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!

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!!

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!

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.  :)

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.

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.

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.  :)

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

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!