Free to Be Me Paper Collection for National Scrapbooking Month

Yesterday might have been National Scrapbooking Day, but at Close To My Heart...

we're celebrating all month long!

Don't wait to get your Free to Be Me paper collection...yours for only $5 with a $50 order!

Check out these fabulous papers!!!

Hard to see in the picture, the cardstock sheets have one side with a resist pattern (remember Dream Pop?), and the other side is plain cardstock.  There's printed vellum and B&T Duos too!

BONUS:  As an added bonus to the promotion this month, when your order qualifies for the Free to Be Me paper collection...I will send you (via email) a Free to Be Me Workshop Guide so that you can create these layouts and cards too!

The cards use the May Stamp of the Month, You've Got a Friend...so don't miss out on adding the stamp set to your order...you've already qualified to get it for $5 more when you qualify for the Free to Be Me paper collection!  Love it...it's like a two for one special!  Saving you nearly $20!

 Contact me to place your order, or do so right from my website!  

When your order is submitted, I will send you a PDF including the Free to Be Me Workshop Guide.

To create the layouts and cards as in the workshop, you'll also want to have on hand the following:

Triangle Durable Studs

Aqua Dots

4 sheets of 12x12 White Daisy Cardstock

INKS: Bamboo, Cocoa, Lagoon

Stamp sets include:

C1584 Feathers

C1575 True to Life

E1029 Marquee Uppercase

You've Got A Friend

HAPPY MAY...can it be true, Spring is finally in the air???

I'm having lots of fun creating with the May Stamp of the Month, 

#S1405 You've Got a Friend.  

During the month of May, when you qualify for the Stamp of the Month set for $5, you will also qualify for the National Scrapbooking Month special, Free to Be Me paper collection, for just $5 more!  I used the Free to Be Me paper collection together with the You've Got a Friend stamp set to create these cards!

Great News!!!  

These cards a just a sampling of the artwork you can create with the exclusive Free to Be Me Workshop.  That's right...when your order qualifies you for the Free to Be Me paper collection, I will send you (via email) a PDF including the Free to Be Me Workshop Guide! You'll get to create these 3 cards and two 2-page layouts...plus have a few scraps for more amazing artwork!  Don't forget to include the May Stamp of the Month in your order!

Want more inspiration?  

Watch this video using the May Stamp of the Month set, You've Got a Friend.

Stop back soon to see more artwork using the Free to Be Me paper packet!

Contact me today to get yours!

Sparkle & Shine Gift Tags

This project was created and designed by fellow consultant, Tammy Rusch, for our group swap.  Tammy created a set of gift tags...perfect for those presents under the tree 

or as a handmade gift for a friend.

The packaging that holds all 12 tags is created by using the Sparkle & Shine paper packet, and the Sparkle & Shine WOTG stamp set.

The "Merry and Bright" is on a band that wraps around the gift tag folder, 

it slides off to unveil the tags inside.  Start with an 8-1/2" x 10-3/4" piece of patterned paper or cardstock.  Score paper on 10-3/4" side at 1/2" 3-1/2", 4", 7, 7-1/2, and 10-1/2". Turn paper 90 degrees and score on the 8-1/2" side at 1-1/2" and 6".  Fold to create pockets on long side.  

Use adhesive of choice to seal on the 1/2" sections of the pocket.  

Fold into rectangular box, and secure with band of paper of choice. 

Inside, the tags are stamped using the stamp set from the Season's Tweetings Gift Bag kit.

Great job on your Gift Tag set, Tammy!  Love them!

Fun and Games with ProPlayer WOTG

In the month of September, I'm hosting the ProPlayer WOTG scrapbooking layouts.  

These papers are so fun to work with...great for those ever challenging masculine layouts.  

These pages will allow you to highlight life's fun moments!

(click on any image to enlarge)

By purchasing the WOTG kit, you receive the exclusive ProPlayer stamp set (now D-size!), 3 extra sheets of cardstock, and all the embellishments (the ProPlayer Assortment and the Slate Twist Ties) used to create both of these layouts!  In addition, you SAVE $11.34...and only pay the low price of $29.95 even though the kits have more product, and larger stamp sets than last years kits.

Thank you CTMH!  

Thoughts from the Heart

Do you enjoy scrapbooking or cardmaking more?  I'm not sure I could give you a definitive answer to that question.  I enjoy it all!  Most importantly, I think I enjoy the "people" that I create with.  I love the friendships that I have developed because of Close To My Heart.  I have friends all over the country that I wouldn't have otherwise met.

I'm beginning the workshops from the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book with the Laughing Lola Cardmaking WOTG kit.  These cards the perfect "pick me up" for a friend.

View the Laughing Lola Cardmaking WOTG flyer here

The cardmaking kit includes the papers (both cardstock and B&T Duo papers), kit-exclusive accessories, cards with envelopes and instructions to create 15 beautiful cards (5 each of 3 designs) inspired by our own Jeanette Lynton.  Even if you're unable to attend the live event, you can create this workshop on your own time with the full color step-by-step instruction guide...order yours today.   This is my therapy!

Spotlighting TOMMY in July

I'm hosting my monthly WOTG workshops in July using Tommy papers.  I love how these layouts turned out - since the colors in the Tommy papers are basically primary colors, these layouts would be perfect for anything from birthdays, Fourth of July, water pictures, vacation pictures to Disney...endless possibilities.

I used Tommy to scrapbook my trip with my friend Shari to Chicago's Navy Pier after we attended our Regional Celebration.

 (Click on any image to enlarge for more detail)

Products used:

G1058 Tommy WOTG Scrapbooking kit

including  Z1824 Tommy Assortment and Z1680 Dimensional Elements Stars

D1576 Home of the Brave (Let's Get Patriotic campaign stamp set)

Inks: Cranberry, Desert Sand, Outdoor Denim

Flip Flaps: 

Z1747 Small Assortment

Z1726  6x6 Flip Flaps

Z4114  4x6 Flip Flaps

On my Chicago Navy Pier layout, I used several different sizes of Flip Flaps (4x4, 6x6 and 4x6)...I don't have pictures of them open. I guess I will have to edit this post after Convention to show the layouts with flip flaps open...I love how Flip Flaps will allow you to add a few more pictures to a 2-page layout without creating another 2-page spread.  My titles were cut from the Artiste cartridge font.

The Happy 4th layout uses the Home of the Brave stamp set.  The Home of the Brave stamp set is just one of 3 stamp sets in our Let's Get Patriotic campaign in July. I thought it was perfect to celebrate Independence Day.  I may not have any firework pictures to include in the layout this year, as Colorado is already "on fire" with all the forest fires currently burning.

Dakota - Pages and Cards Workshop

I'm SO happy that the Dakota papers were carried over into the Spring/Summer Idea Book.   These are the workshops I offered my customers in February using the Dakota papers and the Dakota WOTG kit.  

I adapted one WOTG layout to include larger photos, 

this one is from the Make It From Your Heart guide (Layout 09)

My second layout is directly from the WOTG kit, using Reflections:

Fellow CTMH consultant, Vicki Price at The Price of Paper, created this 20 card (2 each of 10 designs) workshop and taught it to our team.  Masculine cards are some of the most challenging for me to create, so I was thrilled when Vicki came up with this fantastic workshop 

that I can share with my customers too!

All products are Close To My Heart:

G1047 Workshop on the Go DAKOTA Scrapbooking Kit

D1507 Urban Alphabet

9037 Reflections Scrapbook Program

Z1686 Art Philosophy Cricut Collection

X7157B Dakota Paper Packet

D1525 Casual Expressions stamp set

Z1393 Black Mini-Medley Accents

9035 Make It From Your Heart, Volume 1

BOO Banner

Halloween is just about here...so I thought I would show off my "BOO" banner that I have hanging above my fireplace in my studio, before I pack it away until next year. 

I absolutely fell in love with the Spellbound Cricut kit.  The WOTG kit creates a Halloween party for 8 including treat bags, cupcake picks and liners, soda wraps and this banner.  

If you're one to throw a Halloween party, you just might want to consider this kit for next year, 

but purchase it now...as it won't be carried over to the next catalog. 

You'll be sure to impress your guests!!

The papers are so much fun, and only available in this kit...perfect for Halloween!  

I'll show you some more artwork Wednesday.

YouTube Saturday Video - Cardmaking WOTG kits

Card Makers REJOICE!  Workshop-on-the-Go kits made just for you!

Grab your Saturday morning beverage of choice, and enjoy this video, as Kristine showcases these TWO fabulous card kits, Avonlea and Pear & Partridge.

FYI - I will be hosting the Avonlea Cardmaking workshop in January 2013...watch for dates!

Christmas Cards - Pear & Partridge Cardmaking WOTG

The weather has suddenly turned cold and it's snowing in Colorado...so it's a perfect time to start thinking about those hand-made holiday cards.  Do you send out hand-made cards for the holidays?  

If so, I've got you covered...Close To My Heart has a workshop kit 

designed especially for Christmas cards!  

I hosted this workshop several times in October...but if you missed it, you can create 15 cards (5 each of 3 designs) on your own...just order the Pear & Partridge WOTG for Cardmaking kit.  Each workshop kit comes with an exclusive stamp set, ribbon, red sparkly glitter gems, cardstock and patterned papers, card bases with envelopes, and an instructional brochure, complete with cutting diagram and step-by-step directions to putting your cards together.  

(click on image to enlarge)

If you send out more than 15 Christmas cards, don't worry...contact me, and I can hook you up with additional supplies to complete more cards, without purchasing another entire kit.  

Many of my guests who attended this workshop did just that!

HURRY...this card-making workshop kit will retire after this holiday season 

and will not carry over to the next catalog.  

October Workshop - "Moonlight"

With Halloween right around the corner, I planned to help my gals get a head start on the photos they'll be taking of their little trick-or-treaters.  Earlier this month, I hosted the Moonlight Workshop-on-the-Go kit.  We made these two 2-page layouts:

(click on images to enlarge to show greater detail)

Each Workshop-on-the-Go kit comes with a full color instructional brochure, so it's easy to create the workshop on your own.

I love the colors in the Moonlight paper pack...fall colors have always been my favorite.  But I wanted to share with you to "think outside the box".  These papers are more than just for fall or Halloween.  One of my team members (Hi Bertha!) created a beautiful CHRISTMAS card using these papers...that's right, Christmas!

Bertha's card uses the October Stamp of the Month, Very Merry Christmas.  She dyed the Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon with Smokey Plum ink, and added a Rhinestone Designer Brad and the Silver Shimmer Trim for additional bling.  The pattern on the Slate cardstock was created using an image from a Halloween stamp set, All Hallows Eve.  Bertha used the Metallic Markers (silver) in the center of each of the stamped images.  Great job on this card Bertha!  I've had so many compliments, giving you full credit, of course!

Saturday YouTube Video - Spellbound Halloween Party

If you host Halloween parties - I have the perfect kit for all of your party favors, including treat bags, cupcake liners, soda wraps and a BOO banner...it's the Spellbound Workshop on the Go kit.  This Cricut kit gives you most everything you need to create a ghoulish Halloween party for 8 guests...even including exclusive papers and a coordinating stamp set too!  The cute Spellbound paper packet is available only in this kit.

Sorry...I'm not hosting this particular kit in my workshop schedule, but with the instructional brochure included in the kit, I have no doubt you can assemble this kit on your own.  You'll need to set aside about 6 hours and you'll need the new CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge to complete this kit.

Watch as Kristine shares with you the Spellbound Halloween workshop:

(This kit can be found on page 14 of the Autumn/Winter Idea Book.)

Contact me, or shop my website to get your Spellbound Halloween kit today!  

Flirty...with a twist!

I recently hosted my Flirty WOTG workshops, and I admit...the pages are BRIGHT!  I personally don't mind the pinks and yellows...these colors will definitely give a splash of color to the pictures I eventually put on them.

However, my friend Barb, didn't think her boys would appreciate SO MUCH pink...so she adapted her pages to work for her family:

That's what I love about CTMH B&T duos...the versatility!  Instead of using the Flirty Raspberry cardstock color as the base for her layout, she used New England Ivy cardstock, and used the opposite side of the B&T duo's that the rest of us were working with.  So remember...just flip papers and change it up to work best for YOU!

July Workshop-on-the-Go: CRUISIN'

During the month of July, I've selected CRUISIN' to be the workshop of the month, view my calendar for dates and times.

I am so excited about July's Workshop on the Go layouts using Cruisin' papers!  These layouts are just the ticket when it comes to preserving the memories you have of your vacations and road trips this summer.  Come join us and make these pages for yourself!

 The above layout also uses the Adventure USA stamp set, 

and the Cocktail Alphabet for the titles on all the pages

 All of these layouts would work perfectly using our 4x6 Flip Flaps...to add even more pictures to your layouts!  These layouts also use the Cruisin' Silver Foil Images and the Black Mini Medleys for embellishments.

The Workshop-on-the-Go kits are a tremendous value...for just $29.95, the Cruisin' WOTG kit contains a Cruisin' Paper Packet, an exclusive Cruisin' Stamp set, 2 sheets of White Daisy cardstock, a package of Bottle Caps, a package of Dimensional Element Numbers and full color instructional brochure.

The retail value of this kit is $34.08, but you only pay $29.95.

Contact me to attend this workshop.

June Workshop on the Go: VICTORY

During the month of June, I've selected VICTORY to be the workshop of the month, view my calendar for dates and times.  The layouts and cards use earth tones, so they are perfect for the guys in your life!  Use the pages for your Father's Day celebration, and the cards for a small gift! 

Using the Victory WOTG kit, you can create both of these layouts:

Layout #1 - Instructional Brochure Layout

Layout #2 - Magic, Top Hat (I'm missing a picture on the right page)

I always find masculine cards to be a challenge to create, and by adding the Evergreen Cork Shapes to your order, you can create these 5 cards in addition to the 2 layouts.  

The Workshop-on-the-Go kits are an amazing value...for just $29.95, the Victory WOTG kit includes a My Reflections Victory Paper Packet ($9.95 value), an exclusive Victory Workshop stamp set ($13.95 value), a package of Durable Square Studs ($3.95 value), a package of Natural Hemp ($2.25 value), and 2 sheets 12x12 Colonial White Cardstock and Instructional Brochure.  

The retail value of this kit is $32.08, but you pay $29.95.

Contact me to attend a workshop!

Happy Mother's Day and more...

Happy Mother's Day...

...to all my CTMH sisters and friends who are mom's!  I hope your day is as special as you are! This card uses the Dotty for You papers...having a blast using this paper...loving this kit! 

It's so versatile. Watch for more artwork coming next week.

It's been a gloomy weekend, and a perfect opportunity to get caught up on some scrapbooking!  I have lots of layouts I've created for earlier workshops, and don't always have the perfect pictures at the time to add to them.  However...I'm making it a mission to put pictures on my layouts!

In January, we created these layouts using the Wonderland paper packet (no longer available)...and I finally added pictures to them.  The layouts were beautiful before pictures were added, but now they really come to life!

Yes...I used more Flip Flaps in the layout below.

My dogs are Husky/Chow mix and they just LOVE the snow!  

What are you doing with your pictures?  Preserve those memories!  Print those pictures and create Classic Scrapbook layouts like mine (I can show you how!) or if you don't print your pictures and have them stored on your computer, try Studio J Online Scrapbooking...create beautiful layouts simple, fast and easy without all the mess!  Contact me to find out more.

Pemberley WOTG in May

I'm offering the Pemberley WOTG (Workshop-on-the-Go) as one of my workshops for May.  What I love most about the WOTG kits, is the value!  For just $29.95 (Retail Value of $34.78) you'll receive a full Pemberley paper packet, an exclusive Pemberley workshop C-size stamp set, 2 sheets of Colonial White 12x12 cardstock, Bouquet Assortment, Bitty Opaque Pearl Adhesive Gems, and an instructional brochure to create 4 pages...and enough product left over to create cards too!

This month, I made an adaptation to the layout in the instructional brochure...which is allowed!  Remember, you can follow the brochure step by step or use it as inspiration to make your own artwork.  I did just that...I used the same techniques and even the same title, I just changed up the layout design to work better for the pictures I take.  My personal scrapbooking style isn't one for lots of "open" space on a layout...which the one in the brochure had, in my opinion.

Layout #1: Mesmerize from the Magic Scrapbooking Program. If you like how I adapted this layout, you can get the cutting diagram for Mesmerize here.

Layout #2: Transfigure from the Magic Scrapbooking Program.

Pemberley Bonus Project includes 5 Cricut cards too!

Each card base was cut using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge...if you don't have it yet, you REALLY should consider it...it's a MUST HAVE!!! I use it for SO many projects, including 3-D boxes, and more.

April = Lucy WOTG

Happy Monday! After the April snow we received this weekend...I'm SO ready for Spring!

Today, I'm sharing the Lucy Workshop on the Go pages and cards that my workshop attendees have been creating this month. These pages are all ready for you to add your Easter photos. The Lucy WOTG kit comes with a spring flower stamp set, and the best part...the flowers coordinate with the shapes on the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge! That's right...no hand cutting, and that's a good thing...because these layouts and cards use lots of flowers! I also included a fun little stamp set, My Peeps, as an optional purchase to customize these pages for Easter. I love the peeps bunny and the sentiment "happy easter to my peeps" running along the bottom border of the first layout.

Click on images to show more detail...

Included in the Lucy kit are Glittery Rub-ons too! They are so easy to work with, I thought I would design a few cards as our Bonus Project using more of the rub-ons left over after completing the pages. Just by adding standard card bases, we made a total of 6 cards (2 each of these 3 desgins).

If you're unable to join us in April, but want to create these pages and cards...contact me, I'm happy to assist you!

Stella WOTG and Bonus Project

I'm so excited about all the Workshop-On-The-Go (WOTG) kits in the Spring/Summer Idea Book. To start off, we'll be creating the Stella WOTG kit and my slightly adapted Bonus Project. If you want to attend my workshop, check out my calendar for a date that works for you. Hurry...deadline to register is March 1st with payment.

Layout #1:

Layout #2:

Bonus Project:

The bonus project uses scraps of paper from the kit, left over after creating the layouts, in addition to a couple other products (not included in the WOTG kit). For these cards, you'll need to add on Colonial White Die-Cut Cards (Z1738, $6.95), and Clear Sparkles (Z1104, $2.95)