Monday, December 31, 2012

Avonlea Layout 3

Over the last three days, I have been showcasing my Avonlea Layout Class.  This class is coming up January 4th and is already full, but feel free to use these photos to make your own.  All you will need is the Avonlea Paper Pack, Avonlea Canvas Shapes, Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, the Artiste cartridge, 1 sheet of slate cardstock, 1 sheet of chocolate cardstock, and 2 sheets of colonial white cardstock.  I hope you enjoy.  They are not my typical style, but it was fun to get out of my comfort zone.  The layouts were inspired by layouts seen at scrapbook generation.
 A Closer Look

 Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Avonlea Layout 2

Over the next two days and yesterday, I will be showcasing my Avonlea Layout Class.  This class is coming up January 4th and is already full, but feel free to use these photos to make your own.  All you will need is the Avonlea Paper Pack, Avonlea Canvas Shapes, Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, the Artiste cartridge, 1 sheet of slate cardstock, 1 sheet of chocolate cardstock, and 2 sheets of colonial white cardstock.  I hope you enjoy.  They are not my typical style, but it was fun to get out of my comfort zone.  The layouts were inspired by layouts seen at scrapbook generation.
 A Closer Look

 Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Avonlea Layout 1

Over the next three days, I will be showcasing my Avonlea Layout Class.  This class is coming up January 4th and is already full, but feel free to use these photos to make your own.  All you will need is the Avonlea Paper Pack, Avonlea Canvas Shapes, Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, the Artiste cartridge, 1 sheet of slate cardstock, 1 sheet of chocolate cardstock, and 2 sheets of colonial white cardstock.  I hope you enjoy.  They are not my typical style, but it was fun to get out of my comfort zone.  The layouts were inspired by layouts seen at scrapbook generation.
 A Closer Look

Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Someone's been naughty...

Well I heard his little feet hopping down the stairs and thought to myself,  "I might get a few more minutes of sleep after all".  But about 5 minutes later those little feet were hopping back up the stairs and his sweet voice was chirping something excitedly.  I jumped out of bed qucikly and ran to the door after all his only 2 1/2 and I thought he might be saying he needed to go potty.  Much to my surprise this is what I saw.


Somehow, he thought it would be a good idea to open a present or 2.  The amazing thing is he chose his presents.  I found out later that he opened one, because he had seen his older brother open a late birthday present and thought if he can open a present, so can I.  I hope you all find the time to snuggle with your little ones and enjoy time with family this holiday season.  Please don't forget the reason for the season in all the busyness.  Our savior Jesus Christ was born.  Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Another Pear and Partridge Layout and Card

Here is the layout and card I did for a recent CTMH gathering.  If you are interested in taking my January Pear & Partridge Layout class or ordering the kit, get more info here. For this layout and card, I used the stamp set Ornamental Cheer.
 A Closer Look

 My card using reverse embossing
Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Kindergarten Winter Party Ideas

We just had my son's Winter party in Kindergarten this week.  This is my first year as a room parent and thought it would be helpful to share some of the ideas I used for the party this year.  We had a group craft, 4 stations, and snacks.
The group craft was making styrofoam snowmen.  I quickly found that no glue actually works to attach the balls together except a gluegun.  I settled for a toothpick instead.  Twigs for arms, orange construction paper carrot noses, and mini black brads for eyes and they were done.
 Station 1 Jack Frost Says (Simon Says)
 Station 2 Winter Bingo made from this awesome free site
 Station 3 Making a snowflake ornament using CTMH Snowflake Stamp set and the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge
Station 4 and my personal favorite Snowball Fight.  They read Jimmy Fallon's book Snowball Fight, then piled styrofaom balls on a parachute and flung them into the air.
My first try at peppermint pretzel bark.  It was a hit but not as pretty as the bark from the Pink Flour where I got the recipe.
Nickie Hoffer 
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 
www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 
livescraplove@gmail.com 
717-665-0544


Saturday, December 22, 2012

Truth in the Tinsel Continued

So if you missed the first post and want more info about the Truth in the Tinsel, click here.  Here is another week on advent crafts.  Remember each day in December a simple craft is outlined for you as well as a scripture verse and some questions to get a conversation going with your little one.
Jesus shines like the sun and Mary's beautiful son

 Joseph's pillow, Jesus name is bigger than all names, and the census
Bethlehem and the Stable

Nickie Hoffer 
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 
www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 
livescraplove@gmail.com 
717-665-0544

Friday, December 21, 2012

Pinterest Snowball Wreath

I have had this on my pinterest DIY board for at least a year.  Here is the original post by Two Junk Chix.  It is also the first time I have ever used a glue gun, so I ended up with some wounds;).  I bought most of the styrofoam balls at the Dollar Tree and Michaels.  I got the snowflakes and other round Christmas ornaments from the Dollar Tree as well.  The jute balls were the trickiest because you couldn't just simply wrap them any old way or they would be gigantic and mishapen, so I had to start in the middle and glue each piece around.
The start
The finished product
Then I got out of hand and made this one for my Grandma with my sweet MOPS friends.  With their help, I got this one done in one evening.
In total I ended up making three.  That was enough.  There is a tip, if you are looking for a cheaper way to make the same wreath.  If you roll up newspaper and wrap that with yarn instead of styrofoam balls, that will save you some money.  I thought doing them that way made them look a little misshapen, so I stuck with styrofoam.  I am super proud of how that turned out and would love your comments. 

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!
Nickie Hoffer 
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 
www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 
livescraplove@gmail.com 
717-665-0544

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Ningago Birthday Party Ideas

My sweet redhead turned 6 at the end of November.  He has recently started taking Karate at Fear Knot Martial Arts and is loving it.  He loves a sport where he can compete against himself and set his own pace.  I love that they focus so much on character and it is building his confidence.  So it was no surprise when he announced he wanted a Karate Ningago Party.  The party was amazing and Cohen would tell you the best part is that he got to cut his cake with a Samurai Sword.  Here's more info about Fear Knot for any locals and the party prices are very reasonable.
Check out the awesome cake made by Country Table Restaurant and my sweet friend Jacque Hess.  If you interested in getting a cake for your little ninja, check out their website here.
Party Favors....  Ningago is trademarked and they do not sell the rights for their items to be made into party favors or cakes for that matter.  This is when you must rely on the talents of others to get just what you are looking for.  I found these two items on ebay from the same seller "singmelodysing" and included them in favor bags.
 Ningago crayon figures
Tootsie Pop Ningago heads

Thanks to Fear Knot Martial Arts and all of our friends and family that made Cohen's day so great.  Here's a photo of the whole gang.
Nickie Hoffer 
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 
www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 
livescraplove@gmail.com 
717-665-0544

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Christmas Craft Day

My boys have a Christmas Craft day each year at school where they get to choose a craft to make for someone in their family or keep for themselves. Because the crafts they chose were Christmas decorations, they gave them to be right away to display.  Here are my 2 lovely gifts.

This is obviously not my son, but it is a neighbor girl making the same beeswax candle that Rolan made me.  You simply cut the beeswax to the size you want and roll.
 The finished product
Cohen and his buddy making their boy and girl gnomes

 The finished product
Nickie Hoffer 
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 
www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 
livescraplove@gmail.com 
717-665-0544

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Truth in the Tinsel Advent Activities

My MOPS group gave us some info about a great advent calender to do with young children to put the truth back in Christmas.  There is an ebook entitled "Truth in the Tinsel," get yours here. Each day there is a small craft to do, along with scripture to read.  Most of the supplies are things you just have laying around the house.  So we have been doing this daily since the first and I am only posting now.  But it would be great to keep in mind for next year.  Here are some of the crafts we made the first week.
Jesus is the Light


 Jesus is King
Gabriel

 Mary
 Mary & Elizabeth Pregnant
Nickie Hoffer 
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 
www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 
livescraplove@gmail.com 
717-665-0544

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Whooo's Your Valentine Kit Available Today!


Spend $35 and get the exclusive treat tube kit for only $10!

 

In celebration of National Papercrafting Month, we’re offering a new product, available through January — our Whooo’s Your Valentine kit! This darling kit, which retails for $40, can be yours for only $10 when you spend $35 or more in Close To My Heart product. The kit includes 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit! Perfect for gifts and classroom projects, the Whooo’s Your Valentine kit will make Valentine’s Day a cinch!  Click here to start shopping now!







Nickie Hoffer 
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 
www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 
livescraplove@gmail.com 
717-665-0544