Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Get Started Using the CTMH Shimmer Brush

On a recent blog post, 4 Ways to Color Your Create Kindness Cards, Close To My Heart published tips for using the Shimmer Brush which made its debut in Annual Inspirations 2016-17.

Shimmer Brush—Clear (Z3293)

Follow these steps to get started:
  • Remove the neon clip, twist the lid on, and squeeze the pen while brushing onto a scrap piece of paper.
  • Once you get the amount of shimmer on your brush that you like, start brushing over your flowers!
  • Since the shimmer brush tends to smear watercolor pencils or paints, be sure to color your stamped images using markers.
The Shimmer Brush is perfect for adding a touch of glimmer to your crafting projects.

As always, if you have any product or promotion questions, do not hesitate to email me. I am here to help. You will also find me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts. I hope you found the information about the Shimmer Brush helpful.
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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

National Stamping Month Celebration—Create Kindness! - Update

I just saw an update. The Create Kindness! kit shown in the photo has sold out. Fortunately the stamps and the card bases/envelopes are still available to purchase individually. Since they are manufactured at the Corporate offices, the stamps are available until September 30, but the card bases/envelopes are available while supplies last or until September 30.


To refresh your memory, the Create Kindness! stamps are:

Create Kindness—Beautiful (CC1147)
Create Kindness—Enjoy (CC1148)
Create Kindness—Friend (CC1149)
Create Kindness—Hello (CC1150)
Create Kindness—Everything (CC1151)
Create Kindness—Love (CC1152)
Create Kindness—Smile (CC1153)
Create Kindness—Special (CC1154)

The stamps are $2.95 each.

The card bases, envelopes and circles for stamping on are available for $9.95.

Create Kindness Card Bases & Envelopes (CC1146)

The contents are 24 – 3" × 3" pre-printed card bases, envelopes, and circles.

If you are still looking for ways to use the Create Kindness! items, my Pinterest Board is full of ideas.

If you would like to order any of the remaining Create Kindness! products, the Shop Now button will take you there.


If you have any product or promotion questions, do not hesitate to email me. You will also find me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts. Thank you for visiting today.
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Monday, September 19, 2016

Workshops Your Way™ Party Time Cards

Last week I participated in the Holiday Expressions 2016 New Product Blog Hop where I shared six of the ten cards I created from the Workshops Your Way™ Party Time Cardmaking Kit (G1111). Today I would like to share the final four cards I created with the kit with you.


On the above card I used Sea Glass Mini Pigment Pad and Clear Embossing Powder for the sentiment and hearts. I also used the retired Heart Embossing Folder and sanding paper to carry the heart theme to the dove-tailed Emerald cardstock.


On this card I added a piece of Jeepers Creepers Paper, Black Mini Pigment Pad, VersaMark™ Ink, Clear Embossing Powder and stamps from the Workshops Your Way™ Just To Say Cardmaking Kit. I hope you are able to see the subtle hearts around the sentiment and on the Sea Glass cardstock. I added the Jeepers Creepers paper because my first attempt at stamping did not turn out as well as I would have liked.


On my ninth card I tried something that I'm not sure I am happy with, but I can always add some more ink if I still have reservations. Again I used VersaMark™ Ink, Clear Embossing Powder and stamps from the Workshops Your Way™ Just To Say Cardmaking Kit, but this time I used scrunched up plastic wrap to dab Sea Glass Re-inker around the stamped images and on the Sea Glass cardstock.


On my final card I went "back to basics", made the card quite similar to the Guide, but added additional words from the Party Time stamp set with Black Momento™ Ink.

All supplies are from Close To My Heart except where noted:

I hope you like the changes I made to the cards and can envision things you can do to make each card unique and tailor them for each recipient.

If you are interested in purchasing the kit or some of the supplies to create the cards or any other Close To My Heart products, the Shop Now button will take you there.



If you have any product or promotion questions or would like to discuss hosting a Gathering, do not hesitate to email me. You will also find me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts. Thank you for visiting today.
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Thursday, September 15, 2016

Holiday Expressions 2016 New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to the Holiday Expressions 2016 New Product Blog Hop featuring products from the Holiday Expressions 2016 Idea Book. For this hop there are approximately 25 bloggers sharing projects they created with products making their debut in Holiday Expressions 2016. Our blog hop is circular so visiting the next blog will take you back to where you started.


You should have arrived here from ***Lela N.'s Living, Loving, Laughing for Life***. If you get lost along the way, Melinda Everitt keeps a list of participants on her blog at If You Bling It.

Today I am sharing a couple of projects with you. I received the Cut Above™ 'Tis the Season Tag Kit from FedEx on a Saturday afternoon. Since I did not have anything scheduled that had to be done that day, I pulled out my blocks and inks and was able to complete the tags before it was time to start making dinner. It is really nice to be able to finish a project that quickly.


Since then I received the Workshops Your Way™ Party Time Cardmaking Kit. I created one card of each style as shown in the Guide.



Knowing I would not need several invitations and not wanting to have any birthday cards that look identical, I started playing with different ways I could make each card unique.


On this card I used Pansy ink rather than the suggested Raspberry. I was also able to strategically place the Emerald cardstock in the Happy Thoughts Embossing Folder. As long as I put the embossing folder to the far right in the Cuttlebug there was enough room for the cardstock to extend beyond the folder on the left without getting damaged when passing through the machine. I sanded the embossing so it would stand out more.


I added additional color on some of my Sea Glass cardstock pieces. I used scrunched up plastic wrap to dab or stroke Sea Glass Re-inker on the cardstock.


The silver embossing was picking up the colors in the sunset which I think makes a nice pearl look in the photo. Unfortunately I also think it makes it more difficult to see that I used Sea Glass Glitter Paper instead of the Silver Shimmer Trim included in the kit.


I used the Word Search Embossing Folder in the same way as a card above, but since the word "happy" was close to the folder's hinge, some embossing from the line below appeared on the Emerald cardstock. I used the Bone Folder to smooth the unwanted embossing as best I could so the layers on top would lay as flat as possible. I also used some of the other smaller stamps to highlight the "Happy Birthday".

Before you head to ***Let's Give 'em Something to Scrap About! by Maureen O'Sullivan***, the supplies I used to create my project are listed below.

All supplies are from Close To My Heart except where noted:
If you are not already working with a CTMH Independent Consultant, you may purchase all of the supplies I used at my Online Business Address.

Before you leave I would be delighted if you left me a comment letting me know what you think of my project. So you do not have to scroll back up, the next stop on the hop is ***Let's Give 'em Something to Scrap About! by Maureen O'Sullivan***.

UPDATE – September 19 – please click to visit my "Newer Post" to see the final four cards I created with this kit.

Thank you for hopping with us. I hope you are getting many project ideas for the upcoming cooler weather.
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016

National Stamping Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the National Stamping Month Blog Hop featuring the card kit Create Kindness. This month features almost 25 bloggers sharing projects they created with Create Kindness. We try to keep our blog hop easy: just keep clicking on the link to the next blog (typically near the bottom of the post) to visit the next blog. Eventually you will end up back to the blog you started on.


You should have arrived here from ***My Scrapbooking Blog by Wendy Kessler***. If you get lost along the way, Melinda Everitt keeps a list of participants on her blog at If You Bling It.

Since a 3" x 3" card does not meet the minimum size requirements for the US Postal Service and square cards require more postage, I tried to think of ways to adapt this card kit to create A2-sized cards and thought creating an easel card would not only fit the size, but also create a perfect backdrop to show off the cards and stamps in this kit. The card I created looks like this when pulled from the envelope.


And when someone opens it and tucks the front behind the stopper, the card becomes something that can be displayed on a mantle, desk, bookshelf or dresser.


Before you head to ***Vickie O'Dell's HeARTful Stamper***, the supplies I used to create my project are listed below.

All supplies are from Close To My Heart except where noted:
If you would like create a similar card but do not have an Explore, here are the measurements I used to create this card (if the numbers are too hard to read, click on the image for a larger view).


When applying glue to add it to the front of the tent, not the 5½" x 4¼" decorative layer. This way you can be sure you will not glue the card "shut" so that it cannot be raised to be an easel.

If you are not already working with a CTMH Independent Consultant, you may purchase all of the supplies I used at my Online Business Address. Before you leave I would be delighted if you left me a comment letting me know what you think of my project. So you do not have to scroll back up, the next stop on the hop is ***Vickie O'Dell's HeARTful Stamper***.

I hope you are finding many ideas for using the Create Kindness kit.
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Sunday, September 4, 2016

Cricut® City Sidewalks Digital Collection

In Holiday Expressions 2016 (valid September 1 through December 31, 2016), there is a new Close To My Heart Cricut® Collection called City Sidewalks (Z4017).

This is what your package will come like, a card inside a zip top bag.


Instead of Washi Tape, there will be a silver coating (think children's scratch crafts or lottery tickets) over your code. I was so anxious to rip into my new goodies I did not think to take a photo before accessing my code.

Due to the shorter duration of the Holiday Expressions book, City Sidewalks is only available as a Digital Collection; no cartridge will come with your purchase.

Cricut® City Sidewalks Digital Collection (No Cartridge)
(Z4017)

In addition to being a Digital Only collection, there are no stamp sets, cardstock, keypad overlay or handbook bundled with the collection. When you receive your order you will receive a code to redeem for the images. You will then redeem the code online at the URL provided on the card. The product description for City Sidewalks reads "Only available for use with Cricut® Explore™ and Cricut® Explore Air™", so plan your purchase for the type of Cricut® you own.


When you go to the URL listed to redeem your code, if you are not signed into your Cricut® account you will be prompted to sign in. You will need to scratch off the coating that hides the code and input it on a screen that looks like this:


Once the code is accepted, you will see the message "Promotion Successfully Redeemed!" in a blue bar.


Here you may enter another code, if you have other digital cartridges to add to your account, or you may move to other areas of the Cricut® website (I looked at my Linked Cartridges list before moving to Cricut® Design Space).


Once your cartridge is linked (redeemed) you will then be able to search for and use City Sidewalks in Cricut® Design Space. Please note, I was unable to view the City Sidewalks images in CDS until my code was redeemed.


When I select "View all 30 Image" this is what my CDS screen looks like:


As you can see, there are backgrounds, borders and frames, pocket scrapbooking cards and holiday icons. Many of the images are not Christmas specific and can be used throughout the winter. I know I will be turning to this cartridge again and again when papercrafting for the events that take place in the winter months. As of Saturday, September 3, 2016 there is no handbook published on the Cricut® Handbooks page and I am not sure if one will be posted.

Since the product description for City Sidewalks is "Only available for use with Cricut® Explore™ and Cricut® Explore Air™", I fear it will not be available in Cricut® Craft Room. When I opened CCR on Saturday, September 3, I do not find City Sidewalks listed under Cartridges/Images.


I also looked under city and did not see City Sidewalks tucked between City People and City Transportation on the Cartridges/Images list. While I do not believe City Sidewalks will be available in Cricut® Craft Room, I guess it is possible that Provo Craft/Cricut® has not loaded City Sidewalks into CCR yet. At this point in time I would not purchase City Sidewalks to use in Cricut® Craft Room with an Expression 2 or earlier machine. If I am ever able to use City Sidewalks in CCR, I will update this post.

I will be participating in a City Sidewalks Blog Hop in October. I wish it could be sooner, but there are so many products and specials we would like to feature and October turned out to be the best time for City Sidewalks. Please become a follower or subscribe by email (both are on the right) to be notified when the City Sidewalks blog hop has started.

If you are interested in purchasing the City Sidewalks collection or any other Close To My Heart products, the Shop Now button will take you there.


If you have any product or promotion questions or would like to discuss hosting a Gathering, do not hesitate to email me. You will also find me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts. Thank you for visiting today.
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Saturday, September 3, 2016

Blessed Beyond Measure Meets Halloween

I originally created this card for the SOTM Blog Hop, but when I realized I used a retired alphabet stamp I created another card I had in my mind's eye for the hop. You will find that card here.


It is hard to see in the photo above, but I curved the pumpkin and used different layers of 3D Foam Tape to keep it's shape.


All supplies are from Close To My Heart except where noted:
Items created by CTMH Corporate artists with the Blessed Beyond Measure stamp set are this card and frame art:




This framed piece is giving me ideas for a family/heritage page. Hmm...an auction item for my family reunion in 2017 is percolating in my mind's eye.

If my card inspires you and you would like to make a purchase, the Shop Now button below will take your to my OBA. Or you may click on any of the links above to be taken directly to the product.


I love to read what people think of my crafty creations so if you have a moment, please leave me a comment.
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Friday, September 2, 2016

National Stamping Month Celebration—Create Kindness!

As I mentioned yesterday, Close To My Heart created this Create Kindness card kit to celebrate National Stamping Month.


I posted closeup photos of the kit contents on September 1; you have some options when ordering. You may purchase the entire Create Kindness card kit packaged inside a mini stamp organizer or the cards, envelopes and circles for stamping and each of the eight stamps individually. Purchasing the kit is a 15% savings over retail and the mini ink pad is not available for individual purchase.

Below are a few of the cards that I have created so far. As you can see, I created one card similar to the card in the Corporate photo and the other card I colored with ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Markers.


The card on the left was colored with the following ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Markers: Peacock Green, Lavender, Light Orange, Leaf Green, Cerulean Blue Light, Marigold.


The card on the right was colored with the following ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Markers: Barely Beige, Marigold, Golden Yellow, Leaf Green, Turquoise Blue, Cerulean Blue Light, Tender Pink and Cherry Pink.

I have a few sketches (so I would remember my ideas) of additional modifications I plan to use while creating with this kit and I hope to be adding them over the next few days. And I have seen some fabulous ideas shared by other consultants that I want to try and share. In addition, I am participating in a National Stamping Month Blog Hop on September 7; please subscribe to my blog (to the right) so you don't miss any of my cards using Create Kindness.

Thank you for stopping by today!
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Thursday, September 1, 2016

Blessed Beyond Measure September 2016 Blog Hop

Welcome to the September 2016 SOTM Blog Hop featuring the stamp set Blessed Beyond Measure. This month there are about 30 bloggers sharing projects they created with the CTMH Stamp Of The Month. If blog hopping is new to you, we try to keep it easy: just keep clicking on the link to the next blog (typically near the bottom of the post) to visit the next stop. Our blog hop is circular so visiting the next blog will take you back to where you started.


Blessed Beyond Measure (S1609) is an exclusive D-size set of 19 stamps that is only available for purchase during the month of September 2016. Recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks for this stamp set are: 1" x 1" (Y1000), 1" x 3½" (Y1002), 2" x 2" (Y1003) and 2" x 3½" (Y1009). The images outlined in red (pumpkin and leaves) coordinate with the Cricut® Artbooking cartridge (Z3169).


You should have arrived here from ***CTMH Craftings by Lauren Moore***. If you get lost along the way, Melinda Everitt keeps a list of participants on her blog at If You Bling It.

This was not the first card I created for the blog hop, but when I was creating the list of products I used I realized there was a retired alphabet stamp in the mix. Fortunately I had the time to go back to the drawing board to create a new card and be a bit more careful with my product selection. I hope you will stop by on Saturday to see the first card I created.


Before you head to ***Alyson Mayo's Create with Alyson***, the supplies I used to create my project are listed below.

All supplies are from Close To My Heart except where noted:
I stamped using two of the sprigs and Champagne to create a wreath-like shape then colored the leaves in with the Fern and the waterbrush. I then stamped with Desert Sand, Peacock and Poppy and Black.

If you are not already working with a CTMH Independent Consultant, you may purchase all of the supplies I used at my Online Business Address.

Before you leave I would be delighted if you left me a comment letting me know what you think of my project. So you do not have to scroll back up, the next stop on the hop is ***Alyson Mayo's Create with Alyson***.

Thank you for hopping with us. I hope you are finding much inspiration.
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September 2016 CTMH News

The September 2016 Stamp of the Month is Blessed Beyond Measure


Blessed Beyond Measure (S1609) is an exclusive D-size set of 19 stamps that is only available for purchase during the month of September 2016. The stamp set can be yours for $5 when you place an order of $50 or more in qualifying Close To My Heart products (and if you qualify for additional sets at $5 for each $50 you spend). Alternatively it is available at $17.95. Recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks for this stamp set are: 1" x 1" (Y1000), 1" x 3½" (Y1002), 2" x 2" (Y1003) and 2" x 3½" (Y1009). The images outlined in red (pumpkin and leaves) coordinate with the Cricut® Artbooking cartridge (Z3169).

If you would like a list of the products used to create the above items, you will find the information in the Recipes for Holiday Expressions, a PDF file that lists the products used to make the samples in the Holiday Expressions so you may re-create projects at home. I am participating in a Blessed Beyond Measure blog hop this month; you will find my post tomorrow. Please visit my CTMH 2016 09 Sep SOTM Blessed Beyond Measure for additional ideas using this stamp set.

September 2016 - National Stamping Month: Create Kindness


September is National Stamping Month and CTMH has created a great Create Kindness card kit to celebrate. When I first saw this kit I wished I had it to give to the bus driver that looked out for me in a pouring down rain (one of the few we have had this summer).

The kit was designed to help create a little more kindness in the world and, I don't know about you, but I think we all need it. So often we hear complaints about something done wrong, but so rarely is something done right or above and beyond recognized.

The cards are quick and easy to make because the card bases are pre-printed. The Create Kindness card kit contains all of the supplies (except your favorite adhesive) needed to create 24 beautiful handmade cards. Watch Close To My Heart's blog, Instagram account and Facebook page in September to see what has been created with the card kit and the RAK it has inspired. Watch social media for the hashtag #createkindness.

When you purchase the kit for $46.95, the contents include:

Create Kindness Card Kit (CC1145)

24 – 3" × 3" pre-printed card bases with envelopes, 24 – Pre-cut 1 ¾" white circles, 8 – Exclusive M-size stamp sets (shown below), 1 – Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ mini stamp pad, 1 – 2" × 2" My Acrylix® block and 1 – My Acrylix® mini stamp organizer

If you could purchase all of the above items separately, except the Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ mini stamp pad–the mini size was created exclusively for this kit, they add up to $53.45.

Here's a better look at the stamps in the kit; they are also available for individual purchase at $2.95 each.

Create Kindness—Beautiful (CC1147)
Create Kindness—Enjoy (CC1148)
Create Kindness—Friend (CC1149)
Create Kindness—Hello (CC1150)
Create Kindness—Everything (CC1151)
Create Kindness—Love (CC1152)
Create Kindness—Smile (CC1153)
Create Kindness—Special (CC1154)

If you would like to purchase additional card bases, envelopes and circles for stamping on, they are available for $9.95.

Create Kindness Card Bases & Envelopes (CC1146)

The contents are 24 – 3" × 3" pre-printed card bases, envelopes, and circles.

I know I would love to be the recipient of a little kindness card. These cards would also make great little gift cards.

September 2016 - Holiday Expressions


The latest mini idea book, Holiday Expressions, includes items for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas with a few winter and Hanukkah stamps. This new mini book is valid from September 1 through December 31, 2016.

If you are ready to place an order or would like to research any product, the Shop Now button will take you there.


If you have any product or promotion questions, do not hesitate to email me. You will also find me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts. Thank you for visiting today.
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