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!

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!