Holidays from the Heart Blog Hop

Welcome to the Holidays from the Heart Blog Hop! New this year, Close to my Heart is featuring Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide showcasing {FABULOUS} new products!  It's an adorable 24 page mini catalog chocked full of holiday paper, stamps, and FAB gift giving projects ... plus a sneak peek preview of a few new products found in the 2014 Spring/Summer Idea Book.  And, it's LIVE today ... so be sure to check it out on my website HERE.  So, thanks for joining me and other CTMH consultants as we share layouts, cards and paper crafting projects with these NEW products.  Hope you enjoy!

Beginning today at 9am MST, choose a festive, new product FREE this holiday season with your qualifying order!  When you place an order of $100 or more (retail price) between October 15 and December 15 from the Holiday from the Heart Gift Guide and/or the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea book, you qualify for one FREE star item from the Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide.  You'll {LOVE} the sparkle, the ease, and the savings! Receive one FREE 'star' item for each $100 in your order.  You can join my 'Holiday from the Heart' gathering to shop found HERE!  

Several items in the Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide are only available while supplies last, so be sure to place orders for your favorites early! "While supplies last" products include:

• Sparkle & Shine Assortment (Z1860)
• Sparkle & Shine Washi Tape 3-Pack (Z1907)
• Workshops on the Go® Sparkle & Shine Scrapbooking Kit (G1071)
• Season's Tweetings Gift Bag Kit (Z1913)
• Season's Tweetings Gift Bags (Z1914)
• Sparkle Holiday Shapes (Z1910)
• Party Washi Tape 3-Pack (Z1908)
• My Creations® Hip Pics Album Kit (Z1915)

Ok, lovin' all the new products ... but the Sparkle & Shine paper has my {heart}! Featured colours are Juniper, Ruby, Slate, Sparkle & Shine Silver, Whisper and White Daisy.  As I had a home gathering to showcase the new Holiday Gift Guide this past weekend, I thought I would create a layout with my FAVE paper!  My inspiration search on Pinterest led me to this sketch ... 

And, here's my layout ... 

Isn't the Sparkle n' Shine paper so pretty! Love how it turned out, don't you? Still need to choose the photos ... so will add a title later most likely with letters cut out of Juniper cardstock. 

My Cricut Expression has been finicky lately ... so the snowflakes are die-cut. Then heat embossed with clear detail embossing powder which gives them a {pretty} shine.  And used a 3/4" circle punch for the circles.

Yet, I did manage to cut the holly leaves with the CTMH Art Philosophy cricut cartridge and stamped the coordinating image from the A Holiday stamp set.  

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH Sparkle & Shine, CTMH Whisper, Slate & White Daisy Cardstock

Stamps: A Holiday (A1115)

Ink: Whisper

Other: CTMH White Detail Embossing Powder (Z821), Micro-Tip Scissors (Z534), CTMH Art Philosophy, MFT Let It Snowflake Die-namics, & 3/4" circle punch

Want to see more? Simply click on any of the thumbnail links below to visit the blogs of other CTMH consultants who are participating in this hop and see their {fabulous} artwork! Thanks again for hopping on by and enjoy viewing all the projects! 

This blog hop is open for members of the CTMH Blog Boosters. Please do not enter if you are not a member of the group.

Somethin' {pretty}

With getting back into routine, these last few weeks have flew! And so, there's been little time for crafting but I thought I'd share somethin' {pretty} with you instead.  

Who doesn't {heart} Pinterest?  It's one of my fave pastimes, just ask those that know me well! Or maybe not since I'm to blame for leading them into the world of Pinterest.  And if you don't know what Pinterest is, don't worry as it won't be long before you too are on it! Here's me in case you need somewhere to start!

Anyways a while back, I stumbled on this wreath during one of my Pinterest search endeavors which linked me to Catshy Crafts on Etsy. Cathy creates heartfelt decor including embroidery hoop art, yarn wreaths and felt flowers in her Bellevue, Washington home.

And, it's social media at its best since I then 'LIKED' her Facebook page and followed her blog.  Yet, I feel I lucked out since I entered one of her contests .... 

... and was the winner of Custom Hoop Art!  The design process began with inspiration from her Etsy shop.  Let me tell you, it was tough trying to decide!  But, Cathy is easy to work with and embraced my idea along with my indecision head on!  I just {love} the felt flowers so it seemed the obvious choice.

So guess what arrived in the mail today?  Yup, my very own custom hoop art ... what do you think?

Clean and simple for me! Now, I just have to find a small wooden easel to display it in my craft room. Thanks Cathy for such a beautiful piece of art!  

Back-to-School Gift: {Perfect Teacher Recipe}

It's school time again! And, back to school brings with it a slew of emotions. On the one hand, there’s the promise of children seeing friends daily and the buying of new school supplies — new possibilities encapsulated in blank notebooks. But on the other hand, there’s the end of summer and the transition back to structured days, not to mention the challenge of switching the brain from off to on ... ahhh ROUTINE!

Back to school teacher gifts are a great way to let your children’s teachers know they are so loved! I believe gifts are one of my LOVE LANGUAGES :0 and {love} giving gifts that they can use.  Plus, most teachers would say a special gift in the beginning of the school year makes them feel appreciated. 

So, today I am sharing a simple gift. There are all types of different character traits that make up the {perfect} teacher.  Trust, care, love, kindness, respect, diversity just to name a few. This little gift along with the Perfect Teacher Recipe gift tag is the perfect way to get them excited about the new year.

A cute mini notebook with the teacher's initial accompanied with a post-it note holder.

Here's a peek inside ...   

A few note cards clipped on the inside flap.

Embellish with a cute stamp!

What do you think are the best teacher gifts? 

SUPPLIES: 

Papers: Black, White Daisy, Creme Brulee & Lagoon Cardstock (CTMH), B&T patterned paper scraps (CTMH)

Ink (CTMH): Slate, Vineyard Berry (retired)

Stamps (CTMH): A Typeface (A1117), School is Here (B1407) & School Years (D1556) -   

Embellishments (CTMH): White, Baker's Twine Neutral Assortment (Z1701), stitched black ribbon (retired)

Tools: Chevron Embossing Folder (SU), LLD - Insert It 3x4" Notebook Paper Die-namic (MFT), High-Rise Lowercase Die-namic (MFT),       

1 1/4" circle punch (SU), 1 3/8" circle punch (SU), 1 3/4" circle punch (SU), 1 3/4" scallop circle punch (SU)

Other: 3 1/4" x 4 1/2" Mini Composition Book, 3x3 Post-it Notes, 1/2" Scor-Tape, mini binder clips 

National Stamping Month - {You Are My Happy}

The school year is upon us again and I {love} cool crisp autumn mornings ..... NOT SO! Well, at least not here in Ottawa, where it is still HOT & STICKY!  Last week my home was extremely warm as the A/C was out of commission but thankfully now running again. And while I am finding myself longing for those slightly cooler days, it looks as though the {dog days of summer} may be around for awhile.  

Anyhow, regardless of what the temperature says, the calendar does in fact say that September has arrived! And, that means it's National Stamping Month, which comes a wonderful new campaign from Close to my Heart.  It will make you  ....

To celebrate National Stamping Month, you'll have 3 times the fun with the new stamp set trio! You'll not want to miss out, so be sure to get this exclusive {You Are My Happy} stamp set! During the month of September, when you make a purchase of $50 or more, you qualify for this stamp set trio for only $10. You'll LOVE the whimsical alphabet, light-hearted sentiments, and fanciful images for a variety of occasions to give a cheerful touch to your projects, with a full retail value of $47.90.

*Offer valid September 1-30, 2013. Placing a minimum order of $50 is required for qualification.

How cute are these?

Watch this video and shop online or contact me to place your qualifying order to snatch this darling stamp set trio today!

And don't forget to take advantage of the Stamp of the Month - Poster Tidings. Available this month only, for just $5 — that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing. To see the actual stamp set, visit my website.  Here's a peek at featured artwork:

So are you ready to take make somethin' {pretty}?

IT'S A {PRETTY} PARTY!

Don't you just {love} papercrafting, scrapbooking and/or cardmaking? Twice a year, to launch each NEW Idea Book, I host IT'S A {PRETTY} PARTY! What is it you ask? Well, it's a crafty open house to showcase all the fabulous new products available!   And, there's usually a {pretty sweet} special! Since the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book went LIVE, I've been busy prepping for my Open House, which was held this past Sunday.  If you haven't already 'LIKED' my Facebook page ~ CTMH - pretty paperie sweets ~ remember to do so as all Event details are always posted there.  

As a little {thank you} to those that attend, we usually make somethin' {pretty}!  Here's a sweet 3x3 card made with the NEW Babycakes paper pack ... I just {heart} these little cards!

And, with a new month comes a NEW Stamp of the Month ... and it's so cute! It's called A Chocolate Affair and the FAB news is you get it for FREE!  

*No additional tax will be applied for the free stamp set. Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the stamp set ($17.95). Offer valid August 1-31, 2013.

So, August is definitely a sweet time to shop—when you place an order of $50 or more during August, you’ll receive the August Stamp of the Month set, A Chocolate Affair (S1308A), FREE!* This D-size stamp set with a retail value of $17.95 includes 16 images and sentiments that will have your friends salivating over your chocolate layouts and cards. Make every project a treat with this must-have set. Plus, on my website, you'll find the artwork that was created with the stamp set to re-create yourself! Take a peek at mine ...

Well, if you didn't make it out to this one or take advantage of the {pretty sweet} specials, then be sure to keep it in mind next time in early Spring!  

Click on the photo below to visit my website to browse all the great new products!

SUPPLIES: {LOVE IT} 3x3 card

Papers: CTMH Colonial White, Sunset Cardstock, CTMH Babycakes

Ink: Chocolate & Sunset

Stamps: You Only Live Once (B1434), All the Details (D1555) & Eclectic Edges (C1450) (retired)

Embellishments: CTMH Opaques Mocha Adhesive Gems (Z1333)

{Birthday Wishes}

Here's another quick card I thought I would share in the CTMH New Product Blog Hop. Click HERE to link back to my first post and the blog hop list. 

This sweet card was made using the new Laughing Lola paper pack.  I really {heart} the paisley pattern! The Whisper cardstock was embossed with an embossing folder. The Laughing Lola B&T Duo paper was cut into squares and rounded on opposite ends and adhered to Black cardstock. I also added a strip of pattern paper from Stella and a strip of pattern paper from Laughing Lola, just the flip side. I embossed the sentiment {Birthday Wishes} from the 'Just a Number' stamp set on Smokey Plum cardstock with white embossing powder.  Then, it was adhered with 3-D foam tape over a few strands of Grey Wool baker's twine.  

Thanks for hopping on by ... enjoy all the FAB projects!

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH Smokey Plum, Whipser & Black Cardstock, CTMH Laughing Lola & Stella (retired)

Stamps: Just a Number (D1514)

Embossing Powder: CTMH White (retired)

Embellishments: CTMH Grey Wool Baker's Twine

CTMH NEW PRODUCT BLOG HOP! - {Love} me a Mini!

Welcome to my blog! Thanks for joining me and other CTMH consultants as we share layouts, cards and papercrafting projects with NEW products from the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book!  Oh ya, it's LIVE today! Have you had a chance to take a peek on my website? Here's the link - {pretty paperie sweets}.  

If you've been following me over the past few days for Teaser Time, you've seen some FABULOUS sneak peeks of my FAVE products ... and today is no different!  

A True Thank You (M1029)

You may remember CTMH releasing this cute new Autumn/Winter 2013 stamp set earlier and donating 100% of the profits to the Red Cross to aid tornado victims in Oklahoma. Well, if you {loved} this Mini then be as giddy as I am because there are seven more MINIS now available! 

Take a peek at these 3x3 cards ....

Top - A Little Gift, Santa's Greeting, Heartfelt Birthday Wish & Dotted Love
Bottom - A True Thank You, Baby Carriage, Single Snowflake & Tree Delights

I just {heart} how they turned out!  Simple to make too! Each image is stamped on a 2 1/2" circle cut with CTMH Cricut Cartridge - Art Philosophy.  Then assembled with a 1" strip from a few of the new papers - Laughing Lola, Sarita, Pro Player, Babycakes and Frosted. And, embellish as you like ... really they are FAB for a piece of Washi Tape, paper piercing, watercolouring or leaving as is! Definitely, my new FAVE go-to stamp sets!  

Thanks again for hopping on by and enjoy viewing all the projects!

This blog hop is open for members of the CTMH Blog Boosters. Please do not enter if you are not a member of the group.

Teaser Time - Day 4 & 5!

Well, it's with all good intentions to post each day ... but life just got in the way of blogging! So, welcome to the fourth & fifth day of Teaser Time for a preview of my FAVE products in the new Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book!  Wow, lots to chat about today ... let's get started!

Do you have a box of odds and ends that are sentimental to you but really don't know what to do with? I know I do! It's an old metal box with a few pictures from my childhood, foreign currency, ticket stubs and more.  It's all special things I really don't want to part with but really not anything I'd want to make as a layout.  Simply said , little memories matter! Well, CTMH knows most of us have a little box, envelope or drawer of these things and has come up with a way for us to preserve these small memories in one place: My Crush.

My Crush Modville & My Crush Bluebird

My Crush books give you a safe place to quickly hold the precious everyday memorabilia while life is happening. Grab a glue stick, some tape or a paperclip and attach your little things on the printed pages of these handy-size books. It's a way to capture your memories on the go.  It's a memory keeping system that's fast, easy and convenient. Find it. Crush it. LOVE it!

OK, moving on ... Are you ready to show off your creativity everywhere you go? Then, how about Base & Bling - wearable crafting projects? 

Base & Bling - Cuff, Hair Clips, Rings, Headband, Necklace or Fabric Necklace Kit

You will {love} dressing up these affordable, lightweight fashion accessories with our textiles and specially designed Base & Bling adhesive-backed jewels and accents - so simple and quick, you'll want to make several items in different colours. Make your fashion statement!

And, now the {BEST} for last! Take your papercrafting to never-before-seen levels with the new Cricut cartridge collection - Artbooking!

With oodles of images in each of 15 layout themes, you can create several coordinating pages for each theme using just two keys and one dial size.  No more guessing!  Images include accents, borders, titles, overlays, photo mats and more! And, you'll love creating 10 themed mini books.  Celebrate birthdays, new baby, vacations, friends, sports, Halloween, Christmas and more!  

Well, hope you've enjoyed all the sneak peeks over the last few days!  Be sure to check back tomorrow to join me and other CTMH consultants as we share layouts, cards and papercrafting projects with new products from the NEW Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book.  It's sure to inspire your creative mojo!

Teaser Time - Day 3!

Welcome to the third day of Teaser Time for a preview of my FAVE products in the new CTMH Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book! In keeping with Workshops on the Go .... today's focus is all about Home Décor.  

Our homes are filled with love, family, laughter, smiles, tears, friends, and most of all, comfort. And as the seasons progress, more memories are made with those we love. It’s pretty special, isn’t it? Our love of home may encourage us to make it even more special by adding our very own homemade touches, and with prolific lifestyle blogs and Pinterest, we are getting more and more ideas to do just that!

Based on the popularity of creating homemade paper crafted décor for the home, CTMH designers have provided us with Designed Décor - that's home décor with heart - in which crafters are encouraged to create artwork with substance. Are you ready to turn your crafting projects into enduring works of art with our NEW Designed Decor products! In addition to the Display Tray and the 5"x7" Hinged Display Tray seen in previous Idea Books, the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book introduces the Designed Décor Black Frame, Colonial White Frame and Flip Stand Album. And, since CTMH is all about simplicity, there's the Designed Décor Frame Kit too!

Designed Décor Black Frame, Frame Kit, Colonial White Frame

Another sneak peek ... one of these photos features the August Stamp of the Month.  Can you guess which one?  It’s sure to hit a sweet spot!

So, be sure to gather your paper crafting supplies and get ready to create seasonal home décor projects that are fit to bedeck your home throughout the year and for years to come!

Need more inspiration? Create any of the following home décor items: Banners, Baskets, Book ends, Bowls, Boxes, Bulletin Boards, Candle wraps, Calendars, Canisters, Chore Charts, Clocks, Clip, Clipboard, Coasters, Cork Board, Desk Set, Door Sign/Hanger, Embroidery Hoops, Frames, Growth Chart, Jars, Jewelry Boxes, Key Holders, Lamp shades, Lanterns, Light switch plates, Luminaries, Magazine holders, Magnets, Magnet Boards, Mantel décor, Menu Boards, Mirrors, Mobiles, Mouse pad, Napkin Rings, Ornaments, Photo displays/cubes, Place mats, Planters, Plaques, Printers trays,  Recipe boxes, Recipe holders, Refrigerator magnets, Remote holder, Shadowboxes, Signs, Table décor, Table settings, Tissue box holder, Trash can, Trays, Trivets, Vases, and Wreaths.

Teaser Time - Day 2!

Welcome to the second day of Teaser Time for a preview of my FAVE products in the new CTMH Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book!  Today, I am excited to showcase the NEW Workshops on the Go (WOTG).

  

You may already know, Workshops on the Go kits allow you to create a beautiful project — either a two-page scrapbook layout, a set of cards, or a trendy 3-D item — using the materials in just one Workshops on the Go kit, which includes papers, coordinating embellishments, an exclusive My Acrylix C-size stamp set, and an instructional guide. Fabulous for any skill level of papercrafter, right?

A new selection of WOTG kits are released twice each year in conjunction with new Idea Book debuts, and each kit is available at a discounted price! And, who doesn't {love} a FAB deal!  As there will be six NEW paper packs for the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book, there are six NEW WOTG kits as well! Plus instead of a C-size stamp set, you'll now get a D-size one! Here's a sneak peek:

Laughing Lola, Sarita, Pro Player ...

... Babycakes, Huntington & Frosted

Close to my Heart will again be offering two NEW Card Workshops On The Go kits! These are beautifully designed cards that are simple and fun to make!

Laughing Lola & Frosted

I simply {heart} all of them!  How about you?

Did you know? You can view the current Spring/Summer 2013 and the past Autumn/Winter 2012 WOTG complete recipes, full-color photos, and helpful hints for the additional projects on my website! Be sure to take a peek!

Teaser Time Begins!

Aren't you a little curious about the NEW Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book? Then, welcome to Teaser Time!  I am so thrilled for you to join me over the next few days as I preview a few of my favourite new products! And, be sure to visit my website for the {The Big Reveal} on August 1st where you'll be able to browse the new Idea Book online.

Can't wait? Receive a FREE Idea Book with your July order! Remember, this is the last month to order many of the amazing products in the current Idea Book before they are be gone as of July 31st. Visit my website and join the Last Chance Gathering to place your order ASAP! And, your order may qualify for a chance to win Mystery Hostess Rewards!

Speaking of Hostess Rewards, these exclusive new Hostess Stamp Sets are one of my favourite new products! Whether you want to make quick cards or create FABULOUS pages, these Hostess Stamp Sets offer you a range of designs!

Family Photo                                            Bright All Night

Washi Wonder                                           The Party Is On 

Remember when you host your own Online or Home Gathering, you can earn Hostess Rewards, starting with only $150 in sales! In addition to Hostess Bundles like you've seen before, you will now be able to chose to use your {rewards} to purchase these exclusive Hostess Stamp Sets. And, these beautiful stamp sets are offered at reduced price! That's awesome, right?

ANOTHER PAJAMA PARTY!

Close To My Heart is teaming up with Big Picture Classes AGAIN 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.

I hope you enjoy this sneak peek of the new Artbooking collection as Kristine Widtfeldt, Stacy Julian, and the rest of the Big Picture Classes crew make the featured project and share their tips and tricks for using the collection. You will be chomping at the bit to make the Artbooking layout, so take this opportunity to sit back, relax, and drool over the items, then be ready to spring into action August 1 when you can buy the collection with the rest of the supplies. Then, you can tune in to the archived event for step-by-step details on how to make the project. 

To make the project, you will want to have the following items—or similar products—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! Contact me with any questions or visit my website to place your order.

MEMORY KEEPING MATTERS

You may be wondering how Close to my Heart is doing, especially with all the change happening in the industry these days.  In uncertain economic times, a secure company offering great products can be hard to find.  Close to my Heart offers that stability to its Consultants, who also enjoy being able to do what they {love}: create and preserve memories!  I {heart} CTMH and so happy to be a part of this amazing company!

Take a peek at this video to learn why now - more than ever - is a great time to celebrate creativity, preserve memories, and share the Close to my Heart opportunity!  No matter if you are a customer, hobbyist or consultant, it's comforting to know that there is a place for you at CTMH.  Be certain, {you are welcome here}!

For more information on CTMH products or joining my team contact me or visit my website HERE.  

CAMP. FOR ME.

Hello!  It's time for camp.  For me that is, not the little ones!

I've heard so much about Online Card Classes and wanting to take a class or two but have not had the time. But, a few weeks ago, I was the lucky Summer Card Camp 2 (SCC) Giveaway winner from Mariana Grigsby's blog. The class is taught by Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire and special Guest Designers. I am so very giddy to start this class and know I’ll be inspired by the many cards they have planned for us.  

Here's a bit about how the class works...

It's a three-week class that will be bursting at the seams with ideas! Each week will follow the same format; yet, each week will bring us a fresh spin on the day’s theme:

• Mondays – Sketches & Weekly Color Combo
• Tuesdays – Techniques, Tips & Tricks
• Wednesdays – Inspiration Using the Weekly Color Combo
• Thursdays – Design & Card Challenge
• Fridays – Student Spotlight & More Inspiration

Class officially started last Monday, but life was busy! Let's hope this week is different! I did however manage to find time on the weekend for homework. Today's cards are made from last week's sketches and color combo.

Here is my first card ...

Just {love} the texture of the background layer.  It is embossed with a geometric circles embossing folder, which is very trendy right now!

And, here is my second card ...

This one is inspired by a fellow SCC participant, Angela McQ.  It's a spin on one of the sketches and I {heart} all the layered banners!

Well, the first week of class was really exciting! I learned some FAB techniques and can't wait to see what's happening this week!  Sill time to sign up! Click HERE to see all about it.  

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH White Daisy, Hollyhock, Sorbet, Honey, & Sky Cardstock, CTMH Patterned Paper (scraps)

Stamps: Just a Number (D1514), Pun Fun (C1505)

Ink: CTMH Black 

Embellishments: CTMH Clear Sparkles, CTMH Grey Wool Baker's Twine