Stamp of the Month Deal and Feature Project Instructions

Each month you can purchase a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5 — that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing. I'd recommend waiting until after October 15th before placing your order. Stack Close to My Heart deals after October 15th to get the most bang for your buck!

Why place an order after October 15th?
Close to My Heart will be featuring a new supplement Holiday Guide to the Winter Idea Book 2013. There's new products including WASHI Tape and ways to earn FREE product. Isn't that work waiting for a few days?

Scandinavian Wishes, October 2013 Stamp Of The Month

Item Number: S1310

Close to My Heart is wonderful with providing us inspiring projects for us to recreate. This month I've decided to provided you with the instructions here on how to create that darling layout, greeting card, and gift box. Enjoy.

12" x 12" Joy Page

Helpful Hints

 

To create the techniques featured in this artwork, follow the helpful hints outlined below. Then use the pattern found on page 38 (Make It from Your Heart^® Volume 2: Pattern 17) of our Make It from Your Heart^® Volume 2 how-to publication for inspiration.

• Cut the following Cricut^® Art Philosophy shape using paper of choice, if desired:
  • 2" Shift <Heart1> (p. 26)
• Cut the following Cricut^® Artiste shapes using paper of choice, if desired:
  • 2 1/2" Shift <J> (p. 57)/li>
  • 2 1/2" Shift <O> (p. 49)
  • 2 1/2" Shift <Y> (p. 46)
• Distress edges of Topiary cardstock photo mats and Cranberry title with sandpaper, if desired.
• Use scallop border punch to create Topiary borders and Cranberry border.
• Add visual interest by randomly stamping the “Love” image in a tight pattern multiple times in Chocolate ink on the Kraft cardstock strip, making sure to alternate the direction of each stamped image.
• Mix and match red colors for a warm pop. We used Cranberry cardstock with Ruby ink stamped images.
• Embellish with your choice of stamped accents and accessories, adding dimension with 3-D foam tape as desired.

If you've enjoyed this perhaps you would like to recreate the lovely card also featured using this stamp.

5 1/2" × 4 1/4" Warm Wishes Card

Helpful Hints

To create the techniques featured in this artwork, follow the helpful hints outlined below. Then use the pattern found on page 42 (Make It from Your Heart^® Volume 1: Pattern 20) of our Make It from Your Heart^® Volume 1 how-to publication for inspiration.

• Sponge edges of some of the papers with Cocoa ink, if desired.
• Use scallop border punch to create B&T Duos^® border.
• Mix and match red colors for a warm pop. We used Cranberry cardstock with Ruby ink stamped images.
• Embellish with paper accents and accessories, adding dimension with 3-D foam tape as desired.

Happy Holidays Gift Box

Helpful Hints

To create the techniques featured in this artwork, follow the helpful hints outlined below.

• Add visual interest by randomly stamping the “Peace” image in a tight pattern multiple times on the Cranberry cardstock. Then, cover the ring box lid with the cardstock.
• Attach paper to box, attach Shimmer trim, then stamp border on each side of the box.
• Embellish with paper accents and accessories, as desired.

Baby Shower Greeting Card

Some greeting cards that should always be available in your collection for use are: Birthday, Weddings, Baby Showers, Graduations, and Thank You. Therefore, I have created a new baby shower greeting card that can be used regardless of the infant's gender.

This greeting card was also created to meet this week's Crafting by Design's greeting card challenge. I hope you enjoy!

To recreate this card I used a Daisy White cardstock base measuring at 10"x 4.5" that was folded to create a 4.25" x 5" card. The Close to My Heart stamp that I used is a retired one called, Miracle, D1140. The Miracle infant image was stamped in Dessert Sand ink onto Colonial White cardstock measuring at 4.5"x 2.5".  The ribbon and buckle are a part of the Pear Mini Medley, also a retired item. I also used three cardstocks to the right of the card: Petal (1.25" x 1.25"), Buttercup (1.5" x 1.25), and Sweet Leaf (1.5"x 1.25"). I used Colonial White Waxy Flax to ensure that my buttons were not bare. I also hand stitched the zig-zag and criss-crossed pattern using floss.

 I did not like showing my criss-crossed stitch pattern in the back of front cover of the card so I covered that up with Buttercup cardstock measuring  3" x 3". The zig-zag stitch was still visible but was neatly done.

Father's Day Card Ideas Part 2

Okay, So I've promised some more Father's Day greeting card ideas and here it goes...

This greeting card is what I call an oldie but goodie. The patterned paper is Lucky and is no longer available for purchase. I was lucky enough to still have a few sheets left. I tend to reach out for it for a male themed project. I stamped the image from Live Inspired (C1408) another retired item from Close to My Heart but if it's in your collection it's time to dust it off and put it back into use.

The inside sentiment was created using the Close to My Heart (CTMH) stamp Tag the Occasion (B1362) and punched it out with the CTMH scalloped punch. There's plenty of space to write your sentiment. Did your dad inspire you to take off with your dreams? Is he a pilot? Maybe a song bird?

 

This next greeting card I took a few extra pictures because I had fun playing with stamping.  Again, I used Pemberly BT, Dessert Sand Card Stock, Colonial White Card Stock, Cocoa ribbon, and natural Baker's Twine.

• To create the gear images I used the Close to My Heart stamp Vintage Type (D1481) and the Honey ink pad. I had yellow tone bling from many years ago and thought that was a great added touch. You may substitute it with brads for a more masculine look.
• The star on its cover was stamped using (C1475) in Honey ink pad. I used a foam square to make this image 3D. Remember if you have the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge this can be modified by cutting out the star with your Cricut at 1 1/4 inches and make that the 3D image.
• The word Father was stamped using the Outdoor Denim ink pad and Vintage Type Set Stamp.
• You're 1 in a Million is just another great element that was created using stamp C1475.

 The inside of the keeps to the theme.

Again I used stamp C1475 to create the bottom right pattern. I used Dessert Sand ink pad so that the color won't dominate the space but just add balance. Repeating the gear patterns on the right using stamp D1480-Vintage Type. Don't forget to add something to the center of the gear.

The Father's Day sentiment is a repeating theme I stamped the sentiment many times using Tag the Occasion (B1362) and made an assembly of the circular tags for various Father's Day card. I used Outdoor Denim Ink Pad. The patterned paper used was Pemberly, the card stocks used were cocoa, dessert, and colonial white.

I believe this last greeting card is a great fit for the military dad with it's stars resembling metals and gears reminding him of his hard work being appreciated. In one word, it says thanks for being my hero!

I LOVE DOTTY :()

Dotty for You is an exclusive paper packet promotion through Close to My Heart. It cannot be purchase as a stand alone item but only as a special bonus for loyal customers. How to get this exclusive deal?

• When you place an order of $35 or more in products from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31, you may add the Dotty for You paper packet, valued at $19.95, for just $5.  
• Dotty for You includes 24 specially designed, coordinating B&T Duos® sheets (2 each of 12 patterns) and an artwork idea insert to get your creative juices flowing.

But that’s not all! There are two ways your to get this darling paper packet FREE!

• Hostesses will receive a free Dotty for You paper packet when their Gathering sales total $400 or more (excluding tax, shipping/handling, and Operation Smile donations).
• New Consultants who sign up between April 1 and May 31 (two full months!) will receive a free Dotty for You paper packet with their kit.

Spread the word and help us celebrate National Scrapbooking Month in May with this exclusive Dotty for You paper packet promotion.

Dates Specials:

Customers/Hostesses: April 17 (9:00 am MDT) – May 31 (11:59 pm MDT)

Would you like to recreate the projects in this image?  The products used in the image are listed below and qualify for the exclusive paper packet, “Dotty for You”.

Crafting by Design Blog Hop

I've just became a member of Crafting by Design. This group of women are so creative it's awe and inspiring. I've just completed a blog hop this weekend and it's fabolous! The theme of the blog hop was blooms & wings. So inspired by the theme I had a go at it. This is what I created.

 This was created using 95 % of Close to My Heart Products.

The card base, the patterned paper, ribbon, flowers, photo mat and coloring are all Close to My Heart products.

First I stamped in Dessert Sand ink the humming bird, followed by the florals. I then watercolored the images using Close to My Heart water color pencils. I matted this picture onto an Elemental paper and then onto cardstock.

This greeting card measures 5"x 4" folded
The elemental patterned paper measures 4" x 4.75".

Center mat  with image measures at 3.75" x 4.5"

Feel free to duplicate this design with one exception. Please accredit the design to Francis Ames.

Products Used:

    * C1464- Unscripted Clear Stamp

    * C1397 - Smiles (Florals and Sentiments)

    * Elemental paper packet

    * Colonial White Ribbon

    * Dessert Sand Ink

    * Close to My Heart Water Colors

    * Inkadinkado Clear Stamp (99120) Patterned Birds and Bugs.