New CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

I know I've told you a little bit about it, but this new exclusive CTMH/Cricut cartridge (Art Philosophy) and the coordinating stamp sets and chipboard shapes that come with it are out of this world!

I spent much of yesterday designing the layouts for my September Play Group classes and used the Cricut cartridge in some of the designing. Too much fun! If you are interested in my monthly Play Group classes, you can find information on the left side of my blog. Just scroll down to "Play Group Information".

Be sure to check out CTMH owner and founder, Jeanette Lynton's blog today. It's awesome and showcases so many great pieces of art using the new cartridge. I think I created a kiddie sized pool of drool just salivating over every single creation. How's that for a gross mental picture?

Once you've checked it out, be sure to hop on over to my website and place your order! Did you know that with the purchase of the new Cricut Art Philosophy Collection (order #Z1686), you qualify for the DARLING August Stamp of the Month for $5, and on top of that you'll get the August Special "Extra, Extra" Typeset font stamp set absolutely FREE? No? Well, now you know! What a great month to order! If you happen to order $150 or more in products, you'll also qualify for FREE hostess rewards. YIPEEE SKIPEEE! If you order the Cricut collection and the Stamp of the Month, you'll already be at $104.00. Another $46 will get you $25 in free hostess rewards.

August Close To My Heart News and Specials

August is here! That means some REALLY GREAT things with Close To My Heart. Trust me...you WANT to read on. You don't want to miss one juicy detail of the great things that are going on this month, or how to get the cuter than cute set I used on this card!

As always, you can click on any image in this post to see it larger and in more detail.

1. New Idea Book Is Live: The brand new Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book went live today. You can view it by clicking on the link below or the catalog image on the left side of my blog. It is GORGEOUS and so are all the products inside. I'm tellin' ya:

• There is not a new paper kit that I don't love.
  
• There are so many wonderful new stamp sets and accessories.
• Our background and texture paper (patterned paper) is now a heavier weight. In addition to that, it now has a 'zip strip' that is a fun border you can add to your creations! WOO HOO!
• Acrylic stamp set prices have dropped too. How many companies do you see LOWERING prices right now?
  

Here is the link to view the brand new Idea Book page by scrumptious page. If you'd like an Idea Book of your own, there are a few ways to get one:

• If you are a Play Group member, you get one FREE! I'll be giving you your copy at our August Play Groups.
• If you'd like to stop by my home in Springville, UT to pick on up, I'm happy to give you a complimentary copy!
• If you need one sent, I'm happy to send one to you for the price of shipping ($5). The Idea Book is on me!

To order from the new Idea Book, just head to my website and click "Shop Online".

2. There is a great special this month called "Extra, Extra"!: When you spend $50 (before shipping and tax) you qualify for the August Stamp of the Month (Wicked...see below) for $5. Purchase that for the $5 and you get this DARLING font stamp set (not available any other way) for FREE!

3. August Stamp of the Month: The Stamp of the Month program has been simplified. And, if you spend $50 in a single order (before shipping and tax) you can now get the Stamp of the Month for less than half the price you could before. Here's how the simplified program works:

• Spend $50 and the Stamp of the Month is yours for only $5. ($22.95 value)
• You can also purchase the set for it's full value of $22.95.

How cute is this set anyway (the actual size of the carrier sheet pictured here is 6" x 6")? It's called "Wicked" and it's a MUST HAVE! I sat down the other day and stamped a 6" x 6" card with this set (photo at top of this post). I was inspired by the card on page 45 of the new Idea Book. I love that the Idea Book is filled with gorgeous artwork to fill my mind with wonderful ideas.

Final Day!

Tonight (July 31) at midnight, Mountain Daylight Time, is the deadline to order retiring Close To My Heart products before the new Idea Book goes live tomorrow (so excited!). Click this link for more details on how, where and what to order.

Mini-Album/Football

Be sure to check out yesterday's post for the list of items from the current Idea Book (Spring/Summer) that will not be available in the new one (Autumn/Winter) that debuts August 1. You can only get the items listed in yesterday's post until midnight on July 31. You can order them on my website. Oh, and hey...I almost forgot. If you order $50 or more you will qualify for the "Bang For Your Buck" special as well. Cool beans! Oh, and if that weren't enough...the July Stamp of the Month (American Celebration) is also GREAT! It's only available until midnight on July 31 as well. Here's a little card I made with the set.

Okay, now that we have that little bit of business out of the way, I have a little bit more artwork to share. This is a book I made for my journaling class at Convention. It was to illustrate how using song lyrics as your journaling can sometimes make a statement. This little book (top and below) is celebrating my son, Tannon's accomplishments in high school football. The inside front cover has a CD holder to hold his highlights. The rest of the pages are photos of Tannon at QB over the years. You can click on any photo in this post to see it larger and in more detail. I love these little 6" x 6" Board Books that CTMH sells, don't you?! For only $6.95 you get a 10 page, white chipboard, heavy-duty book to alter and decorate to your heart's content!

Speaking of heart's content...I'm off to play with some of the new products you will be able to order as of August 1 from the new Idea Book. I will have the book posted right here on my blog that day and you'll be able to view it page by delicious page, then hop on over to my website and start shoppin'!

Going, Going, almost GONE!

Hello! I've been out of town this week doing some FUN things. I took my daughter, Kori and granddaughter, Daci down to Cedar City to visit Easton and Daysha for a few days and we went to see Daysha perform at Tuachan on Tuesday night (Cha Cha in Grease) and Wednesay night (Arista in Little Mermaid). It was so much fun! I'll be sharing some photos from our trip in the next couple of days. I have some serious downloading of photos to do!

In the meantime, I really wanted to be sure that you knew there are many items that are being retired by Close To My Heart at midnight on July 31. Below you'll see a list and a few links to help you quickly make your purchases for anything that is going, going, almost gone that you just MUST have before it's gone. You can click on the links below to see the actual products, and you can order them 24/7, until midnight on July 31, on my website.

Scrapbooking Paper Packs and Kits Retiring:
Bliss Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Bliss Level 2 Paper Pack
Bliss MyStickease
Miracle Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Miracle Level 2 Paper Pack
Miracle MyStickease
Sweetheart Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Pack
Sweetheart MyStickease
Wings Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Wings Level 2 Paper Pack
Wings MyStickease
Magnifique Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack
Magnifique MyStickease
Olivia Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Olivia Level 2 Paper Pack
Olivia MyStickease
Hooligans Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Hooligans Level 2 Paper Pack
Hooligans MyStickease
Mistletoe Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack
Mistletoe MyStickease

Cardstock: Close To My Heart will not be discontinuing any colors of cardstock, but they will be selling only select colors in individual color packs. All colors will still be available in combo packs.

The colors that will continue to be sold in 24 sheet packs of one individual color are:
Black, White Daisy, Colonial White, Vanilla Cream, Chocolate, Cocoa, Desert Sand, Bamboo, Sweet Leaf, Pacifica, Smoothie, Creme Brulee, Olive, Cranberry, and Outdoor Denim. All other colors will now only be sold in combo packs. Cardstock prices are also going up.

MyAcrylix Blocks:
1" x 1 1/2"
1" x 6 1/2"
2" x 11"
2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
4 1/2" x 6 1/2"
MyAcrylix Block Starter Kit

Envelope Flats:
2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
3" x 3"
3" x 4 3/4"
4" x 4"
4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
5" x 5"
5" x 7"
5 1/2" x 4 3/4"
6" x 6"
8" x 3 1/2"

Designer Ribbon:
Cranberry
Buttercup
Sweet Leaf

Mini-Medley Accents:
Pear
Lagoon
Outdoor Denim

Miscellaneous:
Sophia Level 2 Journaling Spots
Top Coats Framed In
Rubons - Across The Board
Rubons - Primavera
Kraft Color-Ready Borders
Red Eye Pen
Embossing Powders: Clear, Heavenly Blue, Pansy Purple, Silver Pearl
Block Buddy Set
Pivot Point Stapler
Fun Flock
My Creations 3-Ring Binder

Dimensional Elements (chipboard):
Villa
Miracle
Booksmart
Borders
Framed Fun
Stars (will be in new Idea Book, but slightly different)

Baseball Layout (Fanfare)

When Kori, Rick and Daci moved to Chicago, they were excited to one day go to a White Sox game. Rick is a big fan. They finally did it a few months ago and I made a layout about it to share in my journaling class ("The Wonderful World of Words") at the Close To My Heart National Convention a couple of weeks ago.

The creative parts about the journaling were:

1. I journaled like it was actually Daci talking and telling the story of that day, and

2. I also added several photo tags in the pocket. I numbered each tag and in the journaling I stamped the little numbers next to the parts that went with the coordinating photos.

The photo flap that goes down over the journaling also opens. Here is a photo that shows it open, and also shows some of the tags pulled further out.

Here is what the journaling said: "May 21, 2011. I had so much fun today! My daddy's co-workers and their families went to the White Sox game together. My mommy and daddy decided to take me too. First we went downtown to one of my daddy's co-worker's homes for a tailgate. Right before we walked in her door, she asked my mommy, "Does Daci like dogs?" Mommy said, "Yes. She loves them!" Then she opened the door and a huge HORSE came running at us, at least I thought it was a horse. I have never seen a dog that big! My mom said it really was a dog though, a Great Dane. Horse or dog, it didn't matter. He was very cool and I LOVED him! He kept following me around everywhere and sniffing me with his big nose. He was taller than me and I think his head was bigger than my whole body. He was a nice dog and he made me laugh. We had our tailgate party up on the rooftop of my dad's friend's building. it was really high! That was weird. My mommy and daddy usually get mad when I climb up on high things and make me get down so I don't get hurt. But today, we all went all the way on top of a huge building in downtown Chicago to eat lunch and no one worried about getting hurt. After lunch we took the L-train to the White Sox stadium. I loved the train! I even got to miss my nap for the game. My mommy was worried that I would be naughty but I was an angel. She should let me miss my nap every day. The game was fun. We sat up really high and the field and the players looked really small. As usual, Mommy was taking pictures the whole day. Sometimes I really get sick of pictures! I did like the one I got to take where I looked like a real baseball player though. Daddy even let me ride on his shoulders after the game when we went back to get on the train. Even though I'm becoming a really big girl I was really tired. I tried not to but I fell asleep on the way home. Thanks, Mommy and Daddy for taking me to my very first Chicago White Sox game. I had so much fun. I like being a big girl!"

The papers I used are from the Fanfare Level 2 Paper Pack. You can order it and other wonderful products on my website 24/7. Many of the other wonderful products you see on this layout (like the Decor Journaling Spots, the Pin Clips, and a few of the images that were cut with our brand new Cricut Art Philosphy cartridge) are available on August 1. Be sure to check back on my blog that day for a link to view the brand new Idea Book page by delicious page.

Halloween Layout (Mischief)

More new artwork...YIPEEE!

This one is using the brand new "Mischief" kit that debuts Aug. 1. This was also an example from my journaling class ("The Wonderful World of Words") at the Close To My Heart National Convention last week.

There are 2 journaling pockets on this layout. The focal photo is a pocket (you can see the journaling pulled out in the 2nd photo), and the little accent to the right of the photo is also a little pocket (in photo #2 you can see it pulled out). I love those little buggers! They are called Decor Journaling Spots and will be available on Aug. 1 as well.

Here is the journaling from this layout (which is documented in the slide out journaling card pocket behind the main photo): "I'll never forget the Halloween of 2003. Dawson's 4th grade teacher asked if I would come into the classroom during their Halloween party and read them a Halloween story. I told him I was happy to do it! I decided not to tell Dawson and surprise him. The closer it got to Halloween, the more excited I got about the surprise...in fact, I decided to make it an even BIGGER surprise than I had originally planned. I dressed up like a witch, complete with wig, face paint, a broom and costume. I hardly recognized myself, so I was pretty sure Dawson and his friends wouldn't know who I was. I went over to the school and quietly motioned Dawson's teacher out in the hall and asked him to introduce me as "Minerva the Witch," and not to tell the kids who I really was. I spoke in a Scottish accent (don't ask me how I pulled it off. All I know is I just tried to talk like Mel Gibson in Braveheart and it worked pretty well.) and told my story. It wasn't until after the party that I went up to Dawson and told him who I was. He was shocked! He really had no idea it was me. We both had a good laugh. After school, as we walked out to the car we passed several other mothers who are good friends of mine. Not a single one recognized me. I haven't dressed up like Minerva since then, but it sure was a fun Halloween!"

CTMH products used on this layout: Mischief Level 2 Paper Pack (avail. Aug 1), Trinity Alphabet Stamp Set (avail. Aug 1), Milepost Shapes (avail. Aug 1), Decor Journaling Spots (avail. Aug 1), Black Ribbon Collection, Spray Pen, Sunset Reinker (mixed with water in Spray Pen), Black Stamp Pad, Neutral Embroidery Thread Assortment, 3D Foam Tape.

Non-CTMH products used: Off-White Deco Art Acrylic Paint (mixed with water in Spray Pen to spray Milepost Shapes Stars)

Christmas Scrapbook Layout Border

Here we go: MORE artwork from my Convention class ("The Wonderful World of Words"). This one is a 5" x 6" Christmas border for a scrapbook page. I made it with my daughter, Kori and her little family (hubby, Rick and daughter, Daci) in mind. Since then she has gotten pregnant with TWINS! They are not due until the beginning of February but there is a good chance they will make their appearance right around Christmas time. I may have to add a few more pockets! I think that's a GOOD problem to have, don't you? :)

You can click on the photo to see it larger and in more detail.

Kori, Rick and Daci are currently in Utah visiting for the next few weeks. We are so happy to have them here! Here are a couple of photos of Daci and Dawson I took the other night. I love watching him with her. He is going to be such a great daddy one day.

As you know, my class was about journaling and these little pockets (called Holiday Pockets, debuting in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book on Aug. 1) are a perfect way to add some creative journaling to your pages. They coordinate beautifully with our new "Believe" holiday paper pack (also debuting Aug. 1). Those stinkin' cute cork letters, pin clips, red gingham ribbon and corrugated stars also become available that day. I can't wait for you to see all of these new things.

This border uses the following Close To My Heart products: Kraft Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, Cranberry Cardstock, Color Ready Alphabets Cork (avail. Aug 1), Milepost Shapes (avail. Aug 1), Dimensional Elements Flurry, Red, Pink & Purple Sparkle Assortment, Red Ribbon Assortment (avail. Aug 1), Holiday Pockets (avail. Aug 1), Pin Clips (avail. Aug 1), Spray Pen, Crystal Blue Stamp Pad, Round Sponge, Clear Sparkles, Corner Rounder (remove the guard to punch scallop borders).

Non-CTMH products used: DecoArt White Acrylic Paint (mixed with water in the Spray Pen).

While you're waiting for August 1 to arrive, there are still LOTS of great things to order from my website, including some killer deals in the While Supplies Last section (some as low as $1.50!). Go check it out and grab some bargains!

"10 Things I Miss About You" Layout (Using "Typeset" Kit)

As promised, I am now beginning to share some artwork that I made for my class at the Close To My Heart National Convention last week in Anaheim (Mickey and I had a great time!).

My class was all about journaling (how to make your journaling more meaningful, more creative, etc.). I love this topic and was so excited to be able to share my passion for journaling with thousands of CTMH Consultants. CTMH sent me a box of brand new goodies that will debut in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book on August 1 to play with and use for examples in my class. Lucky me! I had so much fun playing and it almost killed me not to share my excitement ahead of time. The only thing that kept me from it was that CTMH said they would take my firstborn if I did {just kidding!}. I kind of like her, so I kept my big mouth shut. :)

This layout (click on the photo to see it larger and in more detail) of my missionary son, Tannon features a brand new kit (Typeset...isn't it grand?!!!), a new stamp set (10 Things {I love it!}), and several new accessories (including those darling corrugated kraft stars {from the new Milepost Shapes Collection} and the dimensional elements numbers....YUMMY!). I just love it all!

You'll be able to see and shop for all of these fun new items here on my blog on August 1 when I post the brand new Idea Book along with a link to shop on my website. Hang on, Lucy! August 1 is only 13 days away. In the meantime, don't forget the awesome July "Bang For Your Buck" special and festive July Stamp of the Month (American Celebration). They are both wonderful and available on my website RIGHT NOW!

Have a fun day. More artwork to come over the next few weeks!

Close To My Heart and Cricut

Are you ready for this? Of course you are! I can't think of two things that are more meant for each other than Close To My Heart and Cricut. Beginning August 1, you can order the brand new "Art Philosophy" Cricut cartridge which is exclusive to Close To My Heart. Many of the images coordinate perfectly with dozens of our terrific stamp sets. There are over 700 images on this cartridge and it comes with 3 stamp sets and three 9" x 12" chipboard sheets with shapes that also coordinate. WOWZA! Check out this 5 minute video all about it.

This product is available August 1 when the brand new Idea Book debuts (you'll be able to click on an image right here on my blog that day {you'll find it along the left had side of my blog} to view it page-by-delicious-page), and that's just right around the corner! This is a great item to headline your wish list.

I'm still at Disneyland at the last day of CTMH's national convention, but I had to take a moment to share this exciting news!

Have a great day!

Karen