Tuesday, August 31, 2010

September Creative Club - Christmas Cards

I know it is a little early to be thinking about Christmas but as many of my club members mentioned last month, now really is the time to get started on your Christmas cards so that you aren't stressing out at the last minute. (I know I never do that. LOL!) Sorry I didn't get these cards done and posted earlier. I have been swamped with swaps, planning birthday parties, hosting a 31 party, sick kiddos, and well... basically, life in general! So, since my Creative Club is meeting next week, if you would like to join us or or a kit(s), please let me know no later than Friday, September 3rd. You have the choice of coming on Wednesday, September 8th or Thursday, September 9th at 7pm.

To find out more about my monthly non-commit Creative Club, click
here. You do not need to be local to participate. The cost for the kit this month is $5 or FREE with a $25 order. (If you are not local, please add $5 for shipping.) Extra kits are $5. All of the cardstock and B&T pieces will be pre-cut for you.
The first card uses the new Mistletoe Creative Basics along with the Adorn-ables stamp set. I will show you how to make a homemade "glimmer mist" using Close to my Heart's Pearl Paint. The third photo shows the glimmer the best. If you hold the card just right in the light, you will see a beautiful sparkle on the ornaments. This next card was inspired by a card that Kelly English-Triggs made last year. (I couldn't find a photo of it on her blog, but make sure you check out the rest of her stuff. She is one talented lady!) I loved the monochromatic look of her blue card so I recreated my version with new products in Cranberry. And so can you if you join us for this month's Creative Club.
The last card is one that I have seen a few times on other blogs and thought was really cute. We will be making a Close to my Heart version of the “present card” shown below. You can find directions for it here. If you like these projects, click here for more details on my super fun club! Contact me at lisa@myctmh.com for more information, to sign up for next month’s class, or to order your own club kit(s). Please contact me no later than September 3rd if you would like to join us or order your own kit(s).

Friday, August 27, 2010

Autumn/Winter 2010 New Idea Book Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close to my Heart New Product Sneak Peek Blog Hop! 55 fabulous Close to my Heart Consultants are celebrating the upcoming release of the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book by giving you a Sneak Peek of some of the great products available in the new Idea Book starting September 1st!

If you have come here from
Traci Tanimura’s blog, you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to scroll down to the bottom of this post and start from the beginning! This is simple do to — just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one!

I am highlighting a new Paper Packet called Olivia
. I love the colors used in this paper packet. They include Barn Red, Pear, Smoothie, and Sunset. I am going to show you a few cards, a bookmark, and a layout. I know it is a lot, but I wanted to show that you can do so many different things with this paper and the coordinating stamps sets and Stickease. (You can click on any photo to make it larger so you can see more detail.)

The template for this layout came from CTMH’s new How-To Book called Magic. You are going to LOVE this book. It has templates that show you how to make your layouts interactive! It also comes with a CD that has templates that you can print out and short videos showing how the interactive pages work! It is a FABULOUS book and and a definite must have for every scrapbooker! It will be available for purchase starting September 1st.
See the fun “film strip” of photos on the bottom of the page? Look at the next photo...The strip slides and reveals more photos behind it. Isn’t that cool?
I was even able to add a little hidden journaling.
Here is a close up of the strip closed...And opened...
I used a few of the new embellishments from the Foundry Flourishes Assortment pack. These metal embellishments are self adhesive and are very easy to use. I used my Sew Mini sewing machine to add some stitching to the layout as well.
(Sorry the photos are a bit washed out. The paper is very rich and beautiful in person.)

The next few cards and bookmark use images form the Olivia Stickease. These are beautiful, high quality stickers that can be used on any project. I poured some baby powder on the back of the flower sticker to remove the stickiness. Then I added some 3-D Foam Tape to the back to give it some dimension. The sentiment came from the Olivia Workshop on the Go Kit that will be available in the new Idea Book on September 1st.
The pearls are new self adhesive Opaques Mocha Assortment Gems. They come in many colors and sizes. Aren’t they beautiful?
The next card also uses an image from the Olivia Stickease and the sentiment is from the new stamp set called The Present.
The following card uses one of the new Clear Cards as a base. They now come in 4 different shapes! The image is from the new stamp set called Harvest Home. I stamped it in Brown StazOn ink and the colored it in with the Watercolor Pencils and blending it with the Blending Pen to give it a softer look. I stamped the image again, cut it out and adhered parts of it on top with Foam Tape. The sentiment is from the Flourished Blessings stamp set.
The last project is a simple bookmark that I am already using to mark my bible. It is a Stickease image layered with cardstock. The sentiment is from Grateful Hearts. It is a great reminder that we should count our blessings every day!
Now “Hop” on over to Heather Hunt’s blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and see the great new Paper Packs and My Acrylix Stamp Sets!

Remember, the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book goes LIVE on September 1st! I will have a link directly to the new Idea Book on my blog on September 1st so be sure to check back then!

**Link not working? Missed a Blog? Click here to see a list of all of the participants.


All supplies are from CTMH unless otherwise noted. (Products without links will be released on September 1st. I will add links when they become available):
Paper: Olivia Paper Packet
Stamps: Delightful Things, Childhood Portrait, Thank You, You're Special, Noteworthy, Say it with Style, Card Chatter - Thank You
Other: Edge Distresser, Sanding Kit, Craft Buttons - Basic, Foam Tool, Sponge Daubers, White Daisy Just Blooms, Brad Assortment - Basic and Metal, Pewter Designer Brads, Cocoa Embossing Powder, Versamark Ink, Craft Heater, White Daisy Mini-Medley Pack, Dimensional Elements - Simple Alphabet, Re-inkers, Foam Tape, Corner Rounder

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Heart 2 Heart Challange - All About Stitching

This is a card I made for both the new Heart 2 Heart challenge and the New Product Blog Hop which will go live tonight at 7:00 pm (Pacific Time.) Be sure to check back at 7 pm because I have a bunch of new product artwork to share.

If you love Close to my Heart products, you must check out the Heart 2 Heart challenge blog! There is a ton of wonderful artwork by some amazing artists. You are sure to be inspired.

This week’s challenge was to use stitching on a project. It could be real stitching, faux stitching, hand stitching, pen drawn stitching, etc. I decided to bring out my Sew Mini Machine and do a little real stitching. (Check back at 7 pm tonight because I have a couple of other stitched projects to share with you.)
Do you like the paper? It is from a new paper packet called Olivia that will be available on September 1st. Check back tonight to see more projects using this Fall themed paper packet. *Ü*

All supplies used are from CTMH unless otherwise noted:
Paper Packet:
Olivia (available September 1st)
Stamp
: Thank You, Many Thanks

Ink: Cocoa, Pear, Barn Red, Creme Brulee, Smoothie
Other: Thread,
3-D Foam Tape

Monday, August 16, 2010

Triple Play - National Stamping Month Promotion

One’s good, two’s great, and three’s best of all! Celebrate your love of stamping by using stamps to embellish the three mini albums in our exclusive National Stamping Month kit, Triple Play. With inks, stamps, albums, and pre-cut accents for stamping, you’ll complete all three albums in a jiffy. Since each album has its own color scheme, all three are unique and ready for many different kinds of photos. Make one for yourself and two to give away—if you can bear to part with them! In honor of National Stamping Month, you can get huge discounts on the Triple Play kit when you purchase My Acrylix® stamps from your wish list, or get it free when you host a qualifying Gathering or become a Close To My Heart Consultant. Here are five ways to get this outstanding mini album kit: (Note: We’ve saved the best for last, so be sure to read all five!)
  1. Buy the Triple Play kit for $29.95 US/$34.95 CAN.
  2. Purchase $25 US/$30 CAN in My Acrylix® stamps and get the Triple Play kit for just $15.
  3. Spend $40 US/$47 CAN on My Acrylix stamps and get Triple Play for only $5!
  4. Host a Gathering with sales of $300 US/$350 CAN or more and get Triple Play FREE!
  5. Join Close To My Heart as a Consultant and get the kit FREE! National Stamping Month is always fun, but this year you’ll get three times the excitement with Triple Play!
Good Deal: When you place a minimum order of $25 in stamps, for just another $15 you will receive about twice that value in Triple Play kit products to create 3 entire mini albums!
Purchase Price: $25 in stamps
$15 Triple Play kit
Value: $25
$29.95
Total Paid $40 Total Value: $54.95
= Total Savings of $14.95 Best Deal: When you purchase a minimum of $40 in stamps, for just another $5 you'll receive about six times that value in Triple Play kit products to create 3 entire mini albums— that's less than $2 per mini album!
Purchase Price: $40 in stamps
$5 Triple Play kit
Value: $40
$29.95
Total Paid $45 Total Value: $69.95
= Total Savings of $24.95 When you do the math, you find that an extra $15 in stamps added to your order saves you an extra $10. That’s like getting those extra stamps for free!

Click here to shop via my website. Click here to contact me with any questions or to email me your order.

*Qualifying stamps set purchases exclude Stamp of the Month sets, K-size custom stamps, and Workshops on the Go™ stamp sets. Tax and shipping/handling may apply. Offer valid for customers and hostesses August 15 – September 30, 2010. Offer valid for new Consultant enrollees September 1–30, 2010. Limit one discount-priced Triple Play kit per order per customer. Offer valid while supplies last.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Thirty-One Magnifique Gift Tote

Have you ever heard of a company called Thirty-One? My sweet friend Amy McGrew turned me onto them earlier this year. They sell super cute purses, totes, and organizational products for grown ups and kids alike. They are a Christian company named after Proverbs 31 that focuses on supporting and encouraging women. (Gotta love that!) I recently found a local Consultant and decided to host a party. If you are interested in ordering anything, feel free to click here to see their new catalog and click here to place an order. My party will close on August 30th.
I wanted to make a fun thank you gift for the Consultant who will be doing my party so I thought this little purse filled with some treats would be perfect. I used Lauren Meaders new Tote All Package template. I shrunk it down a tiny bit and cut it out on my Cricut. I used CTMH’s new Magnifique paper packet and a little Chocolate grosgrain ribbon. The tag was stamped using CTMH’s Flourished Blessings stamp set. Isn’t the paper beautiful? You will get to see the the entire paper packet along with a ton of great new products on September 1st when the new Idea Book goes live! I have so many other fun projects to share with you but you will need to wait just a little longer. *Ü*
Hope you have a great weekend!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Last Day for $2, $4, $6, 8 Sale

Just a quick reminder that today is the last day to take advantage of the awesome CTMH online sale. Stickease are only $2, Level 1 Kits are only $4, and Paper Packets are only $6! It's a great deal and there are still tons of cute things left. Be sure to check out the sale here.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Embrace Life Chalk-Popped Butterfly Card

This is a very simple card that uses the sweet Embrace Life stamp set. I used the chalk popping technique to add color to the butterfly. First I stamped the butterfly on the card base using Versamark Ink. Then I added some chalk from CTMH’s Summer Chalks to the wet ink. The chalk sticks to the ink. It is like magic when the image appears. I love this technique.

After I chalked the card, I did the same thing on a piece of vellum and then cut it out. I glued the butterfly’s body to the card and lifted the wings up to give it some dimension. Isn’t the sentiment sweet? The inside says, “don’t let it get away.”
If you have never tried the chalk popping technique, be sure to try it. It is fun and super easy! Just a little FYI, all of CTMH’s chalks are retiring at the end of the year and are only available while supplies last.

Also, don’t forget about the amazing online sale going on now. It ends on the 11th. There are still tons of great products left at HUGE discounts! Click here to start shopping the sale now.

Monday, August 2, 2010

MEGA Online Sale Starts August 4th!

Close to my Heart wants to show how much we appreciate you! And to do so, we are bringing you a MEGA sale with SUPER deals for 8 days only. From August 4th at 8 am (PDT) through August 11th, while supplies last, you can purchase selected My Stickease® assortments for only $2, My Reflections® Level 1 kits for only $4, and My Reflections® Level 2 paper packets for only $6 directly from my website. The deals are amazing (over 50% off) and in order to bring them to you we will not be able to sell any of the item numbers from these items on regular orders during the campaign. These items will also be unavailable for sale beginning August 1, at 11:01 pm (PDT) in order to prepare for the sale.

Remember these amazing prices are only available for a limited time and while supplies last. Be sure to make your list ahead of time and shop early for the best selection! These goodies make great gifts!

Here are a few FAQs about this great sale...
  1. What are the prices of the items for sale?
    The My Stickease® assortments area available for sale for only $2. The My Reflections® Level 1 kits are available for only $4, and the My Reflections® Level 2 paper packets are available for only $6!
  2. Are these items available only online?
    Yes! In order to bring you such amazing deals on these items, we will only be offering these items for sale on my MyCTMH site.
  3. Can I purchase other items at full retail along with these discounted My Stickease, My Reflections Level 1 kits and Level 2 paper packets on the same MyCTMH order?
    Yes! You will be able to mix and mingle the items for sale from the $2, $4, $6, for 8...It’s YOU We Appreciate campaign along with regularly priced items for sale on my site.
  4. Is this campaign a ‘while supplies last’ campaign?
    Yes. We have provided a many, many items numbers for you to purchase from during the campaign. So there is ample supply on hand but each item is while supplies last.
  5. Will the purchase of the discounted My Stickease, My Reflections Level 1 kits and Level 2 paper packets count toward my receiving the Stamp of the Month at a discount or even free?
    Yes! Your purchases for the campaign count toward the Stamp of the Month incentive. So I encourage you to buy smartly to get the Stamp of the Month at a discount or even for free!
  6. Will tax be charged on this promotion?
    Tax is assessed on the actual amount you pay for the item.
  7. How much is shipping/handling for the $2, $4, $6, for 8...It’s YOU We Appreciate campaign deals?
    Regular shipping and handling applies.
  8. Is there a limit to the number of My Stickease, Level 1, and Level 2 paper packets I can purchase on one order?
    Nope! There is no limit to the number of items you can purchase on one order.

Click here to see photos of the products that will be on sale.

Click here for a list of the products that will be on sale.

Click here to start shopping. (8/4/10 - 8/11/10)