Friday, August 31, 2018

Tick Tock, It's Time to Beat the Clock

It feels like it was a few months ago and not just one week ago that I reminded you that today is the last day to order from Annual Inspirations 2017-2018 and Seasonal Expressions 2.

Annual Inspirations 2017-2018
Seasonal Expressions 2

Both Idea Books expire on August 31, 2018 at 11:59pm Mountain Time which, in case you are a night owl, is 1:59am Eastern Time on September 1.

You can download a PDF the retiring list (opens in a new tab) to see all of the products that are retiring from both Annual Inspirations 2017-2018 and Seasonal Expressions 2. If you prefer a visual list, please visit these blog posts: Close To My Heart Annual Inspirations 2017-18 Retiring Items and Close To My Heart Seasonal Expressions 2 Retiring Items.

The colors that are retiring were announced at the CTMH Convention at the end of June. The retiring colors are: Crystal Blue, Juniper, Flaxen, Sorbet (from the Whimsy Color Palette), Pacifica, Tangerine, Blossom, Cranberry (from the Adventure Color Palette), Poppy (Adventure Color Palette), and Nutmeg (Basics Color Palette). The Color of the Year, Bashful, is also retiring August 31. The colors, cardstock combo packs and the pigment inks that are retiring, as well as a list of products that are no longer available are featured here.

Also ending on August 31st is the Here's To You special.


The full Here's To You product list is posted on July 14 or you can head over to my Consultant Website. There are four stamps to choose from or you may purchase a workshop which includes all of the stamps. The workshop is available with or without the Rose Embossing Folder.

I created this card for the Here's To You Blog Hop.


There are additional views of the card, a pattern for this different kind of step card and Design Space link on my blog hop post.

If you are ready to place an order or would like to read more about a 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.

Friday, August 24, 2018

One Week Left in August!?

Can you believe it? There is only one week left in August. Where does the time go?

Since August 31st will be here before we know it, there are a few things I need to remind you of. If you want to take advantage of the Here's To You special, you need to order soon.


My full post with the Here's To You product list was shared on July 14. There are four stamps to choose from or you may purchase a workshop which includes all of the stamps. The workshop is available with or without the Rose Embossing Folder.

I created this card for the Here's To You Blog Hop.


There are additional views of the card, a pattern for this different kind of step card and Design Space link on my blog hop post.

This is also the last week that most products in Annual Inspirations 2017-2018 and Seasonal Expressions 2 can be ordered. Both Idea Books expire on August 31, 2018 at 11:59pm Mountain Time which is 1:59am Eastern Time on September 1.

Annual Inspirations 2017-2018
Seasonal Expressions 2

Download the retiring list (this PDF opens in a new tab) which includes retiring products from both Annual Inspirations 2017-2018 and Seasonal Expressions 2, or if you would prefer a visual list, please see my Close To My Heart Annual Inspirations 2017-18 Retiring Items and Close To My Heart Seasonal Expressions 2 Retiring Items posts.

The colors that are retiring were announced at the CTMH Convention at the end of June. They are: Crystal Blue, Juniper, Flaxen, Sorbet (from the Whimsy Color Palette), Pacifica, Tangerine, Blossom, Cranberry (from the Adventure Color Palette), Poppy (Adventure Color Palette), and Nutmeg (Basics Color Palette). Also, the Color of the Year, Bashful is retiring August 31. The colors, cardstock combo packs and the pigment inks that are retiring, as well as a list of products that are no longer available are featured here.

If you are ready to place an order or would like to read more about a 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.

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Craft with Heart Subscription

With the new Holiday Expressions 2018 Idea Book, Close To My Heart is offering Craft with Heart™, a Cut Above® Layout Kit Subscription.


Each Craft with Heart™ box will include pre-printed base pages, paper pieces, die-cuts, and stickers to make two scrapbook layouts, plus three 12" x 12" Memory Protectors™ and a marketing postcard. There is enough to create two 2-page layouts each month. There will be three options to select from: monthly, 4-month (one delivery of four kits) and 12-month (three deliveries of four kits each). Twelve-month subscribers will also receive 30 free 4" x 6" prints from Persnickety Prints in every box. That is 90 free prints a year!

When you purchase a subscription and follow the suggested instructions, the layouts that you will be able to create are:

September Layouts
October Layouts
November Layouts
December Layouts

Close To My Heart created this flyer about the subscription:


The above flyer can also be downloaded as a PDF here.

Visit the Create with Craft with Heart™ website, you will also find it by visiting my Consultant Website then selecting “Craft with Heart” under the Products tab at the top, to read more about it and subscribe. There is also a very helpful FAQ there.

During August, only the 12-month subscription is available. On September 1st all of the subscriptions, monthly, 4-month and 12-month, will be available.

SubscriptionPriceShippingPrice w/ShippingBilling
Monthly$17.95$4.95$22.90Monthly billing occurs when you subscribe, and then monthly on the first of the month.
4-month$64.60$4.95$69.554-month billing occurs when you subscribe, and then on the first of January, May, and September.
12-month$172.32FREE shipping!$172.3212-month billing occurs when you subscribe, and then on the first of January, May, or September, depending on your original subscription date.

Subscriptions will be automatically renewed, but can be canceled at any time. You will receive several emails about your Craft with Heart™ subscription, including email reminders about billing, shipping, and cancelling your subscription. If you receive kits with damaged or missing pieces CTMH will correct or replace the kit within 90 days from the date of purchase; layout kits received with the Craft with Heart™ subscription cannot be returned or exchanged.

If you have any other questions about the Craft with Heart™ subscription, please reach out using the Contact Form to the right. Thank you for stopping by today.

Monday, August 13, 2018

CTMH Announcements

This was supposed to post at 12am this morning, but I guess I forgot to click the correct button - save versus publish. There are a few announcements I need to share.

Holiday Expressions 2018


This new idea book will be valid from September 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.

Until August 31st, Annual Inspirations 2017-2018 and Seasonal Expressions 2 are still valid and many items in those books are still available. Information about the current idea books are on my CTMH Idea Books page.

Clearance Items

There are new Clearance items available. They can be found by visiting my Consultant Website then choosing Shop followed by the Clearance menu. There is a wide range of items available at deeply discounted prices, but remember all clearance items are only available while supplies last and shipping is calculated on the full retail value of the product!

Printed Workshop Instructions

Workshops Your Way® kits include printed instructions with the kit, however workshop kits created for monthly specials like Here's To You and More Magical do not include printed instructions. A PDF of Workshop Guides for these kits can be downloaded using the link under the "Add to Cart" button or under "Product Description" on the product page. Be sure to download the instructions before the promotion ends. If you happen to miss a guide, please contact me using the Contact Form to the right.

Tombow® Permanent Adhesive Refill

UPDATE Thursday, September 27, 2017:
Additional stock of the Tombow® Adhesive Refills (Z3327) has been received, so this item is once again available for order. Effective immediately, with this item back in stock, the Tombow® Adhesive (Z3326) and the Duck® Easy Stick™ Adhesive Pack (Z3033) will return to their regular retail prices.

CTMH is currently out of stock of the Tombow® Permanent Adhesive Refill (Z3327). The supplier is unable to provide more refills until mid-September. Although this shortage was caused by factors beyond the control of CTMH and the supplier, CTMH recognizes the inconvenience this causes for customers. That's why CTMH will be offering a temporary 10% discount on the Tombow® Permanent Adhesive (Z3326) and the Duck® Easy Stick™ Adhesive Pack (Z3033). This discounted price will apply to all orders for these two adhesive options until we receive additional stock of the Adhesive Refill.

I feel like I am forgetting something; I will post anything I remember on this post. If you have any questions I can be reached via the Contact Form to the right.

Friday, August 10, 2018

CTMH You’ve Got Class

Close To My Heart created You've Got Class to preserve the best of your child’s school years.


This special features a paper collection, exclusive stamp set, and workshop kit all designed to commemorate the passage of those formative years. The unique You’ve Got Class workshop contains a set of materials that you can use to create 14 single page scrapbook layouts — an entire album with one page for each school year. The workshop kit also includes True Fit Folios, giving you a place to preserve precious keepsakes and mementos from each year. Act quickly, these products are only available through September 30 while supplies last!

There are six options to select from:

You’ve Got Class
You’ve Got Class Workshop Kit (CC8188)
You've Got Class Paper Packet (CC8185)
You've Got Class Coordinating Cardstock (CC8186)
School Kids Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z3373)
You've Got Class (CC8187)
True Fit Folios (CC81810)

The You've Got Class Workshop Kit (CC8188) contains:
  • 1 – School Kids Stamp + Thin Cuts - available standalone - item Z3373 - $32.95
  • 1 – My Acrylix® You've Got Class Stamp Set - available standalone - item CC8187 - $18.95
  • 1 – You've Got Class Paper Packet - available standalone - item CC8185 - $7.95
  • 7 – White Daisy cardstock sheets
  • 1 – Sapphire cardstock sheet
  • 1 – Lagoon cardstock sheet
  • 1 – Glacier cardstock sheet
  • 1 – Linen cardstock sheet
  • 1 – Juniper cardstock sheet
  • 7 – True Fit Folios - available standalone - item CC81810 - $9.95
  • 12 – 3" × 4" Flip Flaps™ Memory Protectors® - available standalone - item Z3230 - $3.95
  • 1 – Clear Sparkles - available standalone - item Z3274 - $2.95
The You've Got Class Paper Packet (CC8185) includes 12 12" x 12" sheets; 4 each of 3 double-sided designs). Featured colors are Canary, Charcoal, Mink, New England Ivy, Poppy, Sapphire, White Daisy.

The You've Got Class Coordinating Cardstock (CC8186) includes 6 12" x 12" cardstock sheets; 1 each of Glacier, Juniper, Lagoon, Linen, Sapphire, White Daisy.

The My Acrylix® You've Got Class Set (CC8187) is a set of 30 stamps. Recommended My Acrylix® blocks: 1" × 1" (Y1000), 1" × 3½" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 1" × 6½" (Y1005).

The School Kids Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z3373) includes the My Acrylix® School Kids stamp set and 5 metal dies to cut select stamp shapes.

The True Fit Folios (CC81810) includes 7 – 12" × 12" White Daisy cardstock file folders; fit inside 12" × 12" Memory Protectors™.

Create a single page layout for each year of school, Kindergarten through Senior Year, a cover page and have room to store memorabilia in the True Fit Folios. The You've Got Class Workshop Guide provides instructions to create all of these pages.

You’ve Got Class

If you would like additional ideas, I will pin them to my You've Got Class Pinterest Board.

I think it's great that the papers, cardstock and True Fit Folios are available on their own so those who previously purchased the School Kids Stamp + Thin Cut have options too.

If you are ready to place an order or would like to read more about a 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.

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Diamond Background Technique

Close To My Heart recently posted this layout with a Diamond Background to their Facebook page:



The layout was created with the Thin Cuts from the Fresh Air Cardmaking Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z4186).


Unfortunately, this product was so popular that stock is no longer available.

But wait, we are creative people and we have options.

Cricut Design Space™ has some free shapes. I looked there is a diamond. I started playing in Design Space and this is what I came up with:


Feel free to use my Design Space project.

I have not cut with this file yet, but I do not anticipate any problems since it is fairly "plain". The DS file has the URL of the Facebook Post in case you want to refer back to it for photo location and embellishment ideas. When using the file I suggest hiding the text, the brown and the white shapes. Personally I would cut the white 11½" square using a paper trimmer.

If you create a layout with this background, I would love to see it! Happy crafting!

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

CTMH Bring Back My Pack — More Magical

Close To My Heart brought back the popular Magical Paper Pack for a limited time. The colors have also been updated to coordinate with the colors recently introduced at Convention. Now through September 30 (yes, two full months), the More Magical paper packet and coordinating products are available while supplies last.


Save 25% when you purchase the More Magical Workshop kit, which includes the More Magical paper packet and a selection of other products you can use to create four 2-page scrapbook layouts and eight cards!

There are four options to select from:

Bring Back My Pack — More Magical
More Magical Workshop Kit (CC8184)
More Magical Paper Packet (CC8181)
More Magical Coordinating Cardstock (CC8182)
Dreams (CC8183)

The More Magical Workshop Kit (CC8184) contains:
  • 1 – My Acrylix® Dreams Stamp Set (CC8183)
  • 1 – More Magical Paper Packet (CC8181)
  • 3 – White Daisy cardstock sheets
  • 2 – Black cardstock sheets
  • 3 – Bluebird cardstock sheets
  • 2 – Candy Apple cardstock sheets
  • 2 – Carolina cardstock sheets
  • 1 – White & Gold Ribbon (Z3189)
  • 1 – Black & White Dots (Z3314)
  • 8 – white cards & envelopes
The More Magical Coordinating Cardstock includes 12 12" x 12" cardstock sheets; 3 each of Black, Candy Apple, Canary and Carolina.

The My Acrylix® Dreams Stamp Set (CC8183) is a set of 11 stamps. Recommended My Acrylix® blocks: 1" x 1" (Y1000), 1" x 3½" (Y1002), 2" x 2" (Y1003), 2" x 3½" (Y1009).

The More Magical Workshop Guide provides instructions to create four two-page layouts and eight cards.



for this fourth layout with a Black Background

During August when you host a party that reaches the third level of Hostess Rewards or higher, you will receive the More Magical paper packet for FREE! Or, if you become a Consultant during August you will receive the More Magical paper packet for FREE!

If you are ready to place an order or would like to read more about a 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.