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.

Pemberley Artwork

Recently I realized that I’ve been posting my artwork on my Facebook Page but no my blog.  And there are so many of you who don’t use Facebook and would never have the opportunity to see this artwork.  I better get busy because Pemberley is a paper pack that’s being retired at the end of the month, if it doesn’t sell out before then like Stella and Florentine already have.

Below is a picture of the artwork by Janene Wawro, sister consultant who designed this card kit.  I want you to see what a full set looks like before I show you my cards.  One thing you’ll love is that all of these cards can be cut, stamped and put together in under an hour!

It takes just 1 sheet of double sided Pemberley paper, one package of Pemberley Stickease, a few pearls, 6-8 card bases in Colonial White, a sheet of colonial white cardstock for stamping and your choice of sentiments.  Janene used “'Card Chatter-Sympathy.”   I used a variety of sentiment stamp sets.  We made them as a workshop back in spring 2012.   

Here’s the cutting guide for the cards above:

Cut two 5-1/4 strips from the 12x12 paper, with a 1.5” strip remaining.  Take the wider strips  and cut into narrower strips at the following sizes. 

5.25” by …	A	B	Colonial White for stamping on
Card 1 & 2	4	1.5*	1 x 5.25
Card 3 & 4	2.5	1.5	0.75
Card 5 & 6	1	3	2x3

*The 1.5” strip on cards 1 & 2 was cut using the narrow 3rd strip 

Here’s a few of my cards, I used CARD CHATTER—SYMPATHY,  4 MY FRIEND and JUST A NUMBER.  I’ve sent a few of them and created two sets so you’ll see a few repeats and some missing.  (That’s why I posted Janene’s original pic above)

I created a little magazine file to hold the cards.  This was only a couple months before the Artiste cartridge was announced and it has a much simpler to create magazine file. 

 

These two cards used the same layout, but they are flipped.  I moved the scalloped border down a bit and it changed the appearance completely. 

 

You will have several of the My Stickease left over.  Feel free to make a few other cards or decorate a magazine file box to hold your cards. 

New “While Supplies Last” items online—$2 Albums, $1 Stickease!

They’re back until they’re gone!  And they’re at unbelievable prices too! 

Shop now!  Don’t forget to join my August Gathering and get a free gift from me!

 

Here’s the new items:  You’ll see the Original Price & the discounted price and the Item number

Quantity: BOTTLE CAPS

$1.50 Z1691

Quantity: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" CLEAR CARDS

$3.00 Z1323

Quantity: CRUISIN' COMPLEMENTS SILVER FOIL IMAGES

$1.00 X7154C

Retiring Stamps & Paper

7/28/2012 Update:  These Items are sold out.  Don't wait!

X7154B	MY REFLECTIONS CRUISIN PAPER PACKET
X7143B	Sonoma Paper Packet
G1039	WOTG SPRING 2012 CRUISIN
X5912	12" x 12" DARK NEUTRAL CARDSTOCK SHADE PACK
5571	12" x 12" GREY WOOL CARDSTOCK
X5914	12" x 12" LIGHT YELLOW & ORANGE CARDSTOCK SHADE PACK
X5916	12" x 12" PURPLE CARDSTOCK SHADE PACK
X5908	Bright Red & Pink Cardstock Shade Pack

Nearly all Ink Pads & Re-inkers for discontinued colors

Today I created a spreadsheet, actually an Access database to see which stamps are going to be discontinued.—Yikes!  This felt too much like my old job.  As a rule with CTMH, if a stamp set has not been in 2 Idea Books or 1 year, it is discontinued.  That is what this list is based on. 
 
That being said, all the stamps from the Spring and Summer Idea Book are still available to order through me or when you shop online even if you don’t see them in the new Autumn Winter Idea Book. 
I’m a little shocked at the list myself because my top selling stamp set last winter (Bundled Buddies) is on this list.  I’m also sad to be seeing this first one go, A1095 Always remember. 
I’m reminiscing over All Decked Out as this was the first stamp set that introduced me to CTMH about 4 years ago when it was a Stamp of the Month.  The first set I ever purchased was Say It in Style.  It is a card maker’s dream. 
 
Grab a tissue and a notepad.  You may not want to miss out on a couple of these sets.  Contact me or shop online to get them.  If you want me to order them for you, please do not wait until 7/31!  thanks!

A1095 Always Remember



A1099 Angel Sent

A1107 A Twinkle

A1108 A Flitter

A1109 A Sip

A1110 A Timber

A1113 A Game

A1115 A Holiday

B1356 St. Nick

B1359 Fright Night

B1361 Tannenbaum

B1362 Tag The Occasion

B1381 Holiday Cheer

B1393 Joyful Jar

B1394 John 3:16

C1379 Holiday Commentary

C1382 Holiday Commentary - Spanish

C1383 Holiday Commentary - French

C1401 Friendship Alphabet Small

C1408 Live Inspired

C1419 Harvest Home

C1420 Snow Days

C1423 Captured Moments

C1424 Nature's Gift

C1425 Month By Month

C1426 Thanksgiving

C1427 I Believe

C1429 Party Pennants

C1465 Unscripted

C1468 Winter Joy

C1470 Gnome Garden

C1471 Happy Clusters

C1472 Bundled Buddies

D1136 Giggle Caps

D1137 Giggle Lowercase

D1267 Rustic Numbers

D1283 Say It In Style

D1306 Treasure Life

D1308 All Decked Out

D1373 Childhood Portrait

D1384 Snow Flurries

D1386 Save The Date

D1387 Made With Love

D1397 Save The Date - French

D1398 Save The Date - Spanish

D1401 Authentic

D1436 The Present

D1437 Party Animal

D1446 Adorn-able

D1449 Father Christmas

D1493 Fill In The Blank - Holiday

D1499 Live Your Style

E1002 Rustic Alphabet

E1006 Baroque Alphabet

E1011 Headline Alphabet Large

E1016 Friendship Alphabet Large

Images © CTMH Co.

Don’t forget, there’s 8 paper packs that are also disappearing on 7/31 to make way for the newest 8.
Footloose
footloose X7151B
Cruisin’
cruisin X7154B
Superhero
superhero X7152B
Lucy
lucy X7149B
Sonoma
sonomax7143b
Elemental
elemental
Roxie
roxie x7140b
Typeset
typeset x7139b

Retiring Colors

Close to My Heart is streamlining their base color pallet from 60 to 40 exclusive colors.  The following colors will be discontinued.  Only 6 new colors are being introduced.

Order what you need of the following colors in cardstock, ink pads, re-inkers and markers now!  These colors will be no longer available as of 7/31.

Order online or contact me to order the following colors before 7/31. 

 

Grey Wool

Grey Flannel

Vanilla Cream

Parchment

Brown Bag

Baby Pink

Taffy

Sunkiss Yellow

Key Lime

Heavenly Blue

Lilac Mist

Amethyst

Holiday Red

Sunflower

Sunny Yellow

Dutch Blue

Moonstruck

Vineyard Berry

Tulip

Garden Green

Spring Iris

Petal

Garnet

Pansy Purple

Perfect Pair—What is this??? I just call it free paper & embellishments!

Did you miss out on last year’s Wonderland, Believe, Dreamin, Sophia or something else?  This special is perfect for you!   They are each back for a few days this month. 

 

Place an online order of $75 or more in July and we’ll send you a popular paper packet and coordinating accessory—a Perfect Pair—for free! Different Perfect Pairs are available on different dates throughout the month so you’ll want to place more than one qualifying order to snatch several Perfect Pairs.

Specific pairs are available on specific dates; see below to find out when your favorite Perfect Pairs will be available. Be sure to place your order early in the availability period, as the promotion is while supplies last.

ORDER DATES	PERFECT PAIR	RETAIL VALUE
July 1–5	Mischief Paper Packet (X7144B) and Midnight Felt Shapes (Z1462)	$15.90
July 6–10	Dreamin’ Paper Packet (X7142B) and Harvest Charms (Z1633)	$14.90
July 11–15	Fanfare Paper Packet (X7138B) and Fanfare Level 2 Assortment (Z1400)	$17.90
July 16–20	Lucky Paper Packet (X7137B) and Lucky My Stickease® Assortment (X7137C)	$17.90
July 21–25	Mayberry Paper Packet (X7136B) and Mayberry My Stickease® Assortment (X7136C)	$17.90
July 26–29	Sophia Paper Packet (X7131B) and Sophia My Stickease® Assortment (X7131C)	$17.90
July 30–31	Believe Paper Packet (X7145B) and Holiday Pockets (Z1486) OR Wonderland Paper Packet (X7146B) and Wonderland My Stickease® Assortment (X7146C)	$14.90

If you want a reminder, let me know which paper pack you want.  Leave me a message and I’ll send you a  note via email or Facebook the night before your special starts. 

This special is online only.  Click here to start shopping or making your list! 

Blog | Shop CTMH | Facebook Page for CTMH

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

This month’s stamp of the month is wonderful!  If you take a bit to explore this month’s blog hop you will see that this stamp set can be used in numerous ways.  It’s great for scrapbooking and card making!

If you’ve just joined, welcome!  If you’re already on the blog hop trail and have come from Nikka’s blog you’re on the right track.  If you’re lost, you can always go back to Helen’s Blog  to get the list of hoppers. 

And now my project!

I love butterflies and I couldn’t resist grabbing the Soar stamped image first.  This card uses 3 of the stamps from this set.  I love how it’s versatile for card making and scrapbooking.  All of the stamps would make quick and easy titles. 

I used the Lucy paper pack, matted with Lagoon cardstock.   I’ve embossed all of the stamped images with our Silver Embossing powder.  I then couldn’t resist using the blending pen to pull ink from my Lagoon stamp pad to fill in the open spaces in the Imagine the Possibilities stamp. 

Inside, you’ll see I used 2 more stamps from this set and a pop-up butterfly. I found this  website earlier this week with the butterfly template with the help of Pinterest.  I’ve been wanting to learn how to make a pop-up card for a while and was blown away by how incredibly easy this one was.  I made a couple practice cards and my six year old son was thrilled to make one with me.    I think the card is lacking a little bit inside but once it’s signed, it will look much more balanced.

These stamps were part of this D sized stamp set.  “Live Out Loud” S1207A is just $5 when you purchase $50 in the month of July!  Don’t forget, this is the last month of this Idea Book.  Lots of things are going to be discontinued, including the Lucy and Footloose paper packs.  Stock up now!

 

Now "Hop" on over to Traci's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the July SOTM is only available until 7/31.  Contact me to place an order and get this stamp set for just $5.

 

This artwork has also been submitted to this week’s Color My Heart Color Dare #6.  I’ve used the Lucy paper pack and added Lagoon as an extra color to jazz things up. 

Bloom!

This Monday was our monthly Team Time with my upline and friends from around the Seattle area.  We do either swap or project most months.  This month, we 2x6 word blocks that fellow team member Jessica has made in the past.  We didn’t finish that night for a variety of reasons.  But in most cases, with careful planning they can be assembled in 2-3 hours, just right for a workshop!

I picked “bloom.”  They will go in my kitchen in that 12 space between my upper cabinets and the ceiling. (See completed picture here)  I’ve been wanting to add a bit more color throughout my house.  I was inspired the 3rd card on CTMH founder Jeanette Lynton’s blog post here. 

They came together quickly.  There’s no stamping.  Just a bit of inking of the bird and daisy to give them some contrast.  There’s lots of bling and color and that’s exactly what I wanted!

They started out as 2x6 boards cut to 7, 8, & 9 inch lengths.  I painted the edges with white craft paint and then adhered my scrapbook paper with Scotch Double Sided Tape. 

The butterflies, bird, dragonfly and flower were cut with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  The word bloom is cut using SCAL and the font called Inspiration.  Unless you already have a copy of SCAL, it is no longer available for the Cricut. 

This rainbow of papers come from 4 paper packs.  The letters M & B are from Lucy, L is from Stella, O is from Dotty For You (May 2012 special) and the O is from Footloose.  There’s also a nice Sweet Leaf Green in Footloose that I almost used. 

Also used were:

Paradise Paper Flowers Z1710

Sparkles: Red, Pink & Purple Z1326

Sparkles: Blue & Green Z1327

Sparkles:  Clear Z1104

Since I know not everyone has the ability to cut any font, I’m making a little kit available for $3.95.  It will include all the white shapes (butterflies, dragonfly, bird and layered daisy), the word “bloom,” and 42 clear 4mm Sparkles.  You’ll also get an email outlining all the dimensions and instructions for assembly.

I will also send this to you free if you make a $40 purchase from my website. 

Card Maker’s Delight

With this month’s Stampaganza, it’s a perfect time to get a 3 sets of stamps for card making for the price of just 2! 

Here’s some of my favorite card making stamps:

This first one is “Say it in Style.”  It was the very first stamp set I ever purchased from Close to My Heart.  I couldn’t resist the idea of having 40 stamps that coordinated to make about any type of card I needed.  It has been well used!  It is especially great when you have a Cricut and use that for most of your card design but need a little sentiment. 

   

My next well used sentiment is a new one.  It’s “Card Chatter-Sympathy.”   It’s much more than a sympathy stamp set.  It’s an encouraging and thinking of you.  Don’t judge this stamp set by its name!  We used it last night for our card workshop.

Last Chance for these Cricut Compatible Stamps!

UPDATE:  CTMH is not discontinuing any Cricut Compatible stamp sets.  They may not be in an Idea Book but you can order them online or in a CTMH home gathering. Click here to the stamps that are compatible with our Cricut Cartridges.  

With this month’s Buy 2 My Acrylix stamps, Get 1 Free it’s a perfect time to make sure you have all the Art Philosophy Cricut Compatible stamps that you want.
We’ve been given a list of items that will be discontinued at the end of July.  To view the whole list, click here.
There are 13 Cricut Compatible stamp sets on the list! And there’s some wonderful stamp sets you won’t want to miss out on. 


 Click here to start shopping or view on-line. 

Buy 2 stamp sets, get 1 free in June!

Stampaganza is for ALL CTMH stamps size A thru E, in the current or previous Idea Book.  Shop online to see all that’s offered. 

Don’t forget, when you purchase $50, you can get the Stamp of the Month for just $5.  Here’s the June Stamp of the Month.  Isn’t it adorable?

Florentine Card ~ You make me smile

Here’s a little card I made for a team swap that I participated in last night.  It’s using the Art Philosophy Cartridge on my Cricut Expression.  There was a little technique to matting the flower and the label.  Through the settings on my Expression, I changed my Cricut over to cut in 0.1” increments instead of 0.25”.  This allowed me to cut the label background at 1.4” and the flower  background at 2.90” which is only 0.15” larger than the cut in front of it.    This is a great way to make a shadow since we don’t have that feature on our cartridge. 

Here’s my cut recipe:
Daisy in Colonial White  2”, 2.75”
Label tag in Colonial White 1.25”
Butterfly in  Garden Green 1.25”
Now with the settings at 0.1” increments
In Twilight B&T label 1.40” & daisy 2.90”
Card is an A2 4.25 x 5.5.”

I also used Brown Button Collection & the Seam Binding Ribbon which I dyed with Goldrush ink from my inkpad.  When you do this, be sure to let your ribbon dry thoroughly or heat it with an embossing heater or hair dryer so it doesn’t bleed. 

A One Stamp Wonder

Create a finished card in a minute with the new series of single-image A-size My Acrylix® stamp sets from Close To My Heart. Use them for quick scrapbook layout titles or easy, one-step cardmaking. Each one is designed to complete your project with a single stamp, and at just $6.95 each, these stamps are super affordable!

June is Stampaganza.  Buy 2 stamp sets, get one free!  It’s a perfect time to get these stamps! 

Click here to shop for these stamps and more!

This Friday’s Card Workshop ~ Victory for Guys & Dads

Come join us Friday night @ 6:30 to make a set of these cards!

Everything’s cut & ready for you to assemble. 

You pick the greeting ~   General, Birthday or Father’s Day!  Cost is $8 or just $3 with a $35 order placed that evening.  Please RSVP by Thursday, 5/24.  425-350-6879 or email me so I can have supplies for you & give you directions!  Mary F has kindly offered her home for this month’s workshop.

Can’t make it & want to buy the card kit?  
Kits are available for $12 shipped.  Items will be cut, stamped and ready for you to assemble.  Payment by PayPal preferred. 

Mother’s Day Card

Last week’s Fun & Fabulous card workshop was a hit!  This card was the highlight of the evening.  And how great it was to send several girlfriends home with Mother’s Day cards before the end of April! 
If you’re interested in my workshop kit for all 4 of last week’s cards, I will gladly put one together for you.  It will be $10 with stamped images, $8 if you already have the stamps.  I’ll be featuring the other cards in upcoming posts.  

Have you ever heard of Pinterest?  I have to mention it because I’m pretty sure that’s where I first saw this card.  CTMH sister Pam Klassen originally designed it as a Valentine and featured it on her blog. 
It’s an easel card which means that folds flat for mailing but stands up on it’s own for display.  That cute little daisy in the middle of the card isn’t just there to look cute.  It’s holding the whole card up! 

Every bit of this card was cut on the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge that is exclusive to Close to My Heart.  It’s just fabulous.  The paper is from the Lucy paper pack.  The flowers & butterfly are from the Lucy Workshop on the Go.  (Get this set now or never—they will only be available through July 31st and won’t be in the next Idea Book.)  Happy Mother’s Day is from “Say It in Style.”  I think these are my two most used stamp sets I ever owned.  Say it in Style was the first one I ever purchased about 3 years ago and it’s still my go to.  And better yet, it’s still available.
I don’t know what sizes Pam cut her card at on the Cricut but here’s my recipe:
Updating to show page numbers.  All cut from Art Philosophy (because that's all that was available)

• Scalloped Card 5.25” in Colonial White Row 2, Button 3 (CARD feature)
• Lace Heart (last button on keypad) 4.75” in Lucy Shift Row 5, Button 10 (Font Layer)
• Scalloped Square 4.75 in Lucy (Either 1/2 of a card or the scalloped square  (Row 2 Button 3)
• Heart (behind lace one) 3.75” in Blush  Shift Row 1, Button 6 
• 3 Daisies 1.25” in Colonial White Shift Row 1, Button 9
• 1 Butterfly 0.75” in Colonial White Shift Row 3, Button 1

To make the card an easel, you add a second fold to the card front that’s parallel to the original one right in the middle of the front of the card.  (see second picture)  Then you’ll only adhere the lower half of the heart to the card so the top half of the heart will stick up.
For more info on easel cards see this tutorial called "4x4 Easel Card" by Penny Wessenauer.  There's 3-4 sheets of info.  The top of the card can be any shape, just as long as it’s not bigger than the base.   
Notice the bit of stitching around the edge?  Before adhering it down to the inside of the card, I used the pink scalloped square.  I held it down and followed its edge with my piercing tool.
Inks were
Blush & Cotton Candy for the flowers with Crème Brulee as the center
Sweet Leave with Topiary sponged on the bottom butterfly wings of the stamp
Grey Wool for the sentiment. 

Hope you’re inspired for a Mother’s Day card!  It’s just 11 days away.

UPDATE:  here's some little images you can use as stickers for the back of your cards so the recipient knows how to open and display the easel card. They were created by Penny Wessenauer who has shared tons of tutorials via her Photobucket Albums.  I'm looking forward to creating more of her projects and posting them here.  

Go here to download or print. (They'll print pretty nicely directly from the browser window

May Stamp of the Month & Blog Hop

Welcome to this month’s Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.  If you’re just getting started, that’s okay.  We hop in a circle and you can start anywhere.
If you've come from Haley Dyer’s blog, { www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com }, welcome!  You’re on the right path.  This month’s stamp set is Friendship Bouquet.  I know a lot of people have looked forward to this stamp set since the Idea Book was released.  Now I can say, “It’s time, and it’s here!!!”

This month we’re already featuring the Dotty For You paper pack that’s just $5 with a $35 purchase from the Current Idea Book.  If you’re getting this stamp set for $5 with your $50 purchase, there’s a good chance that you’re already eligible for the Dotty For You. 

With all that said and out of the way, here’s my cards where I used both the Stamp of the Month & the Dotty for you Papers with Chocolate cardstock and ink. 
Not wanting to waste any of this beautiful dotty paper, the bottom card is created from center scrap that was removed when creating a frame on the top card. 
The sunflowers were stamped in Chocolate directly on the yellow dotty paper.  The effect is a bit more subtle in real life.  They don’t look like they have chicken pox. 


Thanks for stopping by my blog.  Now it’s time for you to visit Doreen Guilfoyle’s blog: 
{ http://whereisyourhappyplace.blogspot.com }
Have a Crafty day!

Introducing Dotty For You!

We’re kicking off National Scrapbooking Month a couple weeks early!  Starting tomorrow, April 17th through May 31st you can get a wonderful B&T paper pack called “Dotty For You” for just $5 with a $35 purchase from the current Idea Book.

It features CTMH’s wonderful cardstock weight B&T paper with fun spring designs on one side & the dot pattern that you see featured in the image above.  
There’s 24 sheets in these12 fun patterns! 

There are three ways to get this exclusive Dotty for You
paper packet,valued at $19.95*:
• Place an order of $35 or more in products from the Spring/
Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31, and
add the Dotty for You paper packet for just $5.
(Place your order online via the Dotty for You Gathering and I'll send you a little thank you!)

• Host a Gathering with a sales total of $400 or more (excluding
tax, shipping/handling, and Operation Smile® donations)
between April 17 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You
paper packet FREE.
• Join Close To My Heart as a new Consultant between April 1
and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.
Get your Dotty for You paper packet today!
Are you ready to shop?  Click here!
Are you ready to have a Gathering?  Email me!

Pemberley & Art Philosophy Birthday Card

A simple little Happy Birthday card today.  This is featuring a bit from Pemberley with some Sweet Leaf added to it.  The stamp set is Just For You. 
Want to make this card?  Let’s get together!  I have supplies ready to make some at the next gathering for you & your friends. 
Just For You  $9.95 B1398

A Tale of Two Dino-Mite scrapbook layouts

Create a pair of "dino-mite" scrapbook pages for a girl and a boy. Simply by changing up your color palette, you can achieve a masculine or feminine look using the exact same stamp set! In this Close To My Heart video, we show you how to create the scrapbook pages featured on page 89 of the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book.

April SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to this month’s blog hop!  Thank you for stopping by.  If you’re just starting here, no worries, it’s a big loop which will bring you back here.  If you're lost, you can  find the whole list of hoppers { here. }
If you came from { Judy Faye’s blog }  you’re on the right path.
All these project were created using April SOTM “You Are…” which is available only this month for just $5 with a $50 purchase or for $17.95.  If you love what you see, click {here} to purchase your very own set in the month of April. 

I made my card one night at a crop when I didn’t have the the right inks to go with the B&T paper I had brought.  So I made my own B&T paper!  It was super simple to make the subway art style paper with the great variation of fonts in this set. 
I cut the banner on the Cricut using the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge.  If you have that cartridge, you also have the Happy Birthday stamp that came in the bundle!

Thanks for visiting.  Now hop on over to { Jean’s Blog }  to see her creation.
Thanks for stopping by!