Sunday, August 13, 2023

Coming Tuesday Last Chance Clearance Sale

Hello! I am popping on today to share Close To My Heart scheduled a Last Chance Clearance Sale.

Last Chance Clearance Sale August 15 to August 31, 2023
Last Chance Clearance Sale
August 15 to August 31, 2023
There will be amazing savings during the Last Chance Clearance Sale! A new selection of stamp + Thin Cuts sets will be added to the clearance section of my eCommerce site at discounts over 50%-off! This last chance sale means that it will be the last time ever that the items will be available for purchase, and all of the items will only be available while supplies last. The eye popping savings begin August 15 at 5:00 pm EDT and end August 31 at 1:59 am EDT. The Last Chance Clearance Sale items will only be available for purchase on my Maker website.

I believe the Last Chance Clearance Sale will be similar to past Flash Sales. The purchase price will likely count toward qualifying orders for the Stamp Of The Month and earning VIP Credit, shipping & handling will be based on the full retail price, items in the sale are while supplies last and it is best to save any VIP Credit you have for a future order (items purchased with VIP Credit "ring up" at full price).

Also, do not forget, VIP Customers will be able to begin getting a free copy of the catalogs with orders placed starting August 15.

Like the Last Chance Clearance Sale, Startup Savings and Memory Lane are also ending on August 31.

Startup Savings
Startup Savings
Since I shared the Startup Savings details earlier, I will ask you to visit some past posts for more information. This post, Cut Above® Starter Kits, reviews the Starter Kits available at 20% off. On this post I also share the products needed (primarily adhesive) and optional items (stamps, inks and embellishments) you may want to complete the kits. Cut Above® Layout Kits focuses on the Layout Kits available at a buy 2, get 1 free offer. On that post I show the items included in the kit and the two layouts each kit creates. Finally I wrap with Cut Above® Card Kits. Again I share the pieces in the kit and the completed cards. I did some quick math to show how purchasing three Card Kits is in a cost per card. I found that the cards are under $2 each if you make them as shown in the flyer included in the kits. Of course you can embellish the cards with other products (Shimmer Brushes, Shimmer Tapes, die cut flowers, etc.) which does raise the cost per card a bit, but makes each card uniquely your own.

Memory Lane
Memory Lane
I posted the details of Memory Lane in early July right after the promotion was introduced. On that post I shared the Memory Lane flyer which shows all of the product options, but more importantly, the layouts and cards you can create if you follow the instructions in the Workshop Guides.


A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn
A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn
The A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn special is scheduled to be available through September 30 (while supplies last). Since some of the other specials have quickly sold out (even I missed some items I would have liked), if you like the Autumn Gnome collection, I encourage you to order early.

I hope your week ahead has wonderful weather and no bumps in the road. Take care!

Saturday, August 5, 2023

Quick Sympathy Card

Hello! I hope you are having a great weekend!

Yesterday I received my latest order from Close To My Heart and it was the first time I was able to take advantage of the VIP Bonus Bundles promotion (unfortunately the special ended on July 31). In my VIP115 Bonus Bundle I received Silver Foil Patterns Paper Packet (X8018), Gold Foil Patterns Paper Packet (X8019), Sawyer Die-Cuts (X7277E) and Holiday Loose Sequins (Z3565).

Today I created this quick sympathy card using one of the Gold Foil papers.

Sympathy Card created with August 2023 SOTM (S2308)
Sympathy Card created with August 2023 SOTM (S2308)

As soon as I saw this floral pattern in the Gold Foil Patterns Paper Packet, I knew it would help me create a fast yet beautiful card.

2 sheets from Gold Foil Patterns Paper Packet (X9019)
2 sheets from Gold Foil Patterns Paper Packet (X9019)
Unfortunately I had to wait until the workday was over to get inky and by then I was looking forward to a break from everything (it was a typical work week sprinkled with the hustle and bustle of a new month, an appointment and volunteer meetings, but all of it has me questioning what my why is), so this card is the result of some Saturday create time.

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

You are probably wondering how I cut a smaller shape from the Stitched Fancy Brackets Thin Cuts. I placed a piece of Seabrook cardstock (light side facing the cutting edges) so it covered up one-half of the die and ran it though my die-cutting machine. I then took the piece of cardstock and rotated it so the pointed cut edge was near the middle of the die and the uncut edge covered the pointed cutting edge; I also tried to fit the stitched lines on the cardstock into the stitched lines on the die (just wiggle it a bit and you might feel it "lock" into place). I used iCraft Removable Purple Tape (low tack tape) to hold the cardstock and die in place while I die cut. The 1" Masking Tape (Z4606) will also work for this technique. Viola (let me know via the comment below or the comment from to the right if you would like me to prepare some step-by-step photos of this process).

I should warn you that the Melon cardstock, Melon Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, and Stitched Fancy Brackets Thin Cuts are on the retiring list and are only available while supplies last. Also, there are only a few left of the Stamp Pad. The Pretty Posies Stamp and Pretty Posies Stamp + Thin Cuts were introduced in the July–August 2023 catalog and the version with Thin Cuts has been very popular. There are less than 175 available for all countries CTMH has Makers. The Gold Foil Patterns Paper Packet retired a few catalogs ago, unfortunately I am not finding the date, and if any become available again on my eCommerce site, it will be due to some packages remaining after the VIP Bonus Bundles promotion.

I hope my card inspires you to get creative this weekend. Take care of yourselves.

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

2023 CTMH New Colors

 As I promised earlier today, here are all of the colors introduced at the 2023 Virtual Convention.

2023 CTMH New Colors
2023 CTMH New Colors
The Color Of The Year is Journey and, if history repeats itself, Journey will retire at the CTMH Convention in 2024. The other colors will likely be available longer, but we never really know in advance when colors will retire. If you really adore a particular color, I encourage you to stock up while you can.

I created this table for quick links to the cardstock, stamp pads and re-inkers in the new colors. 

12" × 12" Cardstock Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker
Journey Cardstock
Journey Cardstock
(X6071)
Journey Stamp Pad
Journey Stamp Pad
(Z6571)
Journey Re-inker
Journey Re-inker
(Z7571)
Rosy Cardstock
Rosy Cardstock
(X6072)
Rosy Stamp Pad
Rosy Stamp Pad
(Z6572)
Rosy Re-inker
Rosy Re-inker
(Z7572)
Royal Cardstock
Royal Cardstock
(X5980)
Royal Stamp Pad
Royal Stamp Pad
(Z6524)
Royal Re-inker
Royal Re-inker
(Z7524)
Jade Cardstock
Jade Cardstock
(X6031)
Jade Stamp Pad
Jade Stamp Pad
(Z6513)
Jade Re-inker
Jade Re-inker
(Z7513)
Limeade Cardstock
Limeade Cardstock
(X6053)
Limeade Stamp Pad
Limeade Stamp Pad
(Z6523)
Limeade Re-inker
Limeade Re-inker
(Z7523)
Pumpkin Cardstock
Pumpkin Cardstock
(X6043)
Pumpkin Stamp Pad
Pumpkin Stamp Pad
(Z6510)
Pumpkin Re-inker
Pumpkin Re-inker
(Z7510)
Acorn Cardstock
Acorn Cardstock
(X5954)
Acorn Stamp Pad
Acorn Stamp Pad
(Z2832)
Acorn Re-inker
Acorn Re-inker
(Z2732)

Since Journey is the Color Of The Year, it is available in many products. Unfortunately the other items will not be available until September 1, but here is a sneak peek:

Color of the Year—Journey
Color of the Year—Journey
When you receive your copy of the Essentials Catalog (VIP Customers will be able to begin getting a free copy of the catalogs with orders placed starting August 15; all other customers will be able to get a free copy with an order placed August 22 or after), be sure to turn to page 12 for a Color Of The Year Bundle.

I find myself turning to the colors in the Essentials Catalog and admiring the new colors. I hope you love them as much as I do. Have a great rest of your week!

August 2023 CTMH News

Here we are with just a couple of short weeks before many go back or head off to college for the first time and soon it will be time for the Great New York State Fair followed by back to school for the younger crowd. I hope this will be the last month of to heat and humidity that makes living without central air almost unbearable. Once the temps reach about 80 degrees, my cat does not fair well so we have to use our two window A/C units and live with the noise. I do not think I need to say that I hope the temps stay in the 70s for the rest of the year (the rest of my life would be better). Let's jump in and see what Close To My Heart has to offer this month.

Goodbye Isn't Forever—August Stamp of the Month

Goodbye Isn't Forever—August Stamp of the Month (S2308)
Goodbye Isn't Forever—August Stamp of the Month (S2308)

Goodbye Isn't Forever (S2308) is an exclusive D-Size set of 9 stamps. Goodbye Isn't Forever is available only during the month of August 2023. The stamp set can be free for CTMH VIP Customers who place a qualifying order during August 2023. Those who are not CTMH VIP Customers can place a qualifying order and purchase the stamp set on the same order for only $5. Everyone qualifies for additional sets at $5 for each additional $50 spent on the same order. The August 2023 SOTM is also available for $19.95 with no other purchase required. The recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks for this stamp set are: 1" × 6½" (Y1005), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 2" × 3½" (Y1009), 4" × 4" (Y1017).

The CTMH Art Department created cards using Goodbye Isn't Forever:

cards created with Goodbye Isn't Forever—August Stamp of the Month
cards created with Goodbye Isn't Forever—August Stamp of the Month
Goodbye Isn't Forever is available only during the month of August 2023.

CTMH Colors Retiring after 2023 Convention

2023 CTMH Retiring Colors
2023 CTMH Retiring Colors
In case you missed it, Close To My Heart announced the retiring colors during Convention that took place July 20 through 22. I posted the retiring colors, with links to the product pages, last week.

Typically CTMH Colors Introduced at 2023 Convention will not be available for purchase until the new catalog is available (this year on September 1, 2023). However, since some colors are used in the newest special, this year the colors will be available today! As soon as I can get swatches of the colors I will share them later today.

A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn

A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn
A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn
A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn is the latest special from Close To My Heart. This special begins August 1, is the reason the new color Pumpkin is available now (you will also get preview of the new color Acorn), and the special is available through September 30, while supplies last.

In addition to papers (with or without a sticker sheet) and coordinating cardstock, there is a scrapbooking stamp + Thin Cuts, cardmaking stamp, a Gnomes for Autumn Thin Cuts and Autumn Cork Shapes. There is a product bundle, scrapbooking workshop kit and cardmaking workshop kit. All of the details, including additional supplies needed if you choose to create the cards and layouts in the workshop guides, are listed the the flyer below.

A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn Flyer - page 1
A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn Flyer
page 1
A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn Flyer - page 2
A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn Flyer
page 2
A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn Flyer - page 3
A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn Flyer
page 3
A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn Flyer - page 4
A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn Flyer
page 4

The flyer in PDF format can be downloaded here.

Memory Lane

Memory Lane
Memory Lane

Memory Lane was introduced on July 1 and the special continues through August 31, while supplies last. This special includes the Memory Lane paper packet (with or without sticker sheet), coordinating cardstock and a stamp set. There is also a product bundle, scrapbooking and cardmaking workshop.

This flyer shows the papers, cardstock, stamp set and workshops.

Memory Lane Flyer - page 1
Memory Lane Flyer - page 1
Memory Lane Flyer - page 2
Memory Lane Flyer - page 2
Memory Lane Flyer - page 3
Memory Lane Flyer - page 3
Memory Lane Flyer - page 4
Memory Lane Flyer - page 4

If you would like to download a copy of the flyer (PDF format), you will find it here. Memory Lane is available through August 31, 2023 while supplies last.

Startup Savings

Startup Savings
Startup Savings

Startup Savings, which began on July 15, continues through August 31 while supplies last. This is a great time to pick up some quicker to create layouts or cards for times your schedule is tight or to purchase for someone you want to introduce to paper crafting. You can choose from Cut Above® Layout Kits or Cut Above® Card Kits or you can mix or match (the kit of equal or lesser value will be free).

The Startup Savings Flyer lists all of the promotion details and products offered.
 
Startup Savings Flyer
Startup Savings Flyer - page 1
Startup Savings Flyer
Startup Savings Flyer - page 2

If you would like a PDF copy of the flyer, you will find it here.

I posted a few times about this special which, I hope, breaks down the special well. My first post was all about the Cut Above® Starter Kits available at 20% off. On that post I also list products needed (primarily adhesive) and optional items (stamps, inks and embellishments) you may want to complete the kits. My next post was all about the Cut Above® Layout Kits available for buy 2, get 1 free. That post shows the items included in the kit and the two layouts each kit creates. My final post shared the Cut Above® Card Kits. Again I share the pieces in the kit and the completed cards. I also show some quick math to show you how much purchasing three Card Kits end up costing per card. I found that the cards are under $2 each if you make them as shown in the flyer included in the kits. Of course there is nothing to say you cannot embellish the cards with other products (Shimmer Brushes, Shimmer Tapes, die cut flowers, etc.) which does raise the cost per card a bit, but makes each card uniquely your own.

The featured kits are only available while supplies last. This special is available through August 31, 2023, while supplies last. Shipping assessed on retail value of all items.

July–August 2023 Catalog

July–August 2023 Catalog Cover
July–August 2023 Catalog Cover
The July–August 2023 Catalog has been a hit. If you looked for something and it was unavailable, more stock arrived, but be sure to act quickly because I am not sure how long it will last. There are two new collections, a new mix in and many new stamps and stamps with Thin Cuts. There is also a new bundle with coordinating stamp set, slimline Thin Cuts, slimline Embossing Folder and stencils.

Essentials 2023–2024 and September–October 2023 Catalogs

If you needed another reason to become a VIP Customer, I have one for you. VIP Customers will be able to begin getting a free copy of the catalogs with orders placed starting August 15. All other customers will be able to get a free copy with an order placed August 22 or after. When you get your new catalogs, be sure to look at the October Stamp Of The Month. I think you will love it.

Wow! That was a lot of news. I hope you stuck with me until the end. Have a great August, but please stop back and check in. I have some cards completed that I want to share. Bye for now.