Friday, September 29, 2017

Important Announcement for Cricut Users


Provo Craft (the makers of Cricut) has recently made the decision to discontinue production of physical Cricut® cartridges. CTMH has been able to secure enough inventory of the most recent "You Are Here" collection to last us through the duration of our Annual Inspirations 2017–2018 idea book, but effective immediately, all CTMH Cricut® Collections that include a physical cartridge are available while supplies last.

Here is a portion of the announcement from the CTMH Home Office:
"Though we have made every effort to preserve this product offering for as long as possible, we have known that eventually physical cartridges would be phased out in favor of the digital business model, and have been taking steps to make the transition easier. We introduced digital-only collections as a way to encourage our customer base to make the switch; we have also introduced a Cricut® Explore Air 2 hostess bundle as an incentive for Consultants and customers alike to upgrade their Cricut® machines. Recently, we even started to include image numbers in our artwork recipes to make it easier to locate images in Design Space.
Tutorial videos are in the works that will help our Consultants and customers learn more about how to use Design Space and the newer Cricut® machines. We understand it can be challenging to learn a new system, but we also recognize the benefits that come from using the newer machines, including greater control over the creative process and increased flexibility in working Cricut® shapes into your artwork. Though we are sorry to see our physical cartridges go, we are excited about the possibilities available with our digital collections."

If you have an older Expressions machine and have been wanting any of the current CTMH (physical) cartridges, I would order them soon because they are only available while supplies last. Any future Cricut collections that CTMH comes out with will be digital only. On a personal note, I have been using the Explore machine since it first came out and I can honestly say that I prefer it over the older Expressions machine. It is much easier and cuts so much better. If you have any questions about this announcement or about how to use the Explore machine, feel free to ask. I will be happy to help.

Here is a link to the current CTMH cartridges (both physical and digital) that are still available.

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Quick and Simple Birthday Card


Looking for a quick and simple masculine birthday card? This card only took a couple minutes to make. I adhered a piece of 4" x 5-1/4" patterned paper from the Cats & Bats Collection to a white card base. The “Happy Birthday” sentiment from the Eat Cake & Celebrate stamp set was stamped onto a piece of 3" x 4-1/4" White Daisy cardstock in Black ink. I matted the White Daisy cardstock onto a piece of Gold Foil Paper with some Thin 3-D Foam Tape and then adhered it to the card. I finished it off with a few retired Gold Sequins. Easy peasy!

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Floral Birthday Card


One of my favorite stamp sets from the Annual Inspirations catalog is called Many Congratulations. I used the different flowers in the set to create a simple bouquet for my card. I started out by stamping the small tied ribbon image on my cardstock in Black Memento ink. (I like using Memento ink when I color the images with markers or watercolors because the ink doesn't bleed.) Then I stamped the same ribbon image again onto a Post-It note and cut it out so that I could use it as a mask. Once I cut it out, I placed it directly on top of the stamped image on my cardstock. This way when I stamped the separate flowers, the stems would look like they were behind the ribbon when I peeled off the mask. 


I stamped the sentiment using the Happy Birthday stamp. This stamp is actually curved a bit to coordinate with the banners that come with the Golden Moments Cut Above Card kit, but I straightened out the stamp on my block so that it would work better on the card. Gotta love the versatility of CTMH's My Acrylix stamps! I colored in the flowers with some ShinHan alcohol markers and then added a bit of sparkle to them with the Clear Shimmer Brush. It's a little hard to see in the photo, but the flowers really have a beautiful shimmer to them.

I can see myself using this stamp set quite a bit. I may even stamp a bunch of these same cards and leave the sentiment off. That way all I need to do is add a sentiment when I need to send a quick last minute card. *Ü*

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Falling for You Scrapbooking Layouts - September Project Kit


This month’s project kit is the Falling for You Scrapbooking Workshop Your Way Kit with optional add-on cards. We will be creating (3) 12" x 12" double page layouts with optional pocket pages to add more photos! You can even add-on the coordinating stamp set and Thin Cuts to make (9) fall-themed cards.

The local class will be held on Thursday, September 21st at 7pm. Or if you are not local, you can order your kit to be shipped to you using the “shipped” option below.

Basic kit to make (3) layouts and pocket pages is $30 and includes:


Add on Memory Protector pocket pages of your choice to add more photos to your layouts. There are 4 sizes to choose from.

Add on the following to create (3) each of (3) card designs:

Stamp only - $14


Stamp/Thin Cuts Bundle - $28

Other supplies needed to create cards:

 Create these (3) 12" x 12" double page scrapbook pages.




Add-on Memory Protector Pocket Pages of your choice (4 sizes to choose from) to add more photos to your layouts.


Add on the coordinating stamp set and Thin Cuts to make 9 cards (3 each of 3 designs.)


All kits are now sold out. 

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

Friday, September 1, 2017

September Promotions

It’s September 1st which means a brand new Holiday Expressions catalog, a special National Stamping Month promotion, AND a new Stamp of the Month!

New Holiday Expressions Catalog



Our new Holiday Expressions catalog is available TODAY and it is jam packed with tons of great new holiday themed products. You can view it online here or order your own copy here or get a free copy with an online order. Here are a few fun projects made using some of the new products...





______________________


National Stamping Month—From the Heart Card Kit



Save 20% on this exclusive card kit! Celebrate National Stamping Month with the From the Heart card kit from Close To My Heart. This kit contains materials for creating 12 interactive cards, including foil-stamped card bases and an exclusive My Acrylix® stamp set. The stamp set is designed to make it easy to create beautiful, rich stamped artwork using three layers of stamp images and thoughtful sentiments. The card kit also includes envelopes and step-by-step instructions and is available at a 20% discount off the retail price! Brighten someone’s day with a hand-stamped card From the Heart. 

From the Heart Card Kit (CC1229)
12 – foil-stamped card bases with accompanying die-cut pieces
12 – 5 ½" x 4 ¼" white envelopes
1 – My Acrylix® From the Heart stamp set (E-size)
Retail Value: $43.90
Discounted Price: $34.95

Buy additional card bases & envelopes to make even more cards:
From the Heart Card Bases & Envelopes (CC1227) $13.95

Buy the From the Heart stamp set separately:
From the Heart Stamp Set (CC1228) $29.95

Get the kit for FREE
For Hostesses: Hostesses that host a Gathering in September that reaches the third level of hostess Rewards or higher can get the From the Heart card kit (CC1229) as a FREE item! That’s a $43.90 retail value! Contact me to schedule an online Gathering or in-home Gathering.

For New Consultants: New Consultants who sign up during September will receive the From the Heart card kit (CC1229) FREE in their New Consultant Kit—an added value of $43.90! Visit my New Consultant FAQ page for more information.

* Offer available September 1–September 30, 2017 while supplies last. Shipping and handling assessed on retail value.


______________________



September Stamp of the Month — Feel So Blessed





With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your D-sized Stamp of the Month set for just $5! Add the stamp set to your cart here at full retail price ($17.95) or, with your qualifying order of $50, get it for just $5!


Set of 26
Recommended My Acrylix® blocks:
1" × 1" (Y1000), 1" × 3½" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 1" × 6½" (Y1005), 3" × 3" (Y1006), 2" × 3½" (Y1009)

Click here or on the image below to order your Stamp of the Month.



*Stamp of the Month is only available September 1– 30, 2017.

_____________________



More (Lower Priced) Goody Boxes Up for Grabs



More lower priced goody boxes are up for grabs! I found even more goodies in my stash and boxed them up for you. Most of the items are brand new, however I did include some used stamp sets and partial paper packets in each box.

I have a few medium sized Flat Rate boxes filled to the brim with all kinds of crafting “goodness.” Each of the new boxes contains approximately $375 - $400 retail value worth of Close to my Heart products. While each box contains different items, the boxes contain a variety of the following: a minimum of 13 stamp sets, paper packets, bulk paper and cardstock, Stickers/Compliments, old style ink pads, rub-ons, card kits, mini albums, embellishment assortments, and tons more!

Even though each box contains different items, they all have at least $375 - $400 in retail value worth of Close to my Heart goodies. I am selling the boxes for just $75 (local pick up) each or $85 shipped! You may purchase as many boxes as you like, however I only have 6 up for grabs. They will go to the first 6 people who contact me and send me PayPal payment.

I am looking forward to all of these wonderful goodies finding a new home where they will be well loved! *Ü*

Price is only valid for U.S. shipping addresses. If you are not in the U.S., feel free to contact me for additional shipping cost.

Contact me if you would like a box and I will send you a PayPal invoice.