Flirty & Fab

I don't often fall for papers with a lot of pink, but the beautiful Flirty papers grabbed my attention.

The Flirty paper pack has bold Raspberry and calm Desert Sand colours with a little bit of Goldrush thrown in. The co-ordinating chipboard elements include the lovely flower images from the papers as well as beautiful butterflies, leaves and even a tree.

The sentiments are autumn-themed and together, the paper packet and chipboard are perfect for photos set in a fall garden or outdoors.

But I couldn't wait for great fall photos. When I received my Flirty Workshop on the Go Kit (complete with the paper packet, chipboard, an exclusive C-size stamp set, gems and additional cardstock) I knew it would be perfect for summertime photos of a trip to Niagara.

My t-shirt goes great with these papers! As do the pinks and yellows of the flowers.

Dress up chipboard with bling!

I used the Botanical and Friendship Alphabet Large for the title, natural Hemp twine for the stitching and dressed up the chipboard with bling. The ink colours are New England Ivy and Goldrush.

As a bottom border, I stamped the leaf stamp repeatedly with New England Ivy ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.

I made a second layout using the Flirty kit, also about a Niagara Parks garden. For this layout, I used Goldrush cardstock as a base, which makes the Flirty Raspberry patterned paper really pop! I also used Colonial White cardstock for the title and journaling spot. The photo mat is made from New England Ivy cardstock and the edges of all the papers have been inked with Chocolate distressing chalk ink.

The lovely scalloped border across the bottom of the page was created using the Gratitude sentiment stamp from the Workshop on the Go kit. I simply stamped a row in New England Ivy across the bottom of page and covered the top 2/3 of the stamp with patterned paper. I added a gem to each scallop.

To create the journaling spot, I simply die cut the shape and inked the edges with Goldrush ink. I used the twiggy stamp with Goldrush ink; stamping it once in full colour and stamping again, without re-inking, for a softer image. For a final touch I added a chipboard butterfuly and different sized gems to both the journaling spot and butterfly wings.

The title is stamped using my new favourite alphabet stamp set: Token Alphabet. This stamp set offers several backgrounds for the inner circle enabling you to create a variety of looks with a single stamp set. For this title, I stamped the mesh background in Goldrush ink first, them stamped the letters directly over in New England Ivy ink. The chipboard sentiment "Beauty in..." is dressed up with 3 mico-mini gems in place of the ellipses.

To finish off this page, I added a large chipboard flower and vines as well as a tied off ribbon from the Designer Ribbon Pink Collection.

These two double page layouts, made with the Flirty Workshop on the Go Kit, are a beautiful addition to my album. And with lots of papers, cardstock, chipboard and bling left over, as well as the stamp set, I still have enough for another scrapbook page, cards or another project. What a great value!

The Big Reveal!

Here it is Scrappers! The Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book! Just click the link and start browsing.

The new Idea Book is full of new products and ideas. Here's a short list (yes, this is actually a SHORT list) of my favourites:

* Exclusive Inks Mini Pigment Pad Sets (pg. 3/$19.95): These 10 pad sets in 4 new colour families make it easy to purchase all the colours you need for stamping and colouring.

* Workshop on the Go Card Kits (pp. 22 & 66/$29.95): Everything you need to make 15 cards per kit and lovely stamps sets you'll use over and over again.

* Pear & Partridge Paper Packet (pg. 62/$9/95): It's whimsical and traditional. A beautiful Christmas palette with a burst of Smoothie. The pear and partridge images are just too cute!

* Jardin Stamp Set (pg. 39/417.95): These romantic images are perfect for Valentines and pages celebrating the one you love.

* Magic Potions Stamp Set (pg. 57/$13/95): These spooky apothecary labels are great for embellishing a Halloween page, or take them off the page and use them to decorate Halloween treat bags. Best of all, the Circut Artiste cartridge cuts all the labels for you!

* Tea Time Stamp Set and Outta This World Stamp Set (pp. 104-105/$13.95 each): For a girl or boy, the cutest birthday invitations are just a stamp away.

* Trinity Alphabet Stamp Set (pg. 115/$29/95): This stamp set should be in every scrapbookers collection. It has 3 versatile alphabets in one set as well as 2 number sets. The largest set is easy to trim and the smallest set is perfect for journaling. If you only buy one stamp set, this is the one to get.

*My Legacy Faux Leather Albums (pg. 121/$24.95): A great price for a great product. I've tried many different albums over the years, including the high-end ones, and this one is the best I've encountered, hands down! These are the only albums I'm buying here on in. (Make sure to get the Label Holders (pg. 122/$4.95) to easily identify your albums.)

* Burlap Ribbon (pg. 124/$7.95): It's rustic. You can stamp it, distress it, cut it into shapes. A must have for autumn pages.

* Velvet Rub Ons (pg. 126/4.94): You may have a hard time choosing between these 4 different rub on sets, but at this price, why not get them all?

* Display Tray (pg. 129/$19.95): Trending with scrapbookers everywhere, the display tray allows you to show off special photos and memorabilia. See page 89 for a dressed up tray.

* My Creations Canvass Journal (pg. 132/$8.95): So versatile and useful, for personal journals, notebooks, gifts. I'm going to be stocking up on these!

* Studio J (pp. 12-13): No more membership fees! New Express Collections! New papers! Best pricing! Digital scrapbooking is easier than ever!!

There are so many more new and amazing products. Pour yourself a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy flipping through and exploring each page. If you'd like your own hard copy of the catalogue, just email me.

When you've made up your wish list, contact me to book your own Home Gathering--the best way to start shopping!

Happy Shopping!

Stamp of the Month

Each month you can enjoy a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5—that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing. For customers who prefer to place smaller orders but would still like the stamp set, it's available to purchase at the regular price of $17.95.

These lovely stamp sets are only available from the first to the last day of the month and are not offered for sale at any other time. They are often themed and available a couple of months in advance of the occasion, allowing crafters lots of time to use their stamps and prepare cards and scrapbook pages ahead of time. For example, the Christmas theme stamp set is available in October, giving you most of October and all of November to prepare your Christmas cards!


July SOTM available until July 31, 2012

In addition, each stamp set comes with suggested ideas--cards and scrapbook pages--using the stamps. You can follow the pictures on the package, or you can visit my website and click on the Stamp of the Month link under the Special Promotions tab. There you'll find a supply list of items used to complete the projects as well as Helpful Hints on how to assemble the projects.

The July 2012 Stamp of the Month is a lovely set of inspirational sentiments that make great page titles and sayings for cards. This will quickly become a go-to set for graduation, friendship and anytime cards.

With a new month just around the corner, here's a sneak peek at the August Stamp of the Month.



August Stamp of the Month available August 1-31, 2012

The Baroque Borders set has a lovely old world flair. With large flourish stamps and classical shapes, this stamp set is perfect to adorn corners or create your own patterned paper. It's elegant enough to use for special occasion pages, such as weddings and anniversaries, and rustic enough to use for vacation and outdoor pages. Stamp in dark colours for a dramatic effect or in subtle tones for a subdued one.

The Stamp of the Month is a great value and a terrific way to build up your stamp collection with minimal cost!

Tomorrow's blog: THE BIG REVEAL!


Shopping and Saving

Shopping on my CTMH website is easy as 1-2-3: Visit, browse, buy.  Then in about a week, a package filled with your goodies arrives on your doorstep. It couldn't be easier!

You can shop on the website a couple of different ways. You can view the Idea Book online and jot down the items numbers of the products you're interested in. Then enter the item numbers in the product search box. Or you can click on the Shop tab and browse various categories: New Products, Special Promotions, My Reflections Scrapbook Products, My Acrylix Stamp Sets, Exclusive Papers, Exclusive Inks, Accessories, Albums and Accessories, Studio J Items, Circut Collection, Workshops on the Go Kits, Stamp of the Month, and While Supplies Last.

These categories are self-explanatory, but I want to draw your attention to 3 categories:

New Products
Clicking on this category will give you easy access to everything in the current Idea Book that is new and did not appear in the previous Idea Book. Here you'll quickly find all the new Workshops on the Go Kits, Accessories, My Acrylics Stamps and more. If you know the item you're after is exclusive to the current Idea Book or you're only interested in new products, not what has been available previously, shopping via the New Products tab will simplify and expedite your online shopping.

Special Promotions
Every month CTMH offers a special promotion, in addition to the Stamp of the Month, that offers a special incentive or special value to customers. The Special Promotion is often linked with a celebration--such as the Dotty For You papers offered to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month and the special stamp sets to celebrate National Stamping Month (look for that in September!). The Special Promotion in July is Perfect Pairs. (You still have time to take advantage of this great promotion. Visit my website for more details.) With orders of $75 or more, you receive a paper packet and matching embellishment, a Perfect Pair, for free! Visit the Special Promotions section of my website every month to discover what's new.

While Supplies Last
Did you know my website has a bargain bin? The While Supplies Last area offers discontinued CTMH products at reduced prices. You'll find everything from patterned papers, chipboard and ribbons to inks, cardstock and embellishments. This area changes often and items are removed without any warning. Once they're gone, they're gone! So if you spot something in the While Supplies Last area snatch it up before it's gone! Recently added to this area are the remaining packages of 8.5" x 11" cardstock. Now discontinued, these are the last cardstock sets in this size in these colour palettes. If you scrapbook in this size or like the smaller sized sheets for cardmaking, visit my website and stock up while you can!

Tomorrow's blog: Stamp of the Month

Ideas and Inspiration

With so many kits and patterns to follow, it's easy to get a lot of scrapbooking done with minimal effort. But once you're done with the with the kit or have completed the projects in the Idea Book, how do you reuse the stamps and papers?

If you're short on new notions, just visit my website and click on the Ideas and Inspiration tab. There you'll find videos and patterns for scrapbook pages, cards 3-D projects and more. Learn how to use your stamps to make patterned paper. Take a tutorial on using tools, such as a blender pen or watermark pen. Find out ways to make the most out of what you've already purchased and see what you can do with just a few more items. Keep up to date with the latest stamping techniques.

The Ideas and Inspiration area is continually updated with new videos as well as containing an archive of several years worth of information. You'll find ideas using brand new products and stamp sets you're already familiar with.

My website isn't just for shopping! There's a wealth of information at your fingertips. So grab a cup of tea, select a video of interest and spend a few minutes thinking about how you can take your next scrapbook project from great to amazing!

Tomorrow's blog: Shopping and Saving

Online Scrapbooking For Everyone!

Have you tried Studio Scrapbooking? Studio J is Close to my Heart's offering for digital scrapbookers. Studio J is easy to use, creates fabulous layouts and doesn't require initial or ongoing investments in software or digital paper packages.

Best of all, you can explore Studio J for FREE! Because you don't pay until you're ready to purchase your layouts, you can learn to use Studio J and build you own pages free of charge.

Using Footloose digital papers and stickers.

And with the new Idea Book, Studio J just gets better! You're invited to try Express Collections, a whole new way to scrapbook faster than ever. Each of the six themed Express Collections includes ten unique two-page layouts plus a front and back page, all designed with embellishments, gorgeous My Stickease clusters and unique colour combinations. Just drop in your photos, add your journaling and you can literally create a custom album in minutes. CTMH has done all the work and you can take all the credit! Or you can still choose to design your layouts from scratch--the choice is yours!

Also new, CTMH has done away with Studio J memberships. Everyone has access to the following fabulous benefits:
* Low pricing of just $6.95 per two-page layout--that's less than $3.50 per page!
* Access to ALL kits and patterns.
* Free layout JPG files with purchase of printed layouts.
* Purchase standalone JPG files for just $2.95 each.

For gift giving, you can still purchase Studio J 5-packs for only $47.95. The Studio J 5-pack includes five double-page layouts and JPG files and shipping and handling.

The new Studio J 5-packs no longer come with Memory Protectors, however, if you purchased a Studio J 5-pack prior to July 12, 2012 and haven't redeemed it yet, you will still receive the Memory Protectors.

Using Believe digital papers and embellishments

With so many benefits and no obligation, why not try Studio J for yourself? Just visit my website, click on the Products tab and select Studio J Online Scrapbooking. To enter the Studio J site, you'll be prompted to create a free account. Then you can start exploring Studio J, uploading your photos and creating your own digital papers in minutes.

While you're exploring, be sure to visit the Ideas and Inspiration area of my website where you'll find tutorials on many of the tools in Studio J.

Fast, fun and fabulous! Studio J is a great way to finish albums fast.

Tomorrow's blog: Ideas and Inspiration

Hostess Rewards!

As a Close To My Heart Independant Consultant, I'm always on the lookout for people interested in hosting a Home Gathering. Sometimes customers and potential hostesses don't see the value in hosting their own Home Gathering. They think "I'm already giving you my business. I'm a loyal customer. Isn't that enough?" From my point of view, sure! I love your loyalty and appreciate your business, but there's a very good reason I want you to host your own Home Gathering: FREE STUFF!

Every hostess who sells a minimum of $150 at her Home Gathering is eligible for free stuff. Could you use $25 to stock up on stamps, cardstock and inks? How about $40 or $80? How about a 50% discount on one or more items? How about an exclusive Hostess Collection, valued at $100 or more, at 50% off?

When you host a Home Gathering, you earn Hostess Rewards based on the amount of sales. Check out the chart on page 2 of the Idea Book for the Hostess Rewards breakdown. The minimum sale level of $150 earns you $25 in free products. Consider that the average CTMH order is about $50, and you can see how easy it is to reach the minimum.

When you reach the second level of $250 in sales, you earn $40 in free products and any 1 item in the Idea Book at 50% off. You can use free product credit and 50% off to purchase stamps, acrylic blocks, inks, markers, re-inkers, My Stickease assortments, Complements, My Reflections paper packs, cardstock packs, Workshops on the Go Kits, Studio J layouts and Studio J 5-packs.

In addition, CTMH has put together four value-packed collections that are only available to Hostesses. Use your 50% off to purchase Hostess Collections featuring Avonlea, Dakota, La Belle Vie or Pear & Partridge papers, stamps, embellishments and more. Each Collection comes with a paper pack, My Stickease Assortment, stamp sets, acrylic blocks, inks, embellishments and more.

Collection One features the Avonlea paper pack and My Creations Bracket frame.

Collection Two includes the Dakota paper pack and My Creations Star.

Collection Three gives you the lovely La Belle Vie paper pack and Display Tray.

Perfect for Christmas, Collection Four offers a complete Christmas collection with everything you need to create perfect pages and cards.

You can also host your Home Gathering several ways: traditionally, in your home; as a workshop; as an Online Gathering.

A traditional Home Gathering is hosted by you and held in your home. I will arrive about 30 minutes before the scheduled start to set up my presentation and help you with any of the last minute details. While your guests arrive, I will chat with them and keep them company while you see to their comfort, whether it's getting drinks and snacks ready or answering the door. When everyone is ready, I will give a brief 15 minute presentation on the current Idea Book and point out some of the features of CTMH products. I'll answer questions and provide Idea Books and order forms to your guests. While they browse the products, I'll offer a small, free Gathering Project, usually a small card or bookmark, for your guests to complete individually. Afterwards, when your guests have placed their orders, I'll let you know what the sales were, how much you have earned in Hostess Rewards and help you to select products from your wish list for your order. With as few as four or six guests, many Hostesses find they earn enough in Hostess Rewards to get most of the items on their wish lists for free! When your guests orders arrive, I will deliver them to you and you in turn make arrangements to get the orders to your guests. Seeing your guests again to give them their orders is a perfect opportunity to thank them for helping you to earn free Rewards.

A Workshop Gathering is a fun event for your scrappy friends. You invite your guests and those who are confirmed will purchase the Workshop on the Go Kit. This needs to be done about two weeks prior to your Workshop Gathering. On the day of, I will bring the Kits along with other necessary supplies, such as inks and acrylic blocks, and set up the workshop. When your guests arrive, I will walk them through the Kit, demonstrating how to assemble and stamp. At the end of the event, you and your guests will have a treasured keepsake of a fun time. Your guests will also have the opportunity to shop from the Idea Book, and like a traditional Gathering, you'll earn Hostess Rewards on their purchases.

If you're a busy crafter who cannot or doesn't want to host people in your home, why not host an Online Gathering? This type of Gathering is not limited by time or space. You pick a date, usually about two weeks in advance, and your guests have until midnight of that date to purchase through your Gathering. All purchases count towards your Hostess Rewards. At the end of your Gathering, I'll let you know what the final total is and how much you have earned in Hostess Rewards. Best of all, you can invite guest from anywhere in Canada!! Your aunt in New Brunswick, your BFF in BC, your sister in Saskatchewan, invite them all! Any orders placed through your Online Gathering will be delivered directly to your guest. You'll even receive your own special electronic invitations, reminders and thank you notes for your Online Gathering. All the details are taken care of. You just enter the email addresses, send the inviation and the rest is taken care of.

With these great collections to choose from, FREE products and a great time with family and friends, why not book your own Home Gathering? With the launch of the new Idea Book just around the corner, now is the perfect time to book your Gathering. Be the first to offer CTMH's newest products to your family and friends.

Tomorrow's Blog: Online Scrapbooking for Everyone!