Close to my Heart Summer Product

It's May and that means a new catalog! Here are a few of the new things. You can view the full catalog at http://www.closetomyheart.com/ under Products or click on the "Shop CTMH 24/7" button on the side bar.

I was so inspired by the new product, I changed my blog to match one of the new paper packs, "Cherry-O".

This is not my usual style but I love it! 

2 ea. of 6 patterns, 10 sheets of Cardstock for $15.50

There is a lot of new product that matches this pack. I will show some of it here. Not pictured is a chipboard file box (for recipes, $8.25) and a kit with 6 file cards for dividers, 32 recipe cards and 3 sheets of My Stickease to jazz up your box ($15.50). Perfect to get Grandma or Mum to write down all the recipes that are in their head or as a Bridal Shower gift.

 

Creative Basics kit that coordinates with the Cherry-O paper pack. 6 ea. of 2 designs and 4 yards of Cranberry Velvet Ribbon, $9.25.

Cherry-O Rhinestones (top) $5.75

Cherry-O My Stickease (bottom) $5.75

You're Sweet Stamp Set $16.50

An exclusive stamp set that comes in the Cherry-O workshop pack (not pictured in the catalog).

It includes the Cherry-O Level 2 paper pack, stamp set, Tulip mini-medley embellies (see next photo) and a Workshop guide with instructions to make 2-2 pg. layouts or 6 cards. All for just $35.50.

 

Tulip Mini-Medley Embellishments $5.75

Glitz Glitter Glue $3.50 for 1 oz.

Stardust (Iridescent)

Platinum

1 1/4 in Circle Punch $15.50

Irresistibles Pizzazz Chipboard $5.75

These are like the Lots O` Dots Alphas. Once these are colored with ink, markers, chalk etc. a pattern emerges. I apologize for the picture. I know it is hard to see the patterns. They are very hard to photograph!

Connection Club Reward FREE!

Once your frequent purchase card is filled up, this is your reward.

A Little Buzz Stamp Set $16.50

Again, not my usual style, but oh, so cute!

Clear Cards $10.50

I looove these! You get 4 of each plus clear envelopes. I am going to use a few of these as cards and a few, I will punch holes in and use in our Clear Acrylic Album ($17.50).

6 x 6 White Chipboard Board Book $8.25

10 pages plus covers. Goes great with...

A-door-ables $4.75

Includes 10 chipboard doors and windows. 1.5 to 6 in.

These can also be used on pages as well as the board book above.

Whew! That was a long post! And that is just a few of the new product! I will post more as I receive it.

National Scrapbook Month:Miracle Kit

May is National Scrapbook Month. Starting April 15, Close to my Heart has a promo called the Miracle Kit.

The kit includes:

1 Floral Patterned Paper

1 Striped Patterned Paper

5 sheets Colonial White Cardstock

1 Bamboo Cardstock

1 sheet of My Stickease

1 Half Bracket Die-Cut

1 1/4 Circle Die-Cut

1 Colonial White Mini-Medleys

12' Colonial White Waxy Flax

2 Sponges

3 Flip Flaps

1 Instruction Brochure

1 Irresistibles Chipboard Shapes

This last item is my favorite! Like our Lot's O' Dots alpha, once these are colored a pattern immerges! It's like magic.

You can purchase this kit for $23.50. But why not get it at a discount or even FREE? When you purchase $47 in product (before shipping and tax) it is only $10 or spend $70 and it is $5. You can earn it for FREE by having a party (or cataloge party) with $375 in sales or when you sign up as a consultant. This promo is while supplies last or May 31st. You can order online at my website. All you have to do is click on the button above, marked "Shop CTMH 24/7". You can sign up to be a consultant there too. Or if you are in Manitoba, you can email me at scrappychick@mts.net.

Majestic Blue Journal

My family and I recently got into geocaching. Geocaching is a modern day "treasure hunt" using a GPS unit. (You can find out more about geocaching at http://www.geocaching.com/) We needed to document our adventures, so I chose Close to my Heart's My Creations Journal. You may remember my post back in October using this journal. It is a 7x5 white chipboard journal with a clear pocket in the front with 75 unlined pages. It is only $9.25!

Front

Close to my Heart Suppllies used:

Majestic Blue Level 2 Paper Pack, Desert Sand and Crystal Blue Cardstock, Outdoor Denim and Desert Sand Stamp Pads, Boutique Borders Stamp Set (Frame), With Love Stamp Set (floral branch), Treasure Life Stamp Set (Sentiment), Outdoor Denim Ribbon Collection, Pewter Designer Brads, All-Out Adventure Rub-ons, Journey Journaling Tags, Sanding Kit

Inside Covers

I achieved the colored edges by taking the front and back covers off. This is easily done by temporarily bending back the spiral binding. I then inked the edges with my Sponge Dauber in Desert Sand ink. You could also paint it. I didn't have the patience to let me dry ;)

It is hard to read, but I used a "X marks the spot" stamp from Classmate Alpha Stamp Set.

  

Back

Frame is from Priceless Love Stamp Set and Sentiment is from Enjoy the Journey Stamp Set.

You Rock Card

A made a card for my son's hockey team's manager. He is really into music, so I used the You Rock paper pack and stamps. Including an itunes gift card would be great way to continue the theme.

Close to my Heart Supplies used:

You Rock Level 2 Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Live in the Moment Stamp Set (from Workshop pack), Smokey Plum, Sunflower, and Outdoor Denim Stamp Pads, Corner Rounder

Other Supplies:

atyou Spica (Copic) Clear gel pen

It is hard to see, but I used the Spica pen on some of the notes and the star. This is a clear pen that leaves teeny, tiny bits of glass. It is great for details as the nib is very small.

I used my new Macro lens (thanks, Laura) for this pic. I see I need to play with it a bit more to get the right area highlighted. 

Spring Product Releases for Close to my Heart

Here are a few more new products:

You Rock Paper Pack

Top Coats: Rockin': These are a pack of 14 die-cut transparencies made to go with You Rock $5.75. I used 3 on my "Fab Four" layout. (see post below). Two on the front and the swirl inside the flap.

Caboodle Paper Pack

Topstitch Paper Pack

You can view or purchase these items and soooo many more at my website, http://www.fullofscrap.myctmh.com/.

I will post more new product as I purchase it. LOL!

You Rock Layout (Rockband)

It's the new year and we have some new product! (More on new product in a few days) I got so fired up when I saw the You Rock paper pack. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I waited ever so impatiently for my product to arrive and spent New Year's Eve (and a few days after) knocking out this baby!

All paper, stamps, ink, transparencies, alpha stickers, and adhesive is Close to my Heart except fun foam and black gel pen. I also used a Fisker's wave ruler and BoBunny's flex ruler.

Here is the close up of the photo. I used City Lights Urban Rainbow filter by Faith True to get the rainbow effect.  http://scraporchard.com/market/product.php?productid=19292&cat=0&page=1

 This was applied in Photoshop Elements 5.

Angled view to show depth.

This is going to be wall art. I wasn't getting the depth I wanted with regular pop dots so I used fun foam. It looks great but at it's thickest point it measures 3/4 in! It will not fit in a regular page protector. If anyone has ideas on how to hang it, please email me.

The "black" rays for the background were made by making a mask and brushing Liquid Glass ( a dimensional adhesive) over the open areas.

This is a flap to hide my journaling. Alpha stickers are Lots O' Dots. These start off white. When you color or dye them with ink etc. the almost invisible dots resist the ink and stay white! Loooove these! Two sheets are only $5.75.

Velcro dot to hold flap shut.

Journaling reads:

Santa brought us Rockband for Christmas 2008.Since then we have been having regular jam sessions. Santa then gave us Beatles Rockband for Christmas 2009 and found it was our favorite. We all knew the songs and it made it easier. L discovered she loves to drum. Thank goodness for no fail mode! Dec. 31/09

Studio J

What is Studio J?

It is a FREE, yes FREE, online scrapbooking design software brought to you by Close to my Heart. It will help you easily create 2 page layouts using our paper packs, embellishments, and our scrapbook patterns. When you are done designing, you have two options: contact me so you can order physical product to reproduce your page OR have your layouts printed and shipped to your door. This will be available early 2010.

I got to see this program in action at Regionals! It will be so easy to use, your kids will be able to design their own layouts! You will be able to change your cardstock color, patterned paper, or embellishment in seconds. You can also change your color photos to black and white or sepia, or write text on your photos. At the moment, this is still being tested within the office, but will soon be available for consultants to use. This way we will be well informed when it goes "live" in 2010. From listening to Jeanette, this looks like the start of something much larger. When we start, we will have 25 scrapbook patterns to choose from. It sounds like they will be adding more over time. We will have exclusive paper packs just for Studio J. She also talked about a possible card version and maybe taking this international.

For a video, and FAQ go to http://www.studioj.com/. You can sign up for the mail list and get updates.

This digiscrapper can't wait!

Close to my Heart Minneapolis Regionals Update

Wow, I love my company! I just got back from a CTMH mini-convention this past weekend. I have soooo much to show and tell you! This will be the first of many posts. Check back often for more great updates.



Our second morning started with Jeanette Lynton, the president of Close to my Heart, teaching us a class! You can find her blog at www.jeanettelynton.com. Our project was using a new product for the next catalogue that will be released Jan.1/10! It is a chipboard covered journal that has blank pages inside. The best part is that it has a page protector on the cover so your photo or artwork doesn't get ruined.

I already have several ideas for this journal. A picture of my kids on the outside, and all the cute things they say on the inside, an art journal to sketch all the ideas that float around my head, a mini album, a great teacher gift, and of course a diary. I don't have an exact price yet, but it will be well under $10. Good thing because with all the ideas I have, I will be buying several!

While we did this project Jeanette let us ask her questions. What a great president! I truly feel like she listens and cares for her consultants. What did she tell us? That is another post!

Close to my Heart Autumn/Winter 2009 New Product

Paper Samples of all 4 new paper packs Clockwise from left
Twitterpated
Grace
Jingle
Sweet Home
$15.95 for 2 ea. of 6 patterns, 10 sheets cardstock

Creative Basics: Jingle 6 ea. of 2 designs (12 x 12) plus 4 yards Juniper Grosgrain Ribbon $9.95

These are made to make cards but can also to be used with Jingle paper pack. Backs are same pattern put monochromatic, Juniper and Tulip. So you really get 4 different papers.

Top Coats: Framed In 12 different frames, 6 White, 6 Colonial White $6.25

These were hard to photograph! The cream frame on the photo is my favorite. Several of the transparencies nest. Attach with vellum glue or our Liquid Glass. Make sure to take off the clear protective backing before attaching. Makes a HUGE difference.

Across the Board Rub ons 3 sheets Chocolate, Colonial White and White Daisy $12.50

These can be used as borders or cut to use smaller portions. Designs include: stars, zig zag stitch, straight stitch, cross stitch, single line dots, wishing you the best, thank you, line alpha, filled numbers, flowers, swirls, 3 line dots, days of the week, months, ruler.

Flurry Chipboard 9 x 12 sheet $6.25

Several large to medium snowflakes. These look gorgeous covered in Prisma Glitter!

Twinkle Brads 24 Brads: 3 Big brads and 3 standard brads for 3 colors: Hollyhock, Olive, Tulip $4.95

These are glitter covered brads. Made to coordinate with Jingle but could be used will any paper pack.

All-Sorts Chipboard album $7.50 4 1/4 x 7

Front and Back pages are the same, 4 more pages all different. I will be using 1-2 of these plus one of our Clear Acrylic Mini Album ($18.50) for my December daily mini album.

There is so much more. 75+ stamps sets, 2 new ribbon sets (Buttercup, Cranberry), Basic colored buttons, Pewter mini embellies, Bookplate and large Circle chipboard, Cocoa embossing powder, Snapease album system (makes it so your post bound album can be added to in seconds!), Soft set Eyelet Tool (no more banging!), soft set eyelets in basic colors, and a new shoulder tote and Rolling Carryall.

I will be placing an order on Sept. 20.

Treasures: September 09 Stamp of the Month

13 Stamps: large dandelion, large stem, dill flowers, stemmed dandelion, individual seed, round heart, You are my Sunshine, thank you, Make a Wish (made to follow stem), trust your heart, It is when you give of yourself that you truly give, the winds of change bring treasures unknown...embrace change (small swirl), and Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it to themselves (large swirl).

How to make this layout:

1. First I took a picture of my daughter pretending to blow a dandelion. I had it printed out at 5 x 7.

2. I stamped several of the stemmed dandelion (medium), and the individual seed (small) stamps with White Daisy Pigment ink on a transparency. These took a long time to dry. I even used my heat gun to speed up the process. It still took 2-3 days.

3. I stamped two of the large swirl and one of the small swirl with Brown Staz-On on a transparency. These take 2-3 minutes to dry. Once dandelions and swirls are dry, I used our scissors to cut them out.

4. My base was Crystal Blue cardstock. I cut a large curved piece out of Sweet Leaf patterned paper from the Emporium pack. I used the dotted line stamp from Priceless Love Word Puzzle along the curve of the paper in chocolate ink. I glued it to the left side of my layout.

5. I used a Buttercup die cut from a past Close to my Heart promo. You could use one of the new felt frames or the chipboard circles from On Target. I stamped mine with the same dotted line stamp.

6. I made these curves by hand drawing the middle Crystal Blue and Sweet Leaf circle patterned paper (it looks brown and cream in this pic) from Twitterpated. I then used this piece to make the Twilight swirl paper from Serendipity. I used the Twilight pieces to make the 2 remaining Twilight pieces from Emporium. I lined them all up and used fun foam to give them dimension making sure to tuck the ends under where the photo will be but over the frame.

7.Glued my photo making sure to tuck the one corner under the frame. Glued the dandelion to photo, trimming stem to stop at my daughter's hand. Placed swirls on and glued.

8. Took transparency dandelions and scattered them all over the page. All transparent items glued down with Vellum glue in strategic spots to minimize glue showing.Title was made by stamping "You are my Sunshine" stamp with Honey ink on the reverse side of Honey textured cardstock. Our textured cardstock is lighter on the reverse side. This was perfect because Honey would have been to strong of a color and would have drawn your eyes away from my daughter, the focal point. Frame for title is from "Noteworthy" stamped in Honey. This is a full frame stamp but I just used one end. I cut both out and used fun foam to raise up the title. I added one of our small rhinestone crystals to dot the "i" in sunshine.

All products are Close to my Heart except Vellum adhesive (3M).

Please email me if you have any questions on how I made this layout. I will be ordering Sept. 20.

March SOTM How-To

This is March's Stamp of the Month. It is called Butterfly Wings and will only be available for this month. I will be placing orders on the 15th and 26th. Set includes: 1 large Butterfly, 1 medium Butterfly, 3 small Butterflies, 1 large trail, 1 medium trail, 1 small trail, and 2 sentiments-"You make my heart flutter." and "Love is like a butterfly, it goes where it pleases, and pleases where it goes."

Here is some artwork I made with this set.

12 x 12 Layout

Products used:

Unforgettable Level 2 Paper Pack, Blush Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, Noteworthy Stamp Set (bracket frame), Butterfly Wings Stamp Set (butterflies, trail, and sentiment), Brown Staz-on, Chocolate Stamp Pad, Juniper Stamp Pad, Blush RicRac, Chocolate Mini-Medley (teeny white flowers and brown brads), White Daisy Mini-Medley (teeny white brad), Prisma Glitter, Liquid Glass, Create-a-Shade paint, Sorbet and Blush Reinkers. All products Close To My Heart.

Other Products:

Transparency (source unknown)

Butterfly How-To:

I first stamped one large and 2 small butterflies onto transparencies with Brown Staz-On.

In 2 small jars, I mixed Create-a-Shade paint with a drop of Sorbet and Blush reinker. On the reverse side of the transparency, I painted in the wings with the paint/reinker mixture. (It is hard to see here but the paint has an iridescent sheen to it. The color is very subtle and hard to photograph.) Once dry, I cut them out and folded the wings up. They stay up because the transparency is stiff. I put vellum glue under the body and glued them to the page.



For the butterfly trail, I stamped the image onto a scrap piece of paper. I placed my transparency over top.

Using Liquid Glass, I squeezed glue onto the transparency following the stamped image as a guide. Before it dried, I poured Prisma Glitter onto the Liquid Glass. When it was dry, I poured the excess glitter back into the jar. I then cut out the trail and adhered it to the layout with vellum glue.


Sparkle Brad:

I put the brad in a piece of foam so my hands were free. (If you don't have foam just hold with your less dominant hand.) I put a large bead of liquid glass onto the head of the brad. I then sprinkled Prisma Glitter onto the Liquid Glass. Here is where the foam comes in handy, let the brad dry. If you don't have foam, you can try and lie it down carefully OR blow and hope that it dries fast!

4 x 4ish Card

Products Used: Sorbet Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, Butterfly Wings Stamp Set. Sorbet Stamp Pad, Blush Stamp Pad, Creme Brulee Stamp Pad, Chocolate Stamp Pad, Juniper Stamp Pad, Blush Marker, Sorbet Marker, Water Brush, Write n' Rub Pen (glue), Prisma Glitter, White Daisy RicRac, Sponge Dauber and Pop Dots. All products Close To My Heart.

Other products:

Scallop Circle Dies-Nestabilities made by Spellbinders

I cut my card out using a Nestabilities die and Sorbet Cardstock. I then cut another scallop circle slightly smaller out of Colonial White Cardstock. I ink the edges with Sorbet ink and a Sponge Dauber. Adhere to card. If necessary cut off top scallops along fold. On a scrap piece of Colonial White Cardstock stamp medium Butterfly in Chocolate ink. Using the Waterbrush, I painted the wings with Sorbet, Blush, and Juniper ink. Cut out image and place Pop Dots behind butterfly. Adhere to right side of card. Using Blush and Sorbet Markers, ink up "FLUTTER" from sentiment stamp. Stamp onto card.


Stamp teeny trail onto card. Cover Butterfly's body, antennae, hearts on wings, and trail with Write n' Rub Pen. Pour on Prisma Glitter.


If you have any questions on any of these techniques, feel free to email me at scrappychick@mts.net