Well Hello there!

 It has been a while since I have posted anything ... and I am determined to catch up!
 I recently took a month off to drive with my oldest daughter to Seattle, Washington, where she will take up residency and start school. Soon, I will be traveling to Michigan to visit my youngest who moved to also attend school. So now I am considered to be an EMPTY NESTER!
What does that really mean? Well... I am still trying to figure it out. I have redone the two rooms my girls were in, and almost ready to transform our former game room into an office for my husband.
So as you can see, there are lots of changes going on around here.
I am determined as I said to catch up on projects and other things that have been avoiding due to priorities-my girls.
I have lots of pictures to post and lots of items that are available at Grammy's House, formally known as Party At My House located in Brandon off of Parsons. You can also visit my facebook page online craftsbydarlene/
Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to a fun filled year and lots of crafting!

Darlene

New Items daily!

Come check out Party at my House off Parsons in Brandon for a great selection of items! Also.. you can find me at Sassy & Classy Consignment Boutique in Brandon off Hwy 60, where I  work and I'm  putting some of my latest work. You can always contact via email at darlenevalenti@yahoo.com !

This adorable little chest measures about 8 1/2 inches tall 6 1/2 wide and about 3 3/4 deep. It is now available email if you are interested! The color is a teal with cream undertone. Would make an adorable addition to any room!

This piece, which is probably my favorite saying is now available at Classy & Sassy Boutique. It measures approx 10 X 22. Color is black with cream undertone.

Thanks for stopping by.. there is SO much more at Party at my House.. so don't forget to stop by!

New Stuff!

Don't forget to check out my facebook page  Crafts By Darlene and come back here to see the latest designs available. I have inventory at PARTY AT MY HOUSE in Brandon off of N. Parsons after the RxR tracks on the left. Make a left at the light. I have a wide variety of items! All can be personalized with your name!

                                                   9 X 11 Blue/off white Brave sign $20.00

                                        Every kid will want their picture in a cool frame like this!

                                      Name Signs personalized with YOUR spelling of your name!

                                           Great personalized items Variety of colors available.

Awesome house warming gift of Anniversary gift. Can do Name and Est. Date also!  

New Items just arrived!

I just dropped off some more great gift items at  Party at my House in Brandon off of N. Parsons! Go by and check them out!

Big News

My new products are now being featured at "Party at my House" in Brandon, Florida! I can't wait to expand with more designs, colors and variety of products. If you are in need of  something more custom, say your child's name, cheer leading team, football team etc,  please let me know, I will accommodate you as much as possible!

Here are just a few designs you will see at Party at my House .. 

Make sure to stop by Party at my House located on N. Parsons just after the railroad tracks on the left going north. Need something custom made? Simply ask Jaime for the form and she will get you started! You can also email me anytime at darlenevalenti@yahoo.com and make sure you put SPECIAL ORDER in the subject line! Thanks for stopping by!

 

Under Construction

Hello Everyone.... My life is "Under Construction" and I will be changing several things personally and professionally. The month of April has new and exciting things happening and you won't want to miss it! Check back soon for all the details!

Close To My Heart

After much long debate, I have decided at the end of December to become inactive with Close To My Heart. It saddens me, but with recent family health issues, I have decided that I need to concentrate on helping out with family members. If you are in need of anything between now and then, you can still visit my website until Dec. 31, 2013. I appreciate all of your support over the last year and a half and look forward to continuing my crafting adventures on my own.
If after the end of the year you find yourself in need of product, please contact me and I will put you in contact with a reliable consultant. Thanks again for your support. Have a Very Merry Christmas and  a Happy New Year.

Special Order Time

Well, if you were not able to make it by the many craft shows we have done, don't fret, you still have the opportunity to order. Contact me via email at

 darlenevalenti@yahoo.com 

Orders generally take up to a week. Shipping is available, but is extra. 

Panther Trace Craft Fair

Well.. we went and did it again! Panther Trace is having a craft fair, and we just signed up for it to give you one last opportunity to get some unique handmade gifts for the holidays or anytime!
Come see us at the Community fair grounds in Panther Trace by the Basketball and Tennis courts Saturday Nov. 16th from 1pm until 4 pm ..

Let the Countdown Begin!

The countdown until Christmas is here! Yes. I said it.. the countdown has begun and if you haven't started thinking about Christmas, well, now is the time ! I have one last Craft Show on Nov. 9th at the Holy Innocents Church, It is called "WHISTLE STOP Craft Fair" and it is located off of  N. Valrico Road in Valrico.  Britten Linn and I will have one of a kind gifts, personalized gifts and more.. They can also be special ordered NOW for Christmas!

Making your holiday cards this year? It's simple and means so much!
Check out my CTMH Web site and you can order directly from there!
go to www.darlenevalenti.ctmh.com  or simply click on the icon to the right!

Holiday Plates and More

Check out the Plates I have available for the holidays. You can give them as a gift, or get one for yourself, or both!
Email me if you would like to place an order. Most orders are completed within 7-10 days. Postage will be extra.
Holiday sayings (some shown), Names/dates and general sayings also available

Thanks!

Twin Lakes Art in the Park

My Charger plates were a BIG HIT! Interested, drop me an email or facebook message!

darlenehebertvalenti Facebook/ or darlenevalenti@yahoo.com

Two At A Time Designs are so fabulous! Need a wedding gift or unique baby shower gift.. then check out Two At A Time Designs in the Distressed Nest Boutique!

Close To My Heart products available at my website ..interested? Click on either CTMH Icon to the right

Personalized Gifts at it's BEST! Special order your holiday ornaments now!

WOW! We had such a great time today at the Craft Fair. We met so many new crafting vendors and hung out with some good friends. Visit the Distressed Nest for other great items such as painted furniture, frames, jewelry and personalized items. As always, check back here for updates on upcoming Crops and future craft shows! More to come!!!

Twin Lake Annual Art in the Park

Come visit us at The Art in the Park Craft Fair at Twin Lakes.

The Craft Fair will be held at Zenia Park in the Twin Lakes Subd., Brandon, Fl  from 10-2
on Saturday, Sept 28, 2013.
 Twin Lakes is located east of Lithia Pinecrest Rd. at the end of Bloomingdale Ave.

We will have a lot of great craft items, including ornaments, painted crafts and personalized items.

Hope to see you there!

OPERATION WRITE HOME: Helping Hero's Keep In Touch With Home

I have been busy making cards for Operation Write Home. If you haven't heard of OWH and you are a card maker, keep reading! Operation Write Home or OWH Mission is "Supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them."

The are a non profit  organization dedicated to getting cards into the hands of our men and woman proudly serving our country. You can donate blank cards, write letters to any armed service man/woman, even have your children color pictures to send. Not crafty you say, well they also take donations to help in the cost of shipping.

I will be making cards at my Studio throughout the holidays to send to the troops. If you are interested in helping out, please contact me. Everything is cut out, all you will have to do is stamp and glue!

Continued Support of our troops overseas is important. Consider helping make cards to show you care.

Thanks,
Darlene
Proud Military Supporter

College Door Dec's

My  niece needed some door dec's done for her college dorm rooms. This is what we came up with.. Pretty cute I think. I cut out 20 of each of them for her.. and stamped the image from my new CTMH Stamp set Wild Wonders. I also cut out about 200 letters for her to put each name on the banana. She is going to have fun doing that!! LOL  I look forward to the next door dec design she comes up with!
Your cutting machine can be used for so much, don't let it sit there and collect dust. If you have younger kids, offer to cut out cut things for their teacher! Older kids, the door dec's are a great idea.. what else can you come up with to use your cutting machines for beside cards and scrappin'? Let me know!

Open House Success!

I want to thank everyone for coming out to my 1 Year Anniversary and Open House celebration!
It was a great success and can't wait for the new holiday guide to preview, so we can do it again!

Frosted Paper Pak

Babycakes Paper Pak

New Art Booking Cricut Cartridge 

If you won a prize, I will be contacting you shortly and your prize can be picked up on Saturday the 17th of August at my Studio. I will be placing the order tomorrow and it should take about a week to nine days to get here. Don't forget you can always order on my site, and you will find the SHOP NOW buttons to the right of this message on my blog.

Thanks again for making my first year back with CTMH A great one, and I look forward to many years to come with the company!

Darlene

CLOSE TO MY HEART ~OPEN HOUSE~

You Are Invited To My Close To My Heart Open House~

When:   Saturday, August 10th
Where:   My house (must RSVP for address)
Time:     1pm --5pm

The New Autumn / Winter CTMH Idea Book is almost here! And you won't believe how wonderful it is!
There is a NEW Cricut Cartridge making it's debut with matching stamp sets! Be one of the first to order it!
Also new paper packs, new accessories, stamp sets wearable art and more! I will be doing Cricut Demonstrations with the new Cartridge, so if you have a Cricut or are considering one, don't miss this!

Please RSVP to this event!  When you RSVP, you get a  free make and take.
Your name will be entered into a raffle. Here are other ways you can win!

Place an order and receive a ticket /place an order over $100 recieve an extra ticket.
Bring a friend and receive a ticket
Bring 2 friends, receive 4 tickets total!
Bring an outside order of $25.00 or more from a friend with payment 1 ticket!

Prizes will range in price. Guest can win more than once. Do not have to be present to win.


There will be light snacks and drinks available throughout the day.  Please RSVP and join me for a day full of FUN! Event starts at 1pm, please no Early Birds!
RSVP to darlenevalenti@yahoo.com or text name and how many to
 813-774-1250

Darlene

CTMH

Rediscover Close To My Heart with the New Idea Book coming in August!

New IDEA BOOK

The Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter Idea book is almost here! It will be released August 1st and you will be able to order starting that date! There will be a NEW Cricut Cartridge in the new book and also lots of new product including 6 new paper paks, holiday stamp sets along with the things that you already love about CTMH!
Check back for details and sneak peeks at new products that will be available!

Relief for Oklahoma Campaign

Close To My Heart is making a new Autumn/Winter 2013 stamp set, A True Thank You, available immediately and will donate 100% of the profits from sales of the set from May 23 through June 30 to the American Red Cross to aid the Oklahoma victims. Help us provide relief to those affected by the devastating Oklahoma tornado by purchasing A True Thank You stamp set for $2.95 (M1029) today!

*Offer valid May 23–June 30, 2013. No limit per order.