sets purchased at full price or at a discount. K-size stamp sets, Stamp of the Month sets earned for free, and Workshops on the Go™ kits are excluded.

STAMP OF THE MONTH

Isn't it adorable!?!!?

Here’s how to get a fabulous deal on your very own Stamp of the Month! It retails for $22.95 OR spend $25.00 and receive 25% off, spend $50 and receive 50% off, spend $75 and receive 75% off, spend $100 and its yours for FREE!

Welcome Franklin!

Here is a layout I made for a friend who comes to my workshops. She is such a sweet sweet person with a beautiful family! Their newest addition is a precious baby boy they've named Franklin. Congratulations Joanna!

Sorry Ive been MIA all week! BUSY BUSY BUSY! I had a GREAT weekend in Hebbertsburg with some new friends at their crop! Ill post pics later! It was awesome! THANKS to Kelly who came up and hung out with me and to all the Hebbertsburg CROP girls!

Chatter BOX card workshop!

Here are 16 cards from our new SPRING/ SUMMER book papers! SWEETHEART, LUCKY, SOPHIA, BLISS, FANFARE, MAYBERRY, MIRACLE, and WINGS. Two cards each!!! I've designed this workshop to include 'traditional' and 'bling!' You can make all these cards and they look GREAT without the extras BUT if you love bling then you can add extras to make them "POP!" This first photo is all the cards with the "POP!" I will probably have two classes so you will have your choice of dates suited best for you! Please let me know if you are interested in more info! tonyamcc@twlakes.net or text or call 931.261.6033... I will send you the details! Close up... Also - as I posted these.. I realized I didn't post an individual picture of ONE of the "Sophia" cards... If you will look to the far right..(kinda middle) it is the one with a white card base and beautiful pink and greens with two silver brads at top right!! ;-)

All together with bling.....

Photo of all cards without the 'extras.' Still gorgeous right!?!? ;-)

Here's the "Chatter box." This box is included in the workshop. You will need to bring your own paper- Ill give you cutting guides and we'll put together at the workshop. So easy! Takes just a few minutes to cover these boxes...

After we finish you will have this! A cute box full of 16 gorgeous cards and envelopes.

OKAY- now lets look at these cards!!!

"Fanfare" is so much fun!! Obviously perfect for 4th of July and summertime photos, but this paper packet is so much more! Its going to be perfect for birthdays, beach, pool, anything FUN! Ive added ribbon, sparkles, and glitter glue to these two cards! They are perfect to "BLING" up this paper!

Here they are without the extras- still FUN!

I LOVE these next two cards!! This is from "BLISS" paper pack. All I did was add a small chocolate ribbon to one.... Here it is without the ribbon.. So elegant! Perfect for a wedding shower shower or bridal shower invitations.

"SWEETHEART"- SO sweet!

These paper packets are more versatile than ever! The card on the left is my all time favorite card to make for a baby shower. So simple and cute! These cards have been embellished with ribbon, sparkles, stamping, liquid glass, and glitter glue. I also love to make the type of card that is shown on the right.. its small and different..

Here they are without the bling. Still adorable albeit the card on the right DOES need that ribbon i think! ;-)