Happy National Stamping Month!

Yes, it's true, Stamping has its own celebration month, which means we need to stamp more. So forget those dishes or the laundry and stamp to your heart's content.

Close To My Heart has a special stamp set to celebrate the month as well. The very versatile It's Your Day stamp set is actually a double set (2 carrier sheets) full of lots of stamps! The best part of all? It can be yours  for just $5! Just spend $35 in the month of September and you're eligible for this collectible stamp set for a small $5. More information: Stamp Month Set

Short on time but you want to stamp anyway? Try the Cardmaking Kit, Avonlea. In just under an hour I created 3 beautiful cards from the kit with plenty of paper and doodads left over to create more. Pair the kit with the versatile Make It from Your Heart how-to pattern book for just $7.95. It's the fast, easy, creative way to create a beautiful card for your special someone. Enjoy!

Cricut Creations

I confess -- I started playing with the Artiste new CTMH Cricut cartridge yesterday and I couldn't stop. That cartridge is the coolest thing ever!

I made this adorable little paper purse using the Avonlea paper. I even cut out the word "Love" using the Cricut. It would make an adorable party favor or perhaps a gift holder for a gift certificate or even money. :-)

 This next 3D box reminds me of the little boxes you get when you order something from a bakery. The second picture shows it unfolded and the first picture shows what it looks like all tucked in.

I cut a square piece of White Daisy cardstock and used it for a card. No need for an envelope for this card. Wouldn't it be fun to slip some chocolate in with the card? Very fun!

 This cool looking box was on the cartridge as well. I love how the two sided decorative paper looks like I paper layered. And the little handle is so adorable,  I think the handle could be used as a decorative strip on a card. Fill this puppy with some candy and you'd make someone's day.

This isn't a 3D object but it was a fun, not your ordinary card. The 1" strip of patterned paper slips off, revealing the card tucked into the interesting envelope.

The inside holds this fun card that would be perfect for any occasion. I'm enjoying life, that's for sure! Loving all the new papers in the new catalog, but best of all, I'm loving the new Cricut cartridge, Artiste. What an amazing piece of technology!

Playing with a Cricut

I've been quite busy creating little 3D projects with the new Cricut cartridge, Artiste. I also made some adorable cards. I made the cutest tiny scrapbook, a box to hold candy for your special someone, and some fun cards. And just to clarify, a Cricut is a diecut machine and it never says "chirp, chirp." :-)

The Artiste collection includes the cartridge, 3 chipboard sheets, and 3 stamp sets. The chipboard pieces can be covered by simply cutting the shape out with your Cricut and then using the stamp set to stamp on top of the covered shape. Sweet! No cutting of shapes. Wahoo!

Here are some of the things I've made with the Cricut:

This adorable purse holds 4 pages to scrapbook your fun memories.

 

This album was a chipboard album that I covered with the new Avolena papers. To make life simplier, I used the Cricut to cut the pages out and presto . . . more time to add doodads!

This fun card is special . . . pull the card out of the top. The pink section is a holder for the card. The little dress has a sparkle belt. Very fun.

This is one of my favorite cards. The white background pieces are cut using the Cricut Artiste cartridge. Couldn't be any easier!

I hope you find time to stamp and scrapbook today. And remember a Cricut is a diecut machine, not a bug.

Live out loud!

Whew! Convention was fun but it's good to be home and in my Stamp Studio again. All these new things I received at convention are awaiting my stamping table time! I actually won two of the new Workshops on the Go Kits in one of the classes and I can't wait to finish the projects. Wahoo me!

I also want to let everyone know about a few specials this month. Place an online shopping order of $75 or more during July and receive a paper packet and coordinating embellishment FREE—it’s a Perfect Pair! Which specific paper packet and embellishment customers receive is based on the date they place their order. While supplies last. Discounted products do not count toward a qualifying purchase. My shopping page: Elaine's CTMH Page
 
We have a really great, versatile set for the stamp of the month. Click here Live Out Loud Flyer  to see the flyer with a picture of the stamp set. I love that it's called "Live Out Loud." That is my mantra for July!

One more special for next month to think about (I know, so many I have to share!) is the FREE Convention bag. When a new Consultant joins Close To My Heart in August they will receive an exclusive Damask Tote Bag for FREE (retail value $50)! This offer has limited availability, so I encourage anyone who is thinking about joining us to act quickly to ensure they snatch this darling tote bag. This offer is good for both the $49 and $99 New Consultant Kits (while supplies last). Yes, this is the same cute bag we received at Convention

Dates: Offer valid August 1, 2012 (9:00 am MDT) – August 31, 2012 (11:59 pm MDT)

Stay tuned to my emails for upcoming workshops, open house, and Stamp and Chats. I'm back at my business and looking for victims, er, I mean friends to play with. LOL

Scrapbooking in the Studio . . . Studio J, that is!

It's been some fun scrapbooking time around here and not one sticker, stamp, accessory was used, at least, not in real life.

As easy as pushing a button, I created layouts lickity split and I'm still creating! Close To My Heart announced some amazing changes to the Studio J program and it's made scrapbooking even easier, and cheaper too!

First of all, no more memberships. Yeah! Membership gave you access to exclusive layouts, paper packs, and other perks, like free shipping, and free page protectors. All that's changed now. All the layouts and paper packs are available to EVERYONE. Yes, everyone. AND the price went down to $6.95 per layout for EVERYONE. Yes, everyone.

And that's not all. No, there's now some completed layouts where ALL the work has been done. No adding anything, or picking colors or wondering which layout to use. That's all been done by the designers at Close To My Heart. Just add your photos and presto, bingo, your layout is ready to order! How easy is that?

I challenge you to just log onto Studio J at http://studioj.com and give it a try. The cost is absolutely free to try the program and you will only be charged if you absolutely love your layout and would like to purchase it. Not into scrapbooking the traditional way and prefer the jpegs? You can do that too!



Faster. Simpler. Easier.
The Close To My Heart Way
Have fun creating!

How to . . . Adorable Candy Favor Box

Box measures 4"x3" and holds Ghirardelli chocolates!

Step 1: Cut two pieces of coordinating Cardstock or Background & Texture (decorative paper). The spotted, outer envelope is 10”x4” and the inner (not shown here) is 10 ¼” x 3”.

Step 2: Score the spotted, outer envelope as follows: 3”, 4”, 7”, 8”. Score the inner box at 1 ½”, 5”, 6 ½”, 10”, 10 ¼”.

 

Paper Scored. Inner box adhered to outer paper.

Step 3: Fold the outer envelope at the lines and set aside. Fold the inner envelope/box at the lines and glue together at the 10 ¼” to opposite 1 ½” side. Use strong, permanent adhesive. Squeeze the box front to front, leaving a soft inward fold, as shown.

Inner Box folds.

Step 4: Using permanent adhesive glue the inner box to the outer box, centering it in the middle of the outer box. The Top and Bottom of the inner box should be will be flush with the 4” outer box score line and the bottom of the outer envelope.

Inner Box view. Now add candies. :-)

Step 5: Use a Velcro closure or a tab to hold the envelope close. Decorate as desired.

Home again, home again . . . scrapity scrap

My roomie, Janelle, showing off her tiny book she made.

Ah, the sweet sound of peanuts being ripped opened and free sodas for all, as I wing through the air on my way home. I find myself reliving all the fun I’ve had the last 5 days. What a great Convention! My brain is full of all the new things in the amazing new catalog, stamping and scrapbooking projects, motivating speakers’ messages from Kristine Widtfeldt and Stacy Julian, and of course, the camaraderie of my team, friends, and my roommates.

It amazes me how fast the last 15 years have passed. My son, now almost 16, was a little 6 month old baby when I started selling D.O.T.S. and I’ve loved every minute of my journey through the levels of the company. I was called on stage Friday to collect my beautiful pin with a ribbon in the center sporting a little diamond chip.

I wear it proudly, along with my pin that denotes the fact I’ve been through the company training program and I proudly hold the prestigious title of PhD. This makes me a photo and cardstock doctor, so just call me Doctor Elaine. I can be called upon to help you preserve your memories; learn beautiful new techniques to make adorable cards, all faster, simpler and easier. 

The last event of Convention was a very fun Crop that went late into the night. There wasn’t just stamping and scrapbooking at those round tables; we had dancing to a D.J. and chit chatting with friends, both old and new. I made the two layout kits and am most pleased with my beautiful pages. Now I just have to find photos for the finished pages. If I can’t find pictures that match, never fear, I’ll just pose some. My kids are used to this. I once bought a set of scenes by the sea and we had to take a trip to Half Moon Bay to lounge in the sand so I could snap some fun sandy pictures. LOL

I didn’t get a chance to make the 6 beautiful cards last night. My brain went into over drive and I had to go sit in the hot tub to let some of the images dancing in my head have a chill session. With all these new stamps, papers, kits, doo dads, tools, and the new Cricut cartridge, I do believe I’ll be spending lots of time in my new Stamp Studio Room.

Stay tuned for new classes and a long overdue Team Gathering. (Don’t feel left out, there’s room on my team. Join so you too can be treated to a very fun Team Fun Building experience.)  Our kits now start at just $49! It’s never been easier, or as inexpensive, to join the best scrapbooking, stamping company. Just saying.

I am also actively looking for those that would like to plan a Girls Night Out or a fun evening/afternoon of stamping and scrapbooking. Just send me an email or comment below. I love to show and tell.

Thanks for reading along with my adventures of Convention. It was fun to share. Stay tuned for more sharing just as soon as this plane lands and I am home in my comfy Stamp Studio!