It's March and a New Stamp of the Month!

See the new Stamp of the Month for March

Such cute frames, phrases and squiggles. The squiggles can be curved or straight depending on your wishes.

S1503 Choose Happy

Here are a couple ideas for using this adorable stamp:

Here is a mini album that can be cut with the Artbooking Cartridge

A beautiful layout decorated with the Brushed Assortment flowers and the March Stamp of the Month

The Stamp of the Month "Choose Happy" S1503 can be yours for $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase from my website: http://dorothy.ctmh.com

The items from the Seasonal Expressions I catalog is only available till March 31st. It's a great time to purchase Hopscotch and Heartstrings. There are stamps for spring, Easter and Mother's Day that are worth a look. You can view the online catalog Seasonal Expressions I and also the Annual Inspirations catalog that is good through August 2015.

Please take a look and let your imagination have some fun!

I'm Ready for Spring!!

XOXO
Dots

A Few of My Favorite Things uhh Tools

Scrapbook Tools 

I'm going to share some of my favorite scrapbooking tools with you.

1. A Really Good Paper Trimmer

• It doesn't happen without a really good cutting board. You want to have one that has at least a 6" base and a swing out arm so you can line your paper up along a long edge to get a straight cut. 
• Don't drive yourself crazy with crooked pieces of paper. 
• When your cuts get fuzzy change the blade and make sure you a scoring blade (doesn't cut just allows a neat fold line!
• It may be a little pricey but mine has lasted for YEARS

Paper Trimmer Z1783

2. Very sharp, fine pointed scissors that can get in tiny spaces and sponges.

• The silver scissors are regular 
• The black scissors are non-stick both are micro-tip scissors that get in the tiniest of places. 
• Love them and mine have also lasted for years!
• The sponge is round and cheap! I'll cut mine in quarters to sponge and distress the edges of my papers. 
• Distressing adds texture and character to your papers and it is very ZEN to distress. That's ironic!! But it really is relaxing to do this to your papers.

Micro-tip Scissors Z534
Non-Stick micro-tip scissors Z1836
3" Sponge Z697

3.  You can't beat the CLEAR blocks from Close To My Heart! They come in many sizes to accommodate the various size clear stamps we carry.

• From 1" x 1" up to 4" x 5" the blocks are used to give a precise base to our stamps so you can get a sharp stamped image. 
• AND if for some reason your pressing was uneven you can see where the unused ink is, line up the stamp again and re-stamp. Yes you can do this, I have!
• Always remember to use the little spongy sheet that comes with each stamp and place it under your paper to help you get a perfect stamped image.

• 
  

Clear Close To My Heart blocks for the Clear Close To My Heart stamps

• A Versamat can also be used for a cushion for stamping and on the opposite side a cutting mat with a grid.

Versamat Z1279

4. Clean your stamps!

Stamp Scrubber Z1782 and Spritz cleaner 1778

5. Design help with Close To My Heart's How To programs . 

• Do you need ideas for pages or cards?
• Make It From Your Heart vol. 1 and vol. 2 are great for giving you ideas and cutting instructions.
• Don't worry about using different papers from what is shown. The papers are what can make the same design look different!

See all the How To programs

6. Close To My Heart's brilliantly designed Cricut Cartridges (all 4 of them) have 700 images/cartridge. AMAZING!!! And, you not only get the cartridges but stamps to go with the shapes, cardstock, dimensional elements.

Cricut Collection

• Art Philosophy-Featuring hundreds of basic, versatile shapes and fonts you'll use every day, many of which coordinate with dozens of our My Acrylix® stamps, this collection is a must-have for every crafter!
  Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection includes:
  1 – Cartridge (700 images: font, shapes, and 3-D items)
  3 – My Acrylix™ D-size stamp sets
  3 – 9" × 12" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)
  Creative Feature Keys: Layer, Decorative Layer, Tag, Card, Font, Font Layer.
• Artbooking-Take your scrapbooking to never-before-seen levels with the new Cricut® Artbooking collection! With oodles of images in each of 15 layout themes, you can create several coordinating pages for each theme using just two keys and one dial size. Images include accents, borders, titles, overlays, photo mats—in standard photo sizes!—and more. The Cricut® keys are optimized for creating 12" × 12" pages in a jiffy. You'll also love creating 10 themed mini books, also optimized for several different sizes using just two keys and one dial size. When you're finished cutting, use the coordinating stamp sets and Dimensional Elements shapes to add even more pizzazz!
  Collection includes:
  1 – Cartridge (700 images: Font, Mini Books, Layouts)
  3 – My Acrylix™ D-size stamp sets
  3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)
  Creative Feature Keys: Title, Photo Mat 1, Photo Mat 2, Icon, Border, Overlay.
• Artiste-With just the touch of one Cricut® Artiste key you can take your creativity over the top with wonderful 3-D projects, party favors, interactive cards, awards, and more! From robots and spooks to weddings and Valentines, your cupcake wrappers, invitations, and party essentials will coordinate and come together for any celebration! Includes a step-by-step assembly booklet for the 3-D projects.
  Collection includes:
  • 1 – Cartridge (700 images: themed projects, cards, fonts, shapes, and 3-D items)
  • 3 – My Acrylix™ D-size stamp sets
  • 3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)
  • Creative Feature Keys: Accent 1, Accent 2, Accent 3, Accent 4, Card, 3D Object.
• Artfully Sent-Cardmaking has never been easier or more fun! With our newest Cricut® collection, you can make handmade masterpieces in no time at all. Choose from cards with sentiments cut directly into them, or combine several cutouts to create your own pop-up scenes. Featuring more than 25 different card themes and 5 different card formats including dynamic interactive designs, this cartridge has a card for any and all occasions—even if the occasion is "just because"! Card styles include pop-ups, scenes, sentiments, sleeves, and pocket cards.
  Collection includes:
  1 – Cartridge (700 images: Cards and Font)
  3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets
  1 – 12" × 12" White Daisy Cardstock Pack

Tell me your favorite tool for scrapbooking or card making! I'd love to hear from you!

XOXO

Dots

Close To My Heart donates to Operation Smile

You're The Bomb!

By purchasing this stamp set for $13.95, Close To My Heart will donate $3 to this charity.

Such a cute stamp set. it's perfect to help you make quick adorable cards!
You're The Bomb C1617

Who is Operation Smile^®?

The Mission of Operation Smile

Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families. Together we create smiles, change lives, and heal humanity.

Making It Happen

Operation Smile^® fulfills its mission with five programs:

• International Medical Missions: Operation Smile coordinates more than 30 medical mission sites in 25 countries annually. Last year, medical volunteers provided free surgeries for 9,221 children through international and local in-country medical missions.
• Chapters and Foundations
• U.S. Care Network
• Education
• Student Programs

Join the Effort

Your money and time help sustain a charity that has helped over 200,000 children in the past 30 years.

XOXODots

Festive Confetti Papers make a fun Birthday or Celebratory Box Card!

My 2nd Go at a Box Card

Confetti Papers are so festive and are great for a girl or a boy!

So, it's been icy, sleety, snowy and cold here and that means it's a great day for paper crafting! Here is my creation from yesterday, I could have vacuumed or done laundry, but this was decidedly more fun!!

Remember, this box cards folds flat so it can go into an envelope. I will make that today with my Cricut. 

Confetti paper packet X7189B

• The balloons were cut using the Cricut and the Close To My Heart Artiste Cricut cartridge Z1790 at 1 1/2 inches. The paper is two-sided so 2 cuts=2 different balloons. 
• On the front of the box I used our self-sticking Purple Shimmer Trim Z1919. Gots to have the bling! 
• The cake, "Happy" in a cloud, and "birthday" was cut out from one of the 3 different print (CTMH calls background and texture-B&T for short). 
• The words "The Party, The Cake, The Presents", were all cut off of a "zip strip" from one of the papers. All our B&T papers come with a 1/2 inch zip strip that can be used as a border or decoration. When the 1/2" strip is cut off the paper you are left with a 12 x 12 sheet. 
• The side flaps are simply 2 pieces of Confetti B&T cut to a square 2 3/4" and trimmed with the purple Shimmer Trim Z1919. 

The Steps:

• The box itself is cut from 1 of the 2 pieces of Canary cardstock the comes in the Confetti Paper Packet X7189B. 
• The strip is 5 1/2 X 11 1/2". 
• It is scored lengthwise down the middle at 2 3/4". 
• Turning the piece, scoring to this center score at 2 3/4", 5 1/2", 8 1/4", and 11". 
• Opposite from these scores, cut to the center, matching the cuts to the 4 scores. 
• At the 1/2" end cut off the top 1/2" leaving the 1/2" score section in place.

This is how I choose to decorate my sides. 

• Cut 2 1/2" squares (8 pieces) and use your fave adhesive to glue them on.
• Fold along your score lines to make an obvious fold.

It's all about the box, the box, the box...

• Use your strongest adhesive to adhere the 1/2" flap to the inside of the opposite end of the strip.
• Cut 2 pieces of canary cardstock 2 3/4 X 3 3/4" and score 1/2" from each end in the same direction.
• Use strong adhesive to adhere both pieces on the inside of the box. 

Decorate to your hearts content!!

• The Happy Birthday on the stand-up flap at the back of the box was cut from the same Cricut Artiste cartridge Z1790.
• The candles under that were cut from the other side of the side flaps.
• The balloons that stand up from the inside of the box panels were glued to 1/4" cardstock strips.
• You can glue whatever you like on the front and back of these panels. 

The back of the box:

I reinforced the back of the box with a 2 1/2 X 5" decorated canary cardstock.

TADA-now I need someone to send it to!! :-)

Hope you find this helpful, but mostly something that would be fun for you to do!

XOXO

Dots

A Happy Hello Stamp of the Month

February Specials Don't Miss Out!!

1.  Stamp of the Month 

The last day to order the February Stamp of the Month is this Saturday, February 28th. 

A Happy Hello 

This is a great stamp to make a cheery card for with flowers and the promise of spring. This winter has been so tough on so many people, a happy little card could bring a smile to someone's face and brighten their day. 

Here is A little card and envelope I but together quickly.

I carried the theme to the inside of the card.

It's a little hard to see but I sponged the edges of the envelope and stamped a "2nd generation" flower in the corner of the envelope. I like to match my cards and envelopes.

A 2nd generation stamp is simply inking a stamp in your color of choice then stamping it on scrap paper. At this point most of the ink is gone but there is enough to give you a very light image. I really like this technique of stamping.

Any stamp of the month is valued at $17.95, but if you place a order $50 from my Close To My Heart website, you will get it for $5.  

Click here to go to dorothy.ctmh.com

2.  Album Allure

Buy one of these albums in February and receive a 2nd one for half off!

During the month of February*, when you purchase one of Close To My Heart’s alluring coated canvas albums you will be eligible to receive a second album of your choice at half price. That is a savings of over $17 USD / $19 CAD! These albums are available in a gorgeous variety of colors and patterns in both post-bound and D-ring styles—perfect to pair with traditional, Studio J®, or pocket scrapbook layouts. This offer is only available while supplies last, so make certain to get your order in early to ensure you can choose the styles and colors you love. They’re going fast and are built to last; so don’t delay—place your order today! 
If you take pictures, you need page protectors to put the pictures in and then you need albums to store the page protectors. 

Find page protectors here.

Thanks for stopping by!
XOXO
Dots

Vellum Sticker sheets-Brushed Complements

Vellum Sticker Sheets-I'm in LOVE!

The Brushed Complements are sticker sheets that are made of vellum and coordinate so beautifully with the Brushed papers.

Somehow this got by me until I opened mine and notice that the sheets where lighter that the usual cardstock sticker sheet complements. 

Brushed Complements are 2 12"x6" coordinating vellum sticker sheets for only $4.95 USD

On the left page is the word Imagine with a pink border. Notice you can see the underlying papers through the sticker. I can't remember Close To My Heart having vellum stickers before but maybe they have. Anyway THANK YOU CTMH!!! I love these :-) !!! I also loved the Brushed Assortment which are painted metal flowers. I've ordered my second batch of these because of how 

pretty they are. Can you tell I am ready for spring?! 

Brushed Assortment 8-piece set of painted metal flowers adhesive backed $6.95 USD

This is the Brushed Workshop On The Go (WOTG) which includes the Brushed Assortment flowers, green stripe Washi tape, and exclusive stamp set, Brushed papers and coordinating cardstock, and a guideline to tell you how to put together the Brushed scrapbook pages.

Brushed Workshop On The Go (WOTG) scrapbook pages.

XOXO
Dots

My First Attempt at a Box Card that Can Fold Flat

• It's a card that opens into a box of flowers, WooHoo!
• And you don't have to water the flowers, WooHoo, WooHoo!!

I told you my club ladies are challenging me. 

So the box card has been all the rage on Pinterest for awhile now. One of the ladies, Sara, wanted to make a Valentine's box card for her husband. So, I went to Sara's home and she was showing me a how-to she found online and we sat at her craft table and cut till it made some sense to us. The box came out smaller than we thought it should, so I adjusted the measurements, ugh, math.

We cut a strip for the box that is 5 1/2" X 11 1/2" and scored the strip lengthwise, the full 11 1/2", at 2 3/4". Then you turn the strip horizontally and score at 2 3/4, 5 1/2, 8 1/4 and 11". Hold the strip in the horizontal position and on the same side, cut on the score lines to the middle score. You can cut the 1/2" cut piece off leaving the scored 1/2" piece. Now fold to form a box like the one below:

I used the Brushed papers (x7190B) to cover the sides and flaps
but any papers you like can be used. 

A close-up of the flowers and stamped flaps.

I used a discontinued stamp set that reminded me of spring and cut flowers from one of the Brushed background and texture sheets and then added some bling. The flowers and leaves were glued onto 2 pieces that were cut to 3 3/4" X 2 3/4" with scoring on the longer ends at the 1/2" in from each end. the 1/2" pieces were folded toward the back and glued at 1" and 2" inside the box essentially dividing the interior of the box into thirds. You can the adhere whatever cut pieces, ie. flowers, balloons for a birthday card, etc. that go with your card theme. 

So this is my first attempt. My 19 year old son walked by and said "hey, I'm not lying, that's cool". First of all, does that mean he lies to me other times?!!!...Just thinking out loud.Now the really cool part is this card folds flat, so it can be sent in an envelope. Granted, it needs to be a 6 X 6 envelope, so the next thing I need to do is cut one on my Cricut.

Note:  Use a glue that you are comfortable with that is strong.

It does fold totally flat, it just wouldn't stay that way while I was photographing it. Grrrr

I will be doing more of these. Stay tuned!!

XOXO

Dots