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!

It's Time to "Live Out Loud"...July Stamp of the Month!!

It's  that time again...time for another fun and inspiring Stamp of the Month Blog Hop and this month, it's time to "Live Out Loud!"

If you've arrived here from Kathleen's Bowl of Stamps, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop along our hop, simply follow the links at the end of each blog post to navigate to the next blog. This month we have almost 60 talented Close to My Heart consultants sharing their artwork.

The July Stamp of the Month, Live Out Loud, is a bold, graphic sentiment set great for scrapbook pages, but fun for cards too!

This pretty card was inspired by the amazingly creative K. Aaron Brown - if you haven't checked out her blog,  be sure to take the time to do so. I flipped Aaron's original design on it's side for a little variation. The papers are from the gorgeous, new Florentine paper packet. The banner pieces are cut from the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. Other embellishments include Sweet Leaf Stitched Ribbon, Cocoa Ribbon Rounds, Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes and Opaques Mocha Gems. To stamp the pretty Soar sentiment, I inked the stamp completely in Creme Brulee ink and rolled it in both Sweet Leaf and Cocoa inks.

Time to hop along to Jen Patrick's blog to see what she has in store for us this month!

Remember, Live Out Loud is only available July 1st - 31st. Purchase it for just $17.95 or add it to a $50 order for just $5! Head over to my website to order it today!

Coming up: Stella Scrapbook Night

Join me as we create this fun 2 page layout using the gorgeous new Stella paper packet from Close to My Heart!

 
Date: Thursday, July 19th
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: My Studio in Newbury Park

Select your kit from the two options below:

BEST: $29.95 plus tax and s/h (valued at $34.08 - a savings of $4.13)

*Stella Paper Packet
*Stella stamp set
*Bohemian Assortment
*Dimensional Elements Hearts
*Workshop Guide & Extra Cardstock


BASIC: $20.15 plus tax and s/h
*Stella Paper Packet
*Bohemian Assortment
*Dimensional Elements Hearts
*Workshop Guide & Extra Cardstock 

With either kit, you will have plenty of supplies leftover to create another 2 page layout and additional projects at home!

Order your kit and RSVP today to reserve your seat - space is limited!

Tweet, Tweet...It's Blog Hop Time!

After a few months off due to our recent move, I'm so excited to be back on the Blog Hop once again!

If you've come from Kathleen's Bowl of Stamps, you are on the right track. Simply follow the links at the bottom of each blog hop post and before you know it, you'll be filled with inspiration and ready to get creating!

The June Stamp of  the Month, "Life is Tweet" is super cute and one set you will definitely want to add to your collection.

I opted to pair this fun set with my favorite paper packet in the Spring/Summer Idea Book...Stella! I found this fast and easy card design on Pinterest and knew it would be perfect for the "tweet, wonderful you" sentiment. They don't show up too well in the photo, but I also added a few Bitty Sparkles to the centers of the flowers on the sentiment piece.

I couldn't resist adding one of the little birdies, so I gave this guy a home on the inside of my card - a fun little surprise for the recipient!

Time to hop along...be sure to check out the amazing treasure Angela has created at Tutton's Treasures!

I'm BACK...Time to Get Footloose!

Whew...!! As most of you know, just over two months ago we moved to a new home and my workshop schedule was put on hiatus! I will share pictures of the creation of my new Studio in a couple days, but I simply can't wait to invite you to my first workshop in this fun new space! See all the details below and make plans to get a little Footloose and fancy free!

Footloose Scrapbook Night

Join us as we use the fresh, new Footloose paper packet to create this fun summertime layout perfect for pictures from the beach, the lake, the pool or even just a romp through the sprinklers!

Date: Monday, June 11th (an 2nd date will be added if this one fills before May 25th)
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Cost: Choose your kit from the two options below (tax and shipping/handling not included)

BEST Kit: $29.95 (valued at $32.83)
Footloose Paper Packet 
My Acrylix® Footloose Workshop Stamp Set (C-size) 
White Daisy Cardstock Sheets (2) 
Wooden Badge Buttons 
Instructional Guide 
Featured Colors: Bamboo, Sweet Leaf, Creme Brulee, Lagoon
See the full kit HERE



BASIC Kit: $18.90
Footloose Paper Packet 
White Daisy Cardstock Sheets (2) 
Wooden Badge Buttons 
Instructional Guide 
Featured Colors: Bamboo, Sweet Leaf, Creme Brulee, Lagoon


RSVP and payment must be received no later than May 31st to allow time to order and receive your kits!

Don't forget about our two great add-ons this month...Dotty for You and the Stamp of the Month, Friendship Bouquet!

The Dotty for You paper packet has 24 sheets (2 each of 12 different designs) of oh-so-cute papers with trendy colors and patterns. Each pattern has an adorable dot print on the reverse side! You can add the Dotty for You paper packet to your order for just $5 when you place a $35 order.

The May Stamp of the Month set, Friendship Bouquet is perfect for celebrating all those special friendships in your life! Only available through May 31st, Friendship Bouquet is $17.95 or add it to a $50 order for just $5.