I've been busy...

the past week and a half and  I haven't had time to post creative items on my blog.  So, I thought you might like to see a few sneak peeks of what I'm working on. J  

I will post more details and the COMPLETE photos when these items are in the mail and on their way to the swap in Nevada! J

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!!!

Hooray Bouquet stamp set coordinates with Cricut!

I LOVE Close To My Heart's videos!!! They are so helpful and FULL of helpful information! 

Take a few minutes to watch this video showing how our stamp sets can coordinate with our new Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge!  The Hooray Bouquet stamp set shown in this video, is one of my FAVORITE new stamp sets! :) 

Enjoy!

Make n Take projects from Open House

Thank you to each one of you that participating in Thursday & Friday’s Open House!  It is always so FUN to see each of you and share about Close To My Heart’s newest items!

                        

I want to share with you the two make n takes I had at my Open House. 

The first card was a card we created using the August Stamp of the Month! J  I was sooo excited when I came up with this design!!!  It is AMAZING how you can use CLEAR stamps in so MANY ways that would be very difficult or nearly impossible with wood stamps! J 

What stamp image (from the Wicked – August SOTM stamp set) was used in creating this card??? J  

Yup – you got it!!!  I used the witches broom to create the flower in this card! J  So FUN!!!!  I was SO EXCITED when I discovered this trick!!! 

I stamped the top of the witches broom 3-4 times in sunset ink until I made the flower look like I wanted it to look.  Then I used olive ink to stamp the “base & stem” of the flower.  The stamped leaves did come from another stamp set – our new set called Unscripted.  I can’t wait to create items with this stamp set.  Believe it or not, I’ve only used the little leaf so far from this set! J

Ok – back to the card.  You may realize I also (once again) used the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge on this card!!! J  I cut out <shape 2> on page 36 of the manual in 2 different colors.  The desert sand shape was cut at 1 ¼”.  I then used one of the three stamp sets that comes with the Art Philosophy Cricut Bundle and stamped the “wishing you a wonderful…” right on top!!!  Yay!!  Cricut, did the hard work of cutting out this shape for me J

Next I cut a sunset <shape 2> at 1 ½”.  I used our ORIGINALS how-to book (pg. 59) for the design of the card…and I used the New Mischief paper pack.  I added a few of our Mocha Opaque gems and to finish it off – I had to pull out some of our FABULOUS BRONZE glitz glitter gel! J  LOVE THIS STUFF!!! 

For the 2^nd make and take, I wanted to create an item using the Cricut Art Philosophy (AP) in every way possible J  So…I designed this pillow box!!!

We used the new Roxie paper pack. (I can’t get enough of this paper pack – especially the plaid! J)

The pillow box was cut at 5”(pg. 28 in manual).  The black scalloped edge border was cut at 1” to make this border 6 ½” in length (pg. 62) and the scalloped vanilla cream circle was cut at 2” (pg. 41).  I used the Art Philosophy Tag stamp set (that comes with the bundle) to stamp the “Thanks you’re…” image directly on top of that 2” scalloped circle! J  Love it, LOVE IT!!

I wanted to show my friends/customers J…how NEAT the 3D flowers are on the Cricut – so we added a 1 ½” rose (pg. 68) to this pillow box.  With this rose, we inked the edges with black ink prior to rolling it up.  Then I also used my paper piercer to “roll back” the petals of this rose to help it look more real.  THEN – we finally rolled up the flower to the middle.  We used Liquid glass to adhere it to the base, and touched up the petals by again using the paper piercer to roll back the petals. 

I did create this board below, so that you can see the 6 different kinds of flowers that you can create with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge! J 

Keep in mind – the flowers on this board were cut out with the Cricut, rolled up and held with a glue dot.  There was no inking, no shaping the petals; no anything….this is exactly how they would look when you use our white-cored, CTMH cardstock to create a flower using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. 

click the picture to see it larger...J

1^st row –  Tulip Cardstock

                   3”               2”               1”

2^nd row – Vanilla Cream Cardstock

                   4 ½”                    3 ½”                    2 ½”

3^rd row – Petal cardstock

                   4”               3”               2”

4^th row – Goldrush cardstock

                   4 ¾”           3 ¾”           2 ¾”

5^th row – Sunset cardstock

                   3 ¾”                    2 ¾”           1 ¾”

6^th row – Crystal Blue Cardstock

                   4 ¼”           3 ¼”           2 ¼”

Here is one more pillow box – the same design, colors as the make n take – but I used the stamp set “Pair-A-Phrase”!!! 

Don’t miss your chance this MONTH to get this Pair-A-Phrase stamp set for FREE when you place a $75 order!!! J 

AND…don’t forget about the SPECIAL that runs until August 31^st…

If you purchase the August Stamp of the Month set for $5 (when you place a $50 min. order) you will receive the Wicked stamp set PLUS an A-size stamp set – Typeface- for FREE too!!! J 

How many stamp sets will you receive when you purchase $70 in products and add on the August SOTM for ONLY $5.00??

FOUR stamp sets for $5.00!! J

You will receive the…

***August SOTM for $5.00 with a qualifying order (retail value: $17.95)

***A-size Alphabet – Typeface for FREE (retail value: $6.95)

***Pair-A-Phrase Stamp set for FREE (retail value $35.90…and just a side note - there is no limit to the number of free sets you can receive per order!!!  If you place a qualifying order of $150, you will receive 2 My Acrylix^® Pair-a-Phrases stamp sets for free. J)

These FOUR stamp sets are a RETAIL value of $60.80!!! J 

CLICK HERE to get these AMAZING specials today! J

Anniversary Sale & Open House - this WEEK! :)

I’m sooo excited for my upcoming Anniversary sale & Open House here at my home this Thursday & Friday!  I hope you ALL can join me! :)

**Even if you can’t come, remember you are STILL eligible to receive all the same benefits of those attending!  A few of the items you will receive….

****ANYONE who RSVP’s (even if you can’t attend) will be entered in the drawing for a pack of our NEW embellishments!!!

****ANYONE how places a qualifying order ($30, $50, $75 prior to shipping & tax) will be able to earn EXTRA gifts from ME!! (see below)

AND

Don’t forget about the AMAZING sale Close To My Heart is offering as well!!! 

With any $75 order, plus the purchase of the SOTM for $5.00 you will get another THREE stamp sets for FREE~ a $60.80 value for 4 stamp sets!

These 2 days will be loaded full of FUN and CRAFTING J with a LOT of goodies in between!!!   You can see all the details below! J

Also – FRIDAY, AUGUST 19^th is the final day to register for the “Early Bird Special” for the upcoming Christmas Card Making Day.  Our final RSVP day is Friday, September 2^nd – so if you are still trying to work out the details, that’s ok too!  J

            

Have a BEAUTIFUL Day and I look forward to seeing you later on this week! J

RECEIVE 4 stamp sets for $5.00 with Qualifying purchase!!!

TODAY - August 15th, is the DAY that this AMAZING special begins!!!! :) 

When you place a $75 order, and purchase the August SOTM for $5.00 - you will RECEIVE THREE MORE STAMP SETS for FREE!!!! :) 

That means you will receive $60.80 in retail of stamp sets for ONLY $5.00!!!

Let me show you WHAT you will be receiving when you place this qualifying order :) 

********************************************************************************

First, when you place your $75 order - you will need to purchase the August Stamp of the Month, Wicked, for $5.00 to get the other 3 stamp sets for FREE! :)

The August SOTM is a stamp I wasn't sure I'd use very often...BUT when I started looking at the stamp set in a different way - it was AMAZING how this stamp set can be used!!! :)

Make sure you scroll to the bottom of this post to view a few of the items I've created with this stamp set!!!

August SOTM set - Wicked
Retails at $17.95

What stamp sets will you get for FREE when you place your $75 order and purchase the $5.00 SOTM stamp set?? :)

A Typeface - this is an EXCLUSIVE A-size alphabet stamp set retailed at $6.95!!!  I can't WAIT to receive my set to start using this ADORABLE letters!

A Typeface Alphabet Stamp set
Retail ~ $6.95

NEXT, you will receive the Pair-A-Phrase stamp sets...yes SETS!!! You will receive this stamp package with TWO D-size sets!!!  As you can see by the images, this set will be used in a VARIETY of ways!!!  So many options!  The retail value for this set of stamps is $35.90

IF you have a problem deciding "WHAT should I get for my $75 ??" (LOL!) I have an EASY solution to that question :). 

Did you know that CTMH has paired up with Provo Craft and CTMH now has their OWN Cricut Cartridge!!!!  This Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge is an amazing cartridge and has over 700 designs PLUS you can create those 700 designs into multiple sizes!!! 

I am creating, and creating and CREATING ....with this AMAZING cartridge!!!  This Cricut cartridge coordinates with a variety of our stamp sets - so no more cutting out all of my images to make them "pop" on the page! :) I just pop the paper in the Cricut machine, pick my design, cut it out and then use my coordinating stamp set to stamp on top of the pre-cut piece!!

 Check out this FABULOUS bundle below and click HERE for more details!

Now for some artwork :)

The August Stamp of the Month has some BEAUTIFUL scroll stamps that add so much to any creation!  This layout is one that I recreated after seeing this at Convention in Kristine Widtfelt's business class. Isn't this an AMAZING 2 page layout? 

Here is ONE more card that I have created using the August SOTM.  The sentiment is from a NEW stamp set called Harvest Happiness, but everything else is from the SOTM stamp set.  This card design came from our Wishes How-to-book!  This is a book I would not want to be without - it helps me to come up with a card design so QUICKLY and saves me so much time! :)

STAY TUNED for another Stamp of the Month Card I will be posting in the next day or so. 

This is my FAVORITE card that I have created with the August Stamp of the Month card (hint...a flower). 

YOU will be creating this card when you JOIN me at my OPEN HOUSE this week!!! :)  Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 18th from 4-9pm OR Friday, August 19th from 12-6pm.  You will be able to get your OWN NEW Fall/Winter Idea Book, create a make n take, get to see FABULOUS new items, EARN TICKETS for door prizes, get some EXTRA NEW items for FREE with a qualifying order, eat some yummy food and MORE!!! 

Have a Magnificent Monday! :) 

Adorable Purses!

Many of you commented on the purse that I had pictured in the first post of my NEW blog. :)  I mentioned I would share the details about it with you in a future post, and here we are- a future post! :)

Why did I want to create a purse? :)  Back in June, I was thinking about roomy gifts for Close To My Heart's upcoming Convention and I thought this purse would be a GREAT gift! :) I created this purse, tucked a bunch of other goodies inside, and gave this purse to my roomates as well as 2 other downline that were with me at the Disneyland Convention! :)

I originally saw this purse on Lisa Stenz's blog (thanks Lisa) - a fellow CTMH consultant.  She created this adorable purse and I followed the link on her blog to find the pattern.  I know MANY of you were asking for the pattern...I went today to look for this and I was sad to find that the link no longer exists! 

This pattern was created by Bridget Louw, and she calls these purses, "Lovestruck Purses".   I will include a picture of the purse instructions and the pattern design for the purse at the bottom of this post.  Please give Bridget the credit if you do create this purse - she was so kind to share this pattern with all of us! :)

I also chose to use this purse pattern to create a purse for my display board at Convention.  As an Extravaganza teacher at Convention this year, I was excited to be able to use the NEW Sonoma paper pack! I thought this paper design would make a FABULOUS purse!  What was even better, as I started to work with our NEW heavier weight designer paper (100 lb), I realized I will NOT have to make multiple mats for the front of the purse like I did with my first set of purses! :)   I was really excited with how this purse turned out!!

  

It was also a LOT of fun to use so MANY of our new embellishments to add the finishing touches on this purse! :)  Heirloom Assortment (purple adhesive backed flower), Antiqued Copper Designer brads, Foundry Metal Ribbon Slides, our NEW dimensional Element Monograms, and our ever faithful pearl opaque adhesive gems. 
  

This purse has also become a hostess gift for my hostesses that are holding a gathering for their 3rd time! :)  The purse shown here was created with the Mayberry paper pack...I'm so thankful that this paper pack is still available in the current CTMH Idea Book!! It is a paper pack that can be used for sooo many different occassions! 

Prior to Convention - I knew NOTHING about CTMH's wonderful Cricut Cartridge!!!  If you notice on this purse, I used the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection to create my 3D rose AND the letter d.  I love how using this Cricut cartridge made creating this purse Faster. Simpler. Easier., but it turned out just as beautiful as the previous purses! :

This 3D rose, is cut out of Colonial White cardstock and then I inked the edges with our Smoothie ink.  Next, I used my paper piercer to help roll down the outer edges of the petals to make this flower seem more life like.  Then I completed the flower by rolling it up toward the center to create my rose! :)  I also added a pearl gem in the middle of the rose for that finishing touch.

I hope you enjoyed my samples...and now it's off to create some purses of your own! :)  I'd love to hear what items you plan on putting into your purses.  It would be interesting to hear all of the different types of purses we can create, just by adding different contents. :) 

Happy Crafting! :) 

(remember, you can click on the picture to make it larger :) )

 I recreated this "small" pattern below by taking a 12x12 piece of cardstock, a ruler and pencil and created a 1" grid covering the entire 12x12 area.  Then I looked at the pattern below and followed along with each 1" cube on this paper, and drew exactly what was in each 1 "cube on my 12x12 paper. 

Typeset Workshop - RSVP by THURSDAY!

I'd LOVE to have you join me as we create our FIRST Workshop on the Go kit using CTMH's FABULOUS new papers! :)   This evening, we will use the Typeset paper pack.  I love the cardstock like thickness of our new paper packs.  I also LOVE the zip strips at the top of each 12x12 piece of paper!!  We don't have to waste ANY part of our paper pack - Yayy!!!

Please RSVP by Thursday, August 11th by 11pm!!! :)

Please see the details below...during this class we will be using the NEW Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge!!! :) My Cricut has been humming and buzzing ever since I've received that new cartridge!  I am AMAZED at the 700 designs this cartridge allows us to create!!!

To learn more about the Cricut...come to my Open House on August 18th and 19th or let a comment here and I will be happy to share with you all the GREAT info about this WONDERFUL Cricut Cartridge! :)

(click on the flyer to see print larger)

Beautiful layout created in 10 minutes!

I am AMAZED each time I use Studio J, Close To My Heart's online scrapbooking program!  These 12x12 pages are quick and easy to create and are absolutely GORGEOUS to look at!  They fit into my 12x12 album, right beside my other hand crafted pages and it's very hard to notice a difference between my "classic" and "online" scrapbook pages!  I often need to tell the person looking at my album..."Did you notice?  Those pages are created with our Online Scrapbooking Program?".  They look at me and say..."These pages?" with a questioning look in their eye :). 

If you are would like to keep up to date on your scrapbooking, need to create a special occasion scrapbook, or want to create a special gift - Studio J is your answer!!!
Go to Studio J and create your own pages!!!  It's FREE to play - so you can try it out before you decide to make a purchase and it is so QUICK & EASY!!! 

 Click HERE to access Studio J and try it out TODAY!!  When you access Studio J, I encourage you to create an account.  Creating an acount does not require you to make a purchase :), but by creating an account IF you decide that you would like to continue with Studio J - CTMH will SAVE the layouts you have already been working on for 90 days!!! 

I created these 2 pages last month and have recently ordered them to arrive on my door step any day...another added bonus with Studio J - CTMH will keep your non-purchased layout for 90 days (sending you reminder emails) allowing you to continue working on them as time permits! (Feel free to click on the picture to see more detail)




With Studio J, Close to My Heart does all the work for you and you can create a 2 page layout in just 5 easy steps! 
     1. Upload your Photos
     2. Select a Paper Kit
     3. Select your Layout design
     4. Personalize your layout
     5. Buy your layout
     
Of course, if you like to dabble, here and there, and would like to add some more embellishments, Stickease, ribbons, sanding, distressing, etc. to your Studio J layout you can :) AND there is NO EXTRA COST to do this.  It is up to you and how much time you'd like to spend creating on your Studio J pages! 

With Studio J you are able to crop your photos with ease and the photo editing tools are FABULOUS! (red-eye, wrinkle remover, blemish remover, teeth whitener, just to name a FEW!)
Another PLUS for Studio J is the paper packs...there are paper kits that have retired that I still would like to add to my album as well as the NEWEST paper kits from CTMH!

One more PLUS for STUDIO J – it’s VERY cost efficient!!! Close to my Heart offers memberships with Studio J that allow you to get MORE than what you are paying for...I love that being the bargain shopper that I am :)

A Studio J Membership Includes…
- Unlimited layouts at just $3.25/page ($6.50 for a double layout)
- FREE Shipping (up to 20 layouts) once per month (extras are up to 20 in a box for $5.95 shipping)
- FREE Page Protectors
- FREE High Resolution and Low Resolution JPEGS
- Member Only paper packs AND layout patterns

What do memberships cost, you ask? :) The BIG question!!!
A THREE month membership is only $30 (can you believe it??? Only $10 a month!) and a 12 month membership is $99 (this takes it down to $8.25 a month!). You will definitely break even with your YEAR membership with just 15 layouts! (I’ve already completed 12 layouts in one month! )

Please contact me with any questions you may have.  I'd love to set up a time to show your how to use Studio J.  Let's chose a time to get together...and that can be in person or over the phone...and we will walk through Studio J step by step.

Have fun and Happy Creating!!!

Krista :)


A few more Studio J pages to share...

This paper pack is an EXCLUSIVE paper pack available to "Members Only". It is called Class Act. 

The next 4 pages were created with another Exclusive paper pack for members only called Hippity Hop.  Those that are familiar with this paper pack may realize that while the designs are the same in Hippity Hop - the colors are different than the original pack.  This is one of my favorite options with Studio J - you can change ANY of the paper packs to ANY of CTMH's 60 colors!!!! Yes - you can create your OWN color scheme.  So, these pages took me a bit longer to create as I changed the paper to different colors...also, notice the flower?  I created the flower out of multiple ribbon tabs! :)  Fun, FUN!!!

A NEW addition to Studio J....STITCHING!!!  Do you see the stitched, scalloped border AND the zig zag stitching?  There is a new section in the Embellishments section called Stitching!  Check it out to see the variety of options of stitching you can QUICKLY add to your pages!

Extra! Extra! Get a FREE stamp set during the Month of August!

To celebrate the NEW Stamp of the Month (SOTM) program, Close To My Heart is offering a SPECIAL promotion! :) 

During the month of August, when you purchase $50 in CTMH products AND purchase the August SOTM- Wicked- you will get this ADORABLE A size alphabet for FREE!!!

I LOVE this cute alphabet stamp set and I know I will use it for cards or even small journaling on my scrapbook pages!   Think of this special as two promotions in one -- qualify for and purchase the discounted August SOTM set , and we'll throw in a second stamp set FREE!!!  It's Extra! Extra!

Here is a picture of the August Stamp of the Month - Wicked.  You can purchase this stamp set ONLY during the month of August.

The retail cost is $17.95...OR when you place a $50 order, you can purchase this set for ONLY $5.00! PLUS don't forget, you will also get the Typeface Alphabet for FREE!

Here is some artwork that CTMH has created using this stamp set...

I am not a person who celebrates Halloween, so of course I looked right away for a way to use this set in another way! :)  I LOVE the border that comes in this stamp set...and there are MANY ways to use the honeycomb stamp! :)  Stay tuned to my blog as I will be posting my creation using the August SOTM! :)

Click here to start shopping and take advantage of this EXTRA!  EXTRA!! deal!

New Product Blog Hop!

TODAY is the day!!! The release of the BRAND NEW 2011 Fall/Winter Idea Book! 

I am participating in a blog hop for the first time and have joined the Fabulously Artsy blog hop sponsored by Tresa Black. Tresa is another Close to my Heart Consultant that is an AMAZING artist!  You will want to check out her blog to view her STUNNING creative pieces of artwork!  Make sure you take time to view her videos as well :)...she has an amazing gift for creating AND entertaining!  Her blog address is www.fabulouslyartsy.com.

Today I am going to share with you a scrapbook page that I created for one of my teaching display boards I had made for Convention this year.  I was privileged to be chosen as one of 28 teachers at CTMH's Convention that was held in California 3 weeks ago.  What an AMAZING experience!! CTMH sent me a BOXFUL of new products to create 3 display boards prior to Convention.  What FUN! 

On this scrapbook page, I used MANY of the NEW items you will find in this 2011 Fall/Winter Idea Book.  This paper pack is called "Elemental" and is an all around versatile paper pack shown on page 28 of the New Idea Book. (you can click on ANY photo image to see more detail) 

I LOVE the new Color-Ready Cork Alphabet, (pg. 129) ready for you to stamp an image on, color with ink (marker or ink pad) or even emboss!  I chose to use these self adhesive letters exactly as they arrived in their package since this matched my beach theme quite well. :)

I also used the BRAND NEW Elemental Complements shown on page 28 of our newest Idea book.  These coordinating, printed dimensional elements chipboard pieces made putting together this layout QUICK and EASY! :)   You may chose to ink the edges of these chipboard pieces, or just leave them as they are.  There are endless possibilities when you start stacking this D.E. items or using more than one on a page!  Add a few sparkles to give it some "BLING" and you have a masterpiece created! :)

The next new item I used is the NEW Dimensional Elements NUMBERS shown on page 130 of the New Idea Book.  I chose to keep these numbers uncolored, but did decide to sponge the edges of them in Desert Sand ink.  Adding a few of our bitty sparkles gave some shine. 

The stamp set used for these images is D1297 Daydream.  Did you hear???  STAMP SETS in our new Idea Book have DROPPED IN PRICE!!! Yay!!! So instead of the old price of $22.95 US, this D-size stamp set is now only $17.95!!!  Way to go CTMH! :)

I had FUN as I created the umbrella by paper piecing sorbet cardstock and then adding our stardust glitter gel to the edge.  I also paper pieced to create the sand bucket and shovel and then used my blending pen to color in the sand.

Other new items I used on this layout...
    *Antiqued Copper Designer Brads (pg. 126)
    *Decor Journaling Spots tags (pg. 128)
    *Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel (pg. 132 - now in 3 NEW colors!)

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse of Elemental and some fabulous NEW embellishments. Click on the Idea Book cover at the top of my blog to view ALL of the other NEW items we have at Close To MY Heart!  Happy browsing and please let me know if you have any questions! 

Blessings to you :) 
Krista :)