Thank You Hedgehogs

Here are some 4" x 4" cards made with the Splendor paper pack and July's cute stamp of the month. I love the cloud paper in this paper pack. I needed to make 14 of these fun little cards. The weather was so pleasant on Wednesday evening that I took my little hedgehogs to my son's soccer practice and sat in the bleachers coloring them. My daughter had her own stash of hedgehogs to color too! She loves it when I stamp extras of some of our open stamps for her to decorate and it keeps her busy. We used our clipboards (decorated, of course!) for support with some scrap paper clipped on to catch our stray marks around the edges of the hedgehogs.

Here's a closeup. The butterfly is paper pieced (stamped on the back of the green "grass" paper which is the same pattern but in Goldrush) . The little hedgehog is colored with a Desert Sand marker for his quills, a bit of Blush in the ears, and a light brown colored pencil for his body. The hedgehog piece is also lifted up a bit on foam tape (originally stamped on Colonial White cardstock and cut out). The green piece in the background is sponged on the edges with Cocoa ink.

Supplies used: (July SOTM) Happy Forever stamp set,  (D1361) Thank You stamp set, (Z2114) Cocoa stamp pad, (Z2318) Desert Sand marker, (Z2306) Blush marker, (X7124B) Splendor level 2 paper pack

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Autumn/Winter Idea Book Sneak Peek #4 - Studio J

Close To My Heart's digital scrapbooking has gotten even better! Beginning September 8th, you can purchase Studio J memberships which offer discounts and special bonuses.

I admit, I have been slow to get started with digital scrapbooking. I really love being able to create a piece of art with my photos with paper, stamps, and various other embellishments. However, I also want to get more layouts done in a timely manner and I'd like to do still be able to do it in an artistic way. So I finally started playing around with Studio J and I am hooked! I love being able to choose different layouts and paper kits. If I don't like how it looks, it's so easy to delete and try something else! It's also great to be able to use any of the stickers that coordinate with the kits and other embellishments without having to buy them. What was really super was being able to use a layout with lots of little areas for pictures and just being able to drag and drop -- not having to crop all of those little pictures! I know that I will never totally give up traditional paper scrapbooking, but I see Studio J as a great addition to my scrapbooking!

With Studio J, you never need to purchase software. All you need is an internet connection! Try Studio J out for free. Your only cost is if you decide to print out your layouts.

Here are the details:
Studio J two-page layouts are $13 ($6.50 per page) without a membership. With a Studio J Membership, you receive prints at 50% off.

Membership Costs:
12-Month Membership $99
3-Month Membership $30
5 Pack $55

AS A MEMBER YOU ARE ENTITLED TO... 

• Have access to all digital kits and embellishments PLUS some exclusive members only kits
• Reduced prices -- two-page layouts are $6.50 (or $3.25 per page)
• One free shipment per month (minimum of 4 double layouts, maximum of  10 double layouts)  
• Hi-res, printable JPG files available separately for $3.00 without print purchase
• Free Hi-res JPG files for every custom-printed layout purchased  
• Free low resolution jpg files for E-mailing and online sharing  
• Free memory protectors with every layout  
• Exclusive campaigns and deals throughout your membership

Hostesses get credit for membership sales.
Customers earn campaign rewards too.
12 month membership auto-renews for your convenience.
3 month membership converts to $10 per month billed automatically after initial period.
5 packs are ideal for trying out Studio J, using for a one time project, or for giving as a giftPin It

Autumn/Winter Idea Book Sneak Peek #3 -- New Sparkles

I've really enjoyed using the clear sparkles CTMH carries to embellish my cards and layouts and now there will be more colors! One pack will feature reds, pinks, and purples, while the other pack will feature blues and greens. How about using the red and green ones as "apples" in a tree or adding the blue ones to snowflakes?

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Autumn/Winter Idea Book Sneak Peek #2 -- New Albums

Are you ready for another sneak peek?

Close to My Heart has changed their 12" x12" album offerings: no more Linen, no more Leather, and a different type of Faux Leather. Although I am disappointed that there aren't going to be any 6"x 6" or 9" x 9" sized albums in the new catalog (Feel free to send a suggestion to Close To My Heart if you like these sizes as much as I do! Just go to this link here!) and I know that many people have been using a particular color and/or type of album for their scrapbooking (myself included!), which will no longer be available, I have to say that I do love the new albums. I was able to see them during convention and I've already gotten two to use!

They come in Black, Dark Chocolate, Dark Cranberry, Dark New England Ivy, Hollyhock and Outdoor Denim. I think these albums will stand up better to little and not so little fingers pouring over albums. Best of all, they are less expensive than our linen ones! Check them out starting on September 1st in the new catalog on page 87.

Here's my Dark Chocolate album.

Here's a closer look.

This is the Dark New Englad Ivy which is a really beautiful color.

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Autumn/Winter Idea Book Sneak Peek #1 -- New Colors

The Autumn/Winter Idea Book and Catalog goes "live" on September 1st. I thought I'd give you a few sneak peeks of what you will find in there.

One big change (as you might have guessed from looking at the retired list) is that eight colors are being retired. These colors are Clover Meadow, Star Spangled Blue, Bubblegum, Orange, Citrus Leaf, Ocean, Watermelon, Hydrangea. The "Summer" palette is being refreshed with eight new colors and although I will miss my greens (Clover Meadow and Citrus Leaf), I think the new colors are a big improvement -- a bit more subtle and contemporary.

Here they are!

Stay tuned for more sneak peeks!

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National Stamping Month

Celebrate National Stamping Month with the special Triple Play Kit from Close To My Heart

Triple Play Kit Contents:

1 – My Acrylix® Love This Stamp Set

4 – Exclusive Inks® Mini Stamp Pads (Desert Sand, Hollyhock, Indian Corn Blue, and Sunset)
9 – 4" x 12" Panels (3 each of 3 color schemes)
3 – 6" x 12" Die-Cut Sheets
1 – 72" Length Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon
3 – Hook and Loop Fasteners
1 –Brochure

Colors: Bamboo, Blush, Desert Sand, Garden Green, Hollyhock, Indian Corn Blue, Outdoor Denim, and Sunset

From now until September 30th, there are five ways you can get this special kit:

1. Buy the Triple Play kit for $29.95.

2. Purchase $25 in My Acrylix® stamps and get the Triple Play kit for just $15.

3. Spend $40 on My Acrylix stamps and get Triple Play for only $5!

4. Host a Gathering with sales of $300 or more and get Triple Play FREE!

5. Join Close To My Heart as a Consultant and get the kit FREE!

National Stamping Month is always fun, but this year you’ll get three times the excitement with Triple Play!Pin It

Thinking of You

I based my card on this card from the Clean and Simple blog. As I've mentioned before, I love simple cards but it takes me awhile to get them right, so they turn out not to be too simple for me. I do like how this turned out...after three tries! This stamp set (Treasure Life) is one of my favorites. I used a corner rounder with the guide removed to make the scalloped edge.

Supplies used: Colonial White cardstock (1388), Textured cardstock, Bamboo stamp pad (Z2103), Chocolate stamp pad (Z2111), Colonial White ribbon (Z1126), Treasure Life stamp set (D1306), Say it in Style stamp set (D1283), Corner Rounder (Z578)

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Remember, CTMH's Customer Appreciation Sale Begins Today!

Scroll to the August 1st post for more details or go straight to my website to see the products on sale! Happy shopping!

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Thank You Cards with Family Ties - Children

We always seem to need Thank You cards! I created two versions of this card stamping the thank you sentiment on twill ribbon for the second. The backgrounds of the White Daisy pieces of cardstock that the "kids" are stamped on was made by masking and then sponging ink.

Supplies used: Family Ties - Children stamp set (C1345), Thank You stamp set (D1361), White Daisy cardstock (1385), Cocoa cardstock (X5642), Topiary stamp pad, Black stamp pad (Z2105), Heavenly Blue stamp pad (Z2126), Splendor Level 2 paper pack (X7124B), Twill ribbon (Z1099), Heavenly Blue marker (Z2326), Sunflower marker (Z2350), Topiary marker (Z2355), Moonstruck marker (Z2334), Bamboo marker (Z2303), Parchment marker (Z2342)

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$2, $4, $6, for 8...It’s YOU We Appreciate!

Close To My Heart's August Constant Campaign

From August 4th at 9 am (MDT) - August 11, 2010, while supplies last, you can purchase selected My Stickease® assortments for only $2, My Reflections® Level 1 kits for only $4, and My Reflections® Level 2 paper packets for only $6 on my website. The deals are amazing and only available online so be sure to check it out ( lubna.myctmh.com).

See below for a full list of what will be on sale! All of these items are either already retired or will be retiring at the end of this year (sniff!) so this sale will be the best (and maybe last, if they sell out) time to buy them!


X7045A My Reflections Vintage Travel Level 1 $ 4.00

X7045C VintageTravel My Stickease $ 2.00

X7056A My Reflections Discovery Level 1 $ 4.00

X7060A My Reflections Heirloom Level 1 $ 4.00

X7060B My Reflections Heirloom Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7061A My Reflections Floral Impressions Level 1 $ 4.00

X7061B My Reflections Floral Impressions Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7061C Floral Impressions My Stickease $ 2.00

X7062A My Reflections Laid Back Level 1 $ 4.00

X7069A My Reflections Just Chillin Level 1 $ 4.00

X7069C Just Chillin My Stickease $ 2.00

X7070A My Reflections Simple Pleasure Level 1 $ 4.00

X7070B My Reflections Simple Pleasure Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7070C Simple Pleasure My Stickease $ 2.00

X7071A My Reflections Best Friends Forever Level 1 $ 4.00

X7072A My Reflections School Zone Level 1 $ 4.00

X7072C School Zone My Stickease $ 2.00

X7073A My Reflections Abundance Level 1 $ 4.00

X7073B My Reflections Abundance Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7073C Abundance My Stickease $ 2.00

X7075A My Reflections More To Adore Level 1 $ 4.00

X7075B My Reflections More To Adore Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7075C More To Adore My Stickease $ 2.00

X7076A My Reflections Sonata Level 1 $ 4.00

X7076C Sonata My Stickease $ 2.00

X7077C Sweet Harmony My Stickease $ 2.00

X7078A My Reflections Cutie Pie Level 1 $ 4.00

X7078C Cutie Pie My Stickease $ 2.00

X7079B My Reflections Rough n Tumble Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7079C Rough n Tumble My Stickease $ 2.00

X7080A My Reflections Route 66 Level 1 $ 4.00

X7080C Route 66 My Stickease $ 2.00

X7081A My Reflections Majestic Blue Level 1 $ 4.00

X7081B My Reflections Majestic Blue Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7081C Majestic Blue My Stickease $ 2.00

X7082A My Reflections Expedition Level 1 $ 4.00

X7082C Expedition My Stickease $ 2.00

X7083A My Reflections Let's Get Together Level 1 $ 4.00

X7084A My Reflections Floral Tapestry Level 1 $ 4.00

X7085A My Reflections Everlasting Level 1 $ 4.00

X7085B My Reflections Everlasting Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7085C Everlasting My Stickease $ 2.00

X7086A My Reflections Caprice Level 1 $ 4.00

X7086B My Reflections Caprice Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7086C Caprice My Stickease $ 2.00

X7087A My Reflections Enchanted Level 1 $ 4.00

X7087B My Reflections Enchanted Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7087C Enchanted My Stickease $ 2.00

X7088A My Reflections Free Spirit Level 1 $ 4.00

X7088B My Reflections Free Spirit Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7088C Free Spirit My Stickease $ 2.00

X7089A My Reflections Lifes Delights Level 1 $ 4.00

X7089C Life Delights My Stickease $ 2.00

X7090A My Reflections Silhouette Level 1 $ 4.00

X7090B My Reflections Silhouette Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7090C Silhouette My Stickease $ 2.00

X7091A My Reflections it’s a Guy Thing Level 1 $ 4.00

X7091B My Reflections it’s a Guy Thing Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7091C it’s a Guy Thing My Stickease $ 2.00

X7092A My Reflections Good Times Level 1 $ 4.00

X7092B My Reflections Good Times Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7092C Good Times My Stickease $ 2.00

X7093A My Reflections Sweet Pea Level 1 $ 4.00

X7093C Sweet Pea My Stickease $ 2.00

X7094A My Reflections Paper Garden Level 1 $ 4.00

X7094C Paper Garden My Stickease $ 2.00

X7095A My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Level 1 $ 4.00

X7095B My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7095C Boom-Di-Ada My Stickease $ 2.00

X7096A My Reflections Blue Ribbon Level 1 $ 4.00

X7096B My Reflections Blue Ribbon Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7096C Blue Ribbon My Stickease $ 2.00

X7097A My Reflections Game On Level 1 Kit $ 4.00

X7097B My Reflections Game On Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7097C Game On My Stickease $ 2.00

X7098A My Reflections Sarsaparilla Level 1 Kit $ 4.00

X7098B My Reflections Sarsaparilla Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7098C Sarsaparilla My Stickease $ 2.00

X7100A My Reflections Perfect Day Level 1 $ 4.00

X7100B My Reflections Perfect Day Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7100C Perfect Day My Stickease $ 2.00

X7101A My Reflections Magic Moments Level 1 $ 4.00

X7101B My Reflections Magic Moments Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7101C Magic Moments My Stickease $ 2.00

X7102A My Reflections Notebook Level 1 $ 4.00

X7102B My Reflections Notebook Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7102C Notebook My Stickease $ 2.00

X7103A My Reflections Aspen Level 1 $ 4.00

X7103B My Reflections Aspen Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7103C Aspen My Stickease $ 2.00

X7104A My Reflections Evensong Level 1 $ 4.00

X7104B My Reflections Evensong Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7104C Evensong My Stickease $ 2.00

X7105A My Reflections Emporium Level 1 $ 4.00

X7105B My Reflections Emporium Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7105C Emporium My Stickease $ 2.00

X7106A My Reflections Unforgettable Level 1 $ 4.00

X7106B My Reflections Unforgettable Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7106C Unforgettable My Stickease $ 2.00

X7107A My Reflections That’s Amore Level 1 $ 4.00

X7107B My Reflections That’s Amore Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7107C That’s Amore My Stickease $ 2.00

X7108A My Reflections Daydream Level 1 $ 4.00

X7108B My Reflections Daydream Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7108C Daydream My Stickease $ 2.00

X7109A My Reflections Stardust Level 1 $ 4.00

X7109B My Reflections Stardust Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7109C Stardust My Stickease $ 2.00

X7110A My Reflections Back Country Level 1 $ 4.00Pin It