What's New for March

Each new month brings fun and exciting new things from Close To My Heart. Today I’m here to tell you about what the month of March has to offer. First and foremost, is the new Stamp of the Month, “Happy Place”:

This set of seven stamps has a mix of images and sentiments, making it a versatile set for scrapbooking, card-making, or any of your paper-crafting projects. You can purchase this set for $17.95 – which is a great price – OR...you can get it for JUST $5 with a $50 CTMH purchase! Now that’s a deal!

Next up – “Rediscover Home” this month with a special FREE download from Rediscover CTMH:

If you go to my website, under the “Promotions” tab, you will see “Rediscover CTMH”. Click on that, and it will bring you to the latest download, “Rediscover Home” – a set of spice labels that you can print onto label stock and punch or cut out to add a fun and unique look to your spice rack! How fun!

And last, but most certainly not least, is this month’s special: Studio Savings! 

During the month of March, order your Studio J™ layouts—including ones using the new Photo Express Collection—for only $5 each! Quickly create gorgeous, personalized studio layouts using an incredible selection of papers, collections, patterns, and embellishments. And don’t forget to check out the templates in the new Photo Express Collection, which allow you to design layouts comprised entirely of photos. Now you can use Studio J for your photo processing as well! Print photos in a variety of sizes – 4” x 6”, 3” x 4”, 3” x 3”, 2” x 2”, and more. And what better time to try it out then when it’s just $5 a layout – that’s only $2.50 per 12” x 12” page! “You’ve taken the photos. Now keep the memories.™” If you’ve been following me at all, you know that I LOVE Studio J, and that it is the only thing I use for my 12” x 12” scrapbooking. I encourage you to log on and play! If you choose to purchase any layouts, this month is the time to do it at just $5 each! Have FUN!

Picture My Life™ – In Cards! Part 2

This week I am showing you three more cards that I created using Close To My Heart’s newest scrapbooking program, “Picture My Life” (PML). These cards are, of course, fantastic for creating fast and easy scrapbooks, but being a card-maker at heart, I discovered that they are just as fun and easy to use for cards! So here are the second three cards I made - I’ll start by showing you the PML card that I started with (from the Skylark set), then show you the finished greeting card:

This one was easy – it’s practically a card front on its own. All I had to do was give it a background...

I absolutely love the notepaper cuts from our Cricut cartridges, so I used the one from the Cricut “Artiste” behind the card (after matting the card with Chocolate cardstock). Then I covered my card base with fun paper from the “Lollydoodle” paper pack. To add interest, I adhered the notebook paper and PML card to the card front at an angle, trimmed off the excess, and embellished with a tiny strip of Bronze Shimmer Trim, some Durables Triangle Studs, and a couple of Sparkles from the Brown & Tan Assortment. Fast and easy! 

Here’s the next PML card I pulled out:

I love the dainty scrollwork in the upper-left corner. It immediately reminded me of a stamp from the “For A Friend” stamp set. So I stamped the “Handmade Just for You” image on the card, then added a little color to the leaves with my Sweet Leaf Exclusive Inks marker.

Behind the PML card, I used a strip of patterned paper from the “Ariana” paper pack, a strip of Gold Polka Dot Washi Tape (backed with White Daisy cardstock), and some Neutrals Baker’s Twine. Once I adhered the PML card to the card front, I embellished with a swirl and stud from the “Rosewood Mini-Medley Accents Collection”, and Sparkles from the Brown & Tan Assortment. I love being able to use all of these different products on one card!

The last PML card I chose was one of the 4” x 6” ones:

I trimmed it down, rounded the corners, and backed it with a piece of Sweet Leaf cardstock:

The papers I used on the card front are from the “Lollydoodle” paper pack. A sparkly strip of Teal Shimmer Trim and some faux stitching, courtesy of my Legacy Writer pen, and another finished card! I love how easy this is!!

Well, if this post and last week’s post does not inspire you to go to MY WEBSITE right now and order yourself a “Picture My Life” Scrapbooking Program, I don’t know what would. These cards are fantastic – whether you are scrapbooking or card-making!

Picture My Life(TM) - Not Just For Scrapbooking!

OK, by now you MUST have seen, or at least heard of, Close To My Heart's Brand New Scrapbooking Program called "Picture My Life™". This system allows you to put an entire album together in a flash with only your 4" x 6" and 3" x 4" photos, a journaling pen, and a corner rounder (optional). Every "Picture My Life" kit comes with 122 double-sided cards in 3" x 4" and 4" x 6" horizontal & vertical designs, 10 Memory Protectors™ in mixed designs, and a 12" x 12" cover page to bring it all together. The programs, of which there are eight different themes/designs, are designed to pair with approximately 100 photos, but you are free to use as few or as many as you like! This is truly a fun & FAST way to scrapbook your photos.

But what about us card-makers out there? Isn't there something we can do with the "Picture My Life" kits? You bet! In fact, I can't remember having as much fun making cards as I did when I made ones using "Picture My Life" cards. I made so many the first night that I decided to show them to you in two parts. I will show you the first three cards I created using the "Picture My Life" Program this week, and next week I will show you three more. OK - let's get started!

First, I will show you the "Picture My Life" card that I started with. I used all 3" x 4" cards. The "Picture My Life" Program that I have is "Skylark" (just so you know):

My first thought when I saw this card was, "What a perfect place for a sentiment!" So I took out my "Country-Born" and "Distressed Backgrounds" stamp sets, my "Ariana" paper pack (I noticed that the colors in this paper pack matched/coordinated really nicely with the Skylark PML cards), and my Honey, Sweet Leaf, and Whisper Exclusive Inks Markers, and made this:

All of the cards I created are 4.25" x 5.5". See how perfectly the "Picture My Life" card fits right into the finished card? Oh, we're just starting to have fun! The next card I picked out was this one:

Again, I'm thinking perfect spot for a sentiment! This time I pull out my "Lollydoodle" paper pack, my "Word Balloons" stamp set (from the Cricut "Artiste" Collection), and my Juniper Sparkle & Shine Washi Tape (no longer available) to create this monochromatic masterpiece:

Look at how beautifully those colors blend together! You'd think they were made for each other. How fun! The third card I chose was this one:

I saw this card and thought the empty space in the upper left would make the perfect home for an embellishment - or focal point. I decided to create an accordion flower with paper from the "Ariana" paper pack, and give it a flashy center from the Rosewood Mini-Medley Accents Collection. I used another pattern from "Ariana" behind the card, as well as some Teal Shimmer Trim:

Nice, right? As a final touch of bling, I outlines the "Picture My Life" card with Stickles.

Well, that's it for now. But come back next week when I'll show you three more ways you can use these awesome "Picture My Life" cards in your cards!

NEW Spring-Summer 2014 Idea Book!

I had a lot of fun last month at my friend Julie’s crop (thank you, Julie!). I was able to break out my BRAND NEW products from the Close To My Heart Spring-Summer 2014 Idea Book! My two FAVORITE new paper packs are “Ariana” and “Lollydoodle”. I also really liked the look of the “Ariana Complements” and the “Ariana Assortment”, so I got those as well. I had fun creating! Here are the three cards that I completed at the crop:

This card uses the “Wishes Card Confidence Program”. It is the “Long Layers” pattern (6” x 3”) pictured on page 81 of the book. I used the “Ariana” paper packet and Compliments, as well as Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape. With the Washi Tape, I adhered a length of it to a strip of white cardstock, then pleated it and adhered it to another strip of white cardstock for stability. I then layered it behind the “Smile” chipboard Compliment. I just love what it adds to the overall look!

This next card also uses the “Ariana” paper pack (love these patterns!) along with the “Ariana Assortment” (adorable self-adhesive bows!), Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape, Smoothie Striped Washi Tape, and the “For a Friend” stamp set. The pattern comes from “Make it From Your Heart – Volume 1”, page 44, Pattern 23. Again, with the Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape, I adhered a piece to white cardstock, then cut the piece in half and dove-tailed the ends to create two pieces of faux ribbon. I love this card because I was able to showcase every one of the paper pack’s six different patterns.

For this last card, I used the “Lollydoodle” paper pack, White Daisy Die-Cut Cards, “Art Philosophy” Cricut Cartridge, “Framework Alphabet” stamp set, Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape, Teal Shimmer Trim, Scallop Border Punch, Sweet Leaf Exclusive Inks marker, and Sparkles – Black & Grey Assortment. This pattern also comes from “Make it From Your Heart – Volume 1”, page 47, Pattern 29. After cutting the white cardstock shape from the “Art Philosophy” cartridge, I stamped my sentiment, colored it with my Sweet Leaf marker, then used a piercing tool to make holes all around the edge of the shape. I did this to create more interest and texture. I could have just as easily inked the edges, or distressed them with a distressing tool or the edge of my scissors. I then attached the piece to my card with 3D Foam Tape. I used the Border Punch to create a fun scallop with the Teal Shimmer Trim. Admittedly, this was a little difficult, as the adhesive from the back of the Shimmer Trim, even unexposed, kept causing the piece to stick to the punch. But I was able to, very carefully, get this piece to use on my card. It added exactly what I needed for the card to be “finished”.

I really hope that you take some time to look over the NEW Spring-Summer 2014 Idea Book. In addition to “Ariana” and “Lollydoodle”, there are five additional NEW “My Reflections” sets to choose from – “Skylark”, “Ivy Lane”, “Balloon Ride”, “Jubilee”, and “Timberline” – all of which are fun and versitile! And don’t miss the introduction of the NEW “Picture My Life” Scrapbooking Program. You will LOVE this for your quick, easy, no muss-no fuss scrapbooking, but also for incredibly gorgeous card-making! Oh yeah! Tune in next week when I post the first of two sets of cards created using 3” x 4” cards from the “Skylark Picture My Life” program. You are going to love it!

More Jewelry Options from Close To My Heart!

I'm so excited that February is finally here! I have had my new products from the brand new Spring-Summer 2014 Idea Book for several weeks, just itching to share them with you! For this blog post, I will focus on my new favorite products - new additions to the Base & Bling line: Pendants, Chain, Charms, Glass Covers, and Style Sheets. The chain, pendants (both round and square) and charms come in both faux antiqued silver and faux antiqued gold. There are currently 5 different themes of charms available, and four different style sheets. Here is what I got for myself:

I just loved the colors and patterns of the "Dreamer Style Sheet". I also chose to work with the "Square Pendants" in the silver color and the "Rhinestone" charms. Here's how to use these cool products to create a fun necklace. Start by getting out your materials:

Next you will choose one of the fun squares from the Style Sheet to place on the inside of your pendant. I used this colorful chevron pattern, and also used the tip of my bone folder to make sure the square was securely and evenly fastened to the pendant (the Style Sheet images are self-adhesive):

Ooo, it's cool already! But there's one more thing to add - a glass cover! To adhere that to the pendant, I used the clear choice - Liquid Glass. Use enough to cover the square when spread around with the tip of the bottle (the first one that I did, I just filled the square with Liquid Glass - it was WAY too much!!!):

Then gently place the Glass Cover on top and tap it down until the Liquid Glass spreads evenly underneath (you will be able to see where there are bubbles that need pressing out):

That's it! Now just wait for this to dry, slip it onto your chain with your charm(s), and wear proudly!

These are so easy and fun to make. And each package of pendants comes with three for only $4.95 (U.S.). You only need one chain, because you can change the pendants in and out on the same one. What surprised me was how thick the Glass Covers are! Check out the profile:

I immediately made the other two pendants in the package:

Then I decided to experiment with other things for my second package of three. I used a postage stamp from last Christmas (how cute!), and two photos from our latest cruise:

After they dried, and for the first couple of days, these looked fantastic. But when I went to take a picture of the three of them (several days to a week after I made them), I noticed that the two I had put photos into were covered with bubbles beneath the glass. I can only conclude that this had something to do with a reaction the Liquid Glass had with either the photo paper or the ink that I used to print the pictures (they were printed by me at home). I also considered that I had not let the photos themselves dry long enough before using them. I am curious to know if I would have the same result with photos that were commercially processed...but I have used up all of the pendants that I had, so I will have to wait to test that one!

This was so fun! Next week I will be showing you three cards I created using two of the newest paper packs! I can't wait to show you!

An Album in an Afternoon

Are you a scrapbooker who feels that they are never going to be "caught up"? Are you someone who's always wanted to scrapbook, but don't know where to start or don't have the time? Are you a "love-my-paper-and-glue" scrapbooker, but wish there was a quick and easy way to record those everyday moments? Well, whether you said "yes" to one or all of the above, Close To My Heart's Studio J is for you. Personally, I really wanted to be a scrapbooker, but constantly struggled with getting my photos onto a page. It would take me hours and hours to put one page together...needless to say, I didn't get a lot done. Then I discovered Studio J...and now it is the only way I scrapbook.

I LOVE how easy it is to get my digital photos onto a two-page spread, match colors and patterns to my liking, and receive a high-quality, full-color 12" x 12" print from CTMH at a very reasonable price. This month I completed 14 two-page layouts - my son's 12th birthday party, our trip over the summer to Myrtle Beach, Christmas 2013, and a spread that I used for two single-page layouts of a rainbow and my daughter's new gerbil, Speedy. I complete them, order them, and within a week, have them in an album. I couldn't be happier.

What's even better is that CTMH has several How-To Videos online for Studio J, as well as a series called "Love Your Layout", which spotlights different tips, tricks, and hints in Studio J. To access these videos, simply go to my website, click "CTMH TV", then select "Studio J How-To Videos" or "Studio J: Love Your Layout".

Here are just a few of the layouts from my latest purchase:

Aren't they fantastic?! I can guarantee you that I would NEVER have come close to any of these layouts had I attempted them myself with paper, glue & embellishments. Had I even tried to come close, it would have cost me a LOT more money, and most definitely a LOT more time!

I urge you to give Studio J a try - you can log in as a guest without having to create an account (though creating an account is fast and FREE) and just play. There's no software to install, and nothing to purchase. Take a look at the videos. I know you're going to love it as much as I do!

I’m On Cloud Nine!

For those of you that might have missed my January 1^st blog post, or for those of you who just want a closer look at the cards from the “Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit”, read on! I held my super-exclusive Cloud Nine Cardmaking Workshop this past Sunday, and I’m just dying to show you the results! These cards were so fast and easy to put together – we were done with all five in less than an hour and a half! I absolutely loved that all of the shapes were already die-cut for you – just punch them out of the two sheets that are included. What’s even better – all five of the images in the exclusive D-sized stamp set that comes with the kit can be cut with the Cricut “Artiste” cartridge! So you can go back and use these stamps over and over again – no scissors required! For another look at the included stamp set, check out January 1’s blog post (http://cookingwithcrafts.blogspot.com ).

Here are the five cards from the kit:

What’s even better is that the kit comes with a full roll of Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape and Teal Shimmer Trim – which you have a LOT of left over when you’re done! I am LOVING the washi tape – I can’t wait to use it on more projects. Maybe that will be next week’s blog post....

For those of you who need a review, the “Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit” is available for just $15 with a $35 purchase from the Autumn-Winter 2013 Idea Book, through January ONLY!! With this all-inclusive kit, you will be able to make 10 adorable cards (2 each of the 5 designs shown above). What's more - when you acquire this exclusive kit, you automatically qualify for the January Stamp of the Month for just $5! That's $63.95 worth of product for only $20 - a savings of $43.95! In addition, sign up as a new CTMH Consultant in January and submit a total in sales of $300 or more before June (easy!), and receive the "Cloud Nine" kit for FREE. Fun, fun, fun!