Holiday Tags Assortment: Project Inspiration Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book

Want to dress-up your Christmas cards with some super-cute tags? Close to my Heart shows you how to make quick and easy tags to add to your gifts.

December Stamp of the Month

Mad About You contains 14 stamps for $17.95 or spend $50.00 and get it for $5.00! Only available through the month of December.

Happy Holiday Card Set: Project Inspiration Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book

How easy is it to make your own Christmas cards? Close to my Heart makes it a snap with die-cut cards and the cricut cartridge! This video shows you how it's done! How cool would you look sending out hand-made Christmas cards?

Thanksgiving Card: Project Inspiration Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book

This is a video demonstrating base and shade stamping using the So Grateful stamp set. So cute and simple!

November Stamp of the Month

This stamp set is only available during the month of November. It is called, Cherish the Day, and has 44 stamps! There is a stamp for each month that looks like a ticket and the numbers 1-31. There is a place on each month's ticket to add a date to it. This would really personalize birthday, anniversary, baby shower, and wedding cards. It would also be a super neat way to accent a layout. For example, if your layout was about the day your child took his or her first steps, you could add this "ticket" stamp with the actual month and date that that happened.

You always think you are going to remember things like that....but you never do. (at least, I don't)

You can purchase this stamp set in November for $17.95 or spend $50.00 and get it for $5.00.

Buttoned Up Card Set: Project Inspiration Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book

This video shows how to made the cards shown on page 93 of the idea book. It also features a cute card box. It uses the stamp set, Happy Clusters. Super cute with lots of bling, buttons and brads to really add some "flavor" to your artwork.

Shape-A-Day from Jeanette Lynton

Have you checked out Jeanette Lynton's blog yet? She is the founder of Close to My Heart and this month she is focusing and posting artwork using the new Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge that is only available through Close to My Heart! Every day in October she is posting some amazing artwork using the Art Philosophy cartridge. It's called a Shape-a-Day and it includes ideas for cards, layouts and 3-D items such as boxes and bags. Here are some samples of the artwork that has already been posted. It's beautiful. Head on over to www.Jeanettelynton.com to see more of her creative ideas!

October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop featuring October's Stamp of the Month, Holiday Magic! This blog hop is one big circle so feel free to start here and move through the entire loop. You can also view the entire listing of all the participants on Melissa Robinson's blog. If you have arrived here from Lorus's blog you are on the right track! Here is my art work featuring this awesome stamp set!

The card is made using die-cut cards that I distressed and sponged the edges in desert sand. The papers are from Wonderland and I embossed the sleigh's runners with silver embossing powder and stamped the sleigh in Twilight ink. I added some chocolate ribbon and twilight brads.

The layout features the October Stamp of the Month and a few other stamp sets, as well. It also includes stamps from the Believe Workshop on the Go, Holiday Commentary, Headline Alphabet, and Countdown Stamp set. The papers are Believe and I added the Believe Zip Strip, white daisy ribbon, waxy flax, foam tape, and CTMH scallop punch. Aren't the Christmas trees, with all their details, gorgeous!?

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this stamp set!! It has 18 adorable stamps included in this set and contains stockings, trees, and a sleigh. It would be perfect for Christmas cards, Christmas layouts, and snow-themed pages too. It can be yours ONLY in the month of October. You can purchase it for $17.95 or spend $50.00 and get it for $5.00!

I hope you enjoyed looking at my artwork. Now hop on over to Melissa Robinson's Blog to see what wonderful creations she made using this awesome stamp set!

Happy Hopping and thanks for stopping by!

"Enjoy" Scrapbook Page Pops with Flowers: Project Inspiration Autumn/Win...

I LOVE how Close to my Heart has videos to show how they created certain layouts and cards that are shown in the idea book. Here is a video that shows how to make the flowers shown on page 86 using the Hooray Bouquet stamp set and the cricut cartridge.

September Stamp of the Month

Spend $50.00 and get this versatile stamp set, Limited Edition, for only $5.00!

National Stamping Month

We are celebrating National Stamping Month in a BIG way! When you spend $75.00, you get TWO D-size stamp sets for FREE! The TWO stamp sets are called, Pair-a-Phrase, and have all sorts of cute images and great sayings/phrases! They are packaged in one stamp envelope/case. The retail value is $35.90 and they are only available with your $75.00 purchase from August 15-September 31. Contact me if you want these stamps or place an order on my website to have them shipped right to your door!

Lucky Camping Layout

Here is the layout I created in July for my scrapbook club. It uses the lucky papers. I liked the colors in the Lucky papers and thought they would be perfect for an outdoorsy/camping layout. I used the torch from the Paper Lantern stamp set. That set was always shown geared toward birthday layouts, but I loved the torch stamp in it. I also used the stamp set, Campin' Fever. I created my own pattern paper using the fish and flies from the Campin' Fever set and random stamped the desert sand cardstock with desert sand ink. Tone on Tone made it subtle, yet effective. I also stamped the lighted portion of the torch on Sunset cardstock and used foam tape to give it some dimension and look like the torches were lit. I added foam tape to the stamp that says, "to the woods and back". I stamped that twice, once in outdoor denim and once in olive, then cut it out and layered it. Buttons, ribbon and waxy flax were added for flair. I hope you like it!

Add Cricut® Flair to Any Workshop

This video show how to adds some flair and visual "oomph" to your layouts and cards using the new cricut cartridge. It uses the new dreamin' workshop-on-the-go. Very cool and easy!

Art Philosophy Cricut® Collection

This is HUGE!! Close to my Heart is introducing a cricut cartridge that works with our stamp sets!! It has over 700 images and it comes with 3 stamp sets and 3 sheets of dimensional elements that match the cricut shapes. Plus, LOTS of other stamp sets in the new catalog go with the cricut cartridge, as well! All the stamps that have a red line around them in the new fall/winter catalog work with the cricut. You can get the cartridge, 3 stamp sets, and 3 sheets of dimensional elements for $99.00. If you are a hostess, you can use your rewards to receive for 50% off!! If you would like to schedule a gathering and be the hostess to be able to get this amazing deal at 50% off, please email me! You don't want to miss out on this!

August Specials and Stamp of the Month

When you spend $50.00 in August, you can purchase the stamp of the month, Wicked, for $5.00 and Close to my Heart will add the stamp set, A Typeset, for FREE!!

The New Idea Book is Here!

This is it! The fall/winter 2011 Idea book. It is 144 pages packed with new papers, stamps, and embellishments. The artwork is gorgeous. Email me to today to get your own idea book into your hot little hands!

Cherry-O Cards

These are the cards I made and sent out to my students. Some of my students gave me some end-of-the-school-year gifts. They are so wonderful and thoughtful! I love to make cute (yet simple) cards and mail it to them over summer break. Kids LOVE to get cards and letters in the mail. Who doesn't? So, these are the cards I came up with. I used Cherry-O papers and some paper in the Cherry-O Creative Basics paper, as well. That cute butterfly and dragonfly are from the A Flutter stamp set. I colored them in with CTMH markers and inked up the edges of paper with Tulip ink. Easy!

July Stamp of the Month

This adorable stamp set is only available through the month of July. You can get it at a discount or even free for this month only!! Hurry! Spend 100.00 and get it for free! Spend 50.00 and get it for 50% off...only 11.48.

Keys to the Past Layout

This layout was made using the Passages papers. This paper is now retired and I had forgotten that I hadn't posted this layout. My club members created this layout about a year ago. It uses the stamp set that was included in the Passages Workshop on the Go Kit. I used the stipple brush and chocolate ink on all the edges to give it an aged and distressed look. I also included a few chocolate brads, some chocolate ribbon and "stitched" the edges of the desert sand papers. I thought this layout would be perfect for pictures of grandparents and great-grandparents.

July Special

During the month of July, spend a minimum of $50.00 on products from the spring/summer 2011 idea book and add a bonus product kit for only a dollar! Select from the following options:


Creative Basics Mistletoe


Creative Basics Animal Cookies


My Originals Bits and Pieces Card Kit


My Originals It's Your Day Card Kit


My Originals Around the Holidays Card Kit

What a Fantastic Deal!! All the products are priced at $8.95 and up and you can get one for only $1.00!!

Creativity with Trees & Things Stamp Set

I love the Trees and Things Stamp Set. It is so cute and perfect for all those lazy summer days. Check out this video (it's only 3 minutes long) on some great uses for this stamp set and techniques to make it even simpler and faster. It also shows how to create the super cute layout shown on page 65 of the idea book. If you don't have an idea book and would like one...please contact me and I will be happy to send you one! I am also available to do gatherings/parties in your home if you are in the Helena, Montana area. It's a great way to get together with friends, learn new techniques, make a card, and earn FREE products!!

Fourth of July Layout

This is the layout my club members created in June for their Fourth of July pictures. I used the fanfare papers which I love because they are so bright and vibrant. This paper is so versatile. It can be used for birthdays, boys, carnivals and fairs, summer, sports, and the list goes on and on. It is one of my favorites in the spring/summer idea book. I used the shining star, thoughtful seasons and notice the details stamp sets. I sponged pacifica ink on the edges of the paper and every stamp that I cut out. Sponging adds dimension and also covers any imperfections. Isn't this layout cute?

Newsprint Rub-Ons from Close To My Heart

If you don't have the newsprint rub-ons on your list of items you have to buy...they will be after watching this video!! It shows how they are packaged and reasons why, how to use them and shows new ways to use rub-ons. Rub-ons are so easy to use and you can position them anywhere. Plus, it includes great artwork featuring the rub-ons.

My Acrylix® Dreams Come True Stamp Set

This video shows new and unique ways to use the Dreams Come True stamp set from Close to My Heart. I love the videos CTMH corp comes up with because the artwork is always new, fresh and beautiful.

Mayberry Layout

This is the layout my club members made in May. It uses the Mayberry papers and the Flowerpot stamp set. We moved into a new house last year and we have been very busy with the landscaping. We currently have a dirt yard....but not for long! I thought this layout would be perfect to highlight all the work we have done to get the yard finished. We have pulled weeds, raked and hauled off 7-8 trailer-full of rocks (and that's just the front yard!) put in sidewalks, built flower planters, put down landscaping rocks, planted bushes, put in underground sprinklers, etc. etc. etc. It has been a lot of work, but it will be worth it when we have a beautiful, lush, green yard!! I used the layout Magicians Choice from the Magic book and distressed the edges of all the papers with desert sand ink. I used CTMH markers to color in the flowers and pots.

Supplies used: Flowerpot Stamp set, Treasure Life Stamp set, Mayberry papers, Chocolate flower buttons, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Chocolate ribbon, Cocoa ink, assorted CTMH markers,

Quick and Easy Cards

I made these cards after Christmas....I know...I am just now getting around to posting them. I needed some easy, quick, easy, cute, easy cards to send to some of my students for the Christmas presents they had given me. My students and their parents are always so generous and thoughtful. I don't buy cards anymore. Why would I? Making cards is so much cheaper and I can usually make a card in the time it takes to go to the store and look through the thousands of cards for the perfect one. Plus, a homemade card is so much more personal. Anyway, on to the cards. I used the directions for making 20 cards ( 2 each of 10 different designs) shown in the Wishes book. I used the Tinkerin' papers because I wanted the papers to have a whimsical and "young" feel to them since they were going to be sent to six and seven year olds.

Supplies used: Stamps all Close to My Heart: D1444 A Little Thanks, D1184 Flying High, D1443 Share the Magic, D1320 Shining Star, D1361 Thank You, Twitterpated WOTG, Tinkerin' Paper, White daisy ribbon, foam tape

Scallop Borders with Mayberry Workshops on the Go™ Stamp Set

This video shows the Mayberry Workshop on the Go and using the scallop edges.

My Acrylix® On This Day Inspiration & Tutorial

This video shows some great ideas for using the On This Day stamp set. This is a great stamp set to use for making clusters on your cards or layouts.

Springin' Up Flowers

This video shows how to create dimensional flowers using the Spring Up stamp set. Super cute!

National Scrapbooking Month Promotion for May

This video shows everything that is included in the You and Me Kit. You can only get this awesome kit during the month of May. I love the colors and the D-size stamp set in this kit. Definitely a must-have!!

Christmas in March???

This is a layout I made with my scrapbook group back in December. I was waiting to post it because I wanted to get this year's Christmas pictures on it....but as you can see it is now March and it still is not happening. That's the problem with me. I've got lots of layouts done...just no pictures yet. I've got to work on that! This layout used 5 different stamp sets, ribbon and brads. The mistletoe is my favorite Christmas paper that Close to My Heart has came out with. The stickease that match this paper are fabulous too.

Supplies used: Mistletoe papers, True Friends Stamp Set, Card Chatter-Christmas Stamp Set, December Word Puzzle Stamp Set, Share the Magic Stamp Set, All the Best Stamp Set, Cranberry ink, Garden Green ink, New England Ivy ink, Cranberry ribbon, Cranberry Brads, foam tape

Perfect Paper Pinwheels

This video shows the great value of the Workshops on the Go Kits and how to make the cute pinwheels featured in the Miracle Workshop. Super cute kits and they are only $29.95! There is one kit for each of the new papers featured in the Idea Book.

Beautiful Sophia Layout

Here is the layout my scrapbook club members put together for our March get-together. This was made using the new Sophia papers and the stamp set from the Sophia Workshop-On-The-Go kit. I also used the Unity stamp set and the border on the bottom was from the Just Because Friendship card kit that was offered several years ago. This stamp set is now retired, but I just love it and use it often. There is a pearl in the center of each flower. The layout is Illusion from the Magic how-to book. I love that book! It is a must-have in my opinion.

Supplies used: Sophia paper pack, Unity Stamp Set, Just Because Friendship Stamp Set, Sophia Workshop Stamp Set, blush ink, hollyhock ink, pear ink, pearls, and foam tape.

Simply Scallops

Designer Ribbon Pink Collection

Let it snow!

I thought this would be a perfect week to feature a snow-themed layout with the blizzards we have been getting hit with. This is a layout my club members put together in January. It uses the mistletoe papers and Colonial White pigment-based stamp pad. I distressed all the edges with desert sand ink and a sponge dauber. It has a flap that opens to reveal a place to journal. That file tab on the journal is actually a flower pot from the flower pot stamp set that was a stamp of the month last spring, but is featured in the new idea book.

Supplies used: Magic layout, Mistletoe Level 2 paper pack, cranberry cardstock, colonial white cardstock, Nature's Gift Stamp set, Flower Pot Stamp Set, Snow Flurries Stamp Set, Colonial White brads, Cranberry ribbon, Colonial white ink, desert sand ink,

New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to the showcasing of the new Spring/Summer 2011 CTMH products! I LOVE this new idea book and if you would like to get your own copy, please email me. The 8 new paper packs are fabulous! I love them all. Close to my Heart did a wonderful job with this one!

If you have come here from Neely's Blog, then you are on the right path. This blog hop is one big circle, so you can start here and work your way around. If you get lost along the way, there is a complete list of participants on Debi's blog.

There are 11 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations on this blog hop. This is easy to do....just click on the next link to bring you to the next blog.


I created this layout using the new Sweetheart papers and the new spray pen. I love this cute paper!


I sprayed the base paper with blush re-inker and pearl paint. The new spray pen is so fun to use and brings a little sparkle to the pages. I sanded the black cardstock a little to distress it a bit.

Supplies used: On With The Show from Magic, Sweetheart papers, Sweetheart stamp set, Unity stamp set, blush re-inker, pearl paint, spray pen, black ink, blush ink, cotton candy ink, pink assortment buttons, and sandpaper.

Now, continue on to see what fabulous creation Rachel has created! I hope you are inspired to create!