November 12, 2019Celebrate, Create, Memory Keeping

Photo-a-Day Album for December

Close To My Heartalbum, christmas, Days of December, December, Holidays, Holly Jolly, kit, list, Memory Keeping, mini album, photo ideas, photo prompt, photo-a-day, workshop 2 Comments

Scrapbooking is more than just a hobby. It is the preservation of memories, a way to pass on a precious legacy to all you hold dear. Even the smallest, most simple moments can turn into powerful memories that can bring joy to you and your family for years to come. Whether you put it together for yourself or as a special gift for a loved one, the Days of December album is a must-have!

To help capture all the precious memories that the month of December has to offer, we recreated last year’s popular Days of December photo-a-day album with our new Holly Jolly paper packet and Holly Jolly—Scrapbooking stamp set!

The idea behind a photo-a-day project is to go about your regular activities and to then take a photo of what you consider is the highlight of your day. This 6″ x 8″ album is simply bursting with festive cheer! Each page provides plenty of room to tell your stories through your own photos and words.

Get ready to have some fun this Christmas season as you document your most treasured holiday moments each and every day in December! In case you need a little help getting started on this beautiful Days of December album, below you’ll find a list of 31 photo prompts and ideas, one for each day. For those of you who did this with us last year, you’ll remember that we provided a similar list of photo prompts then, too. (Click here to see last year’s list.) We intentionally made this list different from last year’s so that we can have both to reference—that’s a total of 62 photo ideas to pull from!

Download printable version, here. (Here for AU/NZ.)

Use these prompts in chronological order, switch them up, or pick and choose your favorites to use in conjunction with some of your own ideas. The important thing is to enjoy the moments, capture the memories as you make them, and then preserve them to treasure for years to come. We are memory keepers, after all!

The Days of December album kit is only available through the end of November, while supplies last. Make sure to grab yours while there is still time! ❤

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October 22, 2019Celebrate, Create, Learn

Sparkle & Shine with Stickles™ Glitter Gels!

Close To My Heartembellish, glitter, glitter gel, Halloween, shine, sparkle, spooktacular, Stickles 4 Comments

One of the most exciting things about the onset of Autumn here in Utah is the first frost of the season. It’s magical to wake up to a thin layer of white, like the world’s been given a beautiful coat of shimmer! We wanted to show you a quick and easy way to capture some of that Autumnal sparkle in your projects using Stickles™ Glitter Gel!

Stickles™ Glitter Gel is easy to spread, but you can also build it on a smaller area to create a more 3-dimensional look. We carry ten different colors of gels, giving you a wide variety of hues to choose from. Each bottle of Stickles™ Glitter Gel has a fine tip so you can apply it with ease and precision.

This Halloween-themed layout features many eye-catching elements created by different applications of Stickles™ Glitter Gel. First of all, take a closer look at the cobwebs in each corner. We’ve spread the gel over the paper in a thin layer to make the spider webs glisten.

Tip: To apply a thin layer of glitter gel to your project, squeeze a small amount onto a VersaMat™ and use a flat waterbrush to spread the gel gently over the desired area. If you don’t have a waterbrush handy, quick dabs with your fingers will work, too!

We’ve used this same spreading technique to apply thin layers of glitter on the white alphabet foam stickers, the ends of the candy wrapper, and the various stars throughout the layout. These sparkle spots help draw the eye throughout the layout and help you make your project even more personal as you make the glitter gel work for you!

Stickles Glitter Gel #ctmh #closetomyheart #stickles #glittergel #spooktacular #halloween #scrapbooking #cardmaking #papercrafting

For a more 3-D feel, we’ve added multiple layers of glitter gel to build up dimension on the frog’s crown, the dog’s nose, and the bat’s wings, as well as a few dots throughout the page. If you’re hoping to capture this more 3-dimensional look, there are a couple different techniques you can try.

One is to apply it in a thick layer over a small area, as you can see with the dots throughout the layout. Stickles™ Glitter Gel will compact as it dries, so you won’t end up with the same height you had when you first applied it to your project. However, when it is applied over a smaller area, it retains more of its initial height and 3-dimensional feel.

When you want that same dimension over a larger area, you will want to apply multiple layers of the gel, keeping each layer thin, and allowing them to dry before adding a new layer. It’s important to allow the gel to fully dry before you apply another layer on top, otherwise it will take much longer to complete your project, and you may end up with smeared glitter gel.

Look at how the Stickles™ Glitter Gel really shines on this adorable Halloween card. You can see that we’ve used thicker applications on the witch owl’s hat and the crescent moon, with a thin border at the bottom of the Pebble piece.

Whether you’re using it as a 3-D element or some well-placed bling, Stickles™ Glitter Gels are a great tool for adding pizzazz to any project!

We love working with glitter gel, and we can’t wait to see how you incorporate it into your own creations! Do you have any ideas about how to use Stickles™? Comment below and tell us all about it!

Recipes:

12″ x 12″ Happy Haunting Layout
CC10192 Spooktacular Paper Packet, X6047 Black Cardstock, X6031 Green Apple Cardstock, X6035 Lemonade Cardstock, X6033 Paprika Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z4088 White Alphabet Foam Stickers, Z3561 Black Diamond Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3563 Diamond Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3560 Golden Rod Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3554 Pink Taffeta Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3562 Silver Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3515 Black Journaling Pen (.01), Z2060 3-D Foam Tape, Z2089 Glue Dots^® Micro Dots

4¼” x 5½” Happy Halloween Card (Vertical)
CC10192 Spooktacular Paper Packet, X6035 Lemonade Cardstock, X6043 Nectarine Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z6517 Lemonade Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z3561 Black Diamond Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3560 Golden Rod Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3562 Silver Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z697 Round Sponge, Z2060 3-D Foam Tape, Z2089 Glue Dots^® Micro Dots, Cricut Design Space™ Basic Shapes

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October 15, 2019Celebrate, Create, Learn

Easy Ways to Dress Up Halloween Treats!

Close To My Heartgift, gift tags, Halloween, spooktacular, treat bag, treat box, treats, trick or treat 3 Comments

Halloween is creeping up on us, and if you’re not ready for it, things could get scary fast! If you still have a few treats to prepare, perhaps for your friends, coworkers, or those special kiddos in your life, we have three quick and easy ways to help you dress them up!

Let’s begin with tags.

Large tags are an easy way to turn a treat into something even more special. This spooktacular 3″ x 4″ tag is one of six tags featured in our Spooktacular Halloween workshop. These simple but adorable tags come together with just a few pieces of paper, a little bit of stamping, and some markers. For complete step-by-step instructions, click here to view the Spooktacular Workshop Guide (no purchase necessary 🙂 ).

Some of us are a bit busier than others and want something that comes together even more quickly than a handcrafted tag. How does a ready-made container from one of our incredible Cricut^® collections sound?

Boo-tiful little treat boxes, like this one, take minutes to cut, assemble, and embellish. If you’re looking for that handcrafted experience—for yourself and the recipient of the treat—then the Artiste collection is a great place to get started. (Visit Accessing All 13 Close To My Heart Cricut^® Collections for information on how to gain access to this and other great shapes.)

This last treat dress-up we have to share with you is intended for those extra-special treats that you enjoy giving out. How many of you have special little trick-or-treaters that either start their evening or end their night with a knock at your door? It’s pretty common to make something with a little bit more love for these special little ones.

Whatever it is you’re giving-out as a treat, a decorated paper giftbag can usually carry it.

If you want to keep the treat concealed to add to the element of surprise, let us show you how to make a removable lid for a paper bag of any size.

First, determine the size of giftbag your treat(s) will require. Decorate the front of your bag as much as you like, but keep in mind that the top 2″ will be covered by the lid.

To make the lid….

Measure the size of the bag’s base. The bag pictured here has a 5¼” x 3″ base.
Using a piece of paper that is large enough, measure and cut a rectangle that is 3″ wider and 3″ longer than the base of your bag. For our bag, we cut an 8¼” x 6″ piece.
With a bonefolder, score your paper 1½” from the edges. Use the following image as a guide:
Insert your paper vertically into your paper trimmer, and cut along the score lines, leaving about ¾” uncut in all inside corners.
Fold along the score lines to create the lid shape and glue the corners.
Once your lid is assembled, add any embellishments that you’d like! We kept it simple and added nothing more than a zip strip along the bottom. When you’re done, fill your giftbag and slide the lid on.

Celebrate Halloween, and any other treat-worthy occasion, in style! Don’t settle for simple treats when you can make them Fa-BOO-lous! 😉

Recipes:

3″ x 4″ Pirate Bunny Tag
CC10191 Frightful Friends Stamp + Thin Cuts, CC10192 Spooktacular Paper Packet, Z4189 Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2480 Orange TriBlend™ Marker, Z2492 Purple TriBlend™ Marker, Z3516 Black Journaling Pen (.03), Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Die-cutting Machine, Hole Punch

3¼” x 4¼” x 1¾” Treat Box
CC10190 My Acrylix^® Frightful Friends Stamp Set, D1875 My Acrylix^® Fa-BOO-lous Halloween Stamp Set, CC10192 Spooktacular Paper Packet, X6047 Black Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z891 VersaMark™ Ink Pad, Z3568 Black Velvet Ribbon, Z4220 Anti-static Pouch, Z2068 White Super Fine Embossing Powder, Z4252 Heat Tool, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Cricut^® Artiste Collection

Cricut^® Shape:
Artiste
#M3CBB9

Gift Bag Lid
CC10191 Frightful Friends Stamp + Thin Cuts, CC10194 Spooktacular Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet, X6031 Green Apple Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z6513 Green Apple Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4189 Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins, Z4213 Silver Embellishing Thread, Z2483 Light Yellow TriBlend™ Marker, Z3561 Black Diamond Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Die-cutting Machine, Gift Bag

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October 2, 2019Celebrate, Create, Memory Keeping

Accessing All 13 Close To My Heart Cricut® Collections

Close To My HeartArt Philosophy, Artbooking, Artfully Sent, artiste, Artistry, cardmaking, cartridge, City Sidewalks, Complete Creativity, cricut, Design Space, digital, Explore, Flower Market, Hello AU/NZ, Hello Canada, Hello USA, Maker, Papercrafting, scrapbooking, Season of Joy, You Are Here 12 Comments

Have you heard the news? All 13 of the Close To My Heart Cricut^® collections, including the new Complete Creativity and some that have been retired for years, are now digitally available for purchase!

Close To My Heart Cricut^® Collections:

Complete Creativity (NEW)
Art Philosophy
Artbooking
Artfully Sent
Artiste
Artistry
City Sidewalks
Flower Market
Hello AU/NZ
Hello Canada
Hello USA
Season of Joy
You Are Here

There has been some confusion around how to access these collections, so we’ve put together a quick tutorial below to show you how. If you’ve already figured it out on your own, skip to the bottom half of this post to see sample shapes and an artwork example for each collection.

*The following tutorial currently applies to people residing in the United States or Canada, only. (For our Australian and New Zealand crafters, all 13 of these collections are also available through purchasing a digital code from your Consultant which unlocks the shapes in Cricut Design Space™.)

**You will need a Cricut^® machine that is Design Space compatible to digitally link your collections to your account. Any of the Explore models or the New Maker will do. If you already own some or all of the Close To My Heart collections in cartridge format, with the right cutting machine, you can link these collections digitally as well. Click here for a short video to learn how.

STEP 1

To start, go to your Close To My Heart Consultant’s website. (If you do not have a Close To My Heart Consultant, visit us here and click on Find a Consultant to find one near you.) Scroll all the way to the bottom of the home page and click on the green Cricut^® button.

Clicking on this button will take you to the 13 Close To My Heart Cricut^® collections, hosted on the Cricut^® website.

STEP 2

Choose the collection you want to purchase and click Add to Cart. Doing so will pull up a side bar with the items you’ve chosen to purchase. When you are ready to check out, you can either click on the small cart icon or the green Checkout button.

STEP 3

If you aren’t signed in to your Cricut^® account already, you will be prompted to do so.

Make sure to use your Design Space account information to sign in and then continue the checkout process.

After purchasing any of the CTMH Cricut^® collections, they will automatically populate in your Design Space account, along with your other shapes.

STEP 4

To view your CTMH shapes and collections, go to your Design Space account and click on either New Project or My Projects.

Next, click on Images in the side bar, on the left. If you are looking for a specific cartridge or shape, click on Cartridges to view all of your purchased collections or type in the collection’s name or shape number in the search bar, on the top right corner of the page.

ONE FINAL TIP

Each of the shapes in Design Space is given a name and assigned a number. If you click on a shape, for example the first shape of the collection shown above, this information will show up in place of the shape’s image.

If you are looking for one specific shape, and you know its Design Space name or number (including the “#” sign), you can use this information in the search bar to locate it. When we give out project “recipes” (a list of products used), either for our catalogs or on this blog, Cricut^® shapes are referenced by the collection from which it comes and its shape number.

The star shape above would then be:

Cricut^® Shape:
Art Philosophy
#M3EA7D

Now that you know how to access all of our Close To My Heart Cricut^® collections and shapes, let’s take a quick look at what each of them has to offer!

COMPLETE CREATIVITY

Sample Shapes:

(Not all shapes shown.)

Artwork Example:

As our newest Cricut^® collection, we cannot wait for you to get your hands on this one! The Complete Creativity collection is divided up by whole card and scrapbook projects, providing all the shapes you need to create complete cards and scrapbook pages for a variety of themes and occasions!

ART PHILOSOPHY

Sample Shapes:

(Not all shapes shown.)

Example Artwork:

Featuring hundreds of basic, versatile shapes and fonts you’ll use every day, many of which coordinate with dozens of our My Acrylix® stamps, the Art Philosophy collection is a must-have for every crafter!

ARTBOOKING

Sample Shapes:

(Not all shapes shown.)

Example Artwork:

The Artbooking collection includes accents, borders, titles, overlays, photo mats, and more! You’ll love using these shapes for creating themed mini books to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and everyday life!

ARTFULLY SENT

Sample Shapes:

(Not all shapes shown.)

Example Artwork:

Featuring more than 25 different card themes and 5 different card formats, the Artfully Sent collection has a card for any and all occasions! Card styles include pop-ups, scenes, sentiments, sleeves, and pocket cards.

ARTISTE

Sample Shapes:

(Not all shapes shown.)

Example Artwork:

Take your creativity up a notch with the wonderful 3-D projects, party favors, interactive cards, awards, and more, found in the Artiste collection.

ARTISTRY

Sample Shapes:

(Not all shapes shown.)

Example Artwork:

The designs in the Artistry collection are staples for any crafter, spanning a wide variety of themes, holidays, and seasons. Get back to the basics with font, banners, layered shapes, borders, backgrounds, and other fun icons that can be used for any and every occasion.

CITY SIDEWALKS

Sample Shapes:

(Not all shapes shown.)

Example Artwork:

Dress up your artwork in holiday style with the festive images from this mini Cricut® collection! The City Sidewalks collection comes with 30 complete images, including titles, photo frames, borders, card sentiments, card overlays, and other cheery Christmas designs.

FLOWER MARKET

Sample Shapes:

(Not all shapes shown.)

Example Artwork:

With blooms and blossoms for every season of life, we know the Flower Market collection will really grow on you (if it hasn’t already)! All of the designs feature some type of botanical detail, from flowers and leaves to branches and wreaths. Designed to span an entire year’s worth of themes and occasions, you’ll have beautiful designs and sentiments for holidays, cardmaking, and everyday scrapbooking.

HELLO AU/NZ

Sample Shapes:

(Not all shapes shown.)

Example Artwork:

Featuring 20 layered images, the Hello AU/NZ collection has shapes, overlays, and names for Australian and New Zealand states and territories, as well as a local flower, slogan, and coordinating icon. The collection also includes extra images about Australia and New Zealand, including each country’s flag.

HELLO CANADA

Sample Shapes:

(Not all shapes shown.)

Example Artwork:

Also featuring 20 layered images, the Hello Canada collection has shapes, overlays, and names for all Canadian provinces and territories, as well as a local flower, slogan, and coordinating icon. The collection also includes extra images about Canada, including the Canadian flag.

HELLO USA

Sample Shapes:

(Not all shapes shown.)

Example Artwork:

Featuring 60 layered images, the Hello USA collection has shapes, overlays, and names for all 50 states, as well as a local flower, slogan, and state-specific icon. The collection also includes 10 extra images about the US, including regions and the US flag.

SEASON OF JOY

Sample Shapes:

(Not all shapes shown.)

Example Artwork:

Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with the dynamic cut designs in the Season of Joy collection. This collection features over 45 images and projects, including seasonal icons, titles, and sentiments, as well as a collection of 3-D projects that you can create after a few simple cuts on your Cricut^® machine.

Whether you’re traveling abroad, taking a road trip, or enjoying a relaxing staycation, the You Are Here collection is sure to have everything you need to document your journey. From outdoor escapades and family reunions to spa retreats and holiday outings, you’ll find shapes and sentiments for every pit stop along the road of life!

Recipes

12″ x 12″ Spooktacular Page
CC10194 Spooktacular Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet, X6047 Black Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Cricut^® Complete Creativity Collection

Cricut^® Shape:
Complete Creativity
#MEE7655E

4¼” x 5½” Love You Card (Vertical)
C1801 My Acrylix^® Every Little Thing—Cardmaking Stamp Set, X7248S Every Little Thing Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet, X6047 Black Cardstock, X5957 Sapphire Cardstock, Z891 VersaMark™ Ink Pad, Z3521 Every Little Thing Vellum Die-cuts, Z4213 Silver Embellishing Thread, Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Z2068 White Super Fine Embossing Powder, Z4220 Anti-static Pouch, Z4252 Heat Tool, Z4181 Stitched Circles Thin Cuts, Z1912 Corner Rounder, Cricut^® Art Philosophy Collection, Die-cutting Machine

Cricut^® Shape:
Art Philosophy
#M4139D

5″ Trick-or-Treat Mini Album
CC10194 Spooktacular Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet, X6047 Black Cardstock, X6035 Lemonade Cardstock, X5955 Pebble Cardstock, Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins, Z4196 White Ribbon, Z4181 Stitched Circles Thin Cuts, Cricut^® Artbooking Collection, Die-cutting Machine

Cricut^® Shapes:
Artbooking
#MAB71C
#M3E1B0
#M40EAA
#M46C7D
#M3CDA5

3″ x 4¼” You’re a Classic Card (Horizontal)
X7249S Hawthorn Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, X6034 Sangria Cardstock, Z3543 Hawthorn Wood Shapes, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Cricut^® Artfully Sent Collection

Cricut^® Shapes:
Artfully Sent
#M1067B4

2½” x 3¾” Trick-or-Treat Treat Bag
CC10190 My Acrylix® Frightful Friends Stamp Set, CC10192 Spooktacular Paper Packet, X6047 Black Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4221 Mink Twine, Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Z3630 Watercolor Pencils, Z3224 Small Round Waterbrush, Z3516 Black Journaling Pen (.03), Cricut^® Artiste Collection

Cricut^® Shapes:
Artiste
#M3DEF8
#M3E22F

5″ x 7″ Happy Birthday Card (Vertical)
X5953 Charcoal Cardstock, X6031 Green Apple Cardstock, X5968 Lagoon Cardstock, X6042 Mint Cardstock, X5984 Pixie Cardstock, X5974 Raspberry Cardstock, X5980 Sweet Leaf Cardstock, X5976 Thistle Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins, Z3553 Acrylic Hearts, Z3557 Cool Mint Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3563 Diamond Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Cricut^® Artistry Collection, Sewing Machine

Cricut^® Shapes:
Artistry
#M4187BA
#M40FD89
#M41669B
#M4132AC, cut 2
#M412A0C
#M58A2E4
#M410335, cut 2
#M4169DA
#M411DD6
#M58A48E, cut 2
#M410487
#M418C08
#M418B30
#M412151
#M413170
#M40FF13

Basic Shapes
#M369879 (circle)

4¼” x 5½” Season’s Greetings Card (Vertical)
X6047 Black Cardstock, X6038 Candy Apple Cardstock, X6030 Evergreen Cardstock, X6029 Julep Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z4235 Gold Loose Sequins, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Z3555 Christmas Red Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Cricut^® City Sidewalks Collection

Cricut^® Shapes:
City Sidewalks
#MF6456F
#MF647BC
#MF645F0

Basic Shapes
#M369879 (circle)

Today, I Choose Joy Tag
C1799 My Acrylix^® Perk Up Stamp Set, D1868 My Acrylix^® Joy by Melissa Esplin Stamp Set, X7248B Every Little Thing Paper Packet, X6036 Ballerina Cardstock, X6029 Julep Cardstock, X5984 Pixie Cardstock, X5974 Raspberry Cardstock, X5961 Saffron Cardstock, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2844 Pixie Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Cricut^® Flower Market Collection

Cricut^® Shapes:
Flower Market
#MFADCF2
#MD37FB8

12″ x 12″ Beautiful New Zealand/Australia Pocket Scrapbooking Layout
X5949 Almond Cardstock, X6029 Julep Cardstock, X5955 Pebble Cardstock, X5961 Saffron Cardstock, X5957 Sapphire Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, X7249E Hawthorn Picture My Life Cards, X7248E Every Little Thing Picture My Life Cards, Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins, Z341 Glue Dots® Mini Dots, Cricut^® Hello AU/NZ Collection

Cricut^® Shapes:
Hello AU/NZ
#M2EDE0BE
#M2EDE203
#M2EDE37F

6″ x 8″ Quebec Layout with Pocket Scrapbooking
X7249B Hawthorn Paper Packet, X5951 Espresso Cardstock, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, X5962 Goldrush Cardstock, X5947 Mink Cardstock, X5961 Saffron Cardstock, Z3543 Hawthorn Wood Shapes, Z4054 Gold Embellishing Thread, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Z4181 Stitched Circles Thin Cuts, Cricut^® Hello Canada Collection, Die-cutting Machine

Cricut^® Shapes:
Hello Canada
#M2DB6B68
#M2DB6CAA

12″ x 12″ California Has My Heart Page
B1638 My Acrylix® Modern Typewriter Alphabet Stamp Set, C1725 My Acrylix® Simply Said Alphabet Stamp Set, X7248B Every Little Thing Paper Packet, X6047 Black Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z3521 Every Little Thing Vellum Die-cuts, Z3553 Acrylic Hearts, Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins, Z341 Glue Dots® Mini Dots, Cricut^® Hello USA Collection, Sewing Machine

Cricut^® Shape:
Hello USA
#M2CCF890

Santa & Elf Boxes
X5949 Almond Cardstock, X6047 Black Cardstock, X5982 Canary Cardstock, X6038 Candy Apple Cardstock, X6031 Green Apple Cardstock, X6044 Peach Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Cricut^® Season of Joy Collection

Cricut^® Shapes:
Season of Joy
#M629BBF2
#M629BA03

6″ x 8″ Grand Canyon Album Cover
X7249S Hawthorn Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet, X6047 Black Cardstock, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, X5962 Goldrush Cardstock, X6033 Paprika Cardstock, X5955 Pebble Cardstock, Z1375 Kraft Paper, Z2828 Toffee Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4054 Gold Embellishing Thread, Z697 Round Sponge, Cricut^® You Are Here Collection

Cricut^® Shape:
You Are Here
#M276272D

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September 17, 2019Celebrate, Create, Learn

National Stamping Month: Using Small Stamps in BIG Places

Close To My HeartA Dash of Joy, christmas, Giving Thanks, ideas, National Stamping Month, nsm, September, Share the Seasons, stamping, thanksgiving 110 Comments

As part of our National Stamping Month celebration, we have two exclusive stamp sets that are only available through the end of the month, the My Acrylix^® A Dash of Joy and My Acrylix^® Giving Thanks. Both have over 30 individual stamps each. They are super cute, on trend, and just right for the upcoming fall and Christmas seasons. You may have noticed that most of the individual stamps within each set are also really small.

To get us all thinking outside of a one-inch square that most of these loveable little icons and sentiments were designed to fit into, we have a few simple ideas that showcase just how versatile a small stamp can be by also effectively being used in much bigger spaces.

First, let’s talk about backgrounds. This one seems to be a pretty common idea that we tend to easily forget. Take a look at how we used our small stamps to create the following three pieces of artwork:

On this Christmas page, we created subtle tone-on-tone patterns on the photo mats and all three colors of the background cardstock. (In this example, we paired the Mink stamp pad with French Vanilla cardstock, the Peach stamp pad with Peach cardstock, the Pewter stamp pad with Pewter cardstock, and the Green Apple stamp pad with Green Apple cardstock.)

On this So Thankful page we wanted to create a partial background. You can do this with sentiments, like we did here, or with clusters of small icons down the center, off-center, down one side of the page, or even just in a corner.

This card is an example of how to use small sentiments to create a full background. Turn the sentiment at an angle and stamp it over and over again until your background is completely covered. The trick is to start by stamping partially off your base to achieve the cutoff look.

Another way to use small icons in large spaces is in borders.

Combining three of the leaf stamps from the Giving Thanks set with two green stamp pads we were able to create this beautiful fall scene for the memories on this page.

This last idea, one of our favorites that really gets you thinking outside the norm, is to create your own shapes out of smaller ones.

The gorgeous wreath on this page was created using several of the small stamps from the A Dash of Joy set and nothing else.

We kept it simple by making a circle to illustrate the idea, but the truth is you can create many other shapes and designs using small stamps—a tree, a snowman, a pumpkin, a star, a house—whatever you dare try.

With the right combination of stamps and inks, the possibilities are endless.

We really do love these little sentiments and icons and want everyone to have a chance to create with them, too. In the next 24 hours, we will be giving away 5 Share the Seasons Stamp Set Bundles, which include one My Acrylix^® A Dash of Joy stamp set and one My Acrylix^® Giving Thanks stamp set. If you want to be entered in the drawing, make sure you are subscribed to this blog and leave us a comment below sharing with us how you use small stamps in big ways. Winners will be chosen by 1 p.m. tomorrow (Sept. 18, MST) and will be notified via email, so keep your eyes on your inboxes friends!

Can’t wait to hear from you!

***THIS DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED! ❤ ***

Recipes:

12″ x 12″ Dash of Cheer Page
CC9191 My Acrylix® A Dash of Joy Stamp Set, X6047 Black Cardstock, X6038 Candy Apple Cardstock, X6030 Evergreen Cardstock, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, X6031 Green Apple Cardstock, X6044 Peach Cardstock, X5954 Pewter Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z3513 Green Apple Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2825 Mink Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6502 Peach Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2832 Pewter Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z891 VersaMark™ Ink Pad, Z3563 Diamond Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3554 Pink Taffeta Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3562 Silver Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z4220 Anti-static Pouch, Z2068 White Super Fine Embossing Powder, Z4252 Heat Tool, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Z3516 Black Journaling Pen (.01)

12″ x 12″ So Thankful Page
CC9192 My Acrylix® Giving Thanks Stamp Set, X6047 Black Cardstock, X5953 Charcoal Cardstock, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, X6033 Paprika Cardstock, X9007 Min-in Paper Packet, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2843 Canary Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2850 Fern Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2825 Mink Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6515 Paprika Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2832 Pewter Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z8000 Black Exclusive Inks™ Pigment Pad, Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins, Z2088 Clear Embossing Powder, Z4220 Anti-static Pouch, Z4252 Heat Tool, Z1151 3-D Foam Tape, Z3516 Black Journaling Pen (.01)

4¼” x 5½” Grateful for You Card (Horizontal)
CC9192 My Acrylix® Giving Thanks Stamp Set, X6047 Black Cardstock, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, X5950 Toffee Cardstock, Z2850 Fern Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4189 Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4221 Mink Twine, Z4242 Watercolor Pencils, Z3224 Small Round Waterbrush, Z2089 Glue Dots® Micro Dots

6″ x 8″ Grateful Page
CC9192 My Acrylix® Giving Thanks Stamp Set, X5949 Almond Cardstock, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2850 Fern Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2835 New England Ivy Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins, Z3569 Sangria Ribbon, Z341 Glue Dots® Mini Dots, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Z3516 Black Journaling Pen (.01)

12″ x 12″ Merry Christmas Page
CC9191 My Acrylix® A Dash of Joy Stamp Set, X6047 Black Cardstock, X6038 Candy Apple Cardstock, X5978 Glacier Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6509 Candy Apple Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6512 Evergreen Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2850 Fern Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2841 Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2835 New England Ivy Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2853 Sweet Leaf Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z891 VersaMark™ Ink Pad, Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins, Z3568 Black Velvet Ribbon, Z3557 Cool Mint Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z4220 Anti-static Pouch, Z2068 White Super Fine Embossing Powder, Z4252 Heat Tool, Z3132 Watercolor Paints, Z3226 Medium Flat Waterbrush, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, 1772 Glue Dots® Ultra-thin Dots, Z3516 Black Journaling Pen (.1)

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September 10, 2019Celebrate, Create

National Stamping Month: Stamping Basics

Close To My Heartideas, National Stamping Month, nsm, September, stamping, stamps, techniques 2 Comments

It is officially National Stamping Month! Is anyone else as pumped about this time of year as we are? A little bit of history, for our friends who haven’t been with us for very long, Close To My Heart was originally called D.O.T.S. (Dozens of Terrific Stamps). Our first love was, and continues to be, stamps! We’ve come a long way since 1984 and wood mounted rubber stamp sets, and yet there are still some things that will never change.

Today we are going back to the basics of stamping, showing a few different ways we can use stamps in our projects. If you are new to stamping, this is a great place to start and learn just how versatile these creative tools can be. If you are a “pro,” then follow along anyway and remind yourself why you, too, love stamping and the versatility behind each design.

First, let’s talk about stamping on photos.

This is such an easy way to create personalized cards or add some additional touches to your scrapbook pages.

Stamping directly on a photo might seem a little scary at first, but we promise, it will be okay! For this project, we used the Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ stamp pad to stamp our sentiment. We opted for this ink choice because we used a matte photo. If you’re stamping on a glossy photo, consider using Black StazOn™ ink. StazOn™ ink is specifically formulated for use on non-porous surfaces, allowing you to confidently stamp on any photo.

Next, let’s revisit an oldie, but a goodie, technique—generational stamping. Generational stamping is a fairly simple stamping technique. Think of it as the “double-dip” action (or in this case, the “triple-dip”) of the stamping world. With generational stamping, you don’t re-ink your stamp before stamping the image or sentiment again. This leaves you with a slightly faded image that is otherwise identical to the first one.

For this example, we used the Candy Apple Exclusive Inks™ stamp pad to create a fun generational stamping effect. First, you thoroughly saturate your stamp with ink, and then press down firmly to transfer the image onto your paper. Then, without re-inking the stamp, press it to the paper again to create a second-generation stamped image or, like in this case, sentiment. In this example, we went a step farther and created a third-generation sentiment, which was accomplished the same way.

You can clearly see the second and third generational stamps. This effect, combined with the fun patterns in the Every Little Thing paper packet, makes for a beautiful card with a unique flair.

Another fun way to use your stamps is to fussy cut! Fussy cutting simply means that you cut out your stamped image by hand rather than using a metal die or a paper cutting machine. This lets you cut right down to the edges of the image for a crisp, clean cut. When you don’t have just the right sticker or are looking for a quick way to add dimension, fussy cut your stamped image or sentiment and attach it with some foam tape!

In our next example, we’ve got several different ideas that neatly come together in one beautiful 6″ x 8″ layout.

First, take a close look at the peach portion of the layout, in the lower right-hand corner of the left page. That’s not pattern paper—the pattern you see is achieved by continuous, random stamping. Stamps give you the ability to create your own unique patterns, adding a personal element to all of your projects.

Next, let’s talk about how to stamp white on black. For this, we’ll be breaking out our heat tool and embossing powder!

As you can see, this particular element has a dimensional appearance. Well, that’s thanks to the use of embossing powder!

The images in this example are stamped with VersaMark™ ink and heat embossed with white embossing powder. Stamp with VersaMark™ ink, add embossing powder, melt and seal together with a heat tool.

Did you know that you can also heat emboss with our pigment inks of our exclusive colors? All you need is the pigment ink in the color of your choice and clear embossing powder. Heat and seal like you would with the VersaMark™ ink, and that’s it!

If you want to heat emboss on vellum, there are a few small tricks to consider.

For this technique, allow your heat tool to heat up before you use it. Once it’s hot, blow on the ink intermittently from behind the paper (which means you would need to do this step before attaching a piece like this to your project). If you blow directly onto the ink and vellum without pulling the heater away, the ink will move and the paper will warp. Another approach, if from behind is too difficult, is to move the heat tool in slow circles over the stamped area.

The last three examples of artwork we have showcase how to add color to your stamped images.

In a recent blog post, we discussed different types of black ink and which ones work best with certain types of projects. For this card, we used the Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad to stamp the pumpkins so that we could add color with our new TriBlend™ markers.

Once you’ve got your image stamped, take your TriBlend™ Marker and color around the outer edges of the stamped image using one of the darker shades. Then, color in the center with one of the lighter shades.

Using TriBlend™ Markers to color in your stamped images allows you to color with confidence, since the shades are already matched for you, and as you can see, they deliver beautiful results!

For this card, you’ll want to grab your watercolor pencils. To avoid getting harsh lines in your project, move your pencil in gentle, circular strokes, or use a lighter hand as you color; think of it as light shading as opposed to coloring in your stamp.

Once you’ve got your stamped image colored in, you can leave it as is for a slightly more rustic, rough feel, like in our example, or blend with a waterbrush.

Our last example is a bit deceptive, and it looks a bit more complicated than it actually is.

To create the beautiful, multicolored effect happening in the leaves of this page, we used a technique is called rock & roll.

First, you thoroughly ink your stamp in the base color of your choice. Then, gently rock and roll the edges of your stamp in your secondary color. It’s that easy. Your stamp is ready to leave a gorgeous impression!

No matter how you use them, you can’t go wrong with great stamps! Happy stamping!

Recipes

5″ x 7″ Merry Christmas Photo Card
CC9191 My Acrylix^® A Dash of Joy Stamp Set, X6047 Black Cardstock, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad

3″ x 3″ Merry Merry Merry Card
CC9191 My Acrylix^® A Dash of Joy Stamp Set, X7248B Every Little Thing Paper Packet, X6030 Evergreen Cardstock, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, X6044 Peach Cardstock, Z6509 Candy Apple Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z3312 Gold Glitter Gems, Z4242 Watercolor Pencils, Z3224 Small Round Waterbrush

6″ x 8″ Christmas Wishes Layout
CC9195 Share the Seasons Stamps + Thin Cuts, X9007 Mix-in Paper Packet, X6047 Black Cardstock, X6038 Candy Apple Cardstock, X6030 Evergreen Cardstock, X6042 Mint Cardstock, X6044 Peach Cardstock, X6045 Sage Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z6509 Candy Apple Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6512 Evergreen Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6502 Peach Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z891 VersaMark™ Ink Pad, Z3312 Gold Glitter Gems, Z4054 Gold Embellishing Thread, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Z2068 White Super Fine Embossing Powder, Z4220 Anti-static Pouch, Z4252 Heat Tool, Die-cutting Machine

3″ x 3″ Thankful Grateful Blessed Card
CC9192 My Acrylix^® Giving Thanks Stamp Set, X5962 Goldrush Cardstock, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, X6033 Paprika Cardstock, Z3367 Vellum Paper, Z2823 Goldrush Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2851 Saffron Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z891 VersaMark™ Ink Pad, Z4054 Gold Embellishing Thread, Z2066 Princess Gold Embossing Powder, Z4220 Anti-static Pouch, Z4252 Heat Tool, Z4181 Stitched Circles Thin Cuts, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Die-cutting Machine

4¼” x 5½” Happy Fall Card (Vertical)
Z3532 Autumn Blessings Stamp + Thin Cuts, X7249B Hawthorn Paper Packet, X6047 Black Cardstock, X6030 Evergreen Cardstock, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, X6045 Sage Cardstock, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4189 Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4235 Gold Loose Sequins, Z4054 Gold Embellishing Thread, Z1809 Black Shimmer Trim, Z3568 Black Velvet Ribbon, Z2480 Orange TriBlend™ Marker, Z2478 Earth Brown TriBlend™ Marker, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Die-cutting Machine

4¼” x 5½” Thinking of You Card (Horizontal)
Z3544 Sunflower Sympathy Stamp + Thin Cuts, X7249B Hawthorn Paper Packet, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, X6005 Goldrush Cardstock, X6033 Paprika Cardstock, Z2829 Espresso Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6512 Evergreen Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2823 Goldrush Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2851 Saffron Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z891 VersaMark™ Ink Pad, Z3312 Gold Glitter Gems, Z4054 Gold Embellishing Thread, Z4242 Watercolor Pencils, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Z2066 Princess Gold Embossing Powder, Z4220 Anti-static Pouch, Z4252 Heat Tool, Die-cutting Machine, Sewing Machine

6″ x 8″ Grateful for You Page
Z3527 Hawthorn—Scrapbooking Stamp + Thin Cuts, CC9192 My Acrylix^® Giving Thanks Stamp Set, X7249B Hawthorn Paper Packet, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, X6033 Paprika Cardstock, X6044 Peach Cardstock, Z2843 Canary Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6509 Candy Apple Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2829 Espresso Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2823 Goldrush Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6515 Paprika Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2851 Saffron Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4189 Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4235 Gold Loose Sequins, Z4054 Gold Embellishing Thread, Z3552 Wooden Arrows, Z341 Glue Dots^® Mini Dots, Die-cutting Machine

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September 4, 2019Celebrate, Create

Two New Catalogs, Hundreds of New Products!

Close To My Heartalbums, cardstock, catalog, catalogue, color of the year, colour of the year, Complete Creativity, Core Products, cricut, custom cardstock, digital art, digital file, Every Little Thing, Everyday Life, glitter gel, glitter glue, handwriting, heat transfer, idea book, journalin, Journalling, Julep, markers, Melissa Esplin, new product, October, penmanship, pens, scrapbooking workshop, September, shammy, stamp shammy, Stickles, svg, TriBlend, vinyl 4 Comments

With the launch of two new Close To My Heart catalogs this week, does anyone else feel like a kid on Christmas morning? Since September 1, hundreds of new Close To My Heart products, including stamp sets, patterned papers, embellishments, and much, much more, have been readily available at our fingertips!

In case you missed the exciting announcement after our North American Convention, we have moved to a new catalog release schedule. Close To My Heart will no longer only publish three catalogs a year, but SEVEN—an annual Core Products catalog and six, bi-monthly, supplemental catalogs. The goal is to get fresh designs and up-to-the-minute products into your hands when you need them and want them most!

Let’s take a closer look at some of the new goodies in our Core and September–October catalogs. (It may be time to make some room in your craft room—your stash may be getting a bit bigger! 🙂 )

Paper Packet + Sticker Sheets

Each of our supplement catalogs will feature two paper suites. Within each suite you will have the choice between two paper packet options, one including a new 12″ x 12″ sticker sheet, and one without. The new sticker sheet will come with titles, accents, and more, that coordinate perfectly with the designs of its accompanying paper packet. Both paper packets will come with six sheets of three double-sided designs of patterned paper, rather than the 12 we’ve done in the recent past, so you only purchase what you need and avoid having too much left over!

Custom Cardstock Packs

When you visit our cardstock menu on our website, you will find two very exciting additions. As a continuation of the theme of getting you just what you need, we now offer custom cardstock packs! Choose between a 12-sheet or 24-sheet pack and then decide which of our current exclusive colors you want in it. We’ll package up your selection and send your customized pack along with the rest of your order. It’s that simple!

Scrapbooking Workshop Kits

Our scrapbooking workshops got a makeover! Each workshop continues to come with easy-to-follow instructions to make six complete pages however only some are paired into layouts. Both, the Every Little Thing and Hawthorn scrapbooking workshops make two individual pages and two two-page layouts.

Even more exciting, we’ve trimmed a lot of the paper cutting right out of the workshops! Each new kit includes large, exclusive die-cut sheets and accessories that coordinate effortlessly with a handful of additional products for fast and seriously gorgeous pages. In the page above, the only thing you’ll cut when you make your own are the two photo mats. ❤ ❤ ❤ !

Everyday Life™ Albums

Our Everyday Life™ album line just got bigger…and smaller! Providing the greatest versatility in size (and color options), these are now available in 6″ x 6″, 6″ x 8″, 8½” x 11″, and 12″ x 12″. Perfect for preserving vacations, weddings, highlights from the football season, or backyard adventures, the Everyday Life™ line is designed to accommodate any occasion or memory!

Heat Transfer Vinyl & Digital Art

You already take pride in filling your scrapbooks with beautiful artwork on the inside, so why not add some flair to their outsides? With our new line of heat transfer vinyl and digital SVG files designed specifically with album covers in mind, you can easily do just that!

After downloading the digital images, cut them out of the heat transfer vinyl using your favorite cutting machine, and then apply them to your album. For a complete list of available heat transfer vinyl colors and digital art designs, click here.

Penmanship with Melissa Esplin

Renowned calligraphy and lettering expert Melissa Esplin joined forces with Close To My Heart to create an easy, step-by-step penmanship program. Penmanship with Melissa Esplin introduces stroke sequences, letter forms, and techniques to improve and develop your personal, individual style. Equipped with exercise worksheets and practice pages, as you see can see above, this program provides the necessary tools to share your stories through your own creative handwriting!

Journaling Pens

Get ready to pour your hearts out with our gorgeous new Close To My Heart journaling pens!

These journaling pens are available in Black and Pewter inks and in .05, .03, and .01 tips. Easily take your handwriting up a notch by simply using the right tool!

TriBlend™ Markers

Color and blend like and expert with our new markers! Inside every TriBlend™ marker is a perfect gradation of colors, from light to dark, delivered through three separate fine bullet nibs. The alcohol-based ink blends seamlessly for mixing or layering colors.

Stickles™ Glitter Gel

Another newcomer to the Close To My Heart line-up are the Stickle™ glitter gels! Available in the ten colors you see here, use these fun gels to add dimension and a bit of sparkle to your projects.

Stamp Shammy

This spongy soft, reusable sheet is just what you need for lint-free stamp cleaning. Just add water and watch the ink come right off your My Acrylix® stamps as you wipe them with a Stamp Shammy. Yes, the photo above is staged to look pretty, but we really did just wipe that stamp clean with the wet Stamp Shammy to the right of it. And, because you can’t really have too much of a good thing, these come in a two-pack. J

New Colors

We’ve added several new colors to our exclusive color palate this week! Our favorite, and Color of the Year, is this beautiful trendy green hue, Julep! Keep a sharp eye out for it throughout the coming year, and you’ll find hints of Julep in a wide variety of our new products. (To see what other fun new colors we have in store, talk to your Consultant or take a look at our exclusive color palette in our Core Products catalog.)

Cricut® Complete Creativity Collection

Our newest Cricut® collection, Complete Creativity, provides you with all the pieces you need to create complete cards and scrapbook pages for a variety of themes and occasions.

This remarkable new collection is available for purchase on Cricut.com, through a special link you can get from your Close To My Heart Consultant. Ask your Consultant for more details about our extensive collection of Cricut® designs!

Rather than unwrapping all of the new goodies here for you this Christmas-like morning, take some time to carefully peruse both of our new catalogs on your own. The few items that we covered today are only just a sampling of the hundreds of new products available now!

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July 16, 2019Celebrate, Community, Create, Memory Keeping

A FREE Scrapbook Pattern for Your Convention Memories

Close To My Heartconvention, free, how-to, Make It From Your Heart, north america, pattern book, Scrapbook Pattern, Share the Joy 5 Comments

We just wrapped up our 2019 North American Convention in Provo, Utah, a few days ago and IT. WAS. A. BLAST! A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who participated and traveled from not just all across the U.S. but from all over the world (Canada, Australia, JAPAN!) to come and see us. What an invigorating opportunity it is for us to get together and feed off of each other’s energy! All of us at the Home Office were so happy to visit with you and get to know so many of you personally, too. We spent days crafting, business planning, building and strengthening relationships, and searching high and low for our sticky friends, Sticky Boy and Sticky Girl. (If you’re not familiar with the Sticky’s and their story, visit them on their Facebook page to join in on the fun!)

To get you going on scrapping all of your new stories and photos from this energizing event, we are sharing a fun, and FREE, downloadable scrapbook pattern, complete with cutting diagrams and all!

Some of you may remember this pattern from its original debut with our Aspen paper packet many years ago. As you can see, our patterns truly are timeless and can be used at any time and for any occasion with the right combination of papers, Complements, and a little ingenuity!

You’ll notice in our example artwork that we replaced pattern pieces B and C with a circle, the large photo on the right page with patterned papers and stamping, and that we included trimmed down die-cuts made using our Multi Circle Windows die (from the Share the Joy Thin Cuts Bundle that is currently on sale). Use the pattern exactly as shown or make a few minor alterations to make it more your own. Either way, you’re sure to have great results.

Now download the pattern below, and enjoy a little scrappin’ time! ❤

Download Pattern

For even more scrapbook patterns, check out our Make It from Your Heart™ collection. If you love the free scrapbook patterns we share on our blog, you’re sure to be blown away by all the patterns in our how-to books!

Recipe:

12″ x 12″ Convention 2014 Layout
C1725 My Acrylix^® Simply Said Stamp Set, D1842 My Acrylix^® Into the Wild—Scrapbooking Stamp Set, CC7192 Seaside Paper Packet, X7247B Into the Wild Paper Packet, X5988 Peach Cardstock, X6015 Pewter Cardstock, X6023 Sweet Leaf Cardstock, X6027 White Daisy Cardstock, Z3637 Vellum Paper, X7247E Picture My Life™ Cards—Into the Wild, Z4189 Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2853 Sweet Leaf Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, CC61912 Share the Joy Thin Cuts Bundle, X7247C Into the Wild—Complements, Z4059 Loose Sequins—Crafty, Z4088 White Alphabet Foam Stickers, Z4242 Watercolor Pencils, Z2446 ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Black Marker, Z1979 Marvy^® Uchida LePen™ Journaling Pen, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Die-cutting Machine

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July 9, 2019Celebrate, Create

Creating Memories by the Seaside

Close To My HeartBring Back My Pack, cardmaking, scrapbooking, Seaside, workshop 69 Comments

Just in time for all of those sun-bleached memories you’re creating, our beloved Seaside collection is back now and through the end of August! With updated colors—including brand new French Vanilla—, a new 12″ x 12″ coordinating sticker sheet, and a new workshop, our timeless Seaside patterns have just the right amount of beachy bliss to capture the feeling of cool ocean breezes and all that this radiant season has to offer!

1. My Acrylix^® Seaside Greetings

This stunning stamp set, with its realistic line designs and versatile sentiments, is not just beautiful but also very easy to use in both scrapbooking and cardmaking. (We’ll show you how we’ve paired it together with the rest of the Seaside collection to make scrapbook pages and cards in the available workshop, below.)

2. Seaside Paper Packet

Here it is! Featuring our exclusive colors, French Vanilla (new!!), Glacier, Lagoon, Raspberry, Smoothie, Sweet Leaf, and Toffee, this dreamy paper packet comes with 6 refreshed patterned paper sheets, 2 each of 3 double-sided designs, and 1 new coordinating sticker sheet! The zip strips are also new (and super cute)! Click on the individual thumbnail images to take a closer look!

(You can get a FREE Seaside paper packet by becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant or hosting a qualifying party in July!)

3. Seaside Coordinating Cardstock

These cardstock colors coordinate perfectly with those in the Seaside paper packet. Each coordinating cardstock pack comes with 12 sheets, three each of French Vanilla, Lagoon, Smoothie, and Toffee; all 12″ x 12″.

4. Seaside Workshop Kit

Paired with this downloadable workshop guide, the materials in this kit come together to create the gorgeous scrapbook layout, pages, and cards you see here:

12″ x 12″ layout:

12″ x 12″ pages:

4¼” x 5½” cards:

Making Memories by the Seaside #ctmh #closetomyheart #ctmhseaside #bringbackmypack #scrapbooking #cardmaking #patterns #workshopguide #beach #vacation #holiday #summer

3″ x 3″ cards:

We love this collection so much that we want everyone to have one of these kits to create this artwork. To help with that effort, we’re giving three of the dreamy Seaside Workshop kits away to three lucky winners! To qualify for an entry to win, first make sure you are subscribed to this blog. Then, leave us a comment below telling us what you love so much about this collection or, if you’ve been with us for a while, let us know what other retired collection you love that you would like to see make its way back. You have until 3 p.m. (MST) tomorrow (Wednesday, July 10) to get your entries in. All winners will be notified via email shortly after that—so keep an eye out, it really can be you who wins!

AND REMEMBER…Seaside is only available for a limited time and only while supplies last! Act fast and get your favorites from this collection before they run out and it goes away for good! GOOD LUCK!

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Close To My Heart Cricut® Collections:

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

ONE FINAL TIP

COMPLETE CREATIVITY

ART PHILOSOPHY

ARTBOOKING

ARTFULLY SENT

ARTISTE

ARTISTRY

CITY SIDEWALKS

FLOWER MARKET

HELLO AU/NZ

HELLO CANADA

HELLO USA

SEASON OF JOY

YOU ARE HERE

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Paper Packet + Sticker Sheets

Custom Cardstock Packs

Scrapbooking Workshop Kits

Everyday Life™ Albums

Heat Transfer Vinyl & Digital Art

Penmanship with Melissa Esplin

Journaling Pens

TriBlend™ Markers

Stickles™ Glitter Gel

Stamp Shammy

New Colors

Cricut® Complete Creativity Collection

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1. My Acrylix® Seaside Greetings

2. Seaside Paper Packet

3. Seaside Coordinating Cardstock

4. Seaside Workshop Kit

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Close To My Heart Cricut^® Collections:

1. My Acrylix^® Seaside Greetings