CTMH's Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book

Fall in love with all the new accessories, My Acrylix stamps and papers from Close To My Heart. The brand-new Spring/Summer Idea Book is packed with fresh, trendy products and inspiration.

Here's a sneak peek of the 8 gorgeous paper packs featured throughout the Idea Book that goes live tomorrow, February 1st.

"Close To My Heart shows you how to celebrate relationships through discovering your creativity, to preserve
and share the moments that matter most."

Anthro-Inspired Plaited Headwrap

I'm just about finished a pair of fingerless mittens for my oldest daughter and will have enough yarn leftover for another project. I found this beautiful Plaited Headwrap over on French Press Knits and think it will be perfect for Haley. Plus, Melynda has shared it as a free pattern and includes step-by-step directions for the assembly. Love it when great designers share their patterns!

Spotlight on Art: Colorful Combination

Rainbows are all the rage and can be seen everywhere in the crafty-world right now. Jeanette Lynton and CTMH are always spot-on with current trends in the paper crafting industry. I love the card shown above! Simply, yet sophisticated, and over-flowing with color, while textured and layered with a white border. And how easy to use up leftover scraps of favorite papers!

Pop over to Jeanette's blog and check out the Colorful Combinations post for more artwork using this trendy color scheme.

Big Miracle movie trailer

So excited to see this movie. Opens February 3rd.

"Inspired by the true story that captured the hearts of people across the world, the rescue adventure Big Miracle tells the amazing tale of a small town news reporter and an animal-loving volunteer who are joined by rival world superpowers to save a family of majestic gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle.
Local newsman Adam Carlson can’t wait to escape the northern tip of Alaska for a bigger market. But just when the story of his career breaks, the world comes chasing it, too. With an oil tycoon, heads of state and hungry journalists descending upon the frigid outpost, the one who worries Adam the most is Rachel Kramer. Not only is she an outspoken environmentalist, she’s also his ex-girlfriend.

With time running out, Rachel and Adam must rally an unlikely coalition of Inuit natives, oil companies and Russian and American military to set aside their differences and free the whales. As the world’s attention turns to the top of the globe, saving these endangered animals becomes a shared cause for nations entrenched against one another and leads to a momentary thaw in the Cold War."

Amazing sheep manicure

For all my yarn-loving friends!

CTMH's Make A Miracle Challenge

Everyone is invited to join in the Make a Miracle Challenge by helping raise funds to provide reconstructive surgeries for children around the world through Operation Smile®. It takes as little as $240 to help provide a surgery and change a young life for the better. Between January 1 and March 31, the Close To My Heart Consultant who raises the most in donations will have the opportunity to go on an Operation Smile international mission. Learn more at www.closetomyheart.com.

Scrapbooking Rules of Acquisition

Posted by a fellow Pea ...

Rules To Live By:

1. You want it, therefore you need it.

2. You need it, therefore you must buy it.

3. All other things you need including food, car insurance and lunch money are incidental in comparison to what you need for scrapbooking (paper crafting).

4. You can't take it with you applies only to money. Begin getting your loved ones accustomed to the fact that you intend to be buried with your albums (paper craft projects).

5. If you think there is a ghost of a chance that you might use it in a future project, buy it now, because if you need it later, there won't be a substitute.

6. A scrapbooker (paper crafter) must purchase appropriate storage containers, shelves, bins, units etc all for scrapbook (paper crafting) related purchases.

7. A scrapbooker (paper crafter) has the right and responsibility to discard all previously purchased storage systems in order to purchase a new more appropriate system at any time.

8. Scrapbooking (paper crafting) is an inexpensive hobby. This can be proved by applying "Blondes logic" to your purchases. For example, no hobby where the supplies usually cost under $100.00 can possibly be as expensive as big ticket male hobbies such as restoring vintage cars, radio controlled planes etc. This just makes sense.

9. Scrapbooking (paper crafting) actually saves money. Scrapbooking (paper crafting) promotes do it yourself philosophy. By applying "Blondes logic" you can conclude you can't afford not to scrapbook.

Surprise Justin Bieber Wedding Dance

Spend less than four minutes and watch the entire video. It's worth it, I promise. Hilariously awesome; enjoy!

It's almost here ...

I finally took the plunge and ordered a Silhoutte Cameo from Oh My Crafts!. My order is scheduled to ship on Monday the 16th and I can hardly wait for it to arrive. Between the sale price of $269.99 and a 20% off discount code, I couldn't resist any longer. I am probably one of just a handful of paper crafters still remaining who has held-off on purchasing any type of electronic die-cut machine. Just call me old-school and stubborn. But, after a ton of research, I decided the Silhoutte Cameo best fit my needs. 

And see the adorable butterflies below? That is the first image I am going to cut with my Cameo. I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas morning!

Brads, brads and more brads ..

If you're like me, you have a ton of brads in your paper crafting stash. I stumbled upon this tip on the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog, posted here. I love discovering new ways to use basic embellishments. This is such a neat idea and a great way to add some additional dimension to ribbon.

There are a few other tips on unique ways to use bradst, but I' picked my favorite one ("ribbon scrunchie") to post here. Pop on over to the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog to check them out. Thanks for the tips Virginia!

CTMH Deeply-Discounted Items

A plethora of discounted and retired products are available to you at phenomenal prices. Level 2 paper packs up to 77% off and Level 1 kits at 80% off, with coordinating Stickease sets up to 80% off. Even accessories and emblishments up to 80% off! Check back often to take advantage of these products that are offered while supplies last!

Shop HERE on my website and remember ... these items count towards earning your January SOTM, Little Reminder,  for only $5.00.

Retiring CTMH Products

These great CTMH products will retire on

January 31, 2012.

Be sure to grab your favorites while you still can...

Click here to add your favorite item #s to your shopping cart.

PAPER COLLECTIONS  & Workshop On The Go (WOTG) Kits:

Typeset WOTG Kit – G1024 - $29.95
Roxie WOTG Kit – G1025 - $29.95
Elemental WOTG Kit – G1026 - $29.95
Dreamin’ L2 Paper – X7142B - $9.95
Dreamin’ My Stickease – X7142C - $4.95
Dreamin’ WOTG Kit – G1027 - $29.95
Sonoma WOTG Kit – G1028 - $29.95
Mischief L2 Paper – X7144B - $9.95
Mischief Compliment Rub-Ons – X7144C - $4.95
Mischief WOTG Kit – G1029 - $29.95
Believe L2 Paper – X7145B - $9.95
Believe My Stickease – X7145C - $4.95
Believe WOTG Kit – G1030 - $29.95
Wonderland L2 Paper – X7146B - $9.95
Wonderland My Stickease – X7146C - $4.95
Wonderland WOTG Kit – G1031 - $29.95
Sophia L2 Paper – X7131B - $12.95
Sophia My Stickease – X7131C - $4.95
Mayberry L2 Paper – X7136B - $12.95
Mayberry My Stickease – X7136C - $4.95
Lucky L2 Paper – X7137B - $12.95
Lucky My Stickease – X7137C - $4.95
Fanfare L2 Paper – X7138B - $12.95
Fanfare My Stickease – X7138C - $4.95

STAMP SETS:

Trellis – D1451 - $17.95

Backgrounds & Borders – D1463 - $17.95

Dreams Come True – D1470 - $17.95

Summer Days – B1375 - $9.95

Love Ya – D1460 - $17.95

From My Heart – C1443 - $13.95

A Love – A1103 - $6.95

So Lucky – C1390 - $13.95

Circle of Love – D1438 - $17.95

Soul Mates – D1254 - $17.95

Bless This Nest – C1445 - $13.95

A Little Buzz – B1353 - $9.95

Beautiful Butterflies – B1373 - $9.95

Ambiance – C1349 - $13.95

Springtime – D1415 - $17.95

A Hop – A1112 - $6.95

Take Luck – B1364 - $9.95
Enjoy Every Moment – C1395 - $13.95
Beloved – B1343 - $9.95
Bunny Love – B1324 - $9.95
Carefree – C1447 - $13.95
A Paisley – A1105 - $6.95

Always In My Heart – A1101 - $6.95

Charmed – C1385 - $13.95

Togetherness – D1402 - $17.95

One Of A Kind – D1410 - $17.95

Blooming Layers – C1449 - $13.95

A Posy – A1102 - $6.95

Extreme Happiness – C1356 - $13.95
Friendship Blessings – D1191 - $17.95
Flower Pot – D1409 - $17.95
Smiles – C1397 - $13.95
Happy Moments – C1437 - $13.95
His and Hers – C1460 - $13.95
Tasty Treats – D1427 - $17.95
You’re Sweet – B1351 - $9.95

Recipe Box – D1364 - $17.95

Bon Apetit – D1367 - $17.95

Daydream – D1297 - $17.95
Makin’ Waves – C1365 - $13.95
Cruisin’ – D1471 - $17.95

Down By The Sea – C1451 - $13.95

True Happiness – D1365 - $17.95

Summer Breeze – C1453 - $13.95

Treetops – C1368 - $13.95

Let’s Go Camping – C1355 - $13.95

Beautiful Things – D1298 - $17.95

Campin’ Fever – D1353 - $17.95

Beary Best – C1363 - $13.95

Beary Busy – C1409 - $13.95

Howdy – D1435 - $17.95

You’re Great – D1434 - $17.95

Hot Diggity – C1407 - $13.95

It’s A Zoo – C1360 - $13.95

Fun Times – B1309 - $9.95

Love Birds – C1396 - $13.95

Over The Rainbow – D1426 - $17.95

Post Card – Travel Series – D1357 - $17.95

Horizon – C1454 - $13.95

Ciao – D1461 - $17.95

Thrill Ride – D1425 - $17.95

Retro Tech – C1446 - $13.95

Around The Block – D1377 - $17.95

Family Ties – C1346 - $13.95

Family Ties – Children – C1345 - $13.95

Family Ties – Pet – B1350 - $9.95

Family – C1305 - $13.95
Play Day (old set) – D1360 - $17.95
Believe In Your Dreams – B1322 - $9.95
Ms. Scrapbook – B1352 - $9.95
Ms. Chillin’ – D1404 - $17.95

You Rock – D1346 - $17.95

Catching Waves – D1466 - $17.95

X-Treme – D1432 - $17.95

Hero – D1474 - $17.95

Star Power – D1403 - $17.95

Tea Time – C1438 - $13.95

Little Princess – C1414 - $13.95

Birthday Boy – C1411 - $13.95

Birthday Blast – C1436 - $13.95
Shining Star – D1320 - $17.95
Royal Birth – D1441 - $17.95
Cupcakes Sprinkles – D1336 - $17.95

Piece of Cake – D1407 - $17.95

Paisley Praise – D1414 - $17.95

Sweet Baby – C1359 - $13.95

Baby Love – B1368 - $9.95

You Did It – C1351 - $13.95

Adoption – A1098 - $6.95

Precious Love – C1444 - $13.95

Love Always – D1337 - $17.95

A Game – A1113 - $6.95

Magic Tabs – C1448 - $13.95

Circle Together – B1372 - $9.95

Just For Boys – C1338 - $13.95

Just For Girls – C1337 - $13.95

Cherished Flourishes – D1413 - $17.95

Unity – C1422 - $13.95

Two-Step Backgrounds – D1473 - $17.95

On The Edge – C1399 - $13.95

Circle Around – D1300 - $17.95
Connections – D1330 - $17.95
Adorning Corners – D1322 - $17.95
Fill In The Blank – D1465 - $17.95

Priceless Love Word Puzzle – D1348 - $17.95

Kanji Phrases – C1339 - $13.95
Boom! – B1354 - $9.95
Just The Ticket – B1323 - $9.95
Salutation Seals – C1461 - $13.95
A Little Everything – D1408 - $17.95
For Every Occasion – D1187 - $17.95

Thank You – D1361 - $17.95

TLC – C1364 - $13.95

In The Month Of February – C1403 - $13.95

In The Month Of March – C1404 - $13.95

In The Month Of April – C1405 - $13.95

In The Month Of May – C1415 - $13.95

In The Month Of June – C1416 - $13.95

In The Month Of July – C1417 - $13.95

Notice The Details – D1378 - $17.95

On This Day – D1468 - $17.95

Happy Holidays – D1431 - $17.95

Dream Big – D1399 - $17.95

RIBBON, FLOSS & WAXY FLAX:

Colonial White Ribbon collection - Z1126 - $7.95

Cranberry grosgrain ribbon - Z1103 - $6.95

Cocoa grosgrain ribbon - Z1100 - $6.95

Colonial White grosgrain ribbon - Z1102 - $6.95

White Daisy grosgrain ribbon - Z270 - $6.95

Wings Level 2 Assortment - Z1398 - $4.95

Embroidery Floss - Red/Pink - Z1092 - $3.25

Embroidery Floss - Green - Z1094 - $3.25

Embroidery Floss - Blue/Purple - Z1093 - $3.25

Waxy Flax - Cranberry - Z1086 - $3.95

Waxy Flax - Sorbet - Z1249 - $3.95

Waxy Flax - Juniper - Z1248 - $3.95

Waxy Flax - Crystal Blue - Z1247 - $3.95

BRADS:

Designer Brads - Colonial White - Z1274 - $3.95

Designer Brads - Pewter - Z1146 - $3.95

Mini-Medley & Eyelets

Mini Medley - Antiqued Copper - Z1275 - $4.95

Mini Medley - Colonial White - Z1276 - $4.95

Foundry Metal - Bookplates - Z1147 - $3.50

Soft Set Eyelet Tool - Z1208 - $14.95

Soft Set Eyelets - Black and White Daisy - Z1228 - $3.95

Soft Set Eyelets - Chocolate and Colonial White - Z1229 - $3.95

COORDINATING COLLECTION EMBELLISHMENTS:

Midnight Felt Shapes - Z1462 - $3.95

Harvest Charms - Z1633 - $4.95

Holiday Packets - Z1486 - $4.95

Top Coats Icing Overlays - Z1468 - $4.95

Lucky Level 2 Assortment - Z1356 - $4.95

Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots - Z1359 - $3.95

Bliss Level 2 Assortment - Z1355 - $5.95

Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment - Z1386 - $4.95

Fanfare Level 2 Assortment - Z1400 - $4.95

Just Blooms Spring Blossom - Z1266 - $7.95

Just Blooms White Daisy Variety Pack - Z1300 - $5.95

COLOR READY ALPHABETS:

Color Ready Alphabets - Oxford - X5749 - $3.95

Color Ready Alphabets - Hodge Podge - X1406 - $3.95

DIMENSIONAL ELEMENTS:

Dimensional Elements - On Target - Z1226 - $5.95

Dimensional Elements - Flurry - Z1225 - $4.95

MY CREATIONS ITEMS:

My Creations - Board Book - Z1310 - $6.95

My Creations - Journal - Z1268 - $7.95

My Creations - Memory Showcase 9x9 - Z1198 - $5.95

MISC:

Rubber Brayer - Z616 - $12.95

Soft Set Eyelet Tool - Z1208 - $14.95

Eyelet Tool Replacement Punches - Z1245 - $2.95

Dolphin Tale - movie trailer

This is a fantastic movie!

I highly recommend it for everyone.

"Inspired by the incredible true story of Winter, a dolphin who was rescued off the Florida coast after her tail became caught in a crab trap, this uplifting family-oriented adventure from director/co-screenwriter Charles Martin Smith details the unique bond between an injured dolphin and a young boy. When Winter loses her tail in a tragic accident, her young friend convinces the locals to build her a prosthetic replacement, inspiring hope and ... Inspired by the incredible true story of Winter, a dolphin who was rescued off the Florida coast after her tail became caught in a crab trap, this uplifting family-oriented adventure from director/co-screenwriter Charles Martin Smith details the unique bond between an injured dolphin and a young boy. When Winter loses her tail in a tragic accident, her young friend convinces the locals to build her a prosthetic replacement, inspiring hope and courage in handicapped people across the globe. Nathan Gamble, Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, and Kris Kristofferson star."

Studio J Members - Buy 9 layouts, get the 10th FREE!

Score a perfect 10 in January! If you’re a Studio J member, you can take advantage of this great opportunity to fill up your scrapbook—get your holiday photos in albums right away! For every 9 custom-printed Studio J layouts you buy, you’ll receive the 10th layout free. To receive the discount, just add 10 or more layouts to your cart. You’ll see a discount reflected in your order total. And you can totally take advantage of this promotion by ordering in multiples of 10. Buy 9, get 1 free. Buy 18, get 2 free. Buy 27, get 3 free. And so on!

If you’re not a member yet, now’s a great time to join! Contact me for more information.

Shipping/handling may apply. Offer valid for Studio J members January 1–31, 2012. Offer valid for custom prints only; purchases of JPG files are not eligible for this promotion.

CTMH's January SOTM - Little Reminder

Beautiful Stamps, Amazing Discounts

Each month you can enjoy 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.

January 2012: Little Reminder