Stamp a Smile on a Child's Face

Stamp a Smile on a Child’s Face by Close To My Heart

We’ve shown you how to preserve children’s artwork in your scrapbooking layouts, and we’ve shown you how to create cute Halloween packages for giving away goodies you make with your children and grandchildren. Well, today we’re going to show you how to create a simple children’s book using a very special stamp set and the Designer Creations short stack album!

We’ve personalized the cover of our album by printing the title on watercolor paper, adding stripes of color with our watercolor paints, and then backing it with a piece of Sangria paper. Thanks to the beautiful pattern printed directly on the cover, that’s all it takes for a fully-embellished look!

Adorable, right? Now take a peek inside!

This darling little gator shows you just how easy this project is. Using our My Acrylix^® Animal Greetings stamp set, simply stamp an animal onto a circle of watercolor paper with the Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ stamp pad. Color your stamped image with watercolor paints, and attach the circle to the page of your album. Next, print the critter’s name on watercolor paper, add a splash of watercolor paint, and attach below the circle. Then add some patterned paper near the spine of the book if you’d like, and you’re done! It’s that simple!

We know you’re eager to look through the entire book, so go ahead! Peruse these adorable pages by looking at this gallery:

This picture book is designed for young children who tend to get a bad case of the wiggles when you try to read them stories, but you could use this same idea to create all sorts of books for children of all ages! For more elaborate plots, try combining multiple stamp sets to fashion entire scenes. Then use our watercolor paints to bring these stories to life!

If you choose to try your hand at making this picture book, you will not only make a child in your life smile, but you will also be doing the same for another child somewhere else in the world. How? Well, when you purchase the My Acrylix® Animal Greetings stamp set, we donate $7 USD of the proceeds to Operation Smile™, an organization that repairs cleft lips and palates for children all around the world. What a great way to touch the lives of many children at once!

So go ahead! Try your hand at making this picture book today. Not only will you help Operation Smile touch the lives of children, but you will also touch the lives of those children who read your handmade book. And who knows? You might just discover your inner writer!

Recipe

Animal Picture Book
D1679 My Acrylix^® Animal Greetings, X7199B Sangria Paper Packet, Z3146 Watercolor Paper, 44751 Archival Black Exclusive Inks^™ Stamp Pad, Z2028 Designer Creations Short Stack Album, Z3171 Cricut^® Art Philosophy Collection

Cricut^® Shapes:
2" <Circle1> (cut 15, p. 21)

 You can get all of the products above on my website.  Enjoy!

Are you looking for some bargains? Look no further...

Let me show you some great bargains!

Enchantment Exclusive Inks™ Mini Pigment Pads Set (Retired Colors)

Item Number: Z2502http://scrappingbee.ctmh.com/Retail/Product.aspx?ItemID=6838&ci=3755

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Product Description

Exclusive Inks™ Mini Pigment Pad Set in the following coordinating colors:
Smokey Plum
Outdoor Denim
Indian Corn Blue
Ponderosa Pine
New England Ivy
Olive
Goldrush
Autumn Terracotta
Barn Red
Ruby

These inks were $19.95 now, they are are only $12.00!

Yuletide Carol Assortment

Item Number: Z3007

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Product Description

12-piece set of printed wooden shapes, antiqued gold metal shapes, glitter gems, and a resin flower; adhesive–backed; ⁵/₁₆"–1½".

Was $6.95 now $4.55

Enchantment Cardstock Combo Pack (Retired Colors)

Item Number: X5934

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Product Description

20 – 12" × 12" sheets (2 of each color)
Colors Include:
Smokey Plum
Outdoor Denim
Indian Corn Blue
Ponderosa Pine
New England Ivy
Olive
Goldrush
Autumn Terracotta
Barn Red
Ruby

These are just a few examples of the many bargains available right now - so jump on over to my website at www.scrappingbee.ctmh. com and see what you can find!

If you find too much - you may want to consider to get one of those great bags for yourself and join me and my team this month!

September 2015 workshop

September Workshop

 In September we wanted to have some more fun with some more of my favorite papers. However - the Nevermore papers would be wonderful to use for these projects as well!

I used the Art Philosophy cricut cartridge to cut the little flower (pg. 69) and the sentiment on pg. 53. The best way to get it curled up is to use our Quilling Tool. For the coffin, I used our Cricut Arstiste cartridge (pg. 76). I love the Thistle cardstock, don't you?

Other Products needed:

B1460 Trick or Treat Sweets

Z1919 Purple Shimmer Trim

Z3088 Coral Shimmer Trim

Z2114 Cocoa ink (for sponging)

Sponge (for distressing)

Z2105 Black ink

Z2010 White Stars - you can make them black with black archival ink!

If you are missing any of these items - just go to my website and start shopping!
 

Of course, you can pull all of these items together with your favorite adhesive, add your favorite candy for your favorite spook!

Have a Happy Halloween :)

Margit

October Specials With Close to my Heart

October Specials With Close To My Heart

Thanks, Karen for letting me use your artwork!

October is here! And just look at the FABULOUS specials  Close To My Heart sends our way! Let me tell you about them...

1. It's in the Bag
2. October Stamp of the Month - Twinkle

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1.  It's in the Bag:

When you sign up to be a Close To My Heart Consultant during October ($129 and you get over $435 in products in your kit!!!), you will also receive this darling bag FREE in your New Consultant Kit! You can then travel in style with this trendy and eye-catching cross body bag, perfectly sized for carrying layouts, paper packets, and projects that are in-progress. Along with the items found in the newly revamped New Consultant Kit, this bag will help you start their business with confidence and flair! To sign up, click here. Easy, peasy!  I'll be in touch with you as soon as I receive notification from CTMH that you are a brand new member of my team.

Here is a photo of the New Consultant Kit. Wowza, right?

Contents of the New Consultant Kit Include:

• Zoe B&T Duos™ Bulk Pack (BULK369, qty 1)
• White Daisy Cardstock (1385, qty 1)
• Whisper Cardstock (X5929, qty 1)
• Glacier Cardstock (X5770, qty 1)
• Sorbet Exclusive Inks™ Pad (Z2164, qty 2)
• Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Pad (Z2641, qty 2)
• Slate Exclusive Inks™ Pad (Z2173, qty 2)
• Aqua Shimmer Trim (Z3086, qty 2)
• Grey Enamel Gems (Z3089, qty 2)
• My Acrylix^® So Many Smiles (C1619, qty 2)
• My Acrylix^® In Review (C1622, qty 2)
• My Acrylix^® My Story (B1482, qty 2)
• White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (X254, qty 1)
• Medium Organizer (Z4139, qty 1)
• 2" × 6½" My Acrylix^® Block (Y1010, qty 2)
• 3" × 3" My Acrylix^® Block (Y1006, qty 2)
• Non-stick Micro-tip Scissors (Z1836, qty 2)
• My Acrylix^® Stamp Scrubber (Z1782, qty 2)
• My Acrylix^® Spritz Cleaner (1778, qty 1)
• Bonding Memories™ Glue (1512, qty 2)
• 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151, qty 1)
• Round Sponge (Z697, qty 1)
• Customer Order Forms (W101, qty 1, 25 per pack)
• Annual Inspirations (WC1161, qty 10)
• Holiday Expressions (WCS1161, qty 10)
• Cardstock Color Sampler (W1136, qty 1)
• Paper Fundamentals Sampler (W1137, qty 1)
• Annual Inspirations B&T Duos™ Sampler (W1138, qty 1)
• My Acrylix^® Petite Perks™ Tribal Circles (W2032, qty 3)
• Idea Book Postcard (W1129, qty 1)
• Desk Pad (W1140, qty 1)

(Some items may not be shown. Contents are subject to change without notice.)

Items shown represent contents of New Consultant Kits ordered between August 1, 2015 and November 30, 2015. Contents are subject to change without notice, and change regularly based on product and collateral availability. Shipping and handling and applicable taxes apply. 

 2.  October Stamp of the Month - Twinkle:   This darling set is perfect for helping you get a jump on the holidays.  Why not start those holiday cards right now, before the hustle and bustle of the season sets in?

October Stamp of the Month - Twinkle. To help you with sizing, the star double circle is approximately 2".

This set is yours for only $5 ($12.95 savings) with every $50 you spend (before shipping and tax). Spend $100, get 2 (one for you and one for a gift!)...and so on!  When ordering on my website, you'll be prompted to add your set(s) before you check out.  Easy!

 

Water proof ink choices

It seems everybody likes to use water colors right now or use markers. I know I do - the worry is there to go over the line. You don't want to smear the lines. Here are a few ink pad choices for you and you can decided how you would like to use them in your artwork. I will try to make a video soon to make it even a bit easier:

CTMH Archival Exclusive Ink pad. It will take a moment to dry. By the time you clean your stamp pad with a scrubber, your artwork will be dry. I highly recommend to use a scrubber to clean your stamp pad. Even though, your stamp will discolor. But this ink pad will give you a nice dark black.

The Memento ink pad is also a great choice - I like to use this pad, because it does not discolor my stamps as much, even though I still clean my stamp right away with a scrubber. Give your artwork a moment to dry with this as well.

If you like to emboss, the Stazon ink pad is a great choice for both - outline and embossing. But you do need to let it dry before coloring in your image. I always wait for a few minutes or use a heat gun to heat set it. Again, use a scrubber to clean your stamp.

Do you want en inexpensive and colorful way for outlines and still be able to use your water colors or your markers? Use these little babies! I love the pigment inks! You can get our black and cocoa inks in bulk. So, if you use those a lot for outlines - get the bulk and maybe share with some friends :)

Hope, I was able to help you a bit - have fun!

Margit

Tips and Techniques with ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Markers

The ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ markers can take your artwork to a whole new level. Close To My Heart offers a selection of 24 colors with everything from versatile neutrals to vibrant brights. Follow along to see how you can transform your projects with these markers.

This tutorial will show you how much easier it really is to use alcoholic markers than you thought and what all you might be able to color with them. Have fun!

Come see what you can create with the newest addition to our exclusive cricut collection of cartidges at Close to my Heart, CTMH Artistry cartridge.

Our newest cartridge includes shapes spanning a wide variety of themes, holidays, and seasons to add some visual spice to any project you create. Get back to basics with the unique font, banners, layered shapes, borders, backgrounds, and other fun icons you'll find on this cartridge. All of the designs are a must for any crafter!

Collection includes:
1 – Cartridge (700 images: Shapes, Layers, Banners, Borders, Backgrounds, and Font)
3 – My Acrylix® D-size Stamp Sets
1 – Enchantment Cardstock Combo Pack
Recommended blocks for included stamp sets: 1" × 3 ½" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006), 2" × 3½" (Y1009).
Cricut® is a registered trademark of Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc. All rights reserved. This version is $99

If you would like to purchase just the digital version, that is available as well, it still contains the same shapes, stamp sets, and cardstock as the cartridge collection. The only difference is the 700 images are accessed using an online code rather than a physical cartridge.* Also, you will not the handy handbook that you will get when you get the cartridge version. The digital version is $79.


Have fun!


Margit

Hello, Cardmaking!

Hello, Cardmaking! by Close To My Heart Cardmakers, rejoice! There’s a new stamp set in town that will bring a whole lot of sassiness to your cards: the My Acrylix® Hello, Life!—Cardmaking stamp set. We've designed this beauty as part of our National Stamping Month trio of stamp sets, and its specialty is creating cards of all kinds. Don’t you just love receiving handmade cards in the mail? Think about it—the thrill you get seeing your name written on an envelope that’s obviously not a bill or a summons to jury duty. You love that feeling, and if you’re a cardmaker, you love giving that feeling to other people, too. A heartfelt card brings sunshine to everyone’s day! This sunny stamp set features big, bold greetings like “Hello” and “Oh, hey,” that are sure to get the recipient’s attention, paired with a variety of other sentiments and phrases you can use. Though the card above features gorgeous blue hues, it would be hard for anyone to feel blue after opening it up. The stylized sentiments work in perfect contrast with each other to fit a variety of moods. The card above is a playful and casual “thank you,” but you can easily see how the “Thanks” sentiment alone could be dressed up for a slightly more formal look. Oh, and speaking of formal… …what could be more formal than a black tie? Even when dressed to the nines in herringbone patterns and an irresistible black bow tie from our black Fundamental assortment, this card still carries such genuine thoughtfulness. The My Acrylix Hello, Life!—Cardmaking stamp set is only available as part of our National Stamping Month celebrations, which end September 30, so get it before it’s gone! And remember, it’s one of three sets that we’ve designed to work together in perfect harmony for a wide variety of crafting projects. Check out the hashtag #ctmhhellolife on Faceboook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see even more artwork being made with this trio of exclusive stamp sets. Happy stamping! Recipes 5 ½" x 4 ¼" Hello, Sunshine Card Make It from Your Heart™ Vol. 2: Pattern 26 CC1041 My Acrylix® Hello, Life!—Cardmaking, X7197B Zoe Paper Packet, Z2641 Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2172 Whisper Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z1263 Bitty Sparkles, Z3188 Paintbrush Set, Z3132 Watercolor Paints, Thread 4 ¼" x 5 ½" Oh, Hey Card Make It from Your Heart™ Vol. 2: Pattern 11 CC1041 My Acrylix® Hello, Life!—Cardmaking, X7203B Georgie Paper Packet, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, X5762 Lagoon Cardstock, X5778 Saffron Cardstock, X5929 Whisper Cardstock, Z2195 Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z3105 Fundamental Assortment Gold, Z1979 Marvy® Uchida® LePen™ Journaling Pen 5 ½" x 4 ¼" Hello, Friend Card Originals: Center Accent™ (with alterations) CC1041 My Acrylix® Hello, Life!—Cardmaking, X7201B La Vie En Rose Paper Packet, X5776 Peacock Cardstock, X5762 Lagoon Cardstock, X5778 Saffron Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2195 Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2651 Saffron Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z3105 Fundamental Assortment Gold

All Purpose Mat - Tips and Tricks

 Here is a wonderful video that will show you some great tips and tips how to use this wonderful tool. It is so much more than just another craft mat. Enjoy!

https://www.mycraftchannel.com/shows/crafting-with-close-to-my-heart/season-4/all-purpose-mat-tips-tricks

September CTMH Newsletter

QUICK LINKS   Upcoming Events  These are the cards I made this month for the card workshop. I used the Zoe Paper Pack. I love this paper - there are so many possibilities with this.  The next class will be held on Sept. 17 at 7 pm. Please, let me know right away if you would like to participate. You can find all the details on my blog. Other dates: Ideabook Premier - Sept 12, 10 am - 12 pm Card workshop - Sept. 17, 10 am and 7 pm I am planning a Christmas Card Buffet in October - any interest? I would like to offer card kits - any interest in that? Please let me know, thank you  JOIN OUR LIST September Stamp of the Month September 2015: Paper Garden S1509, set of 10 Recommended Blocks: 1" × 1" (Y1000) 2" × 2" (Y1003) 4" × 5" (Y1012) Beautiful Stamps, Amazing Discounts Each month you can purchase a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5. 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. September 2015: Paper Garden (S1509) Spend $50 and get this Stamp of the Month set for just $5. Like this Stamp of the Month? Check out others in these Idea Books.   Hostess Challenge At convention we were challenged to find at least 1 hostess in August for a party - are you it? I would love to work with anyone who love to have some fun with their friends. I only have a few more dates open. You will be the first to see the new products!  Would you say "no" at the possibility of receiving free product? Let me show you how! Welcome to Close to my Heart -July 2015 Dear Margit, as I write this, I will have recently returned from a trip from Philmont, New Mexico - to the BSA Scout Ranch. Loved it! yes, I love it here in Florida, but I must admit, it was wonderful to be back in the mountains again. New Mexico was blessed this year with lots of rain, so it was in bloom! If you are following my facebook page you saw all those sunflowers - wow - what a sight! Hope your summer has been a blessed one. Can you believe we are into fall already? And we have a  new book, good through next August along with a Holiday Expression booklet, that will be good until December 31 of this year. Have fun - let me know how I may help you! National Stamping Month-Hello, Life!   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 each! Or, for an even better deal, you can purchase all three for only $34.95 USD-a savings of $6.90 USD! Each stamp set is designed to fit with a specific type of papercrafting, whether that's traditional 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. Watch the campaign video and contact me for more details. While Supplies Last Now that the new book is here, we have lots of great new items - some of our retired items have moved on to the  "While Supplies" last list. Some of the items have been reduced in price, some of them quite deeply. When the items are gone - they are gone! It also pays to keep checking this list, since the company keeps adding on a regular basis to this list. If you have some favorites on here - get them now, when they are gone, they are gone! The new book is here! Here is just a little taste of what you can find in this book: New cartridge (all new cartridges will now have colored cardstock instead of dimensionals and are also available in digital form New Picture My Life scrapbooking programs Tons of new stamps New scrapbook collections with coordinating paper packs, plastick sticker sheets, kraft die-cuts, vellum die-cuts, thick plastic die-cuts or chipboard die-cut Sports stamp sets M-size stamps for all US states and Canada provinces (available online) New embossing folders New colors New organizers For more, check out the book and you can also check out the website by going to "New Products". A post in my blog has more detail as to some of the new items. Have fun browsing!   This is my birthday month! Yeah! Normally, the birthday girl gets the gifts, but I want to do something special for you. So... CTMH gives you a free Holiday Expression with your order - I will give you a free Annual Idea book with your order! If you order a cricut cartridge - I will send you an extra "surprise" This is it for this month - please make sure you keep checking my blog and my facebook for updates! If you are not on facebook, let me know I would love to stay in touch with you with other means. We are about to launch the new idea book and we have always newsflashes I would love to bring your way - I would hate for you to miss something. I would like to serve you - please let me know how I can do that the best way. Oh - one more thing! At convention, we were informed how much we have supported Operation Smile in the passed 10 years! Can believe, it has been that long? We now have upped how much of the Operation Smile stamp set will go to that charity and we offer a T-Shirt with the proceeds going to that charity. If you would like to help share a smile - you may want to purchase a T-shirt! Thank you! Have a great day and I will talk to you soon. Happily stamping,   Margit McCabe Close to my Heart We show you how to celebrate relationships through discovering your creativity, to preserve and share the moments that matter most. Forward this email Close to my Heart | 14573 Spotted Sandpiper Blvd. | Winter Garden | FL | 34787