Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy NEW YEAR!!!

OK...so my blog has been low on my priority list, but I have been making tons of things to share.  I will be sharing a lot more as this New Year progresses!  I did a couple of craft fairs this fall and made lots of cards and fun stuff.  I will show some of them soon.  In the meantime, there are lots of changes, as I have said before, coming to CTMH!  First of all, things will be much simpler!  Beginning in February, we will go to an new catalog format.  There will be 2 catalogs per year, each spanning a 6 month time frame.  After the Aug-Jan catolog expires, most stamp sets and paper packs will be retired.  So stamps and paper packs will only be active for the 12 month period starting Feb-Jan of the following year.  Currently, we have a lot of items being retired as of today, but you can always check my website here to see what products are available and even some discounted ones!  You can also check out our January publication here to see the beautiful NEW paper pack and stamps sets for January 2011!  There are some HUGE deals and discounts on brand new products, so be sure to check it out!  Sales will begin TOMORROW, January 1, 2011!  Stay tuned for more exciting news from CTMH!  As always, if you would like to purchase a catalog, e-mail me at lbanh5@gmail.com.



Materials:  Paper: Passages (X7126B), Stamps: Live Inspired (C1408), Inks: Brown Bag, Cocoa, Bamboo, Accessories:  Mocha Opaques, Natural Hemp, edge distresser 
Materials:  Paper: sorbet, white daisy, Stamps: Intrinsic Backgrounds, Piece of Cake (D1407); Inks:  Sorbet, Bamboo, Sky, Lagoon, Pear; Accessories:  Pearl Opaques, Just blooms spring, dies, cuttlebug
                                                                                                                      

Have a safe and wonderful NEW YEAR!  All the best,  
                                                                                       Lori

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Changes are coming!

 A TON of changes are occurring at Close to My Heart and here are a few that will be happening over then next few months.  

1.  Retiring Albums
  • Effective September 2010 - 9x9 and 6x6 albums will no longer be available.  Until then, and while supplies last they are available to order.
  • Effective September 2010 - the traditional 12x12 linen album will no longer be available.  They are being replaced with faux-leather.  We will have the new albums in 6 colors and they will actually be less expensive than the linen albums now!  Again, these are available now and will continue to be while supplies last.  If you've got a matching 'library' going on, you might want to stock up.
2.  Retiring Colors/New Colors
  • Effective September 2010 - the Summer color Pallete has been completely revamped.  The following colors are retiring:  Orange, Hydrangea, Star Spangled Blue, Clover Meadow, Bubblegum, Citrus Leaf, Ocean and Watermelon.
  • They have been replaced with new colors:  Gypsy, Pacifica, Sunset, Cotton Candy, Lagoon, Pear, Sky and Smoothie
  • If you love the old colors and already own the inks (or not), you might want to consider stocking up on the coordinating cardstock, reinkers, and/or markers.  Again, these are a 'while supplies last' item.
  • New Colors will not be available until September 1.
3.  A new How-To Book

  • If you've been waiting like I have for a new How-To book to add to your library - in September, you'll be happy.
  • The new book, called 'Magic' contains patterns by Jeanette Lynton for scrapbook layouts with an 'interactive' appeal.
4.  Idea Book Publication Schedule
  • Beginning in 2011, Close To My Heart is switching to a bi-annual publication schedule, rather than the 3-book launch we have currently.
  • The Autumn/Winter book will be published September 1, 2010 as expected, and will be valid until February 1, 2011.
5.  BIG Changes to Studio J

  • Have you been wanting to try Studio J, but were scared away by the expense?  Studio J membership might be exactly what you need!
  • Beginning September 2010 - scrapbooking with Studio J will become MUCH more affordable with offers of 12-month, 3-month and 5-pack 'memberships'.
  • More details of the Studio J membership plans will be announced as we get closer to the launch, but expect to see members-only perks like exclusive kits & patterns, free shipping, free page protectors & free jpeg archive files with varying membership levels.
  • I can't wait to give you ALL the details!
GOING ON NOW!                     SALE SALE SALE

$2, $4, $6, for 8...It’s You We Appreciate! Amazing deals at more than 50% off to show our thanks to you!

We are shouting from the rooftops how much we love and appreciate you! It only makes sense to pass along our appreciation with amazing deals. So for 8 days, August 4 through August 11 (while supplies last), you can purchase select My Stickease® Assortments for only $2 US/CAN, My Reflections® Level 1 kits for only $4, and My Reflections® Level 2 paper packets for only $6 online. Click on the “$2, $4, $6, for 8 Sale” link (SALE) to shop these amazing deals for yourself. You’ll want to shout for joy, too!



If you have any questions about anything you've seen here, or would like to schedule a home gathering or workshop or place an order - feel free to contact me at ldiamond@myctmh.com or lbanh5@gmail.com.  You can also shop online anytime at http://ldiamond.myctmh.com

Keep it simpler, faster and easier with Close to My Heart!  Enjoy creating today!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

So MUCH to come!

I finally went to convention!  It was so much fun and I learned a TON of new techniques and ideas.  I can't wait to share the newest Idea book with you...but you'll have to wait a little longer!  Look for fantastic things to come in our new catalog, exciting new ideas and tips and tricks that will inspire and encourage you even more.  Studio J is going through some FANTASTIC changes making digital scrapbooking CHEAPER, Simpler, Faster and Easier.  How, you ask?  Stay tuned!  In the meantime, check out our July Stamp of the month, isn't it cute!  

Monday, June 7, 2010

June Stamp of the Month

Check out the June Stamp of the month!  (I used it in my Card Camp for the Father's Day card).  So versatile for heritage, masculine and fun cards and pages.  I LOVE the argyle and distressed looks of it.  Also, don't forget to check out the June Jackpot!  Today's items are our fun Dimensional Elements! These chipboard elements are great for pages, papercrafts, cards and smaller albums.  They are white so you can use them as is, stamp on them, cover with paper or mixing any of the above!  Check out the great savings and the cute stamp set you could win here! Have fun shopping! 

On a personal note, it's been crazy lately...two trips within a week! The first was to celebrate my two nephews graduations from High School.  We are so proud of both of them and were so glad to be able to be there for their special days.  The second was to Hershey,PA with the Girl Scouts for Camp-o-ree!  Tons of fun camping in the rain, but glad to be back in the  COOL, dry air of home sweet home.  Now, we're heading into summer (still have 14 days of school left uugh!).  Can't wait for some lazy days by the pool!  I've decided to try for a 30 day challenge food-wise cutting grains and sweets.  It's gonna be hard, but I'm ready for the challenge.  Along with the cross-fit training and starting to prep for the marathon in October, should be great!  Wish me luck! 

Friday, June 4, 2010



Hit the jackpot and win free products OR grab loaded goddie boxes at 50% off or more.  Enjoy two types of deal days in June!

On goodie box days... you can purchase one box filled with popular prodcuts at 50% or more off retail value! Each goodie box day will feature different surprise items, so you can score a wide variety of current and recently retired products.

On jackpot days... 5 products will be offered for sale at discounted prices.  One of the 5 products is the mystery jackpot item for that day, but we're not telling which-exciting, isn't it!  If you happen to order the mystery jackpot item, we'll reward you with one or more FREE Close To My Heart products, with shipping included on the free items!  If you purchase all 5 products, you're guaranteed to hit the jackpot! There's no purchase limit-if you order multiple secret jackpot items, we'll send you the same number of free items.

These special offers include discounted shipping/handling and are only available on my Close To My Heart Website.  Check back every day for the latest offer.

* Offer valid June 1-July 1 at 8:00am (MDT), on MyCTMH websites only.  New deals are posted each day at 9:00am (MDT). To be eligible for discounted prices, your order must contain only Jackpost June items.  Visit facebook.com/closetomyheart or closetomyheart.com to see what the mystery jackpot item was for the previous day.  Offers are while supplies last.


FAQ

How many free items can I earn?
If you purchase multiple quantities of the Jackpot item, you'll receive multiple products FREE. So, buy as many as you'd like of each item—there's no limit—and you could be a big winner!

What is in a goodie box and how much are they?
The Goodie Box contents will vary by day (we're not revealing specifics but you'll be thrilled!) and will include favorite current and retired stamp sets, paper packets, embellishments, and other great scrapbooking, stamping, and cardmaking items.

We have made every effort to differentiate the Goodie Box offerings by date so you can purchase boxes on different dates and receive a wide variety of products. The prices of the boxes will vary but each will be at least 50% off retail value. The higher the box price, the greater your savings from the original retail value. We're also offering discounted shipping.


On Jackpot days, how will I know which discounted product is the Jackpot item?

You won't know—that's what makes this campaign so much fun! You won’t know until the following day, after the opportunity to place an order has passed. Simply visit www.facebook.com/closetomyheart or www.closetomyheart.com to see what the Jackpot item was for the previous day.

How do I know what the FREE item will be on Jackpot days?

The free item(s) will be featured on the Jackpot June shopping page, alongside the 5 discounted products.

What is in the Goodie Boxes?

If we told you it would spoil the fun! However, we can tell you each box will be filled with popular current or recently retired products, and we have made every effort to vary the box contents by date. This means you can buy boxes on each of the days they're available and stock up on a wide variety of favorite products at unbelievable deals!

Where can I see the Jackpot June items?

Images of the daily deals can be found on the day they're offered on a special page on MyCTMH® online shopping sites. Look for the Jackpot June link to see that day's deal. You won't find an image of what's inside the Goodie Boxes—it's supposed to be a surprise!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Workout journal

I decided it would be nice to have a workout journal to record my workouts and to see if/how I have progressed.  When you do something like Cross-fit, a constantly changing and varying workout, it's easy to lose track of what you've accomplished and where you want to go without recording it.  CTMH began carrying these wonderful journals with a 7"x5" pocket on the front cover in which you slide your creation/decorative front and it remains protected.  Genius!  So, I decided to use it as my record keeper for workouts.  The stamp set, Be Yourself (D1349) is one of my favorites and perfect for this use.  CTMH TV has a wonderful episode that teaches "Overstamping" the technique I used for this journal. Enjoy!

I also wanted to share another card with you.  Just a cute little card I whipped up using another one of my favorite stamp sets, Free Spirit (D1217).

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Open House tomorrow, Card Camp Next Sunday!

Well, I'm just about ready for my Summer Idea Book Open House tomorrow!  Should be so much fun!  The Miracle Kit is so beautiful in person and I loved making the pages for it and several cards and little extras.  I will take a pic tomorrow to show off all the cute creations from one kit!

Here are the cards we will be making next Sunday at my Card Camp!
For $10, campers will make 8 cards: 2- Teacher Thank you's, 2-Father's Day, 2-Anything (using May SOM) and 2-Happy Day!

What do you think?  Lots of cute paper and fun stamps!  Have a great weekend!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

National Scrapbooking month!

Close to my Heart is celebrating National Scrapbooking Month with a beautiful new kit.  You can purchase the kit outright for $19.95, or with the purchase of $40 purchase the kit for $10 or with a $60 order get it for $5.


Tuesday, April 27, 2010

New things to come!

I am in the process of planning an Open House for the Summer Catalog.  I am also planning a card camp the following Saturday!  I'm so excited to be doing both and am busy working on displays for both to please check back for sneak peeks of artwork!  Tracey, my sister-in-law and fellow CTMH Consultant and I are also making plans for a School Day's Scrapbook Workshop that will produce an album with 28 finished pages and includes True-fit Folio pockets  (to hold artwork and report cards), and pocket pages for up to 12 snapshots!  It will be a wonderful workshop to focus all our memorabilia and school photos in one album!  I'm so excited about all these new activities so watch for new posting with sneak peeks to come!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

One of a kind

This is based on the Mojo Monday sketch from last week.  Thought I'd pull out some older stamps.  I think she turned out cute!

On a side note, we are off to Newport, RI and Boston for a fun weekend with the kids and to watch David run in the Boston Marathon on Monday!  We're so excited to be back there and can't wait to see the race!  Have a great weekend!



Supplies:  Silhouette Paper Pack, Bubblegum CS, Colonial White CS, Stamps:  Tickled Pink (Promo last year), Be Yourself, March SOM; Ink: bubblegum, Black, Desert Sand;  Accessories; Just blooms, pop dots, Black Ribbon rounds, Sparkles,  EK success edger.

Monday, April 12, 2010

New week, new challenge...


Terms of the Heart 2 Heart challenge...
This is a 1/2/3 challenge. Here are the requirements:

*Use 1 stamped image (not 1 set, but 1 image)
*Use 2 different patterned papers
*Use 3 embellishments - these can be 3 of the same thing or 3 different things



I wanted to make a simple card that could be used as a sympathy card.  I decided to pull the purple from the bella paper and highlight it with this stamp.  It is actually stamped on the paper, stamped on a separate paper and popped up so there is more dimension than you see.  I used ribbon as a feminine touch and then used bigger brads fed through button holes in the bottom right corner.  I wish I had some pansy purple accessories that I could use in that corner, but alas, that color somehow as eluded my collection,  so I chose to blend rather than highlight.  I've included a couple of close ups and a picture of the inside. (Sorry the inside is a little blurry.)




Card size:  8" x 3 1/2:, Originals pattern: Puzzle Backdrop (p 91)
Products all CTMH (unless otherwise noted):  Paper: Colonial White CS, Pansy Purple CS, Bella B/T;  Stamps:  Treasure Life (d1306), TLC (c1364) Verve plain jane (inside); Ink: Petal, Pansy Purple, Cocoa, Colonial White ; Accessories: summer buttons, Chocolate bigger brads, Olive organdy ribbon: Other; Sewing Machine, pop dots, bone folder for scoring lines, Ek success edge punch.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Heart 2 Heart challenge

Yesterday was the first Heart 2 Heart Challenge  for CTMH consultants! What fun. Here is my entry for the challenge. I simply opened my Originals book and whatever page it opened to was the card I made. Then I randomly reached in my stamp storage and picked up a stamp set and it happened to be this cute one! The colors are Sunflower, Sweet leaf and Chocolate. Enjoy!


Supplies:  CS: White Daisy, Chocolate, Garden green, Cranberry (tongue); B/T Bella; Stamps:  Fun Times (B1309); Ink:  Sunflower, Sweet Leaf, Chocolate; Accessories: Button, chocolate Waxy Flax, Sweet Leaf Ribbon, Cuttlebug EF (swiss dots), SU ticket punch.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Close to my heart

I have a website again with Close to my Heart! I decided it would be a lot easier for my customers to buy the wonderful CTMH products any time they wanted, so please check it out!

I haven't posted in a while and actually haven't made a ton of stuff... it only took 2 months to fall off the bandwagon (hee,hee). BUT, I'm back. I have a couple of things to show you today. The first is a card I made for David's Birthday. Since it is so close to St. Patrick's Day (and he LOVES St. Patrick's Day), I kind of combined the two. I tried a new card style and LOVE it!



Products used: CS: cocoa textured, Sweet leaf, colonial white; B/T: Emporium Level II; Stamps: So Lucky (C1390), A Little Everything (March SOM, D1408); Ink: Cocoa, Sweet Leaf, Hollyhock; Accessories: Just Blooms white daisy variety pack (z1300), Cocoa Organdy Ribbon (retired), Olive photo hangers (retired), Pearls-recollections.




Products used: CS: Cocoa-textured, White Daisy, Sweet Leaf; Stamps: Aspiration (flowers-C1340), TLC (sentiment inside-c1364), Curly Greetings (retired); Inks: Sorbet, Tulip, Creme Brulee; Accessories: Organdy ribbon (retired), Edge Punch (EK success), MS butterfly punch, corner rounder

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Valentines and time...

Here are a few of the other cards I made. The baby card uses a stamp set I love from Verve called "Beautiful You". A very versatile stamp set. I CASE'd the card from their gallery on the website.



Products used all CTMH unless otherwise indicated: Paper: Sunny Yellow Texture, Thank Heaven -Tapestry by CR Gibson; Stamps: Beautiful You-Verve; Inks: Spring Iris, Accessories: Spring buttons, sewing machine, White Daisy waxy flax.

The Next several card are 4 x 4 valentines using 3 pieces of 4 x 4 patterned paper cut 1/3 x 2/3 and then using scraps to make the rest of the card. I LOVE this paper pack called "That's Amore" that CTMH released last spring. Unfortunately, the stamp set I used the most is retired, but it's one of my favorite CTMH Valentine stamp sets. Called "In my Heart". These were a lot of fun to make and quick! (SHH, they are for my kids). Yes, I only have 4, but I had fun making 6!








Products used all CTMH unless otherwise indicated: Paper: Colonial White, Tulip, Blush, That's Amore PP; Stamps: In my heart (retired), All my love; Ink: Chocolate, Blush; Accessories: Shades of Chocolate Mini-Medley (retired), Cricut-George and basic Shapes, MS paper edger, EK Success paper edger, The Paper Studio paper Edger.


This last card is a birthday card for my oldest brother. He is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet and he does so much for others. I hope he likes it and it reminds him to take a little time for himself! It is from last weeks Mojo Monday #123.


Products used all CTMH unless otherwise indicated: Paper: Colonial white cs, Cocoa cs, Felicity PP (Jan promo), Stamps: Make it count, True Friends, Inks: Cocoa; Accessories: Cocoa organdy ribbon, window charms-circles.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Been busy!

The first two cards are my take from the sketch on Clean and Simple FTL #76. The first card uses only CTMH supplies, while the second uses very few. I love Basic Grey's line of paper and accessories... especially because the print is smaller (suitable for cards!). The one with butterflies is a birthday card for my sister, Amy. I showed a close up so you can see what I did with the butterflies. I love that type of shadowing!



The kids had a 4 day weekend this past weekend and we decided to break out the seed beads and make some new hair accessories! In the process we made a few Valentine decorations for the window that were inspired by this. We ran out of beads so this weekend we'll finish up and I'll show you what they look like hanging! Ashley and Holly weren't so interested in making the hairpins, but they love wearing them. Bethany is old enough now that she tried her hand at the beads and I think she liked how quick and easy it was! We made friendship bracelets and I made some cards. I'll post some more tomorrow, but for today, here are a few of our creations!





Sunday, January 24, 2010

A few more cards...

that I made this week. This first one is based on a sketch by Clean and Simple. I'm really liking this idea. Pretty card with not a lot of fuss!



Products all CTMH: CS: Textured white daisy and Hollyhock, Inks: Chocolate, Hollyhock, Stamps: Aspiration, Accessories: chocolate watercolor pencil.

This is another take on Mojo Monday. I like to cut out two of everything when I make a card. That way I can make a couple different cards with the same sketch/idea. With this one, I simply flipped 2 of the pieces over and made a different looking card. (Gotta love that about CTMH papers... They are 2 sided!) The bird is the stamp that is included in this months promotion of Felicity. (see side bar or go to CTMH website, or better yet, call me!) I inked it with Barn Red, used my sponge dauber to take away some of the ink to add shading then stamped it and embossed it with irridescent embossing powder! Love that effect!

This is the inside...

Products all CTMH: CS Colonial White, B/T paper: Felicity (Jan promotion), Inks: Chocolate, Barn Red, Stamps: Felicity (Jan promotion), Card Chatter-thanks, Accessories: Colonial white organdy ribbon, Chocolate watercolor pencil, EK Success corner rounder, MS border punch.

This next card was for my nephew this weekend. He was in the pinewood derby and won first place in his troop and second place in his ??? next step above a troop. (We will be in boy scouts soon so I'll learn more about it then). He advanced to districts. Way to go Cody!
I made this card using my new cricut I got from my sisters and brother for Christmas! The car is from Cars (obviously) and was a little more work than I thought, but I wanted to add shading and highlights to give it a little more dimension. I think it turned out pretty cute. The exhaust is from a Stamp of the month we had last fall. (I hope we get it in our new catalog...so cute).


The inside of this one...not very creative, but it's a cute saying!

Products all CTMH except where noted: CS: Holiday Red, White Daisy, Sunny Yellow, Black, Spring Iris, Card Base (unknown), Inks: Black, Hydrangea, Stamps: Say it in Style, Boys at play, Around the Block (Nov SOM), Accessories: Cricut -Cars, sanding block, cranberry marker, Signo white gel pen, Copic C1

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Hearts and Angels

Here is my offering for this weeks sketch Mojo #122. I decided to spotlight the Felicity collection by CTMH because at the end of this month, it will no longer be available. SO, get it while you can! I love this collection because there are masculine and feminine papers and it's very versatile. I will showcase some more of these with my next post. In the meantime, enjoy! I also used one of my new favorite stamp sets, Angel sent. I have been wanting this set for a while and now that A-sized stamps have gone down in price ($7.95) I decided to splurge a little extra this month! Don't you love her?

I'm so excited this week because my Craft room is finally organized and put together. I need to get some shelves up (and paint...but that's later), but I can create and everything is organized! I love it!
All products CTMH unless otherwise noted: Paper: Barn Red CS, Colonial White CS, Felicity Paper Pack, INKS: Barn Red, Sorbet, Chocolate; STAMPS: Angel Sent, Felicity, In my Heart (retired I think); ACCESSORIES: Colonial White Organdy Ribbon (retired), Watercolor pencils, Summer Posies, Waterbrush, EK success corner punch (Scallop), Unknown heart punch (old), Fruit Punch Stickles.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Getting my MOJO

As a birthday/Christmas present last year, my little brother, and 2 sisters got me a Cricut. I was so excited to have one and had even purchased the Tinkerbell cartridge (on sale at Walmart for $15) last fall in hopes that I would get one soon! Well, I got one and I LOVE IT! So, my little brother told me I had to use it for his birthday card...here is the result. I used theMojo Monday sketch (121) as inspiration. I made the resolution to, at the very least, make the Mojo Monday sketch every week. This is week 2 and I am doing good so far! Hope you enjoy it!


Products (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):CS: Outdoor Denim, Indian Corn Blue, New England Ivy, Barn Red CS; Back Country paper pack, Autumn Terracotta patterned paper (retired); NEI brads; Cricut-Basic shapes; Cuttlebug EF; CTMH chalks; Stickles-Gold; Fibers-unknown

This was last weeks sketch (and was completed last week)!
Products (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): Paper Daydream, white daisy CS; Stamps: Treasures (Sept '09 SOM), Ink: Flower, Black; Martha Stewart Punch; Gemstones-paper studio; Pink baubles-Michaels; White Daisy Ribbon

My scraproom is starting to come together. I'm so excited to have my Original Scrapbox finally up and put together (mostly). Once it's organized completely, I will be in paper crafting heaven! I love it! I'll post pics when I get it completely done!

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