Crafting for sanity? Or insanity?

Monday, June 6, 2022

Stamptacular - List of Stamps

At the beginning of the month I shared the news that the Close To My Heart Stamptacular Sale is on now, through the end of June 2022.

Stamptacular–June 2022

On the first of June I shared the flyers that show the Stamp + Thin Cuts bundles and the five stamps exclusive to the June 2022 Stamptacular Sale.

Today I am sharing a list of all of the stamps, without Thin Cuts, that are available during Stamptacular (click on any image for a better look).

Stamptacular Stamp Sets

Here's the same list of stamp sets with links to the product page that includes the stamp set image.

The list is sorted by stamp set size then item number on one tab; on a different tab the stamps are sorted by name (the list is a work in progress).

Thank you for visiting today. Have a great week!

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

"It's the most wonderful time of the year." Is that song suck in your head now? Are you thinking about the holidays or are you thinking about the allergy medication commercial that has been airing on television and streaming services lately? To be honest I was very disappointed the song was used this time of year for medication, but now hearing it makes me smile. I just wish the heat and humidity would stay away. We could have average temperatures for the rest of summer and I think that would be a huge win. I hope you are happy with the weather wherever you are reading this.

So, why did I say "It's the most wonderful time of the year"? It is Stamptacular at Close To My Heart. More on Stamptacular below, let me tell you about the Stamp Of The Month first.

June 2022 Stamp Of The Month I Heart Summer

I Heart Summer—June Stamp of the Month (S2205)

I Heart Summer—June Stamp of the Month (S2206)

I Heart Summer (S2206) is an exclusive D-size set of 7 stamps. I Heart Summer is available only during the month of June 2022. The stamp set can be free for CTMH VIP Customers who place a qualifying order during June. Those who are not CTMH VIP Customers can place a qualifying order then purchase the stamp set for only $5. Everyone qualifies for additional sets at $5 for each additional $50 spent on the same order. I Heart Summer is also available for $18.95 with no other purchase required. The recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks for this stamp set are: 1" × 6½" (Y1005), and 2" × 6½" (Y1010).

The CTMH artists created this two-page layout with the SOTM I Heart Summer:

two-page layout created with I Heart Summer

This is where I tell you that I have been lucky enough to see the July–September 2022 catalog (yes, the next catalog is valid for three months). If you love to scrapbook your time at the beach or at the pool (or summer vacations in general), you will want I Heart Summer to use with the Beach Party collection in the next catalog. I think they will work together beautifully.

Please join the CTMH Artwork Showcase Facebook group (this replaces the SOTM Blog Hop) to see what CTMH Makers created with I Heart Summer.

Stamptacular

Stamptacular–June 2022

This is the Close To My Heart special that many of us eagerly anticipate each year. This is a month-long extravaganza where you can save 35% on selected stamps and up to 50% on Stamp + Thin Cuts bundles.

The following Stamp + Thin Cuts bundles are available while supplies last and may run out before the Stamptacular special is over. Be sure to order early if there are Stamp + Thin Cut bundles that you have had your eye on.

Stamptacular Stamp + Thin Cut Flyer - page 1

Stamptacular Stamp + Thin Cut Flyer - page 2

Stamptacular Stamp + Thin Cut Flyer - page 3

Stamptacular Stamp + Thin Cut Flyer - page 4

Stamptacular Stamp + Thin Cut Flyer - page 5

Stamptacular Stamp + Thin Cut Flyer - page 6

Stamptacular Stamp + Thin Cut Flyer - page 7

Stamptacular Stamp + Thin Cut Flyer - page 8

If you would like a printable PDF version of the Stamp + Thin Cut bundles included in the sale, you can download the flyer here.

In addition to items that appear in (or appeared in) a catalog(s), there are a five stamps exclusive to the June 2022 Stamptacular Sale:

Stamptacular Stamps Flyer

The exclusive Stamptacular Stamps Flyer is available to download in PDF format here.

There are a few stamp sets or stamp set categories that are not included in the Stamptacular special:

Exclusive stamp sets associated with current specials, e.g. Hope & Kindness
Stamp of the Month sets
Operation Smile stamp sets
Rewards Your Way stamp sets

I will post a comprehensive list of each individual stamp set and Stamp + Thin Cuts sets available through the Stamptacular special in the next day or so; the list is so long it deserves its own post. Stamptacular prices are available through June 30, 2022 while supplies last.

National Scrapbooking Month—Hope & Kindness

National Scrapbooking Month—Hope & Kindness

Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with the new paper collection Hope & Kindness! The Hope & Kindness. paper packet features a selection of 12 patterned sheets, including cut-apart paper sheets, and specialty cardstock and die-cuts, stamps, and Thin Cuts. The products are shown in this National Scrapbooking Month—Hope & Kindness Product Flyer:

National Scrapbooking Month—Hope & Kindness Flyer - page 1

National Scrapbooking Month—Hope & Kindness Flyer - page 2

This special also includes three exclusive workshop kits for scrapbooking (two) and cardmaking:

Hope & Kindness Album Workshop Flyer - page 1

Hope & Kindness Album Workshop Flyer - page 2

Hope & Kindness Scrapbooking Workshop Flyer - page 3

Hope & Kindness Scrapbooking Workshop Flyer - page 4

Hope & Kindness Cardmaking Workshop Flyer - page 5

Hope & Kindness Cardmaking Workshop Flyer - page 6

Click on any of the flyer images above for a closer look or you can download a PDF of each flyer.

Hope & Kindness Album Workshop Kit (CC52210) - Album Workshop Flyer PDF
Hope & Kindness Scrapbooking Workshop Kit (CC5228) - Scrapbooking Workshop PDF
Hope & Kindness Cardmaking Workshop Kit (CC5229) - Cardmaking Workshop PDF

There are also two discounted product bundles. Both are shown in the National Scrapbooking Month—Hope & Kindness Product Flyer PDF.

Hope & Kindness Product Bundle (CC52211)
Hope & Kindness Paper Bundle (CC52212)

Offer available May 1 through June 30. Shipping & handling based on full retail price of all items.

May–June 2022 Catalog

May–June 2022 Catalog

June 2022 is the last month the catalog picture above is valid.

Have a wonderful June. If you know of a way to slow the clock, please share. I could really use two or three more hours in each day. :-)

Friday, May 20, 2022

A Few More Tutti Frutti Cards

I have a few more Tutti Frutti cards to share with you.

Below are the last of the Tutti Frutti Cardmaking Workshop cards. I created the entire workshop as invitations for my mother to use to invite folks from her high school to a get together.

Tutti Frutti Cardmaking Workshop - Project 4

For this group of Project 4 cards I stayed fairly true to the instructions in the workshop guide except I cut the Grape cardstock a little smaller so there is a narrower border behind the stamped White Daisy. Other than the size of the Grape layer, I followed the directions exactly for two of the cards. On one card I used the true (darker) side of Flamingo. On the final card (shown on the right) I used the true (darker) side of Flamingo and Lemonade for the dove-tailed embellishments.

I also created this birthday card for a late May celebration.

Tutti Frutti Birthday Card

This A2-size card (4¼ × 5½") was inspired by Pattern 21 in the Make It From You Heart Volume 2 (9042 - retired). I used Tutti Frutti paper and Flamingo and Grape cardstock to decorate the card front. Before adhering the panel to the card base I wrapped the panel with purple and yellow Baker's Twine (a gift from a friend). I used Thin 3-D Foam Tape to attach the sentiment to the card and Silver Stickles™ Glitter Glue (Z3562) to decorate the sentiment banner.

Please let me take a moment to remind you of the May Flash Sale.

May Flash Sale

The sale began earlier today and the discounts are available though 11:59 pm MDT on May 24, which is 1:59 am EDT on May 25, while supplies last. I posted all of the details yesterday.

Thank you so much for visiting today. I hope your AC is ready for the forecasted heat advisory many of us are under for Saturday. I will be getting up very early, earlier than I would like, to put the units in the windows.

More Tutti Frutti Cards and May Flash Sale

I should be asleep, but just before shutting down my laptop I noticed that Close To My Heart is having a May Flash Sale. I already had this photo of the Project 3 Tutti Frutti Cardmaking Workshop ready, so I thought I would write a dual purpose post.

Tutti Frutti Cardmaking Workshop - Project3

If you saw this photo at the CTMH Artwork Showcase Facebook group, as I mentioned there, I stayed fairly true to the workshop guide instructions for two of the cards except I used the true (darker) side of the Flamingo and Lemonade cardstock on one card. On one of the cards I placed the Flamingo cardstock and the Popsicle paper closer to the card edge so there was less of a white border showing from the card base. On the final card I rotated the card so it folded on the left side. When I like a patterned paper, I prefer to show off the paper as much as possible. I know some of us, me included, have a hard time cutting into papers we like. I think cutting into the paper and trying to show as much as possible is a better alternative than being a paper hoarder. [insert big grin]

Now on to the May Flash Sale...

May Flash Sale

The sale begins May 20 at 3:00 pm MDT; that's 5:00 pm EDT on May 20. There are discounted offers on a variety of products. The discounts are available though 11:59 pm MDT on May 24, which is 1:59 am EDT on May 25, while supplies last.

If you are a subscriber to the CTMH Newsletter, you will be receiving an email reminder when the sale begins this afternoon.

As with previous flash sales, sale prices for this flash sale are only available on orders placed through my Maker website for the duration of the sale.

All discounted items ordered as part of the sale count toward earning VIP Credit and the Stamp of the Month at the discounted price. Shipping and handling will be based on the full retail value of sale items.

Any items purchased using VIP Credit will be redeemed at the full retail price, so I suggest saving your VIP Credit for another time.

To see which items will be discounted during the sales, visit the promotions page on my Maker website at any time during the sale. All offers are only available while supplies last. As a reminder, any current item that goes unavailable during the sale will return to availability at its normal price when the sale ends.

I hope your Friday is the best day of your week and that you have a fabulous weekend. Thank you for stopping by today.

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Tutti Frutti Cards

If you visited yesterday you saw how I changed the center of the wreath on Project 1 cards in the Tutti Frutti Cardmaking Workshop from the lighter side of Lemonade to an even lighter yellow by using Watercolor Paints. The Project 2 cards use the wreath from that Thin Cut.

Tutti Frutti Cardmaking Workshop - Project 2

The wreath is from the same 8½" × 8½" square of White Daisy colored with the lightest yellow in the Watercolor Paints to create my own, very light Lemonade-inspired cardstock.

The two overlapping cards on the left were made mostly following the workshop instructions. Because the wreath is a paler yellow, I colored in more of the elements that make up the wreath. The card toward the middle back uses the true (darker) side of the Flamingo cardstock. I cut the papers for the card on the right to become a card with the fold on the left rather than the fold on the top of the card.

Before I forget, I also cut my stamp to make it easier to stamp the two words on one line. If the prospect of cutting your stamp makes you nervous, I have a few suggestions for you.

before cutting, stamp the image on a piece of scrap paper and keep it in the envelope, if you ever want to stamp an image as the stamp came from CTMH, you have that image to help you line up the parts, you may also want to draw a line on the back of the stamp with a permanent marker to help line up the two pieces
use sharp scissors and, if you have enough dexterity, try to hold the stamp so you can gently pull the words apart a little to make it easier to get your scissors between the words
work slowly so your snip can be deliberate
stamp some test images to verify you have the bottom of the words aligned, when you are happy with the alignment, stamp on a scrap piece of paper and keep it in the stamp envelope to help you align the two pieces in the middle

If you also prefer a more subtle share of Lemonade on your card, I hope you like the ideas I shared yesterday and today. Thank you for making the time to visit today.

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Highlighting New Products in May–June 2022 Catalog

If you are a regular visitor, you know that I usually participated in blog hops featuring the Close To My Heart Stamp Of The Month, new products featured in the latest CTMH catalogs and products featured in CTMH promotions. Recently the blog hops moved to Facebook and became the CTMH Artwork Showcase.

CTMH Artwork Showcase May-June 2022 Catalog

The official name of the group is Melinda Everitt's CTMH Artwork Showcase. I hope that you will join the Facebook Group to see all of the fabulous artwork shared there.

The first item I created with papers from the May–June 2022 Catalog was this card for my great-niece's April 2022 birthday. I did not plan to share this card in the CTMH Artwork Showcase, but since all of the items I used are still available, I thought you might want to see a different version of the Cake Day Cardmaking Workshop and take a second look at some March–April 2022 catalog items using different papers and colors.

The color inspiration is from my great-niece who, a few days before her birthday, said her favorite colors are orange and blue.

Fresh Paint Cake Birthday Card

I used Nectarine for the first layer then added a layer of Capri enhanced with some scoring and sanding. I tucked some of the Fresh Paint racing flag paper on either side. I also used the splatter print from Fresh Paint and Capri Glitter Paper to decorate. I used Watercolor Pencils to color the presents, candles and highlight areas on the cake. I used Clear Shimmer Brush on the White Daisy piece stamped with presents, the top of the cake and the flames on the candles. I mixed a few drops of Gold Shimmer Brush with Clear Shimmer Brush and used a Waterbrush to apply it to the cake plate.

Fresh Paint Cake Birthday Card

The card with the cake slice "served" shows the "Happy Birthday!" sentiment.

Switching gears, I also created with the Tutti Frutti Cardmaking Workshop Kit. My mother is organizing a get-together for her class and the classes before and after this summer, so I made all of the cards "You're Invited" cards.

Tutti Frutti Cardmaking Workshop - Project 1

When I first saw this workshop, I was not drawn to the Lemonade in the center of this card, so I decided to alter the card a bit. I cut an 8½" × 8½" square of White Daisy and used the lightest yellow in the Watercolor Paints to create my own, very light Lemonade-inspired cardstock. I also had what I think is a happy accident. When cutting the Tutti Frutti strips, I cut them ¼" too narrow, so I cut the Flamingo cardstock ½" wider to make up the difference. I am very happy with the results. The card on the left uses the light side of Flamingo and Grape while I used the true (darker) side on the right card.

I hope you like the variations of the cards I created with the Tutti Frutti (and Cake Day) Cardmaking Workshop Kits. I will share the other cards from the Tutti Frutti Cardmaking Workshop Kit over the next couple of days so please come back.

Here's a complete list of products used; all supplies are from Close To My Heart except where noted:

My Acrylix™ Stamp Sets: stamp and Thin Cuts from Cake Day Cardmaking Workshop Kit (G1250), Cake Day—Scrapbooking (D2080) or Cake Day—Scrapbooking Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z4416)
Tutti Frutti Cardmaking Workshop Kit (G1256)
Paper: Fresh Paint (X7280B) or Fresh Paint + Sticker Sheet (X7280S)
Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pads: Intense Black (Z4189)
Cardstock: White Daisy (1385), Capri (X6057), Nectarine (X6043)
Glitter Paper: Capri (Z2539)
Shimmer Brush: Clear (Z3293), Gold (Z3316), Mint (Z4225)
Watercolor Pencils (Z3630), Watercolor Paints (Z3132), Small Round Waterbrush (Z3224), Paintbrush Set (Z3188-retired)
TriBlend™ Marker: Citrus (Z2482), Magenta (Z2532)
White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (X254)
Die-cutting & Embossing Machine (Z5038)
Score Board (Z1937), Sanding Kit (Z1294) - both are retired

If you are not working with a CTMH Maker, you may purchase the supplies I used at my eCommerce website.

If you have a few moments, please let me know what you think of my cards. Thank you for stopping by and please join us at the CTMH Artwork Showcase Facebook group.

Sunday, May 1, 2022

CTMH SOTM May 2022 - You Can Do Anything

If you are visiting this evening for the May 2022 Stamp Of The Month Blog Hop, I have some exciting news. Please join us at the CTMH Artwork Showcase Facebook group. The Facebook group is taking the place of the blog hops to allow for sharing of artwork without needing a blog.

I choose Watercolor Paints and Watercolor Pencils to create with You Can Do Anything. My first cards were inspired by my travels to the Rocky Mountains.

For my first card I stamped with Mink ink, then used Watercolor Paints to color in the scene.

card created with You Can Do Anything and Watercolor Paints

I stamped with Mink ink so the image would have a softer feel. I used the flat brush from the Paintbrush Set (retired) to assist with coloring the sky and water since the area to cover was large. Where the mountains are in reflection, I painted with a light gray and when that was dry I went over the area with a light blue. Around the sun I painted with a light shade of yellow then painted with a light shade of blue. After coloring and allowing the paper to dry, I stamped the sentiment, some birds and Evergreen trees. I stamped the upright trees with second generation Evergreen ink and the trees in reflection in third generation ink. After the ink was dry I used a damp paintbrush to go over the trees in reflection to give them a more muted appearance.

My second card was stamped with Intense Black and colored with Watercolor Pencils.

card created with You Can Do Anything and Watercolor Pencils

When stamping I masking the larger cloud so it would appear there is a smaller cloud slightly behind the larger cloud. I shaded the lower half of the clouds with a gray pencil. I shaded the mountains in reflection with gray, went over the top with a light shade of blue and then mixed the colors a bit when I used the Waterbruch to smooth out the pencil. On this card I also used a light shade of yellow around the sun. Once everything was dry I stamped the sentiment and birds.

Here's a complete list of products used; all supplies are from Close To My Heart except where noted:

My Acrylix™ Stamp Sets: You Can Do Anything—May Stamp of the Month (S2205)
Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pads: Intense Black (Z4189), Mink (Z2825), Evergreen (Z6512)
Distress Watercolor Cardstock (Z3885), Watercolor Pencils (Z3630), Watercolor Paints (Z3132), Small Round Waterbrush (Z3224), Medium Round Waterbrush (Z3225), Paintbrush Set (Z3188-retired)
White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (X254)
Supplies not from Close To My Heart: Tim Holtz Stamp Platform

If you are not working with a CTMH Maker, you may purchase the supplies I used at my eCommerce website.

I hope you like the cards I created with You Can Do Anything—May Stamp of the Month. If you have a few moments, please let me know what you think of my card. Thank you for stopping by and please join us at the CTMH Artwork Showcase Facebook group.

#may2022sotm #youcandoanything

May 2022 CTMH News

I feel like I repeat myself every month, but I cannot believe April 2022 is over and we are at the beginning of another month. I feel like I am on a hamster wheel that just keeps speeding up. My mom says that the pace is just as fast for her and she is retired. Oh no. I was hoping that I would have a lot more crafting time. Time to craft is something I definitely need to use up my stash.

In case you have not heard, May is National Scrapbooking Month. To honor the occasion, Close To My Heart created the Hope & Kindness collection. In addition to the Hope & Kindness collection, CTMH is offering some bundles for National Scrapbooking Day Celebration and will be hosting Lives on the CTMH Facebook Page on May 6 and May 7 where we will create the bundles together.

May 2022 Stamp Of The Month You Can Do Anything

You Can Do Anything—May Stamp of the Month (S2205)

You Can Do Anything (S2205) is an exclusive D-size set of 12 stamps. You Can Do Anything is available only during the month of May 2022. The stamp set can be free for CTMH VIP Customers who place a qualifying order during May. Those who are not CTMH VIP Customers can place a qualifying order then purchase the stamp set for only $5. Everyone qualifies for additional sets at $5 for each additional $50 spent on the same order. You Can Do Anything is also available for $18.95 with no other purchase required. The recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks for this stamp set are: 1" × 1" (Y1000), 1" × 1½" (Y1016), 1" × 3½" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 2" × 3½" (Y1009), and 2" × 6½" (Y1010).

The Close To My Heart art department created some cards with You Can Do Anything:

card created with You Can Do Anything

I am enjoying creating with this stamp set. I plan to share a card or two later today, so please stop back.

National Scrapbooking Month—Hope & Kindness

National Scrapbooking Month—Hope & Kindness

National Scrapbooking Month—Hope & Kindness Flyer - page 1

National Scrapbooking Month—Hope & Kindness Flyer - page 2

This special also includes three exclusive workshop kits for scrapbooking (two) and cardmaking:

Hope & Kindness Album Workshop Flyer - page 1

Hope & Kindness Album Workshop Flyer - page 2

Hope & Kindness Scrapbooking Workshop Flyer - page 1

Hope & Kindness Scrapbooking Workshop Flyer - page 2

Hope & Kindness Cardmaking Workshop Flyer - page 1

Hope & Kindness Cardmaking Workshop Flyer - page 2

Click on any of the flyer images above for a closer look or you can download a PDF of each flyer.

Hope & Kindness Album Workshop Kit (CC52210) - Album Workshop Flyer PDF
Hope & Kindness Scrapbooking Workshop Kit (CC5228) - Scrapbooking Workshop PDF
Hope & Kindness Cardmaking Workshop Kit (CC5229) - Cardmaking Workshop PDF

There are also two discounted product bundles. Both are shown in the National Scrapbooking Month—Hope & Kindness Product Flyer PDF.

Hope & Kindness Product Bundle (CC52211)
Hope & Kindness Paper Bundle (CC52212)

Offer available May 1 through June 30. Shipping & handling based on full retail price of all items.

National Scrapbooking Day Celebration

National Scrapbooking Day Celebration

Celebrate National Scrapbooking Day on the CTMH Facebook Page. The CTMH National Scrapbooking Day Celebration includes two days of live virtual events on Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7 from 1pm to 9pm EDT. The team at the CTMH Home Office will lead us through creating five workshops over the two days. If you are not able to join us live the videos will be available on the CTMH Facebook Page to watch when the time is convenient for you.

Choose just the scrapbooking or the cardmaking workshops or select a bundle of all the workshops. The options are summarized in the flyer pages pictured below (or download the flyer).

National Scrapbooking Day Celebration flyer
page 1

National Scrapbooking Day Celebration flyer
page 2

National Scrapbooking Day Celebration flyer
page 3

Visit the National Scrapbooking Day Celebration page to view all of the available workshops. Click on a workshop for an image of the workshop product bundle; click on the product image, then click on the left and right arrows to view the layouts and cards that will be created during the live virtual events.

National Scrapbooking Day Celebration is available until May 31, 2022 while supplies last.

Workshop Wow: As You Grow

Workshop Wow: As You Grow

With these new scrapbooking and cardmaking workshops, we get a new and different look at the As You Grow paper collection from the Annual Catalog.

Workshop Wow: As You Grow flyer
page 1

Workshop Wow: As You Grow flyer
page 2

Workshop Wow: As You Grow flyer
page 3

The scrapbooking workshop creates 3 two-page layouts and one single-page layout; the cardmaking workshop creates 16 cards. Both workshops are available with or without stamps and Thin Cuts. Visit the Workshop Wow: As You Grow page on my eCommerce website or download a PDF of the flyer. Workshop Wow: As You Grow is available until May 31, 2022 while supplies last.

We Will Remember

We Will Remember

We Will Remember was designed for Anzac Day (a day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand), but the images and phrases are wonderful tools to have on hand for creating.

We Will Remember Flyer

If you would like a PDF of the flyer, you will find it here. We Will Remember is available until May 31, 2022 while supplies last.

VIP Rainbow Acrylic Shapes

VIP Rainbow Acrylic Shapes

Calling all VIP Customers...the VIP Rainbow Acrylic Shapes will brighten all of your papercrafting projects. All of the details are shared on the VIP Rainbow Acrylic Shapes page of my eCommerce site or download a PDF of the flyer.

VIP Rainbow Acrylic Shapes Flyer

VIP Rainbow Acrylic Shapes is available until May 31, 2022 while supplies last.