Mom's 80th Birthday

I wanted to make an extra special card for my mother for her 80th birthday.  I found an idea on Pinterest and used that as my inspiration.  Below is the card that I came up with...

I used the CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge (page 61) to cut the layered shape.  The 3D flowers were cut from the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.  I inked the edges of the paper before curling the paper to make the flowers.  The flowers are held together with Liquid Glass which also gives a nice shiny center to the flower.  I also used sliver shimmer trim and sparkle flourishes.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Artbooking Made Easy: Everyday Layouts (S01E08)

Looking for some great ideas for your next scrapbook layouts?  Check out the video below.



Have you purchased your Artbooking Cricut Cartridge yet?  If not, order yours today from my website.  Keep in mind, purchasing the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge allows you to buy the Stamp of the Month for $5.00.  What a great deal!!!

Cards from Mojo Monday layout

Sorry I haven't updated my blog in awhile... life gets away from me sometimes.  Every Monday, I get the Mojo Monday emails and I always say I'm going to give it a try.... and I actually did.  I was in need of a couple of birthday cards so I thought I would give it a shot.  My first card was for a guy....

I thought it was okay... until I made the second card.  The proportions are alot better on the card below.  I think this came out really cute.

The Mojo Monday layout was from September 23rd.

I think I would like to try a few more ideas with this layout.  I think there are alot of fun possibilities!!!  

Artbooking Made Easy (S01E04): Spooky Halloween Layouts

Are you starting to think about Halloween?  Well, check out the great ideas for scrapbook layouts for your Halloween pictures.  If your really not into Halloween, check out the video anyway as it has some great ideas on how to use the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.... like put sparkle paper behind the overlay for just that hint of color... or use a border as a stencil... so many great ideas!!!



If you haven't got your Artbooking cartridge yet, visit my website to order yours today.  And don't forget your cartridge total lets you get the Stamp of the Month for just $5.00.

Project Inspirations: Mixed Papers

One of the reasons I love Close to My Heart is the way the papers just 'work' together.  

For those of you that know me, I love keeping and using scraps so this video is right up my ally.  Hope you are able to get some inspiration from it as well.

Find It. Crush It. Love It.

Would you like to scrap your vacation... while your on vacation?!?  Or are you looking for a great gift for a teenager?  The video below has a lot of great ideas on using the new My Crush books.

Get your crush books today at my website.

Artboooking Made Easy (S01E02): A+ School Layouts

Are you looking for some ideas on how to use your Artbooking Cricut Cartridge?  Check out the video below to see how to make multiple scrapbook layouts with just one key.

If the video has inspired you and you don't have your Artbooking cartridge yet, visit my website to order yours today.  And remember, the cartridge goes toward your SOTM purchase as well as the Constant Campaign.

National Stamping Month: September 2013 - You Are My Happy

September is National Stamping Month... which means a great deal for you!!

When you spend $50, you get these amazing three "D"-sized stamp sets for just $10:  (1) is an alphabet stamp set , (2) is a sentiment stamp set and (3) is an icon stamp set.

Are you looking for some ideas on how to use these great stamp sets?  Check out the video below.

Y

"Get Happy"and get your stamp set by placing your order on my website 

September SOTM - Poster Tidings

As you may have noticed, I completely missed August... sorry everyone.  Let's move on to September.   Over the years, I have learned that some of the stamp sets that I'm initially not sure what to do with turn out to be the most fun to play with.  I think Poster Tidings is going to be one of those stamp sets.  Below is a video to get your creative juices flowing.... I know it worked for me!



See the Poster Tidings images below....

Remember this versatile stamp set is only $5.00 when you spend $50 and it is only available during the month of September.

Hurry and place your order on my website to get your Poster Tidings.

July Pajama Party

Close To My Heart is teaming up with Big Picture Classes to bring you a live webcast with step-by-step instructions for making this layout using the Cricut^® Artbooking collection. Purchase the collection beginning August 1, 2013 and revolutionize the way you scrapbook!
The FREE webcast will air Wednesday, July 31 at 7:00 pm (MDT). During the presentation, you’ll learn to make several projects from a variety of sponsors, including Close To My Heart’s Artbooking layout, as our very own Kristine Widtfeldt walks you through the steps—and sneaks the Artbooking collection!
The Pajama Party class will be available for FREE at BigPictureClasses.com on July 31, and will be archived after the event for future viewing. If you would like to interact on the message board, participate in live chat, post to the gallery, download handouts, or enter any contests, you will need to log in to the Pajama Party “classroom” by creating a free account on the Big Picture Classes website. If you have already created an account or if you registered for the first Pajama Party in May, you are all set! You will not need to create another account or register again.
To make the project, you will want to have the following items on hand:

• Z1906 Cricut^® Artbooking Collection*
• 1301 Bamboo Cardstock
• 1388 Colonial White Cardstock
• X5668 Honey Cardstock
• X5762 Lagoon Cardstock
• X5930 Slate Cardstock
• X5639 Sweet Leaf Cardstock
• X5666 Twilight Cardstock
• Z2160 Twilight Exclusive Inks^® Pad
• Z2173 Slate Exclusive Inks^® Pad
• Z1853 Aqua Dots*
• Z1799 Silver Shimmer Trim
• Z1151 3-D Foam Tape
• Z1294 Sanding Kit

*These products will be available to purchase beginning August 1, 2013.
Watch the Pajama Party by yourself or with friends for a fun crafting experience. Anyone with an Internet connection can watch!

Close to My Heart Flip Flap Scrapbooking

Noreen Petty, my upline, has put together a great video to show you many creative ways to add additional photos or memorabilia to your scrapbook pages.  Noreen uses every size of flip flaps as well as True Fit Folios.  Hope you are as inspired by her video as I am.

How to use CTMH page protectors with Creative Memories Albums

If you have Creative Memory albums but need more pages or page protectors, you will definitely want to check out this video.

July Special - 50% off Work Shop on the Go

Have you ever wished you could make a home decor project that you could proudly display but never knew what to make or were afraid you didn't have enough time?  If you answered yes to either question, you will love the July special.  You can get the great Workshop on the Go canvas art kit for 50% off!!

Check out my website and order yours today.  Don't forget to look at the While Supplies Last section for more great deals.

July SOTM - Sweet Life

One of the best parts of summer is the fresh fruit and veggies.  The July Stamp of the Month - Sweet Life lets you capture those images to share with family and friends.

Remember you can get this great stamp set for only $5.00 with a $50 order.  To order yours, go to my website and get yours today.   Hurry, it is only available during the month of July.

Ribbons and Trims

I always say that I'm going to use more ribbon in my projects... this video has some great ideas... some ideas that I wouldn't have thought of on my own.... check out this great video.

Oklahoma Relief Campaign

Remember the A True Thank You stamp set is only $2.95 with all proceeds going to help the Oklahoma Relief effort.  I made a simple card that I hope you will like as much as I do....

June SOTM - A Flowering Bunch

The June SOTM - A Flowering Bunch is a great stamp set for those of us that like to color.  However, I know not everyone agrees so I thought I would make a few cards where no coloring is necessary.  The first card I stamped black on a blue print paper (Miracle, retired).  I place Bitty Sparkles in several of the flowers and black Shimmer Trim to give it some bling.

I stamped the larger flower on the same blue patterned paper (unfortunately, you can really see the blue paper in this picture.  I stamped the stem and leaves on pear green paper (Olivia, retired).  The cardstock is black that I ran thru the Cuttlebug to add some dimension.

I stayed with the black card stock and the Cuttlebug but this time I sanded the card (all CTMH cardstock has the great white core that makes sanding so simple and dramatic).  I stamped one of the bigger flowers and one small flower in Holiday Red.  

I cut several of the large tulip flowers on my Cricut.  I stamped them in black and I want to try coloring them in various color combinations - I just didn't get that far today.  Remember A Flowering Bunch is only available June 1st - 30th.

Cards made with 3 strips of patterned paper

For my birthday last month, three of the handmade cards I received had a commonality - all were made with three (3) strips of patterned paper.  The similarity ended there which got me thinking.  I want to show you the three cards that got my creative juices flowing.  First is a card from Ally - her card is basically green with a simple floral pattern - horizontal card with vertical strips.

 Next is a card from Dawn.  Dawn used CTMH Florentine paper which is has more colors and a busier pattern.  Her card is vertical with vertical strips.

The third card is from Sue.  Sue used CTMH Twitterpated paper.  This striped paper is a very busy / loud pattern.  It is a horizontal card with horizontal strips.

Aren't they great?!?!  Now what did I do....  Well, let's start with a true guys card - camo from the CTMH Victory paper pack.  Vertical card with vertical strips.

 Then go to a very feminine card using CTMH Sonoma paper.  I really wanted to do something with this paper but what I had was a scrap piece and it wasn't quite big enough so what do you do??? Improvise.  I used an edge punch to get the pretty border and now my piece of scrap paper fits perfectly.  You can't really tell from the picture but I used Liquid Glass (luv Liquid Glass) on all the stems and leaves to give everything a little 'pop'.  Horizontal card with horizontal strips.

Next I made two cards with the same base - CTMH Mayberry (the background papers look different but that''s just my photo skills not the paper).  The outcome was two very different looks.  Both cards are Horizontal with vertical strips. The first one has yellow and pink flowers to pick up the colors from the paper - the center of the flowers is Bronze glitter gel.

The second one has a happy birthday banner from the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge.  The bigger flowers have dots of Bronze glitter glitz and the smaller flowers with the pink centers has Liquid Glass over the pink.

Just a few more... wanted to try striped patterned paper.  If you don't know some of these papers, it is because I'm using paper scraps.  The first one here is a soft striped patterned paper from the CTMH Miracle paper pack.  I used the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge for the die cut then used the corresponding Frame Flair stamp set.  I used a plate of cupcakes for the center but think of the possibilities... animals, flowers, words the list goes on and on.  At the bottom are three Antiqued Gold Durables.  Horizontal card with horizontal strips.

The second striped pattern is bright - the paper is from CTMH Animal Crackers... which just naturally leads me to creating a kids card.  The CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge was used to create the "3"and the cupcake. The great thing is how easy it is to create a shadow background by simply increasing the size.  The "3"I ran thru the Cuttlebug swiss dot folder.  The cupcake - well, that I just went a little crazy on... I used Liquid Glass on the cupcake paper, the cupcake top has pink, blue & green sparkles with some red and silver glitter gel for good measure (did I mention I kinda went crazy on the cupcake... lol).  Horizontal card with vertical strips.

The final card... it isn't three (3) strips, it's five (5).  How can you not love CTMH Bella paper?!!?!  I have to admit, I saw a similar card to this on Pinterest.  I used the Bronze glitter gel in the center of the sunflower and Liquid Glass on the greenery.  Vertical card with horizontal strips.

Whew... that's what I came up with for now.  Hope I inspired you to try some cards with 3 strips...

June Special - Make It A Banner Day

It’s going to be a “banner” day!  When you place a $25 order in June that includes one stamp set and receive a My Creations® Mini Banner for free!  The Mini Banner includes 10 chipboard pennants in 4 different shapes with 9 jump rings for hanging.  Decorate one side for the 4th of July, and the reverse side for Birthdays!  The Mini Banners are versatile and a great addition to your parties & get-togethers.

Below is a list of the great specials in June...

• Relief for Okalahoma
• Let's Be Patriotic
• Make It A Banner Day
• June SOTM - A Flowering Bunch

Remember to place your order on my website today.

Let's Get Patriotic

Show your support of troops and country with new patriotic stamp sets — available only from June 1 to July 31, 2013!

 

  As a show of our support, Close To My Heart will donate $3 from each B-size My Acrylix® Courage stamp set

and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix® Home of the Brave stamp set to the USO, the leading, most recognized military-support and services organization in the United States, 

or $3 from each B-size My Acrylix® Courage stamp set and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix® Strong and Free stamp set to the Canadian Hero Fund, which supports spouses and children of fallen Canadian military troops by providing post-secondary education in Canada. 

Show your support today by placing your order on my website.

June SOTM - A Flowering Bunch

Order the June Stamp of the Month at full price…or get it for only $5.00 with a qualifying purchase.  Create this collection of beautiful artwork – you’ll find the information on website.

Remember this stamp set is only available from June 1st thru June 30th.

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!

If you would like to help support the people of Oklahoma and get this great, versatile stamp set, please visit my website to place your order.

May Special - Dream Pop Paper

Are you looking for some GREAT summer colors / paper?  The Dream Pop paper is just what you are looking for.  The colors are amazing - I love them!!!  The print papers are really cute but I admit that the card stock is my favorite in this kit.  I love the glossy design - check my CTMH website for more information and to order your very own Dream Pop!

The Dream Pop special is only $10 with a $35 order.  And keep in mind, the $10 counts toward the $50 needed for your $5 May SOTM - Pinwheel (see previous post).

May SOTM - Pinwheel

Remember all those summers playing with pinwheels?!?!?  Well, here's your chance to play with pinwheels again... and to share them with family and friends.

Keep in mind that shapes corresponding to stamps with a red border can be found on CTMH Cricut Cartridges.

The Pinwheel stamp set is only $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase and it is only available during the month of May.  To make the offer even better, $10 of your $50 can be the May's Dream Pop paper pack special (I will be posting the information on that special next).

Packed with Punch

Learn how to use circle punches to pack some punch into your projects. Stamp with coordinating images, use as embellishments, and layer to create 3-D projects!

April SOTM - My Sunshine

I love the April Stamp of the Month - My Sunshine.  I've always loved hot air balloons so I was very happy when I saw this stamp set! 

And to make it even better, the bird, the sun and the hot air balloon shapes are all on the CTMH Cricut Artiste Cartridge.

Remember, you can get this great stamp set for only $5.00 when you spend $50.00.  My Sunshine is only available from April 1 - April 30, 2013 so place your order on my website now.

Cards Made Using the March SOTM - Floral Happiness

I have been having a lot of fun playing with the triple stamping technique.  Turning the layers gives a nice look and I really like the way the colored card stock brings out the two-tones of the double stamping.

March Stamp of the Month - Floral Happiness

I love the March SOTM - Floral Happiness.  Double Stamping is such a great technique - especially for those of you that don't like to color.

Remember you can get this great stamp set for only $5.00 when you spend $50.00.  The stamp set is only available until March 31, 2013 so click here to go to my website to place your order.

2013-03 SOTM Floral Happiness.jpg

Love Your Layout: February 2013

Ever wonder how Studio J works or looking for some new Studio J tips?  Either way, check out the video below for some great ideas!

March 2013: Unhinged Contest

For March, Jeanette giving you a great chance to win a versatile 5” x 7” hinged display tray! This tray makes an absolutely gorgeous addition to your décor and you can win it just by leaving a comment! Watch the video below for more information about how to win as well as some great ideas for how to decorate your display tray! 

Project Inspirations: Mini Album

Have you ever wanted to create your very own mini album?  The video below will show you how quick and easy it can be.

New Cards from Lisa

Introduced the triple stamping technique to Lisa last night at our crop.  She took the idea and really ran with it.  The first card she made she used the CTMH Something Splendid stamp set.

The card below was stamped with the CTMH Heartfelt Treasures stamp set.

The card below was stamped with CTMH Card Word Puzzle (I love this stamp set - the flowers are so pretty and there are soooo many words).

Lisa was also playing with her CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  Lisa started with the CTMH circle cards then cut the bird from her Artiste cartridge.  She put a big red heart on the inside of the card which makes the bird red and the inside of the card super cute.  The wing from the bird that was cut-out from the white card was glued to the red.  Such a simple card that looks great!!!!

Great job Lisa and Thanks for Sharing!!!

Display Tray using Feb. SOTM & Dakota Paper

The February SOTM - Home Sweet Home is perfect for creating home decor so... that's exactly what I did.  I used the CTMH display tray and the Dakota paper pack and here's what I came up..... 

Hope you like it.  Can't wait to try out a few more ideas that I have for this great stamp set.