Today's Tip- Tying That Perfect Bow

    OK, so I am sure most of you have heard or seen the forking techniques to get a perfect bow.  If not, here is one I have bookmarked: Let's Fork by Stampin with Di
    I found when I use this technique, I am always left wishing my bow was bigger, but essentially you need a bigger fork for a bigger bow.  Where do you find a bigger fork?  Now for those of you who can just tie a beautiful bow, this tip is not for you.
    I found if you follow the steps without the fork, you can get a bigger bow and the same beautiful technique.  Let's see if you are following me.
Step 1 Fold the ribbon in half.

Step 2 Bring the piece in the back around front and across the front piece.  Remember you are pretending there is a large fork there as a border for that back piece to cross over.

Step 3 Now you take the other piece and bring it straight up over the center of the loop you have made.

Step 4 You flip it over and tie a knot and voila.  Keep in mind during all of these steps you would keep the ribbon in her hand.  I had to put it on the table to try to get a photo of each step.

Now you are probably thinking that isn't much bigger than a fork would make it and you are right, but below is the same technique used with a thicker ribbon.  There was no way I could find a fork in my drawer big enough for this bow, which is how this tip actually came about.

So for the bow challenged ladies out there, like me.  Try making bows with the fork first so you get the hang of it and then use this technique to get even bigger and better bows.  Good Luck!

Nickie Hoffer

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant

6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545
717-665-0544

Wonderful Wonderland Cards!!!

These cards originated from Chris Green's workshop.  Check out her blog to see some great artwork.  I believe they may have been adapted by my friend, upline, and fellow consultant, Krista for our team meeting.  Check out her blog here.  I put my own spin on the final card, because I didn't feel like hand cutting the Christmas tree stamp image.  I love love love the die cut cards and envelopes (Z1686).  That item is one I never even noticed in the catalog, but now that I have played with them, I love them.  You can get your own set of 10 cards and envelopes today, by clicking here.  If you are interested in making these cards or purchasing the kit to make these cards, contact me today at livescraplove@gmail.com.

Nickie Hoffer

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant

6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545
717-665-0544

Want over $400 worth of crafting materials for only $99? Contact me for details!

Daddy's Little Girl

   How I longed to be daddy's little girl.  I didn't know how much I was missing because he was never very present.  Now don't get me wrong, he made it to most birthdays, each Christmas, parent's night at school, graduation, and he walked me down the isle at my wedding.  But those moments just aren't the contributions that amount to much if they stand alone.  It's the day to day grind of life, living life together that would have made a difference.  These wonderings began after seeing Courageous in the movie theater last night.  I must confess I cried to 2 hours straight during this movie.  The message anda delivery were amazing.


   The following is the resolution from the movie Courageous.  Each father signed the resolution.  What I can proudly state is that where my earthly father missed the mark, my Heavenly Father did not.
I do solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children.
I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.
I WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.
I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all of their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength.
I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibly.
I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.
I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion.
I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.
I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.
I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.
I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will.
I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. – Joshua 24:15

I know I am not the only woman who came from a broken home and longed to be Daddy's Little Girl and I hope that if you identify with me, then you also know that your Heavenly Father can fill any emptiness that our Earthly fathers have left behind.
 

Mojo Monday Sketch #211

Here is the sketch for this week's Mojo Monday Challenge.  Feel free to play along by clicking here.

Here's what I came with.  I used the Believe paper pack, cranberry cardstock, white grosgrain ribbon, art philosophy cricut cartridge, liquid glass, and prisma glitter.  This was my first experience with prisma glitter and I think I might have went over board.  Live and Learn, I guess.

 

Nickie Hoffer

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant

6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545
717-665-0544

Today's Tip: Consider Definitions When Journaling

The Journaling on this page reads: "Dislike: 1. [verb] to consider unpleasant or disagreeable  2. [noun] a feeling of aversion or antipathy (synonyms: disrelish, disgust, distaste, repugnance)
Graycen disliked all baby food from cereal to desserts.  He never swallowed one bite.  He went straight to table food. 7/5/10"  I forgot how much I loved using definitions as my journaling.  Most of the time, the definition can stand alone.  Like in the example of love, precious, hunger, etc.  So give it a try.  Also if you like this sketch, I got it from Practical Scrappers.  The supplies used are all CTMH except the Boy oh Boy title.
Supply List
Elemental Paper Pack X7141B
Colonial White Cardstock
Desert Sand Ink Z2118
Designer Wooden Buttons Z1387

Nickie Hoffer

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant

6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545
717-665-0544

Want over $400 worth of crafting materials for only $99? Contact me for details!

Great Teachers Gift!!!

I must take the time to give all credit where credit is due.  Lisa Stenz came up with this giftcard set as a roommate gift for Convention this year.  Check out her blog to see the original creation!  Here is my rendition!

I thought it would be perfect as a teacher's gift.  The set contains 2 sets of 5 gift cards and coordinating envelopes perfect for any occasion.
Supply List
Goldrush, Pacifica and Colonial White Cardstock
Dreamin Paper Pack (X7142B)
Cricut Art Philosophy Collection (cartridge and stamp sets) (Z1686)
Plantin Schoolbook Cricut Cartridge for the envelopes
Chocolate Ink (Z2111)

Lisa has the measurements on her blog listed above for exact details.  The only change I made was the shape of the first card and I had to cut the envelopes at 6.25 by 2.6 with the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge.  Thanks for looking!  I would love your feedback.

Nickie Hoffer

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant

6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545
717-665-0544

 Get October's Stamp of the Month  for just $5.  Contact me to place your order today!

Wonderland Criss Cross Card Heart 2 Heart Entry

Check out this great tutorial from Splitcoaststampers to make your own Criss Cross card!  I got the inspiration for this card from a fellow CTMH consultant Kandi Gallegos-Garcia.  I am using this card for a CTMH gathering this week.  I just love this wonderland paper.  I have used it over and over in gatherings.  When I pair it with a different stamp you get a whole new look.  If you are interested in making your own card, check out the tutorial.  The only change is that I made a vertical card instead of a horizontal card, so you begin with 2 pieces of 5.5 by 8.5 pieces of cardstock as your base.
Supply List
Wonderland Paper Pack (X7146B)
Heavenly Blue Ink (Z2176)
Chocolate Ink (Z2111)
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686)
Liquid Glass (Z679)
Remarkable Wreath Stamp Set (C1473)
Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (Z1617)

Nickie Hoffer

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant

6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545
717-665-0544

Want over $400 worth of crafting materials for only $99? Contact me for details!

Wonderland Envelope Album

A fellow consultant by the name of Terry Ann Diack came up with the most amazing mini album by using envelopes and then was gracious enough to post the instructions on her blog.  If you are interested in making your own envelope album, check out her blog for all the details.  Above is my own album using the wonderland paper.  The tabbed pieces of cardstock  pull out to journal or attach photos to.  Thanks for looking!  I would love your comments.
Supply List
Wonderland Paper Pack
Cardstock: Grey Flannel, Crystal Blue, Heavenly Blue, and White Daisy
White Daisy Envelopes
White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon
Art Philosophy Cartridge
Icing Overlays
Snowflake Stamp Set
Bittys

Nickie Hoffer

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant

6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545
717-665-0544

Want over $400 worth of crafting materials for only $99? Contact me for details!

My Son's 5th Birthday Party Invitation

OK so I must confess I am super proud of the way my son's birthday invitation turned out.  I got the idea to have a camping party for him from my friend and fellow blogger, Elizabeth Mindemann.  Check out her blog for the awesome camping party activities.  Here it is!

The creativity process takes me hours and many prototypes before what  I picture in my head actually becomes reality.
Supply List
SCAL for the tent
Plantin Schoolbook cricut cartridge for the grass 
Splitcoast Stampers tutorial for the card
CTMH cardstock: white daisy, topiary, and sweet leaf
Trees and Things Stamp set (D1467)

Nickie Hoffer

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant

6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545
717-665-0544

Want over $400 worth of crafting materials for only $99? Contact me for details!

 

Heart to Heart Weekly Challenge Entry

Here is my card for this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge.  I used the Wonderland paper pack, Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, Snowflake Stamp set, round sparkles, bling buttons, and heavenly blue and chocolate ink.  I really wanted to participate in this week's challenge and was having a hard time finding time to work on it.  So this card was made with my 18 month old sitting on my lap stamping his own project.  It was the only way to get it done and he got some Mommy and Me time.  Thanks for Looking!  Check out the Heart 2 Heart Blog by clicking here for more great artwork.

Nickie Hoffer

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant

6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545
717-665-0544

Trouble with a capital T

OK, so this week has been a little crazy with Graycen (age 18 months) and his exploratory play.  An earlier post this week showed that he had discovered the fun of baking soda.  Which is not easy to get out from the crevices of hardwood, in fact it is still there.  Then a few days later it was pepper.  He had mixed it with water and essentially bathed in it.  So yesterday was round 3 of Graycen versus the world.  He got out all of his brother's markers and colored all over the coffee table.  Now I have to put a disclaimer that all of these incidents occured in a matter of minutes, lest you think I don't supervise my child.  But I have to admit that this one requires more supervision than the other two ever did.

The Transformation

Here is the before picture of my workspace....it would have been worse, but we forgot to take a picture before Phase 1 of the clean up process.  Thanks to my dear friend Tammy who helped me tackle my workspace.  She did put a disclaimer with her good deed, that she would only organize for me one time.  I am just so thankful for friends.  God brings people into your life to balance you out.  In the areas I am weak, my friends might be strong and vice versa.  So thank you friends today just for being who they are.  Together you may be able to accomplish something beautiful.  Below is the after photo.  Let's hope I can keep it that way.  Thanks again Tammy!

Nickie Hoffer

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant

6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545
717-665-0544

          hoffer47@yahoo.com    www.nickiehoffer.myctmh.com