Hearts for Haiti

Our hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, and like so many of you, we’re eager to help. We’re excited to announce Close To My Heart’s February Constant Campaign, Hearts for Haiti—where customers can get a great deal while doing great good for those affected by the devastation in Haiti.

From February 1-28, 2010, our 12” x 12” textured cardstock combo packs are buy one, get one FREE—and with every offer purchased, Close To My Heart will donate $2 US to Operation Smile’s Haiti relief efforts. There is no limit to the amount of textured cardstock combo packs you can order!

Operation Smile is always a fantastic charitable partner—offering free facial reconstruction surgeries to needy children throughout the world. They’ve currently marshaled their medical teams and resources to provide emergency relief in Haiti, and the donations given as part of Hearts for Haiti will be used exclusively for Operation Smile’s efforts in Haiti. For more information on their on-the-ground response, you can visit www.operationsmile.org/haiti.

CTMH Textured Cardstock - Buy one get one free (You can mix packs; free must be of equal or lesser value.)
X5747 Textured Basic $14.95 (Bamboo, black, chocolate, cocoa, colonial white, and desert sand)
X5681 Textured Spring Harmony $14.95 (Amethyst, baby pink, heavenly blue, key lime, sunkiss yellow, and taffy)
X5745 Textured Celebration $14.95 (Bubblegum, citrus leaf, dutch blue, topiary, and watermelon)
X5669 Textured Harvest $14.95 (Autumn terracotta, barn red, new england ivy, ourdoor denim, pansy purple, and sunflower)
X5670 Textured Winter Cozy $14.95 (Blush, crystal blue, honey, petal, sweet leaf, and twilight)
X5671 Textured Daisy White $12.95

Please let me know if you want in on this awesome deal!

FeBrUaRy StAmP oF tHe MoNtH bLoG hOp!

Where did January go? Can you believe that it's already time for the FeBrUaRy StAmP oF tHe MoNtH bLoG hOp! Are you ready? This stamp set, Piece of Cake, is soooo sweet! If you've come from my talented friend Helen's blog, then you are hopping along.

Using this stamp set is truly a piece of cake, but you will have a hard time deciding which scrumptious image to use! At my gatherings, classes, and workshops this month, we will be using this stamp set and learning some sweet coloring techniques that are (you guess it!) a piece of cake.

My standard side-fold card is based on the Wishes sketch, "On the Edge." I first stamped the stack of presents onto the Colonial White piece with Vineyard Berry ink. I also stamped it on Baby Pink cardstock in VB, on the Heavenly Blue B&T in Chocolate, and in Heavenly Blue on White Daisy cardstock. These pieces were all cut out and paper pieced onto the original focal image. I used my waterbrush for some of the coloring and my Baby Pink and Vineyard Berry markers for other spots. I also gave my tower a bit of a shadow with a Grey Flannel marker. The finishing touches were truly a piece of cake: a Pretty Pin poked into a knot of ribbon, a Baby Pink button, and some Bitty Sparkles on the flowers.

Thanks for hopping by! Now head on over to see what sweet treat Lori has for us to enjoy!

Techniques: direct-to-paper ink distressing; paper piecing; waterbrush and marker coloring; marker shadowing

All supplies from CTMH: Piece of Cake stamp set (available 2/1-28/10); Topstitich paper pack; White Daisy cardstock; Vineyard Berry, Chocolate, and Heavenly Blue inks; Baby Pink, Vineyard Berry, and Grey Flannel markers; Heavenly Blue and Colonial White Designer Ribbon; Pretty Pin; Spring Buttons; Bitty Sparkles

First Digital Layout with Studio J

Close To My Heart is branching into the world of digital scrapbooking through a FREE online design program, called Studio J. (You can learn more about it at Studio J.com. It is scheduled to launch to the public in March.) I couldn't believe how easy it was! The cool thing is that you can use it to design your pages- to see how this and that will look- and then go to your scrapbook table and create your layout the traditional way (not printing it but using your own supplies). OR you can design your pages, complete with your digital photos and journaling, and purchase the layout! It will print on cardstock and be mailed to you. They are incredibly beautiful in person. (I have a sample layout I can show you now.)

Yesterday, between a bit of house cleaning and getting ready for the funeral, I created my first digital layout! (Sorry I don't have a photo yet; I will take one when I purchse it.) There are some perks for ordering 10 layouts at a time, so I will be creating them and then purchasing them in bulk at a later date. I used photos from the annual Fourth of July Boat Parade that I haven't printed yet, a paper pack that I don't own (Can you believe there is such a thing?!?), and the My Stickease from the pack (which I also don't own). My layout has ribbon, bows, buttons, photo anchors, and more. (I included two of my favorite photos for your viewing pleasure.) My layout is based on one of CTMH's exclusive layout sketches from Cherish or Imagine. (Of course I don't remember which one I used!) I was able to rotate and/or flip the pages to work with my pictures.

One really cool feature was that the program did an amzing job of automatically cropping my photos to fit the space. I did learn that on my old computer (fast connection/slow computer), I could only upload one photo at a time. I just started the upload, went and did something else (had plenty to do!), then came back. Studio J autosaves as you go, but you can also tell it to save when you want/need to. Oh, and it will save your project for 90 days even if you don't make a purchase! (I will have to check my FAQ to find out how long it will save the project if you purchase it.)

I can't wait to create some more layouts! I will continue to be a traditional scrapper because there's nothing like playing with paper, inks, stamps, and more, but Studio J is a really fun alternative. I see it being especially useful when you want enlargements of your photos on your layouts. They can be expensive to order, but Studio J includes designs with larger photos. Maybe I'll try one of those next...

{Whew! Sorry to have written a novel this morning! ~Haley}

{Layout 2010 #5}

Get Started Scrapbooking (or Get Going Again!) Series

Do you have tons of photos in boxes? Do you avoid taking photos because you have so many that you don't know what to do with them?

Have you ever thought about scrapbooking your photos and memories?

Do you want to learn how to scrapbook? Or do you have unfinished albums laying around? I am offering a beginner's scrapbook series (4 classes over 4 months) to help you preserve your photos and memories. You do not have to be a beginner to attend, but this series will be geared toward getting started and will help you get going.

The first class, to be held in February, will focus on getting started with a "Level 1" kit. With the versatile Silhouette kit, we'll create two gorgeous 12"x12" two-page layouts. This first class will cost $11.50 for the kit (four layouts!). We will begin to learn how to use a paper trimmer and discuss some basic ideas for scrapbooking. (I am using a system that is totally guilt free! How does that sound?!?)

Each additional class is only $5 per class, but the class fee will be waived with a $25 minimum order. At each of these classes, we will create a two-page 12"x12" layout. We will learn lots more about scrapbooking, plus you'll have completed layouts to take home! Leave me a comment if you're interested in attending. You do NOT have to be local to participate, although I'd love to have you here at my house.

Thankful Thursday

Things are busy around here- I'm sure you can relate- but I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humbleness right now. Thank you to everyone who pops in here and especially those of you who leave me comments! It means so much to me to think that my little corner of the world might inspire or somehow touch you. Thanks for stopping by!

I guess I'm just taking a moment to appreciate this imperfect thing called LIFE. We were thrilled to have unexpected visitors Tuesday night: my Uncle Bob (Dad's brother) and Aunt Lynne from New Hampshire! (We thought they were headed to visit my parents in Florida but instead crashed at their house here.) My brother and I were both cooking in our crockpots, so we, along with my sister and her family, all contributed to a smorgasbord supper.


I'm sure it also has something to do with taking off a 1/2 day yesterday to help my husband buy a suit to be a pallbearer this weekend. (A long-time family friend passed away at 82. If you live around these parts, then you remember Jack and Pat Tucker of Tucker's Inn Restaurant. Our prayers are with Pat and the rest of the family!)

The victims in Haiti also weigh heavily on my mind. We are so blessed to live where we do, and we shouldn't take it for granted. God bless the USA!

Go hug your loved ones!!!!

{NOTE: The card is NOT my creation but is one that we will make with the Veranda kit. Thank you to the CTMH Corporate Office Artists for this lovely card sample. I am scheduling this workshop for later this spring, but you can order a kit at any time.}

More Topstitch Cards

As promised yesterday, here are the other two cards I made at my Topstitch workshop. They use the Love Is in the Air stamp set that comes with the Topstich Workshop on the Go, and are pretty much a copy of the sample cards in the brochure. Easy peasy that way!

The Colonial White embellishments (brads, buttons, metal charms, and ribbon) are also included in the workshop kit. (The Sparkles were an add-on option.) The great thing about the workshop kit is that not only do you get tons of materials AND instructions to create a scrapbook layout and a set of cards, you get the materials at a discount. Even if you missed the workshop, the kit is available until the end of April. :)


Isn't it cool how you can rotate the card pattern for a different look?

Techniques: faux stitching and scissor distressing

All supplies from Close To My Heart: Topstitch Workshop on the Go (Topstitch paper pack, Love Is In the Air stamp set, Colonial White Mini Medley accents, and full-color instructional brochure); Heavenly Blue, Baby Pink, and Chocolate inks; Chocolate marker; Sparkles

Toot! Toot!

Woohoo am I excited!!!

My "Dream Wishes" card was selected as one of this week's Top Trio cards over at 365 Cards! In case you missed my card, here it is again. You can read all about it on my post for 1/20/10. I am so super excited to have been chosen!!! Thank you!

{Scroll down for today's artwork post... It may not rock the house like this one, but it's still pretty darn cute, if my humble self does say so!}

A Little Bird Card

This weekend I taught my Topstitch workshop, and this is one of the cards that I made. It uses the Topstitch Workshop on the Go card pattern and the Felicity stamp set (only available for 6 more days!). I think it is so sweet! I haven't put a sentiment on it yet, but here are a few ideas:
*A little birdy told me...
*Wishing you happiness
*Happy "bird"day to you!
*Somebirdy loves you
*Home Tweet Home
*Bless your nest {which my sister used on a card for a dear friend of hers who just bought her first house}

Any other tweet, I mean sweet, suggestions?

Come back tomorrow for two more cards using this same pattern.

Techniques: Direct-to-paper ink distressing and 1st/2nd generation stamping

All supplies from Close To My Heart: Topstitch paper pack; Felicity stamp set; Chocolate and Heavenly Blue inks; Sparkles

Congratulations Card

My friend and colleague Tammy was elected this year's Teacher of the Year at my school. I offered to make a card for our grade to give to her at her reception last Friday. It's a 5"x7" top-fold card based on the Wishes pattern "Medallion." Our school colors are purple and gold, hence the color palette.

Techniques: heat embossing, random stamping, and 1st/2nd generation stamping

All supplies from Close To My Heart: Enchanted paper pack (retired); Gracious Greetings, Connections, Dream Wishes, and Felicity stamp sets; Sunflower, Pansy Purple, and Versamark inks; gold embossing powder; gold brads

New Art & Soul Webisode

There's Lots to Love in the latest Close To My Heart TV "Art & Soul" webisode. Go check it out! Click HERE or go to http://haleyd.myctmh.com/ and then click on the CTMH TV button on left. This webisode is less than 11 minutes, so check it out this weekend. You'll love it!

A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes

The challenge yesterday over at 365 Cards (Day 324: Musical Monday) was to create a card using this song from Cinderella as your inspiration. Here are the words:

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling thru
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish will come true.

How could I resist the challenge? It was so fun to make a card just because I wanted to! I have no idea who the lucky recipient will be. I may save it to embellish a scrapbook layout of my little princess. My card is based on the "Inner Court" sketch from Wishes.

All products Close To My Heart: Dream Wishes stamp set; Topstitch paper pack; Chocolate ink; Heavenly Blue, Baby Pink, and Vineyard Berry markers; Heavenly Blue and Colonial White designer ribbon rounds; Heavenly Blue brads; Pretty Pins; Spring buttons (Baby Pink); Bitty Sparkles

Fave Embellishment

The National Papercrafting Blog is asking everyone what their favorite papercrafting embellishment is, and if you post your answer online, you could win a FREE Felicity paper pack/stamp set collection! I personally love all sorts of embellishments, but it seems like I can't get enough SPARKLES (regular and bitty)! They're self-stick so I don't need any other products, they're oh-so-easy to use, and they're inexpensive (100 for $2.95)! What's not to love?!?

What is your favorite embellishment? Maybe you can link your comment to the giveaway blog!