Be Gentle with me- I'm trying this again. LOL

       I'm back, trying the blog thing again.  Hoping I can keep it going better than before.

       Check here for events (have a few coming up) and links  (have a few new ones).  Please feel free to post any questions you have about what you see here or Close To My Heart products and I will do the best I can to find you the right answers.

What's been happening the last few months at CTMH?
July saw Convention in Provo, Utah, where a number of Big announcements were made.
1. CTMH is moving into the Far East- specifically, Japan!!  Welcome to our fellow Japanese crafters!

WELCOME!

2. We'll now have a YEAR LONG Core Catalogue where you can find information about all the various programs (Cricut, subscriptions, Story by Stacy, Make It From Your Heart, etc), as well as products that will be available all year, the list of inks/ papers/ embellishments, etc.

3.  NEW Card Subscription, like the Scrapbooking subscription, you can order it as yearly, or part- yearly; it gets delivered DIRECTLY to YOU, it's filled with all the cards and die-cuts you'll need, as well as a super- versatile stamp set you can use on other projects!








4.  Cricut- SOOOOO many new goodies!

   - New digi cart, called Complete Creativity!!  Images pre-set for scrapbooking and cardmaking, and so much more!
   - All consultants- including ME!!- are now Cricut Affiliates, ie, you can purchase all your Cricut needs thru our link to Cricut.com (NOT Design Space)- look for the little green Cricut icon at the base of my CTMH shopping page.  (will attempt to add to the blog also)
   -  We now carry HTV and digi images (SVGs) to use on whatever you want, including our New HTV- friendly albums (new sizes available there too!!).  What's HTV?- Heat Transfer Vinyl.  And we carry a variety of colors, including glitter and metallics.  How do you apply it?  With a heat press tool, like the Cricut EasyPress2, available to you as a Hostess Rewards Exclusive, in 2 sizes- 9x9 or 12x10.

5.  We're now in partnership with Melissa Esplin, who's known for her expertise in calligraphy and lettering.  Are you one of the many that won't journal because you hate your handwriting?  We can now help you with that!  We offer a pen set and How-to booklet, showing you how to create beautiful calligraphy to use in all your projects. Too involved for you? We also have several stamp sets, created using Melissa's own calligraphy!

6. This is Stacy Julian's last year with us.  You will find all her best offerings, including the comprehensive StoryTeller, on pgs 16-23 of the Core catalogue.

7. New tools:  the Very New Tri-Blend markers by Spectrum Noir, Stickles glitter glue in a variety of colors, the Stamp Shammy (replaces the scrubbing brush) and a set of 3 Embossing pens!

8. The new Color of the Year is Julep- think darker than Mint and lighter than Clover.  It is available as ink (both dye and pigment!), cardstock, dye ink refill, glitter paper, Glitter gems, Shimmer brush, albums, velvet ribbon and sequins.
9. In addition to Julep, there are several other new colors.  They include: Sangria, Wisteria, Evergreen, Green Apple, Lemonade, Paprika and French Vanilla.  And our black has been updated, too.

10.  In addition to the yearly Core catalogue, we also have a mini catty.  This isn't new.  What is is the the time it's available- only 2 months!!  What this means for you?- you won't have time to get bored looking at the same products month after month;  there are only 2 new paper packs in each mini.  This also means that if there's something you really want, you should buy it, before it's GONE!  You'll also find the 2 Stamp of the Months advertised there, as well as any Big Event Specials, like for National Scrapbooking month, or National Papercrafting month.



11.  And, finally, if you go to my shopping site, you'll see that it's been revamped, to make it easier  for you to find just what you're looking for.

April Cross Canada Blog Hop, featuring Shin Han Twin Touch Markers

Oh Boy!  It's time to COLOR!!

  As a crafter and a stamper, sometimes these words are great- time to check out of the crazy and concentrate on getting it between the lines with just the right combination of colors- and nothing else, just you and the markers and the image that needs to be filled in.  And sometimes, those words strike fear into your heart because it's new and you haven't a clue how to 'adult color', not since you 'kid- colored'.  For this hop, I felt both- it was fun coloring my little animals and seeing which combinations I liked most- and which didn't work, either because they just didn't look good, or because I don't have the skills to make them look good- YET.
  Follow along on this Hop to see some truly FANTASTIC coloring from some ladies who really have the all the right techniques and skills.  But don't be intimidated, there's alot here who, like me, color because it's still fun - and because we don't ALWAYS have to color inside the lines.  

  The spiel- we're a circular blog hop, so you can jump in anywhere and, if you complete the Hop you'll end up right where you began.  If you get lost, goto Michelle's blog- here, for a full list of Hoppers.

  This month, we're featuring a product not made by or exclusively for CTMH but one we do carry in a limited selection  - the Shin Han Twin Touch Markers*. We carry 24 colors plus the blending marker.

On to the Hop- If you've just come from Michelle's blog, then you're in the right place.  If you want to start at the beginning (East Coast to West Coast), then start with her.

On to the coloring:

Ok, so when I start a coloring project, I start by stamping the image(s) multiple times;  this allows me to play with the color combinations.  I also pick out all the colors I might use and put a single thick mark on the same paper as what I used to stamp on- this is my 'cheat sheet'. Like the strip on the left.

While I'm coloring, I keep track of my color combos on a separate paper- as above right.  It just makes it easier to recreate the look if I ever want to.  So, using the Spring Critters (C1638) Thin Cuts bundle (stamp + dies/ retired), I end up with this-

 The most basic technique I use is that I go from light to dark.  I start with my lightest color/ shade and color around it with the darker colors/ shades.  For the spotted frog, I gave him his spots first and then filled in his body (belly was done first, of course).  The foxes, bunnies and froggies got their noses/ ears/ cheeks done first with R28, a very light shade of rosie pink.  Believe it or not, the chickie on the left has 3 shades of yellow on him and the 1 on the right has 2 shades of yellow and 1 of orange on his body.

I'm fairly certain the bunnies and chicks will make their way onto Easter cards (late of course), but here's 1 froggie that will be on time, for a certain girl's grade 8 graduation:

 To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today, contact your local consultant to place an order.  Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is with Carol-Anne.

  Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to get creative using some of the designs, products and techniques seen along the way. We hope you will join us again next month- May 15- when we will be featuring creations using our favorite NEW paper collection, yes that's right, we have new collections coming (Seasonal Expressions II, available May 1st). So mark May 15th on your calendars and hop along with us!

* has been edited. 

January Cross Canada Blog Hop Featuring Catolog Recreations from the Seasonal Expressions 1

   Welcome to our January Blog Hop featuring Catalog Recreations. To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today, contact your local consultant to place an order.

   We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see. Thank you… now on to our hop! 

   If you have just hopped onto my blog, you can start here as this is a circular hop, but if you want to follow us across Canada then please start at the beginning and join Michelle at My Creations with Michelle. If you came from Michelle's then you are in the right place! 

   For this challenge, I remade the second layout of the Sugar Rush Workshop Your Way kit (shown below)...

...using the Dreamin' Big paperpack, cardstock and Complements.

 

  It appears in the original that the layout is based on Raspberry cs but it is actually thin strips of the Sugar Rush red Washi tape at the top and bottom of the layout.  I substituted Saffron cs for the Washi.  All the photo sizes (4x6, 3x4) and placements are the same.  While it appears to be black cs in the center of my layout, it is actually the Black Chevron paper from the ppk.  The cs to the immediate right of that is Juniper, although Glacier will work just as well. The Dragonfly journaling spot is actually one of the PML cards provided in the Dreamin' Big ppk.  There is no stamping on this layout - for those who don't like to 'get inky' 😊.

   There are no pictures yet as it is intended to show the explorations of my 9 year old budding scientist.  He just received a microscope kit for Christmas and I know he'll have many adventures collecting and making specimens to explore!


   Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is with Michelle Hughes of The Right Hughes .

If you get lost along the way, you can head back to Michelle Stewart's Blog, mycreationswithmichelle.blogspot.ca, as she has the complete blog list.

  Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to get creative using some of the designs, products and techniques seen along the way. We hope you will join us again next month when we will be featuring projects featuring succulents and flowers (yea, playtime with my Cricut!). So mark February 15th on your calendars and hop along with us!

Welcome to this installment of  the

   This time round we are showcasing items made with "Thank You!" in mind.  

   If you've come from Diana at farmerdistamps1.blogspot.com, then you're in the right spot.  We 'hop' in a big circle, so if you visit all the blogs, then you'll end up back where you started.  If you get lost, you can find the complete list of Hoppers in the Scrap Zone, with Julie.

 Here's a group snap of my contribution:

  I have something for a teacher or mentor, another more formal card and the last is a more informal card.

  Here's a better look at my Thank You Teacher card:

 I've used Daisy White cardbase and cs and the Zoe paperpack; also used are: D1612- Teacher Appreciation, Coral Shim Trim, Whisper Twine, Pink Enamel Gems, Slate ink, Sweetleaf ink, Tuxedo black ink, Twin Touch markers.  This is the only card I stamped the inside of- with 'for being a wonderful teacher'- also out of D1612.

  Next- the 'formal' Thank you:

Here, I've used the now retired Charlotte paperpack (from the Seasonal Expressions 1) and coordinating Sorbet cs to create my card.  I even used 1 of the 'Zip-strips' (that 1/4" decorative border at the top of all the designed papers that you've probably been throwing out;  well don't, they're handy)!  Also used to create this card were: A1125- Thanks (retired), the Treasured Puffies (SE1) and Gold Shim Trim.  Tuxedo Black ink was used.

And last but not least, is my 'informal' card:

This card was created using the Penelope paperpack (SE1), C1638- Spring Critters and Z3207- the Spring Critters Thin Cuts.  The 'Thanks' came from an exclusive- to- consultants stamp set  (incentive to join up?!) and the 'so very much' came from D1629-Just to say.  All images were stamped with Tuxedo ink and the cute li'l fox was colored with Twin Touch markers (yes, there is just a hint of color on his chest, eyes, tail tip and ears).  I used 3 of the darker pink gems from the Pink Enamel Gems embellishment pack to finish off the card.

   All cards are based on CTMH card sketches.

 
  Thank you for st(h)opping by.  Now hop along and visit with   Julie at thescrapzone.blogspot.com.  
Don't forget to check back this way in the Fall, when we'll be showcasing all new products from the NEXT cattie- OH BOY!!  Til then, Happy Scrappin'!

Welcome to the Make-It-Crafty November SOTM and All- Things- Christmas Blog Hop

 This time 'round we're showing off our Christmas projects and those made with S1511- Cheers!,  the November SOTM (stamp of the month):

  If you've come from Dominique's blog- fun2cre8, then you're in the right spot.  We 'hop' in a big circle, so if you visit all the blogs, then you'll end up back where you started.  If you get lost, you can find the complete list of Hoppers in the Scrap Zone, with Julie.

This time, I've made several Christmas cards (a sneak peak into my 2 card classes, PM me for more).  As you can see, 3 are very easy (stamp and stick) and 3 are a little more involved. 

Here they are individually:

-I used papers from the White Pines ppk, as well as the WP Assortment.

-Bling includes the new Gold and Silver Foil tape, the new Green Triangle embellishments (Z3123), the new Red Gems (Z3090), as well as the Red, Green and Gold Shimmer Trim.

-Cards were colored using Shinhan Twin Touch markers.

-I plan my cards to be flat for sending thru the mail more easily so don't usually pop or 3-D much but I did pop both the sentiment on the second card and the small holly leaf on the third card.

-The inks included Tuxedo Black (my new go-to for all things black) and the new Fern, along with Chocolate.

 -I cut the sentiment mats on the first 2 cards using my Cricut and the Artiste and new Artistry carts.

 -Stamps used include: S1510- Twinkle (Oct Sotm), B1489-Joyful Garland (Hostess), C1627-Reindeer Bells, D1611-Frosty Fun, D1666-Believe in Christmas, D1676- White Pines Card WOTG ss, and D1678- White Pines Scrap WOTG ss. 


  Thank you for st(h)opping by.  Now hop along and visit  with Lisa, at Pretty Paperie Sweets.   
Don't forget to stop back this way mid- January when we'll be showcasing our Valentine's and National Papercrafting Month creations.  Til then, Happy Scrappin'!

Make It Crafty Blog Hop- Thanksgiving and Halloween

Welcome to the Second Round

 of the

  This month we're showcasing Thanksgiving and Halloween creations, or projects made with the October Stamp of the Month-Twinkle (D-1510). 

  As is usual for me, I chose to overdo and made a Halloween (or possibly birthday) layout using the new paperpack Nevermore  (found in the Holiday Expressions mini) and 2 cards- 1 Thanksgiving and 1 Just Because- with the new Sangria.    {I actually Oops'ed and made a card using the Sept SOTM- Paper Garden, instead of  October's Twinkle, but, oh well, it still qualifies ;) }

   The first card is a regular 4 1/4x 5 1/2", on a Colonial Wh card base (50 pk- X1410).  I used  Pattern 20 on page 42 of Make It From Your Heart Vol I.  I used Desert Sand as the mat, stamped in Cocoa.  The paperpack is Sangria.  I used both the orange Leaf Duo and (though it doesn't look it) the Pomegranate Duo (NEW COLOR!).  I stamped the wheat image in Saffron ink (NEW) on Champagne.  The stamp set is C1634- Blessings of Autumn, a Hostess set found on page 4 of the Holiday Expressions mini cattie.  (Though Blessings of Autumn is not for sale, you can earn it by holding a Gathering- ask me for details!)  A nice simple Thanksgiving card.

   My second card (the one I oops'ed on) is also made with Sangria, on a 7x5" Colonial card base.  This card is based on Pattern 30, on pg 47 of Make It From Your Heart Vol I.  I cut Cocoa to the full 7x5", but you could cut that down by 1/4" easily.  I used both the Chevron Duo and the Pomegranate Vines Duo.  I stamped the flower image and the sentiment in Cocoa, on Champagne (I debated embossing it- it is a lovely effect).  Then I finished it off with 3 Pomegranate Gems from the new Z3091 embellishment pack.  The flower image is from the Sept SOTM- Paper Garden D1509 and the sentiment is from C1632- Say It All, a Hostess set from the new Annual Inspirations.

   Finally, I used the new Nevermore paperpack to create a 2 page Halloween layout (or maybe birthday).  Though Pear is not one of the colors packaged with this ppk, it is one of the additional colors that goes with it (notice the little 'crayon patches' shown at the bottom of each page introducing a new paperpack, these are the recommended colors to go with the paperpack).  I modified the Chalk It Up WOTG layout from the previous Annual Inspirations for the template.  I used Black, Pear and the New Eggplant cs, as well as the Eggplant Spider Duo as photo mats.  I finished the page off with some of the new Nevermore Complements (both Kraft and Acetate).  Also used was the Black Shimmer Trim (right page).  I haven't stamped the title yet but I've left the space for it, over the tree and ghosts, left page.  I think this is just super cute, can't wait to get the photos in place!

   Well, that's all from me this month.  Don't forget to check back next month on Nov 7th, when we'll be showing off our Christmas creations and those made with the November SOTM.  Now, hop along to   Lisa's blog to continue the circle.  Remember, if you get lost you can find the master list with Julie in      
The Scrap Zone, here.

Happy hopping!

Welcome Back!

   Let me just say 'Welcome Back'.  Like many of you, I took the summer off from blogging and scrapping in order to make more memories to scrap.  The family went back to Nfld to reconnect with other family members, friends and places special to us.  Lots of pictures were taken and will have to be printed and scrapped.  We got back just in time to throw ourselves into the back- to- school chaos.  And then I thought it would be fun to change around about half the rooms in the house- that's on-going still. 

   Now I'm back and getting into the groove with the release of the NEW Annual Inspirations cattie and all the fab new paperpacks!  Look for my Make It Crafty hop projects in both October (the 3rd) and November.  I've already been playing with Nevermore, Sangria, Kaleidoscope and Urban (FAV!).

And, I'm working on a list of classes/ kits; that should be up and available shortly.

Thanks for sticking around, Pam