Hope For Japan

From now until April 30, purchase the exclusive “Hope for Japan” A-size stamp set for the special price of only $5 (retail value $7.95 US) and Close To My Heart will donate 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross’ efforts in Japan. This beautifully designed stamp set reminds us of how our hearts are hopeful for those who are in need.  Order it here.

A Surprise in My Mailbox

My grandma made cards for everyone's birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events.  When she passed away, my grandpa asked me to make an assortment of cards for him to send to family and friends.  I made about thirty cards, including this one:

The papers are from Close to my Heart, as well as the stamp set.  I sanded the cardstock used for the tree trunk, making it look more rugged.  The trunk and leaves were cut using my Cricut.  The most time-consuming part of this card was gluing the leaves on to the tree.  I love the simplicity of this card and it ended up being one of my favorites of the cards I made for Grandpa.  I was pleasantly surprised to receive it in the mail when my husband and I recently celebrated our wedding anniversary.

Give a Miracle

These are two of the cards I made from the Miracle Workshop on the Go Kit.

The pinwheels were fun and simple to make.  The Miracle WOTG Kit includes a full stamp set.  Two of the stamps are squares with marks for cutting to make the pinwheels.  Really, any square works, just cut from each corner towards the center, stopping 3/4 of the way from the corner to the center.

After making your cuts, fold each corner towards the center and glue it in place.  Place a button, brad, or other circle (I cut a circle from my kraft border) at the center and voila!  Pinwheels!

This is a list of other suggested Close to my Heart items to use to complete the workshop, all of which are available at my website:

E1010  My Acrylix^® Chocolate Alphabet Large

$34.95

Z2111  Chocolate Exclusive Inks^® Pad

$5.25

Z2160  Twilight Exclusive Inks^® Pad

$5.25

Z1204  Bone Folder

$4.95

Z1294  Sanding Kit

$3.50

Z341  Mini Glue Dots®

$7.50

Y1000  1" x 1" My Acrylix^® Block

$3.95

Y1004  2 1/2” x 2 1/2” My Acrylix^® Block

$7.50

Y1005  1” x 6 1/2” My Acrylix^® Block

$6.50

Relay for Life Friendly Family Competition

Last April my grandmother found out she had cancer.  My girls and I packed up and headed to California at the end of May, intending to help my grandpa take care of my grandma and household tasks until she recovered.  Eight days after we arrived, she quietly passed away in the hospital.  This was not our first encounter with cancer, my husband's mother died of breast cancer when we were teens.  In honor of both of these wonderful ladies, our family is walking in the Relay for Life in June.  To make it fun, our family is having a contest amongst ourselves to see who can raise the most money.  The winner gets to choose dinners for a whole week AND not have to do chores for a whole week!  Please help us out by donating here.  This is our team page and the competition is among the Nourse sisters (and mom).  Better yet, please join our team and walk with us!

Sensational Season

I always look forward to spring (even when I didn't live in snow country).  I love wearing sundresses and sandals, seeing butterflies fill the sky, and everything about Easter.  The Sensational Season stamps from Close to my Heart take me back to reading stories about Peter Rabbit with my grandma and they are perfect for March's Stamp of the Month.  Whether you want to make a card to wish someone a happy Easter or add some bunnies to your scrapbook page, these critters are sweet. Get this set free or deeply discounted here and get ready for spring because it's coming!

Best Stamps on the Block

At Close To My Heart, we know we've got the best clear stamps and blocks —and we'll prove it! Throughout March, when you buy My Acrylix^® stamps, we'll give you a free My Acrylix^® block. Not only will you have the best stamps on the block, you'll have the best block, too! Just purchase $25  in stamps and you can choose from two of our most versatile sizes: 3" x 3" (Y1006) or 2" x 6 1/2" (Y1010).  Click here to start shopping now!