Washi, Washi, Washi

I have a confession to make. I did not try Washi tape until it was introduced in the CTMH Idea Book. Now I know what some of my friends were talking about. Watch the video to see a great card made with Kraft cardstock and Washi tape with a few embellishments. The card was cut using the Cricut® Art Philosophy cartridge and the greeting is cut with the Artiste cartridge.



Today's video is Clearly the Best: Wacky Washi (S02E04). The CTMH Corp. description of the video is "Add variation to your cards with Close To My Heart's washi tape—be it warm or a little wacky."

One of the best features of Washi tape is the tape is low tack therefore it is repositionable so you never have to worry that it will end up in the wrong spot on your project. It also tears easily so you can get ragged, distressed edges. Fold the tape back on itself (sticky sides together) to create tags.

If you do not have a passion for Washi tape yet, I hope the video inspires you to purchase a roll or two and use it on your next project. CTMH had a nice variety of Washi tapes. If you are ready to place an order, please click the Show Now button below.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I hope you enjoyed the video.

Artbooking Made Easy: Festive Mini Albums

Today's video, Artbooking Made Easy (S01E09): Festive Mini Albums, is the ninth in the video series Artbooking Made Easy. Please stop back each week until April 2014 to view the next video in the series. Each video has tips and tricks for using the Artbooking collection.



This CTMH Corp. description of this week's video Artbooking Made Easy (S01E09): Festive Mini Albums is "With the Cricut® Artbooking cartridge from Close To My Heart, your photos will find a cozy home on the pages of a dazzling holiday mini album. Watch the video to gather your own ideas on how to use its themed keys to create merry and bright holiday projects that last."

Featured items used in this video:

• Cricut® Artbooking Collection (Z1906)
• Sparkle & Shine Paper Packet (X7176B)
• Sparkle & Shine Complements Dimensional Elements (X7176C)
• Sparkle & Shine Assortment (Z1860)
• Sparkle & Shine Washi Tape 3-Pack (Z1907)

A few points I want to be certain that you do not miss while watching the video:

• the 10x8 Festive Mini-Album can be found on pages 56 and 57 of the Artbooking handbook
• the recommended size to set your dial is listed below the image; once you set the size everything will you cut will be proportional and will fit in the album
• use only a portion of the overlay to accent your pages; save the rest to use later in the album
• fold Washi tape back on itself (sticky sides together) and cut dove tails on the end to create some loose flags
• use backing paper, stamping and embellishments to highlight the cut-outs on pages
• use only a portion of a full page to create a mini page
• use embellishments to cover up the cut-outs if you want a different title or icon
• use the overlays as a mask for misting or sponging
• when misting, do a test spritz before spraying on your project; stay about 12 inches above your project for more even coverage; if you want a blotchy look, spray closer to your project
• stabilize titles that are cut out with the page (see page 57 of the handbook) by cutting a second page and trimming off the title and mounting it on the page; cutting it from another color will also highlight the title
• if using twine or ribbon to bind your book, do not tie too tightly or you will have trouble turning the page; put your finger or a pencil within the loop before knotting to give more room for turning the page

If you have missed earlier videos in the Artbooking Made Easy series, I am maintaining a list so they are easier to find. Just look for CTMH Cricut® Artbooking Collection in the green bar above.

Contact me if you would like to learn how you would be able to purchase the Artbooking collection at 1/2 off by hosting a Gathering either in-home or on-line.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks for visiting today.

Ribbons, Washi Tapes and Trims

In today's video, Trendy Trims, we are introduced to the new ribbons, tape and trims that are in the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Trendy Trims is "Your layouts, wall hangings, goodie bags, and other projects will come to life with some fun new trims from Close To My Heart! Whether used as pattern pieces, background designs, or accents, these trims are sure to add a lot of zest and dimension to your papercrafting."

Items featured in the video:

• Ruby Chevron Ribbon (Z1846)
• Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape (Z1850)
• Jute Ribbon (Z1867)
• Red Shimmer Trim (Z1848)
• Bronze Shimmer Trim (Z1849)

I hope today's video gave you some great ideas for adding ribbons, tapes and trims to your papercrafting projects. Please click the Show Now button below if you are ready to place an order.

Feel free to contact me if you would like more information about the trims available from Close To My Heart or have any other questions about CTMH products or if you would like to host a gathering. Thank you for visiting today.

CTMH Stamp Of The Month

Super Stamp of the Month Savings (05) is the fifth video the CTMH home office produced to introduce those in living in Australia and New Zealand to CTMH products. The Stamp of the Month (SOTM) is an exclusive My Acrylix® D-size stamp set that you can only purchase during the month it is featured. The SOTM cannot be purchased before the month starts or after the month ends even at full price.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Super Stamp of the Month Savings (05) is "Live in Australia or New Zealand? This video is for you! With the amazing Stamp of the Month deal offered each month, Close To My Heart makes it easy for you to create beautiful artwork at incredible discount prices! View some of the sets coming your way, each offered only for a month's time, then contact your Independent Consultant to take advantage of the great deals for yourself. Find a Consultant near you and learn more at closetomyheart.com."

PLEASE NOTE: The minimum order of qualifying products (before tax and shipping) to purchase the SOTM for $5 is not the same everywhere. Please check your Idea Book or with your Independent Consultant for the minimum order where you live.

PLEASE NOTE: The Stamp of the Month sets featured in the video do not exactly coincide with those that are available in United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and U.S. military bases and Canada. Most are the same, but not all.

Being able to purchase a My Acrylix® D-size stamp set for $5 is an incredible value. If you like the artwork in the Idea Book, you will find larger photos, a list of material needed and required tools and helpful hints for recreating that artwork on my OBA. Once there, choose Promotions then Stamp of the Month. You will find artwork for the current and last Idea Book, for example, Autumn/Winter 2013 and Spring/Summer 2013.

If you live in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam or at U.S. military bases, the minimum order to purchase the SOTM for $5 is $50.

If you do not have an Independent Consultant I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about CTMH products. When you click on the shop now button below you will be taken to my Online Business Address (OBA) where you can start shopping immediately. If you live outside the areas mentioned above, please visit the CMTH Corporate website and click "Find a Consultant" to locate an Independent Consultant near you.

If you are ready to order, just click on the Shop Now button.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

CTMH Fall Album Retreat - Cover Page

Last weekend (October 17-19, 2013) I was lucky enough to attend the CTMH Fall Album Retreat in Salt Lake City, UT. It was a fun, hectic, exciting, busy, exhausting weekend. In other words I had a blast. While I did not get my pages completed during the Retreat, I plan to give myself some incentive to get them done by committing to share one layout each Sunday.

Here is the Cover Page, Capture the Details, for my 12" x 12" album:



And here are some closeups of the page:


The materials used to create the page are: Whisper cardstock, Colonial White cardstock, Laughing Lola Colored Paisleys B&T® Duos Paper, Gypsy cardstock, Lagoon cardstock, White Daisy cardstock Black cardstock, Cricut® Artbooking cartridge, My Acrylix® Love This (B1432), My Acrylix® All the Details (D1555), Black Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad (Z2105), Scallop Border Punch (Z1851), Bronze Shimmer Trim (Z1849), Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape (Z1850), Mini-Medley Accents Black Collection (Z1393), Sparkles Clear Assortment (Z1752) and My Crush™ Best Day Ever Assortment (Z1887). I hope I did not miss any of the supplies - we used quiet a few different products on each layout.

I hope my layout gives you some ideas for creating your own projects. Thank you for visiting today.

Connect the [Embellishment] Dots

In Clearly the Best: Connect the Dots (S02E03) Monica and Kristine show us how to cluster round embellishments to create a line to draw attention to the photo or memorabilia that we want to highlight on our layout.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Clearly the Best: Connect the Dots (S02E03) is "Create decorative lines on your layout using dots! With the right embellishments from Close To My Heart—Aqua Dots, sparkles, studs, and more—your dotted lines will be sure to draw the eye. Learn to do it yourself in this video."

I hope today's video gave you some ideas to try on your next layout. If you are ready to place an order, please click the Show Now button below.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Craftable Containers

Today's video My Creations® Craftable Containers introduces us to the four new My Creations® products in the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video My Creations® Craftable Containers is "Thanks to the My Creations® line of products from Close To My Heart, you can make great projects from the outside in! Get ideas for using these stampable, markable, craftable albums, bags, and ring boxes in this video."

Items introduced in the video:

• My Creations® Kraft Ring Box (Z1868)
• My Creations® Kraft Pocket Album (Z1870)
• My Creations™ Burlap Drawstring Bags (Z1872)
• My Creations® Kraft 3-Ring Album (Z1871)

Some of the product features and tips mentioned in the video are:

• the ring box is heavy duty with a lid
• the pocket album has 8 pages with pockets front and back
• when sewing on the burlap bags, it is recommended to sew by hand, since it has a loose weave you can use hemp or baker's twine without it looking too bulky
• if you want to color the bag or the drawstring, use markers or pigment ink and keep in mind that it make take a few applications before you get the color you want
• if you want to adhere a decorative element, use Liquid Glass (Z679) and slide a piece of cardstock inside the bag while applying the Liquid Glass to absorb any excess glue and keep the bag from being glued shut
• the 3-ring album works well with the Cricut® Artbooking Collection (Z1906) for displaying 8" x 8" mini book pages; the hard cover can easily be decorated

I hope you are feeling as inspired to try the new My Creations® products as I am. Actually, I have tried the Ring Box and shared it during the August Festive Friday Blog Hop. I am looking forward to trying the other My Creations® products. If you are ready to place an order, please click the Show Now button below.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Artbooking Made Easy: Everyday Layouts

Artbooking Made Easy (S01E08): Everyday Layouts, is the eighth in the video series Artbooking Made Easy. Please stop back each week until April 2014 to view the next video in the series. Each has tips and tricks for using the Artbooking collection.



This week's video is Artbooking Made Easy (S01E08): Everyday Layouts. The CTMH Corp. description of the video is "Combine cuts from a variety of themes from Close To My Heart's Cricut® Artbooking cartridge to make original papercrafted masterpieces. Watch the video to kick-start your ideas!"

A few points I want to be certain that you do not miss while watching the video:

• the first everyday layout uses die cuts from the 8" x 8" Travel Mini-Album on pages 38 and 39 of the Artbooking Handbook
• use real dial size to enlarge some of the mini album images to use on 12" x 12" layouts
• use mini album pages as photo mats by trimming off the holes; use an 8" and 6" real dial size to fit photos
• adapt mini album overlays for 12" x 12" layout by using real dial size set to 11 1/2", in the example the overlay was cut in half to use on both the left and right pages on the layout
• the second layout uses die cuts from the Together Layout theme on pages 60 and 61
• save your leftover die cuts and negative images for use on other projects
• the last layout uses images from two different mini-album themes, the Top Secret key on page 43 and the Inspiration key on page 44
• top make the zig-zag overlay larger, it was sized at 11" on real dial size - your overlay does not have to cover the entire page

If you have missed earlier videos in the Artbooking Made Easy series, I am maintaining a list so they are easier to find. Just look for CTMH Cricut® Artbooking Collection in the green bar above.

Contact me if you would like to learn how you would be able to purchase the Artbooking collection at 1/2 off by hosting a Gathering either in-home or on-line.

Preserving Family History

The primary reason I scrapbook/papercraft is to preserve family history. I am constantly looking for ideas to create items to be auctioned at our family reunions or to give as gifts. You may have seen the mini-album that was auctioned at our family reunion this past August.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Clearly the Best: Preserve with Pizazz (S02E02) is "Family history is fun, especially when you add colorful papers and embellishments from Close To My Heart! There are so many ways to protect your pedigree and make it fun at the same time. Watch the video to learn how to turn a kraft pocket album into an attractive family pedigree book."

Item used in the video:

• My Creations® Kraft Pocket Album (Z1870)
• Frosted Assortment (Z1890)
• Tombow® Adhesive (1514)
• Bonding Memories® Glue Pen (Z553)

Some of the tips mentioned in the video are:

• allow plenty of time for the Mod Podge layers to dry
• Mod Podge is milky in appearance as you add it, but it drys clear
• do not use original documents; use a color copy
• use pigment ink - they do not say this in the video, but dye-based inks may bleed when adding the Mod Podge
• a tip from viewer Wendy Kessler: "I have found that if you use Mod Podge as your base adhesive you will not have the air bubbles when you add the top coat."

I hope today's video inspires you to preserve your family memories - past, present or future. Click on the link if you would like to browse the Autumn/Winter 2013 CTMH Idea Book or if you are ready to place an order, please click the Show Now button below.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I hope you enjoyed the video.

CTMH Exclusive Color Palette

The fourth video CTMH produced to introduce those in Australia and New Zealand to CTMH products is Harmonious Hues (04). The video shows the 40 exclusive colors that are divided into 4 complementary groups of 10 hues. The colors coordinate with B&T Duos™ and if you look at the strip on the edge of the patterned paper you will see a list of colors that coordinate (a list of matching colors is also in the Idea Book above the photos of the paper).



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Harmonious Hues (04) is "Live in Australia or New Zealand? This video is for you! Make a little music with colour-coordinated pages created with Close To My Heart's exclusive palette. With four fabulous colour families to choose from, finding just the right colour of paper, ink, markers, and more is simple! See a sampling of products here; then contact your Close To My Heart Independent Consultant to get them in a rainbow of exclusive colours to paint your own crafting world. Find a Consultant near you and learn more at closetomyheart.com."

Items featured in the video:

• Basics Cardstock Combo Pack (X5933)
• Enchantment Cardstock Combo Pack (X5934)
• Adventure Cardstock Combo Pack (X5935)
• Whimsy Cardstock Combo Pack (X5936)

For the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book CTMH re-worked the color palette and introduced the pigment inks. At that time the Corporate Office created the video Adding Color to Your Crafts which I shared on September 15, 2012.


If you live in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and U.S. military bases, I would be happy to help you select the CTMH products for the crafting you enjoy. When you click on the shop now button below you will be taken to my Online Business Address (OBA) where you can start shopping immediately. If you live outside the areas mentioned above, go to the CMTH Corporate website and click "Find a Consultant" to locate an Independent Consultant near you.

If you are ready to order, just click on the Shop Now button.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.