"Planners Gonna Plan" - TWO DAYS LEFT!

I realize I have been absolutely HORRIBLE at keeping up with my blog - I apologize. Working full-time has really thrown a huge wrench into my Close To My Heart business - you and I are missing all the FUN!! I am making a New Year's resolution to try and be better about getting things posted, though - really, I am. I just hope it doesn't go the way of the "eat healthier and lose 20 pounds" resolution!

Anyway, I just HAVE to let you all know that the "Planners Gonna Plan" Campaign will be OVER in JUST TWO DAYS! This special is only good to the end of this month, so be sure to get yours. And here's a special sneak-peek spoiler for you - in January, there will be an exclusive "Live Your Day" Picture My Life Scrapbooking Program (4" x 6" and 4" x 3" cards), available in January ONLY, that not only coordinates with, but was specially designed to go with the products in the "Planners Gonna Plan" Bundle!

Need more incentive? Watch Monica in the video below to get a good look at ALL the new planner album products, then get to my website at funforyou.ctmh.com and order yours today!

Experience the “Fun” of Fundamentals!

Experience the beautiful Simply Fundamental Scrapbooking workshop—available only during November! This workshop has been created using all the items featured in our campaign exclusive My Legacy™ album bundles, available during November for $71.80 each! Just wait until you see all that you will get! When you purchase the album bundle, you will also qualify to receive a value pack of side load or top load Memory Protectors™ FREE—a savings of $19.95! Along with the album style and design of your choice, each bundle includes one Paper Fundamentals Enchantment pack, one Fundamental stickers Enchantment pack, one Peacock Fundamental assortment, and three sheets of White Daisy cardstock. You will then be set to turn these beautiful products into fabulous layouts using the new Simply Fundamental Scrapbooking workshop featuring five layouts you can make using all the supplies in your bundle (click the link to see the workshop!).

 Purchase the album bundle and you get:

• Album of your choice (D-ring or Post-bound)
• Paper Fundamentals Enchantment (1 pack)
• Fundamental Stickers Enchantment Pack (1 pack)
• Fundamental Assortment Peacock (1 pack)
• White Daisy Cardstock (3 sheets)
• Memory Protectors™ Value Pack (1 pack Side Load or 1 pack Top Load)

This is a phenomenal value, and just in time for the holidays! You can create this album as a unique and treasured gift, or give the entire bundle as a gift for the scrapbooker - or want-to-be-scrapbooker - in your life! Choose your bundle on my website at funforyou.ctmh.com. But HURRY! There's only ONE WEEK LEFT!!

Back To The...Past?

This past week, on October 21st, we celebrated "Back To The Future Day" - the day on which Marty McFly and Doc Brown time-traveled to the future in "Back To The Future Part 2" in order to save Marty's kids. Here's a clip from the movie showing what 2015 was supposed to be like:

Ever wish you could time-travel to the past to take advantage of something that you missed? Probably all the time, right? I know that every time the Close To My Heart Annual Convention rolls around, I wish I could go. And then when I see the ultra-cool bag that all of the attendees received with the new Idea Book, I really wish I could travel back in time and attend Convention just so I can get one! Well, this month, CTMH is offering you that chance! Simply sign up as a new Consultant before the end of October, and receive this year's Exclusive Convention bag for FREE!

And this is only part of the incredible deal. CTMH has just announced a new Straight to the Top Program where you can also earn more great products for FREE by meeting sales goals in your first three months - one of which is an adorable "On The Go" Bag that coordinates with the gorgeous Convention bag!

Cute, right?! Now's your chance to become your own boss, meet incredible new people, experience and share the best paper-crafting products on the market, and get a great discount on those same products - no time-traveling required! You can sign up directly on my website and have a gorgeous box FULL of goodies delivered straight to your door. But this offer ends at the end of this week, so don't delay! I look forward to having you on my team!

Fun With Color!

I love solid stamps. Every so often, I don't mind coloring outline stamps in, but for the most part, I am a stamp-n'-go kind of gal. I do, however, occasionally feel that straight solid stamping can be kind of flat, uninteresting, and boring. Well, we can't have that! Today I am going to show you one way in which you can spice up your solid stamps - with sponge daubers!

First, let's gather what we'll need: your stamp and acrylic block, Exclusive Inks colors (I used Sunset, Eggplant, Slate, and Fern), cardstock, and sponge daubers. I like to have a different dauber for each color, so as not to spoil the ink pad.

Next, use the sponge daubers to add the color to your stamp. It's usually best to start with your lightest color, then work your way to the darkest.

Once you are finished, your stamp could look something like this:

Since you've spent a little time sponging on all of these colors, odds are that the first color you put on may be a little "dry" at this point. So now we're going to perform "the huff" - just breathe on your stamp like you're trying to fog up a window. This will re-moisten the ink for stamping. Then just stamp your image on your cardstock.

The big reveal!

Cool, right?! You can have so much fun with this technique. Here is the card I made with this image:

I used very neutral patterned papers from the Nevermore Paper Pack (new!), along with Whisper cardstock (which I dry embossed with the Quatrefoil Embossing Folder), Sunset and Eggplant cardstock, and some Durables Triangle Studs.

Here's another card using the same stamp set (the September Stamp of the Month!!) with different colors:

How fun! September's Stamp of the Month - "Paper Garden" - is only available until the end of this month - then it's GONE! Get yours for $17.95 OR for just $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase. Have fun experimenting with this technique!

A Rainbow of New Colors!

The brand-new Close To My Heart Annual Inspirations Idea Book is in full swing – and it is my favorite so far to date. Two of the brand-new products that I am going to focus on today are the Cricut “Artistry” Cartridge and the seven incredible new colors in the color palette!

One of my fellow CTMH Consultants, Susan Williams, is an incredible artist. She creates such inspirational artwork, that it is her designs that I re-created for the following four cards. They are only slightly different from her originals, due to my not having the exact same supplies, but the end result is the same – gorgeous! These were done with the specific goal of showcasing the seven new colors in the 2015-2016 Annual Inspirations Idea Book, so they are VERY colorful! For your reference each card is 4 ¼ ” x 5 ½ ”, if, like me, you’d like to re-create them! Let’s begin…

“The Good Life” banner is one of the cuts from the new “Artistry” Cricut Cartridge (pg. 16). I cut it at 4 ¾” from black cardstock (CS). The words “the” and “Life” were then backed with white CS, while the word “Good” was backed with silver glitter paper. The card base is Whisper CS, the top and bottom strips on the front are White Shimmer Trim, and each strip of colored CS is ½” wide. The brand-new colors are as follows (from top to bottom): Eggplant, Sapphire, Peacock, Fern, Saffron, Poppy, and Pomegranate. Gorgeous, right?! The banner is adhered with 3-D foam tape, and then embellished with Sparkles.

The “Eat Cake!!!” card uses an “Artistry” cut from pg. 18, cut from Whisper CS at 2 ¼”. The cut was then backed with white CS and embellished with Sparkles. Each colored CS strip is 1” wide and cut at a length of between 3 ½” and 3 ¾”. I notched the ends and inked the edges of each with its coordinating color of ink. A strip of 1” black CS and Black Shimmer Trim across the front, and a few more Sparkles for bling…and voila - you’re done!

The “Lucky” card uses two “Artistry cuts – “Lucky” from page 36, cut from Whisper CS at 1 ¾” and backed with black CS, and the cloud from page 38, cut at 2” from white CS and dry embossed with the Chevron Embossing Folder. The CS on top of the black base is Slate, and each of the colored strips is ¼” wide. Add some Extra Thick Pixie Twine and – of course! – more Sparkles, and we’re down to one last card!

I saved the best (in my opinion) for last! This was also the most time-consuming, due to having to trim all of the colored CS to back the openings in the “Artistry” cut from page 42. This was cut from black CS at 3”. The banner was also cut from the “Artistry” cartridge (pg. 15) – the outline from Whisper CS at 1 ¼” and its backing from white CS, also at 1 ¼”. The card base is Slate CS, then black, then white embossed with the Quatrefoil Embossing Folder. A sentiment from the “Artfully Sent” Cricut Collection (Hello), a little bit of White Shimmer Trim, and a spattering of Sparkles, and our set of very colorful cards is complete!

I think, by far, that these are the coolest cards I’ve made to date – thanks again, Sue! All of the incredible supplies used to make each of these cards can be found in the new “Annual Inspirations” Idea Book for 2015-2016. You can page through the entire thing on my website at funforyou.ctmh.com. Be sure to contact me for any help you need – that’s what I’m here for! Happy creating!

A Brand-New "Annual Inspirations" Idea Book!

It’s September 1^st and the moment you’ve all been waiting for is finally here! Introducing the NEW Close To My Heart “Annual Inspirations” Idea Book! You will be able to enjoy this Idea Book from now through August of 2016!

The NEW "Annual Inspirations” 2015-2016 features: 

-    Six New My Reflections™ Paper Packs with coordinating Complements, Assortments & stamp sets – most with a coordinating Workshop on the Go or a Workshop on the Go Card-Making Kit 

-    A NEW Cricut® Cartridge – “Artistry” – which is yet another can’t-do-without addition to the CTMH Cricut line. Over 700 new images and three incredible new stamp sets included!

-    Seven brand New COLORS! 

-    New Hostess Rewards Stamp Sets and Stamps of the Month. 

-    Two New “Cut Above™” card kits – kits have all of the pieces pre-cut for you and are ready to stamp & assemble. 

-    NEW “Instalife™” Line – Designed specifically to preserve your Instagram photos and memories!. 

-    Seven New “Picture My Life™” programs – including two overlay sets! 

-    A New “Fundamentals” line that will make you go “Mmmmmm”. 

-    New storage and organization pieces 

-    Brand New additions to the “Base & Bling” line 

-    New Trim, New Twine & New Tape – Oh My!

If you hadn’t already guessed, there’s a lot that’s NEW! I don’t know how they do it, but each new Idea Book is better than the last. The Paper Packs alone are SO gorgeous! The patterns are spectacular and incredibly versatile.

And this month’s Stamp of the Month – beautiful. It’s called “Paper Garden”, and here’s what you get:

$17.95 Regular price – ONLY $5.00 with a $50 purchase!

But WAIT! There’s MORE! IN ADDITION, today also starts a BRAND NEW “Holiday Expressions” book, which runs from September 2015 through December 2015 – with EVEN MORE BRAND NEW PRODUCT to fulfill your dreams! Additional “Hostess Reward Stamp Sets”, Holiday-themed Paper Packs, Compliments, Assortments, and Stamp Sets. Additional “Picture My Life”, “Designer Creations”, and “Cut Above” Card Kits. And even more “Base & Bling”. 

I can’t tell you how excited I am! I am so anxious to start creating with all my new goodies! I will be posting my favorite new products and new artwork soon, so stay tuned! Get right over to MY WEBSITE to view both of these new Idea Books online!

NEW PRODUCTS Available from Close To My Heart!

I just LOVE new stuff - especially when it comes from Close To My Heart! CTMH has switched up it's Idea Book release dates a little bit. The new Annual Inspirations 2015-2016 Idea Book won't officially begin until September 1st instead of August 1st as originally planned. So, to bridge the gap, during the month of August, you can get your hands on select new products from the 2015-2016 Annual Inspirations Idea Book! The new products available for customer purchase now are:

• Cricut® Artistry Collection (Z3167) - WHOOHOO!!

• My Reflections™ Zoe Paper Packet (X7197B)

• Zoe Complements (X7197C) 
• Zoe Assortment (Z3082) 
• Coral Shimmer Trim (Z3088) 
• Enamel & Glitter Duos Green Triangles (Z3123) 
• Workshops on the Go® Zoe Scrapbooking Kit (G1096)

• Framed – August Stamp of the Month (S1508) 

• Zoe Studio J® Kit 
• Zoe Studio J® Limited Edition Express Collection (Live until September 30, 2015)

• Marker Roll-Up (Z3120) and Accessory Roll-Up (Z3121) as part of the "August Get Organized" Campaign

Where can you get a hold of these incredible new products? My website, of course! Just enter any of the above item numbers or descriptions into the "search for products" spot at http://funforyou.ctmh.com. And while you are there, be sure to catch up on all the latest specials and promotions going on this month - you'll be glad you did!

Oh, and don't forget - there's only one month left to shop the "Retiring Items" list on my website as well - don't miss out on your favorites! Grab them BEFORE they're gone! (Hint - there will be seven NEW colors in the new Idea Book...which means the following are going away: Smokey Plum, Outdoor Denim, Indian Corn Blue, Ponderosa Pine, Olive, Autumn Terracotta, and Barn Red.)

I can't wait to start playing with all of my new products!!

Get Exclusive Hostess Stamp Sets in July - Without Being A Hostess!

Did you know that Close To My Heart has Exclusive Hostess Reward Stamp Sets that are available ONLY to hostesses with qualifying gatherings? There are some spectacular sets available at deep discounts for Hostesses. If only these incredible stamp sets were available to purchase without having to host a gathering....

Jump on It in July! This month you actually CAN get your hands on Exclusive Hostess Stamp Sets from the Annual Inspirations AND Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Books - without being a Hostess!

During the month of July, when you purchase $25 in current, retail-priced stamps, you qualify to receive either the July Stamp of the Month, My Acrylix^® "Life Is Wonderful", FREE or any one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets featured in Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 or Seasonal Expressions 2 for only $5! (All of the qualifying stamp sets are pictured above.) That is a savings of up to $17.95!

The July Stamp of the Month is a lovely, versatile stamp set that is a great match for your cards and layouts that celebrate all the wonderful things—big and small—that life has to offer. Additionally, the Hostess Rewards stamp sets have previously only been available as part of the Hostess Rewards program, which means now is the perfect opportunity to get those special stamp sets you’ve had your eye on!Remember - this offer is only good THIS MONTH, so take advantage - you won't find a better deal!

I absolutely LOVE these Hostess Stamp Sets! Here are a few of the cards that I have created using them:

(Uses "Tagged With Love" stamp set and Blossom Paper Pack)

(Uses "Paper Bird" stamp set and Brushed Paper Pack.)

(Uses "Sweet as Sugar" stamp set.)

(Use the "Cuddly Salutations" stamp set.)

And that's just a few of the stamp sets that are available this month for only $5 with a qualifying purchase. These sets are so fun! You can order anytime on my website at funforyou.ctmh.com. I'd love to see what YOU create!

Summer Crush!

Have you seen the incredible "Summer Crush" special that Close To My Heart is offering this month?! Well here's a little taste:

CTMH's My Crush® books are so fun to use. They are so user-friendly, informal, and un-intimidating - and there are now so many to choose from! I have the My Crush® Bluebird Book, which has 60 pre-printed 7" x 10" spiral-bound pages to fill to your heart's content. I used mine to chronicle the Disney Cruise we took 2 years ago. It was so easy to just paste things onto the pages - photos, journaling, ticket stubs, memorabilia - you name it. Here are just a few of the pages from my completed book:

(With Flip-Flap!)

What's really cool about this month's special is that you will receive the coordinating stamp set FREE with the purchase of a My Crush® Book and it's coordinating Assortment. Be sure to check out pages 150 - 157 of the Annual Inspirations Book for all of the fun selections!

{Please be aware - I just received the following notice from our corporate office: "The Summer Crush campaign has been a huge hit! Due to overwhelming popularity, the My Crush® In the Pink Assortment (Z2042) is no longer available for order; however, we don't want to leave the My Crush In the Pink books out of the campaign fun while they are still available in inventory. So for the remainder of the campaign—or at least for as long as the In the Pink books remain in stock—the My Crush In the Pink Clips (Z2048) will be available as a qualifying item for the In the Pink campaign combo. Simply order both the In the Pink book (Z2000) and the In the Pink clips and receive the accompanying My Acrylix® Glitter Glam stamp set (B1465) FREE! This offer applies only to the In the Pink campaign combo and not to any other qualifying combinations available as part of the campaign."}

I know you will enjoy these books as much as I do! This promotion, however, is only available until the end of June - and only WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!

Need more ideas on how to use these fun books?! How about these from Michelle Snyder: 
"Pick any topic... things that make you happy, a book of possibilities, a book of quotes, a book of trip highlights, a book of silly things your kids do...anything. Start putting pictures, notes, found objects, etc on the pages and see how your story comes together as you add to each page. My Crush Books can become a perfect treasure to show how you live, what makes you laugh, and the people, places, and things you love. Those are truly blue sky kinds of things that you will enjoy reflecting on down the road. 
A place to start maybe with something as simple as a book of your favorite things. It is an easy theme that you can add to whenever and wherever. You can work on any page, in any order, and compile a book that features some of what makes you, you. What's your favorite type of movie, nail polish color, recipe to cook, destination to travel, etc.? The My Crush Books can become wonderful little capsules that record little things that make us special. Wouldn't you love to look through a little book about your grandmother and know all of these little things about her? I would. They might feel trivial while you are putting it together, but it's not. It's real. It's right now. It is about the things that make each of us unique."

Need I say more? Pick out yours today on my website - funforyou.ctmh.com