September Stamp of the Month {Poster Tidings}

When I was in Fort Myers, I had the treat of sneak-peeking all of the Stamps of the Month from the current catalog.  I whipped up some projects to show them off to you, and I am pleased to introduce Poster Tidings, September's SOM.  (Because yes. . .it is SEPTEMBER! eeeks!)

This stamp set is composed of two large stamps, perfect for filling most of a 4.25x5.5 card.  (They would also make terrific tags or layout embellishments!!)

I was going for a chalkboard look on this first card, and I added some of the new Ruby chevron ribbon.   

 And on this second card, using the 2nd stamp set I created a fun fall card.  I added some of the Trinkets Wood Shapes.  You can add color to these cute little embellishments, but I love the look of the bare wood, especially for fall!

Remember you can score the September Stamp of the Month, Poster Tidings, for just $5 when you spend $50 this month!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

-Laura :)

new cards, and new goodies! {featuring Love This}

I'm back home after a few days at my parents house.  I tried to sneak in as much time in the craft room as I could, whenever I could keep my children out of the swimming pool! I  reinked all of my CTMH ink pads while I was there, and pawed through all of the new product my mom has! Woohooo!  And then. . . I came home to a fabulous box of CTMH goodies waiting for me. A CTMH box is like Christmas coming early, don't you think!?

Some of my favorite things from the new catalog. . . .

Aqua Dots

Lagoon Washi Tape

Trinkets Wood Shapes (I'm using them on EVERYTHING!)

Today I'd love to share this card using the new stamp set, called Love This.  This is going to be a FUN stamp set to paper-piece.  I trimmed the bird and flower from cardstock and kept things pretty simple on here but I'd like to go crazy and pop the flower petals up and add some crazy dimension . . . next time!

The font on this sentiment is so lovely, isn't it? With gorgeous sentiments, you often don't need to do much else to make a stunning and simple card!

Thanks so much for coming by today!

-Laura

Introducing the $5 layouts ONLY Available at my All Day Create & Crops!

Here are some quick and easy $5 double page layouts that will be offered in limited quantities at my all day Create & Crop on August 24 and September 21.

Weekend Crop Projects!

This coming weekend, August 16-18, we have another great weekend crop in Estero, Florida.  If you aren't already registered and paid, you can still come for any projects and classes.  All weekend crop space is sold out,but anyone can stop by and shop, attend classes and work on create & take projects.

Here are few of the classes and projects that will be available at the Close To My Heart table, but we have lots more so be sure to stop at our table as soon as you are settled and check us out!

ORIGINALS CARD CONFIDENCE CLASS

Susan Tomaino

CELEBRATE

 

 LIVE 

 FUN and SUN

 LIVE

NEW

CRICUT ARTBOOKING COLLECTION

Only available from Close To My Heart

 Each Cricut key in this collection is optimized for creating 12 X 12 pages in a jiffy!  Just set your dial and everything you want to cut will cut to the right proportion for your base page.  NO MORE GUESS WORK and no more wasted paper, cardstock or time!  It's great!  The layout above was all done with my dial set at 11 inches.  Everything else followed at the right size!

The collection includes 15 layout themes, 10 themed mini books, and oh so much more!  700 images that include fonts, mini books, and layouts.  Lots of images that are great for card makes too!  The collection includes the Cricut Cartridge, (3) exclusive D-size stamp sets that coordinate with this collection, and (3) 12" X 9" Dimensional Elements in coordinating shapes.  All for only $99.00.

Purchase or order your collection at the weekend crop and receive the August Stamp of the Month for FREE (substitutes available), FREE shipping, and a special gift.  

Orders ship for FREE through this special event.

JOIN US ON FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE BOARD ROOM

for a FREE demonstration!  Check with us at the crop for the specific time.

Sightseer

As the summer winds down I thought I'd share a few travel-themed cards. In a few days, I'm off for a quick little trip to my parents, where I will DIVE into my mom's new CTMH goodies from the latest catalog.  I hope to have lots of new cards made, to share in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, here are some cards featuring one of my favorite stamp sets, Sightseer!   

I have two cards to share today, both in one of my favorite color combos - aqua, black, and white!  I used CTMH washi tape on this, and made a fun border with the arrow stamp.

 On this second card, I embossed the camera.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way crisp bold images look, when they are embossed.  I also used an embossing folder to create this dotted background. (And I'm sad to say I have no idea where the embossing folder is from - I borrowed it from a friend, at a crop! And I think I NEED it!!!!) A VERY helpful tip - when stamping on an embossed surface, stamp FIRST, then emboss the dots.  (Something I didn't do this time, but I was able to fix my inconsistently stamped sentiment with a Sharpie!)

I'm looking forward to sharing some NEW NEW NEW goodies with you in the next few weeks.  I promise I'll get busy as soon as I get into my mom's stampy stash!! (After all, her craft room is in MY old bedroom, so that gives me clout. Right?)  ;)

xoxo

Laura,

Project Inspirations: Ombré Technique

Cricut Artbooking Collection

This Collection is the best ever!  Over 700 images that include Fonts, Mini Books, Layouts, and more, you will find tons of uses for these designs1  The collection includes 15 layout themes, and you can create several coordinating pages for each theme using JUST TWO KEYS.  It's oh so simple!  No more playing around with sizes to coordinate with your page - just select the size for your main cut out and everything else will cut to the correct proportion.  FAST, SIMPLE, EASY and saves you time and paper!

The Artbooking Collection also includes 10 themed mini books and you will find new creative inspiration with this new Collection!  Celebrate birthday, new baby, vacations, friends, sports, Halloween, Christmas, and so much more.

Your Collection includes:
(1) CTMH Cricut Cartridge
(3) My Acrylix D-Size Stamp Sets for this Collection
(3) 12" X 9" Dimensional Elements in coordinating shapes

With 700 images, you also have so many that will be super additions to your cards!  Watch my blog for some cute ideas just for cardmakers!

Order your Collection in August and also receive the wonderful August Stamp of the Month, A Chocolate Affair FOR FREE! 

Email me for more information about special savings in August with the order of this collection!

Think Ahead - Think Chocolate!

A new Idea Book will be LIVE on August 1.  We have a large assortment of new products for your paper crafting PLUS wearable crafting projects called Base and Bling.  Check it out on Page 74-77 in the new book.

During the month of August you can earn the August Stamp of the Month "A Chocolate Affair" FREE with any order of $50.00 or more.  Below is a picture of the set plus a card using the new set. 

Supplies for the above card:
Stamp Set:  A Chocolate Affair (S1308 August SOM)
Ink:  Chocolate (Z2111)
Marker:  Chalk Marker (Z1767)
Embellishment:  Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain (Z1617)
Card Base:  Kraft Cardstock (Z1375)
Cardstock:  Bamboo (1301)

Get Organized!

Background Stamps

Just Chillin'!

Summer sunshine is shining like crazy around sunny Florida. We were lucky to enjoy it over the 4th of July weekend, playing at the pool and the beach with extended family. Despite one child sick as can be during the week before the holiday, he was thankfully well just in time. Then, Sunday morning . . . . child number two - down for the count. He seems to be recovering much faster though, which is a relief to this mama! 

I created these two cards, using the Just Chillin stamp set. I love the look of the twine on this first card - it's a little lighter look than wrapping the entire card with twine (which I tend to do pretty much ALL THE TIME.)  And I'll be honest - I totally just eyeballed the measurements and punched the holes in what looked like the center.  After that, I just threaded the twine through the holes and tied a bow.  I stamped and trimmed my flipflops and stuck them on with a cute, tiny clothespin.  (I added some extra stability with a piece of foam adhesive behind them though.)

When I created this second card I wanted to experiment with the idea of creating a banner with something other than little flags - so I used sand pails!

Creating banners and flags continues to be such a trend right now. . . why don't you look through your stamp stash, and see what you can turn into a banner!?

Thanks so much for stopping by today. 

 I hope your week is filled with sunshine and fun!

xoxo

New Artbooking Cricut Collection from Close To My Heart

Reserve your new Artbooking Cricut Collection today or you can order August 1 from my website:
susan.ctmh.com 

Uniquely You {June Stamp of the Month}

Quick! Quick! Before June is long gone. . . .let me share these two cards I created with the June Stamp of the Month, called A Flowering Bunch. 

 I embossed this first card in black embossing powder, and colored it in with marker.  If you are hesitant about marker bleeding on your colored image, embossing is a safe way to color in small areas without worry!  I popped the leaf up on foam tape for a little extra interest.  And I used Sunset, Creme Brulee, and Smoothie cardstock to make this simple color-blocked layout. I love the way the colors came together.

For this second card, I did the opposite. . . .I embossed the flower in white, on black cardstock.  Also striking, but a totally different look.

Today is the last day of the Convention in Orlando, and I have been stalking the pictures on Instagram and Facebook (check out #vivactmh for 700 or so pictures and updates!) I haven't spied Susan in any of the pictures, but it's been FUN to see sneak peeks of NEW products. (Jewelry, home decor, new stamps - OH MY!)  My kids were pretty impressed with the Mickey ear shaped dessert at the awards banquet last night! Gotta love social media!  

xoxoxo Laura,

Team Tomaino in Orlando

Susan and her team, The Tomaino Patch, are in Orlando for the annual Close To My Heart convention. Susan is such a fun team leader. She dressed in a tomato costume for her team meeting. Looks fun to me!  Posted by Nancy

Viva!

The fun has begun! Here is Debi with a grande sombrero. Today (Thursday) the new Idea Book will be presented. I don't know about all of you that are NOT at convention, but I can't wait to hear all about it and maybe see some pictures, too. Posted by Nancy 

 

 

Convention Bound!

Susan and Debi are heading for the Close to My Heart Convention in Orlando, Florida!

Check back as I update the blog with all the latest convention news!

Posted by Nancy

Ribbons and Trims

Irresistibles!

How Lovely (and a June promotion!)

I love the watermarked embossed look of the Dream Pop cardstock.  If you missed out on this kit, you really should beg, borrow, and steal to get it! (Well, within reason anyway.)  ;)

I trimmed the large flower from patterned paper, along with the sentiment, and layered it along with the cardstock, and patterned paper.  Quick and simple (once I fussy cut that flower out!)

This same layout could be so easily reproduced using any large stamp, or image trimmed from patterned paper.  And a sentiment can easily be turned into a little pennant, by trimming a cardstock or paper strip, stamping a sentiment, and just notching out one side.


If you missed out on the Dream Pop paper last month, be sure to check out this month's awesome promotion.  How CUTE is this banner!??

(image credit)

When you place a $25 order that includes a stamp set, you’ll receive a My Creations^® mini banner for free! The mini banner includes 10 chipboard pennants in 4 different shapes with 9 jump rings for hanging. Use the mini banner as a decoration for your parties and get-togethers this summer. Make it a “banner” day in June!

Shop online or contact Susan to place your qualifying order and capture the savings today!

*Offer valid June 1–30, 2013. Only orders that include a qualifying stamp set and reach $25 receive a free mini banner.

Summer Party Contest

Scraptique Weekend Crop - June 7-8-9, 2013

Scraptique Weekend Crop

June 7-8-9, 2013

Embassy Suites, Estero Florida

I hope you are joining us this weekend for the crop!  Not only will you have the opportunity to create all new projects from Close To My Heart, but this will be my summer clearance sale.  I'm getting ready for the launch of our new Idea Book, August 1, 2013.  Never before have I offered a sale like this, so be sure to check it out this weekend.

Not registered for the crop?  There is still some space so email Kim ASAP at Scrapnstik@aol.com.  Can’t come for the weekend?  Shopping is available so stop by and see what all the excitement is about!

Here are the Create & Take projects for this weekend from Susan, Independent Close To My Heart Consultant.

For Always Cards.  

 Join us in creating 2 of each of these 3 cards and discover why the CTMH Card Kits are such a great value!  You'll see how you can use your stamps, inks, and papers to create an assortment of beautiful cards!

This class will be scheduled on Saturday, so be sure to sign up when you arrive at the crop.  It will be offered 3 times in groups of 4.  Cost $8.00 and includes the envelopes.

Moments

This two page layout is only $7 and includes beautiful canvas complements.  

 

 Later Sk8r

Create this two page layout and see why we all LOVE Flip Flaps!  

Your project includes three Flip Flaps in two sizes.  $8.00

 

Buz and Bumble

 This layout will be offered on Saturday for 4 guests to learn heat embossing and create their layouts.  Another 4 kits are available with pre-stamped images.  Sign up for your kit when you arrive at the crop because there are only 8 layouts total.  This layout includes  one Flip Flap.  $8.00

 You're a Star!

 If you haven't ever used Flip Flaps on your layouts before, wait until you see what a 6 X 12 Flip Flap can add to your project!  You are going to love this two page layout which holds a lot of pictures!  $8.00

 

How Sweet!

Another great layout with a large 6 X 12 Flip Flap and beautiful canvas complements.  This two page layout is great for a variety of photographs, and you are going to love using our burlap!

 $8.00

Every Day

Summertime is upon us! My second grader is only a second grader for one more week. (Eek!) 

Every day IS an adventure, and it will continue to be!!!!

I hope you like this clean and simple, quick and easy card. I put together Pear, Gypsy, and Holiday Red (forgive me because I'm pretty sure Holiday red is no more. . .but Cranberry would look just as nice!)

I would tell you what stamp set this is. . .but I am completely not sure.  It's not still available, but you just may have it in your stash. And if you don't, and you need it - you just may be able to get it from Susan, because sometimes she has a special little stash of not-available-anymore product.  

(She's good like that.)

xoxo

Laura,

Project Inspirations: A Different Spin