Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year

 

Dear Readers,

This year is coming to an end and I believe it is not coming fast enough for all of us. 2020 was something else and all we can do is hope and pray that 2021 will be a much better one.

I like to thank all my readers and customers for your continuing support. You made 2020 a better year for me. I had to rethink my way of doing business, creating and teaching with no virtual classes available. It is still a learning process but it is also a very interesting experience. So Thank You all XXX

I hope all of you and your families are well. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year and that 2021 will be a much better year for all of us.

Hugs

Claudia

Boxing Week Sale from Close To My Heart

 Hello readers, before I enjoy some time off to celebrate Christmas with my family, I have a few more things for you:

Boxing Week Sale

Close to My Heart is doing a “Boxing Week Sale” starting on Dec 26 all the way to Dec 31. Enjoy everyday new and exciting offers. So make sure to check in often and see what are the specials for the day. You can order all sale items directly from my website.

If you are a VIP members, yes, all orders will qualify for your 15% credit cash and go towards the FREE Stamp Of The Month. 

Free Facebook Events

Close to My Heart is bringing you again more FREE Facebook events. Join the workshops online and see what the are all about. What is in the kits and how much you can do with them. If you like to follow along, make sure to order your workshop kit on time and if you missed the class, no problem you can watch it anytime later.

Here is a list of upcoming workshops in 2021:

• Tuesday, January 5, 4:00 pm (EST): Serenity Cardmaking Workshop (G1220)
• Tuesday, January 26, 4:00 pm (EST): Serenity Scrapbooking Workshop (G1218)
• Wednesday, Thursday, February 3-4, 5:00 pm (EST): Perfect Match Workshop (CC122013)
• Tuesday, February 9, 4:00 pm (EST): Happiness Lives Here Cardmaking Workshop (G1222)
• Tuesday, February 16, 4:00 pm (EST): Happiness Lives Here Scrapbooking Workshop (G1221)
• Thursday, February 25, 4:00 pm (EST): VIP Customer We Are Good Together Workshop (VIP102)

VIP Special

Last but not least, here is your last chance to cash in the special VIP discount. You have until December 31st to sign up and receive a $25 cash credit on your account. Can you sign up in January? Sure, but then your cash credit will be only $15.

So what is VIP membership exactly and what does it includes?

- VIP membership is an annual membership. You sign up and pay $35 for the year and receive a $25 ($15 after Dec31)cash credit right on your account

- you will earn 15% on cash credit on every order you place within the membership year.

- if you spend $50 or more during one month you will receive the Stamp of the Month for FREE

- you can use your cash credit anytime with any of your orders or you accumulate it and use it in one lump sum.

- the credit stays as long as you stay an active VIP member.

- when your first VIP year comes to an end, you will receive an email reminding you of the renewal and that’s when you decide to continue with your membership or not.

The current offer is a great way to test the VIP program for a year. It’s only $10 after the credit. So take advantage of it and see for yourself.

Close to My Heart - VIP Special Reminder

 Hello everyone, just a quick reminder of our super VIP special that will end on December 31st. Yes, you can sign up as a VIP after New Year, but if you sign up by Dec 31st you get $25 in cash credit to spend anytime you want as long as you are an active VIP member.

So what are the perks of a VIP membership again?

- you receive 15% cash credit almost all your orders

- you get the Stamp of the Month FREE with a qualifying order

- you get to join a special Facebook group which classes, workshops etc made just for you

- you get special offers only available for our VIP customers 

- Membership costs are $35 per year but like I mentioned, you sign up until Dec 31,2020 and you will get $25 cash back right away. So the first year of membership is only $10!!!! 

and if you are my VIP there will be extra perks for you so contact me if you like more information about this program or if you have questions.

You can sign up on my website right HERE. There is also a little video to show you all the information in a bundle. Come join the family and get your papercraft products for a bargain.

Close to My Heart - Perfect Match Special

 It seems that this year went by so fast and it still is dragging its feet. I have no idea where all this time went and now we are in the middle of December. I hope this post finds all of you well. We have been fine and trying to stay on top of things. Speaking off, lately a lot of companies are relying on shipping products out which makes our delivering companies happy about the extra work, right?

Well while shipping is up, so is the transportation times needed to bring all these wonderful goodies we ordered home to us. So be patient these days with the companies. I know CTMH is doing their best to get your packages out the door and since Black Friday they are in over time and drive to get the packages out the door. Ones handed over to the shipping companies it is pretty much out of their hands...:-) Be kind, be patient, your package will come.

To make your waiting time a little less stressful, here is a cute new special for you. It is available from December 15th all the way until the end of February. Yes,....have a look thing about it and order it in January when all the Holiday stress is over. ;-) 

The paper is called "Perfect Match" and it is perfect for Valentines Day but also for any other project as you can see on the pages samples in this picture:

You can order individually from the paper pack including the stickers or without, to the matching cardstock package and embellishments. Look at these cute little hearts inside the shaker cards...

In the picture above you can see the entire workshop you can join in early February. You can order the Workshop bundle (CC122013) and make not only the page, but also the cards and these cute lollypop gifts. Order the bundle and about 2 days before the live on Facebook starts you will be able to download the PDF with the entire Workshop instructions. Can't make the live? No problem, just get the Workshop and follow along when you have the time to do so.

If you like to create your own designs, well then get "Perfect March Bundle" (CC12205) which includes a stamp set for you as well. We used this paper for a vision board project and I can tell you, this was perfect. So don't just look at it as a Valentines thing, it's so much more...

You will find all options or the individual items right HERE.

Let me know if you have questions and keep browsing my website because there are so many other special. Just go to my website or use the link above and click on PROMOTIONS to see them all.

Close to My Heart - Cyber Monday Sale

 

Cyber Monday Sale

 

Close to My Heart is having a Cyber Monday Sale starting tomorrow

Monday, Nov 30th at 5PM (EST) and it will end on Wednesday Dec 2nd at 1.59am (EST).

 

Like with all the special sales, all prices and items while supplies last. In the past few years, products usually have been flying out the door. Just because you placed it in your shopping cart doesn't mean you bought it. So keep in mind to move fast through the offers and place your orders directly on my website to ensure your get the goodies you are looking for :-) 

Click here to get right too it...... Happy Shopping! 

A look into the November - December Book from Close to My Heart

 Last but not least here are a few pictures of some special creations made form the papers, stamps and dies in the current November - December Book. If you like to know what products were used to make these items, please contact me. Have a look into the book to see what else is waiting for you ;-)

Here is a link to the online book Close To My Heart Nov-Dec Book.

So lets see what else is hidden in the book, shall we?

There are so many more wonderful creations in the book so go have a look and see for yourself. And remember we still have the super special for the VIP customer program going on. Which by the way is also a great gift to give ;-) So are our subscription programs. Card making or scrapbooking are offered in a subscription program (see the last two pictures above). These are perfect gifts to give too :-) 

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Close to My Heart - Black Friday Sales

 

Black Friday Sale

 

Close to My Heart is having a Black Friday Sale starting tomorrow

Friday, Nov 27th at 5PM (EST) and it will end on Sunday, Nov 29th at 1.59am (EST).

 

Like with all the special sales, all prices and items while supplies last. In the past few years, products usually have been flying out the door. Just because you placed it in your shopping cart doesn't mean you bought it. So keep in mind to move fast through the offers and place your orders directly on my website to ensure your get the goodies you are looking for :-) 

You can shop right here: https://claudiahenderson.closetomyheart.com/default.aspx 

Serenity Paper Pack - Close To My Heart

 This is the second design paper pack in the current idea book. It is called "Serenity". Beautiful blue tones, perfect for Hanukah cards or just that very special occasion. This is how the paper pack looks like:

And here are a few examples what you can create with this paper. Remember to check back with both workshop kits I showed you earlier because they have even more ideas for you. 

Isn't this a beautiful paper design. I love the color combinations in it. You can find all papers, embellishments, stamps and dies for this set right HERE.

Jingle All The Way - Christmas Special

 Jingle all the Way is a wonderful Christmas Special. Capture your family at the most wonderful time of the year and create memories that will stay in this book forever. Learn how to make a fully embellishment 6x6 album in an afternoon. All papers and embellishments are included in the set plus you get to play with our famous FlipFlap. No, lol it's not a typo, they are called FlipFlaps and they are the best in the field. These clear flap are been added on top of your page protector to add extra photos, embellishments or journaling. You will love the interactive part they will provide to your album.

Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what the book looks like and when you click on this link, you can explore all the individual pages of the book you will make. Just click on one of the bundles and scroll to the bottom to see all pages:

Here is an overview of what is all included in the kit....

This set also makes a great gift to give to family and friends to create their own memories. And remember when you sign up as a VIP this month, you get $25 as a credit plus if you add just a little bit to the album bundle you will get the Stamp Of The Month (currently Nov) for FREE....it's this one here:

Don't miss this great opportunity and grab your bundle as long as they are available. Going fast!

Jingle Joy Paper Pack - Close to My Heart

 Let's have a closer look at the Christmas paper "Jingle Joy". 

It's a whimsical paper design with many different embellishments and extras. Here are a few samples of what you can create with this paper 

These are just a few samples plus you have all the workshop pieces you can check out and get an idea what you can create. Look HERE to find all papers, embellishments, stamps and dies that go along with this set. If you have questions to projects or like to know what products you would need to create and of the cards and pages shown, let me know :-)

Close to My Heart Workshop Kits Nov - Dec - Cardmaking

 Here are the two cardmaking workshop kits we have in the November - December book and both are super cute. Both come with a full stamp set and matching dies. 

Jingle Joy  - Card Making Workshop

Serenity - Card Making Workshop

These are the 4 samples for each cardmaking kit. You can make a total of 16 cards and you can follow the instructions or do your own creative designs. Add more papers and cardstock and you can get even more use out of the set. 16 envelopes and cardbases are included. If you need more, CTMH has a bulk package of 50 cardbases with matching envelope (X254) you can order along with the sets.

Close to My Heart Workshop Kits Nov - Dec - Scrapbooking

 Have you every tried one of our Close to My Heart workshop kits? No? Well, you don't know what you are missing ;-) The workshop kits come for scrapbooking as well as cardmaking. Loaded with great layouts, techniques and everything you need to finish the project. The cardmaking kit includes the stamps and dies too.

Here are the Scrapbooking Workshops:

Jingle Joy

Serenity 

You will create 3 double page layouts and learn new techniques along the way. Beside the photos that are suggested in the layout you can always add more to them. Everything is pre-designed for you and all you have to do is punch out items and cut a few pieces of paper and cardstock. All instructions are included and so are all the embellishments. Give it a try and see how easy and wonderful these sets are. You can get them including the CTMH page protectors or without them. Give it a try, I know you will love them :-)

Merry Little Christmas Special - Close to My Heart

 Here we are, the first Christmas Special from Close to My Heart. 

Check out these super cute 3D wooden Christmas ornaments and the wooden tags. They all come pre-cut for you and all you have to do is decorate them. Included in the bundles is a digital file for your cutting machine. If you don’t have a cutting machine, don’t worry get your papers and scissors out, grab the Glitter and Glue and some paint and have fun. You can find the main bundle and all extras for this special right here:

https://claudiahenderson.closetomyheart.com/ctmh/promotions/2011-merry-little-christmas.aspx

 ....and remember we still have the VIP customer offer going on so maybe this is the time to join and get an extra 15% off. If you like to find out more about the VIP program and perks, contact me or check my website HERE https://claudiahenderson.closetomyheart.com/ctmh/vip.aspx

Remember to share this with your friends. The Merry Little Christmas Special is too cute to miss out on.

VIP Customer Program Reminder

 Wow how time flies. I couldn't believe I hadn't been posting here since October. Life happens sometimes and especially these days were nothing is anything but normal. So let's dive in and catch up with things.

First of a little reminder, we still have the great new VIP program going on for all our customers. If you order a few times a year or on a regular base, you might want to consider to join the new VIP program. For every order you place you will receive a 15% cash credit on your account which you can use on your next order or keep collecting until you have enough to buy that one thing you always wanted.

It is a great program and when you sign up until the end of the year you get a $25 credit right away. Yes, this means your membership is only $10! Plus you are eligible to receive the "Stamp of the Month" for FREE each month when you place an order of $50 or more. Free Idea Books are also included in your membership. Just don't forget to add the stamp of the month and the books to your order ;-)

So for this month, if you join the club you will be able to get this super cute Stamp of the Month set for FREE:

Don't miss out on this great opportunity. The membership last for a whole year plus there will be a special FB group starting early 2021.

You can sign up for the program or get more information HERE.....
 

Moments Like These - Special

 

Moments Like These- Special 

I know, where did 2020 go? We might as well just scrap it of the calendar, right? But in all this mayhem we still had some memorable moments. Even if you don’t want to use 2020 as your theme, how about getting some of you favorite pictures of the past together and create a wonderful calendar for yourself, mom and dad, grandparents, your kids, friends or who ever else you would like to make smile. Looking for some Christmas presents to make? This might be just what you are looking for.

This new special is a calendar project that keeps going. I love this set because I can combine my love for scrapbooking with my love to handmade Christmas gifts. The beauty about this set is that the calendar is pretty much blank, which means you have your month and the days printed on but not actually numbers. So you can customize it any way you want. I personally convert mine into a birthday calendar. I simply placed a border over the “day” area and added my numbers 1-31(30, 29). Now we can add family and friends birthdays and keep the calendar up all year long ;-)

This new special will be available October 1st until December 31st. There are multiple variations of bundles available so have a look https://claudiahenderson.closetomyheart.com/ctmh/promotions/campaigns/2010-moments-like-these.aspx to see what is included in the bundles to get the right one for you. If you have questions, please feel free to comment or contact me.

Come join the V.I.P. Program from Close To My Heart - Starting October 1st

 

Welcome to the new CTMH VIP program for our customer. Do you remember the last time you had a party at your house and collected orders from family members and friends to get some special hostess rewards in return? I know, it has been al long time ago.

Times have changed even before we dealt with the Corona Virus. Yes, this program was in the making over a year ago and finally is opening it's doors for you. This program brings so many perks with it and you can enjoy them without having to find other crafty friends to join. Well, they still can join, but it is what you will get:

- The annual membership is $35 and when you sign up between Oct and Dec 2020 you will receive a $25 credit for your future purchases. (if you sign up in Jan 2021 or later your credit will be $15)

- Ones you signed up, you will get rewarded with 15% cash credit on every purchase you make (with the exception of the subscription programs and already heavily reduced bundle offers).

- You also will get the Stamp Of The Month for FREE with a minimum order of $50 that month, and guess what? You can do this every month if you like. 

- Close to My Heart will also have very special products, bundles and offers just for the VIP customers during the year. Plus you will have your own privat Facebook group where you will be able to join workshops and classes and so much more for FREE

Doesn't this sound amazing? Now you can order and simply get 15% in credit back just for you. You can collect the credit and use it anytime for anything in the books. Wow, in the old days you had to use your credit with the finalizing of your order and you could only buy certain things. Now you can just let it build up and buy whatever you want, as long as you stay an active VIP member.

I think it is a wonderful program and if you sign up between October 1st and December 31, 2020 you will pretty much enjoy the first year as a VIP for only $10! Let me know if you have questions and check back for the sign up link coming tomorrow. 

UPDATE Oct1: Currently the system is down and links don't work. Will keep you updated :-) All clear, links are up and running again

The New Close To My Heart Idea Books are live

This book and everything in it is available from September 1st, 2020 to August 31st, 2021.

 I know it has been a while that I posed something here. But so much has happened and with the ongoing Corona Virus stuff well you know nothing is like it normally would be.

Here are the two new Idea Books from Close to My Heart. 

Core Idea Book:

Containing all the staples you use throughout the year from ink pads, to re-inkers, cardstocks, tools, dies, stamps etc. 

September - October Seasonal Book:

Here you have two very special design paper packs one for fall and one for Christmas. Beautiful papers with matching embellishments, stamps and workshop kits. Mixed paper packs, more stamps and some other pretty surprises. Everything in this book is only available from September 1st to October 31st.

You can check both these books out online ......right here!

I also made a couple videos to walk you through the books with a bit more detail information. You can find these books online at Facebook Claudia(Sarrazin)Henderson. Please contact me if you have any questions and make sure to check out tomorrows post to ;-)

Card Bundle No. 2 - Part 3

Here are the last 4 cards from the new card bundle I made for you to create at home. 

        

Let's start with the first card. This stamp set came with the Card Making Workshop "Seas the Day (G1200)" which is still available, but if you don't want the whole workshop (even so it is a fun one ;-) ), you can use any other set you have on hand too.

What is interesting on this card, I cut three stripes of cardstock in 1x sapphire blue and 2x mint. Close to My Heart cardstock has a darker and lighter side of color which is really great when you need just a little of difference in color. So I carefully ripped the sapphire piece along the top to expose the white core of the paper. Make sure it looks like waves when you pull the paper towards you. I then took the 2 mint pieces and flipped one over, giving me a lighter and darker hue of mint. I did the same thing here and ripped the top in a wavy motion of. First cover the front of your card with the design paper, then adhere all three starting with the darker mint, lighter mint and end with the sapphire. 

For the second card I used the "Mason Jar Bouquet (C1845)" stamp set to create the jar and the flowers. I was lucky to get the stamp set with the dies so jar and flowers are cut with the dies, but you can fuzzy cut them with no problem. The dies even cuts a small slit in the top of the jar so you can stick your flowers in and make the stems disappear in the back. The lace border was also cut with a dies. And can I tell you, this dies is really nice. It cuts super easy and cleans up just as easy too. It is called "Lace Border Thin Cuts (Z4060)".

The jar and flowers are both raised with some foam squares to give the card a bit more dimmention.

This was a simple card design and I added a little tag from the Tag stamp set we used earlier to the inside which can be used as a bookmark.

    

For our last card in the set, I made a sympathy card again. I used the same flower stamp set from previous cards here "A Million Little Things (D1925)" which is one of my favorites to use. I stamped my sentiment in dark grey on some lighter grey cardstock. Make sure to stamp it to the right so you have room to add your flower. The flower is stamped on white cardstock and matted with sugarplum pink. I do like the simplicity of this card. What do you think?

 

Last but not least a look into the insides of the cards. Always decorate your insides too and if you like, put something on your envelope as well. This is it for our second bundle of cards to make at home. 

Since we are still stuck at home I guess we will continue with bundle to make at home. I have planed to do two more set. One will be fall cards and this set will include 6 to make and the last bundle will be a Christmas Card set where you can create 12 unique Christmas cards at home. If you are interested to join the make at home crowed, contact me and see how you can get your set. 

Card Bundle No.2 - Part 2

Welcome to part 2 of the new card making bundle to create at home. I know making them at home does not make up for the group meetings we have, but right now this is the best we can do. So let's get crafting shall we?

This first card has a home made card base. I used a regular 8 1/2" x 11" piece of white card stock which you score at the short side at 4 1/4" and on the long side at 5 1/2". Your sheet now shows 4 rectangles. Place the short side to the top. Then you take a ruler and scoring tool and score a diagonal line in the top right one and the bottom left one so that the diagonal line meets the center of the four rectangles. Now cut the sheet in half by following along the diagonal scores.

The flower in this card is stamped with 3 different hues of rose. I fussy cut the flower and leaves and placed them on foam dots, but only on one triangle on the front, so you can open the card with no problem.

       

The next two cards have another interesting fold to them. The first one, I folded the top right corner over so it was flush with the left side of the card. The grey square measures 3"x3" and is placed in the middle of the fold. But before I adhered the square, I put a little adhesive behind the fold to keep it open and I added the design paper which is another square that folds over in the middle and adheres on the inside of the card as well. (See the inside pic below). Now I added my squares and the rest of the paper.

For the second card, I adheres a piece of designer paper to the front of my base. Then I cut two irregular pieces of peacock cardstock and placed them on top with foam dots. The white glitter paper finishes of the edges.

        

The "thinking of you" card is created from the stamp of the month set, which featured tag designs. I wanted to give the card a little bit more texture so I ran the yellow cardstock through my embossing machine. The green cardstock had on one side the white design and on the other side a matching clear embossing design. I cut this paper in a rectangle size first and then cut it again on a diagonal. I used one side with the clear embossing and one side with the white design.

Well this is it for part 2 of the new bundle. There is one more set of 4 coming so stay tuned for next weeks part 3 of this series. 

Got Candy? - Special

Halloween here we come ... Close to My Heart is offering an early shopping adventure for Halloween, starting right now ....

Got Candy?

August 7 (was delayed-available now) – October 31

Skip the tricks and save big on an absolute treat of a paper collection with the Got Candy? special! This new Halloween-themed collection includes a paper packet and sticker sheet, an exclusive stamp set, and new loose sequins! Your can enjoy a 20% discount when you purchase all these items together in the Got Candy? Product Bundle! Learn more about this special by CLICKING HERE.

Card Bundle No. 2 - Part 1

Here we are, still working from home. To make my ladies life a bit more exciting I created another card bundle for them to make at home. Here is part one with the first 4 cards:

          

The first two are birthday cards. I used our Close to My Heart stamps "A Million Little Things (D1925)" for the first card and the super cute "Let the Good Times Roll (Z3705) with dies" for the VW bus card. You can get this set also without the matching dies (D1915).

The VW-Bus is just so cute and think off placing pictures of your friends or family in the windows.

                

Here are another two cards from our new bundle of card to make at home. The little boots are another great stamp to have. You can either stamp the outline and use one of the filler stamps for the inside or you do like I did. Stamp the boots on a piece of design paper and cut them out. If you don't have a matching die to cute the rectangle with the stiches, simply use a thin pen and add them to the white cardstock. The boot stamp set is still available "Make a Splash (C1839)".

The next card is a sympathy card and I used again the stamp set from the first card, just another flower that is in this set. For the background I used CTMH watercolors (Z3132) and a wide brush. With just a little water and 4 colors hues of blue I made the background and let it dry. Make sure to use a good adhesive to adhere the white paper to the black since it might have waved a little due to the water coloring.

Before you stamp the flower in black ink on the paper, make sure the water color is dry!!!

And here are the insides of each card. These phrases and sentiments are either from the stamp sets themselves. You can find many of them here.

  Stay tuned for part 2!