CTMH 2014-2015 Annual Inspirations SNEAK PEEK # 3 - New Paper Collections!!

Just announced today, my friends…9 new paper collections to be debuted in the 2014 Annual Inspirations Idea Book from Close To My Heart!

Here's a sneak peek to tide you over until it goes "live" on August 1, 2014.  Keep in mind that these are only 2 out of the 6 designs that come with each paper collection!



Chalk It Up

Close To My Heart Chalk It Up

Scaredy Cat

Close To My Heart Scaredy Cat

Pathfinding

Close To My Heart Pathfinding

Yuletide Carol

Close To My Heart Yuletide Carol

Snowhaven

Close To My Heart Snowhaven

Confetti Wishes

Close To My Heart Confetti Wishes

Brushed

Close To My Heart Brushed

Wanderful

Close To My Heart Wanderful

Seaside

Close To My Heart Seaside

CTMH 2014-2015 Annual Inspirations SNEAK PEEK # 2 - New Cricut Collection

There will be a new Close To My Heart Cricut Collection in the new 2014 Annual Inspirations Idea Book! 

ARTFULLY SENT is the name of our new cartridge and it is perfect for all you card makers out there!

CTMH Artfully Sent Collection

I'm so excited about this news.  This brings the total collections to 4 including Art Philosophy, Artiste, and Artbooking!  

To remind you of all the wonderful things included, here is a look at our current Cricut Collections:  

CTMH Art Philosophy

CTMH Artiste

CTMH Artbooking

CTMH 2014-2015 Annual Inspirations SNEAK PEEK # 1 - August 2014 Stamp of the Month

You may already know this about me, but for those visiting for the first time, here's a little insight into my personality.  I love sharing CTMH secrets!  I can't help it!  I think that new products and specials should be shared as soon as possible!  For me it builds on the excitement of the new and exciting things to come.

Effective August 1, 2014, Close To My Heart will be changing from twice annual Idea Books to a super fun, year round, Annual Inspirations catalog! This book will be packed full of paper packs, inks, accessories, home decor items, Picture My Life and much more.  It is guaranteed to get your creative paper crafting juices flowing!  There will be over 250 new items revealed! That means if you want to do Christmas/Holiday cards in May, you can do it!  No more waiting for holiday stamps and papers!  

Then, as Close To My Heart is known for, we will keep up with things trendy and fresh in paper crafting by releasing 2 supplemental catalogs called Seasonal Expressions that will premier December 1, 2014 and April 1, 2015.

As an Independent Consultant with the company for almost 2 years now (I joined August 2012), I am very excited for myself and above all, you, my customers.  This will allow me to bring even more variety to the Create & Takes that we do together in our crops as well as offer more opportunities for fee based classes.

The stamp set below is a little sneak peak at what is to come!  This August Stamp of the Month, "What a Hoot" can be yours for only $5.00 with a qualifying order of $50.00!  Have your Halloween cards and party items complete well ahead of the actual holiday!  I'm already picturing adorable tags on give away candy bags using this adorable stamp set!  What do you envision making with this stamp set?

"What a Hoot"  Item # S1408

Share your creative ideas in the comment section!  Tell me what you think, is it okay to spill a secret among friends if its about new products?!!

Don't forget…in order to make room for all the new goodies, many products are on a retiring list and are while supplies last.  Stock up now at my website.

Close To My Heart Free To Be Me Cards

I really like the new Free to Be Me paper pack from Close To My Heart.  It is only available during the month of May 2014 to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month.  It comes with six sheets of double sided patterned paper (in 3 patterns), 6 sheets of coordinating card stock that has a smooth side and a textured side, as well as 2 sheets of vellum.  You can read more about the details of this offer in a previous post: Free to Be Me!

I wanted to share the gorgeous cards that can be made with this paper pack!  Since feathers are so trendy now, I was absolutely drawn to the patterned paper that featured this image in Ruby, Lagoon and Gold.  

Free to Be Me Thank You Cards

Free to Be Me Lagoon

Free to Be Me Ruby

Using a paper trimmer, I cut a piece of White Daisy card stock at 5 1/2 inches wide X 8 1/2 inches long and folded it in half to make a 5 1/2 inch X 4 1/4 inch base.

I then cut a piece of the colored/textured card stock at 5 1/4 inches X 4 inches and adhered it to the base leaving a 1/4 inch border all the way around.

I cut 1 1/2 inch X 3 3/4 inch strips of both the patterned paper with the feather design and the vellum paper with the feather design and adhered them to the card stock, again leaving a 1/4 inch border.

To add some sparkle and interest, I attached a 5 1/4 inch piece of Red Shimmer Trim from end to end of the card base.

For the sentiment, I choose "Thanks So Very Much" from the For A Friend stamp set.  This stamp conveniently coordinates with an image found on the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  The shape <Rctngle4> is found on page 25 of the manual.  I cut it out in White Daisy at the size matching the stamp, 1 1/2 inches, then cut the Gold card stock at 1 3/4 inches to act as a mat.

Then to finish it off, I used 3 Durables Triangle Studs down along the bottom which echoed some of the shapes found in the patterned paper.

I have to say, I'm so very pleased with how these cards turned out.  This paper pack is so very versatile and the bright colors will really accent any project.

You must order this now, as it is only available for a limited time.  Don't miss out!

CTMH Special for National Scrapbooking Month 2014 - Free to Be Me!

Happy National Scrapbooking Month!  I enjoy any holiday, but I must say that I especially enjoy a holiday around my favorite pastime, scrapbooking!  The best part about this holiday is that it lasts a whole month; this gives me lots of time to celebrate with friends!  

Close To My Heart wants to share in the celebration!  For this month only (May 2014), there is a special offer for you, the scrapbooker.  It's an exclusive and specially designed paper packet that includes 14 total sheets in a combination of patterned paper, cardstock and vellum for only $5.00 with your $50.00 order!

Free to Be Me!

To sweeten the celebration even more, they have made it combinable with the Stamp of the Month below, a $17.95 value that can also be added for $5.00!

You've Got A Friend - May 2014 Stamp of the Month

Look at some of the cute cards that you can make!

To share in this celebration with me, SHOP NOW!

Becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant - My "Why"

With the CTMH April 2014 promotion called "Discover the Art of Business" (more details to follow below) being such a fabulous deal, I wanted take a few moments of your time to tell you about why I decided to become an Independent Consultant for the company.  I believe that each individual will have their own "why", but want to share mine with you.

I have been a customer of Close To My Heart for many years now.  I think I discovered it around 2008 or 2009 when my best friend Jennifer told me about it.  I had been a scrapbooker for many years before that, but was never dedicated to a specific product line or designer.  I always looked for what was on sale at the big craft stores and for what appealed to me visually.  When Jennifer passed on an Idea Book (catalog) to me, I was taken by how everything coordinated and even though I had never stamped before, I purchased a few paper and sticker kits when another friend, Dee was a hostess.

I liked that the company had designed everything to go together.  My kit came with paper and stickers that were coordinated and I easily completed several pages using the one kit.  After that, I sought out a consultant in my neighborhood and became a frequent attendee of her crops and a loyal customer.  Over the next few years, I dabbled more into adding accents to my pages with stamps and inking.  I used more embellishments on my pages and even made a few cards.  I loved the products and looked forward to the newest Idea Book for more inspiration and trendy items.  

In 2012, I made the decision to become a consultant.  One of the reasons was, of course, to get a discount off of my own supplies!  Let's be honest, hobbies cost money.  A 22 percent discount was a great incentive.  However, I also wanted to expand my social circle and meet others who loved to paper craft.  I love people and I especially love crops!  I have such fun getting together with other ladies while chatting, laughing, and creating!

Shortly after I made the commitment to join the company, my husband and I moved to a brand new city; Jacksonville, Florida.  I love where we live, but didn't know a soul here.  Guess what?  Scrapbooking changed all that quickly!  I created a meet up group for paper crafters, committed to hosting it monthly, and met so many wonderful ladies in the past year and a half! 

Close To My Heart has given me the opportunity to grow my circle of friends and earn income!  My business is growing so much, I now host two crops a month plus teach card making and scrapbooking workshops!  See what I'm up to now at Scrapbook, Stamp and Socialize!

If you love to scrapbook, stamp or make cards, consider joining Close To My Heart.  It has changed my life for the better and I believe it can do the same for you.  

April 2014 is the perfect time to join me on my journey!  Not only will you receive your business builder New Consultant kit for only $99 (an approximate retail value of $309), but this month only, receive a complete CTMH Cricut Collection of your choice for FREE!

Join My Team!

Choose from:

Art Philosophy

Artiste

Artbooking

Join My Team!

Thank you for letting me share my story with you and thank you for considering joining me as a sister consultant with Close To My Heart.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.  I look forward to hearing from you soon and learning your "why"!

Travel Mini Album Made with CTMH Cricut Artbooking Cartridge

A mini album has always been a quick and easy way to document a vacation.  Close To My Heart has made it even easier by using just 2 keys on the new Artbooking cartridge for Cricut.  With your size dial set at 8 inches and your booklet opened to pages 38 & 39 you have all that you need to cut out the shapes and images that make up the adorable mini album found in the video below.  Create pockets for your vacation keepsakes and make journaling boxes to tell your personal stories and trip memories.

I thought that this project was particularly apropos as I am a travel agent for my "real job"!!  This is just the thing to organize some of the photos, boarding passes, brochures, etc. that I have boxed up at home.  No more excuses, it's time for me to get scrapbooking!

I hope that you are as inspired as I am to share your vacation memories in the form of a Travel Mini Album.