Monday, January 28, 2013

Clusters that Look Good

When is a cluster a good thing?  When you use it on a papercraft project!  Watch as Kristine and Monica explore clustering stamp images, words, and paper.




Looking through the Close to my Heart idea books for lots of clustering ideas.  Mimic what you see until you feel comfortable doing it on your own -- then the sky's the limit!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Wedding Gift

In December my family was invited to a wedding reception of a neighbor.  I usually wonder what to get a bride and groom.  This case was a little harder because the groom was a neighbor's son, and I wanted to do right by my sweet neighbor.

Everyone needs cards.  In this case I wasn't thinking of thank you cards because you usually get those with the invitations or have something specifically in mind.  CTMH came out with monogram stamps that I thought would be really elegant on card fronts.  I inquired about the colors the bride likes and decided that I would purchase the monogram letter, a corresponding block, and some ink.  But I wanted to make some cards too.

My neighbor has a Cuttlebug and some envelopes that I borrowed -- I can see why those are being used more and more.  At first I was just going to make a few... you know, enough to fill one of our card boxes.  My first problem was I liked too many of the cards I made.  A total of 6 different designs.  Okay, no big deal, I'll make a few of each card and give the couple those.

I made 5 each of the 6 designs.  I'm happy!  I make my box with the same simple design elements as the cards.  I'm happy!  I start putting the cards into the box... I gasp!  Of course 30 cards and envelopes are NOT going to fit into the card box!!  Okay, don't panic.  Don't panic.  I know, I'll put one of each card into the box and wrap the extra cards individually.  Those extra cards will be refills!

I enjoyed making the cards and the box.  I made the box generic enough that the couple can put memorabilia into it.  The date on the box is their wedding day.  And my neighbor can make replacement cards too!


I sanded the embossed flowers























Below are pictures of the card box.
Box top.  It's embossed with Clear powder
Side view of the box.

I added a saying to the inside lid.
A close up of the words.


I hope the bride and groom like their gift. It's one from my heart and I really enjoyed making them!!

Monday, January 21, 2013

RanDOm StaMPiNg TeCHniQue

Random stamping isn't so random, as you will see in this video.  Kristine will explain that when you stamp you want to create triangles with your stamp.




After you create your first triangle, you'll use two points of a stamped triangle as two points of a new triangle.  Work your way around the paper.  And don't forget to stamp off of the paper!

What she, nor Monica, explain is that you can use more than one stamp image.  When you do, you want to start with the largest image and work your way down to the smallest.  And when you are going to have multiple images, you'll want to spread out the images.  In other words, make larger triangles.  Your smaller images will fill in the smaller spaces.

Now go have some fun raNdOM StAmPInG!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Last Call for Spring has Sprung Card Workshop -- January 2013

Does anyone else want a kit to make 2 each of these three cards?  The cost is $15 and two hours of your time.

Workshop dates are Tuesday January 22nd and Monday January 28th, 7 to 9pm at my house.  You can email me and let me know what works best for you.  Please let me know if you'd like to order these kits because you can't make it or because you want to make more than one set.  :)

Monday, January 14, 2013

Making Your Own Patterned Paper

Have you ever wanted a background texture piece of paper for your project but realize you don't have the right pattern or in the right color?  Well, worry no more.  As this video will show, you can create your own background paper.



The most popular way is to do tone on tone, but it doesn't have to be.

You can use this technique without stamps too.  Open up a stamp pad all the way and lightly rub the pad over your paper in a circular motion.  Practice with some scratch paper until you like what you see.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Spring has Sprung Card Workshop - January 2013

This month we'll be making 6 cards -- 2 each of 3 designs.  These cards are a little random, but I love all three different stamp sets that we'll be using.  All three stamp sets are only available until the end of the month, so I just had to incorporate them into one workshop.

One set is the January stamp of the month -- the roses.  That is used exclusively on the middle card.  The Avonlea card workshop kit has the words in it that is also used for this card.

The first and third card uses the stamp set from the Whoo's your Valentine National Papercrafting Kit.  That is only available while supplies last and will cost you $10 with a qualifying purchase of $35 or more.



There is some bling on two of the cards.  I was looking to add some to the flower card, but it didn't need anything else.  I like the elegant look of this card.  You'll use our alcohol based markers too.

The best part of these stamp sets is that they are timeless.  Once you buy them, you'll have them to use again and again!

The workshop dates are Tuesday January 22 and Monday January 28 from 7 to 9pm at my house.  The cost, including the material for the cards and envelopes, is $15.  You'll also get your hands on the new Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book and see samples of the product that night.  If you'd like to make more than one set of the cards, please let me know when you sign up by the 17th of January.  And if you can't make it, I'll put together a kit (or two) for you.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Embossing and Stamping with CTMH

Below you'll find a video for the resistance embossing technique.  It's a fun and easy way to dress up cards and scrapbook layout.  :)




If you have questions after watching, please drop me a line.  You can email me from my website.  You can also purchase the necessary products from the site too.  :)

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Whooo's Your Valentine Kit


Celebrate National Papercrafting Month with an incredible deal—our Whooo’s Your Valentine kit
(CC1022) for only $10! Combine your love of papercrafting with the contents of this kit to create personalized valentines—perfect for classrooms and other group settings. This darling kit, which retails for $40, can be yours for only $10 when you spend $35 or more in Close To My Heart products from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book*. You’ll receive 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of glitter paper (black, grey or silver), 12 treat tubes, and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit. This kit offers you a sneak peek at two new Spring/Summer 2013 products: the treat tubes and the silver glitter paper! Decorate the die-cut boxes with the stamp images, cardstock, and glitter paper. Then attach the clear tube and fill with treats for valentines in a cinch!

Watch this short video to fall in love with the idea and stamp set!



* Products purchased can include stamp sets from the Spring/ Summer 2012 Idea Book, or any products live on  my Online Business Address (OBA) site through January.  Shipping/handling may apply. Offer valid December 13, 2012— January 31, 2013. Maximum of one Whooo’s Your Valentine kit per qualifying order.

Kit includes:
• 12—Die-Cut Boxes (3 each of 4 colors: Blush, Hollyhock, Ruby, White Daisy)
• 3—12" x 12" Cardstock Sheets (Blush, Hollyhock, White Daisy)
• 1—Sheet Glitter Paper— Silver (shown), Grey, or Black -- new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
• 12—Treat Tubes with Lids—new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
• 1—My Acrylix® Whooo’s Your Valentine Stamp Set (D-size)

Retiring CTMH Items from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book

The new Spring/Summer 2013 idea book will be active February 1,2013!.  That means stamp sets from the Spring/Summer 2012 idea book will be retiring at the end of the month.

The following items are available while supplies last or until January 31, 2013.  Take a look at these must have stamp sets. You'll be bummed if you don't get them now. And remember you can still order STAMP SETS from the Fall/Winter 2012. You don't want to miss out!

The sets are listed in book order.

Item # Item Description Page # Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book
G1040 Workshops on the Go® Spellbound Cricut® Kit 14
C1485 Super Powers 47
D1472 Simple Memories 66
B1369 Rosy Regards 67
A1111 A Tulip 68
C1456 Heartfelt Treasures 68
C1473 Remarkable Wreath 70
B1365 Spring Up 71
C1452 Delight 71
B1402 My Peeps 72
B1397 He Is Risen 74
D1467 Trees & Things 76
D1462 Splendid Day 77
D1509 Magic Adventures 78
A1128 Quick Cards—Shell 80
C1499 Perfect Day 80
D1511 Kick Back 81
C1498 Country Life 82
B1374 Bee Happy 83
C1457 Happy Camper 84
A1129 A Rainbow 85
D1505 Roar! 89
A1104 A Tweet 90
C1458 Paper Lantern 90
A1122 Bravo 92
C1440 Take a Picture 93
A1116 A Melody 94
C1442 Tailor-Made 94
C1439 Enjoy Life 95
C1455 Aspire 96
C1450 Eclectic Edges 99
D1508 Diverse Backgrounds 102
C1474 10 Things 105
D1464 Card Chatter—Love 106
D1478 Bingo Alphabet 113
D1296 Chocolate Alphabet Small 114
D1301 Hodge Podge Alphabet 114
D1303 Classmate Alphabet 114
E1013 Field Trip Alphabet 114
D1195 The Works Alphabet 117
D1222 Tiny Typewriter Alphabet 117

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Close to my Heart Retiring Fall/Winter 2012 items

February 1, 2013 we'll have a new Spring/Summer 2013 idea book.  Why am I telling you now about it?  Because it means there are items from the  Fall/Winter 2012 idea book that will be retiring at the end of the month (and there are some that are already gone).

The following items are available while supplies last or until January 31, 2013.  Take a look at these  paper, workshop on the gos, and accessories.  You don't want to miss out!



Item # Item Description Page # Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book
G1040 Workshops on the Go® Spellbound Cricut® Kit 14
G1045 Workshops on the Go® Avonlea Scrapbooking Kit 21
G1041 Workshops on the Go® Avonlea Cardmaking Kit 22
G1042 Workshops on the Go® Scroll Album Kit 23
G1046 Workshops on the Go® Clementine Scrapbooking Kit 29
G1047 Workshops on the Go® Dakota Scrapbooking Kit 35
X7158B La Belle Vie Paper Packet 38
X7158C La Belle Vie My Stickease® Assortment  SOLD OUT 38
G1048 Workshops on the Go® La Belle Vie Scrapbooking Kit 41
G1049 Workshops on the Go® Scholastic Scrapbooking Kit 47
X7160B Flirty Paper Packet 50
X7160C Flirty Complements Dimensional Elements 50
G1050 Workshops on the Go® Flirty Scrapbooking Kit 53
X7161B Moonlight Paper Packet 56
X7161C Moonlight Complements Dimensional Elements 56
G1051 Workshops on the Go® Moonlight Scrapbooking Kit 59
X7162B Pear & Partridge Paper Packet 62
X7162C Pear & Partridge Complements Glittery Rub-Ons 62
G1052 Workshops on the Go® Pear & Partridge Scrapbooking Kit 65
G1043 Workshops on the Go® Pear & Partridge Cardmaking Kit 66
G1044 Workshops on the Go® Advent Calendar Kit 67
X7148C My Stickease® Pemberley Assortment 68
X7148B My Reflections® Pemberley Paper Packet 68
X7147B My Reflections® Stella Paper Packet  SOLD OUT 68
X7147C Stella Complements Canvas Shapes 68
X7150C My Stickease® Victory Assortment 69
X7153C My Stickease® Florentine Assortment 69
X7150B My Reflections® Victory Paper Packet 69
X7153B My Reflections® Florentine Paper Packet 69
Z188 Craft Jars 120
Z1407 6" x 6" Olive Quick Pic™ Album 122
Z1408 6" x 6" Pansy Purple Quick Pic™ Album 122
Z1352 4 1/2" Colonial White Circle Cards 123
Z1353 4 1/2" White Daisy Circle Cards 123
Z1731 My Originals® Sweet Surprises Card Kit 123
Z1316 Designer Ribbon Cocoa Collection 124
Z1385 Designer Ribbon Blue Collection 124
Z1615 Designer Ribbon Red Collection 124
Z1616 Designer Ribbon Green Collection 124
Z1387 Wooden Designer Buttons 125
Z1391 Buttons Clear Assortment 125
Z1460 Foundry® Ribbon Slides 126
Z1711 Foundry® Binder Clips 126
Z1712 Foundry® Number Plates 126
Z1393 Mini-Medley Accents Black Collection 126
Z1700 Dark Chocolate Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons 126
Z1733 Black Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons 126
Z1743 Festive Velvet Rub-Ons  SOLD OUT 126
Z1742 Parlor Velvet Rub-Ons 126
Z1349 Shimmer Designer Brads 127
Z1360 Rhinestone Designer Brads 127
Z1361 Brads Red Assortment 127
Z1362 Brads Pink Assortment 127
Z1363 Brads Blue Assortment   SOLD OUT 127
Z1364 Brads Green Assortment 127
Z1365 Brads Basic Assortment 127
Z1464 Milepost Shapes 128
Z1466 Bling Assortment 128
Z1687 Bohemian Assortment 128
Z1689 Timeless Charms 128
Z1692 Tough Tags 128
Z1694 Bouquet Assortment 128
Z1741 Haunted Assortment 128
Z1749 Autumn Lane Assortment 128
Z1763 Boutique Assortment 128
Z1772 Dimensional Elements In Color—Holiday 128
Z1709 Just Blooms® Petals Paper Flowers 129
Z1461 Décor Journaling Spots 129
Z1395 Irresistibles™ Eclectic Chipboard Die-Cuts (the alphabet) 130
Z1465 Irresistibles™ Make-It-Count Numbers 130
Z1765 Color-Ready Arbor Wooden Shapes 130
Z1695 Urban Felt Alphabet 130
Z1696 Keepsake Felt Alphabet 130
Z1388 Newsprint Rub-Ons 130
Z1681 Dimensional Elements Numbers 131
Z1761 Dimensional Elements Ornaments 131
Z1762 Dimensional Elements Snowflakes 131
Z1054 My Creations® Display Album 132
Z1378 My Creations® Banner 132
Z1614 My Creations® Memory Game 132
Z1252 Cutting Knife SOLD OUT 135



January 2013 Stamp of the Month

Apparently I'm behind the eight ball already!  Sorry.  Here is this month's stamp of the month.  I love it as it adds a realistic look to a stamp.  Color the image and it can almost be the real thing!

Below are samples from the corporate office and the stamp set (not to scale).

We'll be using this stamp set in this month's workshop.

This addition to your stash will be something you'll use year after year.  With your qualifying purchase of $50 or more, you'll not only be able to purchase the set for $5, but you'll qualify to purchase the National Papercrafting kit "Whooo's Your Valentine" for $10 (more in another post).  Both the stamp of the month and the kit will be available while supplies last or through January 31, 2013 only.

Order yours today!