CTMH's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for August - WICKED!

Welcome to the Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for August. This month we are featuring the stamp set "WICKED".


Along this month's Stamp of the Month hop you'll find dozens of fabulous creations using this stamp set - all brought to you by a very talented group of CTMH Consultants! If you've come here from Doreen's Blog, you are on the right path. If this is your first stop on the hop, that will work too (just keep hopping till you get back here again).

To continue along the hop, just follow the link at the end of each post to go to the next site. We hope that following the hop will give you lots of inspiration and ideas for using this month's spooky stamp set, along with the many other great CTMH products you'll see in each post!

My creation for you today is a two-page layout.  My layout design is from the CTMH book "Cherish" and is called Elegant Context.

One of the things I love most about CTMH's layout pattern books is that when I have a few pictures I want to scrapbook, I can scan the indexes of each book to find layouts with the number of photos that I have and then also look at the index thumbnails of each pattern to look at the orientation and size of the photo spaces.  In just a few minutes - I can find an appropriate layout design for any set of photos!  And that is exactly what I did here with these Halloween pictures from MANY years ago!!  This is my husband and I (although at the time, we had just been dating a few months!) 

You can click on the photo to see the layout in more detail. 

For my layout, I didn't really have a Halloween paper that I wanted to use, so I used a lot of cardstock, and also created my own patterned paper by stamping on my background.  To add some dimension to the layout, I randomly popped up some of the honeycomb hexagons using foam tape and the paper piecing method.  I love how it turned out!

Materials Used (all CTMH):
Cardstock: Sunset, Black, White Daisy
Stickease Border: Hooligans Stickease (retired)
Photo Mats: Sweetheart Level 2 Paper (retired)
Black Mini Medley Accents
Black Waxy Flax
Cocktail Alphabet Stamp Set
Wicked Stamp Set (August 2011 Stamp of the Month)
Other: Black Ink, Sunset Marker

The "WICKED" stamp set is available from your consultant from August 1st to 31st! You can purchase it for the great low price of $19.95 or get it for just $5.50Cdn with every CTMH order of $55 or more placed in the month of August!

Thanks for stopping in!! To continue on the hop, visit SHIRLEY's BLOG to see what she has created for you!

Studio Saturday

I am loving Studio J - but haven't been sharing many of my layouts here on the blog.  So - I'd like to change that starting today by starting a new feature here on the blog called Studio Saturday.   My intention is that each Saturday I will share with you a new Studio J layout I have created, or a new tip or technique or video tutorial relating to the Studio J software!

So for week one - - a layout for you! 
This was created using the Grins & Giggles (I think that is what it is called?!) kit in Studio J.  Originally a "Disney" themed paper pack - - but I thought the colours were perfect for our Calgary Flames hockey team and this layout!  The more I use the digital software - I'm finding it is a great way to create those layouts that you have a LOT of pictures for!  I can easily 'shrink' my photos to fit the layout without having to get them reprinted in smaller sizes.  Love it!  This layout has a total of TEN photos!

That's it for today!  Be sure to check back Monday and I'll have my August Stamp of the Month creation up for you!   Have a great weekend!

You can give Studio J a try for yourself for FREE!! Truly Faster, Simpler, Easier Scrapbooking!  Check it out anytime on my Website! 

Happy Girls!

I love these photos of me and my daughter taken in Hawaii last year!

The layout design is from the CTMH layout book "MAGIC" and is called Backstage.  Love this design -- this isn't the first time I've used it, and I know it won't be the last!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
Sophia Level 2 Paper Pack
Sophia Level 2 Stickease
Sophia Level 1 Scrapbooking Kit Stickease (retiring on July 31!!)
"Girls" was cut using my Cricut
Cardstock colours:  White Daisy, Pear, Tulip
Ink:  Tulip
White scalloped circle is from the Dazzling Die-Cuts (retired)
White scalloped border is from the Dimensional Elements Borders (retiring on July 31!!)

Just 5 days left . . .

Just 5 days left before the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book retires!

That means that many favourites from the current book will no longer be available to order after July 31st.  Check the list!  If there is anything you MUST have - be sure to place your order online by midnight on the 31st or send me an email at csironside@shaw.ca and I can include it on my order! And remember - it is MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK time!  Get a bonus item for just a $1 with orders over $50.

CTMH Spring/Summer 2011 Retiring List

(Items available only until July 31st and only while supplies last)

Cardstock:

image courtesy of CTMH

Our cardstock packs are being reconfigured and repackaged on August 1st and the price is also increasing.  So if you use a lot of cardstock or have a favourite colour or two - you may want to stock up now!!
Until August 1st - you can buy all 60 of our individual colours in bulk packs of 24 sheets.  (After August 1st, only 15 colours per Idea Book will be available in bulk packs of 24 sheets).   Our current 'seasonal' combo packs available are being retired August 1st as well.  Click here to see our Spring/Summer cardstock inventory. 

Ink Pads and Markers:

Ink pads and markers will no longer be available in discounted combo 'sets' as of August 1st.    If you'd like to add to your marker/ink collection by taking advantage of the combo sets  -  be sure to pick them up before month end!  Click here to see our full selection of markers and ink pads.

Embellishments & Accessories:

The following great embellishment and accessory items are set to retire July 31st:

Ribbon:

Z1154 Designer Ribbon Buttercup

Z1209 Designer Ribbon Cranberry

Z1125 Designer Ribbon SweetLeaf

Chipboard (Dimensional Elements):

Z1223 Booksmart

Z1156 Borders

Z1140 Framed Fun

Z1312 Stars

All of the Dimensional Elements Monograms (A to Z)

Embossed Chipboard (Irresistibles):

Z1354 Irresistibles Miracle

Z1390 Irresistibles Villa

Embossing Powders:

Z648 Baby Pink

Z671 Clear

Z647 Heavenly Blue

Z664 Pansy Purple

Z678 Silver Pearl

Embellishments:

Z1400 Fanfare Level 2 Assortment of Brads

Z263 Fun Flock White

Z1300 Just Blooms White Daisy

Z1377 Kraft Color-Ready Borders

Z1340 Mini Medley Lagoon

Z1277 Mini Medley Outdoor Denim

Z1339 Mini Medley Pear

Z1243 Mini Medley Pewter

Other Tools & Accessories:

Z1141 My Creations Mini-Binder

Z1009 Pivot Point Stapler

Z1231 Rub-ons "Across The Board"

Z1265 Rub-ons "Primavera"

Z1211 Top Coats Framed In

Z338 Euro Paper Trimmer (new design in the new Idea Book)

Z339 Euro Replacement Blades

Z340 Euro Replacement Blade/Scoring

3501 Red Eye Pen

Z1289 Block Buddy Set

Z1090 Texture Tools

Envelope Flats:

Z1021 Envelope Flats 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Z1022 Envelope Flats 3" x 3"

Z1023 Envelope Flats 3" x 4 3/4"

Z1024 Envelope Flats 4" x 4"

Z1244 Envelope Flats 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Z1025 Envelope Flats 5" x 5"

Z1026 Envelope Flats 5" x 7"

Z1027 Envelope Flats 5 1/2" x 4 3/4"

Z1028 Envelope Flats 6" x 6"

Z1029 Envelope Flats 8" x 3 1/2"

Acrylic Blocks:

The following block sizes are being discontinued:

1” x 1 ½” block -- Y1001

1” x 6 ½” block -- Y1005 

2” x 11” block -- Y1007 

2 ½” x 2 ½” block -- Y1004 

4” x 4” block - - Y1008 

4 ½” x 6 ½” block -- Y1011 

My Acrylix block starter kit -- Y1500

Z185 My Accents Block Organizer

My Reflections Paper & Stickease Collections:

The following kits are retiring July 31st:

Bliss Level 1 -- X7132A

Bliss Level 2 -- X7132B 

Bliss stickease -- X7132C 

Miracle Level 1 -- X7133A 

Miracle Level 2 -- X7133B

Miracle stickease -- X7133C 

Sweetheart Level 1 -- X7134A 

Sweetheart Level 2 -- X7134B 

Sweetheart stickease -- X7132C 

Wings Level 1 -- X7135A 

Wings Level 2 -- X7135B 

Wings stickease -- X7135C

Fanfare Level 1 X7138A

Sophia Level 1 X7131A

Mayberry Level 1 X7136A

Lucky Level 1 X7137A 

Magnifique Level 1 -- X7127A

Magnifique Level 2 -- X7127B

Magnifique stickease -- X7127C 

Olivia Level 1 -- X7128A

Olivia Level 2 -- X7128B 

Olivia stickease -- X7128C 

Hooligans Level 1 -- X7129A

Hooligans Level 2 -- X7129B

Hooligans stickease -- X7129C

Mistletoe Level 1 -- X7130A

Mistletoe L2 -- X7130B 

Mistletoe stickease -- X7130C

Creative Basics Collections:

The Creative Basics line of products is being discontinued. 

Wings

Cherry-O  (currently on sale for just $3.25 per pack)

Workshops on the Go Kits:

 The Spring/Summer featured workshop kits will no longer be available August 1st.  Be sure to pick up your wishlist kits before they are gone:

G1023 Miracle Workshohp Kit

G1022 Mayberry Workshop Kit

G1021 Fanfare Workshop Kit

G1020 Bliss Workshop Kit

G1019 Sophia Workshop Kit

G1018 Lucky Workshop Kit

G1017 Sweetheart Workshop Kit

G1016 Wings Workshop Kit

 
 

Stamp Sets:

Shop our selection of stamp sets and note the following which will no longer be available as of July 31st:

B1313 Merry Pursuits

B1319 Four Seasons

B1333 Merry Monsters

C1292 Tropical Christmas

C1324 Spooky Smiles

C1328 Festive Frills

C1340 Aspiration

C1354 Robot Power

C1361 Buttoned Together

C1362 Youre a Hoot

C1371 Holiday Jingle

C1372 Grateful Hearts

C1373 In the Game-Hockey

C1374 Spellbound

C1375 In the Game-Football

C1376 Stocking Style

C1377 Christmas Story

C1378 Heartfelt Christmas

C1381 Card Chatter -Thank you

C1384 Neighborhood

C1386 Boys at Play

C1387 Playin Hard

C1391 Embrace Life

C1394 Candlelight

C1398 Love You Forever

C1402 In the Month of January

C1406 Hit the Spot

C1421 The Boo Crew

C1426 Thanksgiving

C1428 Ice Crystals

C1430 In the Month of September

C1431 In the Month of October

C1432 In the Month of November

C1433 In the Month of December

C1434 School Rules

D1166 Vintage Christmas

D1171 New Fallen Snow

D1177 No Peeking

D1224 Holiday Joy

D1225 Jingle Borders

D1226 Magical Season

D1243 Peace on Earth

D1244 Snow Friends

D1257 Make It Count

D1266 Baby Steps

D1299 Thoughtful Seasons

D1305 Gloria

D1315 Evergreen

D1317 Feathery Flakes

D1319 Creepy Cobwebs

D1324 Christmas Melodies

D1326 Season of Splendor

D1333 Wishing Star

D1335 Intrinsic Backgrounds

D1339 Moments in Time

D1349 Be Yourself

D1352 It’s Your Day

D1354 Endless Friendship

D1363 Picture Perfect

D1365 True Happiness

D1366 Holiday Trinkets

D1369 Delightful Things

D1370 Welcome Home

D1371 Many Thanks

D1372 Grown with Love

D1374 Ms. Holiday Cheer

D1375 Treasures

D1376 Holiday Warmth

D1379 Flourished Blessings

D1380 Just for the Holidays

D1381 Beware

D1382 Holiday Hoopla

D1383 Santas List

D1385 Good Work

D1393 Flourished Blessings-F.

D1395 Flourished Blessings-S.

D1416 State of Mind

D1428 Happy Journey

D1433 My Game

D1439 Spook Alley

D1450 Beautiful Day

Happy Shopping!!

The Way You Make Me Feel

Very happy to announce today that Mindy at Scrap it with a Song has asked me to become a member of their Design Team!  You'll remember that I was a guest designer for them last month and I'm so excited to join them going forward!

Our song this week is "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson!  Let the lyrics, the title or something else about the song inspire you this week.   Link up your project and you can win a Michaels gift card! 

Here is my layout:

This layout is based on Sketch #52 at Sketches in Thyme.  I used CTMH's Wings paper pack, as well as the Wings Assorted Ribbon.  My butterflies were stamped onto some old Juniper paper I had from the Unforgettable paper pack using the Fill in the Blank stamp set and then cut by hand.  I attached them to my layout using some bitty black brads and then lifted the wings to add some dimension.  My title was stamped using the small Friendship Alphabet set. 

Check out what the rest of the DT has created to inspire you at the SIWAS blog & be sure to play along with any of July's inspiration songs for your chance to win the gift card!

ARTWORK!

Well, I'm sure a few of you had started to wonder if I was ever going to post artwork again!  The few weeks surrounding Convention are kind of crazy and do dominate my brain!  But . . . I do have artwork to share too.

These are convention related, but may give you some ideas for gift giving for a variety of occasions!
These are the gifts I gave to my roomies in Anaheim:

These were little tins I found at Michaels and decorated with the Sweetheart paper pack!  I also decorated matching notepads.  Also included inside the tin: TicTacs (an addiction of mine!), chocolate (who doesn't need chocolate?!), a pen, the notepad, and some Post-It Notes (for making notes in the new Idea Book!!). 

Brandy, Julie and I had a great time all week in Anaheim!  They were great roomies (other than the snoring and covers stealing, LOL!! Right ladies?)  Here we are at the Awards Dinner & Banquet (no, we did not plan the black and white coordinating outfits!!)  Love ya ladies!! See you in Dallas!!

The CTMH Cricut Collection

I know most of you have heard the news  . . . CTMH now has an exclusive Cricut cartridge!  I'm so excited to share with you now all of the details of our Cricut collection and let you know how YOU can get your hands on it!

Most of us already know and love our Cricut machines and cartridges - well, let me tell you, CTMH has taken the world of the Cricut to the next level!  Our exclusive cartridge pairs with our clear acrylic stamps AND our dimensional chipboard to elevate your art!!  Simply plug the cartridge into your Cricut®* Personal Electronic Cutter machine and you’re ready to cut any of the 700 shapes including: basic shapes, flowers, 3D flowers, doilies and lace, borders, an exclusive font, trendy gift boxes, banners AND MORE! And since you can cut every shape at sizes ranging from 1/4" to over 11" - - you have over 34,000 possibilities!!  With the purchase of your exclusive Cricut cartridge, you’ll also receive three stamp sets as well as three sets of 9" × 12" Dimensional Elements that coordinate with the cartridge shapes. You'll also find that numerous additional My Acrylix stamp sets in our new Idea Book also work in conjunction with images on the Cricut® cartridge. (These stamp set images are highlighted in the new Idea Book with a red outline to make it super easy for you to make your Cricut-friendly selections!)

Need to see it to believe it?  Check this out:


So, now I know you are wondering -- "HOW DO I GET IT?"
Three easy peasy ways:

1) The CTMH Cricut Collection is available August 1 for just $109.95Cdn. That is an amazing value for your cartridge in ADDITION to the three stamp sets and three chipboard sheets!!  You can email your pre-order to me now at csironside@shaw.ca (when you include your address I’ll also send you a copy of the new Idea Book). And we now can offer Hostess Rewards for EVERY order over $165 (with or without a party!). So if you add a few other items to your order, you will also get a bonus of $30 (or more) in free product rewards.

2) Host a party! When your party total reaches $300 or more, you will be able to get the Cricut Collection as a half price item – the whole collection including the cartridge, 3 stamp sets, and three sheets of chipboard shapes for $55!!!! And you’ll also get at least $45 in free product Hostess Rewards.  I'm booking party dates now for August - November.  Send me an email at csironside@shaw.ca to select your party date or ask me how you can set up an 'online' party!

3) OR you can join Close to My Heart as a consultant for only $99, get this amazing kit of products & supplies, and then order the Cricut Cartridge from yourself at a great discount. I’d love to have you join my team. Email me at csironside@shaw.ca for more details!

Watch for artwork here on the blog using the new Cricut cartridge in the coming weeks!! 
And here is a teaser -- a little piece of artwork from our CTMH art department:

All the details on the Fall/Winter New Consultant Kit!

The Fall/Winter new consultant kit is now available!  Check this out - - what a great way to get a HUGE bundle of the new products from the Fall/Winter Idea Book at a HUGE discount! 

Here is what you will get when you purchase the CTMH New Consultant Kit for just $99:

The kit contains:
Read Me First Letter
Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Books (qty. 10)
Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Books (qty. 5, while supplies last)
"You Are Welcome Here" Recruiting Brochures (W1151, qty. 25)
"The Rewards Come Now" Hostess Brochures (W1150, qty. 25)
Studio J® Brochures (W111, qty. 5)
Hostess Order Forms (W122, qty. 25)
Customer Order Forms (W101, qty. 25)
Studio J® Customer Order Forms (W1102, qty. 25)
Studio J® Membership Cards (W1103, qty. 5)
Studio J® 5-Pack Cards (W1104, qty. 5)
Close To My Heart Color Wheel (W470)
Autumn/Winter 2011 B&T Duos® Sampler (W1109, 48 – 6" Square Samples)
Cello Bags (W1152, qty. 25)
My Acrylix® Lovable Petite Perks Stamp Set (W2021)
My Acrylix® Wonderful You Incentive Stamp Set (W332)
Double Scrubber (Z1163)
My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner (1778)
Bonding Memories® Glue (1512)
Sponge (Z697)
Liquid Glass (Z679)
Micro-Tip Scissors (Z534)
Black My Legacy® Faux Leather Album (Z1345)
My Creations® Memory Game (Z1614)
Workshops on the Go™ Typeset Kit (G1024)
Typeset Complements Canvas Shapes (X7139C)
Milepost Shapes (Z1464)
Juniper Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2165)
Bamboo Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2103)
Crème Brulee Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2167)
My Acrylix® Trinity Alphabet Stamp Set (E1021)
My Acrylix® Vintage Type Stamp Set (D1481)
2" x 3 1/2" My Acrylix® Block (Y1009)
3" x 3" My Acrylix® Block (Y1006)

Still want more?  Check out these great New Consultant Kit Add-On Collections, each priced at just $40Cdn.  (Note:  These collections are completely OPTIONAL when you sign up, you can pick and choose, get all of them or none of them!)

The Roxie Add-On Collection includes:
Workshops on the Go™ Roxie Kit (G1025)
Rhinestone Designer Brads (Z1360)
Foundry® Pin Clips (Z1612)
My Acrylix® Instant Memories Stamp Set (C1466)
My Acrylix® Unscripted Stamp Set (C1465)
Tulip Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2166)
Cocoa Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2114)
2" x 6 1/2" My Acrylix® Block (Y1010)

The Elemental Add-On Collection includes:
Workshops on the Go™ Elemental Kit* (G1026)
Dimensional Elements Banners (Z1685)
Décor Journaling Spots (Z1461)
My Acrylix® Love Life Stamp Set (D1482)
My Acrylix® Happy Clusters Stamp Set (C1471)
Olive Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2137)
Desert Sand Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2118)
*Cricut® Art Philosophy cartridge required to complete workshop layouts and bonus project exactly as shown in the Workshop Guide

The Studio J Add-On Collection includes:
12-month Studio J® Membership
5 Studio J® Layouts (must redeem within first 3 months)

Click here to visit my Online Application to join Close To My Heart today!

Click here to view my responses to Frequently Asked Questions about becoming a CTMH consultant. 

Send me an email at csironside@shaw.ca if you would like to chat about joining my Creative Canadians team!

The new CTMH partnership with Cricut!

Check out this great You-Tube VIDEO (click the link) introducing the new exclusive CTMH Cricut Cartridge & FEEL THE EXCITEMENT!!!!
This is such great news!!

New Fall/Winter Consultant Kit Available Now!!

The new Fall/Winter New Consultant Kit is now available!! Join my team today and you get all new goodies from the upcoming Fall/Winter Idea Book!   The kit is fabulous value at just $99Cdn for a retail value of $320 in products.  As a bonus, there are optional "Add-On" kits you can add for just $40 each to get EXACTLY what YOU want in your kit! 

You can check out the new kit contents on my WEBSITE.

Want answers to some FAQ's about being a consultant?  Check that out HERE.

Send me an email csironside@shaw.ca if you have any questions!!

A few pics from Convention!

A few pics from my day (some poor quality - sorry!):

General Session in the am:

The BIG Cricut Announcement:

Finally have the new Idea Book in hand (in a super cute new tote bag!):

Extravaganza -- always a huge highlight of Convention for me!!  Creative classes taught by some of my favourite bloggers - - Lisa Stenz, Tresa Black, Corinna Mitchell, Karen Pedersen, Kelly English Triggs, and many more fabulously creative consultants!

FREE GOODIES!!! I love product!!

Wow!  What a day!!  My head is spinning and I'm completely exhausted!
Reminder for all you consultants -- you'll be able to view the full catalogue online on the CTMH consultant website tomorrow am!   (Sorry customers - - August 1st for you!!)

Big Day at CTMH!!

The new Fall/Winter Idea Book was just revealed to us at Convention here in Anaheim!
SO MUCH GREAT stuff!!  I can't possibly list it all here - - you'll just have to get your hands on your own Idea Book to see it all (email me at csironside@shaw.ca if you want one!!)   Let me tell you, the artwork and projects in this catalogue are FABULOUS!!

Here are a few highlights:

- an exclusive Cricut cartridge with shapes, font, 3D items, cards and MORE  . . .. AND the best part is that the shapes coordinate with MANY of the stamp images in the Idea Book!!  700 total images!

- new lower prices on ALL of our stamp sets!
A size = $7.75
B size = $10.95
C size = $15.50
D size = $19.95
E size = $33.50
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- B&T papers are now cardstock weight

-  Level 2 paper packs have been reconfigured to include a little less paper at a great new LOW price!  Our new paper pack collections are called:  Typeset, Roxie, Elemental, Dreamin', Sonoma, Mischief, Believe, Wonderland.  

-  cardstock can now be purchased in our 'seasonal' groups OR colour families

-  you can now earn HOSTESS REWARDS on EVERY order (even as an individual - no need to hold a gathering).   All orders over $165CDN qualify!
-  Hostess Rewards credit now includes more great items include WOTG kits, our Cricut collection, and Studio J items!

-  Stamp of the Month can now be purchased at the new low retail price of $19.95CDN or you can get it for just $5.50 with all purchases of $55 or more. 

- WOTG Kits now contain C sized stamp sets (used to be "B" size)

- new 6x6 quick pic albums in two styles

-  new die-cut card bases with envelopes

-  TONS of fabulous new accessories and embellishments (including 3 new mini-medley collections, rhinestone brads, embossed antiqued copper brads, new metal ribbon slides and pins, corrugated chipboard, metal charms, laser-cut felt shapes, resin flowers, dangle jewels, felt pockets, paper butterflies, new bling assortment, new transparent overlays, decor journalling spot tags, colour-ready CORK alphabets, new Numbers Irresistibles chipboard collection, a total of 32 BRAND NEW Dimensional Elements Chipboard collections!

-  two new great 'my creations' decor items - - a card box (similar to the Memory Keeper box we used to have, but a different size), and a "memory game" with a smaller chipboard box and 24 fun 3x3 chipboard squares. 

- 3 great new colours of Glitz Glitter Gel -- Red, Bronze, and Silver

-  a FABULOUS NEW CONSULTANT KIT - - with a low price of $99Cdn.  It contains over $320 retail value in products.  You can add-on 3 different optional collections for $40 each - - "Roxie", "Elemental" or "Studio J". 

Pictures to come soon, I promise  . . . just haven't had a chance to download yet!!

New product sneak peek!!

Here are the products we got peeks at today at Convention:

A few new stamp sets:

And some cute little cards we got to make using new paper & accessories:

Believe & Dreamin':

Elemental & Mischief:

Roxie & Sonoma:

Typeset & Wonderland:

Lots of great things to see on these cards if you look closely!!  Each of these cards uses only one patterned paper from the respective kit (if you see two patterns, that is the backside of the paper).  Plus lots of fun new embellishments.  One thing you can't see - - all of our patterned papers are now cardstock-weight paper! 

Can't wait to see the full catalogue tomorrow am!!