Latte Cup Tag & Recipe for Cold Brewed Coffee

Good morning!  

Welcome to the 2nd day of the Coffee Lover's Blog Hop!  

Today's project is a tag that I designed to go along with the teacher gifts we gave last year.  Looking back, I realized I never blogged about this cute little tag.

This tag been hanging in my office for a year and I can't believe how vibrant the CTMH inks are.  I photographed it a couple days ago on my quart jar of cold coffee.  (I didn't have any other mason jars handy and I wanted to share with you my cold coffee recipe)

Like this year's teacher gifts, it was tied on a Mason Jar that was filled with chocolate and coffee (of course!)

RECIPE:  Cold Brew Coffee in a Mason jar!  
Here's the basic recipe. Why re-invent the recipe when they've done a great job photographing it?
 I use 6 scoops of finely ground coffee and fill the quart jar with filtered water.  Be sure to shake it a couple times throughout the day.  I strain it with a similar mesh strainer and then with my old reusable mesh drip basket like this one because I use a pretty find grind.  Other websites suggest a coarse grind but then you'll have to use more coffee.

Don't toss your coffee grounds!  It's a nice big bunch of them.  Take them out and put them around a Hydrangea or Rhododendron to gently acidify the soil.  They will love it!  I have 2 bushes that I can reach from my back step that are loving the extra acid.  (In other words, I can do this in my PJ's)

You'll get a rich, concentrated cold coffee that's perfect for Iced Coffee or home-made Fraps.

Last chance for an Advent Calendar!

Here's your last chance to create the Advent Calendar workshop!

The My Creations Cubby is on the While Supplies Last list so I don't know how much longer it will be available.  With that, I'm holding one more workshop on Friday, July 31st at 6:30 pm at my home in Everett, WA.  

Contact me to RSVP by email or by Facebook to attend.  

RSVP with payment no later than 7/1.  I cannot guarantee the availability of these cubbies so please RSVP with a $15 deposit as soon as you can.  I'll go ahead and purchase it now.

Cost is $40 for the workshop, including adhesives and basic embellishments. If you have a cubby already, your fee can be reduced.

I can also ship your kit for $5. 

Are you a CTMH Consultant?

I have great news!  I have a full color workshop guide and cutting files for you.  

They've just been updated to include a Cricut Design Space for the Cricut Explore as well as Cricut Craft Room Files for earlier Cricut machines.  You'll be able to create this workshop for yourself and your customers with ease.  A workshop release is included.  All files are electronic and can be purchased by consultants and customers world-wide.  The cost is $8.00 USD.
CTMH Artiste & Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridges are required for this project.

**Purchase link has been disabled**

To see more info about the Advent Calendar see my earlier posts.

Full Advent Calendar

Freebie Advent Calendar Cutting files (boxes only)

Last Hurrah for Hopscotch

Here's one of my favorite cards I've made this year.  It was so incredibly simple!  

If you want to make a similar card, hurry, the paper & one of the stamp sets is being discontinued at the end of the month.  

I finally broke out my spray pens that I bought nearly 4 years ago and used them with reinkers.  I spritzed my card base a couple times and let it dry before assembling my card.

My spray pen contained Rubbing Alcohol up to the next to last tic mark on the CTMH spray pen.  I added a couple drops of Pacifica Reinker and then filled it to the next line with Glacier Reinker. (no water was added) Super simple! 

Rubbing alcohol dries quicker and does not absorb into the paper fiber as much so it doesn't warp your paper nearly as much.  

Now back to the last hurrah!

Our Seasonal Expressions 1 mini-catalog is coming to an end on 3/31.  

Hopscotch papers and embellishments will be gone.  

and 

our Operation Smile Exclusive Stamp Set "You're the Bomb" will be gone too. 

Not only is this stamp set a ton of fun but $3 of every full priced stamp set purchased will be donated to Operation Smile.  

The feathers are from C1584 "Feathers"

There's 5 different feather shapes.  I chose one with a smooth outline so minimize cutting time. This stamp set will be available for a bit longer.  

Shop now to get the Hopscotch & You're the Bomb before they're gone.  

Retiring Stamps

Yikes!  I thought we would be able to avoid product retirement mid-year with an Annual Inspirations Idea Book & Catalog but that didn't happen!

All of these stamp sets are available to order through 1/31/2015.  You can order them via my website or directly though me.  They haven't been published in any of our catalogs for a year.

The next items to be discontinued are in the Seasonal Expressions mini-catalog.  They will sell out or be gone by March 31st.

Click here to see the stamps on my website.

Retiring Items

A Tree

A1124 $6.95

Congrats Graduate

A1139 $6.95

Be Still

A1141 $6.95

Friendly Thoughts

A1154 $6.95

Flower Confetti

A1156 $6.95

Love Doily

B1418 $9.95

Hoppy Easter

B1423 $9.95

Dreamer

B1439 $9.95

Fancy Fair

B1440 $9.95

Buggy Love

B1441 $9.95

Greatest Love

B1444 $9.95

Happy Hive

B1445 $9.95

Owls

B1450 $9.95

You're The Best

C1571 $13.95

Do Your Best

C1573 $13.95

Believe In Yourself

C1574 $13.95

Mother's Day

C1577 $13.95

Coming Up Roses

C1579 $13.95

Robot Family

C1583 $13.95

Paper Doll

D1547 $17.95

Windy Day

D1579 $17.95

Newlyweds

M1035 $2.95

Perfect Polka-Dot Day

M1036 $2.95

Balloons

M1037 $2.95

Shooting Star

M1038 $2.95

Good Job Stencil

M1039 $2.95

Parasol

M1040 $2.95

Hi

M1041 $2.95

Colored Egg

M1042 $2.95

Advent Calendar 2014

Tonight I’m cutting out two Advent Calendar kits. It’s bittersweet. 

I don’t know how many more of these delightful kit I’m going to be able to make.  The cubby, the base of the calendar, is sold by Close to My Heart and is being discontinued.  They’ll be available thru the end of January, if supplies don’t run out in the mean-time.  So if you want one, please don’t delay.  I know that CTMH has something fabulous up their sleeve that’s going to keep me busy.  I don’t expect to have time to reconfigure this kit to work with another brand of drawers. 

Okay, no more moping.

Check out the new and improved version!

This is my friend Libby’s Advent Calendar.  I hosted a Christmas in July workshop this summer.  On July 5th, of all days, just 24 hours after celebrating America, summer and apple pie we were looking at stockings and mittens.  It was a wonderful unhurried, no deadline time of creating for the holidays. 

We brightened things up a bit and added images from the Glory to God stamp set. 

 

Either way you make it, it’s going to be lovely. 

Want the kit?  Hop on over to last year’s blog post for more details. 

If you’ve joined my team in the last year (or anytime in the future) and want the make kit, please let me know.  I’ll send you the electronic portion of the DIY workshop kit at no charge. 

 

P.S.  Christmas is in 25 days.  We get to start using our beautify calendar tomorrow!

Retiring Stamp Sets

Here’s a quick look at the stamp sets that will be retired in a few short days (July 31st!).  Click on the link to see a larger view or place an order. 

A1132 Family

A1133 Festival of Lights


B1372 Circle Together


B1395 So Grateful

Flirty Thanks

Flirty has been such a fun paper pack!  I’ve loved working with the fun Raspberry color which isn’t part of the standard CTMH colors.  It’s definitely a fall paper with the rich Goldrush yellows and oranges in it.  We can add a bit more of the Raspberry and keep it from looking fresh all year long.  This is a semi-retired paper pack.  The papers were officially retired on Jan 31.

I have great news for you!  The Workshop on the Go is available through the end of the month (or until sold out) and the regular papers have already made their return in the “While Supplies Last” section of my website right now for only $1.75!!!

This card was created for my Fun & Fabulous 4th Friday card workshop in January.  I based my card on one from Vicki Wizniuk’s blog.  In further reading, she created it with materials given to her at the CTMH convention last summer!   I rotated it and changed the colors a bit.  In creating another card for this workshop, I realized its design is nearly identical to the birthday card I posted earlier for this workshop. 

Even better, both cards are ultimately designed from the same pattern in the CTMH Wishes Card How to Program.  It’s currently unavailable but I’m confident that it will return in the next Idea Book or two.  The Originals Card How to Program was re-introduced this year in a soft cover format.  I’m hoping that Wishes will be coming back in the next Idea Book cycle. 

Now that I have you thinking about How To Books and patterns, don’t forget about the deeply discounted Flirty Papers in the “While Supplies Last” Section of my website.  Join my personal gathering and I’ll send you a surprise to thank you!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Happy Valentine Halloween Birthday?

Just kidding about this being a mixed up card.  It really is a lovely birthday card.
It's just that the supply list is a little mixed up:  This card is made with our Halloween themed paper called Moonlight which is retiring at the end of month (it’s still available!) and January’s “Happy Valentines” Stamp of the month.  This is truly a very versatile paper pack.  There’s no ghosts or spooks. It’s an elegant mix of black, green, orange and purple with some really cute big-eyed owls thrown in! 

The card is completed with “Joyful Birthday” (it’s in the Spring & Summer 2013 Idea Book) and my watercolor pencils.  I love these watercolor pencils because unlike regular colored pencils, your coloring can be streak-free in seconds when you go over your work with a blending pen.

Don’t forget, we still have a few of the Whooo’s Your Valentine kits left!  These kits are "While Supplies Last" and I'm surprised they lasted this long!  The die-cut boxes come in two shades of pink, ruby red and white.  I'm saving my red and white ones for later!  They're going to be great for birthdays or summer celebrations too!  The tubes themselves will be available in March through our new Idea Book;  6 tubes for $5.95!  So why not get some extras including the brightest and shiniest 12x12 sheet of glitter paper that's too bright to look at under the cloudy skies of Seattle for $10?

For $10, you'll get 12 treat tubes, 12 die-cut boxes, 3 sheets of 12x12 cardstock, 1 sheet of that fabulous silver glitter paper and this ultra cute stamp set with two owls.  

  

They’re $10 with a $35 purchase.  If you love the Stamp of the Month, you'll be only a couple of dollars away from earning it for just $5 when you add the Whooo's Your Valentine kit to your cart. Isn't CTMH fabulous?  They're letting us stack the promotions this month!   Shop online and see what I mean!   

Stella Artwork

The Stella papers were the first to sell out this winter.  They were very fun to work with!  Here’s a couple cards I created with them. 
This first one was created for a team meeting with fellow CTMH consultants.  I was honored that they voted it as their favorite that day!
It’s made using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, (this was before Artiste was launched)  The card base matches the shape that was layered on top.  It was a cinch to cut out.  There’s a flower vase too.  I cut it using the Real Dial size setting at 1.5.”    The stamp set is "A GARDEN.  It’s a great stamp set and it only $6.95! 

This card was created with the exact same paper pack.  The stamp set is “Say it in Style” and was discontinued last July.  It was the first CTMH stamp set I ever purchased. You may have seen it elsewhere.  it's all over Pinterest.  I pinned it from Christina Eisenhour's blog a long time ago.

Notice that both cards feature butterflies?  I didn't create them at the same time, nor are they same butterfly from the the Art Philosophy Cricut.  I just like butterflies and they make very easy card accents.

Whooo’s Your Valentine?

Start celebrating National Papercrafting Month with Heart TODAY!

In the midst of one of the most festive times of the year, Close To My Heart is giving you one more thing to celebrate. January is National Papercrafting Month, and we want to get things started early with the special “Whooo’s Your Valentine” kit! This kit is especially designed for Valentine’s Day gift-giving in and out of the classroom, but of course can be used for any variety of occasions. The “Whooo’s Your Valentine” kit includes:

• 12 – Die-Cut Boxes (3 each of 4 colors: White Daisy, Blush, Hollyhock, Ruby)
• 3 – 12" × 12" Cardstock Sheets (White Daisy, Blush, Hollyhock)
• 1 – Sheet Silver Glitter Paper — new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
• 12 – Treat Tubes with Lids — new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
• 1 – My Acrylix® Whooo’s Your Valentine Stamp Set (D-size)

Isn't the stamp set cute?  A sheet of silver shimmer paper?  I'm sold! 
This kit, featuring an adorable exclusive stamp set as well as two “sneak peak” items from the 2013 Spring/Summer Idea Book — the treat tubes and the silver glitter paper — has a full retail value of $40, but it can be yours for just $10 when you spend $35 on other Close To My Heart products from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book.

Speaking of sneak peak of the new Idea Book, the current Idea Book is coming to an end.  Here’s my posts about retiring products:

Retiring Embellishments & Tools

Retiring Stamps

Retiring Papers

Remember, everything I mentioned today is while supplies last!  Don’t wait until January 31st to order!

With any order over $50, a Bonding Memories Glue pen will be included in your order for free.  You’ll also be eligible for the Stamp of the Month for $5.  Are you excited?  Shop with me!

Retiring Stamps

Here is a list and pics of the retiring stamp sets...  If some of the retiring items are on your wish list, I recommend ordering them sooner than later!  Don’t wait until January 31st or they may be gone!

A1104 A Tweet

A1111 A Tulip

A1116 A Melody

A1122 Bravo

A1128 Quick Cards-Shell

A1129 A Rainbow

B1365 Spring Up

B1369 Rosy Regards

B1374 Bee Happy

B1397 He is Risen

C1439 Enjoy Life

C1440 Take a Picture

C1442 Tailor Made

C1450 Eclectic Edges

C1452 Delight

C1455 Aspire

C1456 Heartfelt Treasures

C1457 Happy Camper

C1458 Paper Lantern

C1473 Remarkable Wreath

C1474 10 Things

C1485 Super Powers

C1498 Country Life

C1499 Perfect Day

D1195 The Works Alphabet

D1222 Tiny Typewrite Alphabet

D1296 Chocolate Alphabet

D1301 Hodge Podge Alphabet

D1303 Classmate Alphabet

D1462 Splendid Day

D1464 Card Chatter-Love

D1467 Trees & Things

D1472 Simple Memories

D1478 Bingo Alphabet

D1505 Roar

D1508 Diverse Back grounds

D1511 Kick Back

E1013 Field Trip Alphabet

These stamps will be available until January 31, 2013!   Stamps aren’t while supplies last as CTMH makes them in house.  But after the clock strikes midnight on the 31st they’re gone for good!  I’ll be featuring some of these stamps at my Fun & Fabulous Workshop on January 25th at 6:30 pm.  Let me know if you want to come!

Retiring Embellishments & more!

Don’t wait, when they’re gone, they’re gone!  We’ve already sold out of a few items this month.


Z1349 Shimmer Designer Brads These look amazing on the Florentine papers!

Z1360 Rhinestone Designer Brads

Z1361 Brads-Red Assortment

Z1362 Brads-Pink Assortment

Z1363 Brads-Blue Assortment

Z1364 Brads-Green Assortment

Z1365 Brads-Basic Assortment

Z1387 Wooden Designer Buttons

Z1391 Buttons-Clear (not going to miss these, LOL)

Z1395 Irresistibles Eclectic Alphabet

Z1465 Irresistibles Make It Count Numbers

Z1681 Dimensional Elements-Numbers

Z1761 Dimensional Elements-Ornaments  Compatible with Art Philosophy

Z1762 Dimensional Elements-Snowflakes

Z1765 Arbor Wooden Shapes does anyone see chicken feet besides me?

X7147C Stella Canvas Shapes

X7148C Pemberley Stickease No… not Pemberley.  Sad smile

X7150C Victory Stickease

X7153C Florentine Stickease I put the shimmer brads in the middle of the round lacy stickers and it looks awesome!

X7158C La Belle Vie Stickease

X7160C Flirty Complements

X7161C Moonlight Complements

X7162 Pear & Partridge Complements (these are fabulous!)

Z1464 Milepost Shapes

Z1466 Bling Assortment

Z1695 Urban Felt Alphabet

Z1696 Keepsake Felt Alphabet

Z1709 Just Blooms Paper Flowers

Z1460 Foundry Ribbon Slides

Z1711 Foundry Binder Clips

Z1712 Foundry Number Plates

Z1461 Decor Journaling Spots

Z1687 Bohemian Assortment

Z1689 Timeless Charms

Z1692 Tough Tags

Z1694 Bouquet Assortment

Z1741 Haunted Assortment

Z1749 Autumn Lane Assortment coordinates with Flirty

Z1763 Boutique Assortment (I can’t believe this set is going.  I’m addicted to the small bling!)

Z1772 Dimensional Elements-Holiday

Z1393 Mini Medley Black Collection

Z1316 Designer Ribbon Cocoa Collection This makes me wonder what our new ribbons are going to be like!

Z1385 Designer Ribbon Blue Collection

Z1615 Designer Ribbon-Red Collection

Z1616 Designer Ribbon-Green Collection

Z1388 Newsprint Rub Ons

Z1700 Dark Chocolate Tapestry Velvet Rub Ons

Z1733 Black Tapestry Velvet Rub Ons


Z1742 Parlor Velvet Rub Ons

Z1407 Olive 6x6 Album

Z1408 Pansy Purple 6x6 Album

Z1054 My Creations Display Album

Z1378 My Creations Banner

Z1614 My Creations Memory Game

Z188 Craft Jars

Z1352 Colonial White Circle Cards No surprise here.  Art Philosophy can cut circle cards.  it’s on the 1st button!

Z1353 White Daisy Circle Cards

Z1731 Sweet Surprises Card Kit


Okay, now you have it!  Shop with me now!  Or wait until tomorrow and get the Whooo’s your Valentine kit for $10 with a $35 purchase!

Retiring papers

In the beginning of December, CTMH announced everything that will be discontinued in the Spring/Summer Idea Book which starts Feb 1st.  The papers are always a given. (only 4 will stay from the current Idea Book)  But the embellishments and stamps are always an unknown until the next Idea Book & Catalog are released.  So make your list, and check it twice and order ASAP!  Now that the list is out, some items will not be reordered… So it’s “While Supplies Last” even for these current catalog items!    More blog posts are coming with retiring stamps & embellishments. 
7147B Stella Paper Packet

X7148B Pemberley Paper Packet

X7150B Victory Paper Packet

X7153B Florentine Paper Packet

X7158B La Belle Vie Paper Packet

X7160B Flirty Paper Packet

X7161B Moonlight Paper Packet

G1041 Avonlea Card making Kit

G1043 Pear & Partridge Cardmaking Kit

G1040 Spellbound Cricut Kit

G1042 Scroll Album Kit

G1045 Avonlea Scrapbooking Kit

G1046 Clementine Scrapbooking Kit

G1047 Dakota Scrapbooking Kit

G1048 La Belle Vie Scrapbooking Kit

G1049 Scholastic Scrapbooking Kit

G1050 Flirty Scrapbooking Kit

G1051 Moonlight Scrapbooking Kit

G1052 Pear & Partridge Scrapbooking Kit

G1044 Advent Calendar Kit … but don’t worry, my Advent Calendar kit will continue to be available!

Any order placed on my website in December over $50 will also include a free Bonding Memories Glue pen.  Shop with me!