A New Challenge!

To get my scrapping mojo in gear, I decided to try this month's scrapping challenge from Purple Pumpkin.

This page is an example of how you can scrap a special moment even if the photos aren't that great...or if they're really terrible, like these ones.

Remember to focus on the story: The title and journaling are important to tell the story when the photos don't.

Look for the other story: When I was taking these pictures, I just wanted a "cheek-to-cheek" photo with my son, but what I ended up capturing was the trouble it actually is to get a good photo of a 4-year-old. That funny story is actually more interesting than what I was originally after.

Photoshop: Be creative with your photo editing software to turn "bad" photos into precious ones. The large focal photo was actually very dark and blurry in the original, but putting it through a few filters and sharpening led to a photo could be used on a page and has really become one of my favourites.

If you're looking for a sketch challenge, be sure to check out Purple Pumpkin. This challenge runs until the end of the month and there's a prize of fun products--like the flower button on the doily.

CTMH supplies used: Dream Pop patterned paper, Colonial White and Slate cardstock, Slate and Goldrush inks, Illuminate (November 2013 Stamp of the Month), Just Blooms paper flowers, Bitty Sparkles, Sparkles Black Flourishes.
Other supplies: Purple Pumpkin wooden flower, Silhouette die cut heart, Scotch adhesive, unknown doily.

December Deals!

Only 22 shopping days until Christmas! Close to My Heart is a great place to shop for the crafters on your list.

The December Stamp of the Month features adorable "Special Care" labels which can be cut with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge. These stamps are perfect for cards, scrapbook pages, gift tags and anything you'd like to add a message of of love to.

This stamp set is available until December 31st only. With a purchase of $50 or more, you can have this stamp set for only $5! (Regular price: $17.95)

Remember, the products from the Close To My Heart Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide are still available, until December 31st, and have great products for all kinds of projects: cards, scrapbook pages, mini-albums, tags, bags and more!

Get something for all the crafters on your list, then get something for yourself! With every $100 purchase from the Fall/Winter 2013 Idea Book or Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide, you can choose a "Star" item from the Gift Guide for FREE! Choose from the Sparkle & Shine Paper Packet, Sparkle & Shine Complements Dimensional Elements, Magical Days stamp set, Santa Claus stamp set, Mary and Babe stamp set, Trim the Tree stamp set, Charming Chevrons stamp set, Banner Wishes stamp set, Lifting Spirits stamp set, Lots of Love stamp set, or Angel Friends stamp set.

There's still time to host your own Gathering in December too! This time of year is so busy, but you can invite friends and family to shop through your Online Gathering and earn free Hostess Rewards for yourself! Contact me today to set up your own Gathering!

Note: To guarantee delivery before Christmas, place your order or host your Gathering no later than December 9th.

Happy October!

October is my favourite month of the year! There's lots to celebrate this month. Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Halloween, fall festivals and it finally begins feeling like autumn weather. I love crunching through the fallen leaves, watching the salmon run and taking advantage of the cool, crisp weather to get the last of the year's gardening done.

Though I'm delighting in picking pumpkins and decorating with corn stalks, in my scrapping life, I begin to think about the next big holiday: Christmas!! Now is the time to get Christmas cards, home decor, scrapbook pages and hand crafted gifts ready for the most wonderful time of the year.

This year, start your Christmas crafting with a bang using October's Stamp of the Month: Scandinavian Wishes. This gorgeous stamp set reminds me of warm woollen sweaters and cups of hot chocolate. Perfect for cards, pages and gift packaging, this will be a stamp set you come to again and again over the years.

To start making  your own Scandinavian Wishes, simply place an order of $50 or more in regularly priced product and add the Stamp of the Month for only $5. Aren't placing a qualifying order this month, but still want the stamp set? Scandinavian Wishes is available at the regular price of $17.95, but only in October.

Want to make the items seen in the photo? In addition to the October Stamp of the Month, you'll need Frosted Paper Packet, Frosted Assortment, Baker's Twine Harvest Assortment, Bronze Shimmer Trim, Stitch Guide, Scallop Border Punch, Cricut Artiste Collection, and of course inks!

THE BIG REVEAL!!

The wait is over! Go to my website to view the new Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book online. Of course, you want your own hard copy, so contact me to get one!

The Idea Book is chock full of great products. If you've been following my blog over the past ten days, you've seen a few of them. Here are my Top Ten Must Have items from the new Idea Book.

Make It From Your Heart Volume 2

10. Make It From Your Heart Volume 2
Includes 16 two-page layout patterns, two single-page patterns, and 12 different card patterns. $7.95

9. Pigment Inks Foam Insert
Fits inside the small organiser to snugly hold 40 pigment ink pads. $14.95

8. Punches
Scallop Border Punch creates 3/8" scallops quickly and easily. $17.95
1 1/4" Circle Punch $12.95

7. My Creations Kraft Pocket Album
A mini-album with eight pages plus front and back covers. 18 pockets total. $6.95

6. Ribbons and Trims

Stitch Guide

Jute Ribbon $7.95
Ruby Chevron Ribbon $6.95
Shimmer Trim in Red and Bronze $4.95 each
Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape $4.95

5. Stitch Guide and Foam Mat
Use the Stitch Guide with the piercing tool for creating various stitch patterns, border, and shapes. $12.95
Use the Foam Mat with the Stitch Guide and Ruler to protect your tabletop. $4.95

Pick a Posey (Archive Stamp Set)

4. Archive Stamps
These stamps, hand drawn by Jeanette herself, were originally offered in rubber on wood blocks but are now available in clear My Acrylix polymer for a limited time. $6.96-$9.95.

3. Minis
Eight single 2" stamps that are cute and perfect for creating cards, tags and embellishments. $2.95 each.

2. Stamps of the Month
I want every single one of them! With seasonal and general themes, you'll want them all too! $17.95 or $5 with qualifying purchase.

Framework Alphabet

1. Framework Alphabet
One of two new E-size alphabets. $29.95

Sweeten The Deal!

A delicious treat is in store for you! Place an order of $50 or more during August and 

receive the August Stamp of the Month set, A Chocolate Affair (S1308A), FREE! This 

D-size stamp set with a retail value of $17.95 includes 16 images and sentiments that 

will have your friends salivating over your chocolatey layouts and cards. Make every 

project a delight with this must-have set!

Visit my website, or contact me to place your order!

July Specials

Stamp of the Month

The July Stamp of the Month is so delicious! Beautiful fruit images with sweet sentiments. You'll use this stamp set over and over for cards and scrapbook pages.

This stamp set is available only during July for $5 with a $50 purchase

.

Big Discount! 

 The Workshops on the Go^® canvas art kit includes an exclusive stamp set, a 12" × 12" canvas display, Cashmere baker’s twine, clear Sparkles, Sparkles flourish, Dimensional Elements in two colour schemes, and an instructional brochure. The workshop is perfect for making as a group or on your own. The Workshops on the Go^® canvas art kit has a retail value of $39.95 but is only $19.95 during July.

There is no qualifying purchase or minimum necessary!

Hurry! This is a "while supplies last" offer.

Patriotic Stamp Set Still Available!

If you missed it on your June order, there's still time to order the Patriotic stamp sets. When you purchase these exclusive patriotic stamp sets, Close To My Heart will donate a portion of the proceeds to either the USO (for the US) or the Canadian Hero Fund (for Canada), charitable organisations that support military families.

Order any of these great products through my online store, www.susanagomes.ctmh.com, or contact me to hold your own Gathering and earn Hostess Rewards.

June Specials!

Wow! There is so much happening in June! Feel like you deserve a little reward for all the hard work you're doing this month. CTMH makes it easy to treat yourself with FOUR great offers in June.

STAMP OF THE MONTH

June Stamp of the Month

Every month, CTMH offers a gorgeous D-size stamp set for only $5 with a $50 purchase. This month's stamp set is perfect for colours, cards and scrapbook pages.

MAKE IT A BANNER DAY!
This month only, with the purchase of $25 in product that includes a stamp set, you get the My Creations Mini-Banner for FREE! This cute mini-banner can be used as a home decor item, on scrapbook pages and cards and even to make a mini-album. The sturdy chipboard can be inked, distressed or just covered in patterned paper. For fun ideas on using the mini-banner, check out this YouTube video.

THANK YOU!
Close To My Heart is making a new Autumn/Winter 2013 stamp set, A True Thank You, available

immediately and will donate 100% of the profits from the sales of the from May 23 to June 30 to the American Red Cross to aid the Oklahoma victims. Help CTMH provide relief to those affected by the devastating Oklahoma tornadoes by purchasing A True Thank You stamp set for only $2.95 today!

STRONG AND FREE
Show your support of troops and country with new patriotic stamp sets—available only from June 1 to July 31, 2013! As a show of our support, Close To My Heart will donate $3 from each B-size My Acrylix® Courage stamp set and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix® Strong and Free stamp set to the Canadian Hero Fund, which supports spouses and children of fallen Canadian military troops by providing post-secondary education. Show your support
today—stamp style!