Pajama Party Tonight!

I hope you saw my post on Tuesday, July 23 and were able to keep tonight free so you can join us at 7:00 pm MDT (9:00 pm EDT) for the FREE Big Picture Classes Pajama Party.

Click here to join the Big Picture Classes Pajama Party tonight at 9:00 pm EDT where we will get a sneak peek of the new Cricut^® Artbooking collection which will be available for purchase on my OBA tomorrow.

The sneak peek will show us how to create this layout:

As always, if you have questions about any CTMH product or would like to host an online or in-home gathering so you can earn free and reduced price products, do not hesitate to contact me .

If you enjoy reading these posts, please head over to my Facebook page, Brenda's Paper Crafts, and Like it. Thanks for visiting today.

July CTMH Promotions Ending Soon

I cannot believe the summer is going by so fast. There are only a few days left in July. That means there are only a few more days to take advantage of the July SOTM Sweet Life, the special Let's Get Patriotic Stamp Sets (look for items B1437, D1575 and D1576) and the "Work the Workshop" promotion where you save 50% off the Workshops On The Go® Canvas Art Kit. Here are a few photos to refresh your memory:

As I mentioned yesterday, July 31 is also the last day to order CTMH products on the retiring list. Do not hesitate to click the Shop Now button to place your order.

Please contact me if you have any questions. If you enjoy reading these posts, please head over to my Facebook page, Brenda's Paper Crafts, and Like it. Thanks for visiting today.

Shopping From the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book ends July 31

There are only a few days left to order retiring products from the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book. I posted the list of retiring CTMH Retiring My Acrylix® Stamp Sets on June 30, 2013 and other Retiring Products (paper packets, WOTG, embellishments, etc.) on June 29, 2013. I have tried to keep the lists up-to-date as items sell out and are no longer available.

If you would like to purchase any CTMH products on the retiring list, please do not delay as some items have already sold out. Do not hesitate to click the Shop Now button to place your order.

Please contact me if you have any questions. If you enjoy reading these posts, please head over to my Facebook page, Brenda's Paper Crafts, and Like it. Thanks for visiting today.

You're Invited to ANOTHER Pajama Party!

Close To My Heart is sponsoring another Big Picture Classes Pajama Party. If you could not attend the last party and are wondering what one is, it is a live webcast with demonstrations, chatting, (usually) contests and all around fun. The webcast will include step-by-step instructions for making this layout using the Cricut^® Artbooking collection.

This FREE event is taking place on Wednesday, July 31 at 7:00 pm MDT (9:00 pm EDT). CTMH's very own Kristine Widtfeldt will walk us through the steps to create the above layout! If you have other plans on July 31, the event will be archived for later viewing.

If you already have an account at Big Picture Classes, you do not need to create another and if you participated in past Pajama Parties you do not need to register again. If this is your introduction to Big Picture Classes, creating an account is free. You will need a Big Picture Classes account (and log in) to use the message board, chat, post in the photo gallery, etc.

Bookmark this blog post and click here to join the Pajama Party on Wednesday, July 31 at 9:00 pm EDT.

If you enjoy this sneak peek of the new Cricut^® Artbooking collection the Pajama Party provides us, the Artbooking collection is available for purchase on August 1. Visit my OBA to order yours.

Items used to create the layout:

• Z1906 Cricut^® Artbooking Collection*
• 1301 Bamboo Cardstock
• 1388 Colonial White Cardstock
• X5668 Honey Cardstock
• X5762 Lagoon Cardstock
• X5930 Slate Cardstock
• X5639 Sweet Leaf Cardstock
• X5666 Twilight Cardstock
• Z2160 Twilight Exclusive Inks^® Pad
• Z2173 Slate Exclusive Inks^® Pad
• Z1853 Aqua Dots*
• Z1799 Silver Shimmer Trim
• Z1151 3-D Foam Tape
• Z1294 Sanding Kit

*These products will be available for customers to purchase beginning August 1, 2013.

If you would like to purchase the CTMH products to create a layout like above, please do not hesitate to contact me or you click the Shop Now button.

If you enjoy reading these posts, please head over to my Facebook page, Brenda's Paper Crafts, and Like it. Thanks for visiting today.

Print Photos using Studio J® Custom Photo Wells

Studio J®, CTMH's digital scrapbooking product (I do not call it software because you do not have to download and install anything), now has Custom Photo Wells. What does that mean for you? You now have more control over how your photos will look on your Studio J® layout. You can also use the No Limits pattern to create your own layout completely from scratch. Just think, if you find a sketch you love, you can recreate it in Studio J®. Or you can create a photo collage. Another exiting result using the No Limits pattern with Custom Photo Wells: you can now use Studio J® to print the photos you plan to use in your traditional scrapbooking! Just think - no more printing a 4x6 photo only to cut it down to 2x2 or 3x3 for a layout you have seen in a sketch! How to create a Studio J® layout with Custom Photo Wells to print photos for your classic scrapbooks is discussed in additional detail at approximately 4:30 into the video below.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Studio J® Custom Photo Wells is "Discover the creative potential of being able to add and customize photo wells on your Studio J layouts."

If you would like to learn more about CTMH products or being a CTMH Independent Consultant, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you would like to purchase any CTMH products to create your projects, just click the Shop Now button.

If you enjoy reading these posts, please head over to my Facebook page, Brenda's Paper Crafts, and Like it. Thanks for visiting today.

Memory Keeping Matters

Memory keeping (scrapbooking, card making, crafting) is important to us for many different reasons. We might be honoring the loss of a loved one, celebrating the addition of a new family member or documenting a family vacation. No matter your reason for memory keeping, Close to My Heart wants to make your memory keeping (and crafting) journey the best it can be.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video You Are Welcome Here is "Jeanette Lynton, founder and CEO of Close To My Heart and a leader in the stamping and scrapbooking industry for nearly 30 years, invites you to join in a creative and rewarding business opportunity. Close To My Heart's steady business tactics and love for creativity make this opportunity one of a lifetime! Watch the video to learn why now—more than ever—is a great time to celebrate creativity, preserve memories, and join the Close To My Heart family! You are welcome here."

If you would like to learn more about CTMH products or being a CTMH Independent Consultant, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you would like to purchase any CTMH products to create your projects, just click the Shop Now button.

If you enjoy reading these posts, please head over to my Facebook page, Brenda's Paper Crafts, and Like it. Thanks for visiting today.

Let's Get Organized!

Almost everyone I know has organization challenges in their craft room. This quick video gives us some great ideas for using the large organizer for our stamp sets and tools.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Get Organized! is "Learn how to use Close To My Heart's large organizer to organize your crafting supplies. This organizer is sturdy, see-through, stackable, and can hold up to 40 stamp sets!"

Featured items used in the video:

• Large Organizer (Z1834)

If you have 6x6 paper pads (or cut your 12x12 sheets down to 6x6) the large organizer is great for storing paper too.

If you would like to see the large organizer in person (or photos) with products inside, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you would like to purchase any of the items to create your projects, just click the Shop Now button.

I hope this video gave you some great ideas for using background stamps. Thanks for visiting today.

Using Background Stamps

Background stamps are great for creating your own paper from plain cardstock when you cannot find the perfect B&T paper to use. This short video gives us some great ideas for using our background stamps.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Background Stamps is "Learn tips and tricks for using Close To My Heart's versatile background stamp sets to create continuous images, personalized patterned papers, and nested designs."

Featured items used in the video:

• My Acrylix® In the Background (D1540)
• My Acrylix® Distressed Backgrounds (D1544)

If you would like more information about CTMH products or My Acrylix® stamps, please do not hesitate to contact me and I'll do my best to answer your questions. If you would like to purchase any of the items to create your projects, just click the Shop Now button.

I hope this video gave you some great ideas for using background stamps. Thanks for visiting today.

CTMH July Promotion: Work the Workshop - Canvas Art Kit

In April I shared a video with you showing some tips and tricks for creating projects with the Workshops On The Go® Canvas Art Kit. The Workshop Kit includes a 12" x 12" printed canvas display, exclusive stamp set and coordinating elements for decorating the canvas. It can be found on page 23 of the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book.

Since you are able to purchase the Kit for 50% off during the month of July (while supplies last), I thought it would be good to share the video again just in case the special price makes a difference in your decision to try the kit.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Canvas Art is "Close To My Heart's Workshops on the Go® canvas art kit includes accessories in two color schemes so you can create a piece of home décor that is uniquely yours. Talk about versatile!"

In this video they state that you can use 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151) or Liquid Glass (Z679) to adhere the items to the canvas. You may remember they used decoupage glue to adhere the printed tissue paper on the My Creations™ 6" X 6" Canvas Display. You should be able to find decoupage glue at most craft stores and some larger retailers that have a craft department.

I am thinking this kit would make a great gift. I am thinking a family photo for grandparents or great-grandparents. Or maybe your spouse has a place to display something like this in their workspace. I am thinking it might make a good auction item at my family reunion.

I have started a Pinterest Board so we can all be inspired by the canvas art that others have created. Also check out my Spring/Summer 2013 Board because I've pinned some 6x6 art canvas ideas that might inspire you too.

If you would like more information about CTMH products or Workshops on the Go®, please do not hesitate to contact me and I'll do my best to answer your questions. If you would like to purchase any of the items to create your own home decor, just click the Shop Now button.

I would love to see the projects you create. Thanks for visiting today.

CTMH July 2013 Stamp of the Month: Sweet Life

The Close To My Heart July 2013 Stamp of the Month is Sweet Life.

If you enjoy making baked goods from the fresh fruits we are able to harvest (or purchase) in the summer, this stamp set is perfect for putting a little tag or gift card on the goodies you might share with friends and family. It would also make great cards and I also see these stamps used on a summer wreath. To obtain a list of products used to create the above items and suggested techniques, please see the current Stamp of the Month page (ideas for previous months can be found on the left side of that page).

Sweet Life is an exclusive D-size stamp set of 9 stamps that you can only purchase during the month of July 2013. The stamp set can by yours for $5 when you place an order of $50 or more in qualifying Close To My Heart Products (or you can purchase it for $17.95).

Recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks: 1" x 3 1/2" (Y1002) and 3" x 3" (Y1006).

The Patriotic Stamp Sets that debuted June 1 are available to purchase throughout the month of July. See the [New] Patriotic Stamp Sets post of June 6 for more details. Sales of the My Acrylix^® Courage (B1437), My Acrylix^® Home of the Brave (D1576) - USA themed and My Acrylix^® Strong and Free (D1575) - Canada themed stamp sets benefit the USO ($3 of the Courage stamp set and $5 of the Home of the Brave and Strong and Free stamps sets).

In July you can "Work the Workshop" and save 50% off the Workshops On The Go® Canvas Art Kit. The best news - there are no other purchase requirements and no minimum purchase. The only thing to remember is the Kit could sell out before the end of the month so if you really want one, please do not hesitate to place your order.

cover layout Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book

July is the last month you can order from the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book. While some of the products inside will still be available after August 1, some will retire. Please see my previous posts, CTMH Retiring Products and CTMH Retiring My Acrylix® Stamp Sets, for a complete list of retiring products or visit my CTMH Retiring July 2013 or While Supplies Last Pinterest Board. You can also click here to browse through the pages of the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book.

The Chantilly, For Always, Surf's Up and Tommy Paper Packets will be available in the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book, but the Workshops on the Go® that use these paper packets will not be carried in the next Idea Book. Also Later Sk8r, Claire, Buzz and Bumble will not be available in the next Idea Book - in fact, all of those paper packets have already been claimed.

cover of the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book



The Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book will be available to view online on August 1, 2013. This is also the date that you can place your own order for new products.

If you do not have a CTMH Independent Consultant yet, I would be happy to help you learn more about CTMH products. Click the Shop with me link below to place an order or contact me if you have questions about any CTMH product or promotion or to schedule a Home or Online Gathering.