Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Graycen Star Wars Party Part 2: The Activities

SO I made very simple jedi capes for all the guests, plus name badges that outlined their training responsibilities.  Brad (my awesome husband) was the Jedi master fitted with his very own cape.  The first activity was light saber training where he modeled different stances for holding the lightsaber.  Here is the crew trying them out.
And the precious birthday boy
Then they had to demonstrate their skills against Darth Vader, complete an obstacle course, and defeat the Death Star (aka disco globe pinata).
The obstacle course
Defeating the death star
Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Monday, January 30, 2012

Graycen's Star Wars Party Part 1: The Food

If you are just tuning in, you may have missed his Star Wars Jedi Training Birthday invitations.  If so check out this post. I made the usual cupcakes, but some of the food had fun star wars names.  The pizza....padawan pizza, chocolate chip cookies....wookie cookies, donut holes....death star donuts.  We also had Yoda Soda which was sprite and lime sherbet.  The item I was most looking forward to but that did not turn out as nice as the professionals was the light sabers.  I assumed they were pretzel logs with white chocolate covering died with food coloring.  However, when you add food coloring to melted chocolate, it immediately turns rock solid.  I did find out later that you can buy the colored wafers to melt...maybe next time.
Here is a photo of the spread.
 A closer look at my flubbed light sabers and my oldest who helped me make them.

Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Liebster Blog Award Recipient!!!

Christina from A Little Bit of Everything gave me this award.  I was one of her five picks.  What a blessing considering, we have never officially met. The origins of the Liebster Blog award are somewhat unclear but general consensus is that it originated in Germany, Liebster meaning favorite or dearest to showcase bloggers with fewer than 200 followers.  Upon accepting this award the recipient must then pass it on to five more blogs of note.




Here are my 5 picks!

Terry Diack:  She rocks and is the inspiration for many of the amazing items I have posted here.  Here blog address is http://terryanndiack.blogspot.com/

Mary Gunn:  She is also another creative lady that inspires me.  Her blog address is http://marygunnfunn.blogspot.com/

LeAnne: She has some great art and craft ideas like glitter ornaments.  Oh so much fun. Her blog address is http://dudleychickdesigns.blogspot.com/

Stephanie Huber:  She is my sister in CTMH and has become one of my dearest friends.  Her blog address is http://lavendersagedesigns.blogspot.com/

JJLarson:  This is a great place to go for inspiration.  She has all types of artwork on all types of media.  Her blog address is http://thepaperfarm.blogspot.com/

Take a look at all these wonderful ladies blogs and follow them too!!!

Thanks again Christina!


Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544





 

Last Preview before the new catalog is available on 2/1

Here is a card, I made using the New Cruisin Paper Pack.  If you travel anywhere, you will love this paper pack.  But it is versatile enough to use for any occasion just as I have used it in this birthday card.  I used the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686) to cut the decorative frame and I used Birthday Card Chatter (D1475) for the sentiment.
Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Thanks with Card Word Puzzle!


Here is another 3x3 card made using the New Card Word Puzzle stamp set for the sentiment.  It is a simple card.  I saw the card elsewhere and wanted to do a CTMH version.  I used Universal Backgrounds stamp (D1477) and the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686) to cut the 1 inch circles.

Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Friday, January 27, 2012

Another Word Card Puzzle Card

I didn't want you to think that the New Word Card Puzzle Stamp set (available 2/1) was only words.  It also has beautiful flowers and a butterfly as well.  Check out my earlier post for another sneak peak at the flowers.  Today's post I used the rose image.  I also used the Pemberley Paper Pack and the new Bitty Opaques to embellish the center of the blue flower.  Let me know what you think.
Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Hooray Bouquet meets new Word Card Puzzle

The new Word Card Puzzle Stamp set (available 2/1) makes it easy to create whatever sentiment you might like on any card.  For this card I used the simple phrase "Happy Birthday".  I stamped the flowers with an image from the Hooray Bouquet Stamp set (D1491).  A simple but sweet gift tag to add to any birthday gift.
Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Pemberley Layout using AP Butterflies

I love this layout.  This photo of myself, my best friend Becca and her daughter is so precious to me.  It was taken at my son's 4th birthday party.  Becca and her family moved away several years ago now, but she still makes the trek for my sons' birthdays.  I love her and I love seeing "my sweet Hailey".  For this layout, I used the new Pemberley Paper Pack (available 2/1), Just Blooms Paper Shapes (Z1463), and the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686) for the butterflies, flourish, and title.
 A closer look


Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Just for you Card

These are 2 3x3 cards I made using the New Just For You stamp set (available 2/1).  This is also one of my door prizes for my Open House, so if you would like to get it for free, check out my Open House Details Page above.  I think this set is so sweet and simple.  I love it. Tell me what you think.  These examples show the versatility of the stamp, because you can stamp each petal a different color/pattern or leave it all one color.

Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Monday, January 23, 2012

Pemberley Thank You Cards

This week I am going to be showcasing some the paper and stamps that will be available in the new catalog on 2/1.  Here are 3x3 Thank You cards, I whipped up using the new Pemberley Paper Pack (available 2/1).  First  I used a circle as a template to get my partial circle.  I am a terrible free hand cutter, so I used the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge for it.  Then I used the edge distresser (Z1297) to rough up the edge of the circle.  I stamped the image in indian corn blue from the retired stamp set Treasures.  Lastly I used a 3/4 inch piece of Pemberley paper with the zip strip on top of that.  If you are not familiar with a zip strip.  Each sheet of CTMH double sided paper has a 1/2 inch extra border.  One side has the name of the paper and the names of the coordinating colors and the other side has a decorative border to compliment the paper perfectly.


Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544


Friday, January 20, 2012

Another Stella Altered Clipboard and Confessions

OK so I will let you in on a little secret.  I contemplated for hours on the placement of the 3D flowers on the previous altered clipboard post here.  Only to make a decision, walk out to my husband in the family room and ask his opinion.  And he said, "It looks nice but how is anyone going to write on it with those flowers at the bottom."  Ugghhh.  Can anyone relate?  So then I decided it was more of a home decor piece than a place to keep notes.  So I am working on round 2 for another option at my Open House and I am stuck.  So rather than glue something down in haste, I thought I would ask you opinion.  Please vote and soon.  My Open House is next week.
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544




Thursday, January 19, 2012

Simple Stella Card for Mojo 224

Here is the sketch for this week's Mojo Challenge.  Click here and play along. 
I took more liberties here than I usually do and went off on my own.  Let me know what you think.  I also refrained from inking the edges of all the card pieces.  I love inking, but I tried something new.
Supply List: Stella Paper Pack (X7147B) Available Feb 1st, The Present Stamp Set (D1436), A Little Thanks Stamp Set (D1444), cranberry cardstock and ink.

Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Sunday, January 15, 2012

A Simply Sweet Card

Here's the card I made as a make n take for my Spring/Summer 2012 Open House.

 Supply List: Bamboo Ink, Desert Sand Ink, Pacifica Cardstock, NEW Card Word Puzzle Stamp set (available 2/1), clear sparkles, and Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.

Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Stella Altered Clipboard

Here is one of the make n takes, I am making for my CTMH Open House.  The first photo shows what all the quests will be making and then I dressed them up to show how they could be used.  I would love feedback as what I had pictured in my mind is not exactly what I ended up with.
A menu planner
A place to leave a quick note
A calender
A Home Decor Item
Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544




Wednesday, January 11, 2012

This week's Mojo Challenge 223

Here is the sketch for this week's Mojo Challenge.  Click here if you would like to play along.
Here is my take.  I hope you enjoy.  I love these sketch challenges, because then I always have completed cards on hand when I need them.  Supplies: Sweetheart Paper (retired)
Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Birthday Invitation Part 3: The card base tutorial!

I want to reiterate again, that I did not come up with the invitation base.  Terry Diack is an amazing CTMH consultant and I wait on baited breath for her posts so I can case them.  I made a tutorial for this base because hers is not posted on her blog.





The finished product
Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544


Monday, January 9, 2012

Birthday Invitation Part 2: more photos!

So here are more photos of the invitation.
I made 2 versions of the invitation: one for families with kids and one for adults.  The one for kids has 2 pockets (like the tutorial coming tomorrow) while the one for adults has only one.  Hint, you just use 2 envelopes instead of 3.
 The Jedi Mission
The next page with Jedi Name Badges for the mission
If you are interested in the name badges, I will gladly email you the file and you can change the names and use them for your own star wars party.  Just email me at livescraplove@gmail.com.
Supply List:
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686)
Kraft Cardstock (Z1375)
Hemp (Z280)
Mischief Paper Pack (available until 1/31) (X7144B)
Liquid Glass (Z679)

Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Graycen's 2nd Birthday Invitation Part 1


I don't even know where to start, so stay tuned all week for details and instructions.  Today I want to give a shout out to all the wonderful, creative women who made this invitation possible.
Terry Diack (fellow CTMH consultant): Inspiration for invitation design.  Tutorial to follow in later post.
Shindig Parties To Go: Great Star Wars Party Ideas and Printables.  Because of her post, I am going to tackle sewing star wars capes and Jedi training activities.
Heidi Ann Giebel from Got Scraps: The awesome darth vader using the Paper Dolls Dress Up Cricut Cartridge.  All details at her blog.
That's all for today.  Stay tuned for tomorrow's post with instructions on how to make the invite and lots more photos.

Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Saturday, January 7, 2012

All Because He Wanted to Cricut...

Maybe you have noticed, I am not posting as regularly.  Part of the reason is because my sweet children Graycen (almost 2) is attached to me at the hip lately and also going through a period of asserting his independence.  Take yesterday for example, I was working on his birthday party invitations (post coming soon) and he pointed to the Cricut, saying "button".  He loves all things with buttons and helping mommy.  I simply told him I was not "cricutting" at the moment, but he could help me when I did.  He does not think anyone should tell him no.  So it began, as it does daily....the battle of wills.  His tantrum lasted 20-30 minutes.
He did not want me capturing this moment forever, so he hid his face.
It just went on and on....

It ended like this... Cuddle Time with Mommy and sleep.

Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
6325 Bayberry Ave., Manheim, PA 17545  
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544