Whoooo's Your Valentine Promotion!

Celebrate National Papercrafting Month with an incredible deal—our Whooo’s Your Valentine kit (CC1022) for only $10! Combine your love of papercrafting with the contents of this kit to create personalized valentines—perfect for classrooms and other group settings. This darling kit, which retails for $40, can be yours for only $10 when you spend $35 or more in Close To My Heart product from the Autumn/ Winter 2012 Idea Book. You’ll receive 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit. This kit offers you a sneak peek at two new Spring/Summer 2013 products: the treat tubes and the silver glitter paper! Decorate the die-cut boxes with the stamp images, cardstock, and glitter paper. Then attach the clear tube and fill with treats for valentines in a cinch!

Kit includes:
• 12 — Die-Cut Boxes (3 each of 4 colors: Blush, Hollyhock, Ruby, White Daisy)
• 3 — 12" x 12" Cardstock Sheets (Blush, Hollyhock, White Daisy)
• 1 — Sheet Silver Glitter Paper—new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
• 12 — Treat Tubes with Lids—new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
• 1 —My Acrylix® Whooo’s Your Valentine Stamp Set (D-size)

Also note that this stamp set co-ordinates with cuts on the Artiste cartridge!

This is in addition to the December Stamp of the Month, see below.  So, with a $50 purchase, you would quality for both promotions!!  The Whooo's Your Valentine promo is while supplies last -- so don't miss out on this one!  Here is a video highlighting this promotion:

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December's Stamp of the Month - Year Round Cheer, available only in the month of December and for just $5 with a $50 order.

CTMH Artiste Christmas Banner

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.

Don't forget about this month's Promotions!!


From Dec. 1-31, all orders placed on my website that reach or exceed $50 will also include a free Bonding Memories glue pen (Z553) -  a $4.50 value!

Not only is this my absolute favorite adhesive -- but it is a MUST for Cricut users who agonize over glueing up each individual letter.  The glue pen offer is also in addition to our regular Stamp of the Month promo.

December Stamp of the Month

December's SOTM is "Year Round Cheer" is so super-cute -- it includes reasons to celebrate all through the year. You can purchase this stamp set for only $5 with any purchase over $50.

Sale, Sale, Sale!! Starts December 1!!

This is the time of year when we all especially LOVE a good sale!  Close To My Heart has announced that on December 1, they will be adding a number of selections to the "While Supplies Last" section of my shopping website.  They will be adding a wide variety of paper and co-ordinating accessories, all with a substantial markdown.  You will also find that most of the items that are currently available will also see a further markdown at that time.  Yay!!  These deals are only while supplies last, so if you see something you want, snag it quick!  Click here to go my website, and be sure to go down to the "While Supplies Last" section on the left hand side.  You can purchase any items out of the catalogue at the same time, but remember the new sale items won't be posted until midnight on December 1!

To sweeten the deal even more, from Dec. 1-31, all orders placed on my website that reach or exceed $50 will also include a free Bonding Memories glue pen (Z553) -  a $4.50 value!

Not only is this my absolute favorite adhesive -- but it is a MUST for Cricut users who agonize over glueing up each individual letter.  The glue pen offer is also in addition to our regular Stamp of the Month promo.  December's Stamp of the Month "Year Round Cheer" is so super-cute -- it includes reasons to celebrate all through the year. You can purchase this stamp set for only $5 with any purchase over $50.

As you know, our new catalogue is released in the new year, and sadly, some items are discontinued.  For those of you that have your eye on a specific stamp set or item from the current or previous catalogue, I am going to post the discontinued list. This is helpful if there is something you want to pick up before it is gone.  

Upcoming Classes and Workshops

Note:  You must pre-register by Sunday, November 25.

I apologize for the delay - another result of our computer misfortune.  As you can see, we have rectified the issue - so things will be getting back to normal.  Yay!!  Here is the listing of my upcoming classes and workshops.  Christmas is sneaking up on us and so is the deadline to register for these classes!

Christmas Cards - Wed, Dec. 5, 7pm

-You will make 5 different cards (2 of each).  The cost is $20.  Please bring adhesive and paper trimmer.

Cricut Christmas - Sun, Dec. 9, 2pm

-This class will lead you through using the Cricut in your festive planning. You will create four unique pieces: a gable box, a gift card holder, a Santa gift bag and a set of tags.  Please bring your adhesive and trimmer.  Your Cricut machine is not necessary, but you may bring it to use it.  Cost is $25.

Display Tray - Sun, Dec. 9, 7pm

-Using the Avonlea paper pack, you will decorate your display tray and have it ready for family photos in no time.  Cost is $35. Please bring your adhesive and paper trimmer.

Gift Card Holders/Gift Tags - Wed, Dec. 12, 7 pm

With so many gift cards changing hands this coming season, you will be prepared!  You will make five gift card holders and a set of tags.  Please bring your adhesive and trimmer.  Cost is $20.

**Photo will be added soon.**

**Registration deadline is Sunday, November 25 so supplies can be ordered.  Pre-payment is necessary.  I accept cash, cheque, PayPal and e-mail transfer.  You will receive a registration confirmation which will include location details and a reminder of the supplies you need to bring.  

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail or call.

Michelle 
780-875-8780
michelleolson.ctmh.com

Computer Woes - Yet Still Crafting!

  Computer Woes

It has been a very interesting month!  After having "lost" a couple major appliances in our house, we then experienced our first EVER computer loss.  Our Mac's have been very good to us over the years, but after way too many power outages, our family computer bit the dust.  I won't even start with the data loss (all my blog images/photos included - insert GASP here), but we have quickly come to realize how central our computer was to the functioning of  our family.  From hockey schedules to school newsletters to blogging to homework to photography to e-mails to bookkeeping for not-for-profits I volunteer for -- we have really been thrown a wrench. 

My apologies for not blogging and for the lack of quality which may follow.  I thought that blogging something was better than blogging nothing.  The pictures I post may be poor quality for the next little while as we figure out how to proceed, but I promise it will get better once things are ironed out.  I have so much to share (some of it is lost, though), but I'll try different methods to get things posted.  

Sorry to be a downer, but I thought some explanation was needed.  I'll try to get some projects up over the next little while.

We've tried to stay positive around here, see cartoon below.  

Here is a card inspired my a fellow CTMH consultant, Vicki Wizniuk.  

So simple, yet I just LOVE it.  I used my Cricut to cut out the numbers  (font is from the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge).  I painted some white paper with some Pearl Paint  (also CTMH) and then sprinkled with glitter before punching out with a snowflake punch (Martha Stewart).  I used the November Stamp of the Month - Capture the Date (yours for only $5 with any $50 purchase) to stamp 'December'.  I then added a little bling with the CTMH clear sparkles.  Voila!

Again, I apologize for the substandard photo quality - I do not take it lightly.   I promise it is temporary :)

Also, don't miss out on our current promo for the month of November, with you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for the Stamp of the Month AND you can then purchase any stamp set in the catalogue for 50% off.  Now is the perfect time to pick up your favorite!

Check out the details here!

CTMH Alcohol Markers

One of the hottest new products in our latest catalogue is our new Alcohol Markers.  For those of you who like to color in stamped images -- these are an affordable and versatile tool to add to your collection.  In addition to coloring in stamped images, our alcohol markers can be used to add color directly on to your stamps as well as color in embellishments such as paper flowers or sparkles/gems.  The following video shows some great ideas using the new CTMH Alcohol Markers.  For $5.95, you get two, double-tipped markers -- so, two colors, four tips for under $6!

National Stamping Month Promo

-Only until September 30, 2012-

Just a quick note -- don't miss out on the amazing promo.  There are only a couple of weeks left to snap up this FANTASTIC stamp set - only $5 with any $35 order!  If your order if over $50, you may also take advantage of the current Stamp of the Month - two promos on one order!

To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, we are bringing back our popular double stamp set promotion! You can get the exclusive, new My Acrylix^® It’s Your Day double stamp set for just $5 when you place a minimum order of $35 in full retail products from August 15 through September 30, 2012. You’ll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—which includes nearly 50 trendy images that makes it easy to capture the everyday moments in your life. The double set has a retail value of $35.90, which drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase! Have twice the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with our new, exclusive It’s Your Day double stamp set!

Have a look at the video below for some fun ideas!  Give me a call at 780-875-8780 if you have any questions or would like to get this stamp set before it's gone!  You can also e-mail me at molson@mcsnet.ca.

New Catalogues are Here!

I have been completely "captured" by summer!  Between holidays, yard work, running with children, etc, my blog postings have taken a bit of a hit!  I hope to get back into the routine of regularly posting some "creative motivation".

My shipment of new catalogues has arrived!  It is IMPRESSIVE!!  If you'd like a copy of the idea book, send me an e-mail or give me a call and I will get one to you.  There are so many wonderful new items!  

Foremost though, we have a new Cricut cartridge!  It is called Artiste, and it is an amazing collection of images.  

Like the Art Philosophy cartridge, it is offered as a collection, complete with three co-ordinating stamp sets as well as chip board shapes.  Have a look through the idea book here. It is loaded with a ton of creative inspiration!

Also featured in the catalogue are 8 brand new paper packs, new Workshop-on-the-Go kits (some specifically for card-making and some specifically for scrapbooking), 6 new colors (our color palette has changed from 60 to 40), over 50 new accessories (including burlap ribbon, new wood shapes, glitter gel, chalkboard shapes, journal spots, etc.), new my creations albums and project kids, as well as workshop kits for home decor projects.  Incredible!

Last Chance to Get FREE Dotty for You Paper!

Spring has Sprung!  As a result, I have been spending a lot more time outside doing yardwork and gardening.  While I absolutely love it, my blog posts have taken a bit of a hit!  I plan on getting back on top of things as soon as possible, but in the meantime I wanted to remind you that our Dotty for You promotion is ending on May 31!  If you haven't taken advantage of it yet, don't let it pass you by!  This paper pack is amazing and so versatile, and for only $5 you get 24, yes 24, double-sided sheets of cardstock!  It is a fantastic deal, and you only have a couple of days to get it!  I also love it that you only need a $35 purchase to take advantage of the offer!  See the promo details below!!

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 Dotty for You!

Grab a Dotty for You paper packet at an incredible discount or even FREE!

 

Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month in May by mixing and matching to your heart’s content with our new Dotty for You paper packet! The trendy patterns on the front of the papers coordinate perfectly with the dots on the reverse side, giving you lots of options for crafting colorful layouts, cards, and other projects. Dotty for You includes 24 specially designed, coordinating B&T Duos^® sheets (2 each of 12 patterns) and an artwork idea insert to get your creative juices flowing.
There are three ways to get this exclusive Dotty for You paper packet, valued at $19.95:

• Place an order of $35 or more in products from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31, and add the Dotty for You paper packet for just $5*.
• Host a Gathering with a sales total of $400 or more (excluding tax, shipping/handling, and Operation Smile^® donations) between April 17 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.
• Join Close To My Heart as a new Consultant between April 1 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.

Mother's Day Card using Art Philosophy Cartridge and Florentine Paper

Yes, I know it's a little late but I wanted to share this quick and easy card I made for my Mom on Mother's Day.  I spent the weekend scrapbooking with my sweet friend Nancy, and I couldn't help but set a little time aside to making this card.  My Mom is a gardener, so flowers were definitely "in the mix", not to mention the Florentine Paper!  I actually purchased a gift and card with my siblings, so it wasn't necessary for me to even give her a homemade card, so I kept it very simple. 

I cut the card base using the Art Philosophy cartridge.  It is 4" x 4".

Inside Shot

Supplies (all are CTMH unless otherwise noted)

Paper:  Florentine Paper Packet which includes Colonial White Cardstock
Embellishments: Just Blooms Paradise Paper Flowers (Z1710), Filigree Charms (Z1269), Bohemian Assortment (Z1687), Opaques Pearl Gems (Z1336).
Stamps: Trinity Alphabet (E1021), Mad About You (Dec. SOTM)
Ink:  Creme Brulee, Desert Sand

Friendship Card using Footloose Paper and May Stamp of the Month

I was determined to make a friendship card using the new May Stamp of the Month - Friendship Bouquet.  This set can be purchased this month ONLY for $5 with any $50 order, or for $17.95.  Please pardon my fingers and the shadows in the photo.  I really wanted an outdoor shot, but the wind was NOT co-operating!  Supplies and exact dimensions can be found at the bottom of this post.

I generally add color to stamped images by using a watercolor pen or blender pen with chalks or ink pads.  When you do that, you have to make sure you stamp your initial image with something that is not going to smear when you add your color.  Usually, I use  my Staz On ink pad, but I didn't have mine handy.  I opted to stamp with Versamark and then emboss with black embossing powder.  I actually prefer this method when adding color, as the embossed image then has a slight border.  When I was a kid, I disliked coloring a picture and "going out of the lines", and this definitely helps prevent that.

To do my coloring on the sunflower image, I just pushed the lid of my stamp pad against the stamp pad.

  Then, I used my blender pen to pick up the ink off the lid and color in my image.  I don't use copic markers, so this is my way of adding color to an image.  I enjoy using this technique as it is very forgiving, and you end up with a "watercolor" like image.

 

 When choosing my paper, I thought I would grab the Florentine collection, but after looking through  my "stash",  I decided that using any floral paper with this image would take away from the sunflower.  I decided on the Footloose paper!  I love the yellow B&T paper in that pack-- it is casually elegant.  I kept the layout super simple, and I am happy with the result.  Don't forget to distress the edges of each section with a sponge and some ink.  It disguises the seem between each paper piece quite nicely.

Paper Dimensions:

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

Yellow B&T paper: 4-1/4" x 1-1/2"

Sweet Leaf (green) paper:  1-1/2" x 4"

Speckled B&T paper:  2-3/4" x 4"

Colonial White (for image): 2-1/2" x 3"

Supplies (all are CTMH unless otherwise noted)

Paper:  Footloose Paper Packet (X7151B)
Embellishments:  Pearl Opaques (Z1333), Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon (Z1732)
Stamps: May Stamp of the Month - Friendship Bouquet (S1205A)
Ink:  Olive, Desert Sand
Embossing:  Versamark, Black Embossing Powder, Craft Heater

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May Stamp of the Month

This set is gorgeous and can be easily used for both cards and scrapbook pages.

 You can purchase it for $17.95, or only $5 with any $50 order!

You may ALSO take advantage of the Dotty for Your Promotion!

Dotty for You!

Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month in May by mixing and matching to your heart’s content with our new Dotty for You paper packet! The trendy patterns on the front of the papers coordinate perfectly with the dots on the reverse side, giving you lots of options for crafting colorful layouts, cards, and other projects. Dotty for You includes 24 specially designed, coordinating B&T Duos^® sheets (2 each of 12 patterns) and an artwork idea insert to get your creative juices flowing.
There are three ways to get this exclusive Dotty for You paper packet, valued at $19.95:

• Place an order of $35 or more in products from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31, and add the Dotty for You paper packet for just $5*.
• Host a Gathering with a sales total of $400 or more (excluding tax, shipping/handling, and Operation Smile^® donations) between April 17 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.
• Join Close To My Heart as a new Consultant between April 1 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.

 

Florentine Birthday Card

I think the CTMH Floretine paper pack is absolutely beautiful - so delicate and pretty!  This card came together very quickly as I had my sewing machine sitting nearby! I chose my two favorite papers and made the four strips, glued them together and then stitched around the perimeter.  I then added some stitching between each piece so the seam wasn't so obvious.  I used the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to cut sentiment frames, flourishes and flowers.  I also added a Paradise Paper Flower (Z1710) and some Pearl Opaque gems (Z1336).  I popped some parts up using 3D foam tape to add some dimension.  The sentiment is from a set that comes in the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection.  Voila!  I will also be entering this card in one of the H2H Challenges.

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May Stamp of the Month

This set is gorgeous and can be easily used for both cards and scrapbook pages.

 You can purchase it for $17.95, or only $5 with any $50 order!

You may ALSO take advantage of the Dotty for Your Promotion!

Dotty for You!

Grab a Dotty for You paper packet at an incredible discount or even FREE!

Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month in May by mixing and matching to your heart’s content with our new Dotty for You paper packet! The trendy patterns on the front of the papers coordinate perfectly with the dots on the reverse side, giving you lots of options for crafting colorful layouts, cards, and other projects. Dotty for You includes 24 specially designed, coordinating B&T Duos^® sheets (2 each of 12 patterns) and an artwork idea insert to get your creative juices flowing.
There are three ways to get this exclusive Dotty for You paper packet, valued at $19.95:

• Place an order of $35 or more in products from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31, and add the Dotty for You paper packet for just $5*.
• Host a Gathering with a sales total of $400 or more (excluding tax, shipping/handling, and Operation Smile^® donations) between April 17 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.
• Join Close To My Heart as a new Consultant between April 1 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.

3 x 3 Card Box Using CTMH Florentine Paper

I really wanted to make a cute and delicate box of cards using the new Florentine Paper from CTMH.  I picked up this little 3"x3" box at Walmart for only a couple of dollars, but it's amazing how adding the right paper and some embellishments can turn it into something beautiful!  I will be using this project as a doorprize, so when I made the cards, I was sure to provide for a variety of occasions and to keep the design quite simple.  I used the Art Philosophy cartridge to cut out the papers flowers, flourishes and sentiment piece.  A list of supplies can be found below.

The flourishes (green) were cut using the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge (Pg. 60, <Font Layer><Tag4> at 1" and 3/4") as well as the sentiment tag (Pg. 53, <Square4> at 2".

These flowers were cut using the Art Philosophy Cartridge (Pg 50, <Flower8> at 1.25" and 1.5").

I included this picture to again stress the importance of distressing your paper edges with ink.

I kept the card layout very simple, but wanted to include sentiments for a variety of occasions.

Have fun creating something beautiful this week!  And I also must mention that I will be entering my first H2H challenge with this project.  Wish me luck!!

Supplies (all are CTMH unless otherwise noted)

Paper:  Garden Green, Florentine Paper Pack (X7153B)
Embellishments:  Pearl Opaques (Z1336), Bohemian Assortment (Z1687)
Paradise Paper Flowers (Z1710), Lace Ribbon (Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Remarkable Wreath (C1473), Wonderful You (W332)
Ink:  Creme Brulee, Garden Green, Sunset
Cartridges:  CTMH Art Philosophy

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April Stamp of the Month

This month features the stamp set You Are . .  (set of 15).  It's retail value if $17.95, but with a $50 purchase, you are able to purchase it for only $5!  This is a fantastic stamp set that works well for both card making and scapbooking!

Dotty for You!

This month also marks the beginning of our Dotty for You Promotion!

Snatch a Dotty for You paper packet at an incredible discount or even FREE!

Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month in May by mixing and matching to your heart’s content with our new Dotty for You paper packet! The trendy patterns on the front of the papers coordinate perfectly with the dots on the reverse side, giving you lots of options for crafting colorful layouts, cards, and other projects. Dotty for You includes 24 specially designed, coordinating B&T Duos^® sheets (2 each of 12 patterns) and an artwork idea insert to get your creative juices flowing.
There are three ways to get this exclusive Dotty for You paper packet, valued at $19.95:

• Place an order of $35 or more in products from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31, and add the Dotty for You paper packet for just $5*.
• Host a Gathering with a sales total of $400 or more (excluding tax, shipping/handling, and Operation Smile^® donations) between April 17 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.
• Join Close To My Heart as a new Consultant between April 1 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.