Say It with Style Thank You Card

I recently needed a thank you card. After rewatching a CTMH video about creating several cards from one sheet of double-sided patterned paper (details below), I decided I needed the retired, but still available, Sweet Fruit Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z3930); it was introduced in the March–April 2021 Catalog. As soon as it arrived, I wanted to create with it so I used Sweet Fruit with All the Best Wishes from National Stamping Month—Say It with Style.

thank you card created with All the Best Wishes and Sweet Fruit

My card is loosely based on card 4 in the video from CTMH on YouTube One Sheet Wonder - Create 11 Beautiful Cards.

The cutting guide that coordinates with the video is here. Once the cutting guide opens in your browser look for the three dots in the upper right corner. Click on the three dots and then choose "Download this file". A pop-up will appear then click "Download now". The file will save to the default download location configured on your computer. You can clean up the marks added by other s by opening the file in Adobe Reader (the free version works), finding the three dots on comments (on the right side of the page), clicking on the dots and choosing delete. Unfortunately I believe you must do this for each comment or mark; I am not aware of a way to do this globally for all comments.

Sweet Fruit Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z3930) is a base and shade stamp set. If you are not familiar with this type of set, when you use a base and shade stamp set, you typically stamp the solid (base) stamp first with a lighter color and then stamp the detail (shade) stamp second with a darker color. In the next few days I will share some of the color combinations I tried with Sweet Fruit.

I die cut the shapes from White Daisy cardstock then stamped the left apple with Candy Apple (base) and Scarlet (shade). I stamped the right apple with second generation Candy Apple (after I stamped the left apple with Candy Apple, I immediately stamped the right apple without re-inking), then I stamped the shade with first generation Candy Apple. The leaves are a mix of Limeade (base) and Jade (shade) and second and first generation Jade. After stamping the leaves, I fussy cut them. The sentiment, apples and leaves were added with a mix of 3-D and Thin 3-D Foam Tape.

Supplies used to create this thank you card:

• My Acrylix™ stamp sets: All the Best Wishes (CC9231) or All the Best Wishes + Thin Cuts (CC9235), Sweet Fruit + Thin Cuts (Z3930)
• Cardstock: White Daisy (1385), Jade (X6074)
• Exclusive Inks™: Candy Apple (Z6509), Scarlet (Z6526), Lemonade (Z6517), Limeade (Z6575), Jade (Z6574), Acorn (Z6573), Intense Black (Z4189)
• Stencils: Plaid Card Front (CC9239)
• tools-ish: 1" Masking Tape (Z4606), Masking Tape Bundle (Z5444) or 4" Masking Tape (Z4607), Blending Brushes (Z4572)

Code to above product name appearance:

• text with link = this is a current product available on my eCommerce site at the time this post was published
• highlighted text with link = this is a product that was available on my eCommerce site when I created the paper craft(s) pictured above and the post was published; since it is on the retiring list and no longer appears in the current catalogs, or it is/was part of a promotion, it is available only while supplies last
• plain text = retired product no longer on my eCommerce site; if you really like a product, look for it at yard sales, on Facebook groups or other places people resale items

I love that I can use the National Stamping Month Say It with Style items for cards with vastly different themes. October 31 is the last day of the National Stamping Month Say It with Style promotion so if you have been wishing, be sure to place your order before October ends.

Thank you for stopping by today. Have a great rest of your week.

Say It with Style Birthday Card

My mother celebrated her birthday last Sunday so I created this card for her.

birthday card created with It's Your Birthday

This card is inspired in part by card 1 from the It's Your Birthday Cardmaking Workshop.

I used Jade and Capri ink for the stenciled background. When I stamped the cupcake I used Capri on the bottom section and Intense Black on the top section so I could add watercolor highlights without worrying if the stamping would smear. I squeezed the closed ink pad to transfer ink to the lid, then used a Waterbrush to pick up the ink and color the sentiment, frosting and heart sprinkles.

If you purchased any of these cardmaking workshop kits, It's Your Birthday (CC92317) or It's Your Birthday without stencils (CC92318) or Say It with Style Workshop Kits Bundle (CC92312) or Say It with Style Product Bundle (CC92311), except for cardstock and inks, you have almost everything you need to recreate this card.

Supplies used:

• My Acrylix™ stamp sets: It's Your Birthday (CC9237) or It's Your Birthday + Thin Cuts (CC9237)
• Cardstock: White Daisy (1385), Capri (X6057)
• Exclusive Inks™: Jade (Z6574), Capri (Z6528), Honey Butter (Z6536)
• Stencils: Plaid Card Front (CC9239)
• tools-ish: 1" Masking Tape (Z4606), Masking Tape Bundle (Z5444) or 4" Masking Tape (Z4607), Blending Brushes (Z4572), Medium Round Waterbrush (Z3225)

Code to above product name appearance:

• text with link = this is a current product available on my eCommerce site at the time this post was published
• highlighted text with link = this is a product that was available on my eCommerce site when I created the paper craft(s) pictured above and the post was published; since it is on the retiring list and no longer appears in the current catalogs, or it is/was part of a promotion, it is available only while supplies last
• plain text = retired product no longer on my eCommerce site; if you really like a product, look for it at yard sales, on Facebook groups or other places people resale items

The National Stamping Month Say It with Style items are so versatile. I see myself keeping the stamps/Thin Cuts near my crafting space so they are readily available to create with. My mother loved the card. I knew the color combination would be a hit and she specifically mentioned how I colored the sentiment. It is hard to surprise someone who sees almost all of your finished projects while they are in various stages of being created. 

Thank you for taking them time out of your busy schedule to visit today.

Say It with Style Sympathy Card

The Close To My Heart National Stamping Month special Say It with Style ends next Tuesday, October 31 if supplies last that long. While recuperating, my mother opened the newspaper to learn someone she attended high school with (they were 2 or 3 years ahead of her), lost their husband of 60 or so years so I made a hand crafted card for my mother to send.

sympathy card created with Sending You a Hug

The card is inspired by project 4 from the Sending You a Hug Cardmaking Workshop.

The Say It with Style special did not have a sympathy stamp like we had in our mind's eye, so I searched my CTMH stamps for something to use. We opted for a stamp from the retired Words of Comfort (C1524) set – shop your stamps for a sentiment that works for you.

I used Jade and Limeade ink with the Plaid Card Front Stencils to create a layer that I placed on top of Jade cardstock before adding to the card front. I cut one circle from White Daisy and stamped the sentiment with Jade; I cut the next larger circle from Jade cardstock. I cut the flowers and leaves from White Daisy, applied Clear Shimmer Brush to the die cuts and then went to bed so the shimmer brush would have plenty of time to dry. In the morning, I stamped the flowers and leaves with Jade ink. I used both 3-D Foam Tape and Thin 3-D Foam Tape to attach the die cuts. I used retired black gems from my stash (I do not remember the exact product name), but the Black & White Dots (Z4634) would be a good substitution. If you have Black Diamond Stickles™ Glitter Glue (Z3561) from the 2022-23 Core Products catalog, that would make a nice embellishment too.

If you purchased any of these cardmaking workshop kits, Sending You a Hug (CC92315) or Sending You a Hug without stencils (CC92316) or Say It with Style Workshop Kits Bundle (CC92312) or Say It with Style Product Bundle (CC92311), except for cardstock and inks and the sentiment, you have almost everything you need to recreate this card.

Supplies used:

• My Acrylix™ stamp sets: Sending You a Hug (CC9232) or Sending You a Hug + Thin Cuts (CC9236), Words of Comfort (C1524)
• Cardstock: White Daisy (1385), Jade (X6074), Limeade (X6075)
• Exclusive Inks™: Jade (Z6574), Limeade (Z6575)
• Thin Cuts: Circles (Z3943)
• Stencils: Plaid Card Front (CC9239)
• tools-ish: 1" Masking Tape (Z4606), Masking Tape Bundle (Z5444) or 4" Masking Tape (Z4607), Blending Brushes (Z4572), Clear Shimmer Brush (Z3293)

Code to above product name appearance:

• text with link = this is a current product available on my eCommerce site at the time this post was published
• highlighted text with link = this is a product that was available on my eCommerce site when I created the paper craft(s) pictured above and the post was published; since it is on the retiring list and no longer appears in the current catalogs, or it is/was part of a promotion, it is available only while supplies last
• plain text = retired product no longer on my eCommerce site; if you really like a product, look for it at yard sales, on Facebook groups or other places people resale items

I like that I can use the National Stamping Month Say It with Style products on cards for almost any life event by pulling in other sentiments. I hope the card provided a bit of comfort to the family.

Thank you for visiting me virtually today.

Deck the Halls

If you enjoy decorating your home for the holidays, Deck the Halls is the special for you.

Deck The Halls

Deck the Halls features three styles of wood ornaments with coordinating die-cuts. You can use the included SVG to cut coordinating shapes from your own papers. Or, there are six different papers in coordinating shapes to choose from: Black Paperboard, Scarlet Glitter Paper, Pine Glitter Paper, Silver Glitter Paper, Gold Glitter Paper or Kraft Paper. You can also choose a Deck the Halls Product Bundle for a savings of 30%.

All of the options are shown in this flyer:
 

Deck the Halls - page 1

Deck the Halls - page 2

If you would like a PDF of the above flyer, you can download it here.

Deck the Halls is available October 15 through December 31, 2023 while supplies last.

October 2023 CTMH News

The best laid plans...That's been my Saturday. I planned to use the Gnomes for Autumn Thin Cuts and share some of ideas (using stamps, stencils and patterned paper) on the hat, shirt and flower to give them different looks and share them before the A Gnome for All Seasons—Autumn special ended yesterday. I also wanted to try using the flower to create a beard. I also planned to do some cutting before the Say It with Style Facebook Events. Unfortunately I woke up feeling unwell, had a telemedicine visit, was given a prescription, when headed to pickup the prescription was almost in an accident (someone pulled out in front of us–thank goodness even in her 80s my mother has quick reflexes) and I have just been exhausted. Other creative days are coming soon, I hope.

I have some exciting news about the Stamp Of The Month. Some months there will now be a Stamp + Thin Cuts option.

From Owl of Us—October Stamp of the Month

From Owl of Us—October Stamp of the Month (S2310)

From Owl of Us (S2310) is an exclusive D-Size set of 11 stamps. From Owl of Us is available only during the month of October 2023. The stamp set can be free for CTMH VIP Customers who place a qualifying order during October 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 October 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" × 1" (Y1000), 1" × 6½" (Y1005), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 4" × 4" (Y1017). 

From Owl of Us—October Stamp of the Month + Thin Cuts (Z7074)

If you select the From Owl of Us—October Stamp of the Month + Thin Cuts (Z7074), you receive the same D-Size set of 11 stamps plus 5 metal dies to cut the shapes shown. The Stamp of the Month + Thin Cuts is only $22.95 with a qualifying order; the From Owl of Us—October Stamp of the Month + Thin Cuts is also available for $37.95 with no other purchase required.

The CTMH Art Department created cards using From Owl of Us:

card created with From Owl of Us—October Stamp of the Month

card created with From Owl of Us—October Stamp of the Month

I am really excited to have the option of Thin Cuts that coordinate with the Stamp of the Month. I hope you are too!

Joy of the Season

Joy of the Season

If you are looking for a quick way to create your Christmas cards, look no further than the Cut Above® Joy of the Season special! This Cut Above® kit includes pre-printed card bases and die-cuts, including sentiments. The cards come together in short order, giving you to time to participate in other holiday festivities! Complete the cards using the Joy of the Season stamp set, which include the perfect sentiments for the card insides. Save 20% when you buy stamp set and card kit together!

Joy of the Season Flyer

If you would like a PDF of the above flyer, you can download it here. Joy of the Season is available October 1–December 31 while supplies last.

National Stamping Month—Say It with Style

National Stamping Month—Say It with Style

Continuing from National Stamping Month (September) is Say It with Style. This collection of exclusive stamp sets with coordinating Thin Cuts dies and two new card front stencil packs creates cards for almost an occasion. Save by purchasing a Say It with Style product bundle or one or more of 4 different workshop kits (the workshop kits are available with or without stencils). Find the biggest discount with the Stay It with Style Workshop Kit Bundle which includes all of the workshops kits.

This coming week Close To My Heart is having four Facebook Live events to create one each of the cards with us. For a schedule and link to the Facebook Live events, please visit my September 8 post.

This flyer has all of the Say It with Style details:

National Stamping Month—Say It with Style page 1	National Stamping Month—Say It with Style page 2
National Stamping Month—Say It with Style page 3	National Stamping Month—Say It with Style page 4
National Stamping Month—Say It with Style page 5	National Stamping Month—Say It with Style page 6

You can download a copy of the flyer in PDF format here. National Stamping Month—Say It with Style is available until October 31, but only while supplies last.

I Want Candy

I Want Candy

I Want Candy featuring a bright, but not too bright, paper packet with coordinating cardstock, a choice of two stamps + Thin Cuts (one Halloween-themed and the other more everyday) and puffy stickers continues to be available. I Want Candy is offered in two different scrapbooking workshop kits—one with a Halloween theme and one with a non-Halloween focus. You can choose from an entire product bundle, individual items, the Eerie-sistible Scrapbooking Workshop Kit or the I Want Candy Scrapbooking Workshop Kit. Layouts from both workshop kits are pictured in the flyer below, or scroll through the images on the product pages.

I Want Candy Flyer - page 1	I Want Candy Flyer - page 2
I Want Candy Flyer - page 3	I Want Candy Flyer - page 4

The above flyer is also available in PDF format here. The I Want Candy special will remain available through October 31, 2023, while supplies last.

Album Retreat

November 2023 CTMH Virtual Album Retreat

Seats for the November 2023 Virtual Album Retreat are still available. You will find all of the details, still photos of each layout, and purchasing opportunity, here. Karen from the Corporate Office shared album retreat details in this video on Facebook. A Facebook account is not needed to view the video preview, but will be required to attend the Virtual Album Retreat since the classes are held in a private Facebook Group.

Essentials Catalog

Cover of Essentials 2023-2024 Catalog

We are in month two of latest Close To My Heart annual catalog, Essentials. In Essentials you will find all of the supplies needed for crafting projects: inks, cardstock, embellishments glues, tools like blocks and stencils and Thin Cuts, and more. You will find the Essentials catalog here. Under the online page turner version of the catalog is a link to download a PDF of the catalog so you can keep it on your device to browse anytime.

September–October 2023 Catalog

Cover of September–October 2023 Catalog

We are in the final month of the September–October 2023 Catalog. In the September–October 2023 Catalog you will find the newest collections, The Good Life and Home for Christmas. Both include coordinating stamps, workshops, embellishments, and digital art. There is a Mix-in paper packet which is designed to go with both collections, and a variety of stamps for many occasions.

Shipping

Close To My Heart made some updates to the ordering system to allow for a choice of FedEx shipping options on US orders based on the weight of the order. For orders under 10 lbs., there is now an option to choose either FedEx Ground Economy or FedEx Ground. For orders over 10 lbs., the FedEx Ground Economy shipping option will no longer be available, leaving only the FedEx Ground shipping option.

The rate for the FedEx Ground shipping option will depend on the weight of the order as well. For orders under 10 lbs., the FedEx Ground shipping option will be $15.95 or 15.95%, whichever is greater. For orders over 10 lbs., the rate will instead be $8.95 or 8.95%. FedEx charges more to ship orders under 10 pounds via Ground Service, which is the reason for the different rates based on the package weight. 

On my eCommerce website, the shipping options will be displayed based on the weight of the items in the cart.

Thank you for visiting today. I hope you have a relaxing day before the hustle and bustle of the work week is upon us again.