August Stamp of the Month: Baroque Borders

The month of August always holds so much excitement with Close to My Heart...a brand new Idea Book chock full of amazing new goodies for stamping, scrapbooking and papercrafting, a great deal for New Consultants, a fun National Stamping Month special, and of course, an all-new Stamp of the Month set. That must mean it's time for a Blog Hop!

This month we have over 50 inspiring artists sharing their creations. If you've arrived from Doreen's blog you are on the right track. Simply click the links at the end of each blog post until you arrive back here. If you find links not working, or get lost along the way, you can find the entire list of hoppers on Helen's blog.

This month we are featuring Baroque Borders, a gorgeous set of 5 stamps that will add the perfect flair to all of your cards and scrapbook pages!

This standard sized card pairs the Baroque Borders stamp set with the gorgeous and elegant Avonlea Paper Packet (X7155B)...greens, teals and greys...so pretty! 

The sentiment is from Words of Comfort (C1524). With such a subtle and subdued color palette, I couldn't resist giving it something that would pop, and our new Silver Shimmer Trim (Z1799) was just the touch of bling I needed! 

Thanks for stopping by on our Blog Hop. It's time to see what my super talented friend, Pamela O'Connor has created - she never disappoints! 

Be sure to check in often...with a brand new Idea Book, I have lots to share (and a couple more Blog Hops this month too).

Happy Stamping! Happy Scrapping!

It's in the Bag!

When you become a new Consultant in August, you will receive a FREE  Damask Tote Bag (retail value $50), while supplies last. 


This handy, attractive tote with the Close To My Heart logo lets everyone know you are a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant—with class and style! Choose the $49 New Consultant Essentials Kit or the $99 Master Kit which includes more supplies and tools, and we will send you a tote bag free—only in August and only while supplies last. 


This is the same amazing bag we received when we attended Convention in Dallas, TX a few weeks ago! It is spacious and trendy, and I simply love it! I've heard supplies are VERY limited, so make plans today to sign up on August 1st (beginning at 8am CA time).


Damask Tote Bag Features
• 17" x 17" x 6"
• Large exterior pocket for 12" x 12" paper packets
• Huge interior can hold a 12" x 12" album and more
• Small, zippered interior pocket
• Fabric is coated-canvas for durability and easy cleaning
• 2 water bottle pockets
• Wear on the shoulder, across the chest, or as a backpack
• Large flap snaps closed

$49 Essentials Kit 

(approximately $130 value) 

The basic business and creative supplies you want most!

 

$99 Master Kit 

(approximately $280 value)

Includes everything in the Essential Kit, plus an expanded selection of business tools and Studio J layouts to get your CTMH business off on the right start!

Visit my website for more details or to sign up!

Offer available August 1–31, 2012, while supplies last. No tax or shipping/handling is charged on the Damask Tote Bag. Tax and shipping/handling is charged based on the price of the New Consultant Kit that is purchased ($49 or $99).

Autumn/Winter Idea Book Kick-Off Celebration

The Autumn/Winter Idea Book goes live August 1st, so just as in years past...YOU'RE INVITED...

Autumn/Winter Idea Book Kick-Off Open House
Date: Tuesday, July 31st
Time: 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: My Studio in Newbury Park (address and directions will be provided when you RSVP)

We'll have LOTS of new product on display, a fun make-n-take, LOTS of great give-aways, and of course...current and retired products for sale at AMAZING prices!

Everyone who attends will receive a FREE copy of the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book. 

Email me to RSVP no later than Friday, July 27th

Going, Going...

It's that time of year again...time to say hello to many amazing new goodies from Close to My Heart! However, in order to do that, we must say goodbye to some old favorites. Below is a brief rundown of some of the products that will be retiring as of August 1st. If any of your favorites are on the list, be sure to order them today - when they are gone, they are gone!

My Acrylix Stamp sets - If a stamp set is not featured in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book (but is in the Fall/Winter book from last year), there is a good possibility it is retiring as of August 1st.


My Reflections Kits (paper packets, My Stickease, Complements)
*Cruisin
*Elemental
*Footloose
*Lucy
*Roxie
*Sonoma
*Superhero
*Typeset

Workshop on the Go Kits - All Workshop on the Go Kits featured in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book will retire and become available while supplies last through August (supplies are not likely to last too far into August, if at all, so order your favorites today!).

Cardstock/Inks/Reinkers  - All cardstock, inks and reinkers in the following colors
*Amethyst
*Baby Pink
*Brown Bag
* Dutch Blue
*Garden Green
*Garnet
*Grey Flannel
*Grey Wool
*Heavenly Blue
*Holiday Red
*Key Lime
*Lilac Mist
*Moonstruck
*Pansy Purple
*Parchment
*Petal
*Spring Iris
*Sunflower
*Sunkiss Yellow
*Sunny Yellow
*Taffy
*Tulip
*Vanilla Cream
*Vineyard Berry


Embellishments
*Bitty Brads Basic Assortment
*Bitty Brads Metal Assortment
*Bitty Buds Assortment
*Bottle Caps
*Canvas Badge Buttons
*Clear Sparkles
*Color Ready Irresistibles- Lots of Dots
*Comic Badge Buttons
*Dimensional Elements-Ornaments
*Heirloom Assorment
*Hinges
*Mini-Medley Accents-Honey
*Mini-Medley Accents-Pacifica
*Mini-Medley Accents-Sunset
*Mini-Medley-Tulip
*Photo Hangers
*Ribbon-Designer Pink Collection
*Ribbon-Sw. Lf. Stitched Grosgrain
*Seaside Wooden Shapes  (sold out)

Don't forget, with our July special, Perfect Pairs, you can get a FREE paper packet and coordination accessory with a qualifying order making your order of soon to be retired goodies even sweeter! See all the details HERE!

Smiles All Around

Most of you know that for the past several years Close to My Heart has partnered with an amazing organization called Operation Smile. If you've ever bought raffle tickets at my Open Houses, rounded up your order to the next even dollar amount or simply purchased a My Acrylix stamp set, you have helped make a difference in the life of a child!

Operation Smile is an international children's charity that provides life changing surgeries for children born with cleft palettes and other facial deformities. For as little as $240 and 45 minutes per surgery, Operation Smile has literally brought smiles to the faces of over 200,000 children around the world. 

Close to My Heart is a proud supporter of Operation Smile, and as consultants we work all year to gather donations for this wonderful organization - and we don't take a break during Convention either!

A few months ago, I was again once asked to create artwork to donate to a Silent Auction benefiting Operation Smile held at our annual convention in Dallas, TX. It is always such an honor to among the handful of consultants invited to donate, so of course, I accepted the challenge. After much deliberation on what to create, I decided to make my first pennant banner.

I selected the My Creations Mini Banner and since I couldn't decide between a pretty feminine banner or a more masculine banner, I chose to make this one reversible! Yep, that's right! It's two banners in one!

The first side uses the Stella papers along with Dimensional Elements Monograms and Hearts, Color-Ready Garden Wooden Shapes, Clear Sparkles and the Cocoa Designer Ribbon Rounds.

The reverse side features the fun camo paper from the Victory set, more Dimensional Elements Monograms along with Stars, Durables Round Studs, and Tan Hemp.

Of course the cutting was a breeze with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge which has the coordinating cuts for all of our banner shapes!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who bid on this banner. I never saw the winning bid, but I believe it made over $70 for Operation Smile. Our Silent Auction in total raised of $4400 and when added to consultant donations throughout Convention and an amazing live auction at the close of our three days, we raised almost $17,000 in just three days to bring smiles to the faces of 70 children who desperately deserve to smile and laugh like our very own children! I couldn't be more proud to be apart of Close to My Heart, an company who truly cares and knows how to give back!