"Topstitched Cupcake" - Yummy!

"Topstitch" Cupake w/ giftcard insert.  This personal handmade creation was inspired by Tresa Black with all of her treasured talent and her Fabulously Artsy video tutorial.  I so admire her because with the amount of work that I put into this lil bug-gar I can only imagine what she went through to create her very own cupcake.  I have promised for well I can honestly say over the last 4 months that I was going to one of my very own.  I can not tell you how many mistakes I made...however, it was one of the funnest most joyous projects I've made lately.  For many reasons because my children put there precious input and thoughts into what I was doing.  Especially Kaedyn who seems to think she will get this to use with her babies in her bedroom kitchen, Kip who from a distance said "Wow, That actually looks good enough to eat!", Alec uhm he just thinks it's kewl Mom. :)  I wonder what you're thoughts are?  
     It will be a while before I create another one of these however, truly what got my juices flowing was our exclusive "Topstitch" B&T Due from "Close To My Heart".  All products used in this were from close to my heart from the Grosgrain ribbon: Baby Pink, Chocolate; Cardstock: Heavenly Blue, White Daisy, Accessories: Embroidery Floss Baby Pink & Chocolate, Mini Medley-White Daisy Accents, Pretty Pins, Prisma Glitter, Bigger Brad Baby Pink, Delta Ceramacoat, Baby Pink Re-Inker, bonding memories glue pen.  Last but not least it was even the cardboard backing - other products used for my cupcake were: small pink binder clip (staples), small wooden ball, 3" styrafoam ball & Hot Glue & Tons of it!  Thanks Again Tresa for such a wonderful tutorial & the inspiration to make my very own "Topsitched Cupcake"! :)

So Excited About Creative U - New Addiction :)

I'm so thrilled about Creative University this year I can hardly stand it.  An entire weekend of relaxation, education, & inspiration from women that I admire with their creative abilities and for their generous hearts.  So there is a project that we get to work on prior to going to this annual event that is hosted by Tresa Black.  In fact project "CHARM SWAP" is well underway and WOW I can not begin to tell you the incredible charms I've seen thus far, the cool thing is it was open to even people who were not attending Creative U.  The theme is "spring" with insects, birds, flowers, etc. & the colors are pink, green, silver, and white.

Being a "Newbie" and also never having any experience ever making any piece of jewelery other than hand weaving pearls with white floss for my wedding in 2004 that is the extent of my background in jewelry of any sorts.  In fact it was my Mommy who created all of the gorgeous pieces for all of my brides maids with bracelet and necklace ensembles.  Having that said.  This is my very first EVER charm or jewelry piece I've made.  Yes, it is apart of our project "CHARM SWAP" for creative U.  I still don't have the loop wrapping thingy down yet.  LOL In fact Kip is better at it then I am.  He was such a sport as the first picture we took he put my charm bracelet on what a great hubby. :)  - However, I decided to go with this picture even though it isn't the best photo I've taken.  Them lil buggers are difficult to get close ups on.  This one measures the length of a Penny.   Inspired by our theme and not having a clue how where to start on the creative swap charm - I did this one as our filler since we do create 2 sets. 1 being a filler set (uhm I have to admit no clue what a filler is) the other set being one totally created from scratch using our imagination.  I do have tons of ideas in my little head but no clue how to start...so MOM calls are in order. LOL - well and a bit of help from U-Tube I think I will have it figured out.  In fact the community of my CTMH Sisters have some awesome talent and ideas on our artboard in thinking outside of the box using our exclusive products in handcrafting jewelry. 

I'm so totally blessed to have an arsenal of information out there to learn from.  Admittedly, this just might be my new niche.  One thing is definitely for sure...this got my creative juices over-flowing.  Thank You so much for this event.  Without it...well I wouldn't be posting something NEW and learning right?  May blessings to all for the NEW Year & New possibilities.  Now time to complete the first set...

Playing with StudioJ Today!

So I'm working with "Back Country" using our StudioJ FREE online design software.  I had this saved in my projects forever now.  This lay-out is in my purchase cart one of many that I'm working on from gathering vacation pictures that otherwise I would have no clue how to get scrapbooked :).  The beauty is that in one week I will have these delivered in my hot little hands ready to put straight into my album.  This was of our vacation in Whitefish in March of 09. See what I mean a day late & a dollar short.  I never would of been able to cherish these memories faster, simpler, & easier without Close To My Heart.  Just one of the many blessings they offer me to cherish our family memories. I will add a few more of these lay-outs as I finish them off. 

New Year - Exciting Things To Share!!!

I Love being a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant.  Each new quarter brings New & exciting things to share with my Followers, Customers, Family & Friends.  I always post the slideshow to view under My Story link within my web-site.  However, why not post this to my Blog too?  I mean honestly most of those that follow me know me already & Those that are NEW to Creatique Innovationz can at times find inspiration in some of the artwork I create or even in the plethora of projects that our Incredible Art Department create for the launch of the new product line features.
This time I wanted to incorporate the offerings of our Exclusive Party Hostess Collections, Petite Perks that can be earned in a variety of ways, Artwork from our Incredible Art Department featuring the new 4 Exclusive paperpacks...& last but not the least the incredible New Consultant Kit for Joining Team Creatique Innovationz with an option to view the Scrapbooking & Cardmaking Bonus Options.  Because I LOVE Close To My Heart so much...this time I made sure to put Hearts all around the gorgeous slideshow...There is nothing I love more than the hard dedicated work that all of the team and department members put into helping my business become successful.  My Heartfelt Thank You Close To My Heart!

Christmas & December 2009!

This was a very difficult month for me... well the term "Agoraphobic" can only describe what I'm personally going through.  I have felt such an overwhelming since of being "lost" & literally panic at the thought of getting into my car & going anywhere.  With the whole wide-world at my fingertips I find I crawl into the walls of the info-highway much safer than the "real" world lately.  It is a story that is time to share.  Just because I constantly hear "Nichole You can do it!" or "Nichole, We Miss YOU!" or "Nichole, it is easy just get up & motivate." - While all of these calls, letters, messages, e-mails, cards, letters...& the like keep pouring in.  I find myself drawing more inwards.  
  Yes it is very hard to believe considering how extremely out-going I am & How Blessed I have been through-out my life.  I can't explain it & I have no answers for what has happened.  In fact I try to mule through my mind many a times where & when it all started to happen.  The issues with my breasts did not help matters...being torn in 20 different directions perhaps or the fact that it is time to admit to the world "I CAN NOT DO IT ALL" is probably more in order.  I know I'm not the only one who has felt this way.  

  In fact...it is crippling, trying, exhausting, & most of all....it affects all those that I love deeply around me.  All I can say is that time will heal whatever started this spiral of desolation I've imposed upon myself. However, I thought it important to share because despite How Easy it can be for some...it is not so easy when put into these shoes to wear. Now I understand what others go through more so now than ever.  Being dubbed a Self Proclaimed "Survivor" in which I am if only my entire story were to be told.  I would think that I could just pick-up & go like normal, as I always have.  Maybe it is the Holiday Blues, or Missing my Family terribly.  Whatever, that reason is that I find and repair...be rest assured all will know when I'm back! :O)

  My Slideshow was probably not the appropriate place to put this but figured it would have the attention it deserved in understanding my world as I live in currently.  Having that said without further ado...
  We had our first snowfall that actually stuck to the ground.  Kaedyn had her Christmas Program, Alec registered for Basketball, I created a "Veranda" card playgroup for January & Random family pics of the Holiday...that about sums it up.  I really do look forward to using the best medicine I have & that is Close To My Heart.  When I create I find I'm in an entirely different world with inspirational CTMH Sisters.  It is something that pulled me from an abyss before & without question saved my life.  I'm quite sure as I pour over my new Idea Book pages...it renews that sense of belonging with my fellow sisters here & abroad fighting for our freedoms.  I LOVE YOU ALL!!!   

"Veranda" January Card Playgroup "Wishes"!

I was so excited to get my creative juices flowing the other day...that I had to share. :)  It is so difficult to create on whim & stay out of my studio so I'm not inclined to use more products then my customers can afford.  So what I did was utilized the exclusive FREE stamp set included in the Best Package Option of "Veranda" that will have many options for several playgroups during the month of January 2010!  WHOOHOO!!!


It was no easy feat to use just my Creative Basics "Veranda", The FREE stamp set in the WOTG "Veranda" Kit & only a handful of embellishments.  However, I'm very proud of the way they turned out.  So without further ado here are the results for me to share a sneak peak of what is to come for Creatique Card Creations night in January!!!


Workshop Lay-out of 8 cards - Though we will be creating 16 of them:



Slideshow of all cards Individually: