January Stamp of the Month: Little Reminder

January 1, 2012 already?!?! I suppose the good thing about time passing so quickly is the wait between NEW stamp sets and other goodies seems shorter, right?!?! A new Stamp of the Month set means it's times for a new Blog Hop!

Welcome to the January 2012 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! If you've arrived here from Scrappin' Katy's blog, you're on the right track. If this is your first stop, simply follow the links at the end of each post until you arrive right back here. We have over 50 talented consultants participating this month, so you are sure to be filled with inspiration!

The January Stamp of the Month is "Little Reminder", a set of 25 stamps...numbers, days of the week, simple sentiments and a fun circular calendar!

It seems Lagoon is becoming a favorite color in my house as pink is slowly being set aside by my 8 year old daughter - and it seems she is right on trend as everywhere I look I see Lagoon colored clothing, decor, and more!

I LOVE the simple Lagoon print in the Elemental paper packet and have made a couple cards using this same paper paired with Chocolate cardstock! This fun 40th birthday card was a breeze with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to cut both of the plain circles and the fancy circle. While it doesn't show here too well, the Lagoon fancy circle is raised with 3-D foam tape for a little extra pop! The yummy Chocolate Striped Grosgrain ribbon and a few Sparkles add the finishing touches.

Time to hop along and let yourself be inspired! The next stop is Lori Brown's blog.

Remember, the Little Reminder set is only available through January 2012 for $17.95 or just $5 with a $50 order. Head on over to my CTMH website to order yours today!

Holiday Gifts for YOU!

The holidays are HERE and in the spirit of the season, I have some gifts for YOU! Simply place an order during the month of December (online, via email or telephone, or at a workshop) and you will receive one of the following holiday accessories absolutely FREE!

Spend $25 - $49.99 (before tax and shipping) and receive a FREE package of Twinkle Brads ($3.95 value)!

Spend $50 - $74.99 (before tax and shipping) and receive a FREE Mini-Medley Accents Holiday Collection ($7.95 value)!

Spend $75 or more (before tax and shipping) and receive a FREE package of Winter Cheer Glitter Rub-Ons ($13.95 value)

Let me help you complete a little of your holiday shopping! Together we can take care of those special papercrafters on your list! Or...make your own wish list and let your loved ones know how EASY it is to make your holiday wishes come true - I even gift wrap and deliver!

All holiday orders should be placed early to allow plenty of time for delivery. Orders placed by Monday, December 12th are guaranteed by CTMH to ship out no later than Friday the 16th (and would arrive here in CA on Tuesday, the 20th at the latest). Past experience has shown me we can probably order a little later than Monday the 12th and still get things in time to be under your tree, but don't wait!!!

Mad About You...and the December Stamp of the Month!

It's almost December and that means it's time for the last Stamp of the Month Blog Hop of 2011! I am absolutely "over the moon in love" with this set and know you will love it too!

If you've arrived here from my sweet friend Teresa's blog, you are on the right track. Of course, if this is your first stop, simply follow the links at the bottom of each post to get to the next blog in the hop. If you get lost along the way or find links not working, Helen has a complete list of hoppers HERE on her blog.

I know many of us are thinking about Christmas...lists, gifts, cards, decorations and more! However, it's not too early to start planning for Valentine's Day, and the December Stamp of the Month, Mad About You, will put you in the mood for love for sure! Notice the red lines around some of the images...all of those shapes can be found on the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. As an added creative bonus, we also offer chipboard Dimensional Elements in those shapes. LOVE it!

As soon as I saw the Mad About You set, I knew it was a perfect match for the fun and funky Roxie papers! The hearts were cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge. The sentiment piece is a Dimensional Element from the Mixed Shapes pack inked in Bamboo for some fun coordination.

Time to hop along to the amazingly creative Pamela O'Connor's blog - I know she has created something that will wow us all!!

Remember, the Mad About You set is available through December only. It is $17.95 or just $5 with a $50 order! Visit my Close to My Heart website to order yours today!

After-Thanksgiving Deals Begin NOW!

Shop for your favorite scrapbooker, stamper or papercrafter, or order your own gifts to put under the tree!

Earn FREE gifts when you order from my Close to My Heart website through Sunday, November 27th!

Your free gift will be based on the product total of your order (before tax and shipping/handling), as outlined below. Once your order is placed, I will contact you to confirm your free gift and you will receive that selection separately (do not add your free gift item to your cart as will not adjust to free!).

Don't forget, if your order contains $25 in stamps, you qualify for the Holiday Wishes stamp set for just $5 (click HERE for details). If your order is over $50, you qualify for the Stamp of the Month, Cherish the Day, for $5 (click HERE for details)

Place an order of $25 - $49.99
Receive a FREE Exclusive Inks Pad (value $5.25)

Place an order of $50 - $74.99
Receive a FREE A-sized stamp set or a Cardstock Shade Pack (value $7.95)

Place an order of $75 - $99.99
Receive a FREE B-sized stamp set or a My Reflections Level 2 Paper Packet (up to $9.95 value)

Place an order of $100 - $149.99
Receive a FREE C-sized stamp set or a Cardstock Combo Pack (up to $13.95 value)

Place an order of $150 or more
DO NOT order online!!! Contact me via email with your order and you will earn $25 in Hostess Rewards AND your choice of a FREE D-sized stamp set or a My Relections Level 2 Paper Packet and coordinating My Stickease/Complements (up to a $17.95 value). NOTE: You must contact me to place this order or you will not receive the $25 in Hostess Rewards!!


Additionally, everyone who orders during this special will be entered into a drawing for a FREE Workshop on the Go Kit! Winner to be notified on Monday, November 28th.

These specials are only available through Beth Naumann, Independent Consultant, and all orders must be placed online at www.closetomyheart.com/Beth (except orders over $150) before Sunday, November 27th at midnight.

Mom & Me Holiday Card Workshop

Sunday, December 4th @ 10am or 2pm

$16 for 8 cards...time spent creating together...priceless!
(includes 8 cards and envelopes, a complete package of Believe My Stickeaese, Sparkles, and the cut papers to create the cards)

***REFER A FRIEND AND GET A FREE GIFT FROM ME WHEN THEY SIGN UP!***

Do you know a young crafter who would love to spend a couple hours making some fun holiday cards with you? Then join me for the Mom (or Dad/Auntie/Grandma, etc) and Me Holiday Card Workshop! We'll make these 8 adorable cards using the Believe paper, My Stickease and Clear Sparkles!



Kids will love giving these cards during the holidays OR using them as Thank You notes after the holidays!

Double your crafting fun by creating TWO sets, one for you and one for your young card-maker. Space is limited, so seats will be reserved for those creating cards (adults not creating their own set will be able to stand nearby to assist)

Guests will also need to following supplies (any of which can be added to your workshop order - just let me know what you need!):
Scissors
Adhesive Tape Runner
Glue Dots
3-D Foam Tape

RSVP today as I expect these workshops to fill quickly! Full payment reserves your spot and must be received no later than Sunday, November 27th!

Can't join us on the 4th, but would still love to make these fun cards? I offer workshop kits at the same price (additional shipping charges may apply)!

'Tis the Season!

Last night was my monthly card night with a super fun group of ladies! I always enjoy creating cards for this group, but this month I was so especially excited to share with them the 3 cards we were making! All three cards feature the My Reflections Believe kit - such a fun, festive and whimsical holiday paper packet!

This first card uses the special Holiday Wishes stamp set and was inspired by one of my favorite creative ladies, Lisa Stenz! Lisa created a similar card using the October Stamp of the Month and the Elemental papers. This set is only available in November when you order $25 in stamp sets - you can add holiday wishes to your order for just $5! Isn't that tree just gorgeous? Even better...all of the images in the Holiday Wishes stamp set can be found on the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.

Here's a peek at the Holiday Wishes stamp set!

It seems we are giving more and more gift cards at the holidays, so I thought a fun gift cardholder was in order! Cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge, these little gift card holders are a snap to make - and can be embellished in so many different ways. Our group last night agreed it would be fun to put an eyelet in the top and turn them into tree ornaments!

The last card we created was by far my favorite! I found this simple sketch on the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge blog a month or so ago. I loved the simplicity of the design and the multitute of possibilities it provided! I also see Believe as a VERY versatile paper packet and wanted to share that with my group. Look how fun Believe is for a birthday card!!

If you'd like to join the fun and make three cards with us each month, we welcome you! My cards night are always the 2nd Monday of the month. The workshop itself is free with a $25 order placed that night. I'd love to have you join us!

November SOTM Blog Hop: Cherish the Day

Happy November! It's time for another fabulous Stamp of the Month blog hop, so grab some of that left over Halloween candy and get ready to be inspired by over 50 talented Close to My Heart Consultants!

If you've arrived here from Paige's blog, you're on the right track. If this is your first stop, WELCOME...simply follow the links at the bottom of each post to get to the next blog in the hop! If you get lost along the way, or find links not working, you can find the entire list of hoppers at Helen's blog.

This month's set, Cherish the Day is truly a set for all seasons! Filled with great little tickets representing each month of the year, Cherish the Day can be used for marking the date on your scrapbook pages, birthday cards, and just about any holiday card you can think of! I LOVE that the tickets coordinate perfectly with the ticket image found on the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge available exclusively through Close to My Heart!

The new My Reflections Dreamin' kit is simply perfect for all of your fall crafting projects and was just the "ticket" I needed for this Thanksgiving card!

Time to hop along...head on over to Tamytha's blog to see what she has created to share!

Don't forget, the November Stamp of the Month is only available through November, so be sure to visit by CTMH website and order your set today. It is yours for $17.95 or just $5 with a $50 order!

Halloween & Studio J

Happy Halloween! Preserving your memories of your little ghosts and goblins in their costumes has never been easier than with Studio J.

These two layouts, from last Halloween, were completed in a snap using the Studio J exclusive kit, Boo!

Wishing you all a wonderfully fun and spooky Halloween...don't forget those cameras tonight!

Creating with Art Philosophy!

Yes, it's true...I've gone Cricut crazy! I just LOVE the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge available only from CTMH. Earlier this week, I offered a class that focused on just a few of the fun things you can do with the Art Philosophy cartridge. Can I tell you...it was so hard to figure out just WHAT to share in three projects. There are so many, many wonderful things you can do with this amazing cartridge I'm afraid my class didn't even begin to show the fabulous-ness found in the Art Philosophy cartridge and its 700 images!

Here are the three projects we created...

Flowers, flowers, flowers! All of the fun dimensional, rolled flowers have never been easier than with Art Philosophy! There are 6 beautiful flowers on the cartridge - the flowers featured here are found on page 70 of the Art Philosophy booklet. This card made its way to school this morning for my daughter's 2nd grade teacher's birthday! I hope she likes it!

This great little gift box was inspired by Jeanette Lynton's Shape-a-Day posts on her blog. All month long she has been sharing a different Art Philosophy shape each day - lots of amazing inspiration there. Check it out HERE! Just add some little treats and you have a great gift for any loved one! The box shape is found on page 22 of the Art Philosophy booklet.

Finally, this sweet little card actually uses two different card cuts. The Kraft piece is the front of the cupcake card. The cupcake and the cupcake card are found on page 70 of the Art Philosophy booklet. The fancy card shape is on page 43.

There are so many wonderful things you can do with the Art Philosophy cartridge and bundle! I have more projects to share, to check back often or use the form on the left to subscribe and receive blog posts right in your inbox!

Happy Crafting!

More Wonderland Card Workshop Fun!

There is still space available in my upcoming Wonderland Holiday Card Workshop! Last week I shared the first 4 cards we will be creating...here are the rest of the fun creations!

Saturday, November 5th , 2pm - 4pm

We'll create 8 gorgeous cards using the Wonderland papers & our new Icings Top Coats acrylic overlays!

Cost: $16 includes 8 cards with envelopes, a full set of Icings Top Coats, and all of the embellishments and cut paper to create your cards!

RSVP today - space is limited! Payment must be receive by October 31st to guarantee your spot.

Thanks to my amazingly creative friend and upline, Sue Laufer for the card inspiration!

Wonderland Holiday Card Workshop

The holidays will be here before we know it, so it's time to get working on those holiday cards!

Wonderland Holiday Card Workshop!

Saturday, November 5th , 2pm - 4pm

We'll create 8 gorgeous cards using the Wonderland papers & our new Icings Top Coats acrylic overlays!

Here's a sneak peek at some of the cards that you'll create...

Cost: $16 includes 8 cards with envelopes, a full set of Icings Top Coats, and all of the embellishments and cut paper to create your cards!

RSVP today - space is limited! Payment must be receive by October 31st to guarantee your spot.

Thanks to my amazingly creative friend and upline, Sue Laufer for the card inspiration!

Holiday Magic: October Stamp of the Month

It's that time again...time for a new Stamp of the Month and a fun and inspiring 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, simply follow the links provided at the end of each post until you get back here by which time you are sure to be filled with a little Holiday Magic yourself!

Yes, that's right! The holidays are just around the corner and the October Stamp of the Month, Holiday Magic is here just in time for all of your holiday papercrafting. I LOVE the bold, simple images in Holiday Magic.

I also love the new Believe My Reflections Kit, and I'm quickly falling in love with our Kraft cardstock. I have yet to find a paper that doesn't look GREAT with the Kraft cardstock! I think I've told you how much I love just a little bling, like the Red Sparkles that adorn the tops of the trees, and yes, I LOVE the extra wide Sweet Leaf Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon. Okay, so I used many of my favorites on this card!

By popping up the Kraft layer with 3-D Foam Tape, I've given the card a little dimension (and of course, I LOVE dimension too)!

Time to hop along to Gina's blog to see what Holiday Magic she has conjured up!

Remember, the Holiday Magic set is only available through October 31st. It's yours for just $17.95 (plus tax and shipping), or place a $50 order and add Holiday Magic for just $5 more! Head on over to my CTMH website to order yours today!

Lake Tahoe here we come!

Tomorrow morning I head for beautiful Lake Tahoe for our annual Team Retreat...4 days of scrapbooking, card making, sharing, learning, and of course lots of laughing!

Among some fun personal scrapping projects I am planning, I also plan to work on creating some fun workshops for YOU - a Cricut Class, scheduled for October 26th and a Holiday Card Class scheduled for November 5th...and maybe a couple others!

Want the first scoop on these great workshops? Be sure to "Like" my CTMH page on Facebook where I will be posting workshop project pictures as I complete them (I have very limited internet access, if any, while away, so Facebooking from my phone might be my only option).

If you aren't already getting my CTMH Facebook updates, click HERE to visit my page and "Like" it to get all the scoop!

Idea-a-Day (almost) with Pair-a-Phrase

Do you "Like" Close to My Heart on Facebook? If not, you're missing on tons of great inspiration this month!

In celebration of National Stamping Month, Close to My Heart is posting artwork using our awesome Pair-a-Phrase "double stamp set" along with quick tips on their Facebook page. Check out some of what they've shared already and then click HERE to join CTMH on Facebook!

The Pair-a-Phrase set is actually TWO sets in one. That's right, TWO D-sized My Acrylix stamp sets packaged together in one handy envelope (retail value $35.90). And did you know the Pair-a-Phrase set is FREE with a $75 order? Whether you are a cardmaker or a scrapbooker, this is one of those must-have sets!

Head on over to my website - http://beth.MyCTMH.com to place your order and get your very own Pair-a-Phrase set!

Time for a Little Mischief!

When I walked into Target the other day to get those last few items on my kids' school supply lists, I was surprised to find the school supplies were pushed to the back (on clearance - yay!) to make way for Halloween! Really? Already? Of course, this shouldn't surprise me as my own daughter decided on her Halloween costume in July, but it was a not so subtle reminder that Halloween is just around the corner.

At Close to My Heart, that means it's time for a little Mischief! All this month, my workshop groups are playing with the fun Mischief papers. I love the sophistication these papers display...earthy colors and classic patterns make it a definite TREAT for all your spooky Halloween papercrafting!

For my card club, however, I wanted to show the true diversity that can be found in the kit. As it turns out, Mischief is so much more than spooky Halloween...it is elegant, it is autumnal, and it is masculine!

Take a look at the three cards I created for my card club!

We started with this fun card which highlights the Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set available through September only! Simply spend $75 in September and the Pair-a-Phrase set is yours FREE! Click HERE for the details!

Yes, this card screams Halloween! However, my card club ladies pointed out that the fun treat bag could easily become a shopping bag or ladies handbag.

Next, we created an earthy Thank You card using the ticket stamp and die cut image from the Cricut Art Philosophy collection. We also used the new Milepost Shapes - these corrugated Kraft shapes are so fun and add that perfect touch, don't you think?

Did you see the quick and easy, clean and simple card I shared last night? Well, I loved that design so much, I decided to try it with Mischief! If you ask me, there is nothing Halloween about this card!

I'd love to have you join our card-making fun! We typically meet the 2nd Monday of the month, but check the Workshops/Events tab (above) as occasionally we need to adjust that schedule. we always make 3 cards, and your workshop is FREE with a $25 order placed the night of the workshop. Join us on a regular basis and earn Hostess Rewards too!

Don't forget...that Pair-a-Phrase set is only available through September. Head on over to my website to get yours today!

Quick & Easy-Thank You!

If you know me at all, you know that I'm all about quick and easy crafting! I love the clean, simple look that can be created in just a matter of minutes!

Recently, I stumbled upon a card on Pinterest - for you die hard bloggers/blog readers and those who scour the web for ideas, you MUST check out Pinterest - it's one big online bulletin board where you can "pin" all those fun ideas you find online and refer to them just when you need them! Yes, Pinterest is my new obsession!

But, I digress....as I was saying, I recently stumbled upon a card on Pinterest that was just my style - clean, simple, quick and easy! Unfortunately I can't tell who created the original because it links back to Google reader, but whoever you are...THANK YOU for the inspiration. Note to self...start watermarking photos posted online so people know who created it when they want to refer back to it!

When I needed a few thank you notes this weekend, I pulled out one of my very favorite papers, Sophia, and went to work. In no time at all I had whipped out 6 of these fun cards!

I'm just about finished setting up for my monthly card night tonight, so check back tomorrow to see what we create with the Mischief papers!

Extravaganza Artwork: First up...Typeset

As many of you know, I was fortunate enough to be selected to teach at this year's Close To My Heart convention! Extravaganza is an event like no other, and truly a highlight of each and every Convention I have attended. I am honored each time to am selected to teach, and while it is a lot of work and a lot of pressure, it is always a lot of fun!

This year, my Extravaganza class was titled "A Splash of Color" and my product focus was one of my very favorites - our Dimensional Elements chipboard die cuts. My job was to demonstrate all the wonderfully creative ways to turn the fabulous white chipboard elements into works of art. Can I tell you, the sky's the limit with these things! Just about any way you would embellish a flat piece of cardstock you could embellish at Dimensional Element die cut and really make your artwork stand out!

Over the next few weeks I will be sharing the artwork I created for my class (using all NEW products) and some of the fun techniques I highlighted in my artwork!

Today, I'll share my favorite of the three kits I received in advance of the new Idea Book release...Typeset! I just love the color combination of Vineyard Berry, Juniper, Creme Brulee and Black with a little Desert Sand and/or Bamboo. Check out this gorgeous artwork featured in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book.

Now on to some Extravaganza creations...

This 12x12 scrapbook page features our new 10-Things Pocket - what a great way to document a list (10 Things I Love About You, 10 Things I Can't Live Without, 10 Things I Do Everyday, and so many more possibilities!). I decided to document my son's 10 favorite things at 10 years old. He made his list which included his favorite color, books, sports, food, place, and more. I let him do the writing on the tags as I knew it would be fun for him to look back at not only his favorites, but his own writing when he is older!

The TEN is created with our new Dimensional Elements Monogram sets - I just LOVE the big letters in these sets. I inked them with Juniper ink and then random stamped small words in black to coordinate with the Typeset look. The word "AT" is done with our new Color Ready Cork Alphabet. These cork letters are perfect the way they come, or can be inked like I did here! Finally, the "top 10" uses more of the monogram sets and the new Dimensional Elements Numbers!

This simple tag us made using the new Dimensional Elements Tags simply covered in B&T paper from the Typeset pack. I also used my very favorite of the Dimensional Elements line, the Irresistibles Ecelectic Alphabet. Simply add ink to the letters and the resist design just pops!

This little gift card is just my style...simple, simple, simple!

The scalloped circle is from the Dimensional Elements Mixed Shapes set (which also coordinate fabulously with the new Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge). I simply inked the scalloped dimensional element and added the fun sentiment piece from our new Typeset Compliments Canvas Shapes. I LOVE these compliments! The little canvas star circles are also popped up on chipboard circles from the On Target set.

I love how the Dimensional Element Tag was easily turned into a pocket watch for this card. The pocket watch itself was stamped with images from the Key Moments stamp set.

Need a super quick and easy gift card? This little one uses two pieces from the Dimensional Elements Banners set. I put two of the banners end to end and covered them with one piece of B&T. Stamp a simple sentiment on the banner, add a little ribbon underneath and you have it - a quick and easy gift enclosure card!

This next card features the Remarkable Wreath stamp set and the Dimensional Elements Monograms. Once again, the Dimensional Element transforms when covers with the beautiful B&T papers from the Typeset kit.

Finally, this fun 6x6 card features our Typeset Compliments Canvas Shapes layered perfectly over the Dimensional Elements Stars!

The more I played and created with all of the new goodies, the more I appreciated the coordination Close to My Heart has presented among our products...Dimensional Element shapes coordinate with so many stamp sets and accessories and of course the amazing new Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge!

I hope you've enjoyed these peeks at the gorgeous Typeset kit! Typeset will be the focus of my workshops in December. Check out my Workshops/Events tab above for all of my workshop dates and make plans to join us for a fun evening of creating!