New CTMH Adventure Colors

You may recall on July 24 I shared the retiring Adventure colors with you. Today I am sharing the seven new Adventure colors that Close To My Heart introduced at convention and appear in the new Annual Inspirations 2016-2017.

Adventure Cardstock Combo Pack
(X5790)

The Adventure Cardstock Combo Pack comes with 20 – 12" x 12" sheet of cardstock; 2 each of 10 colors. In addition to the Combo Pack, the cardstock may be purchased in packs of 24 sheets (links below).

The new Adventure colors are:

12" × 12" Pansy Cardstock (X5782)	Pansy Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2804)	Pansy Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker (Z2704)
12" × 12" Emerald Cardstock (X5783)	Emerald Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2806)	Emerald Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker (Z2706)
12" × 12" Willow Cardstock (X5784)	Willow Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2807)	Willow Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker (Z2707)
12" × 12" Lemon Cardstock (X5785)	Lemon Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2808)	Lemon Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker (Z2708)
12" × 12" Tangerine Cardstock (X5786)	Tangerine Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2809)	Tangerine Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker (Z2709)
12" × 12" Blossom Cardstock (X5787)	Blossom Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2810)	Blossom Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker (Z2710)
12" × 12" Raspberry Cardstock (X5788)	Raspberry Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2812)	Raspberry Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker (Z2712)

The returning favorite Adventure colors are:

12" × 12" Pacifica Cardstock (X5759)	Pacifica Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2190)	Pacifica Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker (Z2290)
12" × 12" Lagoon Cardstock (X5762)	Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2155)	Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker (Z2255)
12" × 12" Cranberry Cardstock (1272)	Cranberry Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2116)	Cranberry Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker (Z2216)

Please note – until supplies are exhausted and the new style of ink pads are in stock, when you order a returning color, you may receive the old style of stamp pad. If you have your heart set on the new style of ink pad, please contact me before you place your order so I may check on the availability of the new style of ink pads.

The Adventure colors are also available in Exclusive Inks™ Adventure Mini Pigment Pads Set.

Exclusive Inks™ Adventure Mini Pigment Pads Set
(Z2506)

The mini pigment pads are perfect for when you want to use clear embossing powder with the Adventure colors.

And we cannot forget the Close To My Heart Color of the Year Sea Glass!

12" × 12" Sea Glass Cardstock (X5789)	Sea Glass Glitter Paper (Z3240)
Sea Glass Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2813)	Sea Glass Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker (Z2713)
Exclusive Inks™ Sea Glass Mini Pigment Pad (Z2507)	this space intentionally blank

If you would like to add some new colors to your craft room, you can click on any item above to place an order or choose the Shop Now button to browse my online shopping site.

If you have any product questions or would like to discuss hosting a Gathering, do not hesitate to email me. You will also find me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts. Thank you for visiting today.

Retiring CTMH Cut Above™ Card Kits

While I love to create one-of-a-kind unique cards, sometimes I do not have the time to design a card with a specific person in mind. It is at these times I turn to the Cut Above™ Card Kits to rescue me. You can still add your own touch to these cards to make each one unique.

On August 31 Close To My Heart is retiring two Cut Above™ Card Kits, the Cut Above™ Fiesta Card Kit (Z3222) and the Cut Above™ Jubilee Card Kit (Z3223).

Cut Above™ Fiesta Card Kit (Z3222)

Cut Above™ Jubilee Card Kit (Z3223)

Close To My Heart suggested four M-sized stamp sets for coordinating with the Card Kits (all of the stamps shown today are also retiring on August 31).

Party Balloon (M1140)	Piñata Hooray (M1141)
Happy, Happy Birthday (M1142)	Festive Congrats (M1143)

My style is different that the suggested stamp sets, so I decided to go a different way. As long as you are happy with how the stamp looks on the provided circle, if you choose to use it, any stamp set will work. I used the more classic Congrats stamp.

Congrats (M1138)

And here are how some of my cards turned out.


As you can see, on the card in the upper left I did as suggested and used a black ink, specifically Black Memento™ (Z899), and it is a lovely card. On the card in the upper right, I stamped with the black ink in the Basics Exclusive Inks™ Mini Pigment Pads Set (Z2503) and used the VersaMark™ Ink Pad (Z891) on the edges of the black cardstock circle then covered both with the Ranger™ Clear Super Fine Embossing Powder (Z2088) and used the Craft Heater (Z555) to heat the powder. Here is a closeup; it is easier to see the embossing on the backing circle than on the stamping.

On the bottom two cards above, after stamping with VersaMark™, I used the Ranger™ Princess Gold Embossing Powder (Z2066) or Ranger™ Silver Super Fine Embossing Powder (Z2067) then heat set. I coordinated the embossing power to the foiling on the card.

The white circle was added to the black circle using 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive (Z3022) and then that was added to the card using 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151).

There are many way to embellish the cards. You could cut a decorative strip of paper, add ribbon or Shimmer Trim. You could rotate the card. You could cut different shapes for stamping and layering. You could also stamp in different color inks. I hope I was able to show you how versatile the Cut Above™ Card Kits are and provide you with even more ways to make them unique.

If you would like to purchase any of the Cut Above™ Card Kits, just click on the link to be taken to my OBA to purchase. Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

One Week Remains to Order from Seasonal Expressions 2

The end of August is one week from today and that means that the items in Seasonal Expressions 2 that are retiring will be gone at the stroke of 11:59pm MDT on Wednesday, August 31.

If you still have items on your Seasonal Expressions 2 wish list, now is the time to place your order. Some items have already sold out.

On Friday, July 22, 2016 I posted an updated list of items retiring from Seasonal Expressions 2. Because I am a visual person, I also pinned the retiring items to my Pinterest Board CTMH Retiring Products. You may also download an Excel file to track your Seasonal Expressions 2 purchases or quickly make a wish list; look for the downward pointing arrow near the top center of the window.

The Shop Now button will take you to my OBA.

Feel free to reach me via the Contact Form on the right if you have any product questions.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my father's birthday and this is the card I created for him (it is safe to post here because he does not use a computer).

I masked part of the sentiment for the greeting inside.

The card is inspired by Design 2 in the Enchantment Card Workshop consultants made at the 2016 CTMH Convention (if you have questions about the card workshop, check with your consultant to see if they are having a workshop based on it; if you are not working with a consultant, contact me via the form to the right). I created the card with a larger card base – 6½" x 5" – rather than 5½" × 4¼" in the workshop instructions.

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

• Magical Paper Packet (X7209B) - retiring August 31, 2016
• 12" × 12" Black Cardstock (1386)
• 12" × 12" White Daisy Cardstock (1385)
• Confetti Stars Embossing Folder (Z3119)
• My Acrylix™ Birthday Sparkles Stamp Set (B1537)
• My Acrylix™ Wise Guy Birthday Stamp Set (C1662)
• Crystal Blue Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2117)
• Cranberry Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2116)
• 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive (Z3022)
• 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)
• Baker's Twine Harvest Assortment (Z1751) - retired
• Supplies not from Close To My Heart: Cuttlebug

If you are not working with a CTMH Independent Consultant yet, you may purchase all of the supplies I used at my Online Business Address.

I hope you and my father like this card.

Cricut® Flower Market Collection

There is a new Close To My Heart Cricut® Collection called Flower Market and it comes in two versions: with a physical cartridge (Z3285) and as a digital only option (Z3290).

Cricut® Flower Market Collection (Z3285)

Cricut® Flower Market Digital Collection (Z3290)

Both collections include the same images and come with 3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets and 1 – Adventure cardstock combo pack (20 sheets of cardstock – 2 each of 10 colors). If you order the digital collection the only differences are you will receive a code to redeem for the images and you will not receive a keypad overlay or handbook (a PDF of the handbook (PDF will open in new window) is now available on the Cricut® Handbooks page). You will then redeem the code online at the URL provided on the card. The product description for the digital version states "Only available for use with Cricut® Explore™ and Cricut® Explore Air™", so plan your purchase for the type of Cricut® you own (see note about my experience below).

The three stamp sets included in the Flower Market Collection are:

• D1708 – Sending Smiles
• D1709 – Line It Up
• D1710 – Playful Patterns

The stamp sets are only available with the Flower Market Collection and they are pictured clockwise starting in the upper left corner in the photo above.

As I mentioned earlier if you order the digital collection you will receive a card with a code on it. You will need to scratch off the coating that hides the code and then go to the URL listed to redeem your code. If you are not signed into your Cricut® account you will be prompted to sign in. The screen to redeem your code looks like this (disclosure: the screen shots are from linking a different digital code; I purchased the physical cartridge of Flower Market):

Once the code is accepted, you will see the message "Promotion Successfully Redeemed!" in a blue bar. Here you may enter another code, if you have purchased other digital cartridges, or move to other areas of the Cricut® website (I looked at my Linked Cartridges list before moving to Cricut® Design Space).

Once your cartridge is linked (redeemed) you will then be able to search for and use Flower Market in Cricut® Design Space. I was unable to view the Flower Market images in CDS until my physical cartridge was linked.

I was able to see Flower Market in Cricut® Craft Room and add images to my mat before linking the physical cartridge, however I did not try to cut any of the images from CCR after linking my cartridge. You may be able to purchase the digital collection and use it with CCR and your Expression 2 (and earlier Cricut® machines), but I do not guarantee it.

If you are interested in purchasing the Flower Market collection, please consider having a Gathering. Your Gathering can be in your home, online or as Facebook party. At $150 in sales you receive $25 in Hostess Rewards; at $250 you receive $40 in rewards AND one item at 50% off. And the rewards can be greater with increased sales. Wouldn't it be wonderful to get the Flower Market cartridge for approximately $50? Details about being a hostess can be found on page 5 of Annual Inspirations 2016-17 or on my OBA here. If are are ready to place an order or would like to research any product, the Shop Now button will take you there.

If you have any product questions or would like to discuss hosting a Gathering, do not hesitate to email me. You will also find me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts. Thank you for visiting today.

Annual Inspirations 2016-17 New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to the Annual Inspirations 2016-17 New Product Blog Hop featuring newly introduced CTMH products. This month there are about 25 bloggers sharing projects they created with new items you will find in Annual Inspirations 2016-17. 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 blog hop is circular so visiting the next blog will take you back to where you started.

You should have arrived here from ***Kathy Burrows' Snips, Snaps, and Scraps***. If you get lost along the way, Melinda Everitt keeps a list of participants on her blog at If You Bling It.

I was inspired by the card on page 19 of Annual Inspirations 2016-17, but I call this my "when life hand you lemons, you make lemonade card" because this is not how the card started in my minds eye.

Before you head to ***Jennifer Rubio's Jen's Jewel Box***, the supplies I used to create my project and why I call this my lemonade card are listed below.

I planned to cut a transparency with the Thin Cut, use the Bonding Memories™ Glue Pen to make a temporary adhesive (if you do not know about that feature of this glue, please ask your consultant) and then spritz through the negative with a mixture of re-inker and water. I could not find my transparencies so I used a glossy, cardstock weight piece of junk mail. When I could not find my re-inker, I decided to use my Watercolor Paints, but realized I forgot to replenish my supply of Watercolor Paper. It was then that I decided to use the die cut as a mask. I decided to just go for it with regular cardstock, but was a little generous with the water so my cardstock mask moved a bit which lead me to cut "hello" from a piece White Daisy cardstock and use the Shimmer Brush on it. I wonder if it is actions like this that a former co-worker told me I was too optimistic?

By the way, if you have not tried cutting the new Glitter Paper with the Cricut Explore yet, you are certain to be delighted. I was able to cut the Glitter Paper on the Light Cardstock + setting. I cut the first image on the Custom Setting choosing Cardstock, Glitters - 0.6mm, but the double cut was not necessary so I paused my cut to change the settings.

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

• Enchantment Fundamentals (Z3254)
• Adventure Fundamentals (Z3253)
• 12" × 12" White Daisy Cardstock (1385)
• White Glitter Paper (Z3237)
• Thin Cuts—Hello & Thanks (Z3259)
• Watercolor Paints (Z3132)
• Paintbrush Set (Z3188)
• Bonding Memories™ Glue Pen (Z553)
• 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive (Z3022)
• Thin 3-D Foam Tape (Z2060)
• Shimmer Brush—Clear (Z3293)
• Cricut® Artistry Collection (physical cartridge—Z3167) or Cricut® Artistry Digital Collection (no cartridge—Z3190)
• Star Medallion - #M58A2D0 - cut at height set at 1.2"
• Anchor - #M4130B6 - cut at height set at 1.3"
• Star Border - #M418BE8 - cut at height set at 0.83"
• Star Border - #M418E25 - cut at height set at 0.42"
• Supplies not from Close To My Heart: Cricut® Design Space, Cricut® Explore

If you are not working with a CTMH Independent Consultant yet, you may purchase all of the supplies I used at my Online Business Address.

Before you leave I would be delighted if you left me a comment letting me know what you think of my project. So you do not have to scroll back up, the next stop on the hop is ***Jennifer Rubio's Jen's Jewel Box***.

Thank you for hopping with us. I hope you a loving the projects we are sharing.

Purr-fect Halloween August 2016 Blog Hop

Welcome to the August 2016 SOTM Blog Hop featuring the stamp set Purr-fect Halloween. This month there are approximately 25 bloggers sharing projects they created with The Purr-fect Halloween. If blog hopping is new to you, we try to keep it simple, just keep clicking on the link to the next blog (typically near the bottom of the post) to visit the next stop. Blog hops are circular so visiting the next blog will take you back to where you started.

The SOTM for August 2016, Purr-fect Halloween, is a D-size set of 17 stamps that is $5 with a qualifying purchase. Alternatively you may purchase it for $17.95. Recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks for this stamp set are: 1" x 1" (Y1000), 1" x 3½" (Y1002), 2" x 2" (Y1003), 3" x 3" (Y1006), 2" x 3½" (Y1009) and 2" x 6½" (Y1010). The label shape coordinates with the Cricut® Art Philosophy cartridge (Z3171) - retired. The stamps in the Purr-fect Halloween set are:

You should have arrived here from ***Snips, Snaps, and Scraps by Kathy Burrows***. 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 card using the SOTM and the paper piecing technique for the cat and hat.

The label the sentiment was stamped on was cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge and the spider's web was cut using the Artbooking cartridge.

Before you head to ***Donna Digby's Dat's My Style***, the supplies I used to create my project are listed below.

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

• My Acrylix™ August 2016 SOTM: Purr-fect Halloween Stamp Set (S1608)
• Enchantment Fundamentals (Z3254) - Saffron dots, Sapphire stripes, Peacock grid, Poppy Dots
• Uptown Fundamentals (Z3263) - Slate plus sign
• 12" × 12" White Daisy Cardstock (1385) - to make a card base
• Black Memento™ Ink Pad (Z899)
• Shimmer Brush—Clear (Z3293)
• 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive (Z3022)
• Thin 3-D Foam Tape (Z2060)
• Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection (Z3171) - retired; stamp set has coordinating shape
• Label - #M3EA74 - page 26 - ungroup and remove the top layer - cut at 1½" (height)
• Cricut® Artbooking Collection (Z3169)
• Corner Web - #M3DD29 - page 70 - cut at 2.53" (height)
• Supplies not from Close To My Heart: Cricut® Design Space, Cricut® Explore

If you are not working with a CTMH Independent Consultant yet, you may purchase all of the supplies I used at my Online Business Address.

Before you leave I would be delighted if you left me a comment letting me know what you think of my project. So you do not have to scroll back up, the next stop on the hop is ***Donna Digby's Dat's My Style***.

Thank you for hopping with us this August. I hope you are finding many ideas for using this stamp set.

August 2016 CTMH News

Before we dive into the CTMH news for August 2016, I would like to take a moment to let you know that the URL for my Online Business Address has changed. It is now

http://brendalapp.closetomyheart.com/

Please update your bookmarks. If you happen to use the old address, you will be redirected to the new address; I am not sure when the old address will stop redirecting.

The August 2016 Stamp of the Month is Purr-fect Halloween

Purr-fect Halloween (S1608) is an exclusive D-size set of 17 stamps that is only available for purchase during the month of August 2016. The stamp set can be yours for $5 when you place an order of $50 or more in qualifying Close To My Heart products (and if you qualify for additional sets at $5 for each $50 you spend). Alternatively it is available at $17.95. Recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks for this stamp set are: 1" x 1" (Y1000), 1" x 3½" (Y1002), 2" x 2" (Y1003), 3" x 3" (Y1006), 2" x 3½" (Y1009) and 2" x 6½" (Y1010). The label shape coordinates with the Cricut® Art Philosophy cartridge (Z3171); the Art Philosophy cartridge officially retired on July 31, 2016, however if there is inventory remaining it will remain available on my OBA until stock is depleted..

Items created by CTMH Corporate artists with the stamp set are this card and one-page layout:

If you would like a list of the products used to create the above items, you will find the information in the Recipes for Seasonal Expressions 2, a PDF file that lists the products used to make the samples in the Seasonal Expressions 2 so you may re-create projects at home. I am participating in a Purr-fect Halloween blog hop this month; you will find my post tomorrow. Please visit my Pinterest Board CTMH 2016 08 Aug SOTM Purr-fect Halloween for additional ideas using this stamp set.

Annual Inspirations 2016-2017

August 1, 2016 brings us the latest CTMH Idea Book: Annual Inspirations 2016-2017. In addition to new Paper Fundamentals, there are new embellishments, new stamps, new ribbons, well, you get the idea, there are many new products. There is also a new Cricut® Collection called Flower Market (more on Flower Market below). The Idea Book may be viewed on my OBA under Products > Idea Books.

August 2016 - Basically the Best

During the month of August, when you order the new Whimsy, Adventure and Enchantment Fundamental papers, you can choose to get either the Rustic Home or Uptown Fundamentals for FREE! Both Rustic Home (on the left in the photo above) and Uptown Fundamentals (on the right) are "Basics packs", but there is nothing basic about them. Both feature foil designs and specialty materials for making your artwork unique. Both include 12 sheets, 2 each of 6 designs. This is a savings of $13.95 or $14.95 depending on the collection you select and when you qualify for Basically the Best you also qualify to purchase the SOTM for $5. Yep, this deal is basically the best!

Cricut® Flower Market Collection

There is a new Cricut® Collection called Flower Market and it comes in two versions: with a physical cartridge (Z3285) and as a digital only option (Z3290).

Cricut® Flower Market Collection (Z3285)

Cricut® Flower Market Digital Collection (Z3290)

Both collections include the same images and come with 3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets and 1 – Adventure cardstock combo pack. The only difference is if you order the digital version you will receive a code in the package rather than a physical cartridge. You will then redeem the code online. The product description for the digital version states "Only available for use with Cricut® Explore™ and Cricut® Explore Air™", so plan your purchase for the type of Cricut® you own.

Seasonal Expressions 2

Now that I have told you about the new, it's time to remind you that SE2 is only valid until August 31, 2016. Many of the items in this idea book are retiring and will not be available after August 31. Many are only available while supplies last. In fact, at least one item has already sold out. I posted a list (with pictures) of retiring items on Friday, July 22, 2016; you may also print or download a copy of the list here.

If you are ready to place an order or would like to research any 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.