Simply Inspired Close To My Heart New Product Showcase Blog Hop

Welcome to another Simply Inspired Blog Hop!

I get so excited about these Simply Inspired blog hops and am so honored to be included in such a talented group of artists!  I'm sure this hop will not disappoint! 

If you have come here from the beautiful and brilliant Beckie Lehman's blog  you are on the right path. This blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around. If you get lost along the way, you'll find the complete list of participating consultants here.

This hop we are featuring brand new Close To My Heart products that will make their debut with the new Idea Book on August 1.  I'll talk about the new products I used on my projects as well as giving you their names and order numbers so that on August 1 you can refer back to this post and easily order the products you love from my website.


One of the fun new products that Close To My Heart is coming out with is a darling kraft colored (with a fun pattern) cupcake box.  It's perfect for cupcakes, or even cookies, or whatever your creative mind can come up with, when wanting to package them up really cute as a gift.  Along with the embellished cupcake box, I created a matching card.

Fall Cupcake Box

Fabulous Fall 5" x 5" card

Card Detail

Products I used that are debuting on my website on August 1:

• Pathfinding Paper Packet (X7186B)
• Glacier Cardstock  (X5770)
• Shin Han Alcohol Markers (Golden Yellow - Y222 {Z2453}, Marigold - YR24 {Z2457}, Carmine - R11 {Z2448}, Clay - BR2451 {Z2451})
• Slate Diagonal Striped Ribbon (Z1989)
• Designer Creations Cupcake Box (Z2049)

Products I used that are current and orderable now (with links to them on my site):

• Metallics Markers
• Kraft Cardstock
• Cocoa Cardstock
• Colonial White Cardstock
• Fall Harvest Stamp Set 
• Cocoa Pigment Ink

Wondering how to get this awesome shaded look with the new Shin Han alcohol markers?  Never fear...I've created a little tutorial for you on how I did the maple leaf.

I hope you enjoyed my projects. Be sure to stop by Friday for the new Idea Book debut!

Now hop on over to the lovely Lynn Como's blog to see her work!  Be sure to visit all of the Close To My Heart Consultants in the hop to get some great crafting ideas.  There are 18 of us hoppin' this time and you won't want to miss a single project.

Three Little Tidbits

Three little tidbits today:
1.  July Stamp of the Month
2.  Last Day to Order Skylark Play Group Scrappin' Class Kits 
3.  Updated Retiring List
------------

1.  The July Stamp of the Month is almost gone...in fact, after 11:59 pm (MT) on July 31, it's gone for good.  It's only $5 ($17.95 value), with a $50 order (before shipping and tax). Head on over to my website to order today.  You'll be prompted to add your Stamp of the Month before you check out.  I stamped the journaling you see on this layout (which also happens to be one of the layouts we are making in my August Play Group Scrappin' Classes) with the Circus Alphabet (July Stamp of the Month).  See information in #2 today for details on how you can make this layout and 2 more with my kit.

2.  Last Day to Order Skylark Play Group Scrappin' Class Kits:  If you remember, earlier this month I posted the three 2-page layouts that we will be making in my August Play Group Scrappin' Classes.  You can order them to participate in person or long-distance. TOMORROW, Wed, July 30 is the LAST DAY to order this kit.  To see the layouts and get the ordering information, click here.You can also call or email me with questions (pedermom@aol.com, 801.360.9896)

3.  Updated Retiring List:  All of the items on this list retire at 11:59 (MT) pm on July 31, or while supplies last (whichever comes first). I've updated the list.  Items that are sold out are red with a line through them. All other items are linked to my website. Happy shopping!

Accessories:
Z1789 Chalkboard 12" x 12" Sheet, Adhesive Backed
Z1832 Spinner
Z1843 Irresistibles Frames
Z1844  Color-Ready Trinkets, Wooden Shapes
Z1858  Irresistibles Hexagons
Z1863 Color-Ready Midtown Cork Shapes
Z1039 Create-a-Shade Pearl Paint
Z1825 Keyboard Kraft Alphabet
Z1961 Marqee Enamel Shapes - White
Z1891 Base & Bling Teal Jewels
Z1892 Base & Bling Black Jewels
Z1893 Base & Bling Red Jewels
Z1894 Base & Bling Pink Jewels
Z18895 Base & Bling Purple Jewels
Z1837 Mini-Medley Accents Wood Collection
Z1702 Baker's Twine Paradise Assortment
Z1751  Harvest Baker's Twine
Z1760 Burlap Ribbon
Z1808 Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon
Z1817 Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape
Z1867 Jute Ribbon
Z1917 Lagoon Zipper Lace
Z1930 Chocolate Woodgrain Washi Tape
Z1911 Designed Decor Frame Kit
Z1874 Base & Bling Necklace
Z1875 Base & Bling Cuff
Z1876 Base & Bling Hair Clips
Z1877 Base & Bling Rings
Z1878 Base & Bling Headband
Z1195 My Creations Memory Showcase 6" x 6"
Z1647 My Creations Card Box
Z1797 My Creations Bracket Frame
Z1868 My Creations Ring Box
Z1870 My Creations Kraft Pocket Album
X1404 TrueFit Folios
Z1820 For Always Textiles
Z1885 Sarita Textiles
Z1970 Skylark Textiles
Z1971 Jubilee Textiles
1514 Tombow Adhesive
1515 Tombow Adhesive Refill
Z1311 Circle Punch (1 1/4")
Z338 Euro Personal Trimmer
Z1114 Piercing Tool Kit

12" x 12" Albums:
Z1343 12" x 12" Post Bound Cranberry
Z1244 12" x 12" Post Bound Hollyhock
Z1345 12" x 12" Post Bound Black
Z1348 Work In Progress Album  Chocolate

My Reflections Papers, Complements and Workshops:
Z3002 Ariana Assortment
X7179C Ariana Dimensional Elements
G1074  Ariana Workshop on the Go
X7179B Ariana Paper Packet
Z1869 Babycakes Assortment
X7173C Babycakes Complements MyStickease
X7173B Babycakes Paper Packet
Z3003 Balloon Ride Assortment
X7180C Balloon Ride Dimensional Elements
G1075 Ballon Ride Workshop on the Go
X7180B Balloon Ride Paper Packet
Z3001 Ivy Lane Assortment
G1073 Ivy Lane Workshop on the Go
X7178C Ivy Lane Complements MyStickease
X7178B  Ivy Lane Paper Packet
G1079  Ivy Lane Workshop on the Go
Z3004 Jubilee Assortment
X7181C Jubilee Dimensional Elements
G1076 Jubilee Workshop on the Go
X7181B Jubilee Paper Packet
Z1854 Laughing Lola Assortment
X7170C Laughing Lola Dimensional Elements
X7170B Laughing Lola Paper Packet
Z3006 Lollydoodle Assortment
X7183B Lollydoodle Paper Packet
X7183C Lollydoodle Complements
G1078 Lollydoodle Workshop on the Go
G1080 Lollydoodle Cardmaking Workshop on the Go
Z1879 ProPlayer Assortment
X7172B ProPlayer Paper Packet
X7172C ProPlayer MyStickease
Z1873 Sarita Assortment
X7171C Sarita MyStickease
X7171B Sarita Paper Packet
Z3000 Skylark Assortment
X7177C Skylark Dimensional Elements
G1072 Skylark Workshop on the Go
X7177B Skylark Paper Packet
Z3005 Timberline Assortment
G1077 Timberline Workshop on the Go
X7182C Timberline MyStickease
X7182B Timberline Paper Packet

Exclusive Colors:  Cardstock, Stamp Pads, Re-Inkers, Markers
Twilight
Blush
Buttercup
Creme Brulee
Sky

Exclusive Colors Markers:
ALL Current Alcohol Markers are being retired
Z2500 Whimsy Mini Pigment Set
Z4133 Marker Tower
X5936 Whimsy Cardstock Combo
Z1801 Alcohol Blending Marker

Stamp Sets:
A1130  Quick Cards - Bountiful Season
A1143 Teddy Bear Birthday
A1144 Birthday Cheer
A1145 Flowering Thanks
A1158 Doodle Signs
A1160 This Is Good
B1407 School is Here
B1411 Greek Alphabet
B1425 Stitched with Love
B1426 Pick a Posy
B1446 Some Bunny
B1447 A Mother's Love
B1448 My Hero
B1451  Enjoy the Little Things
C1473 Remarkable Wreath
C1510 Merry & Bright
C1524 Words of Comfort
C1555 Count Your Blessings
C1563 Cityscape
D1483 Glory To God
D1514 Just a Number
D1551 Swirls Around
D1557 Candyland
D1564 Maximum Power
D1583 Unicorn Dreams

A Different Kind of Art

Am I here to share art today? Yep, for sure!  Maybe not the kind of art you are used to from me, but art just the same. God's art!  This is our little Sage Siva who turns 1 on August 1.  These are a few shots from her 1 year photo shoot.  Isn't she beautiful? I love being a grandma!

Flower Child Sage

It's My Party And I'll Cry If I Want To!

Just Enjoying A Bit Of Sunshine

Love and Hugs Card with CAS

There is a sketch site called CAS...which has some fun card sketches.  CAS stands for "Clean and Simple"...which, if you know me, know is something that is difficult for me to do...but something I really WANT to learn.  I decided to play along.  This card may not look simple, but it WAS! I only stamped one thing (the sentiment) and the rest is just paper, matching complements, and a small bit of embellishing. This card took all of 10 minutes. Keep reading to find out what I used. Almost everything I used is retiring on July 31 (or while supplies last...whichever comes first) and you can get them on my website.  You can see the complete retiring list in yesterday's post.

Here is the sketch:

The products I used on this card that are retiring on July 31 are (see photos and links for all the products I used at the very bottom of this post):

• Laughing Lola Paper Packet
• Laughing Lola Dimensional Elements
• Laughing Lola Assortment
• Words of Comfort Stamp Set

Tips from this card:

1. I sponged the edge of everything with a sponge and my black stamp pad to make things really pop.
2. I used 3D Foam Tape on the smaller flower to make it pop and add dimension to the card.
3. Combining patterns adds lots of visual interest without a lot of work.

5 1/2" X 4 1/4" White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack	Black Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad	Words Of Comfort	Laughing Lola Paper Packet
Laughing Lola Complements Dimensional Elements	Laughing Lola Assortment	Mini-Medley Accents Black Collection	Round Sponge
3-D Foam Tape

InLinkz.com

Updated Retiring List

As you know, many wonderful Close To My Heart products are retiring on July 31...less than a week away.  Some of the products on the list are already out of stock. In fact, since I posted the retiring list on July 16, MANY more have sold out. I suggest if there is anything on this list that you are interested in you head right on over to my website and order it pronto...before it's too late!  As I said, they will all be gone on July 31, or while supplies last...whichever comes first.


All of the retiring products are below (with links to my site so you can see what they are).  All sold out products are red with a line through them.

Happy shopping!

Accessories:
Z1789 Chalkboard 12" x 12" Sheet, Adhesive Backed
Z1832 Spinner
Z1843 Irresistibles Frames
Z1844  Color-Ready Trinkets, Wooden Shapes
Z1858  Irresistibles Hexagons
Z1863 Color-Ready Midtown Cork Shapes
Z1039 Create-a-Shade Pearl Paint
Z1825 Keyboard Kraft Alphabet
Z1961 Marqee Enamel Shapes - White
Z1891 Base & Bling Teal Jewels
Z1892 Base & Bling Black Jewels
Z1893 Base & Bling Red Jewels
Z1894 Base & Bling Pink Jewels
Z18895 Base & Bling Purple Jewels
Z1837 Mini-Medley Accents Wood Collection
Z1702 Baker's Twine Paradise Assortment
Z1751  Harvest Baker's Twine
Z1760 Burlap Ribbon
Z1808 Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon
Z1817 Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape
Z1867 Jute Ribbon
Z1917 Lagoon Zipper Lace
Z1930 Chocolate Woodgrain Washi Tape
Z1911 Designed Decor Frame Kit
Z1874 Base & Bling Necklace
Z1875 Base & Bling Cuff
Z1876 Base & Bling Hair Clips
Z1877 Base & Bling Rings
Z1878 Base & Bling Headband
Z1195 My Creations Memory Showcase 6" x 6"
Z1647 My Creations Card Box
Z1797 My Creations Bracket Frame
Z1868 My Creations Ring Box
Z1870 My Creations Kraft Pocket Album
X1404 TrueFit Folios
Z1820 For Always Textiles
Z1885 Sarita Textiles
Z1970 Skylark Textiles
Z1971 Jubilee Textiles
1514 Tombow Adhesive
1515 Tombow Adhesive Refill
Z1311 Circle Punch (1 1/4")
Z338 Euro Personal Trimmer
Z1114 Piercing Tool Kit

12" x 12" Albums:
Z1343 12" x 12" Post Bound Cranberry
Z1244 12" x 12" Post Bound Hollyhock
Z1345 12" x 12" Post Bound Black
Z1348 Work In Progress Album  Chocolate

My Reflections Papers, Complements and Workshops:
Z3002 Ariana Assortment
X7179C Ariana Dimensional Elements
G1074  Ariana Workshop on the Go
X7179B Ariana Paper Packet
Z1869 Babycakes Assortment
X7173C Babycakes Complements MyStickease
X7173B Babycakes Paper Packet
Z3003 Balloon Ride Assortment
X7180C Balloon Ride Dimensional Elements
G1075 Ballon Ride Workshop on the Go
X7180B Balloon Ride Paper Packet
Z3001 Ivy Lane Assortment
G1073 Ivy Lane Workshop on the Go
X7178C Ivy Lane Complements MyStickease
X7178B  Ivy Lane Paper Packet
G1079  Ivy Lane Workshop on the Go
Z3004 Jubilee Assortment
X7181C Jubilee Dimensional Elements
G1076 Jubilee Workshop on the Go
X7181B Jubilee Paper Packet
Z1854 Laughing Lola Assortment
X7170C Laughing Lola Dimensional Elements
X7170B Laughing Lola Paper Packet
Z3006 Lollydoodle Assortment
X7183B Lollydoodle Paper Packet
X7183C Lollydoodle Complements
G1078 Lollydoodle Workshop on the Go
G1080 Lollydoodle Cardmaking Workshop on the Go
Z1879 ProPlayer Assortment
X7172B ProPlayer Paper Packet
X7172C ProPlayer MyStickease
Z1873 Sarita Assortment
X7171C Sarita MyStickease
X7171B Sarita Paper Packet
Z3000 Skylark Assortment
X7177C Skylark Dimensional Elements
G1072 Skylark Workshop on the Go
X7177B Skylark Paper Packet
Z3005 Timberline Assortment
G1077 Timberline Workshop on the Go
X7182C Timberline MyStickease
X7182B Timberline Paper Packet

Exclusive Colors:  Cardstock, Stamp Pads, Re-Inkers, Markers
Twilight
Blush
Buttercup
Creme Brulee
Sky

Exclusive Colors Markers:
ALL Current Alcohol Markers are being retired
Z2500 Whimsy Mini Pigment Set
Z4133 Marker Tower
X5936 Whimsy Cardstock Combo
Z1801 Alcohol Blending Marker

Stamp Sets:
A1130  Quick Cards - Bountiful Season
A1143 Teddy Bear Birthday
A1144 Birthday Cheer
A1145 Flowering Thanks
A1158 Doodle Signs
A1160 This Is Good
B1407 School is Here
B1411 Greek Alphabet
B1425 Stitched with Love
B1426 Pick a Posy
B1446 Some Bunny
B1447 A Mother's Love
B1448 My Hero
B1451  Enjoy the Little Things
C1473 Remarkable Wreath
C1510 Merry & Bright
C1524 Words of Comfort
C1555 Count Your Blessings
C1563 Cityscape
D1483 Glory To God
D1514 Just a Number
D1551 Swirls Around
D1557 Candyland
D1564 Maximum Power
D1583 Unicorn Dreams

Celebrate Card with the July Stamp of the Month

5 1/2" x 4 1/4" "Circus Alphabet" card

Reminder: This month's Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month (Circus Alphabet) is cuter than cute! It's cooler than cool! It's more darling than darling. It's more functional than functional and more versatile than versatile.  It's great for cards (see above...this one was designed by my daughter, Kori), for titles on layouts, for labeling and journaling on layouts, and just about anything else you can imagine.  The supply list and links are at the bottom of this post. Don't forget you can only get this set in July, and we have just a week left of July!  For only $5 ($17.95 value) with a $50 order (before shipping and tax), you get an uppercase alpha, a lowercase alpha, punctuation marks and numbers. WOWZA! Just head on over to my website and start shoppin'! You'll be prompted to add this set if you'd like before you check out.

A few quick tips and tidbits from this card:

• Watercolor pencils are GREAT for just coloring, without even adding water.  They are fun to use both ways, but on this card I just used them to color in.
• Shimmer trim is on of my favorite accents.  Its sparkly and blingy and adds no bulk to your projects (which is great when mailing cards!).  The photography of this card makes it a bit hard to see how sparkly it really is, but trust me...it's seriously sparkly.  The strip along the bottom of the card is the size the trim comes in (approx. 1/2"). The skinny strip below "Celebrate" and above "Celebrate" are strips I just used my scissors to trim down.  It can be just about any width you want! It's inexpensive too...just $4.95 for a 5 yard spool...and it comes in several colors too!

July Stamp of the Month: Circus Alphabet (carrier sheet actual size is 6" x 6")

Also, if you are still reading....HAPPY PIONEER DAY! Here in Utah it is a holiday. This is the day, in 1847, when Brigham Young and the Mormon pioneers came over the crest of the mountain after their long journey in wagons and pulling handcarts. They looked out on the valley and Brigham Young proclaimed, "This is the place!"  Because of those pioneers and all of their sacrifices and hard work to turn this barren valley into the beautiful place it is today, I am able to live in the great state of Utah with my family.  Our little granddaughter, Daci learned about these pioneers in pre-school this year and then they celebrated with a pioneer party.  I thought this little picture of her was perfect for today.

Circus Alphabet - July 2014 Stamp of the Month	One-Way Borders	5 1/2" X 4 1/4" White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack	Skylark Paper Packet
12" X 12" White Daisy Cardstock	12" X 12" Smoothie Cardstock	Chocolate Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad	Watercolor Pencils
Baker's Twine Paradise Assortment	Flamingo Dots	Bronze Shimmer Trim	Scallop Border Punch

InLinkz.com

Thank You Card and Mojo Monday

5" x 7" card by Karen Pedersen

As you may have noticed, I have really enjoyed playing along with Mojo Monday the past couple of months.  I love that there is a 'starting point' with a great sketch, then I let my imagination run wild.  You should try it sometime!

I am need of lots of thank you cards right now so I decided to use that theme for the card today.  All of the products I used are listed at the bottom of this post with links.  You can purchase these and so many other wonderful products on my website, 24/7. There are two things I used on this card that are retiring on July 31:  The Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon and the Jubilee Paper Pack.  So, get 'em while you still can!

Tips and Tidbits from this card:

• I love the Pirouette Stamp.  There are sooooo many fun things you can do with this set.  One of them I did on this card. I stamped it 3 times then cut out different parts of the stamp and layered them.  This gorgeous stamp is approx. 4" in diameter and is only $9.95 (US).  What a deal!
• Sanding: I love that Close To My Heart's cardstock has a white core. It makes it so much fun to sand!  Outdoor Denim Cardstock is at the top of my list for this technique. If you sand one direction and then turn your paper and sand again the other direction, it really does look like some nice weathered denim.
• Colored Sparkles:  Did you notice the blue sparkle accents on the card?  I just took my Clear Sparkles and colored them with a blue sharpie marker. Voila! Your sparkles can be any color you want!
• Sponge Distressing:  I use our Round Sponge and cut it into 6 wedges (like a pie).  At only $1.25 per sponge, that ends up being .21 for each wedge. I hold on to the wedge at the triangle point and daub it onto a stamp pad on the rounded side.  I then use this to sponge the edges of my cardstock.  For this card I chose Saddle ink. 

I hope you enjoyed this post! Have a great week!

Pirouette	Jubilee Paper Packet	12" X 12" Honey Cardstock	12" X 12" Outdoor Denim Cardstock
Colonial White Cardstock	Honey Exclusive Inks� Stamp Pad	Outdoor Denim Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad	Saddle Exclusive Inks� Stamp Pad
Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon	Sparkles Clear Assortment	Scallop Border Punch	Sanding Kit
Round Sponge	3-D Foam Tape

InLinkz.com