August 21, 2015

Be creative outdoors - Part II

Watercolors, the technique everyone lately seems to use and I am sure you have seen many different projects so far too. Why do we need watercolors, why can't we just use inks, color pencils or our markers? You can use all of these depending on the type of look you like to archive. 
I have been using watercolor pencils for many years and I think they are a great starting point for everyone who like to try this technique. They are relatively inexpensive and you can use them with most every white cardstock or watercolor paper. You do need a water resistant ink to stamp the image you like to color in. StazOn, Ranger archival ink and Memento are working well. If you don't have any of them, try your regular ink and clear emboss the image before coloring it.
Before you start, test your pencils on a piece of cardstock you intend to use. I usually make a stronger pencil impression and a lite one next to it. Then take a brush (small tip or tank water brushes) and some water (the brush should be almost try to the tough, not super wet) and start activating the color. All you so is brush over the pencil marks and see how the colors even out. You should not see any pencil lines anymore. Some colors blend smoother than others and you can see what the pencil will look like once activated with water. Now you can start coloring your image. You can bring extra movement to your stamped image by shading the image....Come join me in one of the watercolor classes to see how easy it is!
With regular cardstock you want to use less water otherwise the cardstock will bubble. In case you decide to use water color paper, well this will absorb more water and you might have to use a little more.

I will give you some more information about all the shown products and a few more in the upcoming days...so stay tuned!








August 19, 2015

Let the creativity begin!

It has been a hot and humid summer so far here in Michigan. I took some creative time off during July since my family from Germany was here to visit, but know I am getting my mojo flowing again....well I try with this still humid and hot weather.

My crafting table and everything else a woman need to be creative is located in our basement. While it is nice and cool down there, it is lacking off daylight. So I decided to move my creative station outside. A shady spot on the patio in the backyard...how nice can this be? Very nice until I forget something and have to go back downstairs...LOL

Well, after a few trips I decided, I can't get all my stuff upstairs, so I might limit myself to some coloring projects. My first project was the new tri-fold stamp sets from "Art Impressions" which I bought in May at the MegaMeet in Novi. I was itching to try them, but haven't found the time to do..until now:

I will show the different steps on how to stamp and color them in the following days/ week. I will also give you a rundown on what coloring sets I used and why some are easier than others for this project. I will show you the "Wedding Chapel" and the "House in Tuscany" tri-fold sets...   

If you are interested in learning these techniques and how the tri-fold stamps work, please contact me to set up a class. I will have a schedule with classes up on the blog by the end of next week. Classes will be held at my house and in small groups between 1-6 people. If a scheduled time frame does not work for you, please contact me and I will see if we can work something out. If you have at least 4 people or more, I will also come to your home....to let's try it and see how easy it is to create wonderful paper projects.  




August 17, 2015

New Idea Book 2015-16 ... Products available right now

Here is an overview of all the products from the brand new Close to My Heart Idea Book 2015-16 that are available right now.

The new Idea Book 2015-16 and all the other new products will be available for you starting September 1st. So make sure to check back often...
Feel free to order online on my website and don't forget to click the "Join"-button in the lower right corner for the Aug-Sep Special...you can win free products :-)


A special "Thank You" to a fellow consultant who put this overview of all new products available in August together!

August 14, 2015

Throwback Friday ... "Pathfinding"

Here is the last throwback Friday memory for now...I know, fall is not here yet, ...but...
if you like this wonderful fall paper package, make sure to order it this month because it will be gone buy August 31st or in case of high demand even earlier...



I will present you at least one double page layout every month and this month I will start with our wonderful Close To My Heart "Pathfinding" (X7186B) paper packet.

I love the gorgeous fall colors and I thought this is the perfect paper to create a fun Autumn page. 


The base for the layout is one of the three design papers that are in the package. Little tiny leave falling, just the right background. I created the tree trunk from a piece of 3" x 12" Chocolate cardstock. I hand drew the trunk onto the back of the paper so I didn't had to worry about the pencil line once I cut it out. I left a little stump on the top that would line up with the branch.

I stamped a wood-grain image with chocolate ink onto the trunk and edged the sides with the same ink. Edging the sides with a sponge make for a nice soft edge and gives the trunk some great dimension.

The photo mat is a 7"x 5" barn red piece of cardstock. I poked a small hole in the top corners, strung a piece of hemp through and placed it with foam dots onto the page, just so far off the tree that the hemp will reach the branch.

Four leaves and a cork button will hold the hemp in place and the photo mat looks like it is hanging of the branch.




The title as well as the leaves were cut with the Cricut and our Close To My Heart Cartridges "Art Philosophy" and " Artbooking". I used two different design papers from the "Pathfinding" paper pack to cut all leaves. The title is made from Autumn Terracotta cardstock. The pumpkin and the acorns you see are stamped and then hand cut. 

Scatter all your leaves on the bottom of the page, pointing in different directions. I elevated some with foam dots. 

Stay tuned for part two of this layout and a special extra photo adding to your page....coming tomorrow...

You can create this layout in one of my classes, or you can order the kit including everything you see on the layout. (Papers pre-cut, stamping done and complete colored instructions with pictures included). You can also purchase the layout assembled and ready to go....

Please contact me via email for more information!








August 10, 2015

August... Stamp of the Month - Framed


Here is the August Stamp of the Month - Framed (S1508).

This months stamp set is a great one and I am sure you will agree with me. 

Not only will you get three stamps in this set that correspond with our Close to My Heart Cricut cartridges, but you also get some really versatile sayings.

From Mother's and Father's Day to Valentine's Day and Christmas. You will get a Birthday phrase as well as Best Wishes, Thank You and For You.


Is there anything else you might need? I love that you can use the sayings individually or in combination with the frames.

A wonderful edition for all of you card makers. Perfect for page layouts and I will be using these a lot for all my home made gifts...

Little Thanks You's, boxes filled with goodies or how about my Christmas Cookies.



This special set was added to the current Idea Book for the month of August, because Close to My Heart extended the life of the 2014-2015 Idea Book all the way through August. 

You can get this stamp set, like all monthly sets, only during that month. You can purchase this set for only $5 with a qualifying order in August.

Send me an email with your order or go to my website and place your order there. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.

Oh, and in case you missed previous announcements, yes, the new Idea Book 2015-2016 will be available for all on September 1st, so make sure to contact me to be one of the first to receive the new book. 















August 7, 2015

Throwback Friday ... "Chalk It Up"

Throwback Friday and how many adventures have you encountered this summer so far?

Here is a new layout made with the Close To My Heart paper package "Chalk It Up". 

Love the colors and designs of this paper. A fun way to scrap your kids school year or just for any other adventure occurring during the year.




The background paper used for this layout is one of the three designs of the design papers coming in this set. Two of each double sided designs means you can use one set as a background and the rest for extra add-on's to the layout.

The matching cardstock from the package makes for great photo mats and in this case title and arrow strips.





To add even more photos to your page, check out the different sizes of flip flaps Close To My Heart is offering. I added one 4" x 6" flap to the left side of the double page layout.

All layouts on this blog are available for purchase. You can either order them as a kit or pre-done for you. 

The kit comes pre-cut, including all papers, cardstock, flip flaps, titles, embellishments and full instructions on how to assemble the pages.


Contact me if you would like to order a set or if you have interest in joining one of my page making classes during the month.



August 5, 2015

New Idea Book 2015-16 coming soon

Have you checked out the new Close to My Heart paper pack "Zoe" and all the brand new embellishments coming along side of it? No? Well don't miss it because it is a wonderful versatile paper.

... And how about the brand new Cricut cartridge "Artistry" available right now in the usual cartridge version as well as in the digital version. Make sure your current Cricut will be able to use the digital version! All new Cricut Explores and above will be able to use the digital version.

Speaking of digital, if you love to create your layouts online as a digital version, have you checked out the Close to My Heart "Studio J" program? The program is free and the paper pack are awesome.

So what else is new? We have a lot of new stamps coming your way and to make sure you don't miss out on the one you always wanted from the current Idea Book, make sure to check the "Retiring List". All items on it will be available until August 31st or while supplies last...

While you are there you might have noticed a few cardstock colors are retiring too. Yes, our Olive, Autumn Terracotta, Outdoor Denim, Ponderosa Pine, Indian Corn Blue and Smokey Plum will be retiring. But, out goes the old... in comes the new:

Eggplant, Sapphire, Peacock, Fern, Saffron, Poppy and Pomegranate

Like to know more about Close to My Heart, our products or have any other question, please feel free to contract me...

Stay tuned for more......

Make sure when you order from my website to hit the "Join" button on the lower right side called "Aug/Sep Special" and have the chance to win some free products in August!

  

August 2, 2015

New Close To My Heart Products and Constant Campaign in August

More new products and specials are waiting for you. One big advantage of being a consultant is not only the fact that you can get products for a discount, but you are also able to review the new Idea Book one month ahead of everyone else. Yes, I am looking at it right now... The brand new Close to My Heart Idea Book 2015-16 and the Seasonal Expressions Book 1 with all the Holiday items in it. If you are interested in taking advantage of these and more great perks, let me know and come and join my team. We have so much fun doing what we love to do...

New, New, New … Marker and Accessory Roll –Up’s

Are you in need of some organization? Here are two new additions to the awesome Rolling Tote (Z3032) introduced last year and back in stock… 

and how about the brand new Marker Roll-Up (Z3120) and Accessory Roll-Up (Z3121). Great for your markers and other coloring pens and perfect for all the little packages of rhinestones and other accessories you have. If you are thinking of getting both of these, make sure to check out the last offer on this month’s newsletter…



New, New, New, New … August Stamp and Special’s

During the month of August, if you order the new Marker Roll-Up Organizer, you will receive the stamp set “Balloon Wishes” for Free or if you order the new Accessory Roll-Up, you will receive the two newest Base&Bling style sheets for Free. 

And last but not least, if you place an order of $50 or more this month, you can purchase the Stamp of the Month for August “Framed” (S1508) for only $5 and the best, all of offers can be combined!

Oh and just so you know, these awesome frames are made to go with the brand new "Artistry" Cricut cartridge (Z3167)




As a special for the new crafting season, sign up for my blog and sent me an email for my monthly newsletter! You will receive a very special offer and coupon good until August 14th....and more to come each month!


Make sure when you order from my website to hit the "Join" button on the lower right side called "Aug/Sep Special" and have the chance to win some free products in August!







August 1, 2015

New Idea Book sneak peek and a brand new Cricut cartridge "Artistry"

Summer is here and like many of you I enjoy the weather. Never the less, some amazing things are happening in the crafting world of Close to My Heart. The new Idea Book is on the door step and will be available to all of you coming September 1st.


What’s new and exciting you ask?

Although I can’t give you all the details about our new products coming in September, I am able to give you a few sneak peeks of the upcoming products available for purchase today...

New … “Zoe” Paper Pack and Embellishments


Let me introduce you to “Zoe” (X7197B), the new paper pack in August; Great colors and super versatile. Along with it comes the new “Zoe Complements” Set(X7197C) and “Zoe Assortment” pack (Z3082). Our complement sets have been change a bit. 
They now contain beside stickers also Kraft and Vellum Die-Cuts, so give them a try.
Perfect for your layouts, cards and other craft items are the new “Coral Shimmer Trim” (Z3088) and the “Enamel & Glitter Duos Green Triangles”(Z3123) matching the “Zoe” paper pack.



New, New … “Artistry” Cricut Cartridge

You were all waiting for it and you will love the newest member to the CTMH Cricut family. Welcome “Artistry” Cricut Cartridge (Z3167) including 700 images, 3 My Acrylix D-sized stamp sets matching the cut outs and a whole “Enchantment” Cardstock Combo Pack. You will find shapes spanning a wide variety of themes, holidays, and seasons to add some visual spice to any project you create. Get back to basics with the unique font, banners, layered shapes, borders, backgrounds, and other fun icons.


Check back daily for more sneak peeks and specials... sign up for my monthly newsletter and receive special offers and coupons...contact me HERE...

Make sure when you order from my website to hit the "Join" button on the lower right side called "Aug/Sep Special" and have the chance to win some free products in August!