It's a Brand New Idea Book! | Spring/Summer 2014

Celebrate 30 years this spring with Close To My Heart and a brand new Idea Book, live for customers February 1, 2014-July 31,2014! Click on the image to go directly to the Idea Book and shop from your pajamas and recliner! (PS-you can order your copy of the book directly on my website and have it shipped right to your home if you choose-no more wait!)

PPS-thanks to all of your wonderful birthday wishes! I did work (no rest for the weary lol) but I came home to a clean house, some beautiful handmade cards with presents and cheesecake. The world is better with cheesecake.

Now for the goods! Here is what you can find this month:

February Specials

1. Rediscover Close To My Heart
2. Embossing is Boss! (new products!!)
3. Product Highlight
4. Stamp of the Month (SOTM)

1. Rediscover Close To My Heart

Every month, in celebration of our anniversary, you can download a free printable here. This month has some cute Valentines to print out and share. Just perfect for your child's classroom, friends and neighbors!

2. Embossing is Boss
Beginning February 1, you can qualify to receive a free embossing folder for every 2 packs of bulk single color or combo cardstock you purchase.

Pick from our 5 new embossing folder designs-dot, chevron, quatrefoil, damask or stripe. There is no limit on this promotion; you may add a free folder to your order for every two qualifying packs of cardstock on your order! Qualifying cardstock packs are all single-color and combo packs with the exception of kraft, White Daisy, Colonial White, and the Paper Fundamentals Basics Assortment. Designs are available while supplies last during this promotion, so chop, chop (shop, shop?) and don't be left in the dirt! With your purchase of two cardstock packs, you are halfway to deep discounts on the exclusive Stamp of the Month, below!!

3. Product Highlight | Picture My Life
I have been waiting for this product for so long! Think Project Life^® Close To My Heart-Style with your favorite coordinating colors and images!

Picture My Life is a new design on scrapbooking that makes it easy to get your scrapbooking done, like, yesterday. It's so simple and easy! The kit comes with 10 sheet protectors and some exclusive designed journalling cards in 4x6 and 3x4 sizes featuring your favorite new and recent My Reflections paper kits and images. Using divided sheet protectors in various formats, you simply print your 4x6 photos and slip into the dividers and add a little date stamp and some quick journalling. Each 2 page layout, typically represents a week, with room for 7 pictures, one per day, some journalling or cute pre-designed cards and a 4x6 card for the week and dates.

I like the 3 ring binders while you are working on your year because you are constantly adding to it but it's up to you. (My Legacy D-Ring Binders in Slate Circles and Cocoa Damask will be available March 1st; the My Legacy Work-in-Progress Album does the trick nicely now at a lower price!) Add some 8 1/2x11 protectors in between to showcase the artwork your children bring home from school, a great score on the math test, or a Flip Flap for other sized memorabilia and that's it! You simply print your 4x6 photos and slip into the dividers, tuck in your saved "scraps" and you're done! No cutting or stamping, mess or clutter. Or if you choose, get as fussy as you want with custom stamped cards and images for the week as time permits.

I am using Babycakes Picture My Life for my son's Baby Book,
but don't limit yourself on what you can do with these!

This can really maximize your craft time and just get it done. All digital? No problem! Studio J provides all of the great paper kits now and from the past, along with all of the coordinating images to custom build a layout online with drag and drop capability. No storage or tech savvy necessary. And you only pay when you're ready to print and/or download! Faster. Simpler. Easier.

4. Stamp of the Month (SOTM)

Beautiful Stamps. Amazing Deals. Each month you can purchase a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5 — that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing.

Remember, the red lines around the images indicate a corresponding Cricut shape with our exclusive Cricut cartridges (large heart and "Wild Thing" sentiment). This month's set uses Art Philosophy.

Now, go on. Share some love.

A Christmas Card and Retiring Items

Before I get to the list, I just want to share one of the cards we are making this Saturday, December 15th in class. If you would like to order $1 card kits to assemble on your own, you still can. See all of the options here.

Wow! There's a whole lot of change coming up soon at Close To My Heart as the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book draws to a close on January 31, 2013. This time of year is always bittersweet. I CAN'T WAIT for the Spring/Summer Idea Book to come out with all of the wonderful new papers, stamps and products, but I'm so sad to see the close of my favorite Autumn/Winter Book and some of my best-loved treasures being retired. To get new, we must clean out the old, so now's the chance to get those last must-haves before they are gone forever. So without further adieu, here's the list!

I made this card using C1458 Paper Lanterns, which is about to retire for good
(card originally inspired by Vicki Wizniuk).

2012 Autumn/Winter Idea Book Retiring List 

Item#   Description                     Idea Book Page No.

Z1349 Shimmer Designer Brads 127

Z1360 Rhinestone Designer Brads 127

Z1361 Brads Red Assortment  127

Z1362 Brads Pink Assortment 127

Z1363 Brads Blue Assortment 127

Z1364 Brads Green Assortment 127

Z1365 Brads Basic Assortment 127

Z1387 Wooden Designer Buttons 125

Z1391 Buttons Clear Assortment 125

Z1395 Irresistibles™ Eclectic Chipboard Die-Cuts (the alphabet) 130

Z1465 Irresistibles™ Make-It-Count Numbers 130

Z1681 Dimensional Elements  Numbers  131

Z1761 Dimensional Elements Ornaments 131

Z1762 Dimensional Elements Snowflakes 131

Z1765 Color-Ready Arbor Wooden Shapes 130

X7147C Stella Complements Canvas Shapes 68

X7148C My Stickease® Pemberley Assortment 68

X7150C My Stickease® Victory Assortment 69

X7153C My Stickease® Florentine Assortment 69

X7158C La Belle Vie My Stickease® Assortment 38

X7160C Flirty Complements Dimensional Elements 50

X7161C Moonlight Complements Dimensional Elements 56

X7162C Pear & Partridge Complements Glittery Rub-Ons 62

Z1464 Milepost Shapes 128

Z1466 Bling Assortment 128

Z1695 Urban Felt Alphabet  130

Z1696 Keepsake Felt Alphabet  130

Z1709 Just Blooms® Petals Paper Flowers 129

Z1460 Foundry® Ribbon Slides 126

Z1711 Foundry® Binder Clips 126

Z1712 Foundry® Number Plates  126

Z1461 Décor Journaling Spots 129

Z1687 Bohemian Assortment  128

Z1689 Timeless Charms 128

Z1692 Tough Tags 128

Z1694 Bouquet Assortment 128

Z1741 Haunted Assortment 128

Z1749 Autumn Lane Assortment  128

Z1763 Boutique Assortment 128

2012 Autumn/Winter Idea Book Retiring List

Z1772 Dimensional Elements In Color—Holiday 128

Z1393 Mini-Medley Accents Black Collection  126

Z1316 Designer Ribbon Cocoa Collection 124

Z1385 Designer Ribbon Blue Collection 124

Z1615 Designer Ribbon Red Collection 124

Z1616 Designer Ribbon Green Collection 124

Z1388 Newsprint Rub-Ons  130

Z1700 Dark Chocolate Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons 126

Z1733 Black Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons 126

Z1743 Festive Velvet Rub-Ons  126

Z1742 Parlor Velvet Rub-Ons 126

Z1407 6" x 6" Olive Quick Pic™ Album 122

Z1408 6" x 6" Pansy Purple Quick Pic™ Album 122

Z1054 My Creations® Display Album 132

Z1378 My Creations® Banner 132

Z1614 My Creations® Memory Game 132

Z188 Craft Jars 120

Z1352 4 1/2" Colonial White Circle Cards 123

Z1353 4 1/2" White Daisy Circle Cards 123

Z1731 My Originals® Sweet Surprises Card Kit 123

X7147B My Reflections® Stella Paper Packet 68

X7148B My Reflections® Pemberley Paper Packet 68

X7150B My Reflections® Victory Paper Packet 69

X7153B My Reflections® Florentine Paper Packet 69

X7158B La Belle Vie Paper Packet  38

X7160B Flirty Paper Packet 50

X7161B Moonlight Paper Packet 56

X7162B Pear & Partridge Paper Packet 62Z1252 Cutting Knife 135

G1041 Workshops on the Go® Avonlea Cardmaking Kit 22

G1043 Workshops on the Go® Pear & Partridge Cardmaking Kit 66

G1040 Workshops on the Go® Spellbound Cricut® Kit 14

G1042 Workshops on the Go® Scroll Album Kit 23

G1044 Workshops on the Go® Advent Calendar Kit 67

G1045 Workshops on the Go® Avonlea Scrapbooking Kit 21

G1046 Workshops on the Go® Clementine Scrapbooking Kit 29

G1047 Workshops on the Go® Dakota Scrapbooking Kit 35

G1048 Workshops on the Go® La Belle Vie Scrapbooking Kit  41

G1049 Workshops on the Go® Scholastic Scrapbooking Kit 47

G1050 Workshops on the Go® Flirty Scrapbooking Kit 53

G1051 Workshops on the Go® Moonlight Scrapbooking Kit 59

G1052 Workshops on the Go® Pear & Partridge Scrapbooking Kit 65

Retiring Stamps in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book

Item#    Stamp name     Page #

A1104 A Tweet 90

A1111 A Tulip 68

A1116 A Melody 94

A1122 Bravo 92

A1128 Quick Cards—Shell 80

A1129 A Rainbow 85

B1365 Spring Up 71

B1369 Rosy Regards 67

B1374 Bee Happy 83

B1397 He Is Risen 74

B1402 My Peeps 72

C1439 Enjoy Life 95

C1440 Take a Picture 93

C1442 Tailor-Made 94

C1450 Eclectic Edges 99

C1452 Delight 71

C1455 Aspire 96

C1456 Heartfelt Treasures 68

C1457 Happy Camper 84

C1458 Paper Lantern 90

C1473 Remarkable Wreath 70

C1474 10 Things 105

C1485 Super Powers 47

C1498 Country Life 82

C1499 Perfect Day 80

D1195 The Works Alphabet 117

D1222 Tiny Typewriter Alphabet 117

D1296 Chocolate Alphabet Small 114

D1301 Hodge Podge Alphabet 114

D1303 Classmate Alphabet 114

D1462 Splendid Day 77

D1464 Card Chatter—Love 106

D1467 Trees & Things 76

D1472 Simple Memories 66

D1478 Bingo Alphabet 113

D1505 Roar! 89

D1508 Diverse Backgrounds 102

D1509 Magic Adventures 78

D1511 Kick Back 81

E1013 Field Trip Alphabet 114

Warm wishes,

Cricut Artiste or Art Philosophy for 78 Bucks! {Black Friday}

Bridal card I made with Cricut Artiste for my niece, Paige.

Man, oh, man, you can't beat that deal! This offer is available only valid through me (facebook, twitter or email/text/phone). On my website (there are some FANTASTIC While Supplies Last deals there, too!) click on JOIN the Black Friday Deals! gathering and click, click, click to shop 24/7 in the comfort of your pajamas!* Starting now through 10pm MST on Cyber Monday, November 26, 2012, I am offering the Close To My Heart Cricut Artiste or Art Philosophy cartridge packs for only $78 plus tax and shipping! Now, if you want to order off the website and get this amazing deal, you must let me know by joining the Black Friday Deals! gathering so I can refund you the difference on your purchase price because the website is not set up to handle this exclusive deal only through me.

Detail of the embossing. You can see how to make this card here.

Let's Get to the Goods
Both of these collections (and I say that because you get MORE than just the amazing cartridge) have a whopping 700 images EACH - averaging 600 MORE than your regular full Cricut cartridge retailing at $50+ and include matching Dimensional Elements and My Acrylix Stamp Sets to perfectly coordinate your next project Faster, Simpler and Easier! Look at what you get:

Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection

Featuring hundreds of basic, versatile shapes and fonts you'll use every day, many of which coordinate with dozens of our My Acrylix® stamps, this collection is a must-have for every crafter!

Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection includes:
1 – Cartridge (700 images: font, shapes, and 3-D items)
3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets
3 – 9" × 12" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)

Cricut® Artiste Collection

With just the touch of one Cricut® Artiste key you can take your creativity over the top with wonderful 3-D projects, party favors, interactive cards, awards, and more! From robots and spooks to weddings and Valentines, your cupcake wrappers, invitations, and party essentials will coordinate and come together for any celebration! Includes a step-by-step assembly booklet for the 3-D projects.

Collection includes:

• 1 – Cartridge (700 images: themed projects, cards, fonts, shapes, and 3-D items)
• 3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets
• 3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)

Ok, here's the rest of the deal
Your Cricut cartridge collection will only sweeten these rewards inspired by Lisa Stenz's 2011 Black Friday. I've put my own spin on it, of course, but special thanks to her for the original idea! Now. Here's the goods!

Place an order of $25 - $49 

Get a free Dye-Based Ink Pad of your choice ($5.25 value.)

Place an order of $51 - $75
Get an A size stamp set of your choice or any accessory valued at $6.95 or less for free. This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for $5! When you purchase the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, for just $5, you can ALSO pick any stamp set** at 50% off!

Place an order of $76 - $99
Get a free B size stamp set or Level 2 Paper Pack of your choice (up to $9.95 value.) This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for $5! When you purchase the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, for just $5, you can ALSO pick any stamp set** at 50% off!

Place an order of $100 - $149
Get a free Cardstock color pack (Single color, 24 sheets) or a size C stamp set of your choice (up to $14.50 value). You can also get TWO Stamp of the Month sets for only $5 each! One for you, one for your Bestie! When you purchase the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, for just $5, you can ALSO pick any stamp set** at 50% off! (This is a total value of $49.36!)

Place an order of $150 or more
Get $25 in free products of your choice, PLUS either a free Level 2 Paper Pack or B size stamp set of your choice (valued at $9.95.)  You will also get up to 3 Stamp of the Month sets for only $5 each! You can also get TWO Stamp of the Month sets for only $5 each! One for you, one for your Bestie and a great gift for the neighbor! When you purchase the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, for just $5, you can ALSO pick any stamp set** at 50% off! (This is a total value of $82.82!)



Call, text, email or facebook, tweet me Right. Now. to get this amazing deal! Happy shopping!


Warm wishes,

*Purchases of Cricut Artiste or Art Philosophy will drop in the cart at full retail price of $99. Difference will be refunded to you by ME. Thanks!

**Shipping/handling may apply. Offer valid November 1–30, 2012. Offer valid for A, B, C, D, and E size stamp sets only; K-size, Workshops on the Go^®, Cricut^® collection, and Stamp of the Month stamp sets are not eligible for this promotion. Maximum of one 50% off stamp set per order.

Family Ties {Studio J} and Black Friday Preview

Paige & Zac's wedding. Some photos shared courtesy of the family.

Weddings are a great time to get family pictures. This Thanksgiving I am grateful for all of the Family Ties I have accumulated in life. Each one has had an impact on me and I know I am a better person because of these wonderful people. I am so grateful to have my family and sincere friends!

I think hands down, Avonlea is becoming my very favorite paper pack in the Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book. I love the colors and patterns. So classy! Of course it may be that I am fixated on wedding stuff lately, too! Don't forget, with Studio J, you can use and re-use all of your favorite patterns and Complements again and again as you make beautiful EASY scrapbook pages in a snap to preserve for generations to come.

Okay, okay. I'll get to the point you've been waiting for. My Black Friday Sale will start tomorrow morning at 6 AM MST. Check my blog to get the deets on the best Black Friday specials. EVER. Right Here. Then see the exclusive deals and updates on my Facebook and Twitter posts, to stay abreast of developments as they come throughout the day. I will have some deals that run the whole weekend, through Cyber Monday, ending at 10 PM MST. Other deals will be spur of the moment sales and items for just a few hours during the day. Hint: Jaw-dropping prices on CRICUT!! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving and remember the things that mean the most. 

Then shop 'til you drop!!

Warm wishes,

Spooky Banner {Cricut Artiste and Art Philosophy}

I bought some random Halloween papers at my local craft store a few years ago and they have been sitting, collecting dust ever since. All cute papers but nothing to go with them! That's one of the main things I love about Close To My Heart - everything coordinates! Not only that, but with My Reflections Paper Packs, you don't get home and have one really cute paper... and nothing to dress it up with.

 I've been on vacation this past week and spent it at home. Sometimes that can be really relaxing and sometimes it's not! I had a little of both this week and was able to spend my relax time on this fun project.

This banner is a combo effort, using both of CTMH's exclusive cartridges, Art Philosophy and Artiste and no stamping! Let Cricut do the work for you. I programmed cuts in between loads of laundry. The B&T's used for the pennants' bases are Little Yellow Bicycle. The rest of the products are all CTMH.

Using Art Philosophy, cut one pennant per B&T (the first striped and the last white bat are the same paper, different sides). Pennants: Stripes "S" pennant: Page 29, cut at 7"; Second "O" purple diamond: Page 29, cut at 10 1/2"; Spider web "P" pennant, page 60, cut at 9 1/4", White with black bat "Y" pennant, page 60, cut at 6 1/4"; Orange First "O" pennant, page 68, cut at 8", black graveyard "K" pennant cut with Fit To Page, which scaled at 11 1/2". Cut your letters in White Daisy cardstock using the Font Layer feature, all in lower case at 3": "S" page 42, "P" page 40, 2 letter "O" page 30, "K" page 38, "Y" page 36. Rosettes: Floral rosette in Orange (retired), page 41, using the Decorative Layer feature x 6 count; The Black Discs are the negative center of the circle frame on Page 41, using the Layer feature, cut at 1 1/2".

Artiste: Rosettes (cont.): page 50, cut 12 pinwheel flower strips in Pansy Purple (retired) at 1 1/2" (you need 2 per rosette.) Fold and adhere the ends together with a little Tombow Adhesive. Flatten and adhere to the pennants with Liquid Glass. Spider: Page 77, use Shift, Accent 4 plus the [Halloween] key, and cut at 2". Spiderweb Border: Page 76, use Shift, Accent 4 plus the [Eek!] key and cut at 1 1/2". Glowing Eyes: Page 77, use Shift, Accent 3 plus the [Halloween] key and cut at 4".

Tie on a little Black 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon and some D-rings and you're done!

Warm wishes,

Close To My Heart and Cricut

...together... forever! What a perfect match made in heaven! If you don't have a Cricut, this is the number one reason to get one! With Convention in Disneyland ending yesterday, I finally have time to give you more updates on what we can expect from our new totally gorgeous Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book! So did you get it? Yep, that's right! We've paired up with Provo Craft to bring you an exclusive Cricut Cartridge available August 1st in the new Idea Book! The Art philosophy cartridge offers over 700 images to cut, resulting in over 32,000 design options and the best part is it matches several of our new My Acrylix stamp sets! No more fussy cutting!! Just cut and stamp for a perfect match every time! Check out this video just released to learn more about what you can no longer live without! Lol!



So, you heard we have a fabulous cartridge and now you know firsthand how great this is going to be. It's the next best thing after Clear stamps! And speaking of stamps, not only do we have several new Autumn and Winter sets debuting in the new Idea Book, but they are CHEAPER! Yep, price reductions across the board on all stamps and it's AMAZING! Here's the deets:

A-size sets are now $7.95
B-size sets $9.95
C-size sets $13.95
D-size sets $17.95
E-size sets $29.95

Along with this, the Stamp of the Month (SOTM) program has been revamped and it's even easier to get your exclusive set every month! Since all SOTM's are D-sized, their retail value is now marked at only $17.95. So you can still buy it outright at the new lower price. You can also earn it for $5 with only a $50 purchase (StudioJ.com orders do not count but memberships do!)

I can't believe the wonderful new products and the changes in store for us starting August 1st! If you would like your very own Idea Book, please contact me today!

Warm wishes,