Dream Pop Tickled Pink Card

Do you have your package of our exclusive DREAM POP papers yet? Have you had time to play with them yet? I'm finally digging in and having SO much fun! These kit exclusive colors are just bursting with bright summer fun!!

I saw a card that fellow consultant, Brenda Rose, made and fell in love! You will want to visit her site for all kinds of inspiration! 

Here is my version.

I used the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to create the circles and scallops. I used my cuttlebug (swiss dots) embossing folder for the card base. And I used a portion of the zip strip for the sentiment along with some of our black shimmer trim! Then tied it off with about a 1/3 width of black tulle ribbon and a clear flower from the Claire Assortment.

But the technique Brenda used is what intrigued me MOST! The Dream Pop paper included cardstock that is clear embossed with different designs on one side - so you can use the plain side or the embossed side of the cardstock! Brenda inked her circles with black ink and I chose white ink. What happens is the ink will soak into the plain (unembossed) portion of the cardstock and wipe off of the embossed portion. So now I have pink and white stripes! You can use any color ink that you want, but isn't that so cool???? Thanks for the great idea and wonderful design Brenda!

Did you know that I have a workshop planned for everyone who purchases a Dream Pop paper pack this month? I'm putting together layouts and cards/3-D projects now. I'll have more details next month, but don't miss out on your chance to get this FANTASTIC paper at an AMAZING price! With a $35 purchase, you can get the Dream Pop paper pack (24 sheets) for only $10!!

Click here to start shopping and get your paper before it's gone! 

There is only 11% of the supply left!! Don't delay!

A TRUE THANK YOU - Oklahoma Tornado Relief Campaign

As you all know, the tornado in Oklahoma has had a devastating effect and we want to help. To aid relief efforts, Close To My Heart is making a new Autumn/Winter 2013 stamp set, A True Thank You ($2.95 retail), available immediately and will donate 100% of the profits from sales of the set from May 23 through June 30 to the American Red Cross. 

Please help us provide relief to those affected by the Oklahoma tornado by purchasing the A True Thank You stamp set (M1029) and telling all your friends to do the same!

Upcoming Crops.....

I have a couple of exciting crops coming up that you don't want to miss!!!! Here are just a few things you will get out of a weekend away with us - some call it "therapy", we call it a CROP!

FALL HUNTINGTON CROP

The first one will be at the Ramada Limited in Huntington, WV - October 4-6, 2013! We will have the conference center of the Ramada Limited - conveniently located right off of Interstate 64. At this facility, we will have access to the conference room 24 hours a day. We also have a kitchen at our disposal to use as we please. We can bring our own drinks and snacks and munch the whole time if we want! Get all the details HERE and reserve your spot today. (*Note: I'm offering a $10 discount for every 6' cropping table you bring with you!) 

WINTER STONEWALL CROP

The next one will be our Winter Crop at Stonewall Resort - January 31 - February 2, 2014. Last year was our first year here and EVERYONE in attendance is coming back! It was fabulous! The resort is so beautiful, the staff was so very accommodating, the food was excellent, the fire pit was so inviting, and the list goes on and on! Check out all of the details HERE and reserve your spot today! (Note: At this facility, the resort must provide all food and beverages in our conference room. So come prepared to be pampered the entire weekend!) 

 Reserve a spot for you and a friend at these events before they fill up!

Studio J - NEW Custom Photo Wells!

I am BEYOND thrilled to share this next video with you! There is a NEW feature in Studio J which will allow you to add and customize photo wells on your Studio J layouts - unleashing you to discover the very bounds of your creative potential!

Why is that so cool? Several reasons!

Add additional photos to your layouts!
Do you find that you have more photos than the layout allows for? You can always add our fabulous flip flaps to your layout OR now you can add additional photo wells to the Studio J layout!!!! This is beyond amazing! You have asked.....and Close To My Heart has answered! Be sure to watch the video to appreciate what I am talking about!

Change the size and orientation of existing photo wells!
OMG! This is crazy good! Ever have a photo that you want to use, but don't want to rotate your page to change the orientation? Not a problem anymore! Watch the video to see more....

Create your own custom layouts!

You will get several ideas in the video that I am certain will spark your creativity! Start with a blank palette and add your photo wells, text boxes, paper pieces, borders, etc. to create your own custome layout! Then of course add your creative flair with stitching, stickease artwork, brads, buttons, ribbon, distressing, etc.!

Print custom sized photos!

Use the layout to simply print custom sized photos and journaling for classic layouts! Why would you want to do this? Many of our layout patterns call for odd sized photos that most box stores don't print. Another advantage is the silver-halide processing which is the best in the industry, producing quality color with 100-year + longevity! Watch the video to truly appreciate what this means!

Create custom portraits!

Use the No Limits layout to add a portrait photo of ancestors, or school photos, or family photos to create 12" x 12" portraits to hang in your family hallway hall of fame or on a family wall! You can add text with the name, date, and any other information you want - even add accessories including stickease, ribbon, brads, etc. Although I find just a photo with a little text is striking and will create a consistent theme on our wall or in your portrait album!

Watch the video now for even MORE ideas! And contact me if you have any questions or would like help creating with the BEST online scrapbooking software in the industry!

(Note: if you are receiving this blog post by email, the above video may not be visible to you. Click here to watch in YouTube.)

Begin creating in Studio J now!

Studio J - Love Your Layout May 2013

Learn creative techniques on how to layer My Stickease® images, use black and white photos, and add borders for a summery layout in the Surf’s Up kit!

 

(Note: if you are receiving this blog post by email, you may not be able to see the video above. Click here to watch this and other Love Your Layout tutorials!)

Studio J is THE way - the most economical, the most convenient, the most rewarding way - to catch up on all your memory keeping, even while sitting on the couch with your family! Contact me if you would like help getting started! And stay tuned for some exciting news about Studio J tomorrow!

A note from Jeanette Lynton...

As many of you know, Jeanette Lynton is the founder and CEO of Close To My Heart. Jeanette is hands down the most amazing woman I have ever met! She has had to endure great challenges and hardships in life and yet has continued to push forward with undaunted determination and an uncanny business sense that leaves everyone in her presence amazed! And yet, coupled with those strong traits, is the most tender, grace-filled heart of anyone I know! Having spent time with her personally, I can say even more emphatically that I am so honored to be a part of the Close To My Heart family!

Here is what she has to say about recent news in the industry...

Within the past month, paper crafters have heard and seen some hard news—well-known industry names have announced bankruptcy or removed their scrapbooking lines. It may leave many wondering what the future is for our beloved pursuit of memory keeping and creativity. As the CEO and Founder of Close To My Heart, I have many thoughts on the topic and wanted to share a few with you. 

 First off, preserving our memories is NOT a fad. It's one of the most important things we do in our journey here on earth, and it's as key as breathing and as sustainable as family. In the past few years, we have seen scrapbooking come into the spotlight and many flocked to set up shop and design products to capitalize on it. While we at Close To My Heart have welcomed the focus on scrapbooking over the past few years, we know that even when the hubbub fades, the core and relevance underneath the hype remains. I have been in the industry for nearly 30 years—LONG before it was "trendy"—and plan to be in this essential industry for decades to come. 

Because Close To My Heart will be here for the long-term, we have run our business differently than many others. We are not leveraged to the hilt or financed by outside investors. I have always believed in organic, cash-based growth, and the simple provident rule of spending less than I earn. It's a principle I've applied to business and it's ensured that Close To My Heart operates profitably. We have been profitable month after month, year after year. Our credit rating is excellent, and this protects our commitment to delivering a wealth of diverse, beautiful products at competitive prices while providing secure commission checks for our Consultants, employees, and vendors. 

 Second, yes, the industry is changing. I welcome and embrace that! In my 30 years in business, I have seen many changes and they almost always yield fresh directions, new products, and a new crop of crafters. Change always brings opportunity! I have long said that as long as little girls are born with hands, they will want to create. I am grateful to be a part of such an important contribution to society and know that this will continue. 

 Ultimately, I invite everyone—whether you are an existing Consultant or customer, a past purchaser, or even if you have never purchased a Close To My Heart product—to get to know us again for the first time. Close To My Heart is strong. Papercrafting, memory keeping, and creativity are more important than ever before and we provide unique, diverse products for every style and ability of crafter. Close To My Heart is committed to scrapbooking, and if it's a passion you share, then YOU ARE WELCOME HERE.

Packed With Punch!

Learn how you can use Close to My Heart circle punches to create beautiful artwork. It's a great way to pack some punch into your papercrafting!

(Note: If you are receiving this blog post by email, you may not be able to see the video above. Click here to watch in YouTube.)

Click here to see the circle punches we offer and start packing YOUR artwork with more PUNCH

!

Marker Magic!

Coloring has never been so fun! Learn how to use Close To My Heart's alcohol-based marker sets to magically create smooth, even coverage on your colored images!

(Note: if you are receiving this blog post by email, you may not see the above video. Click here to watch in YouTube.)

Click on the marker set below to see all available colors so you can start creating some magic of your own today!

Pajama Party!

Close To My Heart is teaming up with Big Picture Classes to bring you a live webcast with step-by-step instructions for making this Happy Thoughts kraft container. The FREE webcast will air Thursday, May 30 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm (MDT). During the presentation, you’ll learn to make several projects from a variety of sponsors, including Close To My Heart’s Happy Thoughts kraft container, as the presenter walks you through the steps. Watch the Pajama Party by yourself or with friends for a fun crafting pajama party! Anyone with an Internet connection can watch, so be sure to order your project supplies in advance and then tune in!

The Pajama Party class will be available for FREE at BigPictureClasses.com on May 30. If you would like to interact on the message board, participate in live chat, post to the gallery, download handouts, or enter any contests, you will need to log in to the Pajama Party “classroom” by creating a free account on the Big Picture Classes website.

To make our Happy Thoughts kraft container, you and your friends will want to have the following items—or similar products—on hand:

• My Acrylix^® Frame Flair Stamp Set (D1546)
• My Acrylix^® Happy Thoughts Stamp Set (C1536)
• Chantilly Paper Packet (need 1 sheet of B&T, X7163B)
• Crème Brulee Cardstock (need 1 sheet, X5754)
• Lagoon Cardstock (need 1 sheet, X5762)
• White Daisy Cardstock (need 1 sheet, 1385)
• Whisper Cardstock (need 1 sheet, X5929)
• Whisper Exclusive Inks^® Pad (Z2172)
• Lagoon Exclusive Inks^® Pad (Z2195)
• My Creations^® Kraft Container (Z1833)
• Baker’s Twine Neutral Assortment (need 3 yards, Z1701)
• Color-Ready Trinkets Wooden Shapes (Z1844)
• Sparkles Black & Grey Assortment (Z1754)
• 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)
• Micro-Tip Scissors (Z534)
• Corner Rounder (Z1912)
• Paper Trimmer (Z1783)
• My Acrylix^® Spritz Cleaner (1778)
• My Acrylix^® Stamp Scrubber (Z1782)
• 2" × 3½" My Acrylix^® Block (Y1009)
• 4" × 5" My Acrylix^® Block (Y1012)
• Cricut^® Art Philosophy Collection (Z1790)

You can order all of these supplies from my website here! But don't delay if you want to have them on hand to create with during the Pajama Party! Also, when ordering online, be sure to JOIN my party "Join my party to WIN". Everyone who does will receive a FREE gift this month! And don't forget, if you order reaches $35, you qualify for the amazing DREAM POP paper packet for only $10! By adding on another $5, your order will reach $50 which will earn you a PINWHEEL stamp of the month for only $5!

Did you know that you can get many of these supplies in the new consultant kit? PLUS you will receive a FREE Dream Pop paper packet and can order the remaining supplies from yourself at a discount! Click here if you are ready to take advantage of this great opportunity or contact me if you have any questions! Hope to see you at the Pajama Party!

Buzz and Bumble Cards

At first I wasn't sure I would like this paper Buzz and Bumble, but let me tell you -- it has quickly become one of my FAVORITES! Seeing our papers in "real life" is SO much better than looking at a photo in a book or online. This paper has such rich and elegant color with a variety of patterns to work with for a variety of looks!

Our Brown and Tan Glitter papers are a PERFECT pairing with this paper! I've also used the coordinating Buzz and Bumble Assortment (wooden flowers and bees and wax seals) and some of our Brown and Tan Sparkles, as well as both our Art Philosophy and Artiste Cricut cartridges. Let me show you some of the cards we will be making at my Cross Lanes Club this month:

First off, we are decorating one of our new Kraft Containers and adorning it with a matching gift tag! The gift tag is fashioned after one that Lisa Stenz made. (She is so amazing!) Love the glitter paper around the lid and on the tag! I'll also show you how to color our Color Ready Ribbon with any of our inks to coordinate with your project!

This next card uses an adorable stamp called Quick Cards - Bumble Bee. The Quick-Cards stamps make your cardmaking, well,.......QUICK! With one stamp you have a card!

I used our Cocoa Embossing powder for the stamp, then colored in the bee with a Creme Brulee marker, then added a little Stardust Glitz Glitter gel to the wings!

Inside the card you will find one of our cool wax seals designed to coordinate with this paper pack!

Up next is a very simple card also featuring one of our wax seals along with a wooden bee and some tan glitter paper!

Here is a card where I used one of the paper's zip strips for the sentiment!

Based on the sentiment, I HAD to use a sun burst out of our glitter papers to go with this card!

For this little card, I used the inside circle from the sunburst (above) to create a sparkly mat for this sentiment. I also used some of our Color Ready Ribbon inked with Champagne ink, a smidge of Sunset ink and a hint of Chocolate ink! I LOVE how you can make this ribbon ANY color you want!

Here is a card where I embossed the sentiment frame with our Cocoa Embossing Powder, but used the rock 'n roll technique to stamp the "heartfelt wishes". I simply inked up my sentiment in Sunset, then rocked the stamp on the bottom and top edges with Cocoa ink.

I included a wooden flower from the Buzz and Bumble Assortment set and a sparkle from our Brown and Tan Sparkle assortment.

Here is a card that features a bit of our hemp Baker's Twine (found in the Wooden Mini-Medley), very rustic looking, and another wax seal!

 On the inside of the card I added a wooden flower from the Buzz and Bumble assortment.

THIS little treasure is called a Tri-Shutter card! I got the idea from fellow CTMH Consultant Janene Wawro!

Here it is flat....

And here it is standing open:

 Everyone attending the club will learn how to make this fun card that you can adapt to any paper or occasion over and over again!

There may be one more "surprise" card if I have time. I just wanted to get these posted without further delay!

If you have signed up for the club to make this card kit, then you are all set! If you haven't ordered your kit yet, contact me as soon as possible so your kit will be ready when we meet on Friday, May 24th at either 1:00pm or 6:30pm.

The Basic Kit includes 1/2 Buzz and Bumble paper packet, Kraft Container, Buzz & Bumble Assortment for $15.

Optional add on's include:

Brown and Tan Glitter Paper - $6

Brown and Tan Sparkles - $3

Be Still Cards

I LOVE this new stamp set. It's called Be Still and is ONLY $6.95! 

The text measures about 2 1/2" x 2 3/4". I wanted to use it on a journal and might still do that, but I made several of these cards to send to people at church. I made a female version and a guy version. Since these were originally going to go on the cover of one of our journals, I made them 5" x 7" and then turned them into cards instead.

On this first one I used our ever classic For Always papers and some of our black Shimmer Trim. I also used our Artiste cartridge to cut the shape for the sentiment (on pg. 35) along with our White Embossing Powder. I love how the white just POPS on the black cardstock!

Here is the guy version using one of our retired paper packs called Cruisin'. I also used the Artiste cartridge for the sentiment circles and star-burst (also on pg. 35). This time I used our Black Embossing Powder on our Twilight cardstock for the sentiment.

I can see myself using this stamp over and over for years to come! Love it!

Would you like one too? Click here to order your stamp today!

Buzz & Bumble Layouts

This month we are using our Buzz & Bumble papers in my Cross Lanes Club!

The basic kit is only $15 and includes a full L2 paper packet PLUS the coordinating stickease!

Here is the first layout:

I love the detail in the clustering of the stickease!

Our Brown and Tan Glitter paper is a perfect pairing with this paper!

The Buzz and Bumble assortment is a perfect compliment to the stickease too!

Here is the second layout:

Again, I LOVE our Brown and Tan Glitter papers with this paper!

And the clustering of the stickease!

I'd love to have you join us! We are meeting on Friday, May 24th at two times - 1:00pm and 6:30pm. Contact me by May 13th if you would like to order a kit.

The basic kit includes a complete L2 paper packet, coordinating stickease, and step-by-step instructions for only $15!

Optional add on's include:

Brown and Tan Glitter Paper - $6

Brown and Tan Sparkles - $3

Buzz and Bumble Assortment - $6

Contact me to reserve your spot or order your kit!

If you are interested in cards and 3-D projects, I will have that kit posted soon!

National Scrapbook Month Special!

Get the paper pack of your DREAMS for only $10 when you spend $35!

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets with a glossy pattern (2 each of 6 colors) as well as 12 BT Duos® papers (2 each of 6 designs) that were created for this promotion—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else!

The 6 cardstock pieces are clear embossed with different patterns on one side. Here is a picture to try to show you this super fun paper! Isn't that cool?? The other side is regular cardstock to give you plenty of variety!

There's MORE! I have a complete step-by-step workshop guide to create layouts, cards, and 3-D projects using the Dream Pop paper packet AND the May stamp of the month featuring FUN pinwheels!

FREE WORKSHOP: Everyone who purchases the Dream Pop paper and May SOTM will be invited to come to my home in June to a FREE workshop to put it all together! Will I see you there? I hope so!

Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Watch this short video for more inspiration! (Or click here to watch in YouTube.)


Want a Dream Pop paper packet for FREE?
Simply host a Gathering in May with at least $400 in qualifying sales or
sign up as a new Consultant in May
and we’ll send you this colorful packet of luscious papers free!
Contact me for all the details.


Get your Dream Pop paper packet today!