HOLIDAY HEYDAY SALE!

Starting December 2nd, there is a Close To My Heart Scrapbooking and Stamping CLEARANCE sale online!! 50%-80% Savings!
Below is a list of CTMH clearance items that will be available during the December "Holiday Heyday" sale. Log in on December 2nd after 11:00 a.m. EST to purchase from a special clearance section. Sale has quantities restricted to FIVE per item to provide a smooth shopping experience for all customers. Serious shipping savings apply with minimum orders.Clearance items may not be combined with regular-priced items in a single shopping cart, and clearance purchases are not eligible for Stamp of the Month.
Here is a link to the website. This is a great way to get all the scrapbookers and cardmakers on your holiday gift list wonderful presents they’ll love at super prices. Happy Shopping!!!
mbourlet.myctmh.com (YES - I have a website now. You can order any Close To My Heart products from me online and it ships directly to you!)


CC1008 Grab Bag $30.00 ($100 value)

Z9990 Key to My Heart Paper Pack $5.00

Z9991 Just Because Card Base $2.00

Z9992 Life Delights Pack $4.00

Z9993 Promise of Spring Pack $5.00

Z9994 Magic Moments Pack $10.00



Z464 Sassy Strands® Summer Carnival Collection $1.00

Z400 Sassy Strands® White Daisy Collection $1.00

Z467 Sassy Strands® Spring Blossom Collection $1.00

Z401 Sassy Strands® Autumn Harvest Collection $1.00

Z402 Sassy Strands® Winter Classic Collection $1.00

Z463 Sassy Strands® Spring Harmony Collection $1.00

Z466 Sassy Strands® Autumn Garden Collection $1.00

Z465 Sassy Strands® Winter Cozy Collection $1.00

Z468 Sassy Strands® Summer Celebration Collection $1.00



Z1108 Chocolate Brads $3.00

1759 Silver Brads $3.00

Z1105 White Daisy Brads $3.00

Z1107 Black Brads $3.00

Z1111 Brads Summer Carnival Assortment $3.00

Z1137 Brads Spring Harmony Assortment $3.00

Z297 Bigger Brads Autumn Harvest Assortment $7.00

Z298 Bigger Brads Winter Classic Assortment $7.00

Z1051 Bitty Brads $3.00



Z288 My Accents® Topiary Accessories $6.00

Z285 My Accents® Garden Green Accessories $6.00

Z286 My Accents® Outdoor Denim Accessories $6.00

Z284 My Accents® Cranberry Accessories $6.00

Z290 My Accents® Autumn Terracotta Accessories $6.00

Z196 My Accents® Baby Pink Accessories $6.00



Z1015 Clear Inspirations Believe Ribbon Slides $1.00

Z1013 Clear Inspirations Precious Ribbon Slides $1.00



Z1133 3/8" White Daisy Ricrac Ribbon (bulk) $4.00

Z803 Organdy Ribbon Rounds™ Spring Blossom Collection $4.00

Z807 Organdy Ribbon Rounds™ Autumn Garden Collection $4.00

Z802 Organdy Ribbon Rounds™ Spring Harmony Collection $4.00

Z808 Organdy Ribbon Rounds™ Winter Classic Collection $4.00

Z804 Organdy Ribbon Rounds™ Summer Carnival Collection $4.00

Z805 Organdy Ribbon Rounds™ Summer Celebration Coll. $4.00

Z1301 Designer Ribbon Rounds™ Chocolate Collection $4.00

Z823 Designer Ribbon Rounds™ Autumn Terracotta Coll. $4.00

Z1306 Designer Ribbon Rounds™ Heartfelt Collection $4.00

Z1305 Designer Ribbon Rounds™ Holiday Collection $4.00

Z816 Ribbon Rounds™ White Daisy Collection $4.00

Z814 Designer Ribbon Rounds™ Cocoa Collection $4.00

Z812 Designer Ribbon Rounds™ Hollyhock Collection $4.00

Z1303 Designer Ribbon Rounds™ Outdoor Denim Collection $4.00

Z815 Designer Ribbon Rounds™ Twilight Collection $4.00



Z331 Eyelet Mat $2.00

Z169 Black Eyelets $2.00

Z159 Buttercup Eyelets $2.00

Z136 Heavenly Blue Eyelets $2.00

Z171 Pewter Eyelets $2.00

Z149 Garden Green Eyelets $2.00

Z165 New England Ivy Eyelets $2.00

Z153 Indian Corn Blue Eyelets $2.00

Z150 Autumn Terracotta Eyelets $2.00

Z179 Chocolate Eyelets $2.00



Z1012 Braggin’ Tags™ Mini Album $3.00

Z1017 My Creations™ Circle Album $3.00



1776 1/8" Long Reach Punch $7.00

1762 Write ‘n’ Rub™ Pen $6.00

X1401 StickStock® Linen $6.00

X1400 StickStock® Twill $6.00

Z820 Window Charms™ Squares $5.00

Z922 Pastel Coloring Pencils $4.00

Z920 Earth Coloring Pencils $4.00

X8701 Floral Impressions Embossed Photo Mats $4.00

Z1044 Dimensional Elements Basic Shapes $3.00

Z4128 Foundry® Frames $3.00

Z1134 Holiday Fabric Tags $3.00

Z309 Sculpting™ Foam $2.00

Z657 Vineyard Berry Embossing Powder $2.00

Z1010 Colored Staples $2.00

X277 5" x 5 1/2" Clear Cello Envelopes $2.00

4109 6" x 6" Matte Memory Protectors® (15) $2.00

X143 Door Hangers with Pouch (10) $1.00



X8519 My Child's Reflections™ All About My Family $4.00



X5802 Creative Basics® Everlasting Collection $5.00

X5803 Creative Basics® Silhouette Collection $5.00

X5804 Creative Basics® Boom-Di-Ada Collection $5.00



X7045A My Reflections® Vintage Travel Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7045C My Reflections® Vintage Travel My Stickease® $4.00

X7056A My Reflections® Discovery Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7060A My Reflections® Heirloom Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7060B My Reflections® Heirloom Level 2 Paper Packet $6.50

X7061A My Reflections® Floral Impressions Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7061B My Reflections® Floral Impressions Lev.2 Paper Packet $6.50

X7061C My Reflections® Floral Impressions My Stickease® $4.00

X7062A My Reflections® Laid Back Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7069A My Reflections® Just Chillin' Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7069C My Reflections® Just Chillin' My Stickease® $4.00

X7071A My Reflections® Best Friends Forever Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7072A My Reflections® School Zone Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7072B My Reflections® School Zone Level 2 Paper Packet $6.50

X7072C My Reflections® School Zone Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7073A My Reflections® Abundance Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7073B My Reflections® Abundance Level 2 Paper Packet $6.50

X7073C My Reflections® Abundance Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7076A My Reflections® Sonata Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7076C My Reflections® Sonata Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7077C My Reflections® Sweet Harmony My Stickease® $4.00

X7078A My Reflections® Cutie Pie Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7078C My Reflections® Cutie Pie Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7079A My Reflections® Rough n Tumble Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7079B My Reflections® Rough 'N Tumble Lev. 2 Paper Packet $6.50

X7079C My Reflections® Rough 'N Tumble My Stickease® $4.00

X7080A My Reflections® Route 66 Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7080C My Reflections® Route 66 Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7082A My Reflections® Expedition Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7082C My Reflections® Expedition Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7083A My Reflections® Let's Get Together Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7084A My Reflections® Floral Tapestry Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7085A My Reflections® Everlasting Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7085B My Reflections® Everlasting Level 2 Paper Packet $6.50

X7085C My Reflections® Everlasting Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7086A My Reflections® Caprice Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7086B My Reflections® Caprice Level 2 Paper Packet $6.50

X7086C My Reflections® Caprice Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7087A My Reflections® Enchanted Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7087B My Reflections® Enchanted Level 2 Paper Packet $6.50

X7087C My Reflections® Enchanted Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7088A My Reflections® Free Spirit Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7088B My Reflections® Free Spirit Level 2 Paper Packet $6.50

X7088C My Reflections® Free Spirit Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7089A My Reflections® Life Delights Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7089C My Reflections® Life Delights Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7093A My Reflections® Sweet Pea Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7093B My Reflections® Sweet Pea Level 2 Paper Packet $6.50

X7093C My Reflections® Sweet Pea Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7094A My Reflections® Paper Garden Level 1 Kit $5.00

X7094C My Reflections® Paper Garden Level 2 My Stickease® $4.00

X7099A My Reflections® Whoops-A-Daisy Level 1 Kit $5.00





X8524 Simply Snapshots® Rough 'N Tumble Album Pages $4.00

X8525 Simply Snapshots® Lets Get Together Album Pages $4.00

X8526 Simply Snapshots® Floral Tapestry Album Pages $4.00

X8528 Simply Snapshots® Everlasting Album Pages $4.00

X8529 Simply Snapshots® Silhouette Album Pages $4.00

X8530 Simply Snapshots® Sweet Pea Album Pages $4.00

X8531 Simply Snapshots® Boom-Di-Ada Album Pages $4.00

X8532 Simply Snapshots® Perfect Day Album Pages $4.00



X8608 My Originals® Groovy Blossoms Card Kit $6.50

X8611 My Originals® Pretty Purses Card Kit $6.50

X8613 My Originals® Peaceful Season Card Kit $6.50

X8614 My Originals® Holiday Photo Greetings Card Kit $6.50

X8615 My Originals® From The Heart Card Kit $6.50

X8617 My Originals® Holiday Wishes Card Kit $6.50

X8620 My Originals® Merry & Bright Card Kit $6.50



Stamp Sets

A1084 My Acrylix® Sweet Flowers (Set Of 6) $2.00

A1092 My Acrylix® Simple Invites (Set Of 16) $2.00

A1093 My Acrylix® Genuine Fun (Set Of 4) $2.00

B1071 My Acrylix® Playful Numbers (Set Of 20) $4.00

B1167 My Acrylix® Thinking Of You (Set Of 6) $4.00

B1182 My Acrylix® Let It Snow (Set Of 6) $4.00

B1215 My Acrylix® Life Is (Set Of 16) $4.00

B1258 My Acrylix® Merry Little Christmas (Set Of 7) $4.00

B1260 My Acrylix® Let Us Adore Him (Set Of 5) $4.00

B1262 My Acrylix® Celebration Labels (Set Of 34) $4.00

B1277 My Acrylix® Hello Friend (Set Of 13) $4.00

C1079 My Acrylix® Playful Lowercase (Set Of 52) $6.00

C1198 My Acrylix® Let's Play Ball (Set Of 8) $6.00

C1209 My Acrylix® Christmas Scripts (Set Of 13 $6.00

C1221 My Acrylix® Choo Choo Train (Set Of 8) $6.00

C1222 My Acrylix® Seasonal Thoughts (Set Of 39) $6.00

C1226 My Acrylix® Floral Charms (Set Of 12) $6.00

C1227 My Acrylix® Our Wedding Day (Set Of 13) $6.00

C1244 My Acrylix® Glistening Snow (Set Of 11) $6.00

C1245 My Acrylix® O Christmas Tree (Set Of 26) $6.00

C1252 My Acrylix® Abundance Borders (Set Of 4) $6.00

D1013 My Acrylix® Playful Caps (Set Of 57) $8.00

D1111 My Acrylix® Card Sentiments (Set Of 10) $8.00

D1115 My Acrylix® Princess (Set Of 17) $8.00

D1211 My Acrylix® First Class (Set Of 10) $8.00

D1126 My Acrylix® Precious Alphabet (Set Of 52) $8.00

D1140 My Acrylix® Miracle (Set Of 9) $8.00

D1146 My Acrylix® Back To Nature (Set Of 7) $8.00

D1152 My Acrylix® Follow Your Dreams (Set Of 15) $8.00

D1153 My Acrylix® Because Of You (Set Of 16) $8.00

D1165 My Acrylix® Bundled Up (Set Of 10) $8.00

D1175 My Acrylix® Steep And Deep (Set Of 12) $8.00

D1176 My Acrylix® Youthful Heart (Set Of 13) $8.00

D1179 My Acrylix® Festive Thoughts (Set Of 14) $8.00

D1086 My Acrylix® Birthday Bash (Set Of 16) $8.00

D1197 My Acrylix® My One & Only (Set Of 11) $8.00

Fall Matchbook Candy Holder

This little Matchbook Candy Holder was fun to make and even more fun to give away. It is the perfect little gift to tuck into a lunch box, desk drawer or customer bag. It would be fun to have some available to hand out to those special folks that make your life a bit easier - the school or church secretary, that friendly clerk, your mailcarrier...
Change the colors and it would be great as a stocking stuffer or Valentine treat. A friend had the idea of making it a bit larger to hold a gift card.

For the tutorial on how to make the Matchbook Candy Holder click here.

I used CTMH's Flourished Blessings stamp set to make the leaves. The cardstock is Olive and Autumn Terracotta. The inks are Olive/New England Ivy and Chocolate. An antique copper brad secures the leaves in place.

November Blog Hop

Welcome to the November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!
If you just came from Pam's Blog, you are in the right place.

The Tri-shutter card is a fun way to display the Around the Block stamp set and the Sweet Home papers.
If you want a tutorial on how to make a Tri-shutter card, click here.

I really love how this project turned it - especially because Ps 91:1 works so well on it. This verse from Psalm 91:1, "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.", has been mulling around in my head  for the past month. It is so incredible when you stop to think about what this verse means. We don't use the word, "dwelling place" very often, but it means HOME. The Lord has been/wants to be our HOME. This is a powerful word. It conjures up all kinds of word pictures and emotions in me. When I think about what the word HOME, I envision it as a place I go to

.... find comfort

.... find companionship and a place of belonging

.... find shelter and safety

.... find relief from the stresses of life

.... find nourishment

.... find rest

The Lord wants to be all this for me! But I must choose to go "home" to Him often in order for Him to be able to meet all these needs for me.

This card is going on our piano so I can see it and be reminded of this wonderful truth often.

Now hop on over to Jen's Blog to continue the Blog Hop.

Creativity Comes in Many Forms....

I used to think creativity was expressed with pen, pencil, scissors or some other art form. But I have learned that being creative can come in many forms. Finding healthy, inexpensive, homemade products to meet the needs of our family is one form of creativity. It is an avenue I have been forced into - both my husband and middle son have sensitivities to colors, fragrances and preservatives, so I have HAD to learn how to make things from scratch.  Now that I have been down this road for quite a few years, I am finding that it is fun to make things "homemade". That is why you will see many recipes for homemade products and meals alongside papercrafting projects on my blog. Hope you find them helpful.

Here is a recipe that will save you money - it costs only 1 cent per load! Try this - it really works...

Homemade Laundry Detergent

1/3 bar shaved Zote 
1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
2 gallon bucket
Optional - 1/2 to 1 oz essential oil


Shave soap with knife into sauce pan and add 6 cups of water. Heat until melted. Add soda and borax and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups of hot water into the bucket and then add soap mixture. Stir to combine and then add 1 gallon plus 6 cups water to soap mixture and stir. Allow to sit for 24 hours to gel.


Use 1/2 cup per laundry load.


Optional: Add 1 1/2 to 2 cups Pure Power (purple) for extra cleaning power

Simple Christmas Cards Workshop

In October and November I will be holding a few

Simple Christmas Cards Workshops.

 I know many of you like to make homemade Christmas cards to send out to family and friends, and if you make A LOT of them, they need to be simple in design. Here are the ones we will be making. They range from wimsical to elegant, but each one is very fast and easy to make. We will make 3 from scratch and 1 from CTMH's Christmas card kit entitled, "Around the Holidays". The kit comes with everything you need to make 12 really classy circle Christmas cards (kit costs $14.95). No stamping is involved - just peel and stick. My boys and I are going to make some of these cards this year to give out. (Maybe I'll get my Christmas cards mailed out before January this year!)

Here is a picture of all 4 different designs.

You get enough supplies to make 3 of each design.

I followed the suggested directions for the first 4 cards,

but the others I am going to personalize with photos of the boys and favorite Christmas verses.

"Around the Holidays Card Kit"

October Stamp of the Month

Close To My Heart's October Stamp of the Month is entitled
"Holiday Warmth". It is cute little set of 11 holiday themed, wimsical stamps. The tree reminds me of the Grinch's tree, so I made a little Christmas card using a quote from the Grinch. The quote comes from a stamp set entitled "Peace on Earth" -it has a set of 17 great Christmas quotes. Just click on the picture to see an enlarged view.
Sorry I don't have a direct way for you to order from this blog (hopefully that will change in the next few months), but if you are interested in ordering any of the CTMH supplies that are posted, just leave a comment with your email and I will get back with you.

If you want to see some really great artwork using this stamp set, you can jump in on the SOTM BLOG HOP:  http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/

There is another blog hop that started on OCT 3rd for National Card Making Day, so you might see both on the sites you visit.

It's HARVEST time...

I don't know what it is about fall that makes me want to bake, cook, and store up food for the winter. I have been acting like a squirrel! It has been all about FOOD around here lately. We discovered our local Cannery (a place to go can food), so my neighbor, Coral, and my oldest son, Paul, have joined me in canning pearbutter (like applebutter) and pear preserves. I also made grape juice the easy way (see recipe below), and put up some vegetable beef soup. If you have not been to a cannery - check and see if there is one near you. It will save you so much time and effort in canning - and you will meet a lot of really nice folks that will be glad to give you tips on putting up food.

The boys hauling pears through the path
in the woods after we picked them from the neighbor's yard

Adding honey to our Pearbutter... YUM!

We also added brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Today we tried out a new Homemade Granola Bar recipe - it is a keeper. It is a good basic recipe that can be adapted to your tastes and needs. This is going to replace the ones we have been buying every week from the store!


Homemade Granola Bars
(I adapted this recipe from a few different ones and we liked the result)
4 1/2 c rolled oats (can also substitute some Rice Crispies)
1 c whole wheat flour
1 t baking soda
1 t vanilla
1 c melted butter (you can substitute some applesauce for the butter and some of the honey)
1 c honey
2 c additions (mini choc chips, raisins, sunflower seeds, dried apricots, craisens, dried cherries, etc..)

Preheat oven 325 degrees. Lightly grease or line with parchment paper cookie sheet.
In a large mixing bowl combine oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter, and honey. Stir in the addtions.
Press the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees until golden brown - about 20 min. Take out of the oven and use a spatula to firmly press into the pan further (this will help it not crumble). Let cool for 10 min then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.You can wrap individually and then store in a freezer bag in the freezer.


Easy Grape Juice (my parents made this when I was a kid - we loved it)
Into each 1/2 gallon sterilized jar, add 2 cups grapes (we used muscadines that we gathered from the woods) and 1 cup sugar. Fill the jar with hot water and stir it up a bit to disolve the sugar. Put on your lids and process for 30 minutes. Let sit for 6 weeks. When ready to drink, just strain your grapes and seeds.