Playing with our September Stamp of the Month and the new alcohol based markers

So, I finally sat down to play with our new alcohol-based markers, and I was just blown away by how incredible they are. . .the color is so smooth, and it blends together with no streaks.  You can "layer" colors in a way that you never could with regular markers (check out the leaves).  I'm so excited!!  This card features the September Stamp of the Month.  I stamped the images in Staz-On black ink and colored them with our new alcohol-based markers.  NOTE:  Some of our new markers are not yet in stock--but many of the colors are.  When you purchase the markers, you receive two--two coordinating shades of the same color.  For our scarecrow friend, I used Autumn Terracotta, Indian Corn Blue, Honey, Creme Brulee, Cranberry and Olive.

September will be over before you know it!!  You can order this stamp set for only $5 with a $50 purchase--or you can purchase it for $17.95 alone.  To order, visit my website:  http://christina.ctmh.com
 

Cards from my Card Marathon

Card Marathon classes are my most popular workshops because we get to make practical cards that you can use!  We make 20 cards in one night--four each of five different designs.  My goal for this particular card marathon class was to let them sample some of our new paper packs.  If you'd like to attend a card marathon, my next one will be a Christmas Card Marathon in November.  I'm offering the class on three different nights.  November 5th & 6th are full, but I have openings on Thursday, November 8th.  Cost for the class is placing a $20 minimum order. . .that's a great deal for 20 cards!!

This caption features some Avonlea paper along with Juniper, Chocolate and Colonial White Cardstock.  The "Celebrate" stamp is from C1461 Sensational Seals ($13.95)--not a new stamp set, but definitely one worth having!  The damask frame behind it is from D1527 Perfect Fit--Frames set ($17.95).  All of the frames from this set can be cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge.

This was my favorite card that I designed for this workshop.  It uses Dakota paper, Rugged Dude stamp set (B1405, $9.95) and Just a Number (D1514, $17.95).  The pocket, from the Rugged Dude set, is stamped in Pacifica Ink.  To get the distressed look, first stamp your pocket in second generation Pacifica ink.  Then, ink the pocket again, but just roll the edges of the stamp image in full strength Pacifica ink-stamp it directly on top of the one you've already stamped.  Then, I stamped the stitch design in black ink.  The stars are cut in Barn Red and Pacifica using the Art Philosophy cartridge. 

My customers really liked this card because I let them select which speech bubble message they wanted to put on it.  The stamp set with the speech bubbles comes with the Artiste Cricut Collection--just cut the speech bubble on your Cricut and you're good to go.  The flower also came from the Artiste cartridge.  This card features paper from La Belle Vie paper packet.

I went back and forth on which card we would do at the card marathon, but I ended up picking the card on the right because it was SUPER FAST!  The banner is from the Cricut Artiste Collection, as is the bow on the card on the left.  The butterflies were cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Both cards feature paper from the Flirty paper pack.

Sorry that my photo is a little fuzzy on this one!  For my marathon class,  I cut the pieces for the card in the middle, but I showed them that they could rearrange, leave off or flip over the paper to create different looks.  The card features Clementine paper, along with Sorbet, Creme Brulee and Twilight cardstock. 

AVONLEA CARDMAKING WORKSHOP

 

Sign up for the Avonlea Cardmaking workshop on October 4th, and you can make 15 beautiful all-occaion cards in one night!  Cost for the class is $35 ($29.95 plus shipping/handling) for your card kit, which contains an EXCLUSIVE stamp set, color instructions, and all the paper and accessories you need to make these 15 cards.  Sign up by September 24th if you'd like to attend.  If you're long-distance, visit my website to purchase the Workshop on the Go Avonlea Cardmaking Kit (G1041).  If you're completing this workshop on your own, I recommend purchasing Chocolate, Slate and Smokey Plum stamp pads.

 

Studio J Creations

When I really want to crank out some beautiful scrapbook pages quickly, I go to Studio J, our online digital scrapbooking program.  I can pick from a huge number of paper designs and layout designs (including our newest papers designs and many of our favorite designs no longer in the catalog).  And, now, to make life even easier, Close to My Heart has added Studio J Express pages.   You don't have to spend a lot of time picking out papers or adding embellishments--you just pick out a pre-designed layout, drop in your photos and add journaling or titles.  The embellishments have already been added for you!  They have several Studio J Express designs to choose from, or if you don't find what you want in an express page, you can still design your own layout with your choice of paper, layout design and embellishments.

 

Did you know that you no longer have to have a Studio J membership to get a great deal on our layouts?  Now, anyone who orders a two-page gets the fabulous price of $6.95 per layout.  And, there are no more "members only" layout designs/papers--it's available to everyone!  So, what are you waiting for???  You'll find Studio J on my website, http://christinactmh.com.  Jump in and give it a try.  There's no cost to create pages--you only pay when you order the prints of your layouts.  When you visit Studio J for the first time, you'll need to set up an online account with a credit card number.  However, nothing will be charged to your card until you order an actual layout.

 

If you want some Studio J instruction, I'm hosting an informal Studio J 101 night at my house on Thursday, August 30th, 6:30 p.m.  Or, if you're long-distance, consider watching one of our great Studio J tutorial videos!

 

 

Check out the New Artiste Cricut Cartridge

Check Out Our Adorable Spellbound Cricut Workshop Using the New Artiste Cartridge!

Avonlea Projects

I'm loving the new My Creations Bracket Frames (Z1797, $8.95).  They come in white chipboard--basically, a blank slate--ready for you to embellish with beautiful paper, stamps and accessories.  This frame was inspired by one at saw at Convention made by Melissa Laverty.  I covered the frame with Avonlea paper and created a backing with Chocolate cardstock (note that the frame comes with an open back--I recommend using a 9 x 9 piece of chipboard as the base for your background).  The tree stamp comes from the "Family Tree" stamp set (D1526).  I embellished the tree with 3D roses that I cut using my new Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  The word "Family" is also cut from the Artiste cartridge as are the medallion shapes and the yo-yo medallion on the lower left of the frame.  The bracket square for the frame was cut from the Art Philosophy cartridge (p. 53), but you could also trace the frame and on your paper and cut it out.  There's really no end to what you can create with these frames, so I encourage you to give them a try.  Note--I do recommend using our Bonding Memories glue to stick your paper to the chipboard frame.



This is the layout I designed for my recent team meeting.  The design comes from our new Make It From Your Heart Volume 1 (9035, $7.95), which I HIGHLY recommend (great card and layout patterns in one book).  I used Avonlea paper.  Some of the medallions were cut using the Cricut Artiste cartridge, as was the word "LOVE" on the bottom. 

Most of the layers on these medallions are cut with the Art Philosophy or Artiste cartridges.  The stamped medallion comes from the Avonlea Scrapbook Workshop on the Go Kit stamp set.  I stamped it in Slate ink.