Close To My Heart!

Close To My Heart currently has 2 books to shop from!  They have started having a CORE product book that is live for 1 year and carries our basic product like ink pads, cardstock, and things like that.

Then there is the Seasonal Idea Book (the current one is good for Sept/Oct).  It shows our current paper collections and stamp sets as well as the Stamp of the Month and some specials.  

Both of these books have so much pretty stuff in them and if you haven't looked at CTMH lately, you should!  Our base colors are beautiful and the solid cardstock is double sided, with a lighter shade of the color on the back, making your paper crafting so much easier!  We have stamp sets for just about any occasion and Tri-Blend markers from Spectrum Noir for coloring the images!

Each marker has 3 shades of the same color, making coloring images so fun.    Check out this card shown in our Idea Book:

Go to my website now and look at all CTMH has to offer!  www.scrappinwithj.ctmh.com  

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Rainbow Bridge

Here's a card I made today.  For this one I used the Close To My Heart stamp set Rainbow Bridge.  I used our ShinHan Touch Twin markers to color the dog and rainbow.  The halo is heat embossed with our Gold Embossing Powder .  The blue cardstock is our Carolina  , which is such a pretty shade of blue!  The dog on the stamp set doesn't have spots, so I just left little areas white when I colored him brown.  The dog and cloud he is sitting on are put on with our 3D Foam tape to give them a little dimension.

I Woof You!

Close To My Heart has the cutest stamp sets!  I made this card the other day and just love those dogs!  I used the Forever Friends stamp set.  After stamping the dogs with my Intense Black ink I colored them with our ShinHan Touch Twin markers.  The Intense Black in won't smear and dries pretty quickly so it is great to use if you are going to be coloring your images.  Plus, it really is a more intense black!  The papers are from our Mix In paper pack.  This is a pack of 6 double sided papers that coordinate with all the collections in our current Seasonal Expresions Idea Book, or are great on their own like I did here.

 My CTMH website is still https://scrappinwithj.closetomyheart.com/.  If you have any questions about our products be sure to let me know!
Thanks for stopping by.  Leave me some love and let me know where you are from!

Holiday Expressions Idea Book is now ACTIVE!

The much anticipated HOLIDAY EXPRESSIONS Idea Book from Close To My Heart is now live!  You can go HERE and view it page by page!  This 160 page book has lots of new product in it.  The paper collections are, as the book title says, perfect for fall, Halloween, Christmas and Winter projects.  There is even a 5th collection called Seasonal Mix-Ins that goes well with all of them!


Be sure to take note of the new Color Of The Year, SUGARPLUM!  It is such a pretty color, and only available through December, while supplies last.

I will be back to highlight different products from our new book, but for now you can check the book out on my website at the above link and let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks for stopping by!  If you have a few minutes to browse the new Idea Book, comment below with some of your favorite things you saw in it!

Hello!  I am so sorry my blog has been totally neglected for so long!  I have had some major events happen in my life and am just now getting back into the crafting groove!!  I'm still a Close To My Heart Consultant and would love to continue sharing my projects as well as news from CTMH with you.  My CTMH website is still www.scrappinwithj.ctmh.com and I would love for you to go see what our current product is!  Be aware though, that lots of what you will see on my website will be retiring on August 31.   Our new Holiday Expressions book will go live on Sept. 1 with 160 pages of new papers, some new colors, new stamp sets, and other new products!
If you would like to place a CTMH order from our current inventory, you can do that on my website or contact me via email at bitsy2@ymail.com  All current product is available while supplies last through Aug. 31.
Here is a sneak peek of a card I made using our new TIS THE SEASON paper pack!  The stamp set is WONDER OF THE SEASON.  Both of these will be available on Sept.1.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today, please leave me a comment so I know you were here!  And check back soon as I will be posting more often again!

Ice Cream Anyone?

Here is another card I made using the same Blossom Paper pack as my  last card.  This one uses the June Stamp Of The Month (Ice Cream Dream ).  I think it is a cute, refreshing stamp set!  I also used some green embellishments from our GREEN AND BLUE EPOXY BUBBLES.  I colored the ice cream cone with my ShinHan Touch Twin markers.

The inside of the card has another image that I colored and fussy cut.  I used one of our Spring Adhesives behind the ice cream truck to give it a little movement!  All products are Close To My Heart and available for purchase on my website::  www.scrappinwithj.ctmh.com !

What do you think of my card?  I am leaving the inside blank for the message to be written.  I like the truck moving like it is rumbling down the street!

Stop back anytime!

Janice

New Cards Using Blossom Paper Pack

I apologize for not posting for a while.  Life has had me busy busy busy!!

Here are some cards I made the other day.  All are quick and easy and made with Close To My Heart products.  Our Seasonal Expressions 2 book goes live on April 1 and this paper pack is in it!  The name of the paper pack is BLOSSOM and I just love it!  The colors and patterns are so springy, and I am ready for some SPRING!

On this first card I used our stamp set called A LITTLE NOTE.  (sorry, our CTMH site is down right now so I can't link the products.  I will try to get back when the site is running again to do that for you!)  I colored the daffodils with my ShinHan alcohol markers.  Only used 3 colors and think they matched up with the paper real well.  If you aren't familiar with the ShinHan Twin Touch markers, they are great!  Coloring with them is easy and fun!  (I use my black Memento ink pad for stamping when I am going to color the image so the ink doesn't run.)  The sentiment is from the stamp set A BUNCH OF THANKS.

The next card uses our HOPPING BY stamp set.  I also colored it with the ShinHan Twin Touch markers.  I love the PURPLE SHIMMER TRIM  too!  On this one I used 3D FOAM TAPE to pop up the bunny in his car!

On these last 2 cards I used the A BUNCH OF THANKS stamp set.  One has a little bow of EXTRA THICK TWINE in Lagoon.  That twine is so fun to use, and we have it in a few different colors now!

Thanks for coming by my blog today!  Hope you will stop by again soon!  Visit my website when shopping for Close To My Heart products:  www.scrappinwithj.blogspot.com and be sure to LIKE my face book page and follow it so you can keep up with CTMH news and an occasional give-a-way I have!  (www.facebook.com/scrappinwithj)

Christmas Card using Artfully Sent

Hello!  Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  I started a new job and am having trouble getting my days more productive again!  Close To My Heart has a new exclusive to us Cricut Cartridge!  It is ARTFULLY SENT and has all kinds of cuts to make different styles of cards.  This cartridge is awesome!  It comes with 3 stamp sets and a pack of 12x12 white cardstock.  Here are a couple of pop-up style cards I have made using this new cartridge.  The first one is a Halloween card.  Sorry the lighting isn't very good on the pic of the inside.

I used our Halloween paper SCAREDY CAT for the front and the EEK is from the coordinating SCAREDY CAT COMPLIMENTS and I cut the web from the Artfully Sent cartridge.

The next card is a Christmas Card.  I used heat embossing on the front with SILVER EMBOSSING POWDER and used a strip of SILVER SHIMMER TRIM.  

On the inside I used a scrap of GOLD GLITTER CARDSTOCK behind the star.  I used a stamp from the retired 'Glory To God' stamp set.

If you haven't looked at the ARTFULLY SENT Cricut Cartridge, you really should.  It is great for cardmakers and if you don't make cards it might show you how easy it can be to do!

Thanks for stopping by. 

Happy Crafting!

Janice

Annual Inspirations Idea Book

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!  Grab a glass of tea and sit with me for a while.  I have been busy with  my grandkids this summer, as 2 are here visiting from CO for several weeks.  It is so great to have them here and this grandma is having lots of fun!  We went out to the lake the other day for a fast food picnic and some play time.  They should of know that also meant a photo session for grandma, but they still grumbled like they always do!  Here is a pic I got them to hold still for:

Close To My Heart is releasing the new Annual Inspirations Idea Book on August 1.  It has a lot of  new product and I am anxious to get my hands on it and some samples made!

  I am offering a FREE copy of the new annual Idea Book to anyone who places a minimum $25 order (before shipping and tax) with me before the end of July.  This order would be out of the current Spring and Summer 2014 Idea Book, which can be seen on my website HERE.  If you scroll down on the lower left side you will see a link to the RETIRED ITEMS, which highlights some of the product that is still available that won't be returning in the new Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  If you have any questions, be sure to let me know!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you leave me some comments and stop back again soon!
Happy craftin!
Janice

Display Tray

I recently made one of our DISPLAY TRAYs to show off some pictures from our trip to Echo Lake Park in Colorado.  The tray is 13 x 13 1/4 x 1 and is made of wood, painted black.  Each little rectangle fits one of our smaller Picture My Life cards (3 x 4 inches) and I used some from the LATER SK8R collection.  These cards can be used for so many things besides just the Picture My Life style of scrapbooking!  I can't wait to see if there are any new collections in the Annual Inspirations Idea Book that will go live August 1.

The top left rectangles have an 8 x 10 picture cut to fit in the 6 of them.  I like how it worked out doing that!  I still might add some small embellishments to give it a little texture but haven't decided for sure what yet.  These frames can be used for so many things and make really great gifts when done in a wedding or new baby theme!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back later as CTMH is having their annual convention later this week.  Although I won't be joining a lot of fellow consultants in CA at Disneyland for all the fun and excitement,  we will be getting updates on all the announcements and new product previews!!

Janice

2nd Album in a Box

Hello!  I am so excited!  I just finished my 2nd Album in a Box and the more I make the more fun they are!  This one I used the Ariana paper pack from Close To My Heart.  Leave me a comment and let me know which one you like better, this one or the Ivy Lane one in my  previous post.

Sorry my pictures today are a little blurry!  Guess I was so excited I couldn't hold the camera still!

Remember, you can make one of these Albums in a Box at my June 28 workshop!  Check back again soon as I am going to make a couple more of these with different paper packs!
Happy Crafting!
Janice

Album in a Box Workshop

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by my blog!  Grab your glass of tea and take a look at the upcoming Album in a Box workshop I am going to be having.  The design is from fellow CTMH consultant  Kelly English-Triggs (Thank-you Kelly for sharing your talent and ideas!).
The workshop will be held Saturday, June 28, in the Fellowship Room at the Gerlaw Christian Church (go west from Galesburg on South Lake Story Road, straight at 2 stop signs and then you will come to the church) starting at 9:30 am.  The class will take a while, so if you want you can bring a lunch or take a break and run into Monmouth to get something.  The $20 class fee includes everything you will need as far as supplies, but you will need to bring your own paper trimmer, scissors, bone folder, dry embossing stylus, and adhesive.  If you don't have the bone folder and stylus let me know and I will be happy to share mine for use during the class. Please let me know by June 14 if you plan to attend the workshop.  You will need to take a look at our current paper collections and decide which pack you want to use to make your project and let me know when you sign up.
For my sample Box Album I have used our IVY LANE papers.

Here is a couple pictures of the inside of it:

As you can see I haven't added any pictures or journaling to mine yet.  I have given it to my mom for Mother's Day and am letting her add her own!  We won't be adding pictures at the workshop either unless you know what you want to use and bring them with you.
I am currently working on another one of these using the ARIANA papers.  I will post pictures of it when I get it done!  They are lots of fun to make and I hope you will join me for the workshop!
Don't forget to sign up by June 14 so I can get the paper packs ordered!
Thanks for stopping by and please, hurry back!  Visit and LIKE my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/scrappinwithj
Janice

Giveaway for Earth Day!

Hello!  I am having a giveaway on my facebook page today!  SCRAPPINWITHJ  Winner will be posted this evening (Wednesday).  All you have to do to enter is LIKE my fb page and post something you did to observe Earth Day yesterday!  And what is the prize?  The winner will receive one A or B size Close To My Heart stamp set of their choice!  Go and enter for your chance to win!!
Hope you are enjoying the beautiful colors of spring!
Janice

Cards using Picture My Life cards

Hello!  Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you will like the cards I am posting.  They were so quick and easy to make using a couple of 3x4 cards from a Picture My Life kit.

On the top card, I fussy cut the owl out of one card and attached it on top of another card!  Inked the edges of the PML card and the Cotton Candy cardstock I used and my card was finished!  On the bottom card I used a PML card as it is, without doing anything except inking the edges!  I stamped my sentiment and put a little strip of Washi Tape and the card was done!  On both of these cards I used PML cards from the Chantilly kit.  They are so springy and pretty, but all the kits have cards that can be used when making quick cards!
Check back soon for more ideas on how to use those extra Picture My Life cards!
Janice

Mini Album using Picture My Life Cards!

Hello!  Grab a glass of tea and take a look at the mini album I made last week.  I used CTMH KRAFT CARDSTOCK for the cover.  (I used a double layer to give it a little extra strength and to cover the brads on the outside from the binding rings).

I stamped a piece of BAMBOO cardstock with one of the stamps from the FLIGHT OF THE ARROWS stamp set, using SORBET ink.  Then I used one of the 3x4 cards from the SURF'S UP Picture My Life set to finish my cover!  How fast and easy was that?  Well, it was so fast and easy that I used more of those cards for ALL of the inside of my Mini!  I used both the 3x4 and 4x6 cards inside and nothing else!!

They were the perfect size for a mini album and what a great way to use up any extra cards you might have from a Picture My Life Kit!  Fast and easy!!  I haven't added my pictures and journaling yet, but was anxious to post pictures of the album!  What do you think?
Come back to my blog soon to get more ideas of ways to use your left over Picture My Life cards!  There are so many more things you can do with them besides just pocket scrapbooking!
Have a  crafty day!  Thanks for stopping by!
Janice

Remember layout

Here is a layout I made recently using Close To My Heart SKYLARK paper.  I have to confess, this paper collection didn't appeal to me at first, but I thought I would give it a try.  I like it better now!  For this layout I used the whole sheet and didn't have to do much embellishing then.  I did use the zip strip on one side (I love our zip strips that come on the B&T sheets!).  I inked along the edges of the mat and used our Cricut ARTBOOKING cartridge to cut out the REMEMBER.  Now all I have to do is find the perfect picture and my layout is done!

Would you love to share your passion for paper crafting?  Have you ever considered doing what I do?  Do you think you would like to work for the best paper crafting company?  April is a great time to sign up as a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant!  The sign up kit is only $99 and you get around $300 worth of current Close To My Heart product!  PLUS, during the month of April if you sign up, you get to choose 1 of our 3 CRICUT CARTRIDGE BUNDLES to get FREE  !  So that makes your $99 kit purchase almost a $400 value!  WOW, that is a great deal!  Contact me to get more information, or you can find information on my website HERE!  I would love to have you join me and Close To My Heart!

Thanks for stopping by, and please, leave me a comment to let me know you were here!

Happy paper crafting!

Janice

Necklace Buffet

CTMH has a new necklace in their Base and Bling collection and I have put together a NECKLACE BUFFET with it.  I take the buffet with me when I set up at Vendor events as well as some of my Home Gatherings.  Anyone who wants can purchase and put together a necklace and take it home with them right then!  The cost is $15 and you get 1 chain, 1 pendant, 1 glass cover, and 3 charms.   You can also choose one of the stickers CTMH has provided or bring your own picture to put in the pendant.  I have even seen them made with just a piece of pretty paper in the pendant!  A necklace can be put together in just a few minutes and they make great gifts too!  If you are interested in a necklace contact me and we will work out some details to get you one!

Ivy Lane Layout

Here is a layout I made recently using the Close To My Heart IVY LANE paper packet.  I love the paper in this pack, it is lots of fun to work with and the colors are great!

I used the COTTON CANDY cardstock as well as Cotton Candy, Sweet Leaf, and Smokey Plum INKS .  The pattern came from the Close To My Heart REFLECTIONS how-to book.  The sketch is called Quilt Blocks.  I used the CTMH Cricut cartridge ART PHILOSOPHY to cut the flowers and stem/leaves.  Now all this layout needs is the perfect picture!
Come back soon to see more of my projects using CTMH products from the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book.  You can shop my website for these things plus lots more at www.scrappinwithj.ctmh.com .
Janice

Same Blog, New Name!

Hello!  Welcome to my blog!  I am so happy that you stopped by!  I have changed the name of my blog, and hope my former followers can still find me!  the content should all still be here, nothing has changed except the name.  Scrappin With J keeps more in line with my Close To My Heart website name and....well....ME! 
Feel free to share my blog with your crafty friends, everyone is welcome here!  I will share things I have been making in my scraproom with you.  Lots will be using Close To My Heart products, which can be purchased on my website www.scrappinwithj.ctmh.com . 
Anyhow, thanks for stopping by, and I'll be posting  pictures of a layout I did real soon!
Janice

Blitsy and Giveaways

BLITSY is still giving stuff away!!  Prizes and store credits every day this week!!