I've got stars in my eyes...

A few years ago, my crafty friends & I went crazy over the barn stars - you know, the metal ones you can get at the craft stores; we found a dozen different sizes & styles. We used modge podge to adhere photos, scrapbook paper & anything else we could get our hands on. Some of us had a hard time even finding them! This year, Close to My Heart is making it super easy by introducing the new My Creations Star. It's smaller & light weight compared to the metal barn star; which makes it affordable to ship (I shipped a metal one to my mom last year, cost me over $20 because I need a HUGE box). And with all our fabulous paper choices, it's very versatile. A bunch of people on my Christmas list will be getting one this year :) I'm holding a workshop this month to make a few more. Here's a helpful cutting template, if you can't make it. 

My Craft Channel

Did you know CTMH has partnered with My Craft Channel? They've created some great videos showcasing our new products & techniques. The latest video is called The Stamp Behind the Mask. Discover the versatility of masking: a stamping technique for only stamping particular sections of your image. Pick and choose the designs and stamp only the parts you want.

Check it out! Go to the Ideas & Inspiration on my website for more details. 

Have you seen our new holiday papers - Pear & Partridge ?

I've been out of commission for a bit...but now I'm feeling better & ready to get a jump start on the holiday season! Thanksgiving is next week - are you ready? And then Christmas will be right around the corner. This year, Close To My Heart has created a wonderful card kit that includes everything you need to make these cards. So easy! I'm hosting a Holiday card workshop the weekend after Thanksgiving; my goal is to get my cards done & mailed out in early December. We'll make these three designs plus 2 more that I'm designing this weekend - will post a photo next week.

Please visit my Upcoming Workshops page for details. If you can't make the workshop, you can still order the kit & make the cards on your own schedule - detailed instructions are provided! Please visit my website to order.

Who doesn't {heart} a great bag?

All consultants who attended the CTMH convention last month in Dallas received this awesome bag. It's super versatile; can be worn like a backpack (brilliant!) or over the shoulder. It's got plenty of room for all our 12x12 papers, lots of slots & pockets, and of course, an amazing design & color. It's not currently available for purchase...but if you join my team in the month of August you'll get it for FREE. Who wants this bag??

New & Improved Studio J

Big news - Memberships are no longer required to get the lowest price on your Studio J layouts.  This makes Close To My Heart's fabulous online design software more accessible and affordable for everyone.      All users are now able to access: All kits and patterns $6.95  price per double page layout (that's less than $3.50 per page) Free JPEG with purchase $2.95 price for JPEG only (create your cards in Studio J & print using your favorite photo site) Studio J layouts are eligible for hostess rewards - contact me today to have an online party & earn FREE layouts! Studio J Express Collections I'm so pleased to introduce Express Collections!  This new option allows you to quickly and easily create beautiful layouts. Each themed Express Collection includes 10 two-page coordinating, fully embellished layouts, plus a front and back page for your album, that are professionally designed and nearly complete-you simply drag in your photos and add your title and journaling! You can choose to create all 10 layouts plus the covers, or create just a few of the layouts in the collection. It's up to you. Express Collections makes getting your photos off your camera card or computer and into gorgeous layouts faster than ever! (The beta period runs July 12 - September 1.)    Click here to play with the Express Collections and Studio J - there's no cost or obligation to check it out. New to Studio J & need a little guidance? I'm happy to set up time to show you & your friends this amazing tool.

Retiring Colors

With the upcoming new Idea Book launch in August, Close To My Heart has announced we will be moving to a 40 color palette & adding 6 new permanent colors. This means lots of colors will be retiring at the end of the month. If one of your favorites is on this list <Pansy Purple is one of mine> be sure to order soon - these colors (including cardstock, markers, & stamp pads/reinkers) will only be available until July 31 or while supplies last. 


It's a great time to stock up; any paper you purchase will go toward this month's special - place an online order of $75 or more in July and we’ll send you a popular paper packet and coordinating accessory—a Perfect Pair—for free!

Specific pairs are available on specific dates; click here to find out when your favorite Perfect Pairs will be available. Be sure to place your order early in the availability period, as the promotion is while supplies last.

Retiring Colors:

Amethyst Baby Pink Brown Bag Dutch Blue Garden Green Garnet Grey Flannel Grey Wool Heavenly Blue Holiday Red Key Lime Lilac Mist Moonstruck Pansy Purple Parchment Petal Spring Iris Sunflower Sunkiss Yellow Sunny Yellow Taffy Tulip Vanilla Cream Vineyard Berry

New Idea Book - sneak peek

I just returned home from my first Close To My Heart convention...wow!! It was an amazing weekend filled with friends, inspiration & creativity galore. My mind is swimming with a gazillion new projects & products that I can't wait to share with my customers. I wish I didn't have to go back to my "real" job tomorrow. I'd rather spend a day in my craft room preparing a fantastic demonstration board for you. But alas, the real world calls & this data diva needs to return to her database! Here's a quick peek at the new Idea Book cover - the paper pack featured is called Avonlea (as in Anne of Green Gables) & it's one of my new favs. This new Idea Book will be available to customers in August & I'll be having a launch party to introduce you to all our new products.

Fall/Winter 2012

And my other new fav is -- drum roll, please -- the new CRICUT ARTISTE cartridge!!! WOOT! For those of you who've worked with Art Philosophy, this new cartridge is going to blow your mind. Like the AP cartridge, it's got over 700 images; tons of 3D cuts, party favors, card shapes with coordinated envelopes, banners, word phrases.

Close To My Heart exclusive - Cricut Artiste collection

I cannot wait to get my hands on it & start cutting out fabulous items. New cartridge is available to customers on August1. Please come back later in the week, as I'll be sharing more artwork from Convention weekend with you. 

Birthday Present Card Tutorial

Front

Here is the card I made for swapping last week at the Close To My Heart Convention. I was hoping to make 50 cards to swap in Dallas...but I only had enough supplies for 30. 

Thanks again to Split Coast Stampers & LeeAnn for the inspiration for this card!

Supplies:

Cardstock to coordinate with Dotty papers

Dotty for You pattern papers

Baker's Twine Paradise assortment

White Daisy Cardstock

Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

Sweet Leaf ink pad

Lagoon ink pad

Sunset ink pad

Creme Brulee ink pad

Kraft Color Ready Borders

Party Pennants stamp set

Inside

Instructions: 


Cut White Daisy to 5 ¼” X 8 1/4” scored at 4 1/8”. Fold in half. Mark the folded end at 1/2", 1 1/4", 2 3/4" & 4 1/2" - see below. Using your cutter cut onto the folded edge to 7/8" on the first mark, 1 1/2 on the 2nd mark, and 2" on the 3rd & 4th mark, cutting through both layers. Next, fold each of the cut lines back. Do this both ways using a bone folder to reinforce the folds.

Open the page and push the ‘presents’ into the inside of the card so they pop out as shown below. Don't adhere the white cardstock to the card until later. 

Cut 3 strips of patterned paper at 3/4 x 1 3/4, 1 1/2 x 3, & 1 3/4 x 4. Fold patterned paper pieces in half and adhere to your pop-out areas. Adhere a small bow made from bakers twine with a mini glue dot to the top smallest gift.

Cut cardstock for card base at 5 ½ X 8 ½. Adhere popup to base. For the front, cut white cardstock 3 x 4. Stamp with Party Pennants stamp. Cut Dotty paper 2 1/4 x 4. Adhere both pieces to front. Cover seam with 4 in Kraft border. Using the Cricut AP cartridge, cut a scallop circle that coordinates with the "Congratulations" scallop circle on the AP exclusion stamp set. Use foam tape to make it pop. Finally, tie bows using bakers twine & attach with glue dot to your stamped banners.

I'd love to hear your feed back on this card. Thanks for stopping by!

Dallas, here I come!

I'm attending my first CTMH Convention this week...super excited to learn about the new Fall products   & have some creative time with my team! I learned a few months ago, that an unofficial part of convention is ad hoc card swapping with other attendees. I love swaps! So I was excited to hear about this tradition. But I was also a little apprehensive -- these ladies are PROFESSIONALS, most of them do this full time & spend hours every week being creative. So I'm a little worried that my creation won't be up to their standard? I've seen some past convention artwork & it's truly amazing. I was also concerned about volume; I've never really mass-produced anything more than a dozen...so the thought of making 20+ cards was daunting. Nonetheless, I scanned Pinterest for a week & found the inspiration  for this adorable card (thanks LeeAnn!) from our friends at Split Coast Stampers. Please see the Birthday Present tutorial for my instructions. I think it turned out well & I hope it's a hit in Dallas ;)

July Stamp of the Month

Footloose Workshop

I have tons of great photos from my recent vacation to make this beachy style shadow box. We'll use the Footloose WOTG. It's a great keepsake or gift idea for summer birthdays. Join me Saturday, June 30, 11am-2pm. Cost: $20 includes frame & all supplies. Please RSVP.

June Stamp of the Month

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Today we're celebrating National Scrapbooking Month, Mexican style! I'm co-hosting a 12 hr crop with my upline, Michele Rowley. We've planned a fun day with time to work on projects, prizes, make & takes -- and of course, great Mexican food. Those attending will receive one of these darling little treat boxes (made with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge), filled with some special goodies. I hope the ladies like them as much as I do!

May Stamp of the Month

Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month!

Join us for a 12- hour crop event. 

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo & National Scrapbooking Month! 

When: Saturday, May 5th 
Where: Bothell, WA
Time: 10am-10pm
Cost: $20 per person includes lunch, dinner, make & takes, & prizes. 

Each person will have a half table for their papercrafting, creative time.  Bring your supplies and have the use of my stamps and inks through out the day.  The Cricut will also be available for a $2 day use feel.  Please bring your own Cricut mats.

Optional Create and take sessions will also be offered:

Set of Florentine cards $10

Pemberley scrapbook layout $5

Pre-register for these create and take sessions with your RSVP.  

Silent Auction

During our 12 hour crop, we will be hosting a silent auction to collect donations for the Brandon's Goal Foundation.  This charity holds a special place in the Rowley family's heart as they were very close to this young boy.  You will have an opportunity to share in our support and bid on some beautiful art.

Space is limited. Reserve your spot early. Please contact me for more details.


Hosted by Tracie Cassidy & Michele Rowley.

Stella Die Cut Cards

Join me for this card workshop using the new Colonial White Die Cut cards & the Stella Workshop on the Go.

When: Saturday, April 21 @ 2pm

Where: Lynnwood

Cost: $10 for 5 cards (includes supplies) -OR purchase the 2 items linked above to get the stamp set & additional products to make more than 5 cards & keep the exclusive stamp set.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, April 17.

Dotty Projects

As promised, here are a few of my Dotty creations from last weekend. I'm quite enamored with this special paper packet! 

There are three ways to get this exclusive Dotty for You paper packet, valued at $19.95:

• Place an order of $35 or more in products from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31, and add the Dotty for You paper packet for just $5*.
• Host a Gathering with a sales total of $400 or more (excluding tax, shipping/handling, and Operation Smile^®donations) between April 17 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.
• Join Close To My Heart as a new Consultant between April 1 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE. Let’s get started.

3D Frame using the Dotty papers &Art Philosophy cartridge flowers

Dotty Papers, Just Blooms flowers & various Stamps of the Month

Dotty papers & Cricut

I used a non-3D Art Philosophy cut to make this cute little basket.

Happy Easter, Peeps!

Wishing my friends, family & customers all the blessing of this Easter season! Thank you, Michele Rowley, for such an adorable Easter treat :)

Collage Cube Photos

Last weekend, I spend three whole days on Whidbey Island for our semi-annual scrapbook retreat. I had plenty of time to catch up on projects that I started months ago, but haven't had time to finish. I used our Collage Cubes to make this photo gift for my aunt. I used photos of her first grand daughter - I think she's going to love it :)

When the Collage Cubes were introduced in January, they sold out quickly. Good news - they're in stock again! Get them while they last.

Dotty for You!

Place an order of $35 or more in products from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31, and add the Dotty for You paper packet for just $5*. I've been creating all sorts of fun crafts & cards with this adorable paper. Stayed tuned this week as I post some new artwork!

April Stamp of the Month

Peeps - Just in time for Easter!

I'm doing card workshop next week, where my hostess has requested the Lucy papers & Easter/Spring stamps. Here are 2 cards we'll be making (inspired from the latest Idea Book). My Peeps stamp set is one of my new fans :) I hope her & her friends like it too!

Free Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

There's only one more week to take advantage of this month's special!  All consultants who join Close To My Heart this month will receive the entire Art Philosophy Collection for FREE. I'd love to share the details with you - contact me today.

Mini Banner Workshop

I have 2 spots available in my workshop on Sat, Mar 24. I used Lucy papers, but have other options, if you like. Please see the calendar (below) for full details. 

What's your Potential?

You have a couple more weeks to get the March Stamp of the Month (called Potential)! I love the swirls & circles. You can place your qualifying order online anytime. Or contact me directly, to book a home party & save on shipping.

40 Blows

I made this bouquet for my friend's 40th birthday today. I hope she appreciates the sentiment as much as I do! As a child of the 70s, I have fond memories of Charms Blow Pops. Our My Creations Cube was the perfect base for this project.

Got Mojo?

A fellow consultant told me about Mojo Monday this week - here's my first submission to their challenge. Each week, they post a "sketch" on the blog & you interpret the sketch with your own twist. What do you think - do I have mojo?

H2H Top Ten Winner!

One of my recent projects was recognized on the Heart 2 Heart challenge blog! See february-top-ten-and-prize-winner. Thanks to the designers & participants of this blog - they provide me with great inspiration & encouragement!

March Stamp of the Month

I created this card using the stamp set called "Potential" - and I love this sentiment. It's this month's special & you can order it for only $5 with your order of $50 or more by March 31. More Info

FREE Cricut Cartridge

Now is a great time for you to join Close To My Heart because when you sign up as a new Consultant between March 1–31, you’ll receive a FREE Cricut^® Art Philosophy collection! The collection’s retail price of $99 includes three coordinating My Acrylix^® D-size stamp sets, and three sheets of matching Dimensional Elements shapes. Already own the collection? You can always give the free one as a gift or choose to receive $100 in select product credit instead. Now is the time to embrace the philosophy of fun—Consultant and Cricut^® fun! Please contact me for more details.

One-button Card Creation

Last weekend I made this fun accordian card (thanks for the inspiration, Chris) for a co-worker who is going to be leaving. I used my Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to make all the cuts (including the card base). And all the shapes are cut from the same button on the Cricut cartridge! Want to learn more? Contact me today.

Five for Free in February!

If you haven't tried Studio J^®  yet, February is the month to start creating in Close To My Heart's online studio scrapbook software. Double your layouts with our Five for Free promotion! For each Studio J^® 5-pack you purchase this February, you’ll get one free 5-pack.  That means you get 10 layouts for just $55—that’s just $2.75 per page, with free shipping! Visit my website to purchase your 5-packs. 


As an added bonus, Close To My Heart has provided step-by-step instructions to get you started with the following layouts. I made each layout in less than 1 hour! Click here for detailed instructions for these featured Studio J projects.