Random Stamping

Learn how to create a random pattern for a background design on your paper. Just stamp the image of your choice randomly on the page for results that are unique and stunning!

Create Your Own Patterned Paper

Learn how to create your own patterned paper with a tone-on-tone stamping design that will give your new paper a professionally designed look!

Whooo's Your Valentine?

The Whooo’s Your Valentine kit is the key to creating your own goody-filled valentines with sneak-peek products such as the My Creations™ treat tubes and glitter paper. Watch the video to learn how to create your own valentines that everyone is sure to love!

Basic Stamping Techniques

Learn about generational stamping, coloring in stamped images, and creating your own stamped pattern by going back to the basics for results you’ll love!

Cricut Cards and Envelopes

Learn to create cards, envelopes, and more with the Close To My Heart Cricut® Artiste cartridge. Move beyond flat cut-outs for more creative freedom

How to Kiss - with Stamps

"How to Kiss—with Stamps" features a stamping technique called kissing for removing ink from a stamp to create a customized image.

CASE of the: Grey Dog

Finally, a crafty post! 

I've been running a monthly club for a while now but never seem to get the things we make posted - Time to put up or shut up!

I love being inspired by fellow consultants and the crafty world in general. It could be the colors, the design, the products, the theme ... Anything! 

CASE to me stands for Copy And Share Everything.  I have no problem giving credit where it's due.  Why re-invent the wheel? 

CASE of the: is, I am hoping, go to be a regular feature on my blog.  Stay tuned!

We did this card a while ago and I love the cuteness of it.

 

This card was lifted from the lovely and talented Vicki Wizniuk (of Wizard's Hangout) and you can find the original card HERE.

 

I did change a few things for the card, but for the most part it is exactly the same as Vicki's.

 

Supplies (all CTMH unless specified):

Stamp Sets:  A Bowwow (A1126)

Patterned Paper:  Pemberly (X7148B)

Cardstock:  Desert Sand, White Daisy

Inks:  Black

Markers:  Holiday Red, Pacifica, Grey Flannel

Embellishments:  are CTMH but can't remember what.  See?  This is what happens when I don't post right away!  LOL



Pigment Ink vs Dye Ink

Alcohol Marker Madness

Learn how to color stamps with your pair of coordinating alcohol-based markers that are sure to brighten a page, spruce up a card, and add pizazz to any project!

Coordinate with Cricut cuts!

Clearly the Best, Stamping with Close To My Heart: "Coordinate with Cricut® Cuts" highlights the unique ways to stamp coordinating Cricut® shapes and add them to your artwork.

Organize Your Craft Supplies

These intrigued me when I saw them in the Idea Book.  Definitely on my wish list.  :-)

Dauber Dynamite!

Base and Shade stamping ..... Love it!

Stamp Set Blowout!

With the new Idea Book starting August 1, I am doing something I've never done before ... purging my stamp sets to make room for the new ones!!! *gasp*

Click on the tab at the top of this page labelled "Stamp Set Blowout" for a list of what is available.I will be adding more as I go through my stash.  With 15 of the My Acrylix storage cases full, I don't have room for more!!!  (That's 225 stamp sets!!!)    Plus I have some stored outside of cases ... and that is not counting the duplicates and such that I've bought over the years that are stored in another room.  (I think I need a 12-step program!  LOL)

I can't possibly use them all so it's time to get strict with myself and only keep the ones I LOVE or they are super versatile (sentiments etc.)

Check them out and check back often ... I've only touched the tip of the iceberg!

A peek at a couple of our new Home Decor items

Get them while you can!

24 of our CTMH Exclusive Colors are retiring at the end of this month and I've included them below.  They are brining in 6 new colors so our color palettes will now have a total of 42 colors instead of 60.

If you've been building your collection and want to finish it off, now is the time!

Click on the name of each color located under each picture and it will take you to the page that includes the stamp pad, re-inker, cardstock, and marker. 

Hurry before they are gone!


Pansy Purple

Garnet

Petal

Spring Iris

Garden Green



Tulip



Vineyard Berry

Moonstruck

Dutch Blue

Sunny Yellow

Sunflower

Holiday Red

Amethyst



Lilac Mist



Heavenly Blue



Key Lime



Sunkiss Yellow

Taffy



Baby Pink



Vanilla Cream

Grey Flannel

Parchment

Brown Bag



Grey Wool



Idea Books are in the house! ... plus more news

The new idea books arrived at my door early this afternoon!  So excited.  Can't wait to sit down and devour each and every page.

Fall into one of the following categories?:

1. You’ve purchased from me in the last 12 months?

2. You belong to one of my clubs?

Then you get the new Idea Book for FREE!

Don’t fall into one of those categories?

1. You can view the Idea Book online AFTER August 1, 2012

OR

2. You can purchase one from me for $3.00 ($6.50 if it needs mailed) and you will receive a credit for your purchase price from your first order from the new Idea Book. 

I only bring in 25 so previous customers and club members get first dibs on my supply, then they are available on a first-come, first-serve basis after that.

One of my fave new items!

CTMH has ANOTHER Cricut cartridge, exclusive to CTMH!  So excited!

The  new collection is called Artiste

Again it has 700 exclusive images and features projects, interactive cards, awards, and so much more! I can't even begin to highlight all the features and images!  Check out the book for the cartridge HERE and see for yourself!

I got the following from the blog of another consultant who was at Convention and shared the following on her blog:  (Thanks Karen!)

Cutting and assembling the MANY 3-D items is a snap using the projects reference chart.

There is a separate step-by-step assembly book.

Each key has items that work together. For instance, if there are things that work together, they are on the same key. If they layer with each other: same key. Get the idea?

Many keys are themed for different things. For instance: wedding, birthday, space, etc. Cool beans!

If you have your 'Real Dial Size' off, all layering pieces will automatically cut to fit the bottom image, without having to resize. More cool beans!

Many of our new stamp sets coordinate with this cartridge. As you go through the new Idea Book, you will see many sets that have images that are outlined in red. Those items coordinate with Cricut images. It will specify which cartridge (Artiste {the brand new one} or Art Philosophy). When you receive your stamp set, you will see that it also tells you what size to cut the image as well as which page to find it on in the instruction book.

When you purchase the CTMY/Cricut Artiste Collection, you’ll get:
1 - Cartridge (with 700 exclusive images including themed projects, cards, font, shapes, cupcake liners, accordion and rolled flowers, and TONS of 3-D boxes, purses, and other items)
3 - new D-Sized coordinating stamp sets
3 - sheets of coordinating chipboard shapes (with speech bubbles, a mini album, and lots of banner shapes)
1 - project reference guide
1 - step-by-step assemble book

Other new items of interest:

- over 60 new stamp sets
- 8 new paper kits (and I LOVE them all!)
- 13 new Workshop on the Go kits
- over 50 new accents, accessories and tools (from new stamp scrubbers, to organizational items, to bling and new chipboard home-decor items)
- a new publication with card and layout patterns
- much MORE!!!

New Consultant Kit

You can now become a Close To My Heart consultant for as little as $49!

"Essentials" New Consultant Kit: only $49!

Isn't that amazing!?  $49!!!!  It's a great time to join my team and get $130 worth of product for only $49.  This is the Essentials kit.  For $99 you get the Masters Kit, which is everything you see above PLUS more supplies, more Idea Books, and all the forms you need to become a CTMH success story!

Join my team HERE!

VERY bad blogger!

I can't believe I haven't posted since mid-March!  Wow!  I was doing pretty good up until then, I think.  :-)

I've not done a lot of creative paper crafting in the last couple months.  I did start a monthly club and our first get-together was in April, though.  Will have to get the photos for those uploaded soon.  It's more work than I thought but I am loving it and I hope the girls are, too.  I just  need to learn to budget my time better! LOL

We get together in my home the first Tuesday of each month for 2-3 hours, depending on what we are working on. 

If you are interested in joining us (I can fit 2 more girls around my table), or want to play along long-distance, drop me a line and I will be more than happy to send you the particulars! 

Well, need to start prepping for my June club night so had best get going .... will post pictures of what we've done so far in the next couple of weeks.  Two different sets of company coming between today and the beginning of June, so not sure on how much free time I will have since I also have a job I gotta go to. Dang! 

Exciting News!

Every Close To My Heart Consultant now  has their own website you can order from! (I've always had one ... )

Close To My Heart has just opened up their new Online Business Address for all Consultants FREE of charge.  (Are they the best company or what?) There are so many great features that this provides us Consultants over the old websites.

My favorite one, so far, is the ability to have my Clubs and Workshops located on the main page of MY WEBSITE.  Anyone wanting to boost their sales when they are a hostess can send my web link to their friends/family and that person can just order off the website.  The hostess gets credit for the sale, upping their sales total for the night, even if their friend/family lives out of town.  That person gets their order shipped directly to them, too, so they don't have to wait for the night of the event if they don't want to.

Even if you are just a random person wanting to place an order on my site, you can help out someone you don't even know just by adding your own order to one of the events posted.  How is that for "Paying It Forward"???  :-)

My mind is spinning with the possibilities!!!  Stay tuned for more to come!

March Newsletter!

Just a quick, short newsletter this month.  

The New Club!

The new club starting in April if filling up fast! I only have room for one or two more people so if you’ve been procrastinating in getting back to me, time is running out. (Out of town spots are unlimited so if you’re from out of town and want to join, there is always a spot for you!

 

I’ve already put feelers out using online ads and such to see if I can fill the remaining chair/chairs at my table.

 

Don’t wait too long!

The Philosophy of Fun
March 2012 Constant Campaign

March is a great time to share Close To My Heart’s philosophy of fun! Become a Close To My Heart Consultant this month and receive a fabulous Cricut® Art Philosophy collection FREE!

If you already have the collection, you can choose to receive $100 in select product credit* instead. The collection, which retails for $99, is actually valued at over $124, adding incredible value to the New Consultant Kit. It’s time for everyone to embrace the philosophy of fun—Consultant and Cricut® fun!

Dates: Offer valid valid March 1 at 9:00 am (MST) – March 31 at 11:59 pm (MDT).

March Stamp of the Month

Purchase $50 or more and get the following stamp set for only $5.00 (plus taxes and shipping).

Buy the set without minimum purchase for only $17.95

Sample creations using the March Stamp of the Month:

Lisa

New Club!!!

Join the Club!

Joining a paper crafting club is a great way to:

- a night out away from the hubby and/or kids
- have fun
- learn new techniques
- crafting outside your comfort zone
- get stuff done
- a chance to do:
     - layouts
     - cards
     - home decor
     - 3D items
-        Earn FREE products
-        Win prizes
-        Meet new people
-        Tutorials of each project we make
-        Club only promotions
-        FREE idea book when it comes out
-        Discounts on any workshops I may hold

Regular Club Information:

-        A minimum of 4 people are needed for the club to a maximum of 7.  (Unlimited number of out-of-towners though).  If there is enough interest, I may start a second club, too.  It depends on the numbers (and my boss ... LOL).
-        A minimum purchase of $25.00 in CTMH product is required each month (though you’re welcome to go over that amount).
-        The hostess for the month will receive a minimum of $25 in FREE product (could be more depending on sales totals for the night.)
-        If you are not able to make it to club night, you are still required to make your monthly $25.00 purchase. The order needs to be made before 9pm on club nights. (Supplies and instructions for the night’s project(s) will be included with your order when it is delivered to you if you’re not able to make it to club night.)
-        I will provide beverages on club nights, hostesses are welcome to bring a treat if they like.
-        Hostesses may bring in outside orders on months it is their turn to hostess to bump up their sales totals.
-        CTMH usually only allows certain items in the Idea Books as free items for Hostesses but, for my club, you can put your Hostess Rewards amount towards ANYTHING in the Idea Book.  (If you go over your Hostess Rewards amount, taxes and shipping will apply to the overage amounts.)

Suggested basic supplies you'll need:

- paper trimmer (with a cutting and scoring blade is great)
- scoring tool if no scoring blade on your trimmer
- Adhesives:  tape style and wet glue
-        Small scissors
-        Black journaling pen

The fine print:

1.      Club will run for the number of months that there is a Hostess for.  If 4 people sign up, it will run for 4 months.  If 6 people sign up, it will run 6 months.  To be fair to everyone, you are committing to stay with the group for the entire length of the club. 

2.      Hostesses will be chosen on a first come, first serve basis.  The order you let me know you want to be part of the club is the order the Hostesses will fall. 

3.       My husband is a shift worker so Club nights will vary each month.  (Clubs usually meet, for example, on the third Tuesday of the month or the second Wednesday of the month and this does not work for my family).  Club nights will be held sometime during the first 10 days of the month. 

4.      There will be no club in December as it’s usually a crazy month for everyone.

5.      My home is a cat friendly home for those of you who may have allergies

6.      All dollar amounts quoted are BEFORE shipping and taxes

7.      All shipping charges are based on the retail value of discounted or free items.  (There are NO shipping charges or taxes on Hostess Rewards items).

8.      Payment for club orders is due on club night (unless previously arranged otherwise). 

9.      Payments accepted:

a.      Cash

b.      Check (if I know you)

c.      Paypal

d.      Visa

e.      Mastercard

(At your request I will keep you credit card on file for your convenience. I will only bill this card with your expressed permission and under no circumstances will this information leave my home or be shared with anyone else.)

10.   Club nights run from 7pm to about 10pm, depending on the project(s).

From outside of Kamloops????  Read on!

Want to be part of the club but don’t live in Kamloops to attend club nights?  No problem! 

-        All orders will be sent direct to you from the CTMH warehouse (unless it is less expensive to ship it myself to  you.)

-        Orders will still be due on or before the scheduled club night

-        Payment for your order will be due on or before the scheduled club night as well. (Unless otherwise agreed upon before the order and payment are due.)

-        Tutorial for the project(s) will be emailed to you once your order is paid for.  Project supplies will be mailed to you, either with your Hostess Reward items on your hostess month or every second month (whichever comes first) to save on postage costs.

-        Shipping will be 15% of the retail value of your order.  This means some months you will be overcharged and some months you will be undercharged for the actual cost of shipping.  I will track these and in November of each year, I will reimburse you if you have been overcharged when all your orders are taken into consideration.  If you haven’t been charged enough, Merry Christmas!!!!  J

I think I’ve covered everything but if you have any questions, email me and I will do my best to answer them.  This group is a work in progress. As situations come up I may not always know how to deal with them.  Please know that I will always welcome any and all advice, questions, comments and suggestions. Please do not hesitate to make suggestions on ways to make the group better.

What I also offer:

1.       Birthday benefits for regular customers

2.      Referral program – refer a friend and after they’ve placed their first order, you receive 10% off your next order

3.      Frequent shopper program – when your retail purchases reach $250, you will receive a gift from me as a Thank You!

February Newsletter and New Club(s)

New Club!!!! (or two)
I am signing people up for a new Club.  I anticipate the first month will be April.  I have room for a maximum of about 7 people.  I am sending the details in a separate email as it is quite lengthy.  Hope to hear from you!

New Website Address
CTMH has changed over their servers and as a result I have a new online CTMH website address!  If you have it bookmarked, it will automatically go to the new address but if you want to change it, the new address is: 

http://momentsmatter.myctmh.com/

 New Idea Book is Live!

The new Idea Book  is live as of February 1, 2012 and anything in it can now be ordered.  A reminder that stamp sets from the previous Idea Book are also still available if you missed out on any that are on your ‘must have’ list.

If you don’t have your copy yet, you can view the online version HERE. 

Want a copy you can earmark to your heart’s content?  I will mail one to you for $5.00 (that includes postage).  That $5.00 will be deducted from your first order total.  If you are local, the cost would be $2.50, also deducted from your first order total. 

February Stamp of the Month

The February Stamp of the Month is cute and very versatile.  It’s not all about the month of love and I love that.  See for yourself :

The stamp set can be yours for the full retail price of $17.95 or for only $5.00 with a $50 order (not including taxes and shipping). 

February Constant Campaign

Double your layouts with our Five for Free campaign! For each Studio J® 5-pack you purchase this February, you’ll get one free. Visit StudioJ.com for a set of instructions for creating five beautifully crafted layouts in Studio J, starting February 1, 2012 (9 am MST). 

Dates: Offer valid February 1, 2012–February 29, 2012. 

My January Special – Extended!

Since not everyone is into Digital Scrapbooking, I am extending my private promotion from last month.  (Plus I didn’t get the Idea Book to everyone early enough in the month for them to take advantage.  Ooops!). 

So from now until the end of this month, purchase FIVE paper packs and get a SIXTH one free!  Easy!

There are 12 paper packs to choose from – the eight new ones plus the four carried over from the previous Idea Book. 

If you’re wanting to take advantage of this, drop me an email with your choices and how you’d like to pay. Orders will be placed on March 1. 

Retiring Products

The Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book is the last idea book the following products will be featured: 

How-To Books

Distressing Kit (full kit only)

Exclusive Inks® Markers

Cardstock Shade Packs

8 1/2" x 11" Cardstock Packs 

If you’re missing some of these items or are needing to complete your collection, it’s a good time to do so now.  Head office did not specify, but would assume this is a “while supplies last”.  I know I have many markers I am missing so had best start adding them to my orders.  J

January Newsletter

Happy New Year!!!!
Sorry for my lack of communication the last couple of months!  I had a little accident at work and ended up with tendonitis in my left wrist.  The thought of plunking away one fingered through a whole newsletter didn’t really excite me.  J 

Idea Books!

The Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Books are here!  I’ve already pored through mine a few times and have a wish list written out!  Yep, I’m a nerd!  LOL 

Since I only get a limited amount, anyone who has purchased product from me or on my CTMH website in the last 12 months will be receiving an Idea Book for FREE.  If you haven’t purchased product from me in the past year and want an Idea Book, the cost for one will be what I pay for them, to cover my expense ($2.50).  If you place an order out of the book in the future, the $2.50 will be deducted from that order. 

Canadian Exchange Rate for 2012

Good news for Canadians! The 2012 Canadian pricing matches the US dollar for dollar, bringing lower product prices and adjustments to certain compensation plan components. The new Canadian pricing goes into effect for both customers and Consultants January 1, 2012.   

That means that anything you order in January from the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book will adjust on January 1, 2012, to the 2012 Canadian pricing!  If you`ve been putting off getting something during the last month of this Idea Book, now is a great time! 

December–January Constant Campaign – Rock the Block

When you place a minimum order of $25 from the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book, you can get two valuable new products for just $15: the My Creations® Collage Cubes (a Spring/Summer 2012 sneak-peek product!) and the exclusive My Acrylix® Rock the Block E-size stamp set (available only during this promotion). This Rock the Block promotion represents a retail savings of almost $30! You're going to love the collage cubes and the Rock the Block stamp set, which work together for interactive, fashionable fun! 

Dates: Offer valid December 19, 2011–January 31, 2012. 

Viewthe Flyer 

January 2012 Studio J® Members-Only Constant Campaign - A Perfect 10!

January is free layout month for Studio J® members! For every 9 custom-printed Studio J layouts you buy, you’ll receive the 10th layout free. To receive the discount, just add 10 or more layouts to your cart. You’ll see a discount reflected in your order total. And you can totally take advantage of this promotion by ordering in multiples of 10. Buy 9, get 1 free. Buy 18, get 2 free. Buy 27, get 3 free. And so on! If you’re not a member yet, now’s a great time to join! 

Dates: Offer valid January 1, 2012–January 31, 2012. 

Viewthe Flyer. 

New Idea Book Promotion – only through me!

During the month of January only, pre-order and pay for FIVE paper packs and get the SIXTH one for FREE!  ($9.95 retail value).   

Pick and pay for your five paper packs and choose another paper pack for free!  It can even be one of the ones you’ve already chosen if there is one you want two of. 

Paper packs will be ordered on February 1, 2011 when the new Idea Books go live for customers.

(Taxes and shipping are charged on the full retail price of all items, including free items.)