New CTMH Products are here!

Remember, Stampin' Up purchased these NEW items from Close To My Heart and is offering them to previous CTMH Makers and Customers.  The new products for June can be seen in this digital brochure. They will be available for purchase (along with other new things and specials) on Wednesday, June 5.

The new collection is called Lake Life.  Just like before, the collection includes:  

• a Paper Pack 166336
• the Paper Pack with Sticker Sheet 166335
• Coordinating two-tone Cardstock Pack 166337
• an embellishment:  Lake Life Die-Cuts 166338
• a cardmaking stamp set & thin cuts 166342
• a scrapbooking stamp set & thin cuts 166341
• a scrapbooking workshop kit with instructions (no memory protectors) 166340
• a cardmaking workshop kit (w/ SS & TC) 166343

If you don't have and/or need, the coordinating EI stamp pads and 24 sheet cardstock packs are available while supplies last:

• Acorn
• Pine
• Sage
• Seabrook
• Glacier

There is also a beautiful new Mix In Paper Pack (166344) and coordinating cardstock (166345)!

And finally, if you need MORE, there is Hug in a Mug stamp & thin cuts (166354) which pairs nicely with A Little Positivity stamp (166355).

Click on the SHOP tab above to go directly to my online store.

Comparing SU! and CTMH colors

 Here's the first video I did comparing Stampin' Up! DPS papers to Close To My Heart cardstock.

March Madness!

Apparently, some people think this month is all about an orange ball, but I have better ideas!!  First off, CTMH has given us a STAMPTACULAR special this month.  My Acrylix are 35% off and Stamp + Thin Cut sets are up to 60% off!

In addition to the currently available stamps, there are five new sets created just for this special, and they are also discounted! Even better, when you purchase the bundle of all five sets, you save 50%!

For even more Madness this month, I will be featuring a series of masking tips on my Tuesday Facebook posts so be sure to follow me there!  

If Masking is new to you, check out this video.  Masking is the last technique of the three featured. 

BONUS!!  The stamps featured in this video are all in the Stamptacular Sale!

Z3930 Sweet Fruit Stamp + Thin Cuts is about 25% off.

Z3764 Florals & Flutters Stamp + Thin Cuts is over 40% off.

Z3765 So Happy Together Stamp + Thin Cuts is over 40% off.

 

10 Ways to Save Money on Craft Supplies

1. Join the VIP program.

    Earn 15% credit on your purchases.  Use credit on CTMH products later.

    $35 to join. Get $15 credit instantly.

2. Use VIP referral code.

    Through September, earn an extra $10 credit when you use a referral code to become a VIP.

    Follow the math:  $35 - $15 instant credit - $10 referral code credit means your "cost" is only $10. 

     My code is P7K4G2.

3.  Share you VIP referral code.

    Earn $10 when your friend becomes a VIP.

    You're at the breakeven point after one referral.  $35 - 15 - 10 - 10 = 0

    No limits!!  The second friend puts you ahead $10!

4. Stamp of the Month Program

    With a qualifying $50 order, the SOTM is only $5.  $19.95 - $5 means you save $14.95.

    VIPs get the SOTM free!!  That's a $19.95 value each month!

5. VIP get extra love from me as well as Close To My Heart. They receive a variety of perks such as: exclusive product offerings (did you see the Overstock Sale in August?), discounts, bonus credit (the current referral special), and VIPs can add new catalogs to their orders earlier than other customers!  I make sure all my VIPs get the new catalogs.

6. Join the Club 

My Stamp and Scrap Club was a hostess club. The VIP program replaced our Hostess Rewards program, but Club members still take turns and receive extra goodies from me, like Petite Perks. These exclusive stamps are not available for purchase.  They are M size stamps. Club Members get notice of Flash Sales first.  Club Members place a minimum order of $25 each month.

7. Club Members get an extra $10 to spend when it's their turn to be "hostess."

8. Club Members get a 50% off item when it's their turn to be "hostess."

    This can be almost any product CTMH offers. Take a closer look at the bundles in the Core Catalog...

    How would you like 50% off all the Glitter Paper colors?!

9. Bundle and Save

Have you noticed that CTMH loves to bundle the specials and discount them?!  For instance, the Celebrating You Cardmaking Workshop Kit has a retail value of $64.84 but is only $50.95 as a bundle. Plus, you're getting what you need to make the project - 12 card bases, so you don't need to buy a package of 50.

10.  Flash Sales 

Shop the short term sales for great deals on current and retired product.  Last year the be kind Wreath kit was included in a Flash Sale for $16.95, saving $8 from it's retail $24.95 price. The Jeepers Creepers Washi tape was only $1.50 instead of $3.95.  I use Washi all the time with my die cuts, so the color/pattern wouldn't even matter, plus there are two rolls making them $0.75 each!!  There's also a Clearance Section on my website.

JUST ANNOUNCED:  Flash Sale Friday, September 2 @ 3 pm MST to Monday, September 5 @ 11:59 pm MST!!

Okay class, back to our math...

Cathy Crafty decided to order the Celebrating You Cardmaking Workshop Kit that's on special right now.  In August, she went to the website of her fabulous Close To My Heart Maker (that's me 😁) and used the referral code P7K4G2 to become a VIP.  She also joined Tamara's Stamp and Scrap Club. 

Cathy paid $35 for VIP and received a $15 credit plus $10 more for using the referral code, total $25 in her VIP Bank.

She ordered the kit for $50.95 ($13.89 discount for the bundle) which qualified her to get the August SOTM Teach, Love, Inspire for free ($19.95 savings). This purchase was also her August Club Order and Cathy earned $7.64 in VIP credit.

Cathy's VIP bank = $25 + $7.64 = $32.64 and she's saved $32.84.

When Cathy told her friend Sally Stamper about the VIP program, Sally used Cathy's referral code to sign up as a VIP and also joined the club. Both Sally and Cathy get $10 VIP credit.

For September's club order, Cathy orders the Crisp Air Cardmaking Workshop Kit, and two TriBlend Markers.  This qualifies her for the SOTM again (Enjoy these Moments)!  She also uses $25 of her VIP bank to pay only $30.95 before tax and shipping.  $4.64 is added to her VIP Bank.

Cathy's VIP bank =  $32.64 + $10 = $42.64 - $25 = $17.64 + $4.64 = $22.28

The new October-December catalog arrives with Cathy's club order shipment! 

In October Cathy is club hostess. She purchases a M-size "Happy Holidays" stamp, VersaMark Ink Pad, Anti-Static Pouch, Gold Embossing Powder = $29.80 ($4.47 VIP credit earned). She applies the extra $10 to the embossing ink pens and gets the Heat Tool at 50% off. 

An adorable new Petite Perk, M size stamp comes with her order!!

Cathy has saved over 30% on her CTMH products!!

Project Ideas for National Scrapbooking Day Event

Join me on Saturday, May 7 to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day! If you select the All-Day crop option and are ISO a project (or two or three), I have suggestions!!

Here are links to the products/projects in the video:

• Best Friends Furever Cut Above (6" x 8") Kit 
  

  Happiest Place (8.5" x 11") mini album kit 

  

• Moments Like These 

• This kit makes 13, single page 12" x 12" pages. 

  Add the Base Calendar if desired. 

  

  Remember Today 

   This kit makes 13, single page 12" x 12" pages. 

  Add the Base Calendar if desired.

  
• Scrapbooking Starter Kit 

  

  
  
• Cardmaking Starter Kit 

  

  
  
• Make It From Your Heart subscription 

• Scrapbooking

• Cardmaking

  

   

   Other options:

• Any/All of the official NSDay project kits.

• Any currently available Card or Scrapbooking Workshop Kits (GXXXX). Shop early for best selection!

•  Exclusive VIP Highlights kit.

• April Album Retreat (order by April 2)

• any Story by Stacy mini album kit

• Home Sweet Home frame kit

• More ideas coming!

Stunning Stencils - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

 Whether you arrived from CatScrapbooking or just stumbled upon us, WELCOME to TheScrapBuzz blog and this month's Technique Hop. We are using stencils for February; there are several new ones in the Core Catalog.  Follow the links to hop from blog to blog for techniques, tips, and artwork!

 

If you get lost, find broken links or have other issues, you can find a list of all this month's participants on Melissa's page. We have over a dozen CTMH Makers participating this time!  Be sure you are commenting so they know you appreciate their efforts and continue to share their projects!

I spend several days of quality time with one of three new Card Front Stencils, Pack #3.

Did you see this post on the Make It From Your Heart blog? I was having trouble with the diagonal stencil until I watched this video from that post. One thing I'll suggest is when you are sponging with our Exclusive Inks, is to use the corners of the stamp pad.  We usually ink stamps in the middle of the pad. Whenever I use small stamps, or sponges, I try to use the corners. As you'll see in Karen's video, press the sponge into the pad to absorb in, then pounce the sponge when the stencil wants to "wiggle."

I made my own background paper with the diagonal lines then featured it with Pattern #18, from Volume #4 of Make It From Your Heart.

In between the lines, I stamped the little bee from the Sweet As Honey - Cardmaking stamp set.  

If, after completing this hop, you can decide which stencils to add to your crafting arsenal, ask your maker about bundles and how you can get them half-price. If you don't have a Maker, I would be happy to assist you!

After you leave a comment, hop over to see what Wendy has created this time. Thank you for stopping by!

Products Used:

Card Front Stencils #3

Cardstock:  Black, Shortbread, Sundance, Mink

Stitched Rectangles Thin Cuts

Die-cutting & Embossing Machine

Exclusive Inks: Black, Sundance

Round Sponge

Sweet as Honey paper pack

Mix In paper pack

Stamp Set:  Sweet as Honey - Cardmaking

Thin 3-D Foam Tape

Cork Shapes

Let's Get Geometrical - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Whether you arrived from Danielle's page or just stumbled upon us, WELCOME to TheScrapBuzz blog and this month's Technique Hop. For January, we are focusing on Geometric Shapes/Patterns.  Follow the links to hop from blog to blog for techniques, tips, and artwork!

 

If you get lost, find broken links or have other issues, you can find a list of all this month's participants on Melissa's page. Our group is larger this month - how exciting!!  Be sure your are commenting so the Makers know you appreciate their efforts and continue to share their projects!

I was uploading digital images to my Cricut account recently, including Geometric Circle, and thought it would perfect for our theme.

I used a pattern called Circle Collection from one of our retired How To books called Wishes. It's also similar to this card from the current seasonal catalog.

 

The circle shape reminded me of one of the the Candid Moments papers, so I used that collection for my color palette and the patterned paper. It was hard to decide if I wanted to feature the triangle or circle on my project.

I used an extra image as a stencil and sponged onto the 5x7 card front with matching Carolina ink.

The circle made me think of shakers so I pulled out the Happy Birthday die. I was surprised that the orange Bitty Beads coordinated with the peach and papaya!  They look like sundance in my picture.

And now for some sad news:  While working on this card I discovered one of the Thin Cuts from my Party Gnomes set is missing. I know I had it several months ago. I looked for a while but it wasn't anywhere obvious. Perhaps it will show up on the bottom of an ink pad or in a pack of cardstock someday. I hope it didn't get tossed with paper scraps!!

Make sure this tragedy doesn't happen to you!!  Always put your Thin Cuts back onto the magnetic sheet (included with all Thin Cuts). I usually do, so I'm not sure what could have happened, other than the gift is smaller that the other shapes.  Another tip was shared by a Maker back when we carried chalk markers, but it works with White Gel Pens too!  (We featured the pens in our hop last month.)  Simply trace around your dies so you know they're all there when you put them away.  Be sure to let the ink dry before you move your shapes. I found the 0.8 size (medium) worked best for me.

While fussy cutting the gifts, I realized I could easily make a present with the bow on a horizontal box by using a sticky note to Pick-and-Omit the stamp image.

This is the first time I used any of my Precious Metals Metallic Markers. I colored the fork and belt buckle, then added a little stitching here and there. These are definitely something I need to play with in the future!

Please scroll down and leave a comment then hop over to see what Maz has to share this month!

PRODUCTS USED

Party Gnomes

Spectrum Noir TriBlend Marker Colors:  Fair Skin, Coral, True Blue, Brown Grey, Red Brown, Gold Yellow

Precious Metals Metallic Markers

Candid Moments Paper Pack

Happy Birthday Shaker

Circle Shaker Window Foam & Acetate

3-D Foam Tape

Bright Bitty Beads

Geometric Circle Digital Art

Cardstock Colors:  Carolina, Sapphire, Sundance, Papaya

Ink:  Carolina, Intense Black, Sapphire, Peach

Sponge