Albums for All Types of Scrapbooking

The new CTMH D-Ring and Post Bound My Legacy Albums have finally arrived!  You can see them here.
A quick video from Close To My Heart that explains the differences in the albums is posted below:


Also, here is a flyer with more information from CTMH:

Click on the photos to get a better view.  The second flyer discusses the new A la Carte Picture My Life pocket scrapbook program.

Please let me know if you have any questions about these beautiful new products.  To order, please visit my website here.
Thank you for visiting today!
Beverly

Advent Cookie Calendar With Artiste Noel Bags

CTMH Seaside Paper and Magical Days Stamp

This year's Advent Calendar is a little different than the ones I've done in the past, here, here, and here.  It seemed like a fun idea to combine a few of our favorite things - paper crafting, cookies and the Christmas tree.  I wanted to use non-traditional paper so I chose paper that went with our family room's decor. This would be a great project to use up lots of different papers from one's stash.

Sugar Cookies Cut from 1.5" Wilton Cookie Cutters

Having gifts hanging from the tree branches seems to fit with my sense of nostalgia this year.  Doing the assembling seemed to be a perfect fit for my ten year old's idle time over Thanksgiving Break, too. Lately, I've been under the weather and she was a big help and the motivator for getting this project done. She also was the one to choose the Cricut diecut.

Tree decorated with lights and Advent gifts

The Noel Bag on page 79 in the Artiste booklet lists the cut size as 5".  The cookies are very small and didn't require that large of a container. Also, I wanted to get two bags from each 12 x 12 paper, so we cut them at 3.25".  Pictured below is a snack size package of M & M's in front of the bag cut at 5". The little wrapped angel cookie peaking out of the smaller bag is a perfect fit.  The bag on the right is not stamped because I decided to use only the Seaside paper for this countdown to Christmas project.

Realizing that the cookies were likely to be inedible on Day 24, I had to revise my plan a wee bit.  The cookies could be frozen and added to the bags as needed.  Or new cookie creations could be added as they are made during the month.  Or the one that made it possible for me to fill all of the bags at one time and works well for my family was plan C. (Or maybe it is Plan D?) Darling Daughter loved having activities instead of treats in her Advent calendar in past years, so we opted for some of the weekend days and Winter Break days to have family activities instead of stale cookies.

Here is a list of Christmas Countdown activities that I posted three years ago from one of the previous Advent projects:

Countdown to Christmas Activities:

Check out the weather at the North Pole

Play Christmas Tic Tac Toe or Checkers

Track Santa’s flight with NORAD (on Christmas Eve)

Prepare milk, cookies and carrots for Santa and the Reindeer tonight!

Listen to Christmas music while making a Christmas treat

Go to Zoo Lights and see Christmas lights
Take an evening stroll to look at holiday lights
Write a letter to Santa Claus
Visit Santa Claus at Daddy’s work
Go to Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Botanical Garden

Make an ornament
Help decorate the Christmas tree
Buy a new ornament for the Christmas tree
Cuddle by the fireplace or Christmas tree and listen to Christmas music or read holiday stories
Decorate the house
Put up Christmas lights
Make Christmas M & M Pretzels

Set up the Nativity creche
String popcorn and cranberries
Make gift tags
Make a handcrafted gift
Watch a holiday movie, and eat popcorn
Sing along with holiday music or the karaoke
Read a holiday book
Research holiday customs in a country where you have an interest

Buy and deliver Toys For Tots

Bake and decorate sugar cookies
Decorate a gingerbread house
Read the Christmas story
Share Christmas memories over hot cocoa with marshmallows
Make Peanut Butter Blossoms

Take cookies to the neighbors
Go caroling
Take a drive to find snow
Play in the snow  (We can't do this in Phoenix!)
Make and address Christmas cards
Make a Christmas craft
Get a plain stocking and decorate it
Make a paper Christmas chain
Cut out paper snowflakes
Make edible ornaments for birds
Wear your new Christmas pajamas
Take a family photo
Visit someone who needs cheering up
Volunteer where there is a need in your community

Wrap presents
Go Christmas shopping for a shut-in
Shop for stocking stuffers
Donate food to a local food bank
Play a board game
Make a special meal

Some of the days I put an activity and a treat in the bag.  There are lots of other treats that will fit in these sweet little all-occasion bags. These would look adorable hanging from a garland. Or if they were cut smaller, they would be so cute used on a wreath.

CTMH Yuletide Carol Paper

List of supplies:
CTMH Artiste Cartridge
Magical Days Stamp Set
Seaside Paper
Liquid Glass
Yuletide Carol Paper Packet
Wilton Cookie Cutters
Sugar Cookie Dough and Royal Icing
Assorted Candies

Thank you for visiting today!
Beverly

Cyber Monday - Just Announced! 20% Off Cricut Collections!

 

For the first time ever, Close To My Heart is offering a Cyber Monday Sale on Monday, December 1, 2014. There has never been a better time to buy Close To My Heart’s exclusive Cricut® Collections for 20% off the retail price. Whether you love scrapbooking, cardmaking, or creating 3-D projects, our four exclusive Cricut® collections make the perfect addition to any craft room! Sale starts at midnight (MST) on December 1 and ends at 11:59 pm Monday night.  Please visit my website here to take advantage of this ONE Day Only discount.

You will be able to take advantage of this special deal as long as it is submitted between 12:00 am and 11:59 pm (MST) on Monday, December 1. Enjoy extra savings on Close To My Heart's exclusive Cricut® collections this Cyber Monday!

Also, with any Cricut Collection purchase you will automatically qualify for the Deal of the Decade! C and D size stamps for $10 each!  Details about this promotion are posted below.

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Close To My Heart’s revolutionary My Acrylix® clear polymer stamps—and we can’t wait for you to celebrate with us! With a qualifying purchase of $50 during the month of December, you will be eligible to purchase ANY C- or D-size stamps from the Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 idea book for only $10. That’s up to $7.95 USD/$9.75 CAD of savings on a single stamp set! Plus, once you achieve the qualifying order total, there is no limit to the number of eligible stamp sets you can purchase at this discounted price. A purchase of $50 will also qualify you to receive the December Stamp of the Month for only $5, so if you purchase both the discounted Stamp of the Month and additional stamps at this special campaign pricing your savings will compound! It is truly the deal of the decade.

*Deal of the Decade Offer valid December 1, 2014 (9:00 am MST)–December 31, 2014 (11:59 pm MST). Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the discounted items (C-size stamp set: $13.95 USD/$15.25 CAD; D-size stamp set: $17.95 USD/$19.75 CAD).

Just a reminder that today is the last day of the Lucky Five Studio J Sale.

Thank you for your business.  I hope you are able to take advantage of some of the amazing discounts that CTMH is offering this holiday season.

Beverly

Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge is Now Available!

CTMH Cricut Pop Up Cards!

The wait is finally over! Close To My Heart Consultants were notified today that the new Artfully Sent Collection is now available to order. If you do not want to read any further,  this link will take you directly to the order entry page.  However, if you read a little bit more, you will see my special gift that I am offering to everyone who purchases ANY of the CTMH Cricut Collections this month.

Cardmaking has never been easier or more fun! With our 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 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. Order your Cricut® Artfully Sent collection (Z3017) today

Cricut® Artfully Sent Shape Index

All seven pages of the Artfully Sent Shape Index can be viewed by clicking on the link above.

A larger image of the Sample Cards can be viewed by clicking on the linked caption below.

Cricut® Artfully Sent Sample Cards

The collection includes the following:

Cricut® Artfully Sent Collection (Z3017)

$99 USD / $109 CAD
(retail value of nearly $125 USD / $135 CAD)
1 – Cartridge (700 Images: Cards and Font)
3 – My Acrylix™ D-size Stamp Sets*
3 – 12" × 12" White Daisy Cardstock Pack

AND -  I am offering the September Stamp of the Month FREE to anyone who purchases ANY Cricut CTMH Collection through my website during September, 2014!  This set is a $17.95 value. You will receive a refund for the stamp set when you order it at the same time as your Cricut Collection.  The refund amount is $5 because that is what you will be charged when you place your order. 

Family is Forever – September 2014 Stamp of the Month

Here is a layout and card made with this stamp set:

To order this and any other CTMH items, please visit my website.

Thank you for your business. I appreciate it.

Beverly

"I Want to Earn Some Money, Mom" - Odd Jobs for Kids Board

Work For Hire - Odd Jobs Pockets

Hello!  This project came about because I wanted to make something attractive and interactive for my daughter, who was looking for a way to earn a little cash.... And I didn't want to have any nagging or whining from either of us.

CTMH Designed Decor Frame

By listing the potential tasks and combining them with the 'going rate' (at my house,) she can choose what extra chore she wants to perform in order to get a little extra money.  She is very excited by the prospect of being in control of her choices. It is a Win-Win situation because these tasks should get done, but are not high on my priority list right now.

 Pockets and Tags Cut With Artiste Cartridge

Double-Side Seaside B & T Duos Paper Pockets

This short video explains my work-for-hire-system.

Here is the supply list:

CTMH Designed Decor Colonial White Frame

Cricut Artiste Collection

Seaside Paper Packet











Colonial White Cardstock
Mini Clothespins
Gold Polka Dot Washi Tape
Sewing Machine/Thread
Masking tape to adhere the thread to back of frame
Printer/Copy Paper
Dollar Bills (or fives or tens or twenties - depending on the task and your level of generosity)

Here is the list of jobs formatted in three columns on two pages:

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for visiting today!
Beverly

Thimbleberries Santa's Workshop Festive Topper

2003 Thimbleberries Quilt Club UFO

There is hope for those of us who have ancient UFO's in our homes!  After an eleven year break, this quilt is finally done!  I'm posting it in hopes that others who struggle with having unfinished objects or neglected projects will realize they are not alone.
I hope you all have a chance to work on something creative this weekend!
Beverly

Picture My Life Memory Protector Promotion

During the month of August, when you purchase any of the 13 available Picture My Life™ scrapbooking programs featured in the 2014–2015 Annual Inspirations idea book at their full retail price of $24.95, you are eligible to add your choice of 1 of 8 qualifying Memory Protectors™ 10-packs for just $3.00! Each Picture My Life scrapbooking program already includes a coordinating 10-pack of Memory Protectors, so when you add your additional 10-pack for only $3.00 you will be well on your way to your own picture-perfect pocket scrapbooking adventure! Valid August 1, 2014–August 31, 2014 or while supplies last.

Sample of a few of the Picture My Life Seaside Scrapbooking Program cards

All of the Picture My Life programs are available here.   The 8 different Memory Protector packs have a variety of sizes and configurations.  Choose the one that best fits your style of pocket scrapbooking.

Design 1 – 10 protectors: 6 vertical 6" x 4" pockets each. 

Design 2 – 10 protectors: 6 horizontal 4" x 6" pockets each. 

Design 3 – 10 protectors: 4 vertical 6" x 4" pockets and 4 horizontal 3" x 4" pockets each. 

Design 4 – 10 protectors: 4 horizontal 4" x 6" pockets and 4 vertical 4" x 3" pockets each. 

Design 5 – 10 protectors: 3 vertical 6" x 4" pockets and 6 horizontal 3" x 4" pockets each. 

Top Load – 10 protectors: 12" x 12" pocket. 1/2" gutter seam so pages lie flat. 

Side Load – 10 protectors: 12" x 12" pocket. 

Variety Pack – 10 protectors: 4 of Design 3, 3 of Design 4, and 3 of Design 5

Album accessories, including the Memory Protector 10-packs are listed here.

Also, here is a great way to use Flip Flaps along with your favorite Picture My Life kit or with any traditional scrapbook layout.

Don't forget about August's What a Hoot! Stamp of the Month!  You can receive this set of 17 stamps only during August, 2104.  It is available at full price here or for only $5 with a $50 purchase.

What A Hoot - August's CTMH SOTM

CTMH Artwork featuring August's SOTM What A Hoot

CTMH Layout using What A Hoot Stamp of the Month

Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Beverly

How to Use the CTMH My Acrylix Spritz and Scrubber

The new Close To My Heart Annual Inspirations Catalog and Idea Book is now available to view online here.  You'll be delighted with lots of new and fun products to spark your creativity.  Everything in the Idea Book is available to purchase except the new Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge, which is expected in September.

CTMH has produced a series of videos to demonstrate many of the current products.  Some of the items have been around for awhile and others are brand new.  I thought it might be helpful to start with the basics and stamping is at the core of CTMH. This video is a good starting point for showing how to get your stamps clean.


The My Acrylix Scrubber is available here.
The My Acrylix Spritz is available here.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for visiting today!
Beverly

Free Shipping on CTMH Orders! And a FREE new Idea Book! And a FREE Stamp set in August with Purchase.

*****This promotion has now ended. ***** 
Hello Friends!

This is the first time I've offered a discount through my CTMH website! I will pay for your FedEx SmartPost shipping for any order with a minimum $50 purchase through July 31, 2014.  The $50 retail purchase is prior to tax and shipping charges.

Choose FedEx Smart Post for a full rebate for FREE Shipping!

 This is a sale that is exclusive to my website and is only available through me.  As I don't have access to CTMH's secure server or customer credit card information, I can only offer FREE Shipping as a rebate after the order is placed and processed through CTMH.  Once your order is shipped I will issue a refund through PayPal or send you a check.  Whichever way you prefer. No pesky rebate forms to fill out or receipts to submit.

Make sure you are shopping at my website for this deal.

If you opt for a different shipping method, I will refund you the amount that FedEx Smart Post would have cost ($4.95 or 4.95% - whichever is greater.)  Please remember that this offer is good for any $50 minimum product purchase placed through my website.  You'll automatically be added to the "August Party".  Please don't "leave" the party; it won't affect your shipping time.

But wait, there's more!  With any $75 purchase, I will send you the new Annual Inspirations Idea Book and Catalog.  This is a retail value of $6.00 - plus the shipping and handling will be paid by me.

Also, ANY order, regardless of size, will receive a coupon emailed to you good for a free stamp set with an August, 2014 purchase.  The stamp set value will be determined by the purchase amount of the August purchase.

This is all new to me, so please let me know if you have any questions. Please contact me via email at Stampinbev@msn.com.

Thank you very much for your business. I appreciate it and that is why I am offering these specials. :-)

Beverly

Base & Bling - Not Just Jewelry - Video Tutorial

Hello!  I got sidetracked with the excitement of new products coming out from CTMH, so this video was set on the back burner for a bit... I am sorry if you were one of the people requesting it and had to wait!

 Here are a number of pictures from CTMH that show the Base & Bling products and how they were used by CTMH's design staff for the Idea Book.

They are lovely.  However, it is nice to be able to use up the remaining items for other projects or to come up with one's own way of personalizing things.
This video shows how to use the products in the intended way and a few not-necessarily-intended ways.

Here are a few of my projects from the video:

My Crush Book Charm

CTMH Base & Bling Storyteller on My Crush Bluebird Book

Base & Bling Filofax Charm

Base & Bling Keychain or Purse Charm

The following product information is from CTMH:

What material are the Base & Bling components made out of?
The Base & Bling bases, chains, and jump rings on the charms are made of steel. Base & Bling charms and pendants are made of zinc alloy. They are all lead-free. Item Z2034, faux antiqued gold oval cuff, and the faux antiqued gold pendants and charms contain no nickel. The faux antiqued silver pendants and charms do contain nickel, as well as items Z1940 (faux antiqued silver chain), Z1954 (faux antiqued gold chain), Z1978 (rhinestone charms), and Z2035 (faux antiqued silver oval cuff). Although the soldering is strong, intentional misuse or over-forcing joints where welded can cause the circle bases to break off.

What are the dimensions for the Base & Bling components?
Base & Bling Chain: 30" long with 2" extender and lobster claw clasp
Base & Bling Oval Pendants: 1" × 1⅜" inside dimension
Base & Bling Rectangle Pendants: 1" × 1⅜" inside dimension
Base & Bling Square Pendants: 1" inside dimension
Base & Bling Circle Pendants: 1" inside dimension
Base & Bling Oval Glass Covers: 1" × 1⅜"
Base & Bling Rectangle Glass Covers: 1" × 1⅜"
Base & Bling Square Glass Covers: 1"
Base & Bling Circle Glass Covers: 1"
Base & Bling Charms: Range in height from ⅜" to 1⅜"
Base & Bling Style Sheet stickers: 1" × 1" each
Base & Bling Oval Cuff: 1" × 1⅜" inside dimension

To purchase any of the Base & Bling products, please visit my website here.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thank you for visiting today.

Beverly

Video of the Cardmaker's Contents of the New Consultant Kit from CTMH

Hi!  Just a quick post to share the video I made showing all of the goodies in the new CTMH Consultant's Kit that is specifically geared towards Cardmakers.

Please let me know if you have any questions about any of the new products or about becoming a CTMH Consultant.

Thank you for visiting today!
Beverly

Art Philosophy for Quilting Motifs and a Free Quilt Pattern

77 x 93 Quilt Designed in EQ7

Hello!  I finally finished the quilt that my (now) 9 year old daughter wanted for her bed.  She and I designed it last year, using EQ7 to lay it out.  She loves the textural aspect of quilts and therefore wanted to have some large blocks for quilted butterflies and flowers to touch.

Finished size 77 x 88 after quilting and washing

This is a very easy quilt to piece; though there are some triangles where the bias edge is exposed until a border is added - so stretching can be an issue. I like to cut my borders from the length of the fabric, to minimize seams, so I end up purchasing a wee bit more fabric than is probably necessary.

Setting Triangle with Art Philosophy Stenciled Butterfly

For this quilt, EQ7 recommends purchasing the following amounts of fabric:

Outside border and sashing: 2 7/8 yard - Amy Butler Soul Peacock Feathers Rose (I bought 3 yards)
Inside border and 4-patches: 1 yard - Solid Orange (I bought 2 yards)
Sashing: 1 1/8 yard - Solid Bright Pink ( I bought 2 yards - used this for binding fabric, also)
4-patches: 3/8 yard - Solid Marigold (I bought 1 yard)
Setting triangles and 18 solid blocks: 1 3/4 yard - Solid Maize (I bought 2 yards)
14 solid blocks: 1 yard - Solid Light Pink

Butterfly cut with Cricut from cardstock  makes a great stencil

Backing fabric is 6 yards Riley Blake Willow Organic Large Medallion Yellow (not pictured)

The scrunchy look of a washed quilt

I wanted to use organic fabrics and found them online at Fabric.com.  It seemed like a good idea to buy a little extra of some of the colors in case we changed our minds about their placement.  Also, when practicing quilting motifs, I like to use the same fabric as the real quilt, so I knew it wouldn't go to waste. (That is kind of a funny statement. I don't know any quilter who thinks having extra fabric is ever a "waste"!)

Art Philosophy Heart Stencil

I almost always cut or tear my border fabrics first.  The outer (print)  border is made of 6 1/2" strips. Two are 96" long and two are 80" long.  The inner (orange)  border is made of 2" strips cut at 63" and 78" - two of each. (The longer orange ones had to be pieced.)  These are for mitered borders and there will be excess because it is easier to cut away, than to add. :-)


There are 31 four patch blocks made with 2" strips of orange and marigold fabrics.  These finish at 3" blocks.

In addition, the outer 4-patch halves are made with 8 - 2" marigold squares and 8 - 2 3/8" orange squares cut in half, on the diagonal, to place on the end of the sashing strips that abut the inside border.
The other 4-patch halves are made with 10 - 2" orange squares and 10 2 3/8" marigold squares cut in half, diagonally.

The bright pink and print fabric sashing pieces are cut 2" x the width of the fabric. Then sewn together with 1/4" seams and then cut down to 8 1/2".  There are 80 sashing units.

The solid blocks are 8 1/2" squares. There are 14 light pink and 18 light yellow (Maize).  For the setting triangles, there are 4 - 12 1/2" Maize squares cut diagonally across both ways so that there will be 16 small triangles.  Only 14 are used, though. The corner triangles are made from 2 - 6 1/2" squares cut in half diagonally (one cut).  This nets 4 small triangles.

Anita Goodesign Quilting Design

I used Quilter's Dream 100% Cotton Select Queen-sized batting.  For the setting triangles, I used some leftover negative space cuts from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. This made perfect stencils for marking the quilt.  After quilting on the traced designs, I did a mini-stipple around the hearts and small butterflies.  The larger blocks were quilted using the machine embroidery attachment for my sewing machine with Anita Goodesign patterns.  The rest of the quilt was filled in with an easy meander.  If I were to do this type of quilt again, I think I would skip the machine embroidered part and use larger Art Philosophy-made stencils.

My next Art Philosophy Quilting Project will be cutting shapes for applique.  If you have done any applique or other types of quilting with your Cricut, I would love to hear about your projects!

Thank you for visiting today!
Beverly