Joyful Stars May Blog Hop...

Welcome to the Joyful Stars May Blog Hop!

I'm so glad you could hop on by and view the Creative Inspirations of some of our talented Close To My Heart Independent Consultants.  If you  arrived here from the blog of Lori Meadows then you're right on track.

Celebrate With Cake is this May's Stamp of the Month.  This is one of my favorite promotions being a stamper at heart :)  Each month CTMH offers a special stamp set for only $5 with a qualifying purchase.  This month, this sweet set will get you through an abundance of special occasions!

I've been experimenting with different types of Watercolors these days given its popularity...not to mention I love to get messy :)  This technique is adding ink directly to your acrylic block and spritzing with water.  Let me know what you think...a little messy but FUN!

If you are interested in Water Coloring or Close To My Heart's Stamp of the Month, please visit my website.  You will find a full line of quality Papercrafting products.  While you're there check out all this months promotions for National Scrapbooking Month!

Thanks for stopping by.  Next on the Joyful Stars Blog Hop is Crystal Davis.  Be sure to HOP on over and check out all this month's creations!  If you get lost along the way you can begin at the beginning at Joyce Houck's Blog.

Happy Creating!
Donna

Stampaganza...

Happy March!  Can you believe how quickly 2016 is clipping right along and Spring is beckoning :)  I cannot wait to share Close To My Heart's March Specials...so without further ado here we go!

First STAMPAGANZA is here which is our Buy 2 Get 1 Offer on all the My Acrylix Stamp Sets.

Second is CTMH's Stamp of the month, "Sunshine Birdies"  How Stinkin' Cute is this stamp set...seriously?  LOVE IT!  Remember you can get this set for $5 when you purchase $50 dollars in CTMH product.  Love when we can bundle deals and save more :)

Okay there you have it, MARCH is the perfect time to stock up on Stamp Sets!  Check out the Seasonal Expressions or Annual Inspirations Idea Books for Creative Inspiration and visit me online to place an order.  Have questions, please email or call.  I'd love to help you choose the perfect CTMH products for your next project :)

Happy Creating!

Donna

Share The Love...

I cannot express how Proud I am to work for a company with a Heart for others!  Each year Close To My Heart Partners with Operation Smile to change the lives of Children Around the World and I couldn't be happier to share this month's promotion with you.

With CTMH's "Share The Love" promotion, $7 of each stamp set will go directly to Operation Smile!  You can find complete details on this this promotion on my website, here.  Who wouldn't want to add this D-Sized Stamp Set to their personal collection?  It's a win win for everyone!

Happy Creating!
Donna

Joyful Stars December Blog Hop...

Welcome to the Joyful Stars December Blog Hop, glad you could hop on by and view the Creative Inspirations from several of our talented Close To My Heart Independent Consultants.  If you  arrived here from Lori Meadows blog then you're right on track.

Here's a page I've been working on for a bit and finally got the finishing touches added.  The idea for this layout came from the Team Retreat I attended this past fall.  It was demo'd by my upline Denise Sanner and the design was created by the very talented Michelle Snyder.  I just love the Warm and Welcome Feeling it gives.  Just insert a favorite family photo in the mat and you've surely got a treasured keepsake for years to come!

Here is a list of Close My Heart Products I used for this project...

My Reflections White Pines Paper Packet X7200B

Gold Glitter Paper X3076

Art Philosophy Cricut Collection Z3171

Artiste Cricut Collection Z3170

Artbooking Cricut Collection Z3169

Red Enamel Gems Z3090

Dot Embossing Folder Z1924 

My Exclusive Inks Chocolate Z2111

Liquid Glass Z679

Hope you enjoyed this beautiful layout :0)   This project fits perfectly in CTMH's Designed Decor Shadow Boxes.   If you are interested in any of  these products, please visit my website where you can shop and view our current Idea Books.

Next on the Joyful Stars Blog Hop is Betty Locco, don't forget to leave a comment...I'd love to hear from you!

Happy Creating!

Donna

Big Dream...

Are you dreaming of a Vacation, Remodeling, New Wardrobe?  No matter how big or small your dreams may be, having a plan to attain those goals puts you one step closer to achieving that DREAM!

Last September my Close To My Heart upline Denise Sanner, ask us that very question.  She wanted to know who had plans for attending our 2016 CTMH Convention, who wanted a trip to Disney.  I have to be honest, my kids would love to go to Disney and Convention may just be the time to take them there.  To seal the deal and make a plan we created these cute containers.

For this project I used our My Reflections Zoe paper pack, My Acrylics November Stamp of the Month, the new Pint Sized Container & our Watercolors.  I LOVE how it turned out and I have a little place to sock away some cash for our Disney Dream, whether or not that is this year or next I don't know but I have a plan to reach that DREAM!

Here's a closer look at the Close To My Heart products used.

Zoe Paper Pack X7197B

My Creations Pint Sized Container Z3137

My Acrylics Cheers, 2016 

November Stamp Of The Month

Get this Stamp Set for only $5 with a $50 CTMH order through Nov. 30, 2015.

Pair it up with the Simply Fundamental Scrapbooking Special and receive all for only

$76.80 plus S/H

Great way to prep for Preserving those Holiday Memories!

Watercolor Paints Z3132

Paint Brush Set Z3188

Momento Black Ink Pad Z899

Hope this post has INSPIRED you to DREAM BIG!

Happy Creating!

Donna

Simply Fundamental Workshop...

Last we left off I shared Close To My Heart's November "Simply Fundamental Scrapbooking" Deal.  I mentioned that you can download directions to complete FIVE 2-page Layouts that were designed to accompany this promotion.  So be sure to grab your copy while it's available.  You'll love the look of the designs and you can use them time and time again.

Curious as to what you will be getting?  Take a look...

Don't you just love the Clean Layouts and Pops of Color.  The Enchantment Fundamental Pack includes some of our NEWEST colors; Eggplant, Sapphire, Peacock, Fern, Poppy, Pomegranate, Saffron, New England Ivy, Goldrush and Ruby.  A Super Rich Versatile Color Palette that will add life to any project!

If would like more details on this promotion or any of Close To My Heart's products, I would love to work with you and help you pick out just the right items to complete your next project.  To view our Annual Inspirations Idea Book visit my website.

Happy Creating!

Donna 

Fundamentals...

As a Papercrafter you can never have enough paper...or so we think, LOL!  If one would ask my better half he might tell you I have enough paper to supply a school for a year or two :)

In reality having quality papers not only provides for great backdrops but exciting accents as well.  Close To My Heart's Paper Lines include our fabulous White Core Exclusive Cardstock, My Reflections products and Glitter paper but we also offer a full line of Paper Fundamentals featuring four color groups; Basics, Enchantment, Whimsy and Adventure.  These color groups tie into our My Exclusive Inks easily taking your basic scrapbooking to a new level by adding coordinating embellishments, assortments, compliments and stamping.

November is the perfect time to try one of our Simply Fundamental Bundles, for only $71.80 you will receive the following items...

• Album of your choice (D-ring or Post-bound)
• Fundamental Stickers Enchantment Pack (1 pack)
• Fundamental Assortment Peacock (1 pack)
• White Daisy Cardstock (3 sheets)
• Memory Protectors™ Value Pack (1 pack Side Load or 1 pack Top Load)

Just follow this link to view all ten Close To My Heart's Album Bundles.  And don't forget to download your Simply Fundamental Workshop directions featuring five 2-page layouts using your Fundamental Bundle.

Happy Creating!

Donna

A To Z...

It's that time of year when we start thinking about "Back To School!"

Whether or not you have kiddos or not I'm sure you've seen advertising and rows and rows of Back To School Supplies, Clothes, Organizers and the like it's really just about everywhere you look.  And as Papercrafters I don't want you to feel left out in this season of Stocking Up & Organizing so here's a few things just for you from A To Z!

ARTISTRY

ARTISTRY & FRAMED

FRAMED - AUGUST STAMP OF THE MONTH

ACCESSORY & MARKER ROLL UPS

ZOE - NEWEST MY REFLECTIONS PAPER PACK

Jump On It July...

Wow, only 2 days left this month!  Good News, there is still time to get Close To My Heart's July Stamp Of The Month "Life Is Wonderful" and this month only you can get it FREE!

Visit my WEBSITE for complete details or to order yours Today!

Happy Creating!

Typed Note...

Wow, April has flown by with many changes in our household.  Holding fast to God as I begin this new season in my life and I think my word is BALANCE.  I've added my beloved parents to our household and we are settling into new routes as we manage teens and parents.  I am so Thankful to be able to help!

With 4 days left this month I wanted to make sure you know about Close To My Hearts current Stamp Of The Month..."Typed Note" available for only $5 with a $50 qualifying order through April 30th.  I truly love the Vintage Retro look and abundance of sentiments with this stamp set.

To view the current CTMH Idea Book or place an order, visit my Website.

Happy Creating!

#30yearsofhappy

Have you seen this hashtag floating around Pinterest or Facebook?  Wonder what all the hype is about?  Close To MyHeart is Celebrating 30 Years!  To celebrate you can receive the #30yearsofhappy Stamp Set FREE with a qualifying $30 purchase.

Need a little more Inspiration?  Check out these projects I found on the web from other CTMH consultants.

Don't delay offer good through September 30, 2014.  Visit my website for details or to place your order today!  donnalong.ctmh.com

Happy Creating!

Adding Texture & Dimension...

Last night on Facebook I gave this clue as to what I'd be blogging about today.

Did you Guess It?

Embossing Folders

Close To My Heart released a line of Embossing Folders last year and has added several new folders in the Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  Now, Embossing Folders are nothing new and I've been using them for years.  Not to date myself but do you remember Embossing Plates?  My first exposure and yes I was hooked.  What I want to tell you about is, "WHY I Like Them".  In one word "VERSATILITY"!

I love that you can take one pattern and apply several Papercrafting Techniques to give your projects a completely different look.  Let's look at these three projects I created for.

I've showcased three of CTMH's Embossing Folders and three Techniques.  BUT that's just the beginning...you have so many options!  Be sure to follow me on Pinterest, I have a board dedicated to Papercraft Tips & Techniques.

First, there is Basic Folder Embossing.  Place paper in embossing folder and run through an embossing machine, I use a Cuttlebug.  Texture is embedded into your paper, this at heart is the simplest and most basic form of folder embossing.  In this example I used Close To My Heart's Stripped Folder.

 Now let's take the same idea but enhance the image by applying an Ink Overlay.  Again, you begin by following the Basic Folder Embossing technique but take your embedded image and run an ink pad over the raised pattern.  The ink will adhere to the raised image leaving a nice contrast, giving you both texture and dimension.  Here's something to note about CTMH Embossing Folders, they have a slit in the top of the folder that allows you to create a full length boarder for Scrapbook projects.  Also, as in this mini card I only wanted the front embossed so I was able to position the card through the slit and place the embossing just where I wanted it.  In this card I used the Chevron Embossing Folder  and My Exclusive Inks Cranberry.  I just love how this card resembles a composition notebook.

 

The third technique I am going to share highlights Distressing.  Begin by using the Basic technique.  Once you have your embossed image gently rub sandpaper over the image exposing the white core of Close To My Hearts Cardstock.  After I sanded the raised pattern, I took it one step further and used my scissors to distress the edges of the paper.  For this card I used the Dot Embossing Folder and the CTMH Sanding Kit.


See three completely different looks using Embossing Folders.  Hope you enjoyed this overview and that you too will try a new technique with Embossing Folders.  It really does add Texture and Dimension to you project taking it from Ordinary to Extraordinary!

Happy Creating!

Let's Talk Paper...

As you may have seen on my Facebook page, I love paper.  Okay most Papercrafters do but my issue is a bit more complex.  See growing up my mother worked for an Office Supply distributor and my first job was working in a retail Office Supply & Stationery store.  Yep, I have always loved paper, pens, notebooks, folders...you name it.  Then my first job out of college was working as an Assistant Manager for a Joann Fabrics & Craft store.  Again, I think you're beginning to get the picture :)  I really do LOVE Paper!!!

You can only imagine how excited I get when Close To My Heart reveals its new My Reflections Paper Collections...did I mention I have an addiction to Paper & Pretty Things!  My Reflections are coordinating paper packets, complements and assortments.  Each collection has its own unique features and CTMH offers Workshops On The Go as part of each collection with complete supplies and directions for scrapbook pages and/or cards.  Our Annual Inspirations Idea Book is featuring NINE new My Reflections options.  Many of the products work together giving you so many creative options.

 Which one will you choose?

Seaside

Wanderful

Brushed

Confetti Wishes

Snowhaven

Yuletide Carol

Pathfinding

Scaredy Cat

Chalk It Up

To view our complete My Reflections product line visit our online Idea Book.

Happy Creating!