August Stamp of the Month: Framed

Wow, freaking out a bit that it is August already!  The kids and I are most definitely NOT ready to think about school and homework and rigid schedules. (* shudder *)

There's a lot of fun things going on in August tied in with our new Idea Book coming next month.  I have lots to share.  First, August's stamp of the month set, Framed, is so sweet!  There are three decorative frames, each with their own unique look, with 9 different sentiments designed to fit in each.  I have included a flyer here, since it isn't shown in the current Idea Book.  Here are a few cards that I made with it.


 

 


Lovely!  Did you notice the new paper pack?  It is called Zoe.  And did you notice the cute little jar and flowers on the last card?  They are from the brand new Cricut Artistry Collection!

Close To My Heart is having the new Artistry collection and Zoe paper packet as well as a few other brand new products available for a special preview this month to celebrate the new Idea Book coming in September.  I'm going to share a listing of all the items that are available for you to get right now!

Simply click on each link to see a picture of each product on my website:

• -X7197B Zoe Paper Packet $9.95
• -X7197C Zoe Complements $5.95
• -Z3082 Zoe Assortment $5.95
• -Z3123 Enamel & Glitter Duos Green Triangles $4.95
• -Z3088 Coral Shimmer Trim $4.95
• -G1096 Workshops on the Go Zoe Scrapbooking Kit $29.95
• -Z3167 Cricut Artistry Collection $99

What do you want?  Anyone who orders over $20 (subtotal) of the new preview products during the month of August will receive a special coupon to get one of the new ink color stamp pads FREE with the new Idea Book.  Oops!  You'll find out more about those with the new Idea Book!!!



I'll be holding an Open House on Saturday, September 12th from 10am to 2pm.  Save the date!

Dani

 

July Stamp of the Month: Life is Wonderful

I'm loving' July! Well, maybe not all the rain -- but definitely the warm weather.  I could never deal with another winter the rest of my life and be perfectly content. July's stamp set is named Life is Wonderful.   I finally found some time to make some cards to share with this set.  

For the first card I started with basic, neutral colors -- Black, White with a bit of Flaxen (Whimsy Paper Fundamentals).  Then I added a pop of color with the flowers in the Wavy Blooms set.  I love how the colored flowers pull the card together.  I added the "awesome" sentiment from the Hello Summer set. 



With this next card I knew I wanted to use the Cranberry heart-patterned paper from the Adventure Paper Fundamentals.  Then I kept everything else neutral -- Black, White and Slate.  I added the "you are loved" sentiment from the Your Own Kind of Wonderful set.  For the final touch, I added a few Red Enamel hearts.



This last card, I used the Jackson papers from the Seasonal Expressions 2.  I paper pieced a few flowers from the Love This set and used a sentiment from a stamp set with the Cricut Artfully Sent collection.  I did all the stamping with Cocoa ink; I love how all the papers and colors coordinate so well.



And with a $25 purchase in current, retail priced stamps -- you can qualify to receive this stamp set FREE -- as part of Jump on it July's special.  Check it out!  :-)

Dani

 

June Stamp of the Month: Ice Cream Dream

Nothing screams warm weather and summertime more than ice cream, right?  June's stamp of the month set, Ice Cream Dream, is perfect to celebrate all those summertime activities!  I had so much fun playing with this set.  I did some paper piecing with the new Blossom paper packet, the ice cream truck turned out so cute!  The sentiment is from the Hostess Rewards set, Paper Bird.



I love the happiness sentiment with this set -- so I simply colored the images stamped in black.  Clean and simple, but oh so yummy!



This little guy is adorable; he's just celebrating with ice cream -- a great way to celebrate, right?  The sentiment is from Banner Wishes.



Using a print from the Brushed paper packet, I stamped in Cranberry and colored the images again.  Ice cream is always happy, right?



Make sure that you get your set ordered before June is over!  Enjoy!

Dani

 

Taste of Summer Special and May Stamp of the Month art!

Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month this May with this exclusive mouthwatering Taste of Summer paper packet with delicious designs.  This paper packet is only available while supplies last, so make sure to get your order in early for your taste of summer!  This special even has a coordinating stamp set available for purchase, perfect to create some delectable artwork.



 Here are a few cards to share that I made:


 

 

 


I am also a little more on the ball this time, and I have some May Stamp of the Month art to share: Just Sayin'.


 

 

 

 


Loving the new papers in the Seasonal Expressions 2: Blossom and Jackson too!

I'd like to say that I'll keep on top and share artwork in a timely manner, but... realistically, we'll see!  Enjoy!

Dani
 

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