July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Life is Wonderful

Welcome to the stamp of the month blog hop!  Close to My Heart has featured another fun stamp set with sentiments to brighten any card, scrapbook page or decor item.

If you have arrived from Wendy Kessler's Blog, you are headed in the right direction.  The hop is one big circle.  As you continue from post to post, you will see the fabulous artwork from almost 50 consultants.  After you have visited here, you will hop on over to Lela Norris's Blog to see what she has created! 

I was inspired to use this stamp set in a couple of different ways.  First I played with the Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge and made a "Sleeve" card.  These pull out cards are a fun way to send a special message.

After playing with the "Sleeve" function, I moved to the "Pocket Card" option.  This cartridge is full of so many possibilities.  I made both a 4x3 card and 4x6 that can be used for either pocket scrapbooking or as embellishments on a classic scrapbooking layout.  I will be featuring these on a future blog hop but I did want to give you a sneak peek!

  
Now here's the great news! 
As usual with the stamp of the month, you can purchase the set for $17.95 or $5 with a $50 purchase  BUT during the month of July, CTMH has an additional special going on.  When you purchase $25 in stamps, you can get this stamp of the month FREE!  To hear more about this special, contact your consultant or visit my website and click on the "promotions" tab. 

Don't forget, there is more to see!  Hop on over to Lela's Blog and see what she has created. 

Life is Wonderful!
Michele

For Her Crush Book: A whole new paper packet

When you open a crush book, you can add photos and memorabilia and create a treasured keepsake.  Or, you can tear pages out and begin creating cards or scrapbook pages.  It's like having a whole new paper packet.

Using the For Her Crush Book which can be purchased for $10.95, a few cardstock scraps and card based, I created 11 cards.  For embellishment, I added Gold Shimmer Trim and Gold Sequins.  I used three different stamp sets but as you can see, you can use your favorite stamps.

Enjoy the possibilities!

Supplies I used can be purchased on my website.

Have fun!
Michele

CTMH 2015 retirement series: Chalk it up!

Well, CTMH has told us that they will have to retire some products to make room for some new.  Over the next few weeks, I will highlight individual paper packets that will be retiring, showing the artwork I have created and what will be retiring.  Remember, if the featured paper kit and coordinating supplies strike your fancy, shop now because all items are while supplies last. 

So lets start with Chalk it Up!  A fun paper packet to celebrate the school years, your rocket scientist or even a trip to Harry Potter world at Universal Studios.

 Shown:  Chalk it up Workshop on the Go

Just a reminder you can click on the photos to see them larger. 

Highlights:  I used the Workshop on the Go to create my layouts as well as the Picture My Life set, complements and assortment.  I love the word bubbles in the assortment set and those hearts can be colored with Shin Han Markers to coordinate with other "reds" in your project. 

My favorite element in this kit is the stamp set which is only available in the Workshop on the Go and will retire along with it! 

To order this set before it retires, shop on my website. 

Life is Good! 
Michele

Why do I go CTMH Convention every year?

It all started when I signed up as a consultant under my mom.  This was a great connection we shared and the timing of the Portland convention was perfect:  close to home, Portland was between us on the map, and I had made it through my first year as a consultant even though I wasn't sure it would ever last that long. 

Convention has changed for me over the years.  At first it was to be with my mom, to see our own artwork posted on the artwork wall and experience the excitement of new product and programs with her!  Then after she passed away, I have to say, it was hard to go to convention but really, I didn't want to miss the CTMH celebration of the year.  Now going to convention is about deepening the friendships I have made over the years (meeting at the pool first thing this year!), learning about the new products and programs (and technology allows me to share with my downline in almost real time), and coming home with exciting products and techniques to share with my customers for the coming year.

Ultimately, convention "feeds" me and is one of the greatest things about being a Close To My Heart Consultant.   It re-energizes me!

If you have ever wonder what it would be like to be a consultant, what the rewards might be, how you can earn free vacations, or take a trip to convention, I would love to hear your questions.  AND when I return from convention, there will be a brand spankin' new consultant kit updated with the latest and greatest products, ready for you to see what Close to My Heart has in store for you! 

Watch for details about new product in September with classes and workshops! 
Michele

My Crush Blog Hop

Who is your summer Crush?  I am so excited about the June special and the fantastic artwork you are going to see on this blog hop.  What do you think people have done with these fabulous books.

If you have arrived here from Terrie's Blog, you are coming right along.  After visiting here, you will move on to see what Judy Faye has created with her summer Crush. 

Where did I begin?  There are so many different options, even in the selection of books.  I happen to have a Wildwood book on hand and I just had to get up the gumption to rip out the pages!  I just had to get over the thought of tearing pages out of the book and once I did...I had a whole new paper packet in front of me to play with!  Go ahead, do it!

With the new paper I had, using Kraft cardstock to coordinate with the pages, I created two layouts and two cards.  I think I used 6 full pages (10 x 7").

This first layout in a celebration of the beginning of summer.  School will be out in two weeks here and I am looking forward to some adventures with my family.  If you look closely...the right hand page is upside down!  But you get the gist.

 

 As you can see, I also used the Wildwood assortment which includes stickers, and mini "card" for journaling and embellishment.  I also add a Cricut cut title.

And then with the "scraps", I created the two cards.  I really like the look of the torn page edge from the spiral book.  It creates a nice texture and interest.

For all these pieces, I added the durable triangle studs I had on hand as well as some Glacier Blue extra thick twine on the layouts.  They coordinate perfectly.

Now go ahead...rip out those pages and start creating today.  For $12.95, you have a wonderful new set of paper to for your summer layouts  AND you get the assortment for $4.95 and a FREE stamp set.

You can order your Crush books from your CTMH consultant or by visiting my website here to see all the books, assortments and FREE stamp sets available this month.  Remember, this is a "while supplies last" special so get your books now before they are gone.

Now remember to keep hopping along to Judy Faye's Blog to see if she ripped out her pages or created a memory book! 

Here's to a fun summer crush!
Michele

Don't go yet!

It is that time of year when I need to share the retirement list with you!  Yes, Close to My Heart will be retiring many of our favorite products this summer to make room for the new.  Many products from the Annual Inspirations 2014-15 Idea book and Seasonal Expressions I and II will no longer be available after August 31st and beginning June 5th, all items are now "while supplies last".  That means when they are gone!

This includes paper packets, Picture My Life cards, stamp sets, home decor and embellishments. 

You can view the entire list here.

You can shop for items on my website here. 

Consider the projects you need to complete or the items that are your favorite.  Please take a look and shop early so you are not disappointed.  And always, you can contact me with any questions.  

Let me show you how!

Michele

Do you have a summer CRUSH?

During the month of June, when you purchase any My Crush™ book and its accompanying assortment pictured in Annual Inspirations 2014–2015, pages 150-157, you will receive the coordinating stamp set FREE!  There's an easy way to order...visit my website here to select from the available books. 

What are Crush Books?  

These small albums are a fast, simple, easy, and even "on the go way" to keep the memories you make as they are happening.   Add your ticket stubs, write your favorite quote of the day, journal your summer trip, print your instagram photos...there are so many possibilities. 

 How can you use a Crush book?

• * Summer diary
• * Travel journal
• * Teacher gifts
• * Advent calendar (Holiday Happenings)
• * Christmas gifts
• * Wedding gifts

From family reunions to camping adventures to holiday countdowns—and much more—you will be crushing on all these books and the possibilities they provide.

Every My Crush book features a hard cover with wire binding and cardstock-weight pages that are printed with eye-catching designs to form the perfect bases for your memory keeping.

Additionally, each My Crush book also features unique details—from glossy print, to vellum pages, to gold foil, to ink-resistant patterns—that make displaying your personality easier than ever.

Plus, once you add the artistry of the coordinating assortments featuring sticker sheets, envelopes, alphabets, cards, and journaling spots, along with your free stamp set, you will be well on your way to your own gorgeous mini book creation! 

 Now that you know what a crush book is, take a minute to think how you might use one or gift one to someone!  Don't forget you can order them right here on my website. 

And did you know you can "rip" pages out of the book for other projects?  Come back on June 7th to see what I have created with the Wildwood pages and assortment! 

Here's to your summer Crush
Michele

Have I ever told you...

...that one of my favorite things about CTMH is how products can be so easily coordinated together?  It makes crafting FAST, SIMPLE and EASY.

For example, what do you get when you cross the Taste of Simple paper packet (May 2015 special) with the Blossom WOTG?

I used the same card cutting instructions included in the Workshop on the Go, added Thistle and Cotton Candy ink colors and created the bright taste of summer cards.  I love how the cards change with just a simple change of paper packets.  Here are the cards in better detail.

Since the Taste of Summer packet is no longer available, what paper would you use to pair with the Blossom workshop on the go?

You can purchase the workshop on the go here, on my website.