August Stamp of the Month: Wicked

It's August and at Close to My Heart that means so many exciting things...a new Idea Book filled with amazing new products, lower prices, lots of inspiration, an EXCLUSIVE Cricut cartridge, TWO phenomenal specials (can you say THREE free stamp sets in August?!?! Wow, wow, wow!!), and of course a brand new Stamp of the Month!

I will certainly be sharing all about the other fun things VERY soon, but in the meantime, it's Blog Hop time! If you've arrived here from Helen's blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, simply follow the link at the bottom of this post to get to the next blog and continue following the links until you arrive back here. We have over 60 talented consultants sharing their creativity this month, so you are sure to be inspired!

I know it's only August, but it's never too early to begin thinking about Halloween! Now you can begin creating all those tricks and treats with our August Stamp of the Month set, Wicked.

Wicked is just the type of Halloween stamp set I love - a touch of spooky mixed with a touch of whimsy!

I happen to be a huge fan of musical theater, and as soon as I saw this set songs from the show "Wicked" began running through my head, so I just knew I needed to create a "Wicked" themed card using my new Wicked stamp set. So...here was my inspiration...

I decided to use the Black and Grey Wool damask B&T paper from the brand new Mischief kit along with Pear cardstock to create this wickedly simple 5x7 card! And yes...I sang the soundtrack the entire time I created it!

The red sparkle above the "i" on the sentiment piece is from the Red, Pink & Purple Sparkles Assortment and adds just that pop of red that is so eye-catching in the Wicked logo.

Do you like the shape of the sentiment piece? It was as easy as pie with the brand new Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, available exclusively through Close to My Heart. Don't worry, you'll see lots more on the new Cricut cartridge from me in the coming weeks!

Are you ready for some more exciting news? Close to My Heart has introduced a new and improved Stamp of the Month program and now all of the Stamp of the Month sets, like Wicked, are now easier than ever to add to your collection. There are now two ways to get Wicked (and all other upcoming SOTM sets when they are available):

1. Purchase is for the new LOW price of $17.95 (yes, that's a $5 price drop - LOVE it!)
2. Add it to your order for only $5 when you spend $50 (before tax and shipping)

As if that wasn't enough of a deal...to celebrate our new SOTM program, when you spend $50 to add the Wicked set to your order for $5, you will also receive the exclusive A Typeset stamp set FREE (a $6.95 value)!

One thing that isn't changing it the time they are available, so you won't want to wait! The Wicked set is only available through August 31st.

Time to hop along and see what other trick and treats my fellow CTMH consultants have in store for you. Head on over to my friend Brae Montgomery's blog to see what wicked fun she has up her sleeve!

Be sure to check back here this week for all the exciting announcements that come along with the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book!

Out with the OLD...

As we prepare to WOW you with the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book, I wanted to share with you a detailed list of the goodies that will no longer be available on August 1st, when the new Idea Book goes LIVE! Check out the list below then head over to my CTMH website to get your favorite stamping and scrapbooking products before they are gone!

I also wanted to remind you about our Annual Autumn/Winter Idea Book Celebration...if you haven't RSVP'd yet, send me a quick email to let me know you'll be here so we have enough make-n-takes prepped!

DATE: Tuesday, August 2nd
TIME: 4pm - 8pm (Open House - stop by anytime)
LOCATION: My home in Camarillo

RETIRING/UNAVAILABLE as of August 1st (order before July 31st):
*My Reflections Kits*
ALL Level 1 Kits will retire! If you love these fast,simple, and easy kits, stock up now! CTMH will no longer carry Level 1 Kits on August 1st!
In addition to the Level 1 Kits, the following kits (Level 1, Paper Packets & My Stickease) will also retire: Magnifique, Hooligans, Olivia, Mistletoe, Bliss, Wings, Sweetheart & Miracle

*Cardstock*
If you love our 24 packs of single-color cardstock, now is the time to stock up! Beginning August 1st, most of our colors will not be available in single color packs. We will still carry many of the neutrals and some of the more popular seasonal colors in single color packs, but the price is going up to $14.50). So, if you have a favorite color you use A LOT and like those 24 packs, get them now! Most colors will still be available in smaller color-shade packs or seasonal packs.

*Ribbon Rounds*
Sweet Leaf, Buttercup & Cranberry

*Dimensional Elements*
Borders, Booksmart, Framed Fun & Monograms (our current Monograms are being replaced with a new set of Monograms featuring 6 new fonts)
Irresistibles-Villa & Miracle

*Other Accessories*
Kraft Borders
Mini-Medleys-Pear, Lagoon, Outdoor Denim
Rub-Ons-Across the Board & PrimaVera
Sophia Journaling Spots

*Envelope Flats*
ALL Envelope flats are retiring...if you love being able to customize your envelopes, stock up today! Our envelope flats are being replaced by regular envelopes in a variety of sizes!

*My Acrylix Blocks & Block Organizer*
Check your stamp sets and blocks!!! Some of our blocks are being retired as is the great Block Organizer! As of August 1st, the following block sizes will no longer be available:
-1x1 1/2
-1 x 6 1/2
-2 1/2 x 2 1/2
-2 x 11
-4x4
-4 1/2 x 6 1/2
Complete your set while these sizes and the organizer are still available!

And LOTS of stamp sets! As a general rule, stamp sets will be available for TWO Idea Books...so, if a stamp set in the current Spring/Summer Idea book it will still be available through January 2012. If it is in the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book, it will no longer be available. If you have any questions on specific stamp sets, let me know!

Don't forget...if you order $50 of product from the current Spring/Summer Idea Book, you will get more Bang for your Buck!! Orders of $50 or more qualify for one of 5 favorite products for just $1! Click HERE for all the details and then head to my website to shop online!

I simply can't wait to share the new Idea Book with you! Hope to see you on the 2nd where ALL in attendance will receive a FREE copy of the Autumn/Winter Idea Book! RSVP today!

Pure Bliss

Has it been a while since you've had a crafty girls night out? Grab a friend and join me for a fun night of scrapbooking on Monday, August 1st at 7pm where we will create this gorgeous 2 page layout using Close to My Heart's Bliss paper packet!

Bliss is perfect for wedding photos, as shown above, but it is great for so much more...couples, family portraits, heirloom photos, beach photos...a perfectly neutral kit with tons of possibilities! I LOVE adding a pop of color to this Bliss - and just about any color works! The layout above is shown with Sorbet ink, but we will be creating it using the beautiful Tulip ink (a gorgeous shade of red)! Want to use a pink, blue or green with Bliss? No problem - everyone will be able to accent with whatever color they'd prefer!

RSVP and payment must be received by Tuesday, July 26th to allow time to order your kit!

I offer three workshop kits to choose from. Click HERE to see the complete BEST kit (the Basic and Better kits are smaller versions of the BEST).

BEST: $29.95 (plus tax and shipping) - a savings of $2.90

-Bliss Level 2 Paper Packet (you will have lots of paper left over to complete additional projects at home)

-Bliss workshop Stamp set

-Irresistibles-Villa Die cuts

-Bliss Workshop Guide

BETTER: $18.90 (plus tax and shipping)

-Bliss Level 2 Paper Packet

-Irresistibles-Villa Die Cuts

-Bliss Workshop Guide

BASIC: $12.45 (plus tax and shipping)

-1/2 of Bliss Level 2 Paper Packet

-Irresistibles-Villa DieCuts

-Bliss Workshop Guide

Space is limited, so RSVP today! Hope you can join us!

Autumn/Winter Idea Book Kick-Off Celebration

Join us as we unveil the brand new Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book from Close to My Heart. You won't want to miss this Idea Book as it is filled with new kits, gorgeous new stamp sets, an abundance of fun accessories, and...an EXCLUSIVE Cricut cartridge bundle available only through CTMH!

Tuesday, August 2nd

4pm - 8pm (open house style - stop by anytime)

We'll have lots of NEW products on display, a plethora of current and retired products (both new and gently used) for sale at amazing prices*, a fun make-n-take, give-aways galore, and of course, plenty of refreshments!

Everyone who attends will receive their own copy of the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book and a chance to win door prizes - bring a friend for additional chances to WIN!

Call (484-1531), email (beth@MyCTMH.com), or reply to the event listing on my Facebook business page by Friday, July 29th to let me know you're coming! Your RSVP will allow me to have plenty of make-n-take supplies on hand for everyone!

Can't wait to see you there!



*Our sale table will be taking cash and checks only this year. Credit cards will still be accepted for orders from the Idea Book. Thanks!

Going, Going...

Stock up before they're GONE!!

The Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book is arriving SOON and is sure to be filled with amazing new products! As of August 1st, the following items will no longer be available:

ALL LEVEL 1 SCRAPBOOKING KITS ARE RETIRING!

Click HERE to view all Level 1 Kits.

In addition to ALL Level 1 kits, the following My Reflections Kits (Level 1, Level 2 Paper Packets & My Stickease) will be retiring as well.

Sweetheart -- Wings


Bliss -- Miracle


Magnifique -- Olivia


Hooligans -- Mistletoe

Head on over to my website to stock up on these great kits while they are still available - and get more Bang for your Buck! While you're there, don't forget to check out the fantastic July Stamp of the Month, American Celebration!

Bang for Your Buck in July!

I think it is safe to say we ALL appreciate a great deal, and this month Close to My Heart is offering you "Bang for Your Buck!"

Simply put, when you spend just $50 (before tax and shipping) on your favorite stamping and scrapbooking products from the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book, you can select one of five great BONUS items for just $1!

Your bonus item can be one of the following items (each valued at $8.95 or more):

• Creative Basics Mistletoe Collection
• Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection
• My Originals Bits & Pieces Card Kit
• My Originals It's Your Day Card Kit
• My Originals Around the Holidays Card Kit

Now that's what I call getting "Bang for your Buck!" Hurry...all items are while supplies last! Click HERE to shop online!

*Offer good while supplies last or through July 31, 2011.
**One bonus items per qualifying order (but you may place as many qualifying orders as you'd like)