This week: Last chance for your CTMH orders from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book!

Hello, Friends!

Well, you'd think as the cold has set in here in the Northeast and we've been buried -- and I mean buried -- under snow, you'd think I'd be hibernating and perhaps catching up on long-overdue blog posts?  Ummm, well, yes and no.

As you may know, I've been busy building my Close To My Heart business, and have also had a class to teach at Kathy Davis Studios. More about that class another day -- first, let me tell you about what's up with CTMH.

 

The Autumn/Winter Idea Book is set to expire at the end of this week -- that's right, January 31.  Much of what is in it will be retiring!  Four of the paper packs are continuing over, and you can still order most of the stamp sets (not Stamps of the Month) BUT if you're interested in products from 2013, now is the time to get your order in. 

...because we're making way for the new Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog!  You'll find 8 new paper packs, some 70 or so new stamp sets, brand new embossing folders, and so much more. It's definitely one of the BEST Idea Books e-v-e-r!!

Have you gotten your Idea Book yet?  Yes, you can order one from me (see sidebar, at right). However, you can get a copy FREE for the asking, by leaving a comment to this post.  Then, send me an e-mail (cardmonkey@comcast.net
) to provide me with your mailing address.  Please don't leave it in your comments -- that's just not safe.  I'd appreciate an order to my Online Business Address (cardmonkey.ctmh.com) to cover my mailing expenses -- but it is not required. I just appreciate YOU.
The card I've included at the top of this posting is a quickie that I made using the February Stamp of the Month, "Wild About Love." 

The sentiment is computer-generated and reflects that silly song that's so hot right now, "what would the fox say?"  Here is more information on the Stamp of the Month... watch for it soon!! 



CreAtiVeLy Yours,

"Sparkle & Shine" This Holiday Season!

It's hard to believe that Christmas is just 79 days away! Are you ready to Sparkle & Shine this holiday season?

I'm turning to the new releases from Close To My Heart in its brand new "Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide" for my inspiration. 

Let me show you some of the cards and home décor projects I have made using some of the fabulous new papers and stamps now available from my Close To My Heart site:

This is most certainly my favorite card I've made so far this Christmas season.  I used the Sparkle and Shine Paper Pack in the Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide, coupled with CTMH cardstock in "Whisper".  I used CTMH Exclusive Inks in Black, Ruby and Daisy White, and the Santa Claus (D1567) and City Scape (D1563) stamp sets.  This card pattern is called a Tri-fold Shutter Card, which I folded slightly different from norm.

This card also uses CTMH's Sparkle & Shine paper.
The stamped image is one from the October Stamp of the Month
set called "Scandinavian Wishes", and stamped/hand painted
using CTMH pigment inks.
 

But certainly, the most "Sparkle & Shine" is in the banner and home décor Christmas tree I made (shown at the top of this post), incorporating Sparkles Flourish gems on the tree and on the banner. I cut the banner using the Cricut/CTMH Exclusive "Art Philosophy" cartridge. The banner's top layer is the currently available "Frosted" paper, incorporating solid cardstock in Ruby and Twilight.

Here are the stamp sets I used for these projects:

As always, the Stamp of the Month Stamp Set is available for just $5.00 with a qualifying $50.00 purchase. I would be honored to be your Close To My Heart consultant, and would love to SHOW YOU HOW to make these projects! 
Are you local to me in Southeastern Pennsylvania?  I will come to your home gathering or workshop free* to teach you and your friends how to make these cards, the banner and/or the tree. (* Instruction is free; there is a small cost to defray materials expenses, depending on what you and your friends want to make. Ask me!) 

Contact me at cardmonkey@comcast.net to schedule this today!

I can also offer another opportunity how to make these projects: We will be making the banner shown here at my "Holiday Décor and More" class scheduled at Kathy Davis Studios (303 Horsham Road, Suite G, Horsham, PA) on Thursday, November 7 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.  The fee of $35 includes the class and all materials  you'll need to make this and other holiday projects!  Please drop me a line or leave a comment if you'd like to register.

NOW UPDATED!!  If you place ANY order via my CTMH website, please CHECK THE BOX that asks if you'd like to join my CardMonkey's Paper Jungle Followers party.  Then, YOU will be entered into my personal contest to WIN up to $25 in free CTMH products at the end of the month! Go to CARDMONKEY.CTMH.COM.  win! win! win!! 

 

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Sweet New Baby Card

I made 26 of this same card for a swap I am in, with other Close To My Heart consultants.

For this sweet card, I used the sweet "In The Bath" image from Mo's Digital Pencil that I colored with Copic markers and highlighted with a white gel pen and Close To My Heart Stardust Glitz. I then mounted the colored image onto CTMH cardstock in Cotton Candy, and added a sweet "Gently Wash" tag made using CTMH's upcoming Stamp of the Month (for December 2013), called "Special Care".  Atop of the tag, I tied a pink bow, and topped it with a sweet mini-clothespin from CTMH. 

The Stamp of the Month is featured on page 15 in the brand new Close To My Heart Idea Book, which was released today! Shop my CTMH site to view the wonderful new products -- or if you're like me and would like your own paper copy of the Idea Book to dog-ear and save for -- well, IDEAS! -- just leave a comment here (with your e-mail address, please), or send me your name, address, city, state, zip via e-mail to cardmonkey@comcast.net.  I can only ship/sell within the United States, but if you're in Canada or Australia, just let me know and I can connect you with a CTMH Consultant in your area. 


DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,