Blog Hop! Balloon Talk

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring April 's SOTM, which is Balloon Talk, a set of 24 stamps.  If you have come here from Pam Trostle's Blog, you are on the right path! The 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 month we have about 55 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go:

I used random stamping of the open word baloons in Slate ink to create my background.  Then I cut the word balloon shapes from the Artiste and Artbooking Cricut Cartridges, embossed them with the polka dot folder and stamped in black in on a cut shape for the "Thanks".  It came together very quickly and I am happy with how it turned out!  See how you can get a Cricut Cartridge for free in the information at the bottom of this post. 

Or "Hop" on over to Keely's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the SOTM is only available until !  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!





April Is Your Month for a Free Cartridge!


Use your artistic and business abilities in the greatest business venture of your life by joining Close To My Heart! When you sign up as an Independent Consultant during the month of April, you’ll not only start out on your artistic journey, but you’ll also be given the right artistic tools to help you on your way: you’ll receive a FREE Close To My Heart Cricut^® collection* with your New Consultant Kit! Each collection is extremely “art-full” and makes for hours of artistic scrapbooking. Join Close To My Heart and start your journey today!

I look forward to talking with you about this opportunity!  Email me today!  

Thinking out of the box with Artbooking

Compared to holidays and special events, everyday life is where most memories are made. For capturing those seemingly average yet so important days, the Cricut^® Artbooking cartridge has just what you need! Watch the video for ideas on how to rally shapes from a variety of themes to create original artwork celebrating your day-to-day activities.



 You can get $400 worth of paper crafting supplies including this cartridge for $99 during the month of April only.  Ask me how!  

Pocket Album: Pura Vida Style

As an earner of the Close to My Heart Costa Rica Trip, I was able to participate is a Secret Sister Swap during the trip.  I was spoiled rotten by my secret sister (who happened to also be the one I was gifting).  Her name is Kimberly Deines from Colorado and this is the lovely Pocket Album she created for me.  Can't wait to highlight the special events and memories from the trip in this book.

The cover was created using the Skylark paper packet and Framework Alphabet.  Below, she used a card from the Balloon Ride Picture My Life set as well as cuts from the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.

The stamps she used were a gift we were given as earners of the Costa Rica Land Tour.  Pura Vida means "pure life" and is a common greeting and expression in Costa Rica. 

These pockets have cards from the Surf's Up Picture My Life kit.

When you purchase this album, every page includes a pocket.  Kim covered some of these pockets to create a more traditional album page. Above she added 4x6 flip flaps on the right for more photo space.  Below, she created a tag with one of the cards from the Balloon Ride Picture My Life Kit.  You can also see that she used a mini flip flap. 

Thank you Kim for this special album!

April Showers are coming with a great deal from Close to My Heart!

In April I will celebrate 12 years with this fabulous company.  I am so grateful for the opportunities it has given me to meet people from near and far, discover my creativity and add a little income to my family budget. 

• Have you ever thought that you wanted a discount on great paper crafting products?
• Do you enjoy being creative and sharing that with others?
• How does a vacation on someone else's dime sound?  

Maybe you should consider what Close to My Heart has to offer in April!

If you answered with any inkling of "maybe" or "yes" to any of those questions, consider joining the Evergreen Memories consultant club and reap the many benefits of this wonderful community.  View this series of videos that will help answer your questions.  Then let's talk!  I would love to hear your thoughts and dreams! 

Ready to sign up?  Connect to my website here between April 1-30th for this great special.  After you do, I will be in contact to help you get started on this incredible journey!

Fall into Artbooking

You’ll fall for the Cricut^® Artbooking collection when you see what it can do for your autumn-themed projects.  But I am excited to make the tree filled with blossoms and add a touch of spring!  The keys featured are on page 72 and 73.   Add spring colors and watch your spring layouts bloom!  Watch the video for great ideas on using the cartridge!



Ask me how you can get this cartridge and $300 in product for only $99 in the month of April. 

Do you like to WIN!

Close to My Heart is featuring a contest where you can win a free Picture My Life Kit! 



Close To My Heart's new Picture My Life™ Scrapbooking Programs pair perfectly with your favorite photos for fun and colorful displays. In our Mix & Match Contest, tell us which Picture My Life™ Scrapbooking Program is your favorite and why in a comment on Facebook, Jeanette Lynton's blog, or YouTube before March 31, 2014, for your chance to win your choice!

I entered and my favorite (today anyway) is Skylark!

March Calendar of Events

Timberline Scrapbook Workshop
March 21, Friday  9:30 a.m.  Bothell
March 31, Monday 10:00 a.m.  Monroe

For this workshop you will need:
(Order by March 7th)

• X7182B  Timberline Paper Packet  9.95
• X7182B  Timberline Complements  4.95
• Z3005     Timberline Wooden Assortment    5.95
• Z1853     Aquadots                3.95

Lollydoodle Scrapbook Workshop

March 21, Friday 11:00 a.m.  Bothell
For this workshop you will need:
(Order by March 7th)

• x7183b  Lollydoodle Paper Packet  9.95
• X7183C  Lollydoodle Complements  4.95
• Z3006  Lollydoodle Assortment  4.95
• Z1853     Aquadots                3.95  OR
• Z1934  Flamingo Dots           3.95

Skylark/Easter Card Workshop

March 21, Friday 7:00 p.m.  Bothell
Five cards for $15
RSVP by March 18th

Pennant Frame

March 22nd, Saturday 10:30 a.m.  Bothell
Choose between a frame using the Lollydoodle paper packet or Skylark Paper Packet. 
Class fee is $16.50 for one frame.

 Frame inspired by Lisa Stenz

Inspired by Christina Eisenhour

Coming in April

Balloon Ride Scrapbook Workshop

April 25, Friday 9:30 a.m.  Bothell
(Order supplies by April 15th)

Ivy Lane Card/Note Box Class

April 25, Friday 7:00 p.m.  Bothell
(Order by April 15th)

Mom & Me Pendant Necklace Buffet

April 26th 10:30 a.m.  Bothell

Pennant Frame

Fast, simple and easy!  1, 2, 3!  These new pennant frames go together so quickly and they are adorable as room decor or a special gift, Mother's Day, teacher's gift, baby shower, birthday?  The sky is the limit and the recipient will be thrilled with this handmade delight.

 Inspired by Lisa Stenz

 Inspired by Christina Eisenhour

If you are in the Bothell WA area, you can attend my workshop on Saturday March 22nd at 10:30 a.m.  I will have everything pre-cut for you.  The workshop fee for one frame is $16.50.  RSVP by March 7th and let me know how many frames you will be making. 

If you are not in the area or can't make the date but would like to create this frame, please contact me and I will create a kit for you!

Items I used to create these frames can be purchased on my website.   Click on photos to see larger and read numbers. 

 Skylark Pennant Frame

Lollydoodle Pennant Frame