Friday, February 28, 2014

March Creative Club Project - Custom Pendant Necklace


March Creative Club will be held on Tuesday, March 25th at 7pm. (Note the date change.) This month will be making custom pendant necklaces that make GREAT gifts! (Be sure to order some for yourself as well.) Because they are such a great value, you can afford to order multiple kits! You can customize your necklace with a photo or image of your choice* or use an image from one of the Style Sheets. 

The basic project kit to make one necklace is $15 and includes the following:
Additional products needed to complete this project:

You have many choices to customize your necklace and make it unique! 

1. Choose a square or circle pendant.
2. Choose Faux Antiqued Silver or Faux Antiqued Gold. (Your chain, charms, and rhinestone will match your pendant color.)


3. Choose two different charms from the 12 versatile options.


(Click on photos to enlarge.)


4. Choose 1 of 4 different Style Sheets OR you can send me a photo or image in jpg format* and I will reduce it for you and send you back a 1" x 1" print to use on your pendant. 


Samples of pendants made with Style Sheets.


Samples of pendants made with photos.


*If you choose the photo option instead of a style sheet, please email me a .jpg file that is at least 400x400 pixels. (Photos/images must be copyright free or you must own the rights.) You can email the photo to lisa@lisastenz.com. If the file is too small or cannot be cropped to fit in the pendant properly, I will let you know.

Contact me for more information or to sign up for this month’s class. Please contact me no later than March 7th if you would like to join us for the class. 

Kits ordered before 3/7 will be mailed by 3/25.
Kits ordered after 3/7 will be mailed within 2 weeks.
All kits/classes need to be paid for in advance.
Thank you for understanding.

To order a kit(s), you may either send me a check or pay securely online with a credit card or your PayPal account by using the PayPal “Add to Cart” buttons below. Be sure to use the drop down menu to choose your kit options. If you would like your kit(s) shipped, please choose the shipped option. $5 will be added for shipping. (Due to CTMH policy, I am unable to ship kits to non-U.S. addresses any longer. I apologize for the inconvenience.)

Use the options below if you will be attending the class or picking up your kit(s).

$15 per Necklace Kit
(for those attending the class or picking up the kits)

1. Pendant Shape/Color (choose 1)
2. Charms (choose 1)
3. Charms (choose 1)
4. Style Sheet or Custom Photo (choose 1)

••••••••••••

Use the options below if you would like your kit(s) shipped to you.


$15 per Necklace Kit
($5 will be added for shipping)

1. Pendant Shape/Color (choose 1)
2. Charms (choose 1)
3. Charms (choose 1)
4. Style Sheet or Custom Photo (choose 1)


To find out more about my monthly “no-commitment” Creative Club, click here. You do not need to be local to participate.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Retiring Albums


I know that many of you, including myself, love Close to my Heart’s expandable Faux Leather Albums. I wanted to let you know that they will be retiring at the end of the current catalog cycle (July 2014) and are now only available while supplies last. The new albums that will be replacing these look wonderful, however they will not be expandable and they will not be available in the current faux leather finish. The new albums will be available in both post bound and D-Ring formats with a coated canvas finish. They will be available in different patterns and two solid colors.

I wanted to let you know now, so that you can stock up on both the albums and the accessories that go with them such as the extender posts & screws, spine expanders, etc. Since they are only available while supplies last at this point, I would hate for them to run out of your favorite color or the accessories to expand the current albums that you have.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or place your order by clicking here or the link below.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Balloon Ride Layout


I am blessed to live in a beautiful area of Southern California just north of San Diego. We live less than 5 minutes away from what the locals call “Wine Country.” While I am not a big drinker and can’t really appreciate the wine at many of the wineries that are just down the road, I do appreciate the BEAUTIFUL vineyards and scenery that the wineries boast. One of the things I love most, is seeing the many hot air balloons that fill the sky over the wineries early in the morning. When my husband was given a gift of a hot air balloon ride a few years ago from one of his vendors at work, he was excited to share it with me. As thrilled as I was, I was honestly petrified to go. We waited until the week before it expired to finally use the passes, and let me just say, “IT WAS AWESOME!” I won‘t lie. I did hold onto the ropes of the basket for dear life the entire time, but it really was an amazing adventure! When I saw Close to my Heart’s new Balloon Ride Collection, I knew I had to scrapbook our flight.



I used a few new products on my layout including the beautiful Balloon Ride Paper Packet, Dimensional Elements Compliments, and Resin Assortments. I also added some Small Clear Sparkle Flourishes.



Another cool new product I used is the Balloon Ride Picture My Life program. You get so many fun cards in the kit that are perfect for adding to other projects. I used two of them on my layout and slipped them under the photo so that I could add some hidden journaling. (I still need to do my journaling, but the great thing is that I can slip them in and out whenever I am ready.)


Monday, February 17, 2014

Simply Inspired Blog Hop - Embossing Folders


It’s “Simply Inspired” blog hop time again! This hop will feature Close to my Heart’s new Embossing Folders, which in my opinion are Da’ Bomb!!! If you arrived here from Blythe Shupe’s blog, you are on the right track. Welcome!


The card that I created today is for a friend who is having a baby next month. I used the Dot Embossing Folder to create a subtle pattern on Cotton Candy cardstock. (I created another version where I gently sponged some Cotton Candy ink over the embossed dots which looked cool too, however I decided to go with a more subtle look for my final card.)


I used the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge and Cricut Craftroom to create the card base with the cutout bracket in the center. The little bow is from the cute Ariana Assortment. I also added one of the new Base & Bling Storyteller Charms. (I love to add the charms to my paper crafting projects in addition to using them on jewelry projects.)


The stamp on the inside is from the adorable B is for Baby stamp set. The image I used coordinates with the bracket shape on the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. I cut a bracket shape from some White Daisy cardstock, stamped the image with Cotton Candy ink and then matted it to a larger Chocolate bracket shape.


One of the great things about CTMH’s folders is that they are a tad bit larger than 5" x 7" which means that you can emboss a 5"x 7" card all the way to the edges. Plus, our folders have something that I have never seen before with any other brand. They have a 4¼" slit on the top so that you can slide your paper through and create a continuous pattern that is as long as your paper. You can even create a  4¼" x 12 embossed image to use on a scrapbook page! How cool is that?

There is a trick to getting a clean embossed image on your cardstock vs. having it crack. Watch the video below for some great info and tips.



Did you know that you can get your Embossing Folders for FREE this month? With the purchase of every two packs of cardstock, you can get an Embossing Folder of your choice for free! Check out all of the different patterns(White Daisy, Colonial White, and Kraft cardstock do not qualify. Folders for this promotion are only available while supplies last.)


Now hop on over to Katy Taylor’s blog to see her fabulous creation. If you get lost along the way, you can find a list of participants here.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

The Artistic Adventure is coming soon...


As you all know, Close to my Heart is a big part of my life. Becoming a Consultant was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have grown professionally, creatively, and personally since joining the CTMH family 9 years ago.

If you have followed my blog for a while, you probably know that the CTMH annual Convention is one of the highlights of the year. I am super excited for the upcoming 2014 Convention for a number of reasons. First because it is going to be back in my neck of the woods here in Southern California at the Disneyland Hotel! Woo-Hoo! I am also thrilled that this year’s theme is “The Artistic Adventure.” CTMH is celebrating their 30 year anniversary this year, so with the creative theme and the 30th anniversary celebration, this Convention is bound to be extra special!

Another reason that I am excited is because I was asked to be one of four Creative Presenters this year. This is such an honor and to be truthful, I am a bit nervous and extremely humbled. (I will definitely be praying for a major dose of creative mojo to find me in time to prepare my artwork for my presentation.) I am thrilled to be presenting with three INCREDIBLY creative gals!

2014 Creative Presenters
Brenda Rose, Beckie Lehman, Pamela O’Conner, and little ol’ me

There are also 12 AMAZING Consultants who were chosen to teach an Extravaganza class this year. Extravaganza is four hours of super fun creative packed classes and presentations. You will definitely be inspired by some incredible artwork!

2014 Extravaganza Teachers
Christine Adams, Sara Batkin, Tresa Black, Ginni Candelaria, Kelly English-Triggs, Melissa Laverty, Tamra Pope, Sherri Rottler, Kathy Skipper, Michelle Snyder, Jamie Turner, and Bren Yule!

If you are a CTMH Consultant, I am really looking forward to seeing you in Anaheim for a super fun “Artistic Adventure!”


If you are not a CTMH Consultant, I would LOVE for you to sign up so that you can join us at this year’s 30th anniversary “Artistic Adventure” Convention!! 

For just $99, you can sign up to become a Consultant and get:
  • the New Consultant Kit with over $300 in products
  • the opportunity to earn back your $99 within your 1st 90 days with our Straight to the Top Program
  • the opportunity to earn more free goodies and cash
  • the opportunity to join an award winning team
  • the opportunity to get great discounts on high quality products
  • the opportunity to earn amazing incentive trips
  • and tons more!!!


Feel free to read through my New Consultant FAQs here
If you still have questions, feel free to contact me.
If you are ready to sign up, you can do so here.


Watch out Mickey... here we come!!!

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day!

I just wanted to pop in to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day and to also wish my amazing hubby a very Happy Birthday and Happy V-Day as well. (It’s always fun to celebrate his birthday and our love on the same day!)


Make sure to give someone you love a {BIG} hug today!
xoxo

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Free Valentine Printables

As part of Close to my Heart’s “Rediscover” campaign, you can download free printables from my website each month. This month you can download these adorable Valentines through February 28th.


Click here to download the Valentine printables.

Monday, February 3, 2014

February Creative Club - Lollydoodle Pennant Frames


February’s Creative Club will be held on Thursday,  February 20 at 7pm. We will be making a sweet pennant shaped frame. You will have the choice to make any or all of the frames shown.

The basic project kit is $25 and includes the following (enough to make one frame):
You can add extra Pennant Frames (which come with an extra scallop border and extra 6" x 6" white daisy cardstock) for just $10 each.

Additional products needed to complete this project:
3-D Foam Tape
Baby Powder (optional)
Artbooking Cricut Cartridge (optional)









Kits are now sold out. Thank you for the great response.  


To find out more about my monthly “no-commitment” Creative Club, click here. You do not need to be local to participate.

Embossing is Boss Promotion


Some of my favorite new products in the new catalog are our new 5" x 7" Embossing Folders! Did you know that you can get them free this month? During the month of February, you are eligible to receive your choice of a new embossing folder FREE (a saving of $8.95) for every 2 packs of bulk single color or combo cardstock you purchase. Pick from 5 new folder designs—dotchevron, quatrefoil, damask, or stripe—when you make a qualifying purchase. Add a touch of texture and flair to every cardstock project you create—gorgeous and easy! This offer is only valid while supplies last, so be sure to get your order in early!






Click here to place an order online to get your free Embossing Folders.

*Offer valid February  1–28, 2014 or while supplies last. Paper Fundamentals, Colonial White, White Daisy, and kraft cardstock packs do not count towards the qualifying purchase. No tax will be charged on the free item(s). Shipping/handling is calculated based on the retails price ($8.95) of the free item(s). Embossing folder size fits most standard embossing machine which are sold separately.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

The new 2014 Spring/Summer Idea Book is here!


The new 2014 Spring/Summer Idea Book is available now. It is jam packed with brand spankin’ new products including 7 new paper Collections, 9 new Workshop on the Go Kits, tons of fun new My Creations alterable items, beautiful new Base & Bling Wearable Crafts, the new Picture my Life Scrapbooking program, fun new embossing folders, and of course lots of great new stamp sets including the special edition Stamps of the Month and Hostess Stamps.

Here are some photos of some of my favorite new products...





Here's a great video showing how the Picture my Life Scrapbooking Program works.  (You are going to LOVE it!)








Click on the photo below to shop online.


You can view the online Idea Book/Catalog here or contact me to get your own copy. I am happy to send you a free copy, I just ask that you pay the $5 for shipping.