Quick Organizing Tip For Embossing Folders

When I got my CTMH Consultant Kit last year it included 3x3 cardstock samples on a ring. 

I use them all the time when choosing colours for my projects and keep the ring on my desk.  

I have a bunch of Embossing Folders but I find I'm not using them very often since I have them put away in my storage cubes.  

Out of site - Out of mind.  So I decided to do something similar and embossed 3x3 scraps of cardstock.    

I wrote on each one (so I know where I got it from), 

hole punched the corner and put them all on a ring. 

It is small enough to keep on my desk with my paper swatches

 and I can easily grab it to bring along if I'm out shopping and I don't need to worry about accidentally buying duplicates. 

I love the style of the CTMH Embossing Folders - they are the only ones that I am able to emboss larger than the plastic folder.  

They have an open section on the top so once you have embossed part of your cardstock you can slide it through the top, match up the pattern and finish embossing the rest of the piece.  Great if you want to use on scrapbook pages.  

Each folder is 5x7 instead of the usual A2 size. 

In Canada? You can purchase the products on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109. 

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

Cricut's August Mystery Box is here!

Cricut's August Mystery Box is here!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Add some mystery to your life and take advantage of Cricut's August Mystery Box! You'll get 4 premium cartridges and other mysterious things any crafter will enjoy for only $39.99 (valued at $136.94)! The contents in the box may be a mystery, but the savings sure aren't! Don’t wait, supplies are limited, so buy now at Cricut.com! 

Plus, you'll get free shipping when you use code AUGSHIP between 7/29 - 8/19.

(Use Code JULYSHIP for orders placed on 7/28)

Cricut Classically Modern - We Go Together Card

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

I dug deep into my paper stash today to make this card using my Cricut Classically Modern Cards cartridge.

I love the tandem bike - it reminds me of when I was about 11 or 12 years old and a friend of mine had a tandem bike and we would ride it around our neighbourhood.  Great memories!

I used Stampin' Up Razzleberry Lemonade patterned paper with co-ordinating Crushed Curry and Pumpkin Pie cardstock.  I embellished it with CTMH Bitty Sparkles and CTMH Pixie Extra-Thick Twine.  I love being able to mix and match my new products with the ones that I bought years ago. 

Here is the card with the matching envelope.  It is so fast to make with Cricut Design Space.  I just sized my card to what I wanted and everything else was sized just right too. 

Disney Frozen Cartridge Now Available at Cricut

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Disney Frozen Cartridge is now available for purchase at Cricut for just $24.99.

Machine Bundles with the Frozen cartridge start at $229.99 for the Explore One Frozen Starter Set or $289.99 for the Explore Air Frozen Starter Set 

Get Free Shipping with the Code JULYSHIP (or JULYXMAS) and take advantage of Cricut's Christmas In July Sale - which ends Tonight (07/21)!  All images/cartridges - almost every item in the Cricut Online Store is included in the Christmas in July Sale (I could only see a few things that weren't included)!

Close To My Heart Items on Retiring List

 Six more weeks until the new Idea Books are released by Close To My Heart.

There are a lot of items in the current Idea Book being retired,  I have created a document listing the stamp sets that retire as of August 31 & November 30.  Take a look so you don't miss out on a favourite set, items are available while quantities last.

Retiring Stamp Set List - if you place an order by July 31 with $25 or more in stamp sets you can get the July Stamp of the Month for FREE or any Hostess Set for $5 without Hostessing a Gathering

You can also view all the paper packs and accessories that are retiring on my Close To My Heart website.

Christmas In July at Cricut!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Make some eggnog and hang some lights because it's Christmas in July at Cricut! In addition to great sales on Cricut Explore machines and digital items, it'll make you very merry to know that Cricut is also re-releasing retired cartridges in limited quantities, including: Songbird, Very Merry Tags, Christmas Cards, Dinosaur Tracks and 50 States. 

They are also offering an extra $10 off Cricut Explore Air Everything Set with code EVERYTHING10 and an extra 20% off any digital item with code 20DIGIT15.

Take advantage of this huge sale today and have all your crafting projects ready to go in time for the winter holidays! Plus, you'll get free shipping with the code JULYSHIP!

Happy crafting! 

Studio J Flash Sale - CTMH Online Digital Scrapbooking Software

Close To My Heart is having a sale on layouts ordered through Studio J until the end of the month.

$5.95 plus tax and s&h for each two page layout.

Create your layouts within the program or import layouts that you've made in other digital scrapbook programs.

You can also fill the 12x12 pages with odd sized photos that you want to use in your traditional layouts or pocket scrapbooking.

The software is free to use - pay when you are ready to order.  

Flat rate shipping - the more layouts you do the better your price per page is.   

Visit my Close To My Heart Website to try it today!

Cricut Make It Now Projects in Design Space

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Now that you’re more familiar with Cricut Explore One™, Cricut Explore Air™ and Cricut Design Space™, it’s time to chat about some of the really neat things you can create when you put it all together. 

As you’re getting familiar with your Cricut machine, it’s a great idea to take advantage of the free Make it Now™ projects and images that you get with Cricut Design Space™. 

For example, check out this adorable 3D Hot Air Balloons Mobile. It’s a fun, easy starter project and makes for the perfect baby shower or toddler’s birthday gift (and can you believe it's made with felt?). And what’s a gift without a card? Cricut has an incredible selection of card examples made with Cricut Explore machines. There’s even a whole selection dedicated to everything baby, which is where I came across this cute baby shower card. 

Birthday

What better way to tell someone how special they are than with a hand/Cricut-made card and gift? This super fun shaker card is perfect for a 21+ birthday. And even if you purchase a gift, you can always use your Cricut Explore machine to personalize it. For example, if you bought a friend a purse or a wallet, you could use your machine to monogram it with their initials. Or if you bought them a plain shirt or sweater, you could customize it with a fun image or statement. 

I love this sparkly pineapple t-shirt. All you need is a blank shirt, a roll of Cricut Iron-on, and images from the Cricut® Summer Love image set. 

Pool Party

Soak up the summer fun with a pool party! You can use your Cricut Explore to create everything from invitations to decorations. Here are some really creative ideas for how to add some special splash to a pool party. 

Engagement/Wedding

Make your own beautiful table decorations, banners, party favor boxes, cards, and more for the happy couple in just a few minutes! You’ll find some really impressive ideas in Cricut’s Design Space, such as this lovely Mr. & Mrs. card. 

There are an unbelievable number of project examples in the Design Space, which are categorized by type (e.g. baby, holidays, home décor, school, food, etc.) and by level (easy, moderate, and advanced). You can also find a ton of great ideas for projects on Cricut's Blog and Pinterest page. 

The summer season is a perfect time to get your very own Cricut machine and familiarize yourself with Design Space and all the incredible projects you can create. Try out a few projects each month and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is. By the time the holiday season rolls around, you’ll be a Cricut pro and will wow your friends and family with your stunning crafting skills! 

Happy crafting! 

New Cricut Boy Scouts Cartridge

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Be Prepared®…for Boy Scouts™ Digital Set

Be prepared with outstanding Boy Scout™ projects—decorations for activities and events , memory keepers, invitations, custom t-shirts and more—when you use the emblems, badges, phrases, and symbols of this cartridge. 

Whether you’re hosting a Boy Scout™ event, tracking progress toward achievements, or creating a troop scrapbook, you’ll find everything you need in this cartridge. 

Includes images for Eagle Scout® activities.

• Use with all Cricut® electronic cutting machines
• Contains:
  • 15 official Boy Scout™ images
  • 10 phrases
  • 45 scout-themed images
  • 30 party-themed projects including invitations, centerpieces, banners, rosettes, cupcake wrappers and more
• Licensed images from Boy Scouts of America®
• Ideal for Boy Scout™ activities, events, posters, decorations, scrapbooking and more

As this cartridge is a licensed product it will not be included in the Cricut Image Library Subscription.   Currently available as a digital download from on the Cricut website. 

July Mystery Box Contents Have Been Changed.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Cricut has announced that there are new contents available in the July Mystery Box.

One of the original items in the Mystery Box is now out of stock so they have replaced it with a mysterious substitute item.




The Mystery Box is $29.99 and contains over $100.00 worth of Cricut items, including three Cartridges.

CTMH Paper Bird Hostess Set with Blossom Paper Pack

Here's another card using the scraps from my CTMH Blossom WOTG Cardmaking Kit - That's 18 cards I've made now and I still have some scraps left.  I should be able to get a few more out of it.

My card design is from CTMH Make It From Your Heart Volume 2 - Pattern 20

I used the Butterfly and "so nice of you" stamps from the CTMH Paper Bird Hostess Stamp set from the Seasonal Expressions 2 catalogue.  This exclusive hostess stamp set is available for $5 this month only to all customers who place an order of $25 or more of My Acrylix stamps (or you can get the Stamp of the Month for FREE).

I stamped the Butterfly in CTMH Smoothie Exclusive Ink and popped it up with foam tape.

I used my CTMH Edge Distresser along the sides of the piece of Lagoon cardstock.  Close To My Hearts White Core cardstock is perfect for distressing or inking.

The floral background and striped piece are both leftover from the Blossom WOTG. I used my CTMH Corner Rounder to round out the two opposite corners of the floral piece.

The card front is Glacier cardstock with a layer of Kraft cardstock over that.   I stamped my sentiment on a scrap of Kraft cardstock and trimmed the ends.  I cut a very thin strip of foam tape and popped it up from the Lagoon piece.

I embellished the card with CTMH Coral Reef Sequins and CTMH Black Sparkle Flourish.

Close To My Heart Products Used:

CTMH Make It From Your Heart Volume 2

CTMH Bird Hostess Set

CTMH BlossomWOTG Cardmaking Kit

CTMH Kraft Cardstock

CTMH Lagoon Cardstock

CTMH Glacier Cardstock

CTMH White Daisy Cardstock

CTMH Smoothie Exclusive Ink

CTMH Lagoon Exclusive Ink

CTMH Coral Reef Sequins 

CTMH Black Sparkle Flourish

CTMH Edge Distresser

CTMH Corner Rounder

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109. 

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

Close To My Heart's Mission Statement Video - This Is What It's All About!

I joined Close To My Heart last year in April, right after buying my first Cricut machine.  I was researching cartridges for scrapbooking and I kept finding all these posts using CTMH Cricut cartridges.  I decided to purchase one and when I went on their website I found a promotion for a free cartridge with all new Consultant kits that month.

So I figured, sure, why not.  I had previously been a Stampin' Up demonstrator to get a discount on my personal purchases and had been a Watkins Consultant for about 16 years before that.  I was familiar with how direct sales worked and getting some new products in the Consultant kit was a nice bonus.

When the kit finally arrived I was blown away.  The products were better than what I was expecting.  I knew they would be top-quality, but it was the How-To books that were included that really impressed me.  And as I went through the Consultant manuals and training programs I knew that I had found a company who's values matched mine.

I'm happy to be able to say that I have completed more scrapbooking since I joined CTMH than probably any other previous year.   I am enjoying the artistic side of papercrafting and love being able to create something that my family can cherish for years to come.

I'm glad to have been able to share my story and CTMH Mission Statement with you.

For more information about Close To My Heart visit my website at:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

CTMH Artbooking Soccer Team Layout

I love how easy it is to create layouts with the CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  

You can choose from pre-made layouts or create your own with over 700 images to pick from including a font.   

For my son's first year of soccer I decided to use the pre-made Teamwork Layout from page 83 of the Artbooking handbook.

Using Cricut Design Space I was able to add the entire layout with just one click.  All the layout images are group together just like the image to the left in the handbook.  I just entered the suggested height of 11" and the whole layout was sized to fit on a 12x12 double page spread. 

I sponged the edges of my CTMH White Daisy & CTMH Crystal Blue cardstock 

with CTMH Pacifica pigment ink.  

Then I measured in 1/2" and marked it with post-it notes so my 11x11 overlay would be evenly spaced out.

Close up of the Pacifica Pigment Ink sponged area. 

I played around with the different pieces that were part of the ready-made layout and added in a Soccer title that is one of the extras in the Sports section of the Artbooking cartridge.  I chose to use mainly primary colours in this layout to go with the Leagues yellow & blue uniform colours.

Without doing too much cropping I was able to use the 3-1/2x5 photo on the pre-sized tag and cropped down a picture from one of his games that wasn't a great picture to begin with but I really wanted to include since we didn't take a lot of pictures at the games.

I popped up the photo mats and title pieces using CTMH foam tape for dimension.  It's hard to see in the pictures but it helps define it by having it up above the overlay pieces. 

CTMH Products Used:

CTMH Artbooking Cricut Collection

CTMH White Daisy Cardstock

CTMH Pacifica Cardstock

CTMH Honey Cardstock

CTMH Cranberry Cardstock

CTMH Black Cardstock

CTMH Pacifica Pigment Ink

CTMH Foam Tape

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109. 

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

CTMH Cricut Artfully Sent: Rest, Relax, Repeat Card

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Just one week until CTMH Consultants are able to pre-order the new CTMH Cricut Cartridge!
It will be revealed at this week's Convention - until then it is a secret!  I can't wait to see what it will be!

While I'm waiting for the new cartridge I will be playing with the four CTMH cartridges that I already own.

Here is today's Cricut project featuring a card from the CTMH Artfully Sent Cartridge that was released last fall.

I designed this card using the new Cricut Design Space App for iPhone. 

I was able to use the weld feature to cut out extra images of the stem and flower without wasting a bunch of paper cutting the entire card base of the card.   I took the leftover raindrops that were cut out of the patterned paper and added some glitter and glued them over some of the Crystal Blue drops.

CTMH Products Used:

CTMH Artfully Sent Cricut Collection

CTMH Crystal Blue Cardstock

CTMH Juniper Cardstock

CTMH Hollyhock Cardstock

CTMH Bitty Sparkles

From My Stash:

Raindrop Patterned Paper by Pink Paislee "Hello Sunshine" Paper Pack

Glitter

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109. 

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

Cricut July Mystery Box Is Available To Order

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

The July Mystery Box is finally here - get yours while supplies last.  

This month's box includes three premium holiday cartridges to celebrate Christmas in July, as well as some other "mysterious" items. Just $29.99 - valued at $111.45.

And you get free standard shipping with code JULYSHIP

SSC104 Treats of Friendship Coffee Stain Card

I just can't get enough of the CTMH Treats of Friendship Stamp Set.

I've had an idea "brewing" in the back of my mind for a while now and when I came across this challenge over at Sunday Stamps I knew it was the right design for my Coffee Stain Card.

I had already done up a bunch of the background papers last month using Rubbing Alcohol & CTMH Desert Sand Re-inkers.  It was really easy to do but a little messy but I managed to contain it by putting my cardstock in the bottom of one of my empty CTMH order boxes then do my stamping and paint brush splatters.

I used Kraft Cardstock as my base.  Then I inked the edges of my background piece with Desert Sand Ink.  I added a strip of Bronze Shimmer Trim with a piece of Glacier Extra-Thick Twine above it with a knot of Twine to the right. 

I stamped two of the coffee cup image and fussy cut the lid and label off of the White Daisy piece after colouring with ShinHan Clay & Mahogany Markers and glued it onto a piece of Jackson patterned paper.   The donut was stamped on Kraft cardstock and Blossom patterned paper.  I coloured the sprinkles and added glitter to the Blossom piece then attached it the Kraft donut.   The sentiment also comes from the Treats of Friendship Stamp Set and I stamped it in Black Ink onto a piece of Colonial White Cardstock that I had sponged with Desert Sand Ink around the edges. 

Close To My Heart Products Used:

CTMH Treats of Friendship Stamp Set

CTMH Kraft Cardstock

CTMH Colonial White Cardstock

CTMH Jackson Patterned Paper

CTMH Blossom Patterned Paper (currently on backorder)

CTMH Black Exclusive Ink

CTMH Desert Sand ReInker

ShinHan Clay Marker

ShinHan Mahogany Marker

ShinHan Cerulean Light Blue Marker

ShinHan Tender Pink Marker

CTMH Bronze Shimmer Trim

CTMH Glacier Extra-Thick Twine

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109. 

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

July Card Class with Blossom Paper Pack and Treats of Friendship Stamp Set.

Here's another project for this months card class using the adorable Treats of Friendship stamp set with CTMH Blossom Paper Pack.

This paper pack is lovely and there are so many different colours in it that I had a hard time choosing which colour to use for my mat.  They all looked fabulous but I went with the Pear cardstock.  I coloured the Tea Cup with my ShinHan markers and blended two of the colours together to get a colour that was closer to the Sunset colour on the background flowers.  Then I added a bit of glitter and embellished the card with White Shimmer Trim.  I also did a bit of sponging on the Glacier card base and on the three outer edges of the floral piece. 

Close To My Heart products used:

Glacier cardstock

Pear cardstock

White Daisy cardstock

Blossom Paper Pack (on backorder until July 10th)
Treats of Friendship Stamp Set

Glacier Exclusive Inks

Black Exclusive Inks

White Shimmer Trim

ShinHan Cerulean Light Blue Marker

ShinHan Clay Marker

ShinHan Light Orange Marker

ShinHan Tender Pink Marker

Make It From Your Heart How-To Program

Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109.  

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

July Card Class K-cup Holder with CTMH Treats of Friendship

Here is one of the projects for this months Card Class.

We will be making a card and a 3-D item this month using the CTMH Treats of Friendship Stamp Set.

The 3-D item this month is a cute K-Cup Holder.  

Class fee is $10 - payable at time of registration.  

See my Gatherings & Workshop Page for more details.

CTMH Products Used:

CTMH Kraft Cardstock

CTMH Colonial White Cardstock

CTMH Jackson Patterned Paper

CTMH Black Exclusive Ink

CTMH Desert Sand Re-Inker

CTMH Glacier Extra-Thick Twine

CTMH Bronze Shimmer Trim

ShinHan Clay Marker

ShinHan Mahogany Marker

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

by signing up for my Monthly Newsletter.  Link in right hand column. 

In Canada? You can purchase the products to make this item on my CTMH website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business or join as a Hobby Consultant 

and receive approx. $400 worth of product for just $109.  

Contact me for more information: nshelmer@icloud.com

Cricut Design Space and New iPhone App!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

If you read last week’s post, you now know why Cricut’s Explore One™ and Explore Air™ machines are so incredible – and a must-have for any crafter. 

But what bridges the gap between the creative ideas in your head and the Cricut machine is the Cricut Design Space™. 

Cricut’s Design Space™ is software for PC, Mac®, iPhone® and iPad® that you get for free with your Cricut machine of choice. 

Instead of trying to figure out how to make your project, Design Space gives you the ability to focus on what you want to make. Your Cricut machine takes it from there and brings it to life. 

With Design Space, you can start designing from scratch on your computer, iPhone® or iPad®, or you can use a pre-designed, Make It Now™ project. These ready-to-make projects are created by professional artists and include everything from home décor to fashion to paper crafting, and even a variety of FREE projects. 

If you want to use one of Cricut’s 50K+ images, you can try them out in the Design Space to see which will look best in your project before you commit to purchasing it. 

Uploading Images 

When you’re ready to start designing, you can either use one of Cricut’s 50K+ images or easily upload your own using the “Upload Images” tool in Design Space. You can upload and cut .svg, .jpg, .png, .bmp, .gif, and .dxf files absolutely FREE. You can even use fonts already installed on your computer. 

Cut What You Want® tool 

The Design Space’s Cut What You Want® tool makes it easy to convert your design into a cuttable image in just a few clicks! 

The Cricut Design Space™ app for iPad® and iPhone® 

Cricut’s easy-to-use app for the iPad® and iPhone® makes it possible for you can design anytime and anywhere inspiration strikes you.

It also allows you to access all the project’s that you’ve personally designed, whether on your iOs device or your PC or Mac, and gives you access to all the Make-it-Now projects. 

With this app, you can start a project while at the beach, enhance it at the ice-cream shop, add some embellishments while cozying up on your couch, and then cut it on the Cricut Explore in your craft room. Plus, it’s cloud-based, so your projects are always synced across all your devices. 

P.S. Cricut is working on an Android™ app right now, so don’t feel left out if you don’t have an iPad or iPhone. 

In a nutshell, Cricut Design Space™ gives you the creative freedom to design just about anything! Make party invitations, decorations, and favors. Create seasonal home décor or personalize wedding gifts. Add embellishments to your favorite photo memories. 

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! That’s why next week’s post (the last on in this series) will focus on some really fun and interesting projects that people have created using their Cricut machine and the Cricut Design Space. 

Stay tuned!