Sunday, November 30, 2014

Cyber Monday Only~20% Off All Cricut Collections

For the first time ever, Close To My Heart is offering a Cyber Monday Sale on Monday, December 1, 2014. There has never been a better time to buy Close To My Heart’s exclusive Cricut® Collections for 20% off the retail price. Whether you love scrapbooking, cardmaking, or creating 3-D projects, our four exclusive Cricut® collections make the perfect addition to any craft room! Sale starts at midnight (MST) on December 1 and ends at 11:59 pm Monday night.


Orders can be placed online here or directly with me. Don't forget that Monday is also December 1st, which means that you can also order new products from the Seasonal Expressions 1 Idea Book!

Plus, it marks the beginning of a new monthly promotion and it's the Deal of the Decade! With a qualifying purchase of $50 you can select any C or D sized stamp set from the 2014-15 Annual Expressions Idea Book for only $10! Once you achieve the qualifying order total, there is no limit to the number of eligible stamp sets you can purchase at this discounted price.

Finally, you will also be eligible to purchase the adorable stamp of the month Cutie Pie.

 

So many good deals, but the Cricut Collections are only on sale Monday until 11:59 (MST).
Happy shopping!

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Feeling Grateful

I feel that it would be appropriate to share some Thanksgiving/Fall scrapbook layouts today! I hope to take several pictures at our family gathering to fill them! I used the Pathfinding papers and complements to create these simple layouts. I had a little help from the Artbooking Cricut cartridge as well!

Give Thanks~




Oh-So Grateful~




I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends. Remember to capture the memories!

Monday, November 24, 2014

Over the Hill

The "No"vember challenge last week on Heart 2 Heart was to create with NO embellishments! An Artfully Sent card was perfect for this type of challenge. The cards are all cut out so beautifully that truly no embellishments are needed. However, a little paper piecing is required!

I made this for my Brother-in-law who turned 40 last weekend. I like the bold sentiment across the center of the cake and all the colors peeking through the image.


inside

Only one more challenge left this month on Heart 2 Heart! Be sure to stop by and see all the inspiration!

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Ode to Pinterest & Celebrating 40 ~ Studio J

I have two more layouts to share with you that I created on Studio J. The first one is a collage of all those recipes and projects I finally stopped hoarding on my Pinterest boards and actually tried.





This second layout is a collection of photo's from my 40th Birthday celebration! So often I'm scrapbooking for my kids, family, Holidays or travels. It's very rare that I'm in front of the camera and scrapbook my own personal events or accomplishments. I figure turning forty is a worthy accomplishment and I really should document it! {My husband and I were also celebrating 20 years of marriage which is also quite an achievement!}


You still have time to create your Studio J layouts for only $5 and win some prizes too! Click on the Current Specials tab for more details. If your on Instagram you can search #ctmhlucky5 for some inspiration and I have recently "pinned" ideas on Pinterest that will surely make you think beyond a traditional two-page layout!


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

First Ever Crate Card Club

Last month I introduced my customers to a new club I was starting. I call it the Crate Card Club!


This is the original photo I made for the flyer and introduction. I did an example and explanation of the club and handed out 6 colorful crates that day.

Our very first club met this past weekend and it is already a success! In fact I already gained an eighth member for our next club in January!

Here is how the club works~

Each member brings their crate filled with a sample card and all the materials for all other members to create their sample card. Each person gets a turn to be the teacher. We rotate to each member around the table until we have completed everyone's cards. In the end you create/design one card yourself and get to make 7 (depending on how many members you have that day) more cards taught by other members. They can be any occasion they desire, I only require that they use mostly Close To My Heart products.

Each member received a plastic crate that they could decorate as they desired. I gave away all the brightly colored crates so I used an older clear one that I dressed up in some black gross grain ribbon and a Base & Bling pendant.


Inside I had my designed card (inspired by the Snowhaven card making WOTG) the papers already cut, stamp set, embellishments and envelopes. I also had all the stamps we were going to use already mounted on blocks.


Here are the cards that were created from all the members~

My card

Nanette

Pat

Tommie  

Barbie

Janet

Lori

What did we learn from our first get together?

1. We get to use stamp sets that we don't already own
2. We learn different styles as everyone has unique ideas
3. We learn clever and creative techniques we never tried before
4. Everyone has a different way of teaching
5. Several cards can be made in a little amount of time
6. We will have a variety of cards for many occasions
7. We laugh and have way too much fun being members of this club!!

I can't wait to meet again in January!

Also~

In conjunction with the Crate Card Club I held a Holiday Open House where I showcased some of the Autumn and Winter collections available in the Annual Expressions Idea Book. I also hosted a Base & Bling buffet and gave a sneak peek to several products that will be featured in the newest Seasonal Expressions Idea Book. Whew!!! Yes, it was a big day for me!{and that's only the half of it!}. Stick around and I will have photo's from my Open House soon!




Friday, November 14, 2014

Love Note

Want a little sneak peek?! My card today features some new products available December 1st from the Heartstrings collection found in the Seasonal Expressions. I'm also playing along with the sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches and the "no" ink challenge on Heart 2 Heart.



There was no ink used in the making of this card. The darling typewriter image is from the Heartstrings Complements and the mini badge button is one of 8 pieces in the Heartstrings Assortment. With embellishments this cute there is no need to stamp with ink! Plus, no inky fingers!


Be sure to check out all the beautiful artwork and inspiration at Freshly Made Sketches too!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Seeing the Sights~Studio J

This Studio J layout was created using another Express collection similar to the layout I posted yesterday. I love the big bold circle shape {sprocket} in the center of the layout. I also like how your eye simply flows across the page to view each photograph. It was a great way to showcase the few pictures I captured from this year's parade and carnival.


Be sure to scroll down to read all about this month's Studio J celebration!


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Gateway to Bryce Canyon~Studio J

This month Close To My Heart is celebrating the 5th Anniversary of Studio J. You can create two-page layouts for only $5. This is such a great deal and an amazing time saver also. I was getting a little behind on my personal scrapbook so I took advantage of the deal and I'm hoping to be a winner this month also!

Here is a layout I created using one of the Express Collections. From the time I logged in, chose my layout, uploaded my pictures and arranged the final product; my layout was complete in about 30 minutes! The Express 'Travel' Collection was perfect for my Bryce Canyon photo's.

When you design a layout in Studio J it will be mailed to you and you will receive the JPG for download, which is what I'm sharing with you here. I love that I can easily upload photo's from my computer directly into the Studio J program. This saves me on the cost of photo paper and ink for my printer. I designed a total of 4 layouts in no time at all and for only $5 each! {I will share my other layouts soon!}

Did I mention that you can win prizes right now too! Surprise accessory's and fabulous new albums like the chevron one pictured below. With a savings of over 25% off retail, your already a winner!



November marks the five-year anniversary of Studio J®, and that means it’s your lucky month, with five amazing ways to win through Studio J and Close To My Heart social media!

First, throughout the month of November, all layouts purchased in Studio J are $5! That is a savings of over 25% off of retail—an unprecedented deal!

Your second chance to win big must come by sheer luck: every fifth order placed in Studio J during November receives a FREE surprise Close To My Heart accessory in its shipping box! The accessory has a retail value of $5 or more.

If luck doesn’t smile on you in that way, you might stumble upon it by finding a little extra something in your Studio J box. Five “golden tickets” will be sent out during the month of November with randomly selected Studio J print orders! This “golden ticket” is redeemable for one of Close To My Heart’s new D-ring albums* loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors™.

For a fourth way to win, simply create new, gorgeous layouts in Studio J, select your favorites, and then post pictures of them on Close To My Heart’s Facebook page using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5.

After November 30, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries based on their artistry and creativity and each of these winners will receive their own D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!

And there is one last way to win: take your new Studio J artwork and post a picture of it on Instagram using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. Just as it is with Facebook, after November 30, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries to receive their own D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!

Log into Studio J through my website and start creating today!


Sunday, November 9, 2014

What Makes You Happy

My scrapbooking room is covered in goodness right now! My order for the new CTMH Seasonal Expressions catalog came along with some brand new products. I could not resist playing with just a few items for a couple of challenges.

The first challenge is a simple sketch at Freshly Made Sketches. It is a nice clean template that allowed me to use a PML card that I had in mind. The second challenge is for Heart 2 Heart's "NO" stamping challenge. For the entire month of 'No'vember, all of their challenges will have something to do with saying "NO"! To ask me not to stamp is practically like cutting off my right arm, seriously!! Then I saw the gorgeous brand new Hopscotch PML cards and it was a "NO"~brainer!



I just adore the sentiment on this card, "Do more of what makes you happy"! Yes, please! No need to stamp when the PML card says it all! To dress it up I simply added some twine, Hopscotch Stickease and a puffy 3-D sorbet heart.Totally cute and not a single stamp was inked!


Get your hands on this brand new book at my Holiday Open House November 15th!

Monday, November 3, 2014

New in November!

Be sure to check out all the details in the Current Specials tab at the top of my Blog for this month's promotions! You'll find the Stamp of the Month deal and big savings on Studio J with a chance to win prizes!










November marks the five-year anniversary of Studio J®, and that means it’s your lucky month, with five amazing ways to win through Studio J and Close To My Heart social media!

First, throughout the month of November, all layouts purchased in Studio J are $5! That is a savings of over 25% off of retail—an unprecedented deal!

Your second chance to win big must come by sheer luck: every fifth order placed in Studio J during November receives a FREE surprise Close To My Heart accessory in its shipping box! The accessory has a retail value of $5 or more.

If luck doesn’t smile on you in that way, you might stumble upon it by finding a little extra something in your Studio J box. Five “golden tickets” will be sent out during the month of November with randomly selected Studio J print orders! This “golden ticket” is redeemable for one of Close To My Heart’s new D-ring albums* loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors™.

For a fourth way to win, simply create new, gorgeous layouts in Studio J, select your favorites, and then post pictures of them on Close To My Heart’s Facebook page using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. After November 30, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries based on their artistry and creativity and each of these winners will receive their own D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!

And there is one last way to win: take your new Studio J artwork and post a picture of it on Instagram using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. Just as it is with Facebook, after November 30, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries to receive their own D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!


While your creating your Studio J pages on my website,  be sure to check out the While Supplies Last section. There you will find some incredible bargains!