January Stamp of the Month - Moments in Time

Moments in Time(Set of 47) $22.95

All the years, months, and reminders you’ll need to build a collection of fond memories and highlight special dates to remember. Available January 1–31, 2009 only.

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your Stamp of the Month at a great discount or FREE!

http://www.closetomyheart.com/stamp_of_the_month_09_01_jan.aspx

National Papercrafting Month

CELEBRATE WITH CLOSE TO MY HEART!

National Papercrafting Month promises something for everyone with the exclusive Key To My Heart packet and My Acrylix stamp set, available at a savings or FREE through January 31st! Read More Here: http://www.closetomyheart.com/pdf/NPMFlyer.pdf

Kit includes: twelve 12" × 12" B&T Duos™ paper and ten 12" × 12" coordinating cardstock in the new colors of Crème Brulee, Tulip, Sorbet, and Juniper as well as a coordinating E-size Key to My Heart stamp set.

This fantastic kit can be yours by purchasing it outright for $47.90, or when you spend $75, you can purchase the kit for $20. Even better, you'll get the Key To My Heart kit FREE when you spend $130! (shipping/handling & tax apply)

You also have the opportunity to participate in a papercrafting contest. Click here to find out more: http://closetomyheart.com/papercrafting09/

NO LION!

I was inspired to make this card for my nephew's 3rd birthday from another blog, Taylored Expressions, that features weekly card sketches. Check out her site: http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/

I'm a day late to post on their blog for consideration as their featured artist next week, but that's ok - too much pressure for this girl! :)

Card Recipe: Stamps: CTMH Life's a Jungle & Say It in Style; Paper (CTMH): Spring Iris B&T (retired) & cardstock, Orange cardstock; Ink (CTMH): Spring Iris, Chocolate, Orange; ribbon; rick-rack; spiral clip; pop-dots.

Merry Christmas!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Day filled will lots of love, laugher, and memories!!!!

CHRIST IS BORN!

GLORIFY HIM!

Today we woke up to 6" more of snow. That brings the total snowfall to about 36" so far this season in the Frozen Tundra of Green Bay. Our average snowfall amounts for December is 7", so we've got a little more than usual. I am fearful of what the rest of the winter has in store, and I am SO READY to buy a snowblower! Took me 2 hours to dig out our driveway today, and the snow plow is in front of our house piling more at the end of the drive. FUN! FUN!

Here are the card sets I made for my sisters-in-law, using a 10-from-1 sketch developed from a fellow Close To My Heart consultant.

The first set is blank inside for them to use however they wish by writing their sentiments inside. (I'm still getting used to my new camera, so forgive me for the bad pictures.)

I also wanted to give them some masculine style cards. Some have sentiments, some do not:

For this set I made most of them into birthday cards:

All supplies are from Close To My Heart. If you have a question on product or technique, just leave a comment on the post and I will get back to you.

Christmas Project - Photo Cube

I think it's safe to post what I worked on most of the last couple of weeks since Christmas is just around the corner and I don't think my mom or my sisters-in-law will be checking my blog.

In October our family went to Savannah, Georgia with my parents. So for Christmas I made a photo cube for my mom, with a mini-album inside to remember the trip.

Here's the outside of the cube:

The mini-album (2"x3")inside was ordered from Walgreens and I added the embelishments:

When I have time I will post the card sets I made for my sisters-in-law. After a long day of baking and candy making, I'm ready for bed!

December Stamp of the Month

You will LOVE the December Stamp of the Month, "Heart Throb!"

Awaken affectionate feelings of the heart with this collection of artful flourishes, funky designs, and terms of endearment. Love rules!

Available December 1–31, 2008 only. With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your Stamp of the Month at a great discount or FREE!

Check out the stamp of the month that will make your heart go pitter-patter!

http://www.closetomyheart.com/stamp_of_the_month.aspx

NOVEMBER DEALS!

I have not been a very faithful blogger lately, have I?

Right now, I'm in the middle of re-designing my scrapbooking space, which right now is a complete disaster area!!! So that's what I'm blaming my lack of creating/posting entries on.... That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!! ;)

Dazzling Die-Cuts!
November Promotion

You will be seeing stars—and a lot more!—during November with our fabulous Dazzling Die-Cuts combo packs. Each pack includes a dozen 12" x 12" sheets of textured cardstock die-cuts in a variety of designs (2 each of 6 colors) as well as one 6" x 9" sheet of adhesive-backed Dimensional Elements. You can get packs in the following fabulous palettes: Spring Harmony, Summer Celebration, Autumn Harvest, Winter Cozy, Basic, and White Daisy. With six different packs to choose from, you will want to purchase all of them!

It’s super simple to participate in this exciting campaign! When you place an order of $50 or more, you can purchase up to six Dazzling Die-Cuts packs for the incredible price of only $6 each (limit of one of each pack per order). Each combo pack includes darling die-cuts in stars, hearts, flowers, alphabet letters, and more.

For more information, click here: http://www.closetomyheart.com/pdf/Nov2008CCFlyer.pdf

November Stamp of the Month
"All Decked Out"

This jaunty winter snowman sports a busy sense of fashion—hats, scarves, muffs, and more! Mix and match for true winter haute couture. Available November 1–30, 2008 only.

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your Stamp of the Month at a great discount or FREE! Click here for more information: http://www.closetomyheart.com/stamp_of_the_month.aspx

NEW CTMH TV Post!
"Crazy for Cards"

When you make a card, you make someone’s day—and there’s nothing like creating 20 beautiful, unique cards in an afternoon! This episode shows you how to cut paper, mix and match cardstock, stamp up a storm, and add colorful accessories, all for about 60 cents per card. It’s a great solo or family activity—and think of how many days (including your own) you’ll brighten!

Check it out! http://www.closetomyheart.com/ctmhtv/channels.aspx

CTMH TV - Exclusive Product Collection

I forgot to mention in my last post that when you view the CTMH TV episode, “Words to the Wise: Journaling Inspiration,” you will have the opportunity to purchase a collection of items, as seen in the episode, at a 20% savings to make the featured two-page 12” x 12” layout with journaling highlights. Items in the collection include the My Acrylix® Building Block Alphabet (E1009), Sarsaparilla paper packet (X7098B), Bitty Brads (Z1051), and Piercing Tool (Z1114). The episode shares great journaling ideas that you can use on every page you create. From tailor-made titles to handwriting helps to fabulous fonts, you’ll learn how to record your unique story in ways that will bring your artwork to life. Happy viewing!

http://www.closetomyheart.com/ctmhtv/channels.aspx

October Stamp of the Month

Better late than never, right?!

To see the October Stamp of the Month, "Annotations," click this link:

http://www.closetomyheart.com/stamp_of_the_month.aspx

Elegant frames for any occasion combine with just the right words and sentiments to make this set a year-round stamping staple. Available October 1–31, 2008 only. With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your Stamp of the Month at a great discount or FREE!

There's also a new post on CTMH TV: "Words to the Wise: Journaling Inspiration." This tutorial shows a really nifty film-strip journaling space that pulls out from your layout, along with other journaling tips and tricks. Very Cool! Check it out here: http://www.closetomyheart.com/ctmhtv/channels.aspx

To view our current catalog on-line: http://www.closetomyheart.com/Ideabooks/Fall08US.aspx

As always, if you have any questions about stamping, scrapbooking, or Close To My Heart product, let me know either by e-mail or by posting a comment on any entry on this blog.

Some Cards...

CELEBRATE NATIONAL STAMPING MONTH WITH CLOSE TO MY HEART!

Get the fabulous NEW My Acrylics Friendship Alphabet Large & Small stamp sets for FREE or a great discount during our month long celeration of stamping!

The Large Friendship Alphabet stamp set retails for $34.95 and the Small set retails for $18.95. Both can be received FREE with a Close To My Heart purchase of $125 or more, or can be purchased for and additional $15 with a $75 purchase!

This offer is only valid through September 30th. To see the latest and greatest Close To My Heart product line, visit our website at www.closetomyheart.com and click on "Product" on the left-hand side.

Call or e-mail me if you are interested in placing an order and to take advantage of this TERIFIC offer during National Stamping Month!

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And don't forget to check out our Stamp of the Month "Treasure Life", with 13 expressions of love and delicate floral designs perfect for scrapbooking and cardmaking! This exclusive set is only available through September 30th.
http://www.closetomyheart.com/stamp_of_the_month.aspx

September Scrap & Craft Day

Hello All!

WHERE DID THE TIME GO?!?! I can't believe fall is already here! I hope you had a great summer full of fun and lots of memories!

NOW IT'S TIME TO GET THOSE MEMORIES INTO YOUR SCRAPBOOK! :)

Kim & I are planning a scrapbooking/crafting get-together for SATURDAY, 09/20/08 and would LOVE to see you there! This is NOT limited to just scrapbooking! If you have other projects you would like to work on, please bring them! Bring your friends as well!

This time around we are offering a card workshop as well! Cards will be featuring Close To My Heart's "Perfect Day" papers and EXCLUSIVE stamp set "Just Because!" This stamp set is not available for purchase at this time so this is a perfect opportunity for you to make beautiful, UNIQUE greeting cards for your family and friends! Just bring your adhesive - everything else will be provided to make 4 fun, fast, and fabulous cards!


If you would like to make the cards but cannot come to the Craft Day, let me know and we can set up an evening to make the cards together!

Whether you come to make cards, to catch up on some scrapbooking, or work on any other project, it will be a great time to play, to talk, and just have FUN!

Details:

WHEN: Saturday, 09/20/08 9AM - 4PM - Come when you can, stay as long as you want!

WHERE: St Matthew Orthodox Church - basement
1226 Redwood Dr, Green Bay (http://www.smocgb.com/id5.html)

COST: Card Workshop is $5 for 4 "Just Because" Cards ***This is optional*** Otherwise it is FREE to come Scrap & Chat! GREAT DEALS ALL AROUND!!!! :D

BRING: Your project supplies - adhesive, paper, scissors, stickers, pictures, knitting stuff, embroidery/needlework, etc.

Also, to keep cost low (FREE!) please bring your own sack lunch.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give me or Kim a call!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

Lori Ellis
Home: 491-1107
Cell: 660-7480

Kim Christenson
Cell: 660-7712

P.S. Feel free to forward this to anyone you feel might be interested - the more the merrier! : )

COME TO OUR SCRAP & CRAFT DAY AND PREVIEW A 2-PAGE "PERFECT DAY" SCRAPBOOKING WORKSHOP COMING IN OCTOBER!

Cards for Dad's Birthday

Yesterday I realized that both my dad's birthday AND my father-in-laws birthday are coming up quite quickly...like within the next week! So I needed to get busy making a couple cards. I decided this year to make the same, but slightly different cards for both...mainly because I am running out of time for getting my dad's card in the mail! This is what I found to "lift" from an old ideas file. On the left side of each card, I swiped Bamboo (CTMH) and Chocolate (CTMH) ink pads to "skuff" it up. You would never guess that I DID NOT use red on the card on the right! That was an accident, but just goes to show that even when you do something you didn't expect (whoops! I goofed!), it all works out! I think what happened is that on the left card I swiped the light color first, and for the card on the right I swiped the light color last and it picked up the Chocolate, mixing the colors to tint it red. So I just used a scrap of Barn Red (CTMH) for the center accent! Perfect! If I had said nothing, you would have never known it was all quite by accident! :)

This card will go to my father-in-law since he used to be in the Navy.

And this one will go to my dad...for no particular reason!

I've been working on scrapbook pages from a recent trip to a women's monastery in Michigan. I'm almost done so I will wait to post them all at the same time.

NEW CATALOG AVAILABLE ON SEPTEMBER 1ST

Be the first to view the Close To My Heart Catalog, available on September 1st, by clicking on the link to our website: www.closetomyheart.com - then click on "Product" on the left.

We have lots of new and exciting products available this fall! Beautiful new colors, page and paper kits, and even a new storage tower for our stamp pads and pens!

Check it out!

CTMH AUGUST STAMP OF THE MONTH
"Today's Date"
http://www.closetomyheart.com/stamp_of_the_month.aspx

Whether an everyday event or a special occasion, our perpetual calendar stamps will help you mark the date with style. Available August 1–31, 2008 only. With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your Stamp of the Month at a great discount or FREE! Click here to find out how!

New Videos on CTMH TV

Close To My Heart has added two more titles to our growing list of video segments on the CTMH TV site. They are from the PBS series Scrapbook Memories and are titled “White Core Cardstock” and “Altering Chipboard.” Each segment runs about four and a half minutes. To see these fun videos, visit www.closetomyheart.com and click on “CTMH TV.”

NEW Catalog Coming Soon!

The Fall/Winter 2008 catalog will be coming out in September with lots of great new product! Watch here for more updates!

Tonight I got a few cards finished up, and this one I made earlier in the week. Thanks again to another Close To My Heart consultant, who inspired this card. This is a good one to make a bunch of at once to have on hand when you need something quick. The sentiment in the corner can be left off and added for whatever occasion needed. I like the mono-chromatic look with black, then using a touch of color to pop it. The blue flower is popped up with pop dots to add some depth.

Supplies: Stamps: Simple Blossoms & Say It In Style (Close To My Heart); Ink: Black & Crystal Blue (Close To My Heart); Bigger Brad (Close To My Heart); ribbon.

I have 4 friends with birthdays in August, so I figured I would get them all done at once! Can't really tell from the picture, but the flower square is popped.

Supplies: Posies stamp: ? ($1 from somewhere...); Background stamp: "Wild Daisy Rd" (Heidi Grace); Word stamp: Love in Bloom (Close To My Heart); Cardstock: Amethyst & Hydrenga (Close To My Heart); Ink: Amethyst & Black (Close To My Heart); Itty Bitty Brad (Close To My Heart); ribbon; pop dots; markers.

I got this idea from a fellow Close To My Heart consultant! It's perfect for my brother-in-law, whose birthday is coming up in the next couple weeks. I liked the idea of using the brads along the bottom to give it that "heavy metal" look, and the stamp can be changed to fit the interest of any man in your life.

I have a few more occasions coming up that will require cards, so keep watching the board for more posts!

JULY STAMP OF THE MONTH


D1285 Life's a Jungle(Set of 14) $22.95

A trip to the zoo or a good sense of humor will have you reaching for this perfectly playful set of animals and phrases over and over. Available July 1-31, 2008 only.Blocks: 2" × 2" (Y1003), 2½" × 2½" (Y1004), 2" × 3½" (Y1009)

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your Stamp of the Month at a great discount or FREE!

With $25 purchase, set is $17.21 (25% off)
With $50 purchase, set is $11.48 (50% off)
With $75 purchase, set is $5.74 (75% off)
With $100 purchase, set is FREE!!!

A PRODUCTIVE WEEKEND

This has been a particularly productive weekend!

We had our Scrap/Craft Day on Saturday. I worked on a project for the cellular division of my employer. A few of us employees were asked to take pictures with one of their top-end camera phones (Motorola Rokr) and use the photos to make scrapbooking layouts.

My first photography attempt didn't turn out so good. Most of my pictures were taken inside, and probably with the wrong settings. So another friend at work offered her pictures for me to pick from. This is what I came up with:

I'm VERY happy with how it turned out!

I was able to use the camera/phone this weekend, too. So I took my poochies outside for a photo shoot. I don't think I've ever completed a 2-page layout, all the way from taking the pictures to completing the layout, in one day! Like I said, it was a very productive weekend!

Here's what I did today:

The journeling says "Casey is definitely Brianna's dog. Whenever Bri is gone, she watches...and waits...until they are together again."

Supplies: Close To My Heart: Caprice (floral), Sunflower, Heavenly Blue, Colonial White cardstock; Colonial White Bigger Brad; Photo Hangers; Rustic Alphabet stamp; Heavenly Blue and Sunflower markers; Chocolate & Bamboo ink; charm; Cherish "Rise & Shine" layout plan. Bohemia: twill ribbon. Sandpaper.

I LOVE Cherish! I would be lost without it!

http://www.closetomyheart.com/Ideabooks/Summer08US.aspx - page 11.

Well worth the investment!