Fun with Fundamentals

Playing with our new Fundamentals paper packs has been so much FUN!  The creative possibilities are really endless.  Here's a layout and cards that I created with the Adventure Fundamentals paper pack.  If you'd like to order any of the products I used to make these projects, visit my website at christina.closetomyheart.com

If you order any of these products off of my website and would like some more specific measurements for these projects, let me know.  I didn't do a detailed cutting guide for these projects (partly because they are fairly simple), but I do have a handout that has measurements of the layout pieces and Cricut images sizes, etc., and I'd be happy to e-mail it to you!

Here's a fun, yet simple layout created with our Adventure Fundamentals B&T Paper and coordinating cardstock.  This will be the layout for my workshop clubs in September.   I also made use of our new Thin Cuts (Z3260 Hearts and Z3257 Love).  If you're wondering, "this life" came from the Artiste Cricut cartridge.  Adding touches of black along with these bright colors kind of anchors the whole layout.  You may not be able to see it in the photo, but I also embossed the green cardstock strip on the layout with the new Simple Chevron Embossing Folder (Z3247, $8.95).  One awesome thing about Close to My Heart embossing folders is that they have a slit at the top of the folder so that you can emboss a long strip of paper, then slide it up and do the second half of it.  You don't have to limit your embossing to papers that are as small as your embossing folder.  If you like to play with watercolor or other inking techniques, consider adding "splatter" to the white areas of this layout.  

This card REALLY appeals to the side of me that likes NEAT, crisp cards!  I just used scraps of Adventure Fundamentals paper along with the Hello & Thanks Thin Cuts (Z3259) and the Heart Thin Cuts (Z3260).  

For this card, I used flowers from the new Flower Market Cricut Collections, along with the Hello & Thanks Thin Cuts.  Did I mention that I'm addicted to these new Thin Cuts??

Here's another simple card featuring the new Stars Thin Cuts (Z3261) and one the new Birthday Sparkles stamp set (B1537, $9.95)--a MUST HAVE if you like to make birthday cards.

This card features more flowers from the Flower Market cartridge.  I used some of the fun word paper that's in the Adventure Fundamentals pack as the background.  

Saying Goodbye to Some Favorites. . .

I've really enjoyed the paper packs, stamps and accessories featured in our Seasonal Expressions catalog this summer, but alas, it is time to say "goodbye."  If you haven't taken the opportunity to order any of these fantastic products, I'd encourage you to take a look at them before they are gone.  Hop on over to my website at christina.closetomyheart.com, click on "shop" and then on "Going Soon!" to see the products that will be retiring on August 31st.  Some of these items will probably run out of stock before August is over, so get your order in before they are gone.  Here are the three paper packs that are featured in this catalog.  The Complements that go with these paper packs are excellent, so be sure you snag those along with the paper.

FLORENCE (this paper is gorgeous, and the Complements that go with it are just stunning!)

CALYPSO--such a fun summer pack. . .can't get enough of these soft summer colors and flamingos!!

MAGICAL--my customers are always hunting for paper packs that work with Disney photos, and this is the ONE.  Even if you haven't made that family trip to Disney yet, I'd suggest picking up a pack or two of this to add to your stash!  

Basically the Best August Campaign

The new Annual Inspirations catalog is now live!  You can view it on my website at christina.ctmh.com.  To kick things off, we have a wonderful special featuring our new Fundamentals paper packs.  These paper packs are so versatile--the creative possibilities are ENDLESS!  In August, if you purchase the Whimsy, Adventure and Enchantment paper packs ($19.95 each--must buy all three), you can choose either the Rustic Home papers or the Uptown papers FREE!!  And, don't forget that you'll also qualify to get the Stamp of the Month for only $5. 

Adventure Fundamentals Paper Pack -- $19.95

Enchantment Fundamentals Paper Pack -- $19.95

Whimsy Fundamentals Paper Pack -- $19.95

Rustic Home Fundamentals --$13.95 (or FREE with special)

Uptown Fundamentals -- $14.95 (or FREE with special)

August Stamp of the Month

Maybe it's because I'm a cat lover, but I think this set is so stinkin' cute!  And, though it's geared toward Halloween, you can use several of the images (the cat, the banner, etc.) throughout the year.  You can only purchase this stamp set in the month of August.  You can get it for only $5 with a $50 qualifying purchase OR you can purchase at full retail value of $17.95.  If you happen to be taking advantage of the wonderful Basically the Best August special featuring our new Fundamentals papers (see separate post), you'll qualify to get this stamp for $5.

They're almost here!!!!

I'm so excited to announce the release of our new Annual Inspirations catalog on Monday, August 1st.  If you are local, feel free to drop by my open house on Sunday, July 31st, 3 to 5 p.m. or on Monday, August 1st, 5 to 7 p.m.  All guests receive a FREE catalog.  If you are long-distance, then be sure to check out my website on August 1st to view the new Annual Inspirations book online.  

The Holiday Expressions catalog that you see in the photo (with those gorgeous snowflakes and reindeer) will be available starting Thursday, September 1st.  I'll be having another open house on that date to debut all of the incredible holiday papers, stamp sets, etc.  

Card Marathon Class Coming July 25th

I've got another 20 Card Marathon workshop coming up on July 25th.  We'll make four cards each of these five different designs.  I always provide a variety of sentiments, so remember that you can stamp whatever messages you want on the cards.  If you'd like to attend, let me know!  Cost for the class is a $25 minimum order.

INCREDIBLE SIGN-UP SPECIAL!

Close to My Heart has an incredible special lined up for new Consultants in July!  If you sign up this month for a kit price of only $75, you'll receive $50 in product credit PLUS one of our new Fundamentals Collection paper packs and matching Complements ($32 value) for FREE!!  If you do the math, you'll know that's a lot of product for a little cash.  The new kit ($200 value) has basic products to help you get started.  You can use your $50 in product credit to select specific products of your choice. 

I'm looking for some enthusiastic team members to jump on board, and now is the perfect time.  Our brand new Annual Inspirations catalog will go live on August 1st, and our Holiday Expresssions catalog will go live September 1st.  If you sign up in July, you'll be able to order NEW products in advance and hit the ground running!  We also have great incentives to get you off to a strong start.

To sign up, visit my website at http://christina.ctmh.com.  Just click on the Early Bird Sign-Up Special offer! 

Select one of these new Fundamentals Collections ($32 value) to go with your kit!

 CONTENTS OF THE NEW CONSULTANT KIT INCLUDE:

• Medium Organizer (Z4139, qty 1)
• My Acrylix® Block 2" × 6½" (Y1010, qty 1)
• My Acrylix® Block 1" × 3½" (Y1002, qty 1)
• My Acrylix® Block 2" × 2" (Y1003, qty 1)
• Non-Stick Microtip Scissors (Z1836, qty 1)
• My Acrylix® Stamp Scrubber (Z1782, qty 1)
• My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner (1778, qty 1)
• Bonding Memories™ Glue (1512, qty 1)
• 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151, qty 1)
• Sponge (Z697, qty 1)
• Customer Order Forms (W101, qty 1 pack of 25)
• Annual Inspirations Idea Book (WC1171, qty 5)
• Seasonal Expressions 2 (WCS1163, qty 5)
• Cardstock Sampler (W1167, qty1)
• Fundamentals Sampler (W1170, qty 1)
• Seasonal Expressions 2 B&T Duos™ Sampler (W1144, qty 1)
• A Little Love – Petite Perks Incentive Stamp Set (W2035, qty 3)
• Gathering Invitations (W1129, qty 1 pack of 25)
• Desk Pad (W1140, qty 1 pack of 50)