Crafted by Grace

I am really enjoying the new stamp of the month D1452 Find Your Style . There are beautiful little cutout sentiments throughout the stamps. Simply Incredible! For this card I found paper and ink to match the real colors of a bluebird! Indian Corn Blue and Cocoa papers are perfect here with some Free Spirit paper. I then skimmed the Quick Reference pages of our Originals how-to book and found this elegant pattern, On Your Left (pg. 21), which perfectly supports a 3x3 stamped image. I used sponge daubers (z726 $3.95) to add the blush of color on this pretty bluebird. I mixed Hollyhock (Z2128) and Vineyard Berry (Z2157) for the correct bluebird color. Edges are roughed up with our Edge Distresser (Z1297 $2.50), and some are sponged with the matching cocoa stamp pad (Z2114). I know you would enjoy this stamp set, too - especially for FREE! All you have to do is get our workshop on the go, and four other brand new products, which are already on sale, and this stamp set is your...

I have been away from my normal blogging routine for awhile, and am happy now to get back to work! We have a winner to announce!!! As promised, one name from all the online orders placed near the end of 2010 will be drawn to receive a beautiful Close to my Heart prize! The entries are being shaken up now ... Scott is placing his hand in the box .... AND the winner is - - - LISETTE HECKATHORN !!! Lisette has won a FREE stamp set OR Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad of her choice from my inventory! Congratulations!! Thank you to all of you for doing regular business on my web site. Many discounted, retired products have just been added, and new ones are coming along regularly so check back often to see the great deals at http://rebeccalaird.myctmh.com !!

Adding Beautiful Embellishments to your Artwork TWO DAYS LEFT!! I sure have enjoyed sharing my art and my heart with you this month. I am still crazy about Christmas. Though there is a lot of stress and commercialism going on, it still seems to be the one time of year that people stop to think of others, to worship, and to actually make sense. What a precious time of year. Our Craft Challenge today will be all about the Details ! If there is anything I have learned through my Close to My Heart experience, it is how to beautifully finish my work through embellishments. With a few simple touches, we can turn a card into a heart-warming piece of art! Many of the details are free, quick techniques that you can add to any paper crafting project. For instance, the torn edges of the tag (above) add wonderful texture. It is also nice to sponge the edges in coordinating stamping ink to just give it that professional, yet hand-made appeal. Here in this 4 x 4 card, I have also added...

Mini Album Gift! Here's another simple way to put together a thoughtful hand-made gift. I used two or three sheets of cardstock, cut to 6" ... then scored again at 6" vertically, which makes four pages for each half sheet of paper! I used a few coordinating pieces of paper cut to 6" widths inches or heights. Our Level 2 paper packs are a perfect match every time!

Don't Forget the December FREE STAMPS Special - - AND y ou can DOUBLE DIP!!! ALL December orders of $20 or more at rebeccalaird.myctmh.com will automatically qualify you for a FREE stamp set worth $22.95! Even AFTER Christmas, this great sale will apply - but don't miss it - special ends Dec. 31st. Wondering what the free stamps might be? I was THRILLED with my bonus stamps - - D1110, Give Thanks is a Thanksgiving/Pumpkin oriented set was one theme I actually did NOT have! YAY! They even cover the shipping on the stamps:) AND here's the Double Dip - - remember that EVERY ORDER placed on my site through the end of this year, 2010, ALSO qualifies you for my personal contest!! One lucky friend of mine will receive a BEAUTIFUL prize from Close to my Heart - drawing to be held for the New Year 2011. I wont' be entering myself in the contest - - but I just might place another order!