January Stamp of the Month: Cross-Stitch Wishes

Happy New Year! Welcome to the first Stamp of the Month Blog Hop of 2014! If you've arrived here from Gina's blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, following along is simple. Just click on the links provided at the end of each blog post to take you to the next blog in the hop. By the time you return to your starting place, you are sure to be filled with great ideas!

The January Stamp of the Month, Cross-Stitch Wishes (S1401) is a unique set of 13 stamps designed to give you that heartfelt cross-stitched look with out using a needle and thread!

I loved this simple card design featured in the Frosted Card Making Workshop on the Go Kit and decided to re-create it using Cross-Stitch Wishes and Babycakes Paper Packet. Other supplies used include Exclusive Inks in Slate and Goldrush, Bakers Twine-Paradise Assortment,  Black & Grey Sparkles Assortment, and of course, a little 3-D Foam tape for that extra pop!

Time to hop along and see what Maureen created to share with us!

Remember, the Cross-Stitch Wishes set is only available through January 31st. Add your set to any $50 order for just $5 (regular price $17.95). Head on over to my Close to My Heart website to order yours today!

December Stamp of the Month: Special Care

Happy December...and welcome to the December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! If you've arrived here from Adeline's blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop,thanks for joining us. Following along is simple...just click on the link at the bottom of each blog post to be directed to the next blog. By the time you arrive back here (or your original starting point) you are sure to be filled with plenty of creative inspiration! It's likely there are storms and cold weather all across the country today, so grab your favorite warm beverage, get cozy by the fire with a warm blanket and hop along with us as we feature a super fun stamp set.

The December Stamp of the Month, Special Care (S1312) is a set of 6 stamps that remind me of those old-fashioned signs that are so popular right now. Four of the images coordinate with shapes found on the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.

For this quick and simple card, I combined two of my favorite current trends...banners and the chalkboard look! I used the Laughing Lola papers and a touch of Silver Shimmer Trim - I just can't get enough of the Silver Shimmer Trim! The sentiment is stamped using the White Daisy pigment ink which provides a nice bold image against the black cardstock.

Time to hop along and see what Nikka has to share with us! 

Remember, the December Stamp of the Month is only available through December 31st. It's just $5 when you place a $50 order (or $17.95 on it's own). Head over to my website to order your set today!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm sure this week finds all of you gathering with family and friends, reflecting on your many blessings, and giving thanks for each of them. Among the many things we are so very thankful for are the many wonderful teachers who have touched the lives of our children.  Today I wanted to share a quick and easy gift my son delivered to his middle school teachers today.

The My Creations Burlap Drawstring Bags and Muslin Drawstring bags are the perfect size to hold gift cards! I used the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to cut out simple circle tags and stamped the Happy Thanksgiving sentiment using the Holiday Tags stamp set. The leaves are from the Fall Harvest set and stamped in Autumn Terracotta and New England Ivy (using the Rock-n-Roll technique)! I added a little grosgrain ribbon and my gift bags were complete!

If you love to give gift cards for the holidays, be sure to check out the My Creations Burlap Drawstring Bags, the My Creations Muslin Drawstring Bags and the brand new Season's Tweetings Holiday gift bags (sold on their own or in an adorable kit complete with tags and stamp set)!

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

November SOTM: Illuminate

Welcome to the November Stamp of the Month blog hop! If you have arrived here from Michelle's blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, following along is simple. Just click the links at the bottom of each blog post and you'll be directed to the next blog in the hop. We have over 50 talented consultants participating each month, so you are sure to get some amazing inspiration!

The November Stamp of the Month, Illuminate (S1311) is a beautiful set of 15 stamps to light up your world! Fun lanterns and bright sentiments - a perfect set for cardmaking and scrapbooking alike!

This standard sized card features the Sarita papers. The flourishes on the corners of the sentiment are from the lamppost image - a little "outside the box"!

Time to hop along and see what Traci has created to share with us! 

Remember, Illuminate is only available through November. Order yours today for $17.95 or just $5 when you place a $50 order! Head to my website to place your order!

Holidays from the Heart

It's HERE, it's HERE! The BRAND NEW Holiday Gift Guide from Close to My Heart is HERE and filled with fun new products for the Holidays and beyond!

Be sure to check out this fun mini-catalog to see the latest and greatest...a gorgeous holiday paper packet, fun new accessories (yes, new BLING - my favorite), a great little mini-album and some of the cutest My Acrylix stamp sets!

Browse the online catalog filled with artwork and inspiration HERE.

Or simply browse products HERE.

To make the holidays even sweeter, earn a FREE "star" item from the Holiday Gift Guide when you place an order of $100 or more (of ANY current, regularly priced products from the Holiday Gift Guide, the Fall/Winter Idea Book or a combination of both). Details HERE.

To see even more amazing artwork featuring the Holidays from the Heart products, visit my Holidays from the Heart Pinterest board - new pins added daily!

Hurry and place your order today! While several of these products are sneak peeks to the Spring/Summer Idea Book offerings, many are available While Supplies last...don't miss out on your favorites!

Visit my Close to My Heart website to order today!

October SOTM: Scandinavian Wishes

Welcome to the October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! If you've arrived here from Kathleen's blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, following along is simple - just click on the links provided at the bottom of each blog post to be directed to the next blog in the loop. By the time you arrive back here, you are sure to be inspired!

This month we are featuring Scandinavian Wishes, a fun set of 12 stamps, including 6 sentiments, all with a Scandinavian flair! Those red lines around some of the images designate that Scandinavian Wishes coordinates with one of our amazing, exclusive Cricut cartridges, Art Philosophy.

This standard sized card features our new Frosted paper packet along with a splash of Ruby. The house was cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge and the stamping was done in Slate ink. The edges were inked with Slate and Champagne ink. Notice the touch of bling on the house and the sentiments - compliments of Silver Glitz Glitter Gel.

Time to hop along and see what Gina has to share with us - I'm sure it will be amazing!

Remember, Scandinavian Wishes is only available through October 31st. You can add it to your collection for just $5 when you place a $50 order ($17.95 retail price). Head on over to my website and order yours today!

September SOTM Blog Hop: Poster Tidings

Welcome to the September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. If you've arrived here from Susan Brooks' blog you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, following along is simple. Just click the link at the end of each post to be directed to the next blog in the loop. We have almost 60 consultants participating this month, so by the time you arrive back here (or to your original starting point) you will will filled with ideas and inspiration.

The September Stamp of the Month, Poster Tidings (S1309) is a set of 2 (large) stamps featuring the super trendy subway art typeset style. One stamp is perfect for Fall cards and scrapbook pages and the other highlights words and phrases with a Winter and Holiday theme. 

 While our temperatures are rising here, and we haven't even gotten into an autumn mood, I was ready to think about cooler days and the warmth of the holidays so I choose to create a card using the winter/holiday themed stamp. Of course it pair perfectly with the gorgeous Frosted paper packet. The soft muted colors of Frosted are beautiful on their own. but I added the Blush cardstock for the pop of color. There is also a little bit of our Huntington paper packet in there too - can you find it? It has taken me a while to step outside that box and mix different paper packets, but it is really easy to do and adds to much versatility to our amazing paper packets!

I love all the fun pennants and banners on artwork these days and this card just sort of came together when I sat down to create. Our 3-D Foam tape provides a little dimension to the card.

Time to hop along and see what Georgia has to share! Remember, the September SOTM is available through September only. Order yours today for $17.95 or just $5 with a $50 order. Head over to my website to order yours!

New Product BlogHop: The Party is On

Just as the blog post title suggests, the Party IS On...and even better than ever for our special Hostesses at Close to My Heart!

Welcome to the Autumn/Winter 2013 New Product Blog Hop! We have over 30 consultants ready to share some of their amazing creations featuring BRAND NEW products from Close to My Heart! If you've arrived here from Maureen's blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, following along is simple. Just click on the link at the end of each blog post to be taken to the next blog.

I am so, so excited about the Hostess Rewards stamp sets from CTMH. That's right, being a CTMH hostess is now more rewarding than ever with SEVEN exclusive stamp sets available ONLY to hostesses through January. And as if exclusive sets wasn't cool enough, they are each offered a a discounted price, so you are getting more bang for your buck when spending your Hostess Rewards!!!

Quite possibly my favorite set in the new Idea Book is a Hostess Reward set...The Party Is On (C1568). I LOVE the large graphic sentiments!! We created this card at my recent Idea Book Kick-Off Celebration. In addition to the The Party Is On stamp set, it features an overlay cut with the amazing new Cricut Artbooking cartridge and the Sarita papers.

I also love the chalkboard look that is so trendy right now and thought this stamp set was a perfect set to play with this technique! This card features the new Laughing Lola papers, Silver Shimmer Trim and a little Baker's Twine. The banner pieces were cut from the Cricut Artiste cartridge.

Of course, I love adding a little dimension to everything these days, so the both of the banner pieces are popped up using 3-D Foam Tape.

Are you in love with this set too?!?! Remember, the only way to get it is to host a home gathering, catalog party, or online gathering. Contact me (or your own CTMH consultant) today to become a Hostess and earn your own exclusive stamp sets!

Time to hop along and see what the super talented, Gina Brandstetter has to share with us!

August SOTM BlogHop: A Chocolate Affair

Here's something that will make your summer just a little sweeter! The brand new Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book from Close to My Heart and a Stamp of the Month set filled with scrumptious chocolate treats...that won't go straight to your hips!

Welcome to the August Stamp of the Month BlogHop! This month we have close to 60 consultants ready to share their creativity with YOU! If you've arrived here from Allisa Chilton's blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, following along is simple. Just click the link to the next blog at the bottom of each post. By the time you arrive back here you are sure to be inspired (and quite possibly craving a little chocolate fix)!

A Chocolate Affair (S1308) is a delightfully delicious set of 16 stamps...8 delectable chocolate treats and 8 fun sentiments!

A Chocolate Affair pairs perfectly with the BRAND NEW Babycakes My Reflections Paper Packet. Don't let the name fool you...Babycakes is so much more than babies. The subdued color pallette of Slate, Buttercup, Chocolate and Sunset can easily coordinate with additional colors...I chose to add a pop of Cotton Candy.

The card pattern is from our new how-to book, Make It From Your Heart, Volume 2. It features 16 two-page layout patterns, 2 single-page patterns and 12 different card patterns. At just $7.95, this idea book is a great value!

The August Stamp of the Month is only available through August...and this month the deal is sweeter than ever! You can order A Chocolate Affair for $17.95, or get it absolutely FREE when you place a $50 order before August 30th! Head on over to my website to order yours today!

It's time to hop along and see what Judy Burger has created to share with all of us! Enjoy!

Cricut Artbooking: Pre-Order Special - Revised and Improved!!

Earlier this month, I shared an exciting special for anyone who simply couldn't wait to get their hands on the Cricut Artbooking Collection! My pre-order special included the adorable August Stamp of the Month set as a FREE gift for your order. Well, turns out the August special from CTMH is a FREE Stamp of the Month set, so I am revising my own pre-order special...

Pre-order your Cricut Artbooking Collection before July 31st and you will not only receive the August SOTM set FREE (a $17.95 value), but I will also include not one, but TWO adorable "M" sized stamps for FREE. 

I am absolutely in love with these fun little "M" sized stamps and know you'll adore them too! There are currently 8 stamps to choose from...

The Artbooking Collection is available for just $99 (retail value of $125) beginning August 1st, but I am taking pre-orders beginning TODAY - and offering a great special to boot!

Click HERE to see more of the Artbooking Collection and the images found on the cartridge!

**Artbooking Pre-Order Special**

Pre-order (and pre-pay for) your Artbooking bundle prior between now and July 31st and you will receive...

 * FREE August Stamp of the Month (a $17.95 value) - an adorable chocolate themed stamp set

* FREE Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book

* TWO free M sized stamps (you're choice from the 8 stamps shown above)

That's almost $150 in product for just $99 

(plus tax and shipping)!

Also, if you add just $46 product onto your Artbooking order, you will qualify for $25 in FREE product (above and beyond the FREE Stamp of the Month). 

Your Artbooking order will be submitted August 1st and will ship quickly directly from CTMH, but your FREE Idea Book will ship out right away!

Here's a peak at the August Stamp of the Month set...A Chocolate Affair...such a YUMMY set!!!

Call or email me TODAY to pre-order your Artbooking Collection!

Canvas Art Kit - 50% off in July!

Get the gorgeous Workshops on the Go® canvas art kit for half price in July — no qualifying purchase required! From July 1– July 31 you can get this trendy kit to create your own canvas art to hang in your home, regularly priced at $39.95, now discounted to $19.95 — more than 50% off! Take papercrafting to the next level with this adorable home décor piece that you can display for all to see.

Order your Canvas Art Kit from my CTMH website and I will help you put it together at a FREE workshop! Workshop date to be determined as I will work with you to find the best date!

Artbooking: A New Way to Scrapbook

Close to My Heart and Cricut have done it again! Introducing Artbooking...the newest Cricut cartridge available exclusively through CTMH! Like Artiste and Art Philosophy, Artbooking is chock full of images - 700 to be exact AND comes with 3 exclusive My Acrylix stamp sets and 3 sheets of Dimensional Elements. The stamp sets and the Dimensional Elements all feature images and shapes available on the Artbooking cartridge.

Accents, borders, titles, overlays and photo mats accompany each of the 15 layout themes and 10 mini-book themes so you have all the pieces you need to create beautiful artwork. With just one dial size and one key, you can create a complete themed layout or mini book. Or, select images from both coordinating keys for even more options. Celebrate birthdays, new baby, vacations, friends, sports, Halloween, Christmas and more with Artbooking!

Click HERE for more info and to preview the images on the Artbooking cartridge!

The Artbooking Collection is available for just $99 (retail value of $125) beginning August 1st, but I am taking pre-orders beginning TODAY - and offering a great special to boot!

**Artbooking Pre-Order Special**

Pre-order (and pre-pay for) your Artbooking bundle prior between now and July 31st and you will receive...

 * FREE August Stamp of the Month (a $17.95 value) - an adorable chocolate themed stamp set

* FREE Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book

Also, if you add just $46 in product onto your Artbooking order, you will qualify for $25 in FREE product (above and beyond the FREE Stamp of the Month). 

Your Artbooking order will be submitted August 1st and will ship quickly directly from CTMH, but your FREE Idea Book will ship out right away!

Call or email me TODAY to pre-order your Artbooking Collection!

This pre-order special is only available through Beth Naumann, Independent Close to My Heart Consultant.

Going, Going...Gone!!! Spring/Summer 2013 Retired List

The Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book is just around the corner! As always, in order to make room for all the amazing new products, we must say goodbye to current goodies!

Below is the Summer 2013 Retired List! All items on the list are only available through July 31st or while supplies last. Please note, some items are already unavailable while others are going quickly, so don't wait! Items unavailable as of today, July 1st are listed with a strike-through.Order your favorite retiring products TODAY at my CTMH website!!!

When you place your order in July, be sure to add your order to the July Mystery Hostess order for a chance to win FREE Hostess rewards!

Note: If you find something you'd like to order is already unavailable, let me know. There is a chance I have it in my inventory and can still get it for you!

Spring/Summer 2013 Retired List... LIST UPDATED Friday, July 26th

Z1347	12 x 12 Post Bound Album- New England Ivy
Z1366	Brads Metal Assortment
Z1410	Antiqued Copper Designer Brads
Z1358	Buttons Basic Assortment
Z1369	Buttons Red Assortment
Z1370	Buttons Pink Assortment
Z1371	Buttons Blue Assortment
Z1372	Buttons Green Assortment
Z1703	Wooden Badge Buttons
Z1704	Pewter Badge Buttons
Z1821	Buttons Black Assortment
G1060	Workshops on the Go® For Always Cardmaking Kit
G1061	Workshops on the Go® Chantilly Cardmaking Kit
Z1412	10-Things Pocket
Z1474	6" x 6" Kraft Die-Cut Cards & Envelopes
Z1721	3” x 3” Kraft Envelopes
Z1722	4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Kraft Envelopes
Z1723	5” x 7” Kraft Envelopes
Z1724	6” x 6” Kraft Envelopes
Z1450	Cork Color-Ready Alphabet
Z1718	Color-Ready Garden Wooden Shapes
Z1719	Color-Ready Evergreen Cork Shapes
Z1773	Color-Ready Noted Canvas Shapes
1771	WaterbrushMedium
Z1246	EmbPowderCocoa
Z1350	embossing powder topiary
Z1351	embossing powder dutch blue
Z655	EmbPowderOlive
Z656	EmbPowderOutdoorDenim
Z659	EmbPowderCranberry
Z670	EmbPowderBlack
Z672	EmbPowderRed
Z673	EmbPowderWhite
Z724	EmbossingPen
X7155C	Avonlea Complements Canvas Shapes
X7156C	Clementine Complements Canvas Shapes
X7157C	Dakota Complements Silver Foil Images
X7159C	Scholastic My Stickease® Assortment
X7164C	Buzz and Bumble My Stickease® Assortment
X7166C	Claire Complements Canvas Shapes
X7167C	Later Sk8r My Stickease® Assortment
Z1392	2" Scallop Circle Punch
Z578	Corner Rounder
Z1326	Sparkles Red, Pink & Purple Assortment
Z1327	Sparkles Blue & Green Assortment
Z1710	Just Blooms® Paradise Paper Flowers
BULK233	Just Blooms® Flutter Paper Shapes (1" with script)
Z1612	Paper Clip Pins
Z1827	My Creations™ Paper Pouch - Small
Z1828	My Creations™ Paper Pouch - Large
G1062	Workshops on the Go® Canvas Art Kit
Z1734	Irresistibles™ Persnickety Journaling Spots
Z1755	Posh Journaling Spots
G1053	Workshops on the Go® Chantilly Scrapbooking Kit
G1054	Workshops on the Go® Buzz and Bumble Scrapbooking Kit
G1055	Workshops on the Go® For Always Scrapbooking Kit
G1056	Workshops on the Go® Claire Scrapbooking Kit
G1057	Workshops on the Go® Later Sk8r Scrapbooking Kit
G1058	Workshops on the Go® Tommy Scrapbooking Kit
G1059	Workshops on the Go® Surf's Up Scrapbooking Kit
Z1748	Brocade Assortment
Z1766	Memo Assortment
Z1780	Wrangler Assortment
Z1794	Cottage Assortment
Z1810	Later Sk8r Assortment
Z1813	Claire Assortment
Z1831	Buzz and Bumble Assortment
X7155B	Avonlea Paper Packet
X7156B	Clementine Paper Packet
X7157B	Dakota Paper Packet
X7159B	Scholastic Paper Packet
X7164B	Buzz and Bumble Paper Packet
X7166B	Claire Paper Packet
X7167B	Later Sk8r Paper Packet
Z1487	Mini Medley Accents Pewter Collection
Z1489	Mini Medley Accents Olive Collection
Z1697	Mini-Medley Accents Smoothie Collection
Z1736	My Creations® Mini Banner
Z1739	My Creations® Milk Carton
Z1740	My Creations® Bookmark Album
Z1774	My Creations® Canvas Journal
Z1081	ColonialWhiteWaxyFlax
Z1088	ChocolateWaxyFlax
Z1089	BlackWaxyFlax
Z1096	EmbroideryFlossNeutralAssortment
Z1798	Black Tulle Ribbon
Z906	BambooWaxyFlax
W1123	Spring Summer 2013 B&T Duo Sampler
Z1267	Paper/StampOrganizer8.5x11(3)
Z4134	Handle and Swivel Base
Z4136	ExclusiveInksOrganizerCarryingCase
Z4200	AccessoriesOrganizer
Z608	EmbossingStylusMedium
A1132	Family
A1133	Festival of Lights
B1372	Circle Together
B1395	So Grateful
B1396	School Rocks
B1405	Rugged Dude
B1406	Blessings of Peace
B1410	A Friend Like You
B1414	Bonjour
C1438	Tea Time
C1461	Salutation Seals
C1466	Instant Memories
C1505	Pun Fun
C1507	Angelic Blessings
C1508	Paisley Flair
C1511	Love Blooms
C1520	Christmas Joy
D1187	For Every Occasion
D1388	Card Chatter - Christmas
D1399	Dream Big
D1440	Everlasting Life
D1444	A Little Thanks
D1492	Christmas Love
D1517	Game On
D1519	Abundance
D1521	Powder Heaven
D1523	Sweet Music
D1528	Jardin
E1010	Chocolate Alphabet Large
E1014	Posterboard Alphabet
E1015	Cocktail Alphabet
E1017	Old World Alphabet
E1018	Pennant Alphabet
E1019	Bohemian Alphabet
E1020	Token Alphabet
E1021	Trinity Alphabet
E1022	Hero Alphabet
E1023	Varsity Alphabet
E1024	Keepsake Alphabet
K900	Single Name Stamp
K9012	Address Stamp w/o Icon 2 Lines
K9013	Address Stamp w/o Icon 3 Lines
K9014	Address Stamp w/o Icon 4 Lines
K9022	Address Stamp with Icon 2 Lines
K9023	Address Stamp with Icon 3 Lines
K9024	Address Stamp with Icon 4 Lines
W1600	Customized Set

June Stamp of the Month: A Flowering Bunch

June is a busy, busy month at Close to My Heart...a few great specials, a fabulous Stamp of the Month set and the event of the year, also known as Christmas in June...the CTMH Annual Convention! I'll be sharing more about the June specials and Convention in later posts, but for now let's focus on the fabulous Stamp of the Month set!

Welcome to the June Stamp of the Month blog hop! If you've arrived here from my Canadian friend, Brae Montgomery's blog, you are on the right track., If this is your first stop, following along is simple...just click on the links at the bottom of each blog post. When you arrive back here you are sure to be inspired an ready to get creating! This month we have over 60 talented consultants participating - that's a whole lot of creativity heading your way!

The June Stamp of the Month, A Flowering Bunch is a unique set of 10 stamps including two sentiment stamps. The two large flowers and the leaves coordinate with Close to My Heart's exclusive Cricut Artiste cartridge!

I just adore the fresh and funky color combination of the new Claire papers...Sunset, Hollyhock, and Outdoor Denim - so fun! For this card,  drew my inspiration from a card by the amazingly talented Vicki Wizniuk. The flowers from the stamp set are random stamped in Outdoor Denim ink on Colonial White cardstock. The banners were cut with the Cricut and the Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon adds the finishing touch!

Remember, the June Stamp of the Month is only available through June 30th, so head on over to my website and order yours today. A Flowering Bunch is $17.95, or just $5 when you place a $50 order!

 Time to move along and see what Maria Myers has created to share with all of us! Thanks for joining us...be sure to check back soon as I have even more fun artwork featuring the June Stamp of the Month to share.