New Seasonal Expressions 2 and some last-minute April Stamp of the Month art!

Close To My Heart has the brand new Seasonal Expressions 2 out with over 20 brand new stamp sets, two fabulous new paper packs: Blossom and Jackson, fantastic new My Crush™ For Her and For Him books, awesome new embellishments and more.  Make sure to check it out online, or contact me to pick up your own copy.


Here are a few cards made with some of my favorite sets:


 

 


Isn't the kitty just adorable?  This is from the Friendly Pets set; I love all the cute sentiments in it. 
I also have some last minute April Stamp of the Month art to share: Typed Note.



I decided to make a set of cards, which I thought would be great for a gift or just to have an easy versatile set of cards on hand.  I stamped some blank typewriters, used a variety of scrap cardstock pieces in the background, then stamped all the sentiments on squares cut JUST to fit inside the piece of paper on the typewriter.



Then when it is time for a card, I'll simply attach the needed sentiment like so:



Quick, cute and simple!  Can't beat that!  If you haven't got your April 2015 Stamp of the Month set, Typed Note yet, make sure to order it quickly -- April is almost over!

Enjoy!
Dani

 

February Stamp of the Month: A Happy Hello

This stamp set almost was a tad depressing, because THERE IS ALL THIS SNOW OUTSIDE and not a single pretty flower.  UGH.  I am definitely over winter, which of course, is too bad for me as it is only February.  Anyway, this helps us think of nice warm spring and summer days coming our way, right?

Here are the cards that I made with A Happy Hello.  First, I was thinking bright and bold colors.  I used Honey, Cranberry, and Lagoon.  I used our Dot embossing folder to add some interest on the background as well.  Then I topped off each flower with some bling!  I also used the "thanks" sentiment from the mini set Timely Tidings.



Then going in an entirely different direction color-wise, I went with Kraft, Cranberry and Black.  I kept this design clean and simple, just adding some Black shimmer trim and Black epoxy bubbles.



Switching this up yet again, I went with more of a softer color scheme with Thistle, Indian Corn Blue, Flaxen and Pixie.  The diagonal background print is from the Paper Fundamentals Whimsy Assortment while the sentiments are from another mini set A Quick Hello.



It's almost hard to believe that these three cards were made from the same stamp set, isn't it?  They all have such a different look to them.  The February stamp of the month set, A Happy Hello, is only available this month.  Make sure to order yours today!

Dani
 

January Stamp of the Month: This Moment

I wanted to create some artwork with January's stamp of the month, This Moment.  I decided to use Pantone's Color of the Year - Marsala.  Have you seen or heard about it yet?  I think our Barn Red is a great match for it.  And here's all their Spring 2015 Colors predicted, I think we have a lot of colors that synch up. 
 


Here's my take on our color matches:  
-Aquamarine: Glacier
-Scuba Blue: Lagoon
-Lucite Green: Juniper  
-Classic Blue: Pacifica
-Toasted Almond: Champagne
-Strawberry Ice: Cotton Candy  
-Tangerine: Sunset
-Custard: Canary
-Marsala: Barn Red
-Glacier Gray: Whisper
 
Pretty nice, huh?  Here are the cards that I made.  This card is using Barn Red Cardstock as the base, with the Diamond Embossing Folder from the Seasonal Expressions guide.  I used some Whisper, Slate and Canary as my coordinating colors.  I also added some striped banners from the All the Details set. 



Switching the colors up, this time I used Glacier, Outdoor Denim, Champagne, and a touch of Cashmere.  I stamped a background with Flight of the Arrows and used a sentiment from Your Own Kind of Wonderful too.



Then I realized that one of the prints in the Pathfinding paper packet had design with a strong Barn Red background.  Perfect!  I even added the tiny heart from You're the Bomb, the Operation Smile set shown on the back of the Seasonal Expressions. 



I love the hostess set, Better with a Friend -- and I thought this lady would go perfect with the XOXO sentiment.  I used the Barn Red print from the Enchantment Paper Fundamentals with some Lagoon, Flaxen, and a touch of Glacier and Champagne and had a whole lot of fun paper piecing.  How cute is this?



I also played around with another hostess set, A Thing Well Done -- and I felt it would go great with the Be Amazing sentiment.  I used the newsprint design from the Heartstrings paper packet, with the colors Cotton Candy and Whisper.  



I've always liked the Barn Red color, but now I have an entirely new appreciation for it.  :-)  The January Stamp of the Month set, This Moment, is only available this month.  Make sure to order yours today!

Dani

The Twelve Days of Christmas Are Back!!!

Christmas is almost here!  Our Twelve Days of Christmas are coming to a close. You can participate in one or all of the specials, but you'll have to let me know THAT day if you want the special (via phone or online). At the end of The Twelve Days of Christmas, I will total your entire order for you. If there are enough orders for Hostess Rewards, I will also draw for Hostess Goodies. If your name is drawn, you'll have until Monday, December 29th to let me know what you want for your goodies in order to get everyone's orders placed in a timely manner. Don't forget to check each and every day to see the daily Twelve Days of Christmas Specials. 

Click here to see the Twelfth Day of Christmas Special - Wednesday, December 24th!
Take advantage of this special today only! Contact me via phone or online requesting the Twelfth Day of Christmas special! 

*The Twelve Days of Christmas Specials are only valid with the Independent Consultant listed. Specials last until midnight of the day listed and until supplies last (where applicable). 

~Dani
 

December Stamp of the Month art: Cutie Pie

I've been a little overwhelmed with the kids' bedroom remodels, so I haven't been able to post any artwork lately.  I finally made a little bit of time today to create a few cards to share with the December Stamp of the Month set: Cutie Pie.  I even used some of the new paper designs available in the supplemental Seasonal Expressions.

As the name implies, this set is definitely a cute one.  It has 11 stamps - with adorable hand drawn cupcakes, accessories, and adorable sentiments.  The first card is using the Heartstrings paper packet showcased in the Seasonal Expressions.  The cupcake wrappers are all paper pieced with different patterns from the set, and all the stamping is done with Cranberry ink.



I made another cute card using the other paper packet showcased, Hopscotch.  I also used a sentiment from Your Own Kind of Wonderful.  Quick and simple, but so cute!



And last, but not least, this sweet card was made with paper from the Brushed paper packet (still one of my favorite paper sets!) as well as another sentiment from Your Own Kind of Wonderful set.  I also used some of the new White Shimmer trim showcased in the Seasonal Expressions.



Many of you mentioned you wanted the December stamp of the month set when the Idea Book came out, so I wanted to give you a little reminder.  And the new Seasonal Expressions is filled with new stamp sets, papers, embellishments, embossing folders and much more.  Make sure to stop by and get your own to browse through or simply check it out online.

Enjoy!
~Dani

 

Cyber Monday only!

Check this out! Close To My Heart is offering their first ever Cyber Monday sale!  Today only (12/1/14), receive 20% off all Cricut collections!

Take advantage, check them out here.  There are currently four collections available: Art Philosophy, Artbooking, Artiste, and Artfully Sent. 

Dani
 

Happy World Card Making Day!

This Saturday is World Card Making Day!  To celebrate the day, I am offering 20% off* on a variety of card making supplies for the weekend.  Time to stock up!  There are Workshops on the Go Cardmaking kits, sentiment stamp sets, card kits and coordinating stamp sets, and card bases and envelopes all on sale.  I have emailed everyone on my contact list with the items on sale, please contact me if you would like to have the list of available items sent to you.  You'll have to place your order through me, I can't add the discounts to my online business site.  You can email me at dbenich@memorieswithheart.com or call me at 219-306-6171.  I hope everyone has time to be crafty tomorrow!
*20% off prices only available on the items specified on orders placed from 10/4/14 - 10/5/14 with the Independent Consultant, Danielle Benich.  

Happy World Card Making Day!

~Dani
 

It's Here, it's here! The Cricut Artfully Sent Collection is now available to order!

It’s here, It’s here! The Cricut Artfully Sent Collection is now available to order! Cardmaking has never been easier or more fun! With the newest Cricut collection, you can make handmade masterpieces in no time at all.



Choose from cards with sentiments cut directly into them, or combine several cutouts to create your own pop-up scenes. Featuring more than 25 different card themes and 5 different card formats including dynamic interactive designs, this cartridge has a card for any and all occasions – even if the occasion is “just because”! Card styles include pop-ups, scenes, sentiments, sleeves, and pocket cards.

Collection includes: 
1- Cartridge (700 images: Cards and Font) 
3- My Acrylix D-size stamp sets 
1- 12”x12” White Daisy Cardstock pack

For more detailed specs, check out the Sample Cards page and the Shape Index.

 

 

SPECIAL OFFER FROM ME I know many of you have been anxiously awaiting this Cricut cartridge (myself included), so to offer my thanks for your patience in the cartridge’s availability – everyone who orders the new Artfully Sent Cricut collection during the month of September will receive a gift certificate from me for a free Cricut Compatible stamp set (your choice) on your next order. Eligible stamp sets are marked with a boxed C in the Idea Book, along with a listing of the cartridge it coordinates with; there is also a link on my CTMH site.   Simply click on the Shop icon, then on the My Acrylix Stamp Sets link on the listing on the left, then click on the Cricut Compatible Stamp Sets link.  CTMH is committed to keep all the Cricut stamp sets available, so there are even more listed online than are available in the current Idea Book.

To take advantage of my special, make sure to get an order in before September is over!
~Dani
 

Celebrate National Stamping Month - #30yearsofhappy!

Celebrate National Stamping Month and Jeanette Lynton's #30yearsofhappy in the stamping and scrapbooking industry. Close To My Heart is ready to celebrate all month long! When you spend $30 on any current retail-priced stamps during the month of September*, you qualify to receive the exclusive C-sized stamp set #30yearsofhappy for FREE (a $13.95 value)! This special offer is part of the celebration of National Stamping Month and in honor of CTMH's founder and CEO Jeanette Lynton's 30-year anniversary in the scrapbooking and stamping industry. The exclusive stamp set features 30 mini images and sentiments perfectly suited for 30 days of happy stamping!



Here are a few cards I made with the special set to share.  This card was made with a print from the Seaside paper packet and the banners are from the stamp set All the Details and the Congratulations sentiment is from Banner Wishes.



This card is using up some scraps with the heart-love image as well as the arrow.  The sentiment is one of the new minis, Guiding Heart.



I love the two new colors Glacier and Flaxen together, so I made a card using the new Whimsy Basics Assortment prints.  I used the camera and picture perfect images with the You're the Best sentiment from Banner Wishes.



I definitely wanted to play with the Party! and Rockstar images, so I made a celebration card.  I also used the It's Your Day image along with the sentiment It's a Celebration! from Banner Wishes.



The last card I have to share is using the cute little floral image in the set with the sentiment Thinking of You.  I also added a framed border from the Holiday Tags set.  I used the colors Glacier, Ruby and Goldrush together.



I made these five cards, and I barely even used all the images available in the set!  :-)  Make sure you order your set this month while it is still available.

Enjoy!
~Dani
 

September's Stamp of the Month: Family Is Forever

I made a few cards to share with September's Stamp of the Month set: Family Is Forever. It's a charming set of 7 stamps, with delightful sentiments and images. For the first card, I went with Bamboo, Ruby, and White Daisy.  The print in the background is from the Paper Fundamentals Basics assortment.  The verse is pulled from another stamp set, Look to the Light.



This next card is using a triangle print from the Chalk It Up set, and the colors Lagoon, Sorbet and Kraft.  I also used the Triangle studs with some of the Neutral Metallic Baker's Twine. 



I was paging through the current idea book, Annual Inspirations 2014, and I saw a stamp image that I wanted to use with the "sweet moments" sentiment again.  I used the horse and foal from the Country-Born set.  So I kept this one simple, with just Black and Champagne and I used the Black striped twill ribbon too. 



This last card is using a couple of the new colors Flaxen and Glacier with Goldrush and Cocoa.  I love how all the colors look together, so pretty.  The background print is also from the Paper Fundamentals assortment set too. 



Make sure to order your September Stamp of the Month this month while it is available.  :-)

Enjoy!
Dani
 

Open House Winner!!!

Sorry it took me so long to get this posted, but here is finally the Open House Winner:



Congratulations to Therese D!  You won the grand prize package at the Open House (valued over $80).  A 5"x7" Hinged Display Tray, two stamp sets, a coordinating set of 6"x6" cardstock and printed papers, as well some fun embellishments.
 
If you can make the next Open House, maybe your name will be drawn next time!

~Dani

 

One more card with the August Stamp of the Month set: What a Hoot

I wanted to share one more card with the August Stamp of the Month set with everyone.  I saw where some consultants were using one of the 'owl wings' in the set as a petal to create a flower.  I thought that was such a cute idea that I wanted to make my own card.  I even used two of the new colors as well: Canary and Thistle.  When I stamped with Thistle directly on the Canary cardstock, it created a pretty new color - neat bonus. What do you think about the flower created with the wing stamp?



I wanted everyone who already purchased the set to see a different way to use their set. And if you don't have it yet, you still have a couple of days before August is over! Make sure to contact me. :-)

Enjoy!
~Dani
 

Open House Artwork!

Here's some art that was on display at the Open House if you weren't able to attend.  First, let me share the other make-n-take available.  It had two of brand new colors in it: Thistle and Canary.  Cute, sweet and simple -- just using strips of cardstock and stamping a butterfly.



I also used strips of cardstock in these cute little 3"x3" cards using one of the Hostess Sets. It is a great way to use up those leftover cardstock pieces:



I just loved this cute little hostess set.  I created a few more cards just playing around with it:



This one is also utilizing the new Paper Fundamentals patterns -- now available in all the color sets, not just Basic, this one is utilizing the Whimsy Assortment:





And here are a few more cards from the Brushed paper packet, it is currently my favorite new paper pack.  :-)







There is also a really cute hexagon set in the hostess sets.



And I just played with new colors, papers and sets to showcase:






 



 






And we have card kits again!  There are a few to pick from, I showcased the Cut Above Happy Birthday Card Kit and used it with the You Mean the World to Me stamp set.  Here is one of the cards:



I also unveiled a new kit: Birthday Scraps.  It is a new type of kit, where you use your own paper scraps to make the cards.  Simply purchase the B1419 Joyful Birthday stamp set, and you can get the Instruction Guide for only $5.00.  We all have leftover scraps to use and everyone needs more birthday cards, right?  This kit takes care of both -- make sure to order yours today!



Once I finalize all the Open House orders, I will also share the grand prize winner -- coming soon!

Dani