Thursday, December 18, 2014

Some Basics on preventing a "Hot Mess"

OK, I have to admit that the last time I re-inked one of my stamp pads, I kept filling the pad and all of a sudden there was a small puddle in the middle. Oops... I started inking a stamp and the ink was all over, in the crevices, on the block, on my hands. Clearly, it was a "hot mess". I've sopped and sopped and there is still too much ink in that pad.

Time to go back to the basics. There is always time for a refresher course when there are things you just don't do very often. Low and behold, CTMH TV comes to the rescue!

Here is some very basic information about re-inking a stamp pad and creating a colorful mist that coordinates with your pages:



We are never to old to learn!! 


Go to my website and the CTMH-TV bar at the top and watch and learn from the short videos. 




Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!
XO
Dot


Monday, December 8, 2014

Christmas Cards

Fast and Easy Christmas cards


You still have time to make your own Christmas Cards. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Snowhaven Workshop On The Go Card kit
This is the same card with different greetings using the stamp "Merriest Christmas" B1468


This is the Snowhaven Card Workshop On The Go G1085. There are only straight cuts, the Cricut isn't needed. The embellishments, paper, cards and envelopes, stamp set and instructions are all included. Just the inks and blocks are needed. The workshop makes 5 ea of 3 designs, 15 cards in all.

The inks are:
The absolute easiest cards to make are the new Cut Above card kits. The Cut Above Christmas card kit is on the left and the Cut Above Holiday card kit is on the right. Each kit makes 10 cards and comes with a coordinated printed envelope that is too cute! Each kit takes about an hour to complete all 10 cards!!








XO,
Dots

Just Chillin' in the Snow!

Snow Papers with Snowhaven Paper pack


I love the Snowhaven papers (X7188B). I did the Snowhaven Card Workshop On The Go (G1085) and really love the cards that I will be sending out as my Christmas cards but there was not a workshop for pages. Of course, this is a great opportunity to make your own pages. This does not mean you have to be on your own to come up with a design for those of us who are design challenged. I got my idea from the Annual Inspirations Idea Book page 83. I made a few adjustments and more snowflakes using my Artbooking cartridge (Z1906) page 76. The titles came from the same page. Here is how my pages turned out:



The embellishments used were:
  • Red Enamel Hearts Z2009
  • Sparkles Clear Assortment Z1752
  • Silver Shimmer Trim Z1799
For those of you who don't have a Cricut:
  • Snowhaven Complements coordinating chipboard sheets X7188C
  • Snowhaven Assortment Z3008

You can click on any of these links above to see the product and shop at my website. :-)

Now all we need is some snow... I know the northeast and various places have had snow already but we haven't seen any in Texas yet!



Hope you like my layout! 

XO
Dots

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

A Studio J Digital Scrapbook

What I Did On My Thanksgiving Vacation

Here are some of my Studio J jpegs that were sent to me within 2-3 days after putting them together over Thanksgiving.





Each photo is 12x12-I wanted the full feel of the land.


Each photo is 12x12-I wanted the full feel of the land.


   

Try it, you'll love it!!

XO
Dots


December Specials


December Stamp of the Month


 This Stamp of the Month can be yours for $5 with a $50 purchase from 
Close To My Heart from now till December 31, 2014.


December Stamp of the Month



And here's an adorable card, using the Stamp of the Month, 
perfect for the "cupcake" in your life!




It is truly the deal of the decade.



This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Close To My Heart’s revolutionary My Acrylix clear polymer stamps. We can’t wait for you to celebrate with us! 

With a qualifying purchase of $50 during the month of December, you will be eligible to purchase ANY C- or D-size stamps from the Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 idea book for only $10. That’s up to $7.95 USD/$9.75 CAD of savings on a single stamp set! Plus, once you achieve the qualifying order total, there is no limit to the number of eligible stamp sets you can purchase at this discounted price. Remember, a purchase of $50 will also qualify you to receive the December Stamp of the Month for only $5, so if you purchase both the discounted Stamp of the Month and additional stamps at this special campaign pricing your savings will compound! It is truly the deal of the decade.

Start your savings here:





Thanks for stopping by!
XO
Dots

Seasonal Expressions I-You Can Order Now!



December 1 started the availability for all the fun new items in the 
Seasonal Expressions I catalog.


This new mini catalog is in addition to Close To My Heart's Annual Inspirations catalog. The mini has new items and workshops that include Valentine's Day and spring and is effective from December 1st through March 2015.  You can view all the exciting new items now available by clicking on here: 

Seasonal Expressions I
The following is some of the artwork that can be created from this new mini catalog:

Heartstrings paper x7193B     Heartstrings Complements x7193C     and  Heartstrings Assortment z3015

Heartstrings Workshop On The Go G1090

Both cards were made from the new stamp Brushstrokes C1608

I love this sweet little card. The stamp is A Little Note A1171
This is just a little sampling of wonderful things that you can enjoy making and giving from Seasonal Expressions I.

I hope you had a memorable Thanksgiving. After a delicious meal with my family and a quiet evening on Thursday, I was ready to go on Friday. No, I didn't shop.

I got going on the Yellowstone vacation photos from the summer. I took tons of shots of all the incredible sights in Yellowstone. This has to be one of the most amazing spots on the Earth. So many strange and unusual formations to just stand in front of and gawk. Well, I have 21 digital layouts, 42 pages, finished. Studio J software is so easy to use. 

When you use the "Express Collection", you just add your pictures and titles and journaling. But if you use "Create your own Custom Layout", you can determine how many pictures you want to use. There are many templates to choose from, and depending on the colors that catch your eye in your photos, you will want to pick digital paper, as your background, that brings out those colors. It is very easy to change paper colors, picture sizes, add or remove embellishments-you name it. I do like to change things, so that is why I use the Custom feature. I'll share when I get my jpegs. Oh yeah, in addition to the beautiful 12x12 prints you get jpegs (for free) that you can share. $6.95/layout-you can't beat it!!!

 I LOVE Studio J TRY IT!!!! Please :-)


It's time to start Christmas shopping so Close To My Heart is a great place to start!



XO
Dots

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Getting Ready For Christmas-More Ideas

Yuletide Carol Papers, Complements and Assortment

Here are some additional ideas for layouts and even framed artwork in your efforts to prepare for Christmas:


From Close To My Heart

From Close To My Heart
Both of these layout use the same Yuletide Carol Paper Packet that were on yesterday's post, yet they look so very different. Both use the Yuletide Carol Complements (X7187C) and Yuletide Carol Assortment (Z3007). It is a matter of cutting the paper and adding stickers and dimensional adhesive backed enhancements.

The next idea can be used for a home decoration or given as a gift:





What grandparent wouldn't love to have this keepsake as a gift?! This 12x12 layout can be removed from the frame and added to an album after the Christmas decorations are put away for another year. The picture can be looked at anytime with a scrapbook album close at hand. Albums and album pages are built to endure and add to easily.

I hope you enjoy looking at these ideas but I especially hope you are inspired to put your family heirlooms together for many to enjoy. 


                                                                                     

Cheers!
Dot

Monday, November 24, 2014

Getting ready For Christmas

Yuletide Carol Workshop On The Go

Close To My Heart has a beautiful workshop for Christmas. It is called Yuletide Carol Workshop On The Go (G1084) and the suggested pages in the workshop guide are very dramatic with a black background. I love the way my pages came out.

Here they are:
Can't wait to take some pictures to add to my pages.

The Cricut cuts are from the CTMH Cricut Artbooking cartridge Z1906

The Exclusive Ink Pads used to make my pages are:
  • Z2105 Black
  • Z2118 Desert Sand
  • Z2135 New England Ivy
  • Z2170 Ruby
Of course, the stickease Yuletide Carol Complements X7187C are so easy to use and have a vintage flair to them and who doesn't like stickers? 

The next layout is an additional artwork suggestion on the back of the workshop guide. The layout is a modification of a layout from "Make It From Your Heart" Vol. 1: Pattern 7. So many great ideas in such a small, easy to take with you publication. So here is the 2 page layout I made using simple cuts and the Yuletide Carol Complements:

Faster, Simpler, Easier
It's great to get ready for the Holiday season. Your photos will have a beautiful place to live for upcoming generations to view and enjoy. 




Happy Holidays!!
Dot

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Cards for Thanksgiving or just for Giving Thanks!

The Pathfinding Card Workshop On The Go...Love it!


Thanksgiving is November 27, 2014

This WOTG (G1083) is so versatile. You can give these cards for Thanksgiving or as a thank you for any occasion. You have plenty of time to order, make and send these as Thanksgiving cards, also.


Kit makes 5 each of the 3 designs.

I love the 2 embellishments that come with the kit. You get a roll of bronze glitter adhesive tape and gold sequins that are self adhesive. All are very easy to use. There are 15 pre-scored 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 cards with 15 envelopes.  Also included in the kit is this exclusive stamp set that is ONLY available with this kit:



I love the wood and feather, what a great look.

You also get a full fold-out color guide that tells you exactly how to cut and put together these beautiful cards. It is so easy to follow.

In September several of us went to Boise, ID for a special celebration for the consultants under Michelle Snider, an Executive Director for Close To My Heart.
Michelle had us create many layouts. Here is one made with leftover paper from the kit:


I just love this layout for family photos.

To make the cards, you will need:

  • Z2111 Chocolate ink pad
  • Z2118 Desert Sand ink pad
  • Z2641 Glacier ink pad
  • Z2123 Goldrush ink pad
  • Y1000 1x1 block
  • Y1002 1x3 1/2 block
  • Y1003 2x2 block
  • Y1012 4x5 block

 

Thanks for stopping by!
Dot

Sunday, November 2, 2014

November Stamp of the Month

Here is Close To My Heart's November Stamp of the Month:



and here are some examples of the beautiful things that you can make with this stamp set:




This stamp set sells for $17.95 normally but you can purchase it for $5.00 with your $50 order.





Crafting for the Love of it!
Dot

Saturday, November 1, 2014

November Special on Digital Scrapbooking!

It's November and Close To My Heart has a Special on Digital Scrapbooking!

LUCKY 5


Happy Anniversary, Studio J®!


  • 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—an unprecedented deal!
  • 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!


   

A note of encouragement:  

  • Studio J is very easy to use. 
  • I know you can do it. 
  • Besides, if you try it out, it costs you nothing. 
  • You can log in and set up an account then play with some of the images on your computer. 
  • You can't mess anything up. CTMH gives you a chance to edit before you purchase. 
  • After you make 4 layouts you can then make the purchase.


Here is a Studio J layout of my family done is less than 15 minutes!!





XO
Dot

Monday, October 27, 2014

Wow-You can Make 10 cards in 45 minutes!! And they are great to send to the Men in your life!!!

These card kits are perfect to send to the men in your life!

The Cut Above cards are so easy to put together. All the pieces are precut. The picture on the package insert is all the instruction you need. On the back of the insert it gives a suggested ink pad to use.

The first one I'll take about is the Happy Birthday Card Kit:


Page 161 Item #Z2061 $9.95 US
Here are 2 of the 10 cards I put together

I decided to time myself putting all 10 cards together. It took me 40 minutes to complete this kit. That includes the little bit of stamping. By the way-CTMH suggests using Pacifica ink for the stamping. You can stamp any of the greetings on the center shape which was already inked and ready to stamp.

I did purchase the suggested stamp set (B1467 for $9.95 US) which you can see is very versatile:

B1467 for $9.95 US



     
The second kit I worked with today was the Cut Above Thanks You Card kit.


Page 161 Item # Z2063 $10.95 US

The ink suggested, which I used, was White Daisy. It is a pigment rather than a water soluble ink and it gives a look of chalk on a blackboard. These cards are also perfect for the men in your life. I was able to stamp and put this kit together in 45 minutes.

So, think about this for a minute. In 45 minutes, you can have 10 cards that you can have at your fingertips without driving to the store, paying for gas, buying whatever else you buy at a store, maybe a candy bar, because I never just walk out with a card. These kits can save you time, gas, and calories!!


Here are 2 of the 10 cards I put together

The ladies in my original CTMH club will be putting together the Christmas card kits (see page 160 in the Annual Inspirations catalog) for their November group. They will be ahead of the game for Christmas cards and they will LOVE how quickly and easily the cards go together. 

And in keeping with the Christmas theme, The October Stamp of the Month are Christmas tags or decorations. I stamped some to show the ladies Saturday night.


If you place a $50 order, the stamp is $5.00. Otherwise it is $17.95.

Thanks for stopping by!
Dot