Friday, July 25, 2014

Sunshine and Bling-shine: Make Your Summer Fun!

As the temperatures soar in the summer heat, it has been difficult for me to spend a lot of time in my upstairs Paper Jungle crafting. The central air up there doesn't quite cut it; I'm having a portable a/c unit installed one of these days (hopefully before I need supplemental heat, LOL).  In addition, who wants to be inside sweltering when one can just as easily swelter poolside?

While at poolside, I've noticed plenty of plain ol' flip-flops (usually on the men!) and ornate sandals (usually on the women -- but not always!!).  This got me to thinking -- why not bling up a pair of inexpensive flip flops from Old Navy or the dollar store with blingage from The Buckle Boutique??
Some ribbon on the straps, combined with puffy heart pin
and voila!  Beautiful sandals that are more than just for
poolside wear!  

I turned to Pinterest for examples, and here is what I found: 


You can cut strips of Dazzling Diamond rhinestone resin adhesive sheets and attach them to the straps of the flip flop, as shown in the picture at top. And, while the resin sheets will adhere well, you can secure the pieces very securely with 527 Adhesive from Beacon Adhesives.  This adhesive dries clear and quickly, is flexible for strap comfort, and is waterproof!

Or perhaps you'd like the more subtle look on your flip flops. Just attach a small rhinestone pin to the center of the straps (middle picture).

Or go all out, and do both, with a larger rhinestone embellishment combined with some rhinestone straps.



Here is the Beacon Adhesive (left) that I recommend for adding permanence to  your flip-flop bling-out projects.  It is available at most major craft stores (e.g., Michaels).

Whatever is your pleasure, The Buckle Boutique has reasonably priced bling for all your needs. Here are just two of the very pretty pins that I recently bought to adorn my sun hat's ribbon:

So before summer completely passes you by, why not add a little bling to your sarong?  Contact The Buckle Boutique here:  

The Buckle Boutique’s Link Listing
The Buckle Boutique’s Website . . . click HERE
The Buckle Boutique Blog . . . . click HERE
Facebook Page . . . click HERE
Twitter Page . . . click HERE
Pinterest Page . . . click HERE

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Buzzing With Anticipation: There's a New CTMH/Cricut Cartridge!

The crafting world is abuzz with the preview release of Close To My Heart's new "Annual Inspirations Book" for 2014-2015. That's right -- a full year's worth of goodness, covering projects, seasons and holidays from August 1 of this year allll the way through July 31 of next year.  

A year-long book replaces the twice-annual smaller publications. This one is packed -- PACKED, I tell you! -- with 193 pages, including 250+ brand new products. There are five new colors introduced this year, each with its own bulk paper pack and complementing Exclusive Ink Pad.  


New colors introduced for 2014-2016
Consultants get to preview the book during July, and we can also purchase the products in limited quantity this month, to try out and produce samples for our upcoming classes. Stay tuned and I'll give you more details on how to get your copy of this terrific mojo-building book now, or on the list for later. Free with a qualifying purchase from my CTMH website, or for a nominal fee.  

But first, I'm going to let you in on one of the industry's best kept secrets -- and that is that yes, there is a brand new Close To My Heart/Cricut cartridge coming in this catalog. It's not yet available (ProvoCraft has some production delays) so I'm waiting much as you are to get my hands on this sweet cartridge.... 

Let me tell you, it is the answer to this cardmaker's dreams!!!  


The new-for-2014 cartridge is called "Artfully Sent."  With more than 700 images on this completely designed cartridge, the value is immense. Here's what the Inspirations Book says about this cartridge:

"Cardmaking has never been easier or more fun! With our newest Cricut collection you can make handmade masterpieces in no time at all. Choose from cards with sentiments cut directly into them, or combine several cutouts to create your own pop-up scenes. Featuring more than 25 different card themes and 5 different card formats including dynamic interactive designs, this cartridge has a card for any and all occasions -- even if the occasion is "just because"!  Card styles include pop-ups, scenes, sentiments, sleeves and pocket cards.  

Now let's take a look at everything your $99 investment in this new cartridge will get you:
1 Cricut Cartridge (700 images; cards and font)
3 (that's right, THREE!) My Acrylix D-size stamp sets (value $17.95 each!)
1 pack of 12x12" CTMH White Cardstock (a $9.50 value!)

Let me give you a sneak peek at just one of the really fabulous cards you can make with this cartridge.  This is one that's shown in the Inspirations Book, as an example:



I found this screen shot of what the cartridge's book looks like to find this pop-up balloon image:



See it there, in the "Pop Ups" icon, top (red)?  YES, Cricut cuts out the center of the card, and you just adhere it to your cover -- voila, you're a pop-up card artist!!  Add the cute banner ... or use it on other cards, scrapbook pages, etc. ... and you've got a darling card.

And yes, you can even use it in Cricut Craft Room (for the Expression) or Cricut Design Room (with your Explore). Look here:



How easy-peasy is that?!   I'm telling you, I've never been more excited about a Cricut/CTMH cartridge as I am about the pending arrival of "Artfully Sent."

Here is Close To My Heart's video about this fantastic new cartridge:



Now, we're all prevented from "pre-selling" this Cricut cartridge because, frankly, there are many top-sellers who have been undercutting us little guys.  But I CAN take your name and e-mail address if you're interested in being the first on your block to order it from me as soon as it's available.  


And I'm offering a little incentive to get it from me:  
All of those who send me an e-mail (to cardmonkey@comcast.net) 
asking to be put on my waiting list to purchase (and later make the purchase when the cartridge is available), will:   
A.  Have their orders included in my first order/shipment, guaranteed.
B.  Receive a free Stamp-of-the-Month for the month in which the cartridge is available. (e.g., available in August? You'll receive the brand new, adorable August SOTM shown here!
C.  Receive a FREE Annual Inspirations Book with your order! 
D. Be entered into a drawing to win a Workshop on the Go (up to a $29.95 value) from me!

It would be an honor to be your Close To My Heart consultant.  You can shop from the current Idea Book through July 31 @ cardmonkey.ctmh.com.  The new Inspirations Book goes live on August 1.  I hope I've tempted you to get the new Cricut cartridge, "Artfully Sent," and that you'll purchase it through my website.  But before you do, DO drop me an e-mail so you'll be eligible for all of the goodies I've listed above.  Thank you!


DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,