Thursday, October 16, 2014

SSSHH!!!! November is the month for DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING!

November marks the five-year anniversary of Studio J®, and that means it’s your lucky month, with five amazing ways to win through Studio J and Close To My Heart social media!
 
First, throughout the month of November, all layouts purchased in Studio J are $5! That is a savings of over 25% off of retail!      
 
Your second chance to win big must come by sheer luck: every fifth order placed in Studio J during November receives a FREE surprise Close To My Heart accessory in its shipping box! The accessory has a retail value of $5 or more.
 
If luck doesn’t smile on you in that way, you might stumble upon it by finding a little extra something in your Studio J box. Five “golden tickets” will be sent out during the month of November with randomly selected Studio J print orders! This “golden ticket” is redeemable for one of Close To My Heart’s new D-ring albums* loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors™.
 
For a fourth way to win, simply create new, gorgeous layouts in Studio J, select your favorites, and then post pictures of them on Close To My Heart’s Facebook page using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. After November 30, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries based on their artistry and creativity and each of these winners will receive their own D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!
 
And there is one last way to win: take your new Studio J artwork and post a picture of it on Instagram using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. Just as it is with Facebook, after November 30, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries to receive their own D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!
 
Plus, there is a bonus Consultant-only way to win. After the campaign has ended, the top five Consultants who had the greatest number of customers who order during the campaign will also get a D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors! This sixth way to win is only open to Consultants, so make sure to encourage every one of your customers—new to Studio J or not—to start designing now.
 
And to make things even more exciting, starting November 1, five brand new kits from the Annual Inspirations idea book will be made available in Studio J, so you can create new artwork using the latest papers and embellishments from Close To My Heart. With so many ways to win, five may be your new lucky number! Log in to Studio J and start creating today.
 
*Offer valid November 1–30, 2014. Pattern and color of new D-ring album to be given to winners will be at Close To My Heart’s discretion based upon availability. New kits available in Studio J® on November 1 include Confetti Wishes, Snowhaven, Seaside, Pathfinding, and Scaredy Cat.
 
No tax or shipping will be charged on the free item(s). Studio J layouts ship in a protected box that can hold 4 to 50 two-page layouts. For additional information about shipping/handling, please visit StudioJ.com.

Dates: Offer valid November 1, 2014–November 31, 2014. 

Saturday, October 11, 2014

So Happy With CTMH - Brae-ers October blog hop


Time for another Brae-er Team Blog Hop: So Happy With CTMH
This hop was inspired by the 30 days of happy campaign from Close to my Heart in September. 

If you have come from Rosalynd Kelly's  blog then you are on the right track.




I was (and still am) a die hard fan of Cricut.  I used to look at the official Cricut page and dream about the cartridges I had yet to own.  There were three cartridges that I just had to have, but they couldn't be bought off the Cricut website or in any local craft store.  They were made by a company that I had never heard of at the time.... Close to my Heart.

It was those cricut cartridges: Art Philosophy, Artiste and Artbooking that attracted me to Close to my Heart and caused me to sign up as an Independent Consultant.  I had never been to a CTMH party or viewed the product in person; I was putting my faith in the Cricut product.

Here I am one year later, so in love with the quality, colours and range of CTMH products.  Still, it's the Cricut cartridges that drew me in and keep me coming back for more.  I can't tell you how much I adore all of the options available on the newest CTMH Cricut cartridge: Artfully Sent. It is fantastic and SOOO, SOOO easy to use. (I haven't even tried most of the options or the stamps yet but I can't wait!)





Here are a few quick and simple creations made using the CTMH Cricut cartridge Artfully Sent:







To see a few more of the cards I've made with Artfully Sent, check out my postings on September 22 and 24.

Thanks for visiting my blog!    
Darcel

For more information: contact me at closetomyheartkw@gmail.com
or check out my website at kwregion.ctmh.com.


* * * * * *
I hope you have enjoyed your stop here. Be sure to visit your consultant's website for more information about the fantastic October promotions. 

Now on to Sheri's blog.

For a complete list of blogs on this hop, see Brae's Blog.

Enjoy the tour!

Friday, October 10, 2014

CTMH Witch Hat

If you were wondering how to make the adorable witch hat found on page 38 of the Annual Inspiration Book, then wonder no more!



Check out the instructions on the official Close to my Heart blog:  http://blog.closetomyheart.com/category/party-planning/holidays/

Happy Halloween planning!

To purchase the items needed to make this great project, check out my website at: kwregion.ctmh.com.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Lots of crafting on World Cardmaking Day

October 4th was World Cardmaking day!
 
Alas, I did not spend it making cards; however, I did spend it making some great fall themed projects with a group of enthusiastic adults in Woodstock.
 
 
 
We made four projects:
- a haunted house canvas
- a Thanksgiving sign
- Halloween pencil toppers
- a fall themed picture frame
 
Haunted House Canvas
 Materials required:
 - scissors
- 6x6 canvas (Z1818)
- various colours of cardstock: black, white daisy, honey,
- acrylic paint
- brush or sponge
- Mod Podge
- ribbon (from Michaels)
- pencil crayons or markers
- Cricut artbooking cartridge (Z1906)
- Cricut machine
- Stamp set Frightfully Fun (B1453)
 
 
 
1.   Paint the canvas with an acryllic paint colour of your choice.  This one combines purple with some olive green.  Set aside to let it dry.
 
2.  Stamp four to six Halloween characters on a strip of white cardstock. Set aside to let the ink dry completely so that it won't smudge.

3.   Colour the characters with pencil crayons or markers as desired.
4.  Cut out the characters using scissors.
5.  Cut out the haunted house shape from the Artbooking cartridge (page ).   Cut at  4.75" Real Dial Size.
 

6.  Use scraps of Honey cardstock to fill in the windows with the appearance of light. 
 
7.  Apply a coating of Mod Podge to the now dry canvas.
 
8.  Place the house shape where you want it on the canvas.  Press down.
9.  Brush some Mod Podge on the back of the characters. Place them on the canvas where desired.
10.  Apply a coat over the house and characters to ensure a seal.  If required, repeat after the first coat is dry.
11. Using strong adhesive, adhere the ribbon around the edge of the canvas.  Tie a bow.
 
 
Thanksgiving Sign
 
Materials required:  - 5x7 canvas art board (from dollar store)
- Cricut Artiste cartridge (Z1790)
- Cricut machine
- cardstock in various shades
- ribbon in shades of your choosing (from Michaels)
- Mod Podge
- strong adhesive of your choice
 
 
Materials required:  - 5x7 canvas art board (from dollar store)
- Cricut Artiste cartridge (Z1790)
- Cricut machine
- cardstock in various shades
- ribbon in shades of your choosing (from Michaels)
- Mod Podge
- strong adhesive of your choice
 
A quick and easy decorative project. 
 
1.  Cut the leaf, turkey and phrase using the Cricut cartridge.
 
2.  Apply a coating of Mod Podge to the 5x7 flat canvas.
3.    Put the turkey shape where you want it on the canvas and press down.  
4.    Apply another coat of Mod Podge over the turkey.
5.    Let dry.
6.    Choose 2 or more leaves.  Put Mod Podge on the back of each leaf (or use a glue stick).
7.    Place the leaves where you want them.  Cover with Mod Podge.
8.    Repeat these steps for the words.
 
9.  If needed, add another coat of Mod Podge over the whole canvas.  Must be done when previous layers are dry.
 
10.  After the canvas is dry, if desired, apply two strips of ribbon along the left hand side.  Use strong adhesive to hold the ribbon in place.
 
11.  Use strong adhesive on the back of the canvas board.  Press the ribbon to it creating a handle. 
 

 
Halloween Pencil Toppers
 
Materials Required: - Cricut Artiste cartridge (Z1790)
- cardstock of various colours (minimum five different colours including White Daisy)
- Stamp Set: Trick or Treat Sweets (B1460) OR Frightfully Fun (B1453)
- CTMH acryllic stamps blocks of appropriate size
- Black CTMH or Stazon Ink
- 5 pencils (Dollarama)
- washi tape or glue dots
- adhesive of your choosing
- pencil crayons or markers
- googly eyes (Michaels)
  

 


Official project from CTMH - found on page 41 of the Annual Idea Book.


1.  Cut five of the star like shapes using the Cricut Artiste cartridge (page 41).  Cut five out of White Daisy cardstock at  1.75".  Cut five out of various colours of cardstock at 2".  Cut five more out of various colours of cardstock (or BT Duo papers) at 2.25".
 
2.  Stamp your chosen Halloween images on the White Daisy shapes.  Colour with pencil crayons or markers as desired.
 
3.  Glue the white shape (with the Halloween character image on it) to the medium size shape.  Then glue these to the large shape.
 
4.  Repeat 5x.
 
5.  Attach the pencil toppers to the pencils using washi tape or glue dots.
 
 
 
Fall Themed Picture Frame
 
Materials Required:
- a wooden frame (Michaels)
- Mod Podge or other sealing adhesive
- Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge (Z1686) & Artiste cartridge (Z1790)
- Cricut machine
- cardstock in colours of your choosing



 
1.  Cut fall shapes as required using the Cricut Artiste or Art Philosophy cartridges.
 
2.  Glue layers together using adhesive of your choice.
 
3.  Apply a layer of Mod Podge to the frame.  Press the shapes where desired.
 
4.  Apply a top coating of Mod Podge.  Leave to dry.
 
5.  Insert photo or a list of 10 things you are grateful for.
 
 


 
 

Friday, October 3, 2014

New Close to my Heart official blog

Exciting news - Close to my Heart has a new blog with great projects and tips.

Check out these two new Halloween projects:

  

For more information on how to make these great decor projects, check out the new Close to my Heart blog at: http://blog.closetomyheart.com/2014/10/03/hauntingly-trendy-home-decor

To order product, please check out my website at kwregion.ctmh.com.

Happy crafting!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Fall is here and so are new CTMH deals!

Spend $55 in CTMH product this month and you are eligible for the following:

Free with purchase:

 
$5 Stamp of the Month with purchase:
 


 

Cute stamps to get you ready for the Winter holidays!

For more information, email me at closetomyheartkw@gmail.com or visit my website kwregion.ctmh.com.

 
 
 
 

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

More beautiful and simple cards from Artfully Sent

I am having so much fun playing with the new Close to my Heart Cricut cartridge Artfully Sent.

The cards are beautiful and so simple and quick to make.



I used the Free to Be promotional package of paper to create this card (along with White Daisy cardstock.) 

This card is made in four simple steps:
1 & 2. Cut out the cage (outer card) and the cage lining (inner cage)
3.  Cut a square of white cardstock and adhere behind the bird shaped opening.
4.  Adhere the cage lining to the cage card.  

You are done.  It's that simple!





I used the retired Jubilee B&T Duo paper for this card (along with White Daisy cardstock).  The great thing about this style of card is that it really shows off the two sides of a B&T Duo sheet of paper.  Also, the contrast is already built in to the card.  Just cut the main card and the white lining.  Glue them together and it is finished!




This card used the Free to Be Me promotional paper.  Again only two cuts on the Cricut machine.  Glue together.  Bend/fold.  You are done!

For more information on Artfully Sent or other CTMH products, please contact me at closetomyheartkw@gmail.com or check out my website at kwregion.ctmh.com.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Complement your Picture My Life with Artfully Sent accents

Pocket scrapbooking is super fast and easy with the new Close to my Heart Cricut cartridge Artfully Sent.  There are lots of great 4x6" and 3x4" options.

Here are a few I've made so far:





In the project below, I've used the pocket card as decorative elements in a card:



So many possibilities in no time at all!

For more information, contact me at closetomyheartkw@gmail.com or check out my website at kwregion.ctmh.com.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Purses or butterflies - sleeve style Artfully Sent cards

The purses are made from B&T Duo papers or inked White Daisy cardstock. For those using patterned papers, I cut small squares or rectangles of paper large enough to fill in the purse shape and adhered that piece to the back of the card front.

For the pieces that used ink, I alternated between sponge dauber inking and masking tape inking to create different patterns and textures with the ink.


Materials used:
Card is made from Smokey Plum cardstock.
Purses from left to right: Thistle ink, Brushed paper, Blush cardstock,
2nd row (L to R): Free to Be Me special paper pack,Twilight ink, Thistle cardstock
3rd row (L to R): Sweet Leaf ink, Confetti Wishes paper, Smoothie ink
4th row (L to R): Seaside paper, Blush cardstock and Blush cardstock with Sparkle & Shine Washi



Butterfly card
For the butterfly card, I used sponge daubers to ink the White Daisy butterfly cutouts.  After applying the ink, I then pasted the shapes back into their original spots.


Materials used:
Card is made from White Daisy cardstock
Top row (L to R): Crystal Blue and Gypsy inks
2nd row: Smoothie and Pixie inks
3rd row: Canary and Thistle inks (2 new colours)
4th row: Cotton Candy and Sweet Leaf inks

      For more information, contact me at closetomyheartkw@gmail.com or check out my website kwregion.ctmh.com.


Love notes from the Artfully Sent cartridge

I had fun playing with the sleeve and the pocket cards of the new CTMH Cricut cartridge Artfully Sent.
 
The card base is created using Lagoon and Cotton Candy cardstocks.



Two pocket style cards were used to decorate the card front and inside front.

The “Hello I love you” card (page 1) was cut from Hollyhock cardstock and accented with Crystal Blue, Outdoor Denim and Blush cardstocks.

I used the Lagoon hearts that were cut from the sleeve card (page 35) to decorate the front  (and another to add the smaller heart shape inside the larger heart die cut on the pocket style card.)



The inside pocket card (page 36) was made from Hollyhock cardstock and accented with Crystal Blue and Lagoon and cardstocks.  I also added  some washi tape as an additional accent (from last year’s Christmas Sparkle & Shine Washi set).

MATERIALS USED:
Artfully Sent cartridge (Z3017)
Lagoon cardstock (X5762)
White Daisy cardstock (1385)
Hollyhock cardstock (1246)
Cotton Candy cardstock (X5760)
Outdoor Denim cardstock (1275)
Crystal Blue cardstock (1292)

Adventure cardstock combo pack  which contains the Cotton Candy, Hollyhock and Lagoon cardstocks (X5935)

For more information, contact me at closetomyheartkw@gmail.com or check out my website at kwregion.ctmh.com.


Halloween Cards using the new Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge

The Artfully Sent cartridge provides many options to make cards for holidays or just for the every day.  To celebrate Halloween, I made two quick cards. 

This card was super fast and simple.  Just cut the two Scene options to create this haunted house card (page 44).






This pop up card is equally simple and nearly as quick:




The inside design comes from the Artfully Sent cartridge pop-up and icon options (page 43).

The spider webs and cover base are made using the Artfully Sent cartridge.   The “BOO” is cut using the Artbooking cartridge.  The ghost and mummy images were stamped on White Daisy cardstock, then fussy cut and attached to the card front with dimensional foam adhesive.  The stamps are from the Frightfully Fun (B1453) stamp set.

For more information, contact me at closetomyheartkw@gmail.com or check out my website at kwregion.ctmh.com.

Artfully Sent cartridge - Z3017
Frightfully Fun stamp set - B1453


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

New Cricut cartridge Artfully Sent is finally here!!!!!!

I have been so excited since it was announced that Close to my Heart would be releasing a new Cricut cartridge.  (After all, their Cricut connection was the whole reason I became a consultant in the first place!)

Artfully Sent is finally available to order.

 


Check out the huge variety of images and card making options.  From 3D cards to pockets cards, this cartridge provides so many paper crafting opportunities.  I can't wait to start creating with mine.

http://www.closetomyheart.com/ctmh/products/cricut-collections.aspx



To order yours, visit my website kwregion.ctmh.com

Friday, September 12, 2014

Brae-er Team Blog Hop: Back to 'school' we go!

Time for another Brae-er Team Blog Hop: Back to 'school' we go!

This hop will have a bit of a different twist on it- consultants have created artwork, card, scrapbook pages using current product with a tutorial aspect. It might be done in a video, by picture tutorial or in another format. So let's go back to school...

If you have come from Carol-Anne Greiner's blog then you are on the right track.



******

Welcome to my first blog hop entry!  I have thoroughly loved looking at other Close to my Heart blog hops and thought I'd give it a try.

Recently I made a graduation memory book for my niece Kira.  I had a blast creating it and she thoroughly enjoyed the stroll down memory lane.  (You can use these tips for a Hip Pic Album on any theme!)

Book theme - Graduation from high school
Colours scheme - Kraft, White Daisy, Crystal Blue, Outdoor Denim, Honey and Smoothie (the light green is non CTMH paper)
Key materials - Hip Pics Album, inks and cardstock in the colours listed above; Cricut Artbooking, Artiste and Art Philosophy cartridges; Cricut machine; sponge daubers; adhesive; various CTMH stamps




The cover circle/star masking is made from the Artbooking cartridge.  The letters are Art Philosophy.  (The small graduate image is from a non CTMH cartridge.)


Inside Cover - Cut borders from Outdoor Denim cardstock at 1".  (All borders used in this book are cut at that size. You will need to trim the ends of most of them as they are longer than the book is wide; however, the height of the border is ideal for the Hip Pics Album size.)

Create a frame with the borders. Trim as needed.  Cover with a 4x6 photo of your choice.

Page 1 - Play around with the size of items on scraps of paper before using your "precious stash' of CTMH papers.

For this page, the flower is cut at 1 3/4" Real Dial Size from page 78 of the Artbooking cartridge. The "Sweet" Flag is cut at 3/4" Real Dial Size from page 49 (also the Artbooking cartridge.)

The border is cut at 1" from the Cricut Artiste cartridge.



Page 2 - The butterfly was cut at three different sizes from the Artiste cartridge.  The largest butterfly was cut from White Daisy cardstock, but I used the sponge dauber and the Honey ink to turn it yellow.

Insert 2a - Cut at 6" from the Artbooking cartridge.  To make the page more durable, I cut two layers: one from craft cardstock and one from White Daisy.  I glued them together to create a thicker, more durable page. The honey (yellow) pocket was also cut from the Artbooking cartridge.

The pocket provides a space to slide in some journaling or a place for the gift recipient to record memories.

Attach the page to the rings of the Hip Pics Album with ribbon or baker's twine.  I used the Outdoor Denim baker's twine (which is not longer available.)

TIP: You can use the inserts to add more photos (as I did on the rear of this one), to add journaling spots or to create dividers.

Other:
The swirly button die cut in Outdoor Denim was cut from the Artiste cartridge. The Outdoor Denim numbers at the bottom of the pocket are a 1" border from Artiste that has been trimmed to fit.

Stamp sets:  The lined page is from the Workshop on the Go Wanderful kit (G1088). 
(Retired hostess stamps: The washi strips are from a hostess stamp from the Fall/Winter 2013 Idea Book and "This makes me smile" is from Enjoy the Little Things a hostess stamp from the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book.)



Page 4 & 5- To create a more weather or aged look, use a distressing tool.  I used the Sanding Kit (Z1294) to make the ruler border look well used.  I over sanded the border on the page below, it removed the divider between the two ones in the number eleven, but I decided to leave it.  It went along with the well used look.

Stamps sets: The apple is from Teacher Appreciation (D1612) 

(The "grade" letters are from a  retired alpha stamp and the lantern and "Let your light...." are from Illuminate November 2013 Stamp of the Month.) 

Note: The ruler border, bookmark insert and star were all created using CTMH Cricut cartridges.
  


Page 6 - Also used stamp for the pencil.  Cover the eraser part of the pencil with masking tape when inking the stamp.  Remove the masking tape and stamp the yellow part of the pencil on White Daisy cardstock.  Clean the stamp.  Then reverse the process.  Cover the pencil part with tape and ink the eraser image.  Remove the tape. Carefully line up the stamp and press.  Voila!  A Honey coloured pencil with a Smoothie eraser.

Stamp sets: The pencil is from Teacher Appreciation (D1612)

Insert 6a - This page is cut at 6" Real Dial Size from the Artbooking cartridge. The frame and phrase are both also cut from Artbooking. 

To give the arrow a colour other than the background Kraft paper colour, I glued a small scrap of Honey paper behind it. 

TIP: Be careful when inking items that you don't press clean paper into something ink stained.  This is what happened to my insert page.  There was a smudge of Outdoor Denim ink on the page.  So, instead of allowing this to ruin the whole page or make me start over from scratch, I went with it and added more daubs of ink to the page. 


 Page 8 & 9 - The Crystal Blue frame is cut from Artbooking. The centers of the flowers are made from Black and Grey Epoxy Bubbles.

Stamp Sets: The "love this" is from #30yearsofhappy, "Sweet moments" is from the current/September 2014 Stamp of the Month Family is Forever (S1409).

(The flowers are from a retired Hostess stamp.)



Page 10 & 11 - The Kraft frame is cut from the Artbooking cartridge.  I reused the White Daisy arrow by daubing Smoothie ink on it and using it below the frame. 

Stamp Sets: The "Like" and camera are from #30yearsofhappy


Page 12 - The banner shape, circle mask, "10 THINGS" and "I like" are cut from the Artbooking cartridge. 

Stamp Sets: "Oh so happy" from Happy Hexagons (C1596) - this is a hostess exclusive stamp from the current Annual Idea Book.  The 1-10 journaling item is from Hello Summer (C1595).
  
Insert 12 a - The insert is cut at 6" Real Dial Size from the Artbooking cartridge.  The small White Daisy folder is also cut from Artbooking at 3". 

Tip:  The mini folder is a great place for the gift recipient to do some secret/hidden journaling.



Page 14 & 15 - The colouring behind the border is created using the masking tape technique. The flowers are cut from White Daisy cardstock and inked using the Daubers.

Stamp Sets: "Remember This Moment" from This Moment (S1501) January 2015 Stamp of the Month, "Hello" from Happy Hexagons (C1596) - this is a hostess exclusive stamp from the current Annual Idea Book. 





Page 16 & Inside Rear Cover -  The blue and yellow coloured lines below the number border are created using the masking tape technique.

Stamp Sets:  "Be Amazing" from This Moment (S1501) January 2015 Stamp of the Month



CTMH Materials Used:
- Hip Pics Album (Z1956)
- Sanding Kit (Z1294)
- Cricut Artbooking cartridge (Z1906)
- Cricut Artiste (Z1790)
- Cricut Art Philosophy (Z1686)
- Ink: Smoothie (Z2196), Honey (Z2162), Outdoor Denim (Z2140) and Crystal Blue (Z2117)
- Cardstock: Kraft (Z1375), White Daisy (1385), Honey (X5668), Outdoor Denim (1275) and Crystal Blue(1292).  (The cardstock can also be bough in the combination packages.)
- Sponge Daubers (Z726)
- Black and Grey Epoxy Bubbles (Z1935)
- Stamp sets:
#30yearsofhappy (Free this month with $30 worth of CTMH stamps purchase)
September 2014 Stamp of the Month Family is Forever (S1409) (Only $5 with a $50 purchase this month!)
Happy Hexagons (C1596)
Hello Summer (C1595)
Teacher Appreciation (D1612) 
This Moment (S1501) January 2015 Stamp of the Month
Workshop on the Go Wanderful kit (G1088). 


Other Supplies:
- Cricut machine
- adhesive (flat and raised)
- masking tape
- Baker's Twine
- photos of your choice

Thanks for visiting my blog!    
Darcel

For more information: contact me at closetomyheartkw@gmail.com
or check out my website at kwregion.ctmh.com.


* * * * * *
I hope you have enjoyed your stop here. Be sure to visit your consultant's website for more information about the fantastic September promotions. 

Now on to Heather Dawson's blog to see her tips on random stamping. 

For a complete list of blogs on this hop, see Brae's Blog.

Enjoy the tour!