Close To My Heart My Creations Pennant Frame

Have you ever thought about using your scrapbooking paper to decorate your home?  I know, who would have thought?!  Well, thankfully, Close To My Heart did!  They recognize that your photos of loved ones need to be on display to see every day, instead of hidden inside of an album.  But in a more creative and pretty way; not just in a plain wood frame.

With the My Creations Pennant Frame, a white chipboard frame, you can use your favorite papers and embellishments to highlight a special 6" x 6" photograph.  To make it even easier, they have coordinated the CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge to cut out the overlay shape with the push of one button! Just go to page 76 of your manual, set your Real Size Dial to 9 1/2" and cut the Photo Mat 2 in the Wintertime themed keys.

Watch the video below to see 3 gorgeous examples of the finished project:

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What do you think?  Isn't this a cute and easy project?  I love Jenn's idea about doing one frame for each family member and hanging them on the wall as a photo frame collage!  Who will you spotlight with this fun technique?

Close To My Heart Easter Pillow Box

CTMH Some Bunny B1446 Hostess Stamp

I'm looking forward to Spring and Easter.  Although the holiday is still a little over a month away, it is not too soon to start planning and making little treats to put in baskets or give to friends and coworkers.  

I used my Close To My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut out this adorable pillow box.  It was super easy as the machine not only cut it out, but scored it for me as well.  I used Colonial White card stock for the box, so the stamping, paper eggs and ribbon would really stand out.  After decorating, I just had to make a few folds, glue one flap and tuck in the edges.  Voila and ta-da!

Here's what you need:

• CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
• Colonial White Cardstock
• Balloon Ride Paper
• Some Bunny stamp set (Hostess Stamp Set # B1446)
• Topiary Mini Chevron Ribbon

Pillow Box, page 28, 6"

Egg shape, page 57, 1 1/2" & 1 3/4"


The Some Bunny stamp set is an exclusive set just for Hostess Rewards.  When you place an order or host a gathering with sales over $150.00, you receive $25.00 in Hostess Rewards.  This stamp set is one of several that may be purchased at a very discounted price with your Hostess Rewards.  For more details, click HERE.

Water Based Dye Ink versus Pigment Ink - What's the Difference?

Ink plays such an important role in memory keeping.  When we document our stories for the generations that follow, we write them down with ink.  When we accent a page with a stamped image, we use ink.  As there are different types of inks, I wanted to give a brief overview to help you decide which type is best for your artwork or archival scrapbooking.

Close To My Heart Inks

Inks have two main components, the color and the carrier.  The carrier is the liquid (water, solvent or alcohol) that holds the color and transfers it to your page, which then evaporates and leaves the color behind.

A DYE ink soaks into the surface of your paper and bonds with it to change it's color.  A PIGMENT ink sits on top of the paper or surface it is applied to and hides the surface color beneath.  Dye binds and pigment covers.

Here are a few features and limitations...


Dye based inks:

• Dries faster and soaks in
• Fade in sunlight as sunlight changes the chemical bond between the dye and the medium
• Great for porous surfaces such as paper
• Can be blended with water
• Uses a felt pad for crisper images

Pigment based inks:

• Take longer to dry
• Are great for embossing
• More intense color
• Resist fading in sunlight
• Great for stamping a light color on dark paper
• Will not run if water is applied to them so are better for archival use
• Use a foam pad so images are not as crisp
• Retains vibrancy of color since it sits on top of the paper
• Store horizontally for best results

When stamping with pigment ink, use a gentle touch. Tap the pad lightly on the stamp straight up and down without rocking to avoid thick areas or bubbles

I hope this brief explanation of the difference in ink types has helped you see the unique characteristics of both.

Happy Stamping!

Go with the Grain and get a Free Embossing Folder in February!

Did you know that the cardstock from Close To My Heart has a grain and that if you go with the grain when embossing you are less likely to have the white core show through?  I have to admit that I didn't know this. The "Score Big with Embossing" video explains exactly how to find the grain of your piece of cardstock and shows examples of what an embossed piece will look like both with and against the grain.

This video is very informative as well as timely.  It just so happens that the February 2014 special of the month is a FREE embossing folder with the purchase of 2 packs of bulk or single color cardstock.

During the month of February, you are eligible to receive your choice of a new embossing folder FREE (a savings of $8.95!) for every 2 packs of bulk single color or combo cardstock you purchase. Pick from our 5 new folder designs—dot, chevron, quatrefoil, damask, or stripe—when you make a qualifying purchase. Add a touch of texture and flair to every cardstock project you create—gorgeous and easy! This offer is only valid while supplies last, so make sure to get your order in early!



*Offer valid February 1–28, 2014. Paper Fundamentals, Colonial White, White Daisy, and kraft cardstock packs do not count toward the qualifying purchase. No tax will be charged on the free item(s). Shipping/ handling is calculated based on the full retail price ($8.95) of the free item(s). Embossing folder size fits most standard embossing machine; sold separately. 

Close To My Heart Skylark Birthday Card

I really love the greens and blues in the new Skylark paper collection from Close To My Heart.  It is the first paper packet featured in the 2014 Spring/Summer Idea Book.  I especially love that the first sheet of paper in the pack has so much going on in the background that you don't really need to add a lot of embellishment to it.  The bird in the bottom right, the striped pennant in the top right and the "Beautiful Memories" in the top left are all part of the first sheet of paper! 

I used a piece of the Juniper card stock in the packet as my base and layered a smaller piece of the great Background & Texture paper.  I stamped a "Happy Birthday" sentiment using the Heartfelt Birthday Wish M-size stamp and mounted it on Kraft paper, also part of the paper packet, to highlight it. Then all I had to do was accent the card with a piece of the zip strip from the same sheet and used the new antiqued gold Durables Triangle Studs to point the eye to my sentiment.  

Close To My Heart Skylark Birthday Card

Supplies Used:

• Skylark Paper Packet - $9.95
• Durables Triangle Studs - $3.95
• Heartfelt Birthday Wish stamp - $2.95

This card used just a few small pieces out of this great paper packet.  I have lots left over to use for my Create & Takes at a future crop and to even make a 2 page layout!

I hope that you enjoy this paper and its possibilities as much as I do!

CTMH Balloon Ride Thank You Card

Up, up and away.  That's where this amazingly light and lovely Balloon Ride paper collection takes me!  I couldn't wait to start using it.  I started out small, so I would have something to share here, but the sky is the limit to all that you can do with it!

Here's the cute 4" x 4" thank you card that I made....

Close To My Heart Balloon Ride Thank You Card

The featured colors of Balloon Ride are Cashmere, Colonial White, Creme Brûlée, Crystal Blue, Juniper, Saddle, Sky, and Sorbet.  Since the paper has a bit of a light and pastel feel, I choose to use Juniper card stock and ink to accent my card.

Materials used:

Balloon Ride paper pack
Juniper card stock
Colonial White card stock
Juniper Ink
Creme Brulee flower
Green and Blue Epoxy Bubbles

The Close To My Heart 2014 Spring Summer Idea Book Is Here!!!!

After weeks of anticipation, it's finally here!  The Close To My Heart 2014 Spring/Summer Idea Book is LIVE!!

There is no need to wait to get your copy; just click below….

IDEA BOOK

Grab a cup of coffee or tea and settle in for a great afternoon of reading pleasure!  

Your imagination will be fired up with all of the beautiful and hand made creations that you are going to be making with paper, inks and embellishments from this publication.

Ok, I'm leaving you alone now!  Go look!