Thursday, November 29, 2012

Another BIG Sale coming soon...


Everyone enjoys shopping the deals this time of year, and you’ll be tickled to learn that Close to my Heart is making more fabulous deals available! At 12:00 AM (MST) on December 1, LOTS of new items will be added to the “While Supplies Last” section of my website here. Among the new additions you will find a wide variety of paper and coordinating accessories, all with a substantial markdown. You will also find that most of the items that are currently available will also see a further markdown at that time.

To sweeten the deal even more, from December 1–31, all orders placed on my website that reach or exceed $50 will also include a free Bonding Memories® glue pen (Z553)—a $4.50 value! Make sure to shop early, because these deals are only available while supplies last.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Curled Paper Christmas Wreath


This wreath was inspired by Debbi Fournier who was inspired by Roberta Dermody. It was so quick and easy to make! I started with a 12" green foam wreath. Then I cut (8) 12" x 12" sheets of patterned paper from the Pear & Partridge Collection and the Stella Collection into 1/2" x 12" strips. Using a bone folder, I curled each strip of paper like you would do with ribbon when wrapping a gift.

I attached the curled strips to the wreath with small sewing pins. To finish off the wreath, I added three small ornaments to the center with a small organza bow on top of each one.


These fun wreaths can be made using just about any shape or image. I made one last year using 3-D paper flowers cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. You can see some photos of it here and a video on how to make them here.

Happy wreath making! *Ü*

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner...


I forgot to announce the winner of the FREE  Workshop on the Go Kit from my Black Friday sale yesterday! (Sorry for the delay.) Thank you to everyone who placed an order. I hope you all enjoy your new goodies when they arrive!

Congratulations to JULIE REIDER! You are the winner! Contact me with which Workshop on the Go Kit you would like and I will get it sent out to you right away!

Stay tuned for more fun giveaways coming soon...

Monday, November 26, 2012

Pigment Ink Snowflake Card


I can hardly believe that Christmas is only FOUR weeks away! Yikes! I figured that I better start working on some cards before I end up having to make Happy New Years cards instead. LOL!

I used a couple of my favorite Close to my Heart products on this simple little card including some Kraft cardstock and our wonderful new pigment inks. The pigment inks stamp beautifully on the Kraft cardstock. It is a little harder to clean the stamps when using pigment inks, but as long as you have our new Stamp Scrubber and our Spritz Cleaner, you should be all set. You can even use an old toothbrush to get into the little nooks and crannies of some of the more detailed stamps.

I love that the new pigment ink colors come in mini pads and can be purchased in sets. I used the Sky color which comes in the Whimsy Collection. The White Daisy pad is larger and can be purchased separately.

The Snowflakes stamp set was the perfect choice for the snowflakes, and the October Stamp of the Month had the nice the sentiment which I stamped in Chocolate.

After stamping the snowflakes, I added some Clear Sparkles and a small piece of Cocoa Ribbon. To finish off the card, I rounded the corners with our Corner Rounder and sponged some White Daisy ink around the edges to look like snow. Now I just need to make 300 more. *Ü*

Yay! My artwork is featured on Jeanette's Blog today!


What a wonderful surprise to see that my La Belle Vie artwork is featured on Jeanette Lynton’s (CTMH’s founder and CEO) blog today.

If you’d like to take a peek, here is a link to the post. While you are there, be sure to check out all of the amazing artwork and other posts that she has shared. I will warn you, you may find yourself losing track of time as you explore her fabulous blog! There is so much to take in.

You can also see more details of the artwork here, here, here, and here.

Thank you Jeanette for all that you do!
xoxo

Friday, November 23, 2012

How about a little giveaway on this Black Friday???

How about a little giveaway on this fun Black Friday weekend??? You can win a paper packet of your choice just by leaving a comment on my CTMH Facebook page here! (Make sure to comment on my FB page post and not here on my blog.)

All you need to do is post a comment here with your favorite stamping technique. I will pick a winner via random.orgon 11/25  at 9pm (PT). I will announce the winner on my CTMH Facebook page. :)
Don't forget about all of my other GREAT Black Friday Specials as well!

Good luck!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!


I have so much for which to be thankful. I am thankful for God who has blessed me with more than I could ever have imagined, for my family who fills my life with love, for the ability to live in this wonderful free country we call America, for the passion that I have to create, and for technology which allows me to connect with all of you!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Huge (Did I say HUGE?) Black Friday Sale!


Due to popular demand, my Black Friday sale is back and better than ever! In fact, my Black Friday sale will last more than just one day! The deals you see below are good starting tomorrow, Wednesday, 11/21 - 11:59 pm Sunday, 11/25. So you have 5 whole days to shop and save! 

Have you been thinking about getting the new Artiste Cricut Collection? Have you been eying our new organizational tools? Have you thought about signing up to become a Consultant? Whatever is on your Christmas list this year, now is the time to get it! Check out all of the great deals below and place your order no later than 11:59pm Sunday, 11/25 to take advantage of these great offers!


Place an order, get free goodies

Place an order of $25 - $50
Receive a free Dye Ink Pad of your choice ($5.25 value.)


Place an order of $51 - $75
Receive an A sized stamp set or marker set of your choice (up to a $6.95 value.)
This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for just $5! Plus, if you order the Stamp of the Month for $5, you can also choose ANY other stamp set for 1/2 price!


Place an order of $76 - $100
Receive a free B size stamp set or Level 2 Paper Pack of your choice (up to $9.95 value.)
This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for just $5! Plus, if you order the Stamp of the Month for $5, you can also choose ANY other stamp set for 1/2 price!


Place an order of $101 - $149
Receive a free Cardstock pack or size C stamp set of your choice (up to $14.50 value).
This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for just $5! Plus, if you order the Stamp of the Month for $5, you can also choose ANY other stamp set for 1/2 price!


Place an order of $150 or more
Receive $25 in free products of your choice*, PLUS a free D size stamp set of your choice (valued at $17.95.)
This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for just $5! Plus, if you order the Stamp of the Month for $5, you can also choose ANY other stamp set for 1/2 price! (If your subtotal is $150 or more, please contact me to place your order, so that you can get the extra $25 in hostess goodies.)

 


But wait, there's more...




Order a Cricut Collection
Order either the Art Philosophy or Artiste Cricut Collections and I will pay the tax and shipping! That's a savings of over $16! (Contact me to place your order.)





But wait, there's more...



Enter to win a FREE Workshop on the Go Kit 
Everyone who places an order during these five days will be entered into a drawing for your choice of a FREE Workshop on the Go Kit! (Winner will be notified on Monday 11/26.)




But wait, there's more...



Become a CTMH Consultant
Join my team anytime from 11/21 - 11/25, and I will pay the tax and shipping on your new Consultant Kit! You can order either the $49 kit or the $99 kit! Plus, if you are local, you can get your $49 kit today! (I have one kit here that I will be happy to bring by and drop off to you so that you can start enjoying your new CTMH goodies today!) Click here for more information about joining my team.



But wait, there's more...


Get 20% off all of my already reduced Cash & Carry Items
I have an extensive list of products for sale in my “cash and carry” section. They include new and used, current and retired products. From 11/21 - 11/25, they will all be 20% off of my already reduced prices. Click here to see what is still available. (Actual shipping cost will be added.)



But wait, there's more...


You will also get a free set of Ginsu knives with each order! (Just kidding. I couldn’t resist. LOL!)


Be sure to place your order here and click on the link at the bottom that says …join” by the “Black Friday Specials Party” in order to be entered into the drawing for the free Workshop on the Go Kit.
 
If your order is over $150, be sure to email me your order by clicking here.
(If you place the order online, you will not be able to get your free goodies.)


Note: these are my own personal specials and may not be available from other Consultants.

*Free products include the following: stamp sets, paper packets, ink pads, markers, re-inkers, My Stickease assortments, Compliments, cardstock packs, Workshops on the Go Kits, Studio J layouts and 5 packs.  

Monday, November 19, 2012

White Artiste Christmas Card


This simple white card was made using Close to my Heart’s Artiste Cricut Cartridge and Flakey Friends stamp set.

I cut the “Merry Christmas” sentiment twice, from some White Daisy cardstock using the Artiste cartridge. (I love that the cartridge has so many welded sentiments on it.) I adhered the two layers together to give it some dimension. Then using the same cartridge, I cut some snowflakes at various sizes from a piece of vellum. I adhered them to a White Daisy card base with some Bonding Memories Glue. Then I adhered the sentiment to the center of the card on top of the snowflakes.


I stamped one of the cute snowmen from the Flakey Friends set on a piece of scrap cardstock and colored him in with some CTMH markers. I used our older Desert Sand marker for the twigs and the scarf. The polka dots were colored with both markers from the new Sky alcohol marker set. I also used the lighter Cotton Candy marker on his cheeks and then blended it with the alcohol blending marker. (Love that thing!) I popped the snowman up with some 3-D Foam Tape and rounded the bottom corners with a Corner Rounder to finish off the card.

Monday, November 12, 2012

How to Make Coordinating Cricut Cards & Envelopes

Learn how to use the new Artiste Cricut Cartridge to create fun cards, envelopes and more! Move beyond flat cut-outs for more creative freedom!


To order the supplies to make the cards and matching envelopes shown in the video, visit my website.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Veterans Day


Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you —
Jesus Christ, and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Pigment vs Die Based Inks

When is it best to use pigment ink and when is it best to use dye ink? Find out the answer along with even more helpful tips to make your stamped images perfect for the occasion in this great video.


Click here to order the inks and other supplies used to make the cute projects in this video.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Artiste Anniversary Card


Yesterday my hubby and I celebrated our 12th anniversary. (I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband!) I am currently taking another class from the gals at onlinecardclass.com focused around holiday cards. My anniversary card is inspired by a wonderful card that Jennifer McGuire shared in the class last week. She showed how to make a “floating” image in the middle of your card. I thought it would be a perfect technique to use on one of the card shapes from the Artiste Cricut cartridge.


I cut my card base using the Artiste cartridge by selecting and the 2nd key on the bottom row (on page 72 of the booklet) at 4-1/2". Before I adhered a piece of Kraft cardstock to the front, I added a small piece of acetate and a little bit of patterned paper from the Stella Collection. This allowed me to adhere the small red heart in the center with some small Glue Dots so that it looked like it was floating. The pattern on the Kraft CS is from the Universal Backgrounds set. The sentiments are from two retired CTMH sets called Fringed Phrases and Soul Mates.


The fun thing about the card is that it has a tiny hidden surprise inside. I added a small picture of my hubby and me kissing on our wedding day. When the card is closed, the red heart covers up the photo.