Tuesday, July 31, 2012

August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Baroque Borders

Welcome to the August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.  Thanks for hopping over from Pamela's Blog.

I love this stamp set for creating background paper from plain ole cardstock.  It's great for little corner touches and embellishments, too.  I used it to make a one-page layout in memory of my amazing grandfather who passed last December 31st.  He would have turned 104 in March!  I'm so blessed to have known him for as long as I did, and to see his wonderful interactions with my two boys.


Here's a look at all of the great baroque shapes included on this stamp set:



Did you notice any of the NEW product from this one-page layout? I love the Mini Medley Accents in Slate (Z1787) and the Whisper Cardstock (X5929) and Ink (Z2172).

Now, hop on over to Julia's Blog to see what creative artwork she's made with this stamp set!

And, if you'd like to order this set, head on over to my Shop Online site.  When you spend $50, this set is only $5!



Monday, July 30, 2012

$49 New Consultant Kit!

Drumroll please.........

Check out the new $49 New Consultant Kit, available August 1st:


This New Consultant Kit comes will everything you need to get your business started, with a focus on art and product rather than business supplies.  This Kit includes the Avonlea Workshop on the Go, two My Acrylix Stamp Sets and lots more!  It's a $130 Retail Value!

To sweeten the deal even further, you'll get this FREE exclusive Damask Tote Bag (retail value of $50!).  This is the same cute bag I got at Convention in Dallas this July 2012! 

The bag is available only while supplies last, so hurry here to sign up!  Need one last reason to become a part of my team?  Check out the genuine smiles on the Let's Get Fancy girls at Convention earlier this month.  This is the most amazing group of inspiring and supportive women you'd ever want to meet.  And, did I mention what a complete BLAST they are!  If you want to laugh and create like never before, sign up now!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Colors!

Close To My Heart has always stayed on top of the color trend.  So, I'd like to introduce a few new colors in the CTMH Exclusive Color Palette.  Hello: Slate, Whisper, Saddle, Cashmere, Champagne and Ruby!


These colors are rich and gorgeous!  I just love them!

Of course, this means that we will be saying goodbye to some old friends: Grey Wool, Grey Flannel, Vanilla Cream, Parchment, Brown Bag, Baby Pink, Taffy, Sunkiss Yellow, Key Lime, Heavenly Blue, Lilac Mist, Amethyst, Holiday Red, Sunflower, Sunny Yellow, Dutch Blue, Moonstruck, Vineyard Berry, Tulip, Garden Green, Spring Iris, Petal, Garnet, and Pansy Purple.  Youll notice that CTMH is retiring more colors than they're adding.  Going from a 60-color exclusive palette to 40 (plus two white shades) might sound extreme.  But, CTMH is allowing us to stay current.

You'll still find a few "bonus" colors that are HOT right now, available only in three paper packs: Avonlea Off-White, Avonlea Teal, Avonlea Green, La Belle Vie Mauve, La Belle Vie Pink, Flirty Raspberry, and Flirty Yellow.

I LOVE that Close To My Heart knows that these colors are totally on trend right now, but that I'll want next season's hot colors in the next Idea Book.

If a favorite color is retiring, I suggest you add it to your list and get it before August 1st.  You can order from my website and join the July Party! Gathering on the bottom right to order your favorite colors before they're gone. 

Leave me a comment if you have any questions!  I'm excited to show you how rich and beautiful these new colors will coordinate with current and retired product.  Let me show you how!

Friday, July 27, 2012

I'm an Artiste!

I was planning to do a blog post on CTMH's new colors (and retiring ones) today.  But, then I got the CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge in the mail and I just couldn't resist using it!

So, here's a card I made (in about 5 minutes), using the Artiste Cartridge, one of the accompanying stamp sets and an accompanying Dimensional Element.


Every inch of this card is new!  The paper pack is Clementine...isn't it just sweet?  I used one of the new cardstock colors, Saddle as the card base and the Saddle ink to distress the edges.  That quaint flower with button in the top, left corner is from the Cottage Assortment.  I cut out the banner from page 35 of the Artiste Cartridge.  It was hard to choose just one of the 700 images on this cartridge, but I wanted to show you all you get from this cartridge.  OH, want to know how I knew what page to find the banner on?  Well, I just looked at the stamp set and the overlay has the page listed, along with the cartridge (Artiste) on the top left!  See:


So smart of CTMH to tell us which cartridge to use and the coordinating page number!  This is just one of the THREE coordinating stamp sets included with the Artiste Cricut cartridge.  The cartridge also comes with three sets of Dimensional Elements that perfectly coordinate.

You can pre-order the Artiste Cricut Cartridge now, or order August 1st from my website.  Check back next week for more Artiste inspiration!


Card supplies used:
  • Cricut Artiste Cartridge, Z1790
  • Clementine Paper Pack, X7156B
  • Cottage Assortment, Z1794
  • Saddle Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad, Z2171


Thursday, July 26, 2012

Avonlea Mini Album



Check out this beautiful little mini album.  It features the gorgeous Avonlea paper pack (with a few pieces of Scholastic) and some wonderful new ribbons from CTMH. 

This album comes together so quickly and is really reasonably priced.  It's a new Dimensional Element, Album Pages (Z1791), and coordinates with the new Cricut Artiste Cartridge (Z1790).  There are six pages, front and back.  Take a look at a few of the interior pages:





If you're a Close To My Heart fan, you'll notice lots of new embellishments on this mini album: Slate Satin Polka Dot Ribbon, Silver Shimmer Trim (the back is adhesive!), Just Blooms Floret Paper Shapes and the Irrisistibles Houndstooth Alphabet (the ME on the front page).  

 
Want this mini album for yourself?  You can get it three ways!!! 

  1. Order the items at the bottom from my website and create the album yourself (I'll send you instructions).
  2. Order the kit from me for $17 (+ shipping if you're not local) with everything pre-cut and stamped, ready for assembly!
  3. Become a Follower of my blog and I'll pick one Follower to get it FREE!  Just click the Join this Site on the left side of my blog.  Every Follower (old and new) will be entered into a drawing on August 31st to receive a free ME mini album, including FREE shipping!

Supplies Needed, if ordered seperately:
  • My Acrylix Approved, C1521
  • Avonlea Paper Pack, X7155B
  • Scholastic Paper Pack, X7159B
  • Whisper Cardstock, X5929
  • Sweet Leaf Cardstock, X5639
  • White Daisy Cardstock, 1385
  • Just Blooms Floret Paper Shapes, Z1764
  • Irresistibles Houndstooth Alphabet, Z1779
  • Silver Shimmer Trim, Z1799
  • Slate Satin Polka-Dot Ribbon, Z1802
  • Sparkles, Clear Assortment, Z1752
  • Slate Exclusive Inks Pad, Z2173
 

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Studio J Gets a Makeover!

Okay, so it's like Gisele Bundchen getting a makeover...taking something already hot and just perking it up a bit.  But, CTMH is throwing in the perks when it comes to Studio J.

NO MORE MEMBERSHIPS!  That's right, there are no more Studio J memberships.  And, the best news is that the layout price is going from $12.50 to $6.95!!!  You'll get:
  • Access to all kits and patterns
  • Free layout JPG files with purchase of printed layouts
  • Ability to purchase standalone JPG files for just $2.95 each
Another one of my favorite changes is that CTMH has added a line of Express Collections.  There are six themed Express Collections that include 10 unique two-page layouts, plus a front and back page, all already designed with embellishments, gorgeous My Stickease, clusters and unique color combinations.  All you do is drop in your photos, add your journaling and you can create a custom album in minutes!

Okay, so take a look at this Studio J layout I did prior to Close To My Heart's Convention in Dallas a few weeks ago.  Guess how long this layout took me?


It took me HOURS.  HOURS!  See that scallop beneath the ribbon, I had to add all of that.  See all of those circles around the date, the stitching, the clustered My Stickease, the title with different fonts and colors?  I did it all. 

BUT, now this layout is part of the Little Man Express Collection!  Just drag and drop your photos, add your journaling and Voila!

The six Express Collections are: All About Me, Little Man, Little Miss, School Days, Travels and Year in Review.

I'm holding a Studio J intro class this fall.  Let me know if I can add you to my list to send information for this event!  In the meantime, visit my Studio J site and start playing with it yourself!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Decor Items!

Hooray for CTMH!

Seriously, ladies.  Home decor items from Close To My Heart!?!  I can't stand how gorgeous they are!  I just ordered the Advent Calendar Kit.  It's a Workshop on the Go, people!  Yes, I will walk you through each step and even cut out your little boxes with my new Cricut Artiste cartridge for you.  Details and a date will be forthcoming.  For now, check out this YouTube video and GET EXCITED!


Workshops on the Go Advent Calendar Kit, G1044, $44.95 on p. 67 of the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book.

Workshops on the Go Scroll Album Kit, G1042, $35.95 on p. 23 of the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Idea Book Preview Week

Happy Monday!

I am so excited to spend this week showcasing some of the awesome new product in Close To My Heart's Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book.  Stop by each day to catch a sneak peek and get your inner crafter inspired and excited. 

You can begin ordering these new products on August 1st from my website.  If you have any questions, you can also email me.

Okay, on to today's featured product:

Cards.

I know what you're thinking..."The big sneak peak is a bunch of CARDS?"  Hang with me for just a sec here.  Below you'll see a little bit of everything CTMH has to offer that's new: paper, embellishments, stamps and Cricut Artiste shapes (yes, there's a NEW Cricut cartridge!)



The cards were designed by CTMH's Art Department and were given to us in pieces to put together at Convention in Dallas, TX two weeks ago.  My favorite thing about them is that they mixed and matched paper from different paper packs...genius!  (I'll list the papers and embellishments used at the end).

This card is my favorite:




Don't you love how there's a "card wrapper" that fits around the card!?  I love the sentiment "let's hang out" and adore those little black sparkles at the waist of the dress.  I can just see sending this card to a group of girlfriends, inviting them for a girls' night out!

The adorable sentiments are part of the new stamp set, Pun Fun (C1505)!



Want to know how you can make these cards for FREE?  Place an order for the new Cricut Artiste cartridge before August 31st and I'll invite you to a crafty evening at my place where everything will be cut out for you.  If you're not local, I'll send you the materials already cut and stamped!

Materials Used:
C1521 My Acrylix Approved
C1505 My Acrylix Pun Fun
X7160B Flirty Paper Pack
X7157B Dakota Paper Pack
X7158B La Belle Vie Paper Pack
1388 Colonial White Cardstock
X1410 Colonial White Cards
Z1787 Mini-Medley Accents Slate Collection
Z1754 Sparkles Black & Grey Assortment
Z1751 Baker's Twine Harvest Assortment
Z1799 Silver Shimmer Trim
Z2427 Autumn Terracotta Exclusive Inks Marker Set
Z2173 Slate Exclusive Inks Pad
Z2106 Blush Exclusive Inks Pad

Monday, July 9, 2012

Birthday Butterfly Card

I'm heading to Dallas tomorrow for Close To My Heart's Annual Convention.  I'm so excited!!!

Every year, I make cards to swap with other consultants to share ideas.  I love seeing all the creative techniques and cards my comrades come up with.

Here's one of the cards I'm swapping this year.


I used my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots to give texture to the background Lagoon cardstock.  Then, I just adhered some Sweet Leaf paper, a square from the Dotty For You kit and a butterfly cut out from the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge with a few sparkles.  Voila!  A simple, but classy, birthday card.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Love America Star Wreath

Happy Fourth of July!  First, a big thank you to all those serving our country at home and abroad.  You are what makes this country the land of the free and the home of the brave!

A few months ago, I attended LeaderShare in New Jersey with the fabulous Lynn Como and Kristina Livingstone.  At LeaderShare, I had the opportunity to create an auction item to raise money for Operation Smile.  I had been wanting to try out this wreath I'd seen on Mandy Leahy's site using the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge


I used the Superhero Paper Pack (X7152B) and cut out a variety of sizes of stars.  I covered the base of a large circle from the Dimensional Elements on Target (Z1226) (on sale for $2 while supplies last!) with flat two inch stars.  Then, I used my favorite scoring board and scored all of the stars along their points.  This allowed me to "pop" them up a bit.  It does make it a little hard to secure all of those stars, but glue dots and liquid glass helped me keep them in place.  I just kept adding stars until I had the effect I wanted.



Then, I used the white twine from the Neutral Baker's Twine Assortment (Z1701) to adhere pennants and letters I'd cut out using the Art Philosophy Cartridge on my Cricut.  That cartridge is so full of shapes that I've rarely used anything since getting it last year!

I hope you have a safe and happy Fourth of July!  We're off to our town parade for my boys to walk with their Cub Scout troop and to salute our veterans.  God Bless!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

The Perfect Pair

During July, get a free paper packet and coordinating accessory—a Perfect Pair— with every qualifying online purchase.



 
Place an online order of $75 or more in July and you'll get a popular paper packet and coordinating accessory - a Perfect Pair - for FREE!  That's a retail value of up to $17.90!  Different Perfect Pairs are available on different dates throughout the month so you'll want to place more than one qualifying order to snatch several Perfect Pairs.  Place your order early in the availability period, as the promotion is while supplies last.

Shop with me online and Join my Perfect Pairs Gathering by ordering before July 16th and get an additional gift from me!


Order Dates    Perfect Pair                                                                              Original Retail Value

July 1–5 Mischief Paper Packet (X7144B) and Midnight Felt Shapes (Z1462) $15.90
July 6–10 Dreamin' Paper Packet (X7142B) and Harvest Charms (Z1633) $14.90
July 11–15 Fanfare Paper Packet (X7138B) and Fanfare Level 2 Assortment (Z1400) $17.90
July 16–20 Lucky Paper Packet (X7137B) and Lucky My Stickeas Assortment (X7137C) $17.90
July 21–25 Mayberry Paper Packet (X7136B) and Mayberry My Stickease Assortment (X7136C) $17.90
July 26–29 Sophia Paper Packet (X7131B) and Sophia My Stickease Assortment (X7131C) $17.90
July 30–31 Believe Paper Packet (X7145B) and Holiday Pockets (Z1486) OR Wonderland Paper Packet (X7146B) and Wonderland My Stickease Assortment (X7146C) $14.90

Offer valid July 1-31, 2012.  While supplies last.  Additional shipping/handling and tax may apply.  Discounted products do not count toward a qualifying purchase.