Road Trip to Phoenix Making Connections Event

I think that one of the GREATEST blessings that has come out of my time with Close To My Heart (CTMH), is the opportunity to travel to different events.  Every year CTMH hosts a variety of events around the world.

The Home Office hosts:

• The North American Convention (June 2016 in Orlando)
• Regional Events across the country.  (December 5th there will be 11 across North America!)
• Online Fun -Creative Live - November 20-21
• Australia/New Zealand Convention (October 2015)
• Album Retreat (November 2015)
• Team Building (for Directors and above - January 2016)

In addition we receive ongoing training and information via conference calls, online training videos and emails.

The trick is.... you have to participate in order to get anything out of it. LOL

Well, the closest regional event for me was held in Phoenix, AZ (6 hour drive) so I gathered a few of my friends and hit the road and we had SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Gail and I loaded up the car with props and ideas and we made Candace and Bren play along.  We shared ideas and brainstormed ways to build our businesses.  We shared our struggles and set some goals.

We had a little fun too... Here is a behind the scenes pic of us prepping for our Fiesta party video...did I mention we made crazy videos for our team along the way??? 

And a road trip isn't complete if you don't take a little junk food with you. For some reason Cheetos bring out the kid in all of us.

Tomorrow I will share more from our trip.

(All of the videos and fun are available on our private team page)

I would love to have You join my team and enjoy these great events and The October Special just sweetens the deal!

Check out this blog post for more info.

It's in the Bag in October!!

I am so excited to share that everyone who joins my team in October will receive the awesome messenger bag we got at convention this year.  I can't tell you how many people have stopped me to ask about my bag since I got it!

Our amazing new consultant kit is only $129 and has everything you need to get your business up and running quickly.  It contains over $445 in products and supplies and now that they are adding in the bag... I imagine it is worth over $500!!

If you have been following me and have been thinking... "she sure has fun, I'd like to be a part of it..."  then don't delay.  Join my team and let's enjoy the fun together!

I would love for YOU to join my Paper Hearts Team! 

Click Here for more information

Let's Celebrate National Stamping Month with Fun Tutorials all month long!

September is National Stamping Month!  Why not celebrate by focusing on stamping techniques?  All month long I will be posting quick videos and tutorials that will help you increase your stamping repetoire.

First up is... Masking!

Masking is a quick and easy way to layer images and create depth to your projects.

Watch the video to learn more.  

Be sure to leave me a comment if you have a video request!!  I'm still working on my list of videos to create this month.

Hello September - New Idea Book, National Stamping Month and Gorgeous SOTM

I am sooo excited about September!  I don't even know where to begin!  Our new CTMH Idea Book goes live today.  It's National Stamping Month and I love, love, love the September SOTM!

Let's start with the SOTM because I am planning to share cool samples all month long.  This is definitely a stamp set you are going to want to add to your collection.

Here's a beautiful sample made by the artists at the Home Office.  I love how they made it look like watercolor!

Next Up:  Three fun stamp sets to celebrate National Stamping Month!!

September is National Stamping Month, and this year Close To My Heart has something to help every kind of papercrafter say a big “hello” to life! Available only during the month of September, these exclusive C-size My Acrylix^® Hello, Life! stamp sets can be purchased for $13.95 USD / $16.50 CAD each! Or, for an even better deal, you can purchase all three for only $34.95 USD / 41.50 CAD—a savings of $6.90 USD / $8 CAD! Each stamp set is designed to fit with a specific type of papercrafting, whether that’s scrapbooking, cardmaking, or pocket scrapbooking. However, all the stamp sets coordinate with each other and can be used together to create dynamic artwork. These stamp sets also coordinate with shapes from the new Cricut^® Artistry collection to help expand your artwork options even further. Remember, these stamp sets are available for one month only, so get your orders in for one stamp set—or all three—before these gorgeous stamps disappear! Make certain to follow Close To My Heart’s blog, Instagram, and Facebook page for artwork inspiration featuring these lively stamp sets all month long. You can post your own artwork to your social media channels using the hashtag #ctmhHelloLife.

Dates: Offer valid September 1, 2015 (9:00 am MDT)–September 30, 2015 (11:59 pm MDT).

Shop here to get yours today!

But wait - Did I say NEW IDEA BOOK?

Not only is the NEW idea book live today, but our Fall Seasonal Supplement is too!!  If you're like me, your wish list will be HUGE!!  Don't worry though!  I'm always here to help you get the most for your hard earned dollars.  You can order a little bit each month to fit your budget or... you can host a party and get some of it FREE and even earn 1/2 off items too.

Gift Bag with the CTMH August SOTM

Check out this cute gift bag the Home Office made with the August Stamp of the Month (SOTM) and the Artiste Cricut Cartridge.

The stamp set is so versatile, you could re-use this idea all year long by just switching out the paper and the sentiments.  It would be perfect for Mother's Day, Christmas, Father's Day, Birthday and Valentines Day.  What kind of goodies could you fill it up with?

August Stamp of the Month and Fundamentals Paper

I love it when the Stamp of the Month's are so versatile that they can be used all year long!  The labels in the August SOTM lend themselves well to being used as little tags on bags and boxes, but work perfectly on cards too.

The fundamentals paper packs are being redesigned and we'll get all new patterns in September so I have been busily using up my current patterns.  Pair the fundamentals up with matching cardstock and it creates a great monochromatic look.  (okay, I added a pop of grey..so can you!.. .LOL)

Project Organization CTMH style

I am absolutely LOVING the Marker and Accessory roll-ups from CTMH!  They are made from a really sturdy denim-ish (new word!) fabric.  Ever since I got the marker roll-up, I have been looking for excuses to color or to take my markers somewhere.  LOL.  I think I just like unrolling it to see them all lined up. Yes, I'm a nerd!!

If you NEED these roll-ups, you'll want to purchase them this month because you get extra FREEBIES when you order them in August.

Order your accessory roll-up in August and you receive the two newest Base & Bling style sheets FREE!  You can use them to create fun necklaces, zipper pulls, keychains... or use the adorable stickers on cards, scrapbook pages or mini-albums.

AND when you order the Marker roll-up (have I mentioned how much I love it???) You get this adorable hot-air balloon stamp set for FREE.  The stamp set is valued at $17.95!!!  That is such an awesome deal.

Don't delay...head on over to my website to get your roll-ups before the special is over!

Information and Tips:

When I first got my marker roll-up I thought I was never going to be able to snap it closed!!!  I had to roll it up a couple of times, snap it open and closed a few times and then it "broke" in.  So don't worry if it's a bit tight at first. 

CTMH Artistry Cricut Cartridge Rose Card

Uh oh....bad blogger here!!  I wrote a bunch of posts and never scheduled them to publish!!  Well, get ready for a bunch of new content coming your way, because I have an obsession... with the NEW CTMH Artistry Cricut Cartridge!!!!!

This rose is actually two pieces!  I cut the base in white, then cut the flower in Sunset.  I wanted to use my adorable polka-dot paper from the Zoe paper packet sparingly (I think I need it for more projects!!!!) so I just laid a piece on top of the leaves and hand cut around it.  

Products Used:

• Zoe Paper Pack
• Artistry Cricut Cartridge
• Topiary Ink
• S1508 Framed - August Stamp of the Month

You can order all of your Close To My Heart supplies on my website

CTMH Studio J - Digital Scrapbooking and Photo Processing Sale!!!!!

Oh how I love it when we get a sale on Studio J....it's even more fun when you aren't expecting it AND you just came back from a trip with a ton of photos!!!

Studio J is absolutely FREE and you do not need to download anything to your computer.  Simply go to the website and start designing.  You pay when you order copies of your layouts!  You'll need to order 5 layouts at a time, so with the sale, you'll be spending $25 (5 layouts at $5 each).  You'll also receive a .jpg for FREE that you can share on social media, or keep as a back-up of your layout.  I like to add the .jpgs to a digital picture frame!

Here are a just a few of the benefits/uses for Studio J....

1. Create quick and easy layouts!
2. Create a layout once, then order or print multiple copies for other family members.  Great to send to the grandparents!
3. Use for Photo Processing!!  Ever ordered unusual size prints?  Or 5 x 7's or 8 x 10's or 6 x 6?  Use the layout called "no limits" and place your photos on it.  When it comes in, just trim around your photos!  A truly inexpensive way to get your larger photos printed.
4. Create your holiday cards!  Yep, use the "no limits" layout and you can create your own photo cards.  Just cut them apart when they arrive.

And there is soooo much more!!!  Contact me today if you have more questions...

Or simply head on over to my Studio J website and get started!

CTMH Enchantment - Color Make-Over - Retiring Colors

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Welcome to Stamptildawn....

I will keep blogging here... however, I am building up my resources on my website.  

So...if you're looking for:

My class schedule

Cool Cricut information and resources

Current sales and promotions

Kits for sale...

Head on over to my Stamptildawn Website at stamptildawn.biz - It's a work in progress but hopefully it will just get better and better!!!!

And now..for my latest blog post.

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The Enchantment Color Group is getting a make-over!!  We are updating a few colors and they are beautiful!!!!  But...if one of these colors is your fav, stock up quick....before they are gone.  I would highly recommend picking up the reinker for the stamp pad if it's one you just can't say goodbye to!

Head on over to my shopping site to order yours today!!
Olive reinker - already sold out!!

Welcome to Stamptildawn!!

I am pinning this post to the top of my blog to help you find exactly what you are looking for.  I fully intend to keep blogging here, but I have been working hard to build my website, which allows me to organize all the cool stuff I have here.

So...if you're looking for:
My class schedule
Cool Cricut information and resources
Current sales and promotions
Kits for sale...

Head on over to my Stamptildawn Website at stamptildawn.biz - It's a work in progress but hopefully it will just get better and better!!!!

And now...scroll down for my latest blog posts.

New Series of Cricut Classes in San Diego!!

I receive a ton of requests for cricut classes and I have been wanting to add some for a very long time, but I needed to find a venue to teach at so that I could continue to hold my well loved regular crops/workshops.

Well I am excited to announce that I have found not ONE, but TWO amazing locations!!!!

I will be teaching at Foothills Adult School in El Cajon and the brand new Hobby Lobby in La Mesa!  What's the difference between the classes and which one should you take?

If you are new to cricut or you are intimidated by your machine and want to know all the things it can do, then you should definitely take my class at Foothills!!  It is three hours long and goes more in depth.  The facility has a projector so that I can project my laptop on the screen so everyone can see my demo.  It also has one of those cool tables with the mirror above it so you can see what buttons I push on the machine!!! (See below for upcoming dates)

My Hobby Lobby classes will be bite size portions of my Foothills Class.  At the beginning of each class I will demo a project or technique and give you little tips on how to cut it on your machine.  I will provide a goodie bag which will either contain a full project to complete or some of the materials that I demonstrated so that you can experiment and do it yourself.  Each class will be different so you can come over and over again to make new projects.

Cricut Classes at the La Mesa Hobby Lobby

Have a cricut machine, but not sure what to do next? Want to learn how to use some of the special features?  At each class I will demonstrate a technique or feature and share samples of how to incorporate them into your artwork. Each class will include a "goodie" bag with materials to experiment with and/or a project to complete.

This is a great class to take over and over again.  
We'll make different projects each time.

Fee $15
Must Pre-Register for the class.
Space is limited


Friday, June 12, 2015 - 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Friday, June 26, 2015 - 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Cricut Classes at Foothills Adult School - El Cajon, CA

Foothills has an amazing set-up that is perfect for Cricut Classes!  These 3-hour classes go more in depth and also help you to become more familiar with Design Space and Cricut Craft Room.  Wifi is included so it's perfect for those Explore Machines!!!



June 27, 2015 - $25
Explore Class - 9:00 - 12:00
Expressions Class - 12:30 - 3:30

Registration Not Open Yet :-)

September 19, 2015 - $25
Explore Class - 9:00 - 12:00

Artfully Sent Lattice Birthday Card

The more I play with the overlays on the Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge, the more I love them!!!  I think part of the trick is to keep the paper behind the overlay simple.  It needs to be a small print or a solid cardstock so that the pattern doesn't compete with the overlay.

CTMH Retiring Stamp Sets - Get them before they are gone....

It's always hard to say goodbye to some of our favorite stamp sets....but sadly that time has come again.  I'm sure it means that there are many gorgeous and fun stamp sets in our future, but if any of these are on your wish list, now is the time to place your order!!  Just hop on over to my website

• Click on shop
• Then click on "Retiring Items"
• Add then add them ALL to your cart. hahaha!  I know that might actually be tempting for some of you. :-)

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Feelin Groovy with Artfully Sent

One of the things I love about being a papercrafter, is the ability to create fun items to go with any theme!  My boss picked up some tye-dye tablecloths for a party so I decided to use the same colors and theme to make a birthday card and banner to go with the tablecloth.

I had so much fun making these....and I'll tell you a little secret.... My coworker has the card on her counter and every time I walk by it, I still think it is so cute!!!  I don't think the picture does justice to the colors...

Supplies Used:

• Close To My Heart (CTMH) cardstock - Pear, Honey, Sorbet and Dutch Blue (retired)
• CTMH ink for saying - Indian Corn Blue
• CTMH Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge - Card base/overlay Explore code- #M101159
• Cricut Font and Basic Shapes - Flower

 

Supplies Used:

• Close To My Heart (CTMH) cardstock - Pear, Honey, Sorbet and Dutch Blue (retired)
• CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge - Banner pieces
• CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge - Font
• Cricut Font and Basic Shapes - Flower

Cute Koalas - CTMH Cards

This set was originally designed for the Australia/New Zealand market, but I am so glad that they made it available to the US because I love, love, love koalas!  Instead of using the Koalas for a baby card, I thought it would be fun to make a birthday card and a Happy Day card.  Who wouldn't love to get one of the cute guys in the mail?

Supplies Used:
D1462 - Cute Koalas
Shinhan marker on the birthday
Colored pencils on the koala
Found ribbon
Paper Fundamentals - These cool papers add lots of great texture to your projects

Be sure to head on over to my website to purchase any of these CTMH supplies!

Artfully Sent Love Banner

I had so much fun making this fun banner!!

 

Using the CTMH Designer Creations ruby bags and the CTMH cricut cartridges made it come together so fast!

Supplies and Assembly tips:

• Lay out all your bags on your work surface.
• Lay your string/ribbon about 1 1/4 inches down from the top of the bag.  
• Fold down the top of the bag and secure with tape runner along the edge.  This creates a "channel" for the string/ribbon to slide through.

Supplies Used:
Z2004 Lagoon Hearts Washi tape - 7.95
Z2988 Black Striped Twill Ribbon -  6.95
Lagoon, White Daisy, Black and Cranberry Cardstock
Various found ribbons

Cricut cuts with Explore codes:

Artbooking Cricut Cartridge
Connected Hearts Border - #46CCB
Heart Banner Border #M3EF31

Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge
Font
Heart Arrow Pocket Card - #MCE019
Heart Pocket Card - #MCDF39

All of the little red/black hearts were cuts leftover from other Artfully Sent projects.

You can order all of the CTMH supplies from my website:  

Happy New Year - CTMH National Papercrafting Month

Happy New Year!!  I am looking forward to 2015 and lots of fun with Close To My Heart!  In February I am going on the Close To My Heart incentive trip to Disney Aulani thanks to my buddy Bren, I'm hosting another fun retreat at Rabbit Hill Ranch in March, planning to teach at the 2015 Scrappin Escapes retreats and we're headed to Disneyland in July for our annual convention.  Whew...so much fun already in the works.

In order to get started on the right foot, I spent almost two weeks in December organizing my stamp room, planning projects, cutting kits, writing blog posts and scheduling facebook updates so I can guarantee I have a ton to share with you!!

Let's get started with...National Papercrafting Month!!

 When you make a qualifying purchase of $50 you can purchase the Year >> Noted kit for only $5.  The kit includes printed papers and cardstock and a stamp set.  For just $5 more you can add the My Creations kraft mini album.

The package is designed to help you put together a "time capsule" scrapbook.  You can keep track of your goals, accomplishments, adventures and highlights throughout the year.  Then "seal" up your book with the large gold seal, pack it away and open it in the future....

Tips and Ideas

• You can write on the gold foil stickers with a permanent pen!
• You receive a piece of blue and peach cardstock in the kit.  Cut flowers and embellishments out on your cricut to use throughout your book.
• Remember to save room for the photos you will be adding!