Holiday Heyday starts December 2nd!

The clearance sale starts at 9:00am MT, which is 10:00 our time. A listing of the available items can be found here. The sale continues through December 17th or while supplies last. At prices this low -- who knows how long that will be? So make sure to shop early for the best selection! You can reach the sale through my website, then “Shop Online”. A special clearance link will be available. And here are some things to keep in mind when placing your order:

• There are no requirements to participate in the clearance sale
• The $30 grab bag option is guaranteed to contain products that total over $100
• Clearance items and regularly-priced items cannot be on the same order
• The quantity of each item is restricted to ordering up to 5 of each item
• There is a special flat $5 shipping rate on orders of $100+

The link for the flyer is up to the right under CTMH Latest Special. If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to ask. GOOD LUCK SHOPPING!

Dani

Artwork with November's Stamp of the Month: Around the Block!

Has it really been that long since I posted some artwork? Time sure flies, doesn't it? Our family got a bit overwhelmed by soccer there for a while, and I must admit -- it was a bit much with Delaney being on two teams (never again!) while Kyle was on a team as well (not to mention Kenny). I have been doing some crafty stuff though here and there during all the soccer chaos, I'll post one thing in particular at the end (soccer-related, of course).

For right now, I thought I'd share three of my favorite cards from playing with the November Stamp of the Month: Around the Block. Out of this Idea Book's collection of Stamp of the Month's -- this set wasn't my favorite, at least at first! But I have had so much fun playing with it, it became one of my favs. I may be dating myself here -- but does anyone else remember playing with little Colorform sets when you were a kid? I think we had a Barbie one, a store one (maybe Holly Hobby), and who knows what else. Well, this was sort of the same! I selected my house, how I wanted to decorate it, which windows, roof, door, etc. -- too fun!

In this first one, I was just playing around with making a brick house:



I stamped the frame of the house on Cranberry cardstock with Garnet ink. Then I stamped the solid bricks in Cranberry ink, slightly staggered around with the outline bricks in Garnet ink (some overlapping). Then I stamped the roof, door, window and other house accents on Garnet Cardstock with Garnet ink again. Then I colored the accents with a Cranberry marker and put it all together. I decided the house was a bit too tall for the scene I was wanting to make, so I simply cut a bit of it off before attaching the roof. Then I embossed in White some snow on Heavenly Blue cardstock for the background. The snow was from Winter Memories. Then I stamped two trees in Ponderosa Pine ink (the smaller one is second generation), and added some "snow" with liquid applique on the trees and edges of the white cardstock. (The trees were from a retired set: The Beauty of Christmas.) A current set with realistic-looking trees would be: Warm Memories. Then I attached the house with 3-D Foam tape and stamped "Winter Wonderland" in Cranberry. How cute is that?

Then I was wanting to color my house in a different way, so I was playing around with paper piecing:

In this one, I used the new Sweet Home papers (how appropriate, of course!). It ended up being my favorite of all my cards made with this set. The beautiful patterns just bring so much texture and color to the finished house, that I simply love it. I stamped the main house on the back of the garnet-colored print with the roof stamped on the Garnet side. I even punched out the window and stamped the inside on some vellum for the roof. I also stamped on the main house where I wanted the window and door -- then the sentiment "Home is where love is". Then I used the Buttercup print to stamp the inside of the windows and flowers (coloring in the leaves with a Garden Green marker), and the door, drapes and window pot was stamped on the back of the buttercup paper. Then I simply attached everything together. I used a couple of the other prints to help dress up the card and attached the final house and cloud with 3-D foam tape. Soooooo beautiful!

And last, but certainly not least, is a delicious Gingerbread house:



I wish I came up with the original concept, but there were a lot of these adorable "gingerbread" houses floating around on our bulletin board. But how yummy is that?

I simply embossed with White the house on our Brown Bag cardstock, then after carefully cutting the house out I sponged the edges with Brown bag ink to make it look "baked". I used papers from the festive Jingle pack to pull the card together with our fun new Glitter rub-ons for some accents. (I also used some non-CTMH Stickles to dress up the house a bit.) Simply delicious! HA!

Now, just like all of you, my "crafting" or "me-time" is hard to come by -- but I have been squeezing some time in here and there. One of my big projects was making everyone in Delaney's travel team a mini squashbook for their 2009 season. (Yes, I'm not really sure WHAT I was thinking when I made that decision.) So here is proof that I have still been crafting away when I can. Here is a picture of all 12 personalized books for the Three Lions team:

Everyone's book was designed the same, just replacing pictures of each girl. We tried to take pictures of all the girls throughout the season and just tried to pick the best "action" shots we could find.



We passed them all out at their Halloween party, since they had a tournament on Halloween weekend! Delaney loves her book, and I hope the rest of the girls did as well. We even went back later and filled out the backside of Delaney's album with pictures from their Halloween party as well as their championship photo for winning their last tournament. Way to go girls!

Dani

Grand Prize Winner!

Sorry it took me so long to get this posted!!! LOL Our schedule has been quite hectic with soccer, school events and homework! The winner received her prize a while ago, so at least that wasn't delayed. And the winner of this awesome Autumn/Winter 2009 Idea Book Open House Grand Prize:

Congratulations, Jennifer K! Swing by the next Open House and get your entries in for the Grand Prize next time around… you never know, you could get lucky!

Dani

Available Today: the Autumn/Winter 2009 Idea Book!

The Autumn/Winter 2009 Idea Book is live TODAY! Yippee! You can easily place an order online via my website by clicking the link to the right, swing by and pick up a current Idea Book, or wait and take advantage of the Open House specials on Saturday, September 12th from 9am to 2pm. Here are the two FREE make-n-takes that will be at the Open House:

You'll be able to make a cute bookmark (or two!), just in time for a cute little something for the holidays. We're using the ADORABLE new paper packet Jingle -- so fun!



And you'll be able to make this beautiful card with September's Stamp of the Month set, Treasures -- and the new paper kit Twitterpated!




Check out the post below for more details! Can't wait to see you all!

Dani

Coming soon, the Autumn/Winter 2009 Idea Book!

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 12th from 9am – 2pm!

Come join us at an Open House Celebration for the new Autumn/Winter 2009 Idea Book.



The new Idea Book design is fabulous! The stamps jump off the page, the new kits are GORGEOUS (I think my fav right now is Twitterpated), and you are going to LOVE everything!

As always there will be:

• New product and artwork on display
• Free make-n-take projects
• Open house only specials
• Party & sign-up specials
• Door prizes & grand prize basket
• Light snacks & refreshments
• And more!

Bring a “Fresh Face*” to the Open House and earn a 40% off one single item coupon. Please ask for more details. Ask it gets closer to the date, for more information make sure to check out my website: http://www.memorieswithheart.myctmh.com/ under “Training & Events” then “September 12”. Stop by, visit, and have fun creating!

*A Fresh Face is someone who has never attended a CTMH function with me, Danielle Benich – a gathering, workshop, club meeting, open house, etc.

 

This stamp set's DEFINITELY got flair!

I was able to squeeze some time in downstairs and make some cards with July's stamp of the month: You've Got Flair. I wasn't sure how I felt about this stamp set until I was able to play around with it. It's official -- I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I have another project that I need to get started, so I had to make myself stop and put it away. :-)

For my first card, I simply stamped one of the designs as the main image and colored it in with colors pulled from the striped patterned paper. Then to take it up a notch, I added some stitching with embroidery floss. So pretty!




Then I thought the designs in the set would make a great background, just a simple tone-on-tone stamping. And bonus, I was also able to use up some scraps from my Chocolate ribbon collection!

Then since the tone-on-tone stamping looked so nice, I made the cute flower pot card again (it was in an earlier blog). The flowers made with this stamp set were a bit smaller than the last time, so I had to add more "leaves" to fill the pot out. The leaves were simply cut out of the inside of one of the designs. This is such a fun card to make!



Then I was ready to start adding some color again, so I used the striped ribbon in the Hollyhock ribbon collection as my color palette. I stamped the background with a variety of the designs in Hollyhock, then colored in select areas with a Baby Pink colored pencil, then I added a few dots in a few areas with a Hollyhock marker. LOVE IT!

But I have to admit, I think this one turned out to be my favorite card. I was playing around with the stamp set trying to go for a "bandanna" look (loosely based on a technique from Technique Junkies called bandanna). I stamped a variety of designs in black on Cranberry cardstock, then taking a Cranberry marker I darkened up a few select areas. Then to finish it off, I took our white acrylic paint and using a toothpick -- added some dots throughout the stamped images. Then I had to figure out how to turn it into a card. :-) The cute set Bird Basics came to the rescue! I added some Creme Brulee, Black and Grey Wool to the color palette, made my own custom buttons again with some clear buttons and voila! -- how cute is that?

Those birdies are just too darn cute! I HAVE to put this stamp set away and work on another project! Hopefully more to come soon. :-)

Dani

One More Chance for a Goodie Box - Today Only!

LAST CHANCE -- Check out the special for today: Wednesday, July 1st!


You have one last chance to take advantage of an awesome Goodie Box today! There were apparently a few glitches here and there with the availability of the last Goodie Box yesterday. To give absolutely everyone an opportunity to purchase one, Close To My Heart has extended the offer one more day. How awesome is that? So this will be the absolute last chance to take advantage of a Goodie Box. Here's what was in the first two goodie boxes.

The first box ($120 value for only $60):

Magic Moments Promo special from last year (the huge scrapbooking kit!)
Sonata Level 2 paper pack
My Child's Reflections 9x9 pages: All About Family
Dimensional Elements Basic Shapes
Bulk Blush Ribbon
and three stamp sets:
B1208 Birthday Script, C1224 Fluttering Frames & D1196 Floral Elements

And here's what came in the second Goodie Box ($80 value for only $40):

Heartfelt Designer Ribbon Collection
Dimensional Elements Numbers
My Reflections Abundance Level 2 packet and coordinating My Stickease
Two Clear Inspiration sets: Precious & Thank You
Salutations Booking Set
Chocolate & Bamboo Brads
Life Delights Memory Showcase
and a stamp set: D1153 Because of You

Those are both pretty cool -- a great selection of products! And everyone I've spoke with has absolutely loved the products they've received in their Goodie Boxes, so take advantage of this last chance!

And today's special (Wednesday, July 1st) is:

The LAST Goodie Box!


What a deal! For just $125 you get approximately $300 worth of popular product (that's OVER half off)! And what's more, you get discounted shipping/handling of just $8 continental US, $15 APO, $22 PR, AK, HI, others / $20 Canada. (Shipping/handling discount applies to orders of one goodie box only.)
(*Reduced shipping rates are applicable ONLY if Deal-A-Day items are in the shopping cart.)


Dani

My room is back! YEAH!

I'm happy to report that my scrapbooking room is back to normal again! YEAH!



It's actually been back to normal for a while, but I just haven't had the opportunity to post anything until now. I even have my new shelves almost all organized:



I love them! They hold so much - they're perfect for what I needed. Since we're all doing the happy dance that today was the last day of school I thought it was a great time to get down here and be creative. Here's some cards I've been making lately.

I made this one for a graduation card, using our Good Times paper and the fun You're A Hoot set. Those owls are just too darn cute.



Then I started playing with June's stamp of the month set: Tender Tags. It has six beautiful vintage tags with sentiments and accents. This one is using the beautiful Moon Doggie papers - I think this is currently my favorite new paper pack from the Summer Idea Book. And I simply used one of the tags as an accent.



But then I started wondering how to use the tag stamps NOT as tags. They're so pretty, that I knew they could be used in different ways. Here's one where I used the same stamp as above, only designing the background with it. (Did you notice too, that the "leaves" of the flower are another tag?)



Then I decided to make a flower out the same stamp that I made the leaves from. I also rolled the stamp to add some more color to the petals. I stamped two different petal colors -- Creme Brulee rolled in Sorbet and Sorbet rolled in Tulip. (Remember to always roll from the lighter color TO the darker color and clean your stamp off in between each time.) How pretty is this?!? I used some of the Perfect Day papers, and made my own custom button to match (like in the earlier card too!). All you need is one of our clear buttons and liquid glass -- and voila! -- you have the perfect coordinating button for your project. Ask if you've never customized your own button before, and I'll be happy to explain it further.

And last, but not least, I made a card based on a sample in the new Wishes Card Program. I used the new Bella papers and it turned out so beautiful. It's feels great to be creative again. :-)

Now I'm off to play some games with my little boy who is officially through with kindergarten today! (* gasp *)

Dani

It's just not fair...

To quote a phrase much-often heard from Delaney (or Kyle for that matter), it's just not fair. We were having some problems with our drainage at the house, and apparently when you combine that with A LOT of rain it causes problems. Specifically, water coming up through the floor in the office. Yes, the office that was just REMODELED as my scrapbooking room. How depressing. Intead of sharing artwork, I'm back to showing pictures of my office. And now, they are sad pictures!!!

Here is my newly organized bookshelf, completed emptied out and sitting on the bare floor. Here is one of my brand new square bookshelves, completely emptied out and sitting right on the floor by the bookshelf. There is our carpeting rolled up to dry out with the drenched padding thrown away. (* sigh *)



After organizing all that stuff, only to have to take it all out again. UGH!!!



It is quite the mess. The "Monica" in me is SO NOT HAPPY.

It just seems like there is stuff simply EVERYWHERE but where it should be.

Look at our poor laundry room!

We purchased a dehumidifier, and thankfully everything is dried out now. Hopefully the new padding and carpet will be fixed Thursday, and my newly remodeled scrapbook room will be as good as new!

Dani

More art from the Open House & the grand prize winner!

It was so nice visiting with everyone at the Summer 2009 Open House. I'm glad that you were able to stop by, and for those of you who couldn't make it -- I hope I can see you next time around! To share, here is some of the art that was on display at the Open House.

This card is using the new set D1365 True Happiness. Those little trees are SO cute!

This card is using the same set, but using the mountain range stamp instead. I was going for a sunset-look with the colors.

This is another fun new set, C1368 Treetops. It coordinates beautifully with the above set as well.



This one is using a stamp from the above set (Treetops) -- it's supposed to be a tree top, but I thought it was a great stand-alone graphic. It's also using the May Stamp of the Month, Be Yourself. Simply by stamping the image again in another color, cutting it out and overlaying it on top - you can easily "color" their outfits.




This is another one using the May Stamp of the Month, Be Yourself. I didn't know if I'd like this set at first, but I ABSOLUTELY love it. I've been using it a lot! It's also using another new set D1363 Picture Perfect.

Here I am using Be Yourself again, but this time with the Tickled Pink set. That large flower in that set is so much fun to use!

This one is ONLY using the Tickled Pink stamp set. So pretty!!!

But enough with the artwork, right? Everyone wants to know who the winner is of the Grand Prize!!! I'm trying something different again. I tried to tape Kyle drawing the winner. Let's see if this works:

Congratulations to Lynn M. - you are the Grand Prize winner of the Summer 2009 Open House!

Have a great week everyone!

Dani

Summer 2009 Idea Book Open House this Saturday!

It's almost time for the Open House! I've been getting things ready, and I thought I'd send some sneak previews your way.

We have two free make-n-takes to do at the Open House! The first project is using the May Stamp of the Month, Be Yourself, and the stamp set from the current special, Tickled Pink, as well as the new Reflections set Bella:



The second project is a fun one! When is the last time you got to play with googly eyes? We're using the adorable new stamp set, You're A Hoot. Aren't the owls so cute?

I also took the time to weed out the Retired Sets that I thought I could bear to sell. :-) I pulled a total of 60 sets out! They will only be available at the Open House, and any that don't sell -- I'll take it as a sign I was meant to keep them. HA! Seriously, I need to try to weed out my retired sets more, but I just hate to part with my stamps. (* sigh *)

This is a great time to get a "deal" on some sets. I priced them up according to their stamp size:

D = $13.00
C = $10.00
B = $8.00
A = $6.00

And all of them are retired, like I said before, so you can't even order these anymore! Make sure to come browse through the selection.

I also have a small selection of current products here, ready for you to take home immediately. No need to wait on an order! They are all reduced in price somewhat, from simply tax and s/h free to larger discounts. Each item is individually priced up.



There are stamp sets, ribbon sets, a variety of mini-albums, embellishments, an acrylic block case and much more!

Everyone placing an order will have the opportunity to "draw" and find out what their Open House special is -- from 10-30% off, free shipping, free product and more. And depending on your order at the Open House, you may even earn a chance (or several) to win the Grand Prize!

The Grand Prize is valued over $60 with a complete Just Because card kit including a stamp set, ribbon, sparkles, cards and inks as well as a package of White Daisy flowers, buttons and the brand new adorable Heartfelt embellishments (die-cut felt designs).

There will also be new products on display, artwork on display, door prizes, light snacks and more. Hope to see you there!

First artwork post - flower pot cards!

FINALLY, I'm actually posting some art on my blog. :-) I'm still learning how to adjust to my new schedule and frankly having a bit of a hard time working everything out. I used to do all my "creating" after the kids went to bed, but I'm usually so tired that I'm following them to bed way too often lately. Not all that helpful in my creative department, so I'm trying to figure out how to squeeze creative time in during the day more.

My BFF was able to come visit this weekend, and we were able to find some time to create in spite of our kids. HA! We made some AWESOME flower pot pocket cards. We had a blast. I found the instructions at Stephanie Luman's site, here.

Are these cute or what? I used the large flower from the stamp set included in the current special, Tickled Pink and a variety of different texture stamps on the bottom of each pot. To achieve the extra depth of color in each flower, you need to do some stamp rolling. Simply ink up the stamp in the lighter color, then roll the edges in the darker colored ink (to keep from messing up your ink pads, ALWAYS roll from lighter to darker and clean your stamp off EACH AND EVERY TIME before stamping again). We obviously had a lot of fun with different color schemes! Here is a close-up:

Closed:



Open:


If this works, this is supposed to show a close-up of all the cards:

Are those adorable or what? I'd love to see your flower pot pocket cards! Enjoy!

Dani

New Summer 09 Idea Book, Contests and More!

I've been really good girl, and when I have had enough energy -- I've been trying to slowly keep organizing and working on my office. However, I think that it is now time to play. Why you ask? BECAUSE the new Summer 09 Idea Book is here for me to look at, AND I even have some new products to play with! HEAVEN! I think that my cleaning is officially on the back burner for a bit. Want some teasers? Here's the a picture of the new Idea Book:

And here is a picture of my favorite new My Reflections set: Moon Doggie. I haven't scrapbooked my last trip to Florida, and I know why now -- I was apparently waiting for this paper!!!

Isn't it awesome? Wait until you see the entire kit! So who's ready to host a gathering and get a lot of BRAND NEW Summer 09 products?!?

Here are the new Hostess Collections:

This was an EXTREMELY popular collection last Summer they brought back -- basically pick whatever you want from the Idea Book and make your very own collection!

This one is really neat as it has an EXCLUSIVE stamp set only available via a Hostess Collection!

This set is simply loaded -- wait until you see the new felt embellishments in person!


I know that there are QUITE a few fans of our monthly word puzzle sets -- here you can collect them all at once, with a FREE organizer thrown in!




And if you click on the latest special, you can see a flyer on Tickled Pink -- our current incentive:

The papers are simply beautiful in person, the glitter accents on the paper is just beautiful. It doesn't showcase well in photographs, make sure to stop by and see it in person! Close To My Heart just announced a brand new contest open to everyone tying in with our latest special and National Scrapbooking Month.

Click on the picture above to check out all the details, and then make sure to enter and try to win!

I hope to be posting art here really soon with fun new products!