Happy Birthday Emma

We gave Emma her card weeks ago, so I can share her first birthday card without spoiling any surprises. For Emma's first birthday the card had to be extra special so I created a twist and pop card. This is the card front.

When the card is opened, there are several more animals for Emma to look at.

I used a mix of Close To My Heart and other products. Here is a list of what I used in case you would like to create something similar:

• My Acrylix™ Stamp Set: March 2018 SOTM: Birthday Time (S1803) - retired
• Thin Cuts: Sweet Baby Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z3376), Happy Birthday (Z3304) - retired
• Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pads: Charcoal (Z2831), Bashful (Z2819), Heather (Z2826)
• Black Memento™ Ink Pad (Z899)
• paper packets: Gimme Some Sugar Paper Packet (X7228B) - retired
• 12" X 12" Cardstock: Bashful (X5941), White Daisy (1385)
• Cricut® Cuttlebug™ (available at Level 1 of Hostess Rewards; see page 4 of Annual Inspirations 2017-2018)
• Cricut® Explore Air™ 2 (available at Level 3 of Hostess Rewards; see page 4 of Annual Inspirations 2017-2018)
• my Design Space files are here if you would like to try your own Twist and Pop Card (I did not cut the extra decorative layers, but I did use them on a Mother's Day Card and a Baby Shower Card
•  Supplies not from Close To My Heart: the Craftwork Card's blog for instructions to cut and assemble the Twist and Pop Card; Tattered Lace/Rare Earth Collaborations: Wishing on a Star (436336), Ready to Go (436335), Bunnies Just For You (436337) and Catch a Falling Star (436338), Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils

Even though Emma just turned one, I think she liked the animals and movement on her card.

Seasonal Expressions 2 New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to the Seasonal Expressions 2 New Product Blog Hop featuring products from the latest Close To My Heart Idea Book. We have about 20 Independent Consultants sharing projects they created with new products in the CTMH Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Book. 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 last blogger links to our first blogger, so you can start anywhere, continue to visit the next blog and you will work your way back to where you started.

You should have arrived here from ***Vickie ODell's HeARTful Stamper***. If you get lost along the way, Melinda Everitt keeps a list of participants on her blog at If You Bling It.

I created this cover for a mini album to document my road trips this summer:

I used a variety of ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Markers to color the icons I plan to see this summer; I might go back and color in all of them. I am undecided. I tried to take a close-up photo of the star, camera and pin icons where I used the Clear Shimmer Brush to highlight them, but unfortunately it did not show up well in my photos.

Below is an image of the stamp set I used. While CTMH has always added the Cricut® Compatible cartridge name to the stamp carrier sheet, they now also list the image number to search for in Design Space. For the US Vacation stamp, the number to search on is #M2CD0725.

When you first add this image to your virtual mat, it will look like this:

Ungroup and delete the images that are not needed. Then use the lock near the size boxes to unlock the image sizing so you can use the size information from the stamp carrier sheet to cut the correct size.

When I was done resizing, I locked the size and then used the up arrow to make the image a little larger. I cut the smaller USA from White Daisy to stamp on and the larger USA from Sapphire cardstock so it would look like a shadow.

I also had fun with the Thin Cuts—Favor Box. I choose to use twine rather than ribbon so the letters would not complete with the ribbon.


Before you head to ***My Flights of Fancy by Michelle Johns***, the supplies I used to create my project are listed below.

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

• My Acrylix™ Stamp Set: US Vacation (D1778)
• Paper Packets: Documented (X7234B), Central Park (X7231B)
• 12" X 12" Cardstock: White Daisy (1385), Sapphire (X5957)
• Specialty Paper: Kraft Paper (Z1375)
• White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (X254)
• Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pads: Archival Black (Z3271), Sapphire (Z2848), Ruby (Z2870)
• Thin Cuts: Thin Cuts—Favor Box (Z4173)
• embellishments: Shimmer Brush—Clear (Z3293), White Ribbon (Z4196), ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Markers
• adhesives: Thin 3-D Foam Tape (Z2060), Adhesive Runner (Z3372)
• Cricut® Collection: Hello USA Digital Collection (Z3390)
• United States of America ― #M2CD0725 ― page n/a ― 2 3/4" height ― not applicable
• Ungroup and delete images until the United States of America image remains
• Cricut® Collection: You Are Here Collection-physical cartridge (Z3389) or You Are Here Digital Collection (Z3387)
• font
• Cricut® Explore Air™ 2 (available at Level 3 of Hostess Rewards; see page 4 of Annual Inspirations 2017-2018)
• Cricut® Cuttlebug™ (available at Level 1 of Hostess Rewards; see page 4 of Annual Inspirations 2017-2018)
• Supplies not from Close To My Heart: Design Space, Scotch Quick-Dry Adhesive, We R Memory Keepers Precision Press Stamping Tool; We R Memory Keepers Big Bite Crop-A-Dile II, Silver Album Rings, craft knife, glass cutting mat

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

Before you leave, Consultants were able to attend a Seasonal Expressions 2 Launch in late March. We created a layout and three cards at the event. Here are my completed cards:

If you have a few moments, please leave a comment letting me know what you think of my projects. I hope you are enjoying the items created with the new products CTMH has to offer. Thank you for hopping with us!

So you do not have to scroll back up, the next stop on the hop is ***My Flights of Fancy by Michelle Johns***.

Dad Is Rad: Exclusive Father’s Day Stamp Bundle

Close To My Heart is excited to announce a new exclusive stamp set and product bundle especially for Father’s Day. Available May 15–June 30, the My Acrylix® Rad Dad stamp set features sentiments and images suited to creating Father’s Day cards and scrapbook pages.

You may select from the Rad Dad Stamp Set or the Workshop Kit.

Rad Dad Stamp Set (D1811)

Dad Is Rad Workshop Kit (CC51810)

The Workshop Kit includes the following: (1) My Acrylix© Rad Dad Stamp Set (D1811), (1) White Burlap Ribbon (Z3323), (1) Gold Bows (Z3380), cardstock sheets (1) Almond, (1) Crystal Blue, (1) Juniper, (1) Sapphire, (2) Toffee, (4) White Daisy, (1) Gold Glitter.

A handful of pages and cards have been created with the Workshop Kit. You can recreate them using the supplies contained in the Dad Is Rad product bundle! Instructions for the projects are available on the Workshop Kit product page.


The cutting guide and assembly instructions may be downloaded from the product page. Look for the link under the add to cart button or under the product description.

Seasonal Expressions 2 Tour

On May 1, 2018 a new Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Book was introduced.

Seasonal Expressions 2 may be viewed at my Consultant website or you can download a printable PDF (links open in a new tab). If you would like a list of items in SE2 2018, the Product Index (in PDF format) may be helpful; I use mine for a wish list and as a way to track purchases. CTMH also produced a PDF of Recipes which lists the products used (and Cricut shapes, if applicable) to create the samples found in the book. Please look at the Icon Legend on page 1 to see which products will likely be available after August 31 (the last day this Idea Book is valid).

The Hostess Rewards are the first thing you will find after the index. Most of the organizational items are available with Rewards. For some of the Hostess Rewards, the Cuttlebug and Cricut Explore Air 2 for example, you will need to refer to pages 4 and 5 in Annual Inspirations '17-'18 (unfortunately the CTMH Rolling Bag (HB1064) pictured on page 4 is no longer available). There are also four new stamp sets available exclusively with Hostess Rewards.

page 2 of SE 2 '18	page 3 of SE 2 '18
Marker Bundle (Z9977) page 2 of SE 2 '18	Designer Travel Hostess Bundle (HB1070) page 3 of SE 2 '18
New Adventures (A1219) page 4 of SE 2 '18	It's a Grandbaby! (B1604) page 4 of SE 2 '18
Hearts Background (A1221) page 5 of SE 2 '18	Dino-mite Birthday (B1605) page 5 of SE 2 '18

If you would like host a gathering to earn Hostess Rewards products, please use the contact form to the right to discuss scheduling an in-home or on-line gathering.

There are four new paper packs introduced in Seasonal Expressions 1. There are Workshops Your Way® Scrapbooking and Cardmaking Kits for each paper pack. Printed instructions are again included with the kits, but you can download the WYW instructions from my Consultant website (there is the link below the "Add To Cart" button); you can read through them before placing your order to determine if you need some additional products or while waiting for delivery. In addition to the layouts, at the end of the Scrapbooking guide there are directions for using the WYW "leftovers" and a few additional supplies (see the list under the WYW in the idea book), to create a few cards, the number varies depending on the collection, using your scraps:

Beautiful Friendship this collection starts on page 12	Fresh Air this collection starts on page 22
Central Park this collection starts on page 32	Documented this collection starts on page 42

Clicking on the link under the photos above take you to all of the CTMH products tagged with the paper collection name, including the stamps used to create samples in SE2 with the paper collection. Clicking on the paper photo will take you directly to the paper pack where you can view a larger image of each sheet.

How-To Patterns - page 7
Make It from Your Heart™ Volume 4 (9044) page 7	alternate view of Make It from Your Heart™ Volume 4
Story by Stacy™ - pages 8 through 11
Story by Stacy™ Stacy Julian page 8	Story by Stacy™ page 8
Story by Stacy™ Story Starter Workshop Kit—Dots (Z4207) page 9	Story by Stacy™ Story Starter Workshop Kit—Candy Apple (Z4208) page 9
Story by Stacy™ Story Starter Workshop Kit—Stripes (Z4209) page 9	Photo Trimmer (Z4211) page 9
Colorful Texture (D1784) page 10	Quotable Words (D1786) page 11
Beautiful Friendship Creative Collection - pages 12 through 21
Beautiful Friendship Paper Packet (X7233B) page 15	Beautiful Friendship Coordinating Cardstock (X7233D) page 15
Beautiful Friendship Complements (X7233C) page 15	Beautiful Friendship Bows (Z4195) page 15
White Ribbon (Z4196) page 15	this space intentionally blank
WYW® Beautiful Friendship Scrapbooking Kit (G1153) page 17	created with WYW Beautiful Friendship Scrapbooking Kit layouts shown on page 16
Beautiful Friendship—Cardmaking Stamp (C1720) page 18	Beautiful Friendship Cardmaking Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z4180) page 18
Beautiful Friendship—Scrapbooking (D1779) page 19	Build-a-Picnic (D1774) page 20
WYW® Festive Birthday Cardmaking Kit (G1157) page 21	created with WYW Festive Birthday Cardmaking Kit cards shown on page 21
Fresh Air Creative Collection - pages 22 through 31
Fresh Air Paper Packet (X7232B) page 25	Fresh Air Coordinating Cardstock (X7232D) page 25
Fresh Air Complements (X7232C) page 25	Fresh Air Shapes (Z4185) page 25
New England Ivy Burlap Ribbon (Z4170) page 25	space intentionally left blank
WYW® Fresh Air Scrapbooking Kit (G1152) page 27	created with WYW Fresh Air Scrapbooking Kit layouts shown on page 26
Fresh Air—Cardmaking Stamp (C1722) page 28	Fresh Air Cardmaking Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z4186) page 28
Fresh Air—Scrapbooking (D1783) page 29	Let’s Go Fishing (D1781) page 30
WYW® In My Heart Cardmaking Kit (G1156) page 31	created with WYW In My Heart Cardmaking Kit cards shown on page 31
Central Park Creative Collection - pages 32 through 41
Central Park Paper Packet (X7231B) page 35	Central Park Coordinating Cardstock (X7231D) page 35
Central Park Complements (X7231C) page 35	Central Park Sequins (Z4178) page 35
Central Park Alphabet (Z4197) page 35	space intentionally left blank
WYW® Central Park Scrapbooking Kit (G1151) page 37	created with WYW Central Park Scrapbooking Kit layouts shown on page 36
Central Park—Cardmaking Stamp (C1715) page 38	Central Park Cardmaking Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z4179) page 38
Central Park—Scrapbooking (D1775) page 39	space intentionally left blank
WYW® Cheers to You Cardmaking Kit (G1155) page 40	created with WYW Cheers to You Cardmaking Kit cards shown on page 40
Picture My Life™ Cards—Birthday Cheer (X7231E) page 41	created with Picture My Life™ Cards—Birthday Cheer shown on page 41
Documented Creative Collection - pages 42 through 59
Documented Paper Packet (X7234B) page 45	Documented Coordinating Cardstock (X7234D) page 45
Documented Complements (X7234C) page 45	Documented Dots (Z4177) page 45
Documented Titles (Z4171) page 45	space intentionally left blank
WYW® Documented Scrapbooking Kit (G1154) page 47	created with WYW Documented Scrapbooking Kit layouts shown on page 46
Documented—Cardmaking Stamp (C1719) page 48	Documented Cardmaking Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z4172) page 48
Documented—Scrapbooking (D1772) page 49	space intentionally left blank
WYW® Sweet Friends Cardmaking Kit (G1158) page 50	created with WYW Sweet Friends Cardmaking Kit cards shown on page 50
Picture My Life™ Cards—Love Us (X7234E) page 51	created with Picture My Life™ Cards—Love Us shown on page 51
Cut Above® Layout Kit—Family Ties (Z4199) page 52	created with Cut Above® layout Kit—Family Ties page 52
created with Cut Above® Layout Kit—Family Ties page 53	created with Cut Above® Layout Kit—Family Ties page 53
Cut Above® Recipe Kit—Kitchen Traditions (Z4168) page 54	Cut Above® Recipe Kit—Kitchen Traditions (with Memory Protectors™) (Z4169) page 54
Cut Above® Kitchen Traditions Bundle (Z4167) page 54	Kitchen Traditions (D1770) page 55
Seasonal My Acrylix® Stamp Sets - page 56 through 67
Heartfelt Thanks (C1718) page 57	US Vacation (D1778) page 58 coordinates with Cricut® Hello USA Digital Collection
Canadian Vacation (D1777) page 58 coordinates with Cricut® Hello Canada Digital Collection	On Holiday (D1776) page 59 coordinates with Cricut® Hello AU/NZ Digital Collection
Real Heroes (D1782) page 60	Be You (A1220) page 61
Ribbon Warrior (C1723) page 61	Ribbon Warrior Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z4184) page 61
Mini Independence Day (M1205) page 62	Mini Canada Day (M1206) page 62
Nights of Lights (C1724) page 62	space intentionally left blank
Shell Sentiments (C1721) page 63	Stamped with Love (A1222) page 63
Aloha Spirit (D1780) page 64	Summer Fun Paper Doll Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z4183) page 65
Movie Night (D1788) page 66	Music Speaks (D1787) page 67
Thin Cuts - page 68 through 69
Thin Cuts—Favor Box (Z4173) page 68	created with Thin Cuts page 68
Thin Cuts—A Big Thank You (Z4174) page 69	Thin Cuts—It's Your Day (Z4175) page 69
created with Thin Cuts—A Big Thank You page 69	Thin Cuts—Stitched Circles (Z4181) page 69
Thin Cuts—Stitched Hearts (Z4182) page 69	Thin Cuts—Stitched Ovals (Z4187) page 69
Organization - page 70 through 71 products shown inside cases are for illustrative purposes - not included with Organization Cases
Designer Travel Carry-all Case (Z6007) page 71	Designer Travel Paper Insert (Z6005) page 71
Designer Travel Trolley (Z6006) page 71	Designer Travel Marker Case (Z6000) page 71
Designer Travel Tool Case (Z6001) page 71	Designer Travel Block Case (Z6002) page 71
Designer Travel Ink Case (Z6003) page 71	Designer Travel Stamp Case (Z6004) page 71
International My Acrylix® Stamp Sets - page 72
Cinco de Mayo (C1717) page 72	Mi Familia (B1602) page 72
Petits Bonheurs (B1598) page 72	Le Temps des Vacances (B1618) page 72
My Acrylix® Stamp of the Month Stamp Sets - page 73 through page 76 Each stamp set only available during the month it is featured.
Classic Summer Bash - May 2018 page 73	A Bushel & a Peck - June 2018 page 74
Highlight Reel - July 2018 page 75	For the Love of Crafting - August 2018 page 76
Operation Smile™ Stamp Set - page 78 Seven dollars of the proceeds is donated to Operation Smile™
Punny Pals (D1751) page 78	created with Punny Pals page 78

Just a reminder, when you look at the WYW Kits on my Consultant website, be sure to download the Guide (you will find it under the "Add to Cart" button) with cutting and assembly tips. Also, under the photo of the kit contents you will see photos of the layouts or cards the kit makes. Just click on a thumbnail for a better view.

I hope you have enjoyed this tour of Seasonal Expressions 1. As always, the Shop Now button will take you to my Consultant website where you can see the other products that were introduced, read full products descriptions and place orders.

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