New for June: Creative Memories Adventure Collection

I'm really starting to like Mondays - that's the day that the new Creative Memories products are released (at least once a month)

New for June:

The Adventure Collection - camping, nature and outdoors themed products, including a beautiful coverset with a coppery-foil tree silhouette on chocolate bookcloth.

Coordinating sticker, paper, and mat packs are also available along with the new Outdoor Adventure Quartet Punch.

The Adventure Collection is also available in digital format for use with your favourite scrapbook or die cutting software.

If you prefer pocket scrapbooking there is also a Father's Day Outdoor Adventure Bundle available for a limited time.  The bundle includes a one-of-a-kind 11x14 Pocket Album featuring beautiful foiled wild animals, the Adventure Mat Pack and a Brown Dual-Tip Pen for $65. Available through June 23, 3 pm CT

In addition to the Adventure Collection, Creative Memories also added a new Border Maker Cartridge and two new solid cardstock colours,  Orange and Goldenrod.  

Here's a complete list of the current Border Maker Cartridges:

Order early to avoid disappointment.  The one thing I've noticed is that Creative Memories is really good at cycling through inventory to prepare for the new items released each month.  

See all the new items in the What's New Section on my Creative Memories website

Check the Going, Gone section to see the current list of items that will be unavailable once they sell out.

CTMH Featured Paper Pack: Sugar Rush Card Set

Each month CTMH highlights a paper pack from the current Idea Book.  

This month the featured pack is Sugar Rush, an adorable paper pack full of sugary goodness.   

Today's Artwork can be found on page 14 of the new Seasonal Expressions Idea Book

Supplies:

4¼" × 5½" Happy Birthday Card (Horizontal)

•  C1671 My Acrylix® Sugar Rush—Cardmaking Stamp Set 
• X7215B Sugar Rush Paper Packet 
• 1385 White Daisy Cardstock 
• Z2872 Whisper Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad 
• X7215C Sugar Rush Complements 
• Z3310 Sugar Rush Dots 
• Z3311 Sugar Rush Washi Pack

4¼" × 5½" Sweet Life Card (Vertical)

• X7215B Sugar Rush Paper Packet
• 1385 White Daisy Cardstock
• X7215C Sugar Rush Complements
• Z3310 Sugar Rush Dots
• Z3311 Sugar Rush Washi Pack

Butterfly Cards Using Distress Inks

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


I took a class at a local scrapbook store this week and learned how to use Distress Ink.  I've seen them around for years but didn't know what the difference was between this and regular dye based ink.

I was curious and loved the preview pictures for the class so I decided it give it a try - I'm so glad I did because I absolutely loved it.   So much that I placed an order through Scrapbook.com yesterday for a few of the mini kits and some stencils that were on sale.

Here are the finished cards that we made in class using different techniques including blending, dry embossing, heat embossing and stenciling:

I added a bit of shimmer to the butterfly wings after I got home using the new 

CTMH Shimmer Brush - I love that extra bit of sparkle. 

Inks Used:

Dusty Concord

Faded Jeans

Hickory Smoke

Peacock Feathers

Shaded Lilac

Tumbled Glass

Happy Times Card for May Gathering

One of the card projects I'm putting together for a Gathering next week, using the Happy Times paper pack and stamp set available this month only for National Scrapbook Month. 

Card pattern is from CTMH Wishes How-to Book, Page 40.   I used CTMH Pomegranate Exclusive Ink on the flowers,  full colour on the outer flower and I used the second generation technique to get the lighter flower in the background.  I just stamped it on a scrap piece of paper to get off most of the ink then stamped onto my cardstock leaving a very soft, pretty colour for my card.  I stamped the White Daisy cardstock with a small flower and stem using Canary and Fern Inks, then used second generation stamping for a couple of leaves on the background piece.  I also used Fern Ink to stamp the fussy cut leaves for my larger flower.  I stamped the sentiment and then lightly sponged the edge of the cardstock with Pomegranate Ink.   I cut two small pieces of ribbon and knotted them before attaching to the corner of the White Daisy cardstock.  

Close To My Heart Products Used:

Happy Times Paper Packet

Happy Times Stamp Set

White Daisy Cardstock

Pomegranate Cardstock

Pomegranate Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad

Canary Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad

Fern Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad

White & Gold Ribbon

Gold Sequins

Gold Bling Gems

Sponge

Wishes™ Card Pattern How-To Book

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

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business for just $95. 

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

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

This Week Only at Cricut: $9.99 Cartridges & 30% Off Valentine's Day

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

Free Shipping on all orders of $50+.
Enter JANUARYSHIP at checkout.

$9.99 Cartridge Sale
Save on select titles through 1/26

30% Off Valentine's Day Cartridges
Show your love with DIY cards, party decor and more

Cricut Explore Air Bundles
Save on the ultimate DIY cutting machine and all the essentials

Stock Up and Save
Save on supply bulk sets

The Best Value & Variety
For $9.99/month, get unlimited access to over 30 000 images, projects, and fonts

Free Cut of the Week: Elegant Edges

CTMH Live Workshop Starts in 15 Minutes!

Don't miss out on the first day of the Free Online Workshops that Close To My Heart is holding at CreativeLive.   Watch live today and tomorrow starting at 9 am PST.  

Don't miss out on some fabulous scrapbooking and papercrafting classes - Join Now

CTMH Workshops On The Go White Pines Cardmaking Kit

This year's Cardmaking Workshops On The Go Kit from Close To My Heart features White Pines Patterned Cardstock (2 sheets), a full sized stamp set exclusive to the kit ($21.25 value), 5 sheets of regular cardstock, 15 cards with envelopes, a package of Bitty Sparkles & Fern Thick Twine for $29.75

I followed the cutting guide included in the Workshop and was able to do all my patterned cuts on one of the sheets of White Pines cardstock instead of the two included in the package.

The kit includes a cutting guide for 15 cards - 5 each of 3 designs.

I used my CTMH Woodgrain embossing folder on the Cranberry cardstock to give the background of this card a little more texture.  My CTMH mini stapler came in handy when attaching the Fern Thick Twine to my cardstock.  

I substituted Champagne Exclusive Ink for the Cashmere Exclusive Ink that is suggested in the guide. I had planned on ordering it last summer when I stocked up but apparently I missed that colour.   I did a comparison with my Cashmere Pigment Ink and there wasn't a huge difference so I used the Champagne Ink which is a dye-based ink and dries faster.  

I love these Christmas Tree Stamps - you stamp the outline of the tree first then fill it in with the matching solid tree stamp.  

This card also called for CTMH Cashmere Ink for the tree trunk but I used CTMH Desert Sand instead.  

Close To My Heart Products Used:

Workshops On The Go White Pines Cardmaking Kit

CTMH Black Exclusive Ink

CTMH Cranberry Exclusive Ink

CTMH Desert Sand Exclusive Ink**  

CTMH Champagne Exclusive Ink**

CTMH Fern Exclusive Ink

CTMH Mini Stapler 

CTMH Woodgrain Embossing Folder

**instruction booklet lists CTMH Cashmere Exclusive Ink in supply list

Local White Pines Cardmaking Worshop will be held on November 22.

Kits must be ordered by November 6th.  Full details on my Gatherings and Workshops Page. 

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

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business for just $149. 

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

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

CTMH September Stamp of the Month with CTMH Watercolour Paints

Trying out my new CTMH Watercolour Paints with the September Stamp of the Month - Paper Garden.

I stamped the backgrounds with CTMH Whisper Ink then went over them with the Watercolours, blending and adding in different shades until I got the look I wanted. 

I also tried out a couple of backgrounds.  I wet the watercolour paper first then added my colours and let them bleed together, then went over them with a clean wet brush and blended the colours out to the edge.   It was a lot of fun,  I've never really used watercolours, so I was happy to just experiment and see how they worked.  

I haven't been able to get back to the craftroom to finish my cards due to a shoulder injury.  

I'll be adding sentiments from the Hello, Life stamp sets and some embellishments and will post my finished cards in a future blog post. 

The CTMH Stamp of the Month - Paper Garden is available until September 30, 2015

 for $21.25 or just $6 with your qualifying purchase of $50

Also available this month only, for National Stamping Month - Hello, Life. 

Available for $16.50 each or get the bundle for $41.50

Each set is designed for different types of papercrafting, and coordinate with each other for endless possibilities.  

They also co-ordinate with cuts on the new CTMH Artistry Cricut Cartridge.

Pocket Scrapbooking Set

Cardmaking Set

Scrapbooking Set

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

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Or start your own CTMH business for just $149. 

 Receive regular updates of upcoming Classes & Workshops 

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

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. 

Cricut Classically Modern Cards - With Sympathy

Here is the first card that I have cut from my new Cricut Classically Modern Cards Cartridge.

As I was going through the handbook this card jumped out at me.   

I went through my Close To My Heart cardstock looking for colours that were a little more subdued since this is a sympathy card - 

usually I am drawn to pastel or jewel tones.   

I used CTMH Ruby Cardstock for the base of the card.

I cut the inner liner from CTMH Goldrush and mounted it to the inside back portion. 

You could also put it on the inside front but 

I like being able to look through the intricate design. 

The leaves were cut from CTMH Olive Cardstock.

The sentiment was cut from CTMH Goldrush and CTMH Outdoor Denim Cardstock.

I sponged the cuts with the same colours of ink to give the pieces a little definition, 

then added a piece of Gold glitter cardstock to the flower from my scraps.

I added a piece of Recollections Burlap ribbon and used 

CTMH Foam Tape to pop the sentiment up from the front of the card. 

You can find more information on Cricut Classically Modern Cards or

 Cricut Explore Air on the Cricut website.

 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

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

Weekend Flash Sale at Cricut.com

Digital images are 40% off this weekend at Cricut - Flash Sale Extended!

I just had to order Paper Pups! Can't wait to start scrapbooking with it!



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

CTMH Taste Of Summer Card Workshop

Close To My Heart brought out these fun, fruity patterns of paper and a co-ordinating stamp set to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month.

The colours are so vibrant and fun - and I am loving the CTMH White Shimmer Trim that came out in the SE1 catalogue. I've been using it on everything.  

Love the use of the Rock and Roll technique on the stamped Orange images.

This Workshop file is available with purchase of the 

CTMH Taste of Summer Paper Pack & Stamp Set - available only in May 2015.  

Order yours today or contact your CTMH Consultant for more details.

CTMH Products Used:

Inks:

Hollyhock

Canary

Sunset

Topiary

Cardstock:

White Daisy

Taste Of Summer Paper Pack

Sunset

Juniper

Tools & Embellishments:

White Shimmer Trim

Pixie Extra-Thick Twine

Flaxen Extra-Thick Twine

Sparkles

Corner Rounder

Stamps:

Taste of Summer Stamp Set

Workshop Details are listed on my Workshop & Gathering Page.

 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

New Cricut Cartridge - Classically Modern Cards Now Available

Create intricate paper-cut greeting cards for every occasion, including wedding congratulations, baby announcements, get well soon cards, birthday wishes, love notes, and more!

Designed by Alexis Mattox, the Cricut® Classically Modern Cards cartridge includes 30 whimsical cards for all occasions, many with interchangeable sentiments for even more versatility. Create handmade cards you can be proud of with customizable details that show a little extra love!

• Use with all Cricut® electronic cutting machines
• Contains 30 intricately cut cards and coordinating envelopes
• Cards for every occasion, including thanks, congratulations, sympathy, valentines, weddings, baby showers,  well wishes, and more
• Designed by Alexis Mattox for Cricut®
• Ideal for cardmakers and DIYers—anyone who loves to craft with paper!

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

CTMH Camper Crazy with Timberline

I made this card with CTMH Camper Crazy Stamp Set & retired CTMH Timberline cardstock. 

I inked the edges of the cardstock with CTMH Desert Sand Ink and stamped the RV and the sentiment in CTMH Chocolate ink. The card base is CTMH Bamboo and I used CTMH Twilight (retired) under the wood-grain cardstock strip.  I embellished it with CTMH Durables Triangle Studs and some Twine that I had in my stash.

The card pattern is from CTMH Make It From Your Heart Volume 2 Pattern 23.

For more information on these products check out my website at:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

15% of online purchases made through my CTMH website in March will be donated to help Greta, a 5 year old with a rare form of cancer. Learn more at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/544383795664870/

Check out the Cricut Explore & Bundles at Cricut.com

They also have the wireless adapter and other accessories available online.

Free shipping over $35 with code:  MARCHSHIP

Cards for Greta's Craft Fair

Just a week and a half until Greta's Craft Fair, a fundraiser to help out a little girl with a rare form of Cancer.

I've been busy working on cards to sell at the craft fair - I will be donating 50% of my sales from all handmade items that day along with 15% of all catalogue or internet orders with Close To My Heart

These cards were made with CTMH Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge & CTMH Skylark cardstock (retired).   I used CTMH Desert Sand Ink to stamp the sentiment and sponged around the edges of the tag. 

The Dream Big Sentiment is from CTMH Your Own Kind of Wonderful Stamp Set

This card is the other side of the Skylark cardstock,  with a layer of CTMH Kraft cardstock behind the bird cut-out.

I resized the Scottie card in Cricut Design Space Ipad app - the one on the left is slightly smaller than an A2 card.  The one on the right is sized at 5x7.  I used CTMH Ruby cardstock, CTMH Red Enamel Hearts, CTMH White Daisy Cardstock and backed the dog and word bubble with scraps of black and yellow.

On these cards I used the Slice feature in Cricut Design Space to cut off the card front so I could add coloured cardstock behind the cutouts.  I resized it a little smaller than the original card front so it would have a border show around it also.  The card front and the Aliens are all from the CTMH Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge.  I used CTMH Chalk It Up Cardstock for the card front, CTMH Pear and Sunset Cardstock for the card bases and CTMH Silver Shimmer Trim (cut in half to 1/4 inch) along the top and bottom edges. 

For more information on Close To My Heart products visit my Website:

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com

Support Greta - 15% of your online order will be donated to help her family.

Check out the Cricut Explore & Bundles at Cricut.com

They also have the wireless adapter and other accessories available online.

Free shipping over $35 with code:  MARCHSHIP

Cricut Explore Make It Now Multi-lingual Thank You Card

Here's a Cricut Design Space Make It Now Card that I made using the Slice Feature to change how the words would cut out.

I have the words cut out from the front of the card and used scraps to make the rainbow on the backside of the front layer.  Then I used foam tape to pop it out from the A2 card base.

The original file in Design Space had each letter being cut out individually and then pieced together on the card front.  

This entire card was made from scraps in my craftroom, even the card base was leftover from another project.   It was fairly quick using the slice feature.   And I just trimmed the rainbow coloured scraps with a pair of scissors then used some Tombow permanent adhesive to stick it down.

Check out the Cricut Explore & Bundles at Cricut.com

They also have the wireless adapter and other accessories available online.

Free shipping over $35 with code:  MARCHSHIP

January Workshop & Card Class with CTMH Hopscotch Paper Pack and WOTG Kit

This month we will be working with CTMH Hopscotch Paper which is available for a limited time with the Seasonal Expressions Idea Book.

The first workshop is on January 25 at 2 pm and uses the CTMH Hopscotch Workshop on the Go Kit.

Kits must be pre-ordered by January 12th in order to arrive on time. Order online or email me at nshelmer@icloud.com if you would like to attend.

The Hopscotch Card Class is on January 31st at 2pm - class fee is $6.00. We will be making 2 cards with the Hopscotch paper pack and CTMH Happy To Be Friends stamp set.   The class fee covers materials, if you would like your own stamp set let me know and I'd be happy to order it for you.  RSVP by January 17th to nshelmer@icloud.com

CTMH Better With A Friend Hostess Set!

 In January you get Bonus Hostess Rewards with Close To My Heart!

Every Gathering over $350 gets an additional $30 worth of Hostess Rewards - that's $90 in Free product with that $350 Gathering.  Have a Cricut?  Now's a great time to check out CTMH Exclusive Cricut Collections and earn those extra rewards.

Here's a fun Stamp Set that is available only to CTMH Hostesses - it's called Better with a Friend and it's only $10 with Hostess Rewards.

I had lots of fun playing around with this set this afternoon.  I've had these Cuttlebug Animal Print embossing folders for quite a while but never got around to using them before now.  When I saw this stamp set in the Annual Inspirations Idea Book I knew it would go perfectly with those folders.  I just did some very simple cards, embossed but not a lot of embellishments & I got to dig through my scraps and use up some very bright colours of cardstock that I've had sitting in my craftroom for quite a while.

This first card is all CTMH products except for some of the colouring on the stamped image.  

I used CTMH Bamboo, Black & Ruby cardstock. CTMH Black & Desert Sand Ink and finished it off with a couple of CTMH Gold Bling Gems that I had leftover from my Pathfinding WOTG.

These bright coloured cards are done with cardstock and markers that I already owned before I joined CTMH.  The large rhinestones I found at a Dollar Store and the animal print Washi tape I found yesterday at Wal-Mart.  Of course since I'd already had these stamped before that I just had to buy it - couldn't resist. 

Contact me for more information on Hostessing a CTMH Gathering. 

http://nancyhelmer.ctmh.com