Serenity PML Card Workshop Now Available!

As soon as I saw these Serenity Picture My Life scrapbooking cards, I knew I wanted to use them to make greeting cards.  I had hoped to get these done a couple of months ago, but, oh well--they're done now!  Though the Serenity collections was featured in the Nov/Dec catalog, the products are still available at christina.ctmh.com (just type "Serenity" in the search bar).  I love the soothing blue tones in this collection.  . .and, though it doesn't show up well in well in my photos, the Glitter Gems and Shimmer Trim really make the cards sparkle!  I've created a 15-card workshop of all-occasion cards.  I often try to use just one stamp set when I'm designing a card workshop, but this time, I used sentiments from three or four different stamp sets.  Know that you could replicate these cards and use whatever stamp sets you might have in your stash.  

 Here's a list of the products I used:

• Serenity PML Cards (X7263D)—I used all but 2 of the cards
• Serenity Paper Pack (X7263B)—or one sheet of the bulk Serenity pattern (for Consultants); customers will only use ONE of the patterns from this pack, but it's such an awesome paper pack to have in your stash.  
• 1 sheet each of Sapphire, Toffee and White CS (Note that the Serenity Coordinating CS pack, X7263C, has both Sapphire and Toffee in it as well as a sheet of Blue Belle Glitter paper) 
• Blue Belle Shimmer Trim (Z3800)
• Blue Belle Glitter Gems (Z7001)—Gold Glitter Gems would also work nicely!
• Sapphire Stamp Pad (ALL images are stamped in Sapphire)--Z2848
• White Card Bases (X254) –you’ll need 15
• Scissors, foam tape and adhesive
• Assorted Sentiment Stamps:  I used D1919 With Heartfelt Sympathy, D1977 Every Bit of Wonderful, S2012 Happiness Never Grows Old, and D1936 (came with the Craft With Heart Card Subscription Kit).  Feel free to use any sentiments that fit! 

If you're in the Springfield, MO, area, I will be offering this as a workshop in January.  Follow me on Facebook, www.facebook.com/christinactmh, to see posts about my classes.

If order any of these materials from my website ($25 minimum), I'll be happy to send you the cutting guide at no additional cost.   

If you're a Consultant and would like the guide, you can purchase it for $10 with the PayPal link below.   

 New Gnome for Christmas Card Workshop

It's been a while since I sat down and created a card workshop, but when I saw the Gnome for Christmas stamp set, I knew I needed to GET BUSY!  Gnomes are all the rage this year, and honestly, they're just fun to create with!  This is a 10-card workshop using the Mix-Ins paper pack.  You can actually get more than ten cards from this paper pack. . .I just stopped at 10 because it takes quite a while to color all of these gnomes and their cute little Christmas accessories!  Feel free to repeat a couple of these designs with the leftover paper in your pack.  Below is a list of the products you'll need to make these cards.  If you place an order from my website ($30 minimum), I'd be happy to send you my photos and cutting guide.  

If you're a fellow Close to My Heart Consultant, you can purchase the guide for $10 using the Buy Now button below.

Here's what you'll need:

Z3902 Gnome for Christmas stamp set with die cuts (also available w/o die cuts if you don’t mind some cutting)

Stamp pads: Black, Raspberry, Evergreen, Sundance and Candy Apple Red

X9021 Mix-Ins paper pack

Z4260 Stitched Rectangle Die cuts (you could cut plain rectangles if you don’t have this die, but I highly recommend it)

1 sheet each of Sapphire, Evergreen and Candy Apple Red cardstock (don’t forget that you can purchase a custom cardstock pack of 12 where you pick the colors)

2 sheets White Daisy cardstock

X254 White cards & envelopes (you'll need 10 cards/envelopes)

Z3563 Diamond Stickles

Assorted markers—I used Spectrum Noir Fair Skin Blend, True Blue Shades, Jade Green Shades, Dark Red Shades, Gold Yellow and Tan Shades

Blue Skies Layout Workshop

I've seen so many beautiful projects made with our Blue Skies collection!  You really can't go wrong with these bright colors and dreamy patterns. . .and, did I mention that incredible embossed cardstock??  Before this special ends May 31st, be sure you've shopped all of the options at christina.ctmh.com.  The collection includes two different stamp sets, a pinwheel die cut, patterned paper, embossed cardstock and adorable stickers.  They've put a variety of bundles together, or you can purchase any of the components individually--get just what you need for the projects you want to make.  The bundles can save you some money over purchasing the components separately, so be sure you look at all the options to get the best deal. 

I am offering a 12-page layout class on June 4th.  These adorable pages were designed by Chris Robertson, and I've made a few adaptations to fit my own preferences.  We'll be using the patterned paper, stickers and some solid cardstock. Cost for this workshop is $38.  I can't share Chris' cutting guide with others, BUT, if you can't attend the workshop at my house, I can make you a pre-cut kit that you can assemble at home.  If you're long-distance, shipping costs will apply.  Let me know before the end of May if you'd like one of these kits.  I plan to start cutting and shipping them the last week in May.   

Blue Skies 18-Card Workshop Ready to Go

I'm having so much fun with the Blue Skies collection--it's like a gift that keeps on giving!  The bright, fun colors just make me smile, and the embossed coordinating cardstock is GORGEOUS!  Close to My Heart is offering several great projects with the Blue Skies collection.  You can view the various product bundles and download guides on my WEBSITE.  I used SOME of the card designs from their card workshop they have posted online, changed some of the cards and added some new ones to come up with my own custom 18-card workshop.  I also made use of an additional stamp set (the new Celebrating You birthday sentiments) to make sure these were practical cards that my customers can use!  My cutting guide is now ready to go!

Below is a list of what you'll need for the workshop.  If you purchase $30 or more in products from my website, I will send you the cutting guide for FREE. . .just let me know that you want the guide. 

Local peeps, I'm also offering this workshop at my house  Thursday, May 28th, or Monday, June 1st, 6 p.m.   Cost is $25.  If you attend the workshop, you don't necessarily need the stamps--but know that it will take quite a while to stamp and pass all of these images (lots of flowers to stamp).   If you like the stamp sets, I would encourage you to purchase one or both of them and bring the stamp set and coordinating stamp pads to class to help speed things along.  All of the images will be die cut, so no fussy cutting will be required.  

NOTE:  the manufacturer who makes our Close to My Heart stamp pads is in a state that was shut down because of COVID-19.  Because of this, several stamp pad colors are out of stock (especially those that coordinate with this collection).  The plant is back up and running now, but it will take a while to get the stamp pads made and back in stock.  I have a few of the colors in my inventory for local customers.  These are popular colors that many of my customers already have.  I will list the stamp pad names but also describe the colors in case you need to use another color from your stash. 

SUPPLIES YOU'LL NEED:

The Blue Skies Collection has several purchasing options--be sure you browse all of the bundles before you purchase.  Click HERE to view on my website

• CC5209 Blue Skies Cardmaking Kit (note: this kit gives you card bases and a half pack each of the cardstock and patterned paper--just what you need to do the card class and no more.  If you want more of this paper to play with, I recommend getting CC5215, which has a FULL pack of each paper plus the stickers for only $4 more but no card bases).
• Beautiful Day Stamp Set with Thin Cuts CC5202 (also available as part of the bundles, which may be a better deal)--can also be purchased without Thin Cuts if you don't mind a BUNCH of fussy cutting. 
• Celebrating You stamp set C1847, $14.95 (new stamp set in the May/June catalog)
• Pinwheel Thin Cut CC5204 (part of the Blue Skies collection--also available in some of the bundles)
• Z4191 Silver Glitter Gems (you could also use sparkles or Gold Glitter Gems)
• Sapphire Stamp Pad (or any deep/navy blue)
• Candy Apple Stamp Pad (a primary red)
• Lagoon Stamp Pad (a turquoise/aqua blue)
• Canary Stamp Pad (kind of a banana yellow)
• Pixie Stamp Pad (kind of a carnation pink color)
• Green Apple Stamp Pad (a bright, spring green)
• Black stamp pad
• Foam Tape
• 18 White Card Bases (depending on whether or not you got bases in the bundle)
• Two brads

I HEART US PML CARD WORKSHOP

Here's one more workshop kit that I now have available (in addition to the ones shown in the last post).  I started with the I Heart Us Picture My Life Cards and used those cards to make this collection of 12 cards.  It's a fairly eclectic mix of cards featuring several of our current stamp sets.  Cost for this kit is $15.  Your PML cards and other pieces will be pre-cut and ready to assemble.  Images will be STAMPED but NOT colored (you can choose to color with markers, watercolor, pencils or shimmer brushes).  I think shipping for this will run around $4. . .and I can combine this with another kit and give you a combined shipping total (just message me at teisenhour@aol.com to let me know what you'd like and I'll let you know what the shipping would be).  

WORKSHOPS TO GO!!

As we're dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and sheltering in at home, it's a perfect time to get some papercrafting done!  Creative therapy can do so much for the soul!  I had several workshops scheduled over the next month or so, and needless to say, I've had to cancel all of those classes.  However, I can still make workshop kits TO GO.  I can mail the kits to you, or if you're local, you can swing by and pick up the kit(s) from my front porch step--no contact necessary! If you purchase multiple kits, I can ship the kits in the same box and save you some money on shipping.  E-mail me at teisenhour@aol.com if you have questions about combining shipping.  I'm having trouble getting my PayPal "Buy Now" buttons back on my blog, so just email me at teisenhour@aol.com if you'd like to order any kits, and I can send you an invoice from PayPal.  

Here's a look at the kits I currently have available--more will be coming!

YOU MAKE ME HAPPY CARD KIT w/ STAMP SET--$28

Many of you know that Close to My Heart partners with Operation Smile--an organization that provides surgeries to correct cleft palates and cleft lips for children around the world.   When you purchase the You Make Me Happy stamp set, Close to My Heart will donate $7 to Operation Smile.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this stamp set, and I'm on a crusade to sell a BUNCH of these stamp sets so that we can raise money for Operation Smile.  To give you some inspiration, I've created this set of ten cards made with the You Make Me Happy stamp set.  You can get this stamp set and all of the pre-cut materials to make these cards for $28 (additional shipping if I'm mailing it to you).  You will need to provide your own black ink/blocks to stamp the characters, and you'll need to color the images on your own (I used the Spectrum Noir markers, but watercolor pencils or other techniques will also work).  

VINTAGE LAYOUT WORKSHOP--$21

Create six 12 x 12 pages (three two-page layouts) using our Yesterday & Today paper pack.  Pieces are pre-cut and ready to assemble.  When you purchase the kit, I will email you photos and assembly tips.  Your kit includes the Yesterday & Today stickers, all of your pre-cut pieces and a package of the Yesterday & Today Vellum Die Cuts.  Cost is $21.

THESE ARE MY PEOPLE 8-PAGE LAYOUT KIT--$25

This kit features our fun limited-time These Are My People Paper Pack and stickers.  The layouts are versatile--they could be adapted to a lot of different themes.  Cost includes all pieces, pre-cut and ready to go.  You'll also get the full 12 x 12 sticker sheet and some white acrylic heart embellishments.

Cardstock Carnival Has Begun!

Get great deals on our Close to My Heart Cardstock with the Cardstock Carnival Sale in April!

All paper packs are on sale for $12.95 (regularly $16.95), and you can also get some fabulous color bundles at an even bigger discount!  And, if you want ALL of our colors, we also have a gigantic bundle that includes six sheets of EVERY color on our palette!! The sale runs from April 1-30.  Check it out on my website at christina.ctmh.com

CELEBRATE TODAY PML Card Class Tuesday, February 25th!

I love to take our Picture My Life pocket scrapbooking cards and turn them into greeting cards.  Add some coordinating patterned paper and cardstock and you've got the recipe for fun and EASY cards!  I just finished creating my cards with the Celebrate Today PML Cards and coordinating paper, and I like the happy colors in this collection!  If you'd like to join me for this class on Tuesday, February 25th, let me know!  Class starts at 6 p.m.  Cost is $20 for 12 cards.  

STAMPTACULAR IS HERE!!

Close to My Heart is running a PHENOMENAL stamp sale during the month of February.  You'll find fantastic discounts on NEW and retired stamp sets AND stamp sets with DIE CUTS!  You can find the deals at christina.closetomyheart.com.  If you're local, you can also place your order with me in person.  

 
Here's a sampling of the amazing deals!!

It's All Around Creativity in 2020

We have a wonderful special for January--National Papercrafting Month.  Close to My Heart is offering a wreath kit that you can customize to suit your style and design preferences.  This is such a pretty piece that you can hang on your wall or door.  Each kit comes with several background paper choices as well as PLENTY of punch-out flowers, leaves, bows and branches that you can add to your wreath.  You can use the wood wreaths in their natural wood tone, or you can stain or paint them. . .you can even use our Shimmer Brushes on them to add color!

There are four different sayings available (see photos below).  These kits are $34.95 each. . .or, if you order four or more, they're only $24.95.  So, it helps to order multiples (think AWESOME gifts) or pair up with a friend who also wants to order them.  

If you live in the Springfield area, I'm offering a wreath workshop on Monday, January 27th, 6 p.m.  If you'd like to attend, you need to let me know which wreath you'd like to make (or if you'd like to make more than one).  I'll have materials there in case you want to paint your wreath, and I'll be there to help you with assembly.  This is a fun project with instant gratification!!

If you're not local, hop over to christina.ctmh.com to purchase your kits before they're gone.  I recommend using Liquid Glass or hot glue to attach the leaves and flowers to your wreath.  

Here's a photo of the one I made for my house:  I painted the wood with black craft paint and left the paper background off so that I could see my wall color behind the wreath.

ONLINE SPECIALS ALL WEEK LONG!

Close to My Heart will be running online specials all week long to end the year with a bang!  Sales start today, December 26, and run through the end of the year.  New items are added each day, so check back each day to see what deals you can snag!  To shop, visit christina.ctmh.com and click on the "Boxing Week" logo.

Pet-themed papers are HERE!!

Pets have always been a HUGE part of our family, and I'm so excited to see that we have a new paper pack that highlights our furry friends!  The Best Friends Furever special runs now through the end of December, so be sure you grab it before it's gone.  You have several purchasing options:

1)  Get the Cut Above Kit to create a complete 6 x 8 album.  I've put this album together, and it was so easy and fun!  You can choose dog or cat-themed options. . .or, mix in a little of each.

2)  Get the Best Friends Furever Paper Pack with stickers and have fun creating pages of your own design.

3)  Get the Best Friends Furever Workshop Kit and download the free instructions for creating a set of adorable layouts and cards.  You can purchase the kit with or without the stamp sets.

4)  Get the dog- or cat-themed stamp sets and have a blast with these cute images and sayings.  I know you're going to LOVE these stamp sets!  

To order, visit christina.ctmh.com

EVERY LITTLE THING CARD WORKSHOP

This 12-card workshop features our Every Little Thing Paper Pack, the Every Little Thing Vellum Die-cuts and the new Sentiments by Melissa Esplin stamp set.  Put all three of these things together, and magical things happen!!  I'm offering this workshop on Monday, September 23rd, with a possible second round on Tuesday, September 24th.  If you're interested, let me know!  

NEW MONTH, NEW CATALOGS, NEW SPECIALS!!

I am so excited to announce the launch of our TWO new catalogs!  That's right. . .TWO!  We now have a single core catalog that will be good for an entire year as well as a seasonal catalog that changes every two months!  This means that you'll have an exciting new catalog with awesome new products every TWO MONTHS!!  You can view both of these catalogs on my website at christina.closetomyheart.com.  Remember that the items in the September/October catalog are only available for two months, so if you see something you like, you might want to snag it before it's gone!  Two months goes by REALLY FAST!

You may notice that we are not featuring a Halloween paper pack in our September/October catalog.  That's because we have a Halloween special running now through the end of October.  Spooktacular has to be one of the CUTEST Halloween collections we've had in a long time.  You have several purchasing options:  the paper pack with the stickers, the paper pack w/o the stickers, the stamp set with the die cuts or w/o the die cuts. . .or a whole bundle of cute products that you can use to make the projects shown (using the free downloadable guide) or creations of your choice. 

A new month also means a new Stamp of the Month, and this is just one of those great sentiment stamp sets that's good to have in your stash.  As always, you can get this stamp set for only $5 with a $50 purchase in September.  Also, stay tuned because I have a class coming in October featuring this stamp set. . .but you'll need to sign up in September so I get the right number of stamp sets ordered.  

August Special!

If you love our Workshops Your Way kits, August is the month to buy!  During the month of August, you can buy one WYW Kit and get the second one for 35% off!  This includes the card kits and the scrapbooking kits (both basic and deluxe). 

Our scrapbooking kits include everything you need to make six beautiful scrapbook pages.  They include FULL packages of accessories, so you're likely to have leftovers that you can use on many other projects.  They ALSO include page protectors--and we have the best page protectors on the market!  They also have color printed instructions to walk you through making the projects.  When you buy a WYW kit, you're saving at least 10 percent off the cost of purchasing the items separately.  Whether you use the kit to do the projects in the guide or go off on your own, it's a good deal! 

Our cardmaking kits include an exclusive stamp set -- only available in the kit.  You'll get enough materials and a guide for making 12 cards (six each of two designs).  HOWEVER, know that you can use the materials to make cards anyway you'd like!  I tell my customers to buy card kits based on how much they like the exclusive stamp set.

Craft On Everyday Life Album

Okay. . .so, I've found a design concept that is SO quick and easy.  It's called the 3-2-1 pattern, and it basically involves cutting your paper into 3", 2" or 1" strips and then attaching them to your page in any order you like.  This is the concept featured in our new Craft On Everyday Life Album Kit available now through August 31st.  Once you make this album, you'll be chomping at the bit to make another one!!  

There are two ways you can make this album:  1) Purchase the product bundle on christina.closetomyheart.com and download the instruction guide.  2) Sign up to come to my class!

The product bundle is $35.95.  Note that it does NOT include the Black Everyday Life Album, which I highly recommend.  If you come to my workshop, you can make the pages for $28 (the cost difference is because I won't be giving you WHOLE packs of Flip Flaps or sequins--you'll just use what you need for the album).  Again, the album is not included, but you are welcome to add it on. 


If you're interested in the workshop, let me know ASAP!  Right now, I'm looking at August 22nd, but I'm flexible depending on who signs up.  I will need time to get your materials ordered. 

Craft On Album Bundle, $35.95

Black Everyday Life Album, $15.95