Wow -- it has sure been a while since I have posted.  While I have still been "crafting and creating", it has just been more difficult to post it all.  Little by little, I try to get a few things up :)

In the meantime, I am once again impressed with our latest catalogue!  I am always amazed how Close to my Heart is a such a dynamic company with their "finger on the pulse" of the crafting industry.  While we still have our tried and true products, CTMH continues to roll out new products as well.

One of our latest and greatest new products is . . . 

our NEW Cricut Cartridge -

ARTISTRY!!  

This is the fifth in our collection.  Once again, like our other cartridges, it features over 700 images.  That fact alone makes our cartridges the GREATEST value.  One change we have made is that instead of including chipboard sheets with our cartridge collection, we now include a bundle of paper (the Enchantment Colors)!

Here is a video detailing the new ARTISTRY cartridge.  Check it out and I'm sure you will see the possibilities. There is a reason why these specific cartridges NEVER leave my desk top!!  I'm sure Artistry will be added to my collection.

If you are interested in ordering the cartridge, you can check it out here!!

Order Your New Artistry Cartridge Here!

Also, if you are interested in having a copy of our latest catalogue, email me and let me know at mystudiowithaview@gmail.com

And stay tuned for more creative goodness!!

June Hearts of the West Blog Hop

Welcome to The Hearts of the West Team Blog Hop

June Edition!

This month's color challenge has been picked by Nancy Klein.  It's a soft color pallet perfect for this time of year. The project is open to our choice in order to keep it simple.  You're in for a treat, so grab your coffee, sit down and hop with the Hearts of the West ladies!

If you came from Sonja Parent St Jean's post then you're on the right track! This is a circular blog hop, if you get lost or want to start at the beginning. You can find the list down below.

When I saw the colors for this month's challenge , I instantly thought of the Ariana Paper Collection, so I started there.

I absolutely love the little bows in the Ariana Assortment embellishments, so I wanted to incorporate them in my project as well.

I hoped to try a scrapbook layout, but time was extremely tight (running with Spring activities) so I went with a card :)  To put things together quickly, I also chose to use a pattern from the "Originals" Card Layout Idea Book - "Diamond Stack" on page 37.

CTMH layout books were one of the products that made me want to be become a consultant - 

 I love 'em!!  With the measurements already done for you, it makes putting a card together quick and easy!   Here is what I came up with:

 

Supplies (all are CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Colonial White, Crystal Blue, Barn Red, Ariana Paper Pack
Embellishments: Ariana Assortment (Z3002
Ink: Hollyhock, Olive, Blush
Stamp Sets: Happy Autumn (D1550), Swirls Around (D1551), Fabulous You (C1533)

To order any of these products, please follow this link and shop online!  Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to comment . . . we just love reading them!


Your next stop is Jackie Vandaele's blog!  Head on over and see how she worked her magic with this color challenge!


See you next month for our next Hearts of the West Team Challenge.  Remember you're welcome to join our amazing team, just contact one of these consultants to get you started! If you need help just message any of us and we will direct you to the closest consultant to you!

Hearts of the West June Blog Hop

Here is the list of all the incredible consultants participating in this month's blog hop in case you get lost along the way!  Click on a name to head to their page :)

Nancy Klein
Chantal Pearson
Amanda K. Gordon
Sonia Parent St Jean
Michelle Marciniw Olson  *You are here!
Jackie Vandaele
Linda Pekrul
Donna Digby
Corinna Murphy
Anna Miller

Welcome to the 1st Hearts of the West Blog Hop!

I am super excited that our Hearts of the West team has decided to begin a blog hop!!  Each month I tour many blog hops, and I am thrilled to be a part of this monthly endeavor with so many amazing ladies!

Our fearless leader Nancy Klein chose our first color challenge:  Buttercup, Sorbet, New England Ivy, Gypsy and Lagoon as well as the basic color pallet.  This is a circular blog hop, so it doesn't matter where you start.  If you keep going to will end back where you started and you can find a full list at the end of this post, just in case.

If you came from Freya Dunbar's blog, then you're in the right order!

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Since this blog hop was such a spontaneous idea, I decided to keep this project quick and easy by choosing to do a card. When I learned about this first challenge, I quickly realized something:  I NEVER use more than four colors when I am making a card!  When given FIVE colors for this challenge, I really struggled.  I wasn't sure how I was going to make it work.  It took a bit, but here is the end product. 

 I changed up the colors of the base card and it made for a brighter (more Spring-like) combination.

 Don't forget to decorate the inside of the card and the envelope.  The smallest addition can make a big difference.  The Lots of Love stamp set is perfect for that -- I just LOVE the little bird and envelope stamps!

Dimensions:

Card Base (White): 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"

1st Layer (Sorbet): 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

2nd Layer (New England Ivy): 4" x 5-1/4"

3rd Layer (White): 3-3/4" x 5"

Hearts :  Page 26 (Art Philosophy); cut at 3/4"

Supplies (all are CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  White, Sorbet, New England Ivy
Embellishments: Bitty Sparkles (Z1263)
Stamps:  Lots of Love (A1151), Oodles of Doodles (B1449)
Ink: New England Ivy, Lagoon, Sorbet, Buttercup, Gypsy
Cartridge: Art Philosophy

To order any of these products, please follow this link and shop online!  Thanks for stopping buy and please feel free to comment . . . we just love reading them!

Your next stop is Corinna Murphy's blog!  Head on over and see how she worked her magic with this color challenge!

See you next month for our next Hearts of the West Team Challenge.  Remember you're welcome to join our amazing team, just contact one of these consultants to get you started! If you need help just message any of us and we will direct you to the closest consultant to you!


Hearts of the West May Blog Hop

Here is the list of all the incredible consultants participating in this month's blog hop in case you get lost along the way!

1. Nancy Klein
2. Chelsey Vorosmarty
3. Linda Pekrul
4. Diane Fischer
5. Chantal Pearson
6. Christine Marshall
7. Freya Hall Dunbar
8. Michelle Marciniw Olson
9. Corinna Murphy
10. Janet McCormick
11. Donna Digby

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Skylark Card - Perfect for Spring (& New Consultants)!

If you have recently signed up to be a new consultant, you would have received the Skylark Paper with your kit.  It is such a perfect paper pack for Spring!!

The materials used on this card are all included in the new consultant kit -- so this would be an incredibly quick and easy card to put together.

 

Dimensions:

Card Base: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

Skylark B&T Paper: 2-1/8" x 4-1/4"

Zip Strip from Skylark Paper (Chevron Pattern): 1/2" x 4-1/4"

Sweet Leaf: 3/4" x 4-1/4"

Supplies (all are CTMH unless otherwise noted)

Paper:  Skylark Paper Packet and Colonial White Cardstock
Embellishments:  Durables Triangle Studs (Z1928), Teal Shimmer Trim (Z1918)
Stamps:  For a Friend (D1542)
Ink:  Lagoon
Cartridge: Art Philosophy

To order any of these products, please follow this link and shop online!

April Stamp of the Month

You can purchase this set, Bubble Talk, for only $5 (reg. $17.95) with any $50 purchase. This stamp set co-ordinates with the Artrist Cartridge.  See below for Scrapbook and Card Layout ideas!

 

You can start shopping by clicking here.

Best Promotion - EVER!

 
In all the years I have been with Close to my Heart, I have never seen a sign-up promotion this FANTASTIC!  If you are a hobbyist who loves scrapbooking/cardmaking or looking to build a business/make money on the side, you MUST take advantage of this offer!

During the month of April, you will receive over $400 in products for only $99!!  When you sign up as a consultant and purchase the $99 starter kit, you will receive the Cricut Cartridge bundle of your choice for FREE!!  



PLUS if you sign up with me,
I will give you a stamp set of your choice (up to $15 value)
for FREE!

If you are a visual person (like I am), you may want to see what you will be getting :)  You will receive all the items pictured below as well as the Cricut Bundle of your choice.  The business supplies you will receive (bags, forms, paper sample swatches, etc) are not pictured below, but you get those as well!

$99 Starter Kit

Artbooking Cricut Bundle

Art Philosophy Cricut Bundle

Artiste Cricut Bundle

You get to choose the Cricut bundle that is your favourite.  You will receive over $400 in product and supplies for only $99!  The starter kits includes a fantastic assortment of our products:  stamp pads, acrylic blocks, three stamp sets, five mini stamp sets, an alphabet stamp set, various embellishments (triangle studs, shimmer trim, resin flowers, twist ties), two of our incredible layout idea books (one for cards, one for scrapbooking), CTMH paper (solid and patterned), tools (such as micro-tip scissors, glue pen, sponge, stamp cleaner and brush pad) - and of course, your FREE Cricut cartridge bundle!!  After that point, you are able to place your orders at a consultants discount.

____________

For more information, follow this link to my webpage.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this offer, signing up is a super easy process.  It is all done online by following this link: 

http://michelleolson.ctmh.com/ctmh/what-we-do/be-a-consultant.aspx

Once you have signed up through my website, send me an e-mail letting me know which stamp set you would like for FREE!!

____________

If you have any questions, please give me a call or send me an e-mail.  I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

This offer is only available during the month of April.  This promotion is super hot so act quickly to be sure to get the Cricut cartridge you love most!!

To help you decide which cartridge you like best, links to pdf versions of the cartridge handbooks can be found below; or check out my blog post "Which CTMH Cartridge is best?"  

Art Philosophy

Artiste

Artbooking

WHICH CTMH CARTRIDGE IS BEST? Art Philsophy, Artiste or Artbooking?

This post includes links to the pdf versions of each CTMH cartridge handbook.

Which CTMH Cricut Cartridge is the best??  This is a question I get asked again and again.  The Close to my Heart Cricut cartridges are WHY I signed up as a consultant!  

Here is the story --  I was researching which Cricut cartridges are the most popular, as I didn't want to buy cartridge after cartridge.  Time and time again, I kept hearing about the Art Philosophy cartridge.  It didn't take me long to learn that you could only get Art Philosophy through Close to my Heart.  After seeing the images on the cartridge, I was SOLD!   I had previous experience with Close to my Heart product and LOVED it (the clear stamps were also a favorite), so I decided to sign up.  Since then, they have released two more cartridges which are equally impressive.

So, which cartridge is my favorite?  Unfortunately, the answer is, they ALL are! Each one is my favorite for a very different reason.  I love the basic elements of the Art Philosophy cartridge (ie. flower, oval, banner shapes, labels, etc.  I love all the 3D items (gift card holders, rosettes, boxes) on the Artiste cartridge.  I love the background images and how easy it is to do an entire scrapbook layout with the Artbooking cartridge.  I should also mention that I love all three cartridges because I have stamp sets that co-ordinate with each of them.  Don't forget, as you look through the catalogue, any image that is outlined with a red line, means there is a co-ordinating cut on one of our cartridges.  If you look at the bottom of the page in the catalogue, it will tell you which cartridge the "cut" is from.

To help you decide which cartridge you like best, I have included a brief description of each below.  I have also included links to pdf versions of the cartridge handbooks.  I find it really helpful to see all the images on any cartridges I may want to buy in order to decide if I will use it.   Click on the cartridge name or the picture of the handbook below to get to the pdf of the handbooks.

Art Philosophy 

 This cartridge includes many basic shapes and images.  Each image on the cartridge also has a co-ordinating card and a co-ordinating tag cut.   There is also an assortment of borders and backgrounds.  This cartridge includes a variety of seasonal items some of which include a snowflake, christmas tree, stocking, hearts, acorn and cupcake.  The only 3D items that can be made with this cartridge is an assortment of six flowers.  The font included on this cartridge is a standard, slightly-formal font.

Artiste  

This cartridge includes basic shapes as well as shapes which are more detailed.   There is a wide variety of seasonal items such as a turkey, mitten, leaves, spider, skeleton, hearts, and snowflakes.  It also includes shaped cards, gift card holders, ready-made mini-books, phrases and words (ie. "thank you", "it's a girl", "Happy Birthday", "family", "Merry Christmas", etc.  One of the main features of this cartridge are the 3D items you can make such as milk cartons, file folder boxes, cupcake holders, rosettes, decorative boxes, gift bags, french fry boxes, etc.  Because of this feature, there is an assembly guide included.  The font included on this cartridge is very clean, straight-edged and basic.

 Artbooking 

This cartridge is a little different because it includes a very special additional feature.  In addition to a number of detailed and basic shapes, you can make an entire, co-ordinating scrapbook layout using one key on the overlay.  This allows you to quickly and easily create an entire perfectly sized layout-- using just one key/page on the cartridge.  This cartridge includes lots of backgrounds, borders, picture frames and phrases (ie. "always and forever", "capture the details, "fun and sun", "think grow learn", "party time".   There are no 3D items on this cartridge.  The font included on this cartridge is the most formal and a little "curly". 

  

I hope this helps you determine which cartridge you put at the top of your wish-list.  And don't forget, each cartridge comes with three pages of co-ordinating chipboard elements as well as three co-ordinating stamp sets.  In my honest opinion, all three are must-have cartridges -- not only because they are a great value, but they are also sure to be your "go-to" cartridge for any project you tackle!

Once again, here are the links to the pdf of the handbooks for each cartridge:

Art Philosophy

Artiste

Artbooking

 

 

Cricut Artiste Christmas Banner - Reposted By Demand

Wow!  It has been a whirwind couple of weeks!!  I've met so many amazing ladies at the last couple of craft shows I have been at - so much excitement about CTMH product!  I took this Christmas banner with as an example of what you can do - quickly and easily - with our Cricut Cartridges.  Using the Artiste cartridge, I created this banner for our mantle.  I have been asked for the dimensions so others could make it also, so I am reposting the original post.

I love making banners!  I started by making one for my daughter and was amazed at how quick and easy it is to make something beautiful.  Once again, it is especially easy if you have the right tools!  I have decided I will make a banner for my mantle for each of the seasons, and the perfect season to start with is Christmas.

There are many words you can choose but I thought this pretty much sums up the entire season for our family -- JOY.  I used the CTMH Artiste cartridge.  Wow -- it was soooo easy!

Here are my "cut" dimensions.  Page numbers refer to the Cricut Artiste handbook that comes with the cartridge.

Flag pieces - Pg. 77 - 4.5" - Elemental Patterned Paper

Top border - Pg. 47 - 1" - Red card stock (trimmed as needed)

Rosettes (3-D) - Pg. 77 - 1.75" - Colonial White Cardstock (remember to cut two for each rosette)

Rosettes (flat) - Pg. 56 - 3.5" - Colonial White Cardstock

Ornament - Pg. 79 - 3" - Colonial White (remember to cut four as you will need two for each ornament)

Letters - Various Pages - 3" - Cranberry Cardstock

Stamp sets used:

Love Life (D1482)

Very Merry Christmas (Oct. SOTM)

Inks and Embellishments:

Cranberry

Olive

Zip Strip from Elemental Paper Pack

Clear Sparkles (Z1752)

 

Tips/Notes:

-Almost every one of my pieces were sponged around the edges with Olive or Cranberry ink. This step adds dimension to your project.  You MUST do this and you will not be disappointed!

-I just used ribbon to string my pieces together.   I tie a knot behind each piece so it does not slide around.  

-To make the ornament multi-colored, I simply stamped two ornaments, one in green and then one in red.  I then cut out the middle of the green ornament and glued it onto the red.

-I used 3-D foam tape to mount my letter.  Again, gives the project dimension.

Artbooking Made Easy Video - Fall Layout

CTMH has put out a series of videos specifically for our new Artbooking Cricut Cartridge. I love this video series because it helps with understanding how the cartridge is set up and the use of the "Real Dial Size" button.  It also walks you through how easy it is to complete a beautiful layout!

Here is the first video in the series which goes over the cartridge details generally.

Here is the newest video on creating a beautiful Fall Layout using the Artbooking cartridge.  I couldn't get the video to load on my page, so just follow this link.

If you are interested in purchasing the new CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge, come and shop with me here.

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October Stamp of the Month

You can purchase this set for only $5 (reg. $17.95) with any $50 purchase.  This is a fantastic seasonal set which includes holiday sentiments.  It also coordinates with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  You can start shopping by clicking here.

Holidays from the Heart

Today, CTMH released our new Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide!  This little catalogue introduces you to some new and festive product, as well it allows you to earn some of that product for FREE!  With every $100 purchased from any of our current catalogues, you can choose one of the "starred" products in this little mini catalogue for FREE!  It is packed with everything from paper, embellishments, workshops on the go kit, photo album kit, seasonal stamp sets and non-seasonal stamp sets.  You will definitely see something you like! 

You can look at the Holiday from the Heart Gift Guide using this link and click on the cover called "Holidays from the Heart", or you can call or e-mail and I will get you a copy right away!

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October Stamp of the Month

You can purchase this set for only $5 (reg. $17.95) with any $50 purchase.  This is a fantastic seasonal set which include sentiments.  It also coordinates with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.

You can start shopping by clicking here.

Quick and Easy Huntington Card

I'm hoping to start posting projects more regularly - especially with all the amazing new product!  I am SUPER excited about the Artbooking Cartridge!  I just need to carve out a little piece of creative "me" time :)  I'll post as soon as that happens!

I was super motivated as soon as I opened the Huntington paper.  It is so beautiful and just works perfectly for the fall season.  Here is a super-quick and simple card.  I took the basic design from Make It From Heart - Vol. 1 (Pg. 43 - Pattern 21).

  

Please bear with me as I try to figure out my lighting.  I usually take photos outside or under natural light, but it was so incredibly windy today, it just didn't happen.  As a result, you don't really see the true "bling" effect of the Bronze Shimmer Trim.

I've demonstrated a couple of stamping techniques here.  The first one is on the flower image.  I call it "rock the block".  All you do is ink up your image with one color (in this case, Honey), and then only ink the edges of the image with a second color (Sunset) by rolling only the edge of the stamp on the stamp pad.  Note:  Always start with the light color first!  :) You don't want to end up with a messy stamp pad.  The second technique is just background stamping.  Just think how boring this card would be if the image was only stamped on colonial white cardstock.  I thought it would be a great way to add a little more bright fall colors.

Supplies (all are CTMH unless otherwise noted)

Paper:  Huntinton Paper Packet, Cocoa and Colonial White Cardstock
Embellishments:  Durables Artisan Studs(Z1816), Bronze Shimmer Trim (Z1849)
Stamps:  Happy Autumn (D1550)
Ink:  Honey, Sunset, Chocolate

To order any of these products, please follow this link and shop online!

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Don't forget -- it's National Stamping Month!!  For the month of September only, with a $50 purchase, you can qualify to purchase ALL 3 of these amazing stamp sets (with a value of $47.50) for only $10!!

The "You are my Happy" stamp set trio is a fantastic value -- not to mention versatile!  This offer includes a stamp set of sentiments, an alphabet stamp set and a set of seasonal icons! Don't miss it!

Get Organized with the new Large Organizer!

In our last catalogue, we introduced another piece to our line of storage/organization tools - the Large Organizer!  This is one of my FAVORITE  items!

I have A LOT of scrapbooking supplies and this has been a great way to put them all in their place.  I love that it is portable.  I love that it is stackable with our other sizes of organizers.  I love that it has removable divided sections.  It can be used for stamp sets, tools, stamp pads, etc.  It fits MY needs perfectly.  Check out the video below!

Don't forget -- it's National Stamping Month!!  For the month of September only, with a $50 purchase, you can qualify to purchase ALL 3 of these amazing stamp sets for only $10!!

The "You are my Happy" stamp set trio is a fantastic value -- not to mention versatile!  This offer includes a stamp set of sentiments, an alphabet stamp set and a set of seasonal icons! Don't miss it!

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One of My Favorites - Hinged Display Tray!

One of my closest friends recently lost her Dad.  My heart went out to her as I recalled how we all felt when we lost my husband Jason's Mom.  She had posted a few of her favorite photos of her Dad on Facebook.  When I saw them, not only was I moved to tears, but I was also inspired.  Using the hinged display tray, I used her photos and made her a gift.

I used the Tommy Paper Packet as well as the Tommy Complements Canvas Shapes.  I simply cut strips of one of the patterned papers to cover the outside edges.  I could have left it black, but I found that adding the paper around the frame allowed for a little more contrast and added to the overall "nautical" feel.  Here are a couple of close-ups:

I also used one of my favorite all time CTMH alphabet stamp sets -- Token Alphabet.  What I love about this stamp set is that you can punch out circle pieces using a 1" or 1-1/4" punch and the letter will fit perfectly.  You can then use of the background stamps included with the set and create a custom-colored background for the letter.

In keeping with the theme, I also made her a quick card.

Supplies (all are CTMH unless otherwise noted)

Paper:  Tommy Paper Packet (X7169B), Colonial White Card
Embellishments:  Artisan Studs (Z1816), Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon (Z1808), Cranberry Bakers Twine (Z1751), Tommy Complements Canvas Shapes (X7169C)
Stamps:  Family Love (D1506), 4 My Friend (D1510), Token Alphabet (E1020)
Ink:  Outdoor Denim, Cranberry

To order any of these products, please follow this link and shop online!

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Don't forget -- it's National Stamping Month!!  For the month of September only, with a $50 purchase, you can qualify to purchase ALL 3 of these amazing stamp sets for only $10!!

The "You are my Happy" stamp set trio is a fantastic value -- not to mention versatile!  This offer includes a stamp set of sentiments, an alphabet stamp set and a set of seasonal icons! Don't miss it!