Saturday, August 2, 2014

The NEW Close To My Heart Annual Inspirations Catalog is available now!



Today, August 1 you can start to order from the new Catalog!!
Be sure to check it out... it has over 250 new products!
A year-long book replaces the twice-annual smaller publications. This one is packed with 193 pages, including 250+ brand new products. There are five new colors introduced this year, each with its own bulk paper pack and complementing Exclusive Ink Pad.  


And isn't the August Stamp of the Month the cutest???

It is called What a Hoot!

And as always, it is just $5 with a minimum $50 order (also available at full price without a minimum).

$19.75 S1408 or $5 with a $50 order!!



Another new product is the 

ShinHan Touch Twin Markers

These markers are amazing!  You can do so much with alcohol markers (now you may have heard about Copic markers? these are the SAME top of the line quality that comes from those- just a better price point). CTMH will be carrying 24 of these markers and YES they are refillable (if you ever need to refill them).
So, what can these markers do? Alcohol markers are fast drying- colour embellishments (like the stars and sequins shown below from another CTMH rep who already started playing with the markers) and the colour stays! Alcohol markers blend beautifully- you won’t see stroke marks when colouring with these! The colours are bright and long-lasting.
You can blend the colours together to get a truly lovely look (and CTMH has a colourless blender that helps achieve a blended look).
marker intromarker intro 2
One of the other consultants that tried out these markers said: Not only do they sit in my hand nicely (they are ergonomically designed) but they are so smooth! The other thing I immediately noticed- there is NO NASTY SMELL! Some alcohol markers make my head swim with the smell they give off but these ones don’t!

For those that would like to select a color to match the current CTMH colors, here is a comparison chart.


And here is a color wheel with all the CTMH colors including the 5 new colors!  

5 New Colors for CTMH in 2014 Flaxen, Thistle, Canary, Glacier, Pixie


CTMH is also introducing new cardmaking kits called "Cut Above" which each comes with almost everything you need to create 10 beautiful cards or treat bags. You'll also find new "Designer Creations" -- button bags, cupcake boxes, a takeout box and printed paper bags. There are dozens of adorable new stamp sets made from the industry's finest photopolymer called "My Acrylix", including new exclusive-to-Hostesses sets, Stamps of the Month and specialty stamp sets in CTMH's "Workshops on the Go."


And if that wasn't enough info....there is a brand new Close To My Heart/Cricut cartridge coming in this catalog. It's not yet available (ProvoCraft has some production delays) so I'm waiting much as you are to get my hands on this amazing cartridge....CTMH has let us know it should be available in September 2014! 
Let me tell you, it is the answer to this cardmaker's dreams!!!  


The new-for-2014 cartridge is called "Artfully Sent."  With more than 700 images on this completely designed cartridge, the value is immense. Here's what theInspirations Book says about this cartridge:

"Cardmaking has never been easier or more fun! With our newest Cricut collection you can make handmade masterpieces in no time at all. Choose from cards with sentiments cut directly into them, or combine several cutouts to create your own pop-up scenes. Featuring more than 25 different card themes and 5 different card formats including dynamic interactive designs, this cartridge has a card for any and all occasions -- even if the occasion is "just because"!  Card styles include pop-ups, scenes, sentiments, sleeves and pocket cards.  

Now let's take a look at everything your $99 investment in this new cartridge will get you:
1 Cricut Cartridge (700 images; cards and font)
3 (that's right, THREE!) My Acrylix D-size stamp sets (value $17.95 each!)
1 pack of 12x12" CTMH White Cardstock (a $9.50 value!)

Let me give you a sneak peek at just one of the really fabulous cards you can make with this cartridge.  This is one that's shown in the Inspirations Book, as an example:



Another great CTMH consultant found this screen shot of what the cartridge's book looks like to find this pop-up balloon image:



See it there, in the "Pop Ups" icon, top (red)?  YES, Cricut cuts out the center of the card, and you just adhere it to your cover -- voila, you're a pop-up card artist!!  Add the cute banner ... or use it on other cards, scrapbook pages, etc. ... and you've got a darling card.

And yes, you can even use it in Cricut Craft Room (for the Expression) or Cricut Design Room (with your Explore). Look here:



How easy-peasy is that?!   I'm telling you, I've never been more excited about a Cricut/CTMH cartridge as I am about the pending arrival of "Artfully Sent."

Here is Close To My Heart's video about this fantastic new cartridge




Now, we're all prevented from "pre-selling" this Cricut cartridge because, frankly, there are many top-sellers who have been undercutting us little guys.  But I CAN take your name and e-mail address if you're interested in being the first on your block to order it from me as soon as it's available.

Monday, July 14, 2014

July CTMH Blog Hop- Out with the old!


This is the last month of our current Idea book until we bring in the new- we should have the retired list by this point (check it out at: http://cardsbytamara.ctmh.com/Retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=18) and know that many things are leaving us for better, newer products!  So we are showcasing what we have loved about the soon to be retiring collection!! 
You will see creations from our team that may include stamp sets,patterned paper,inks, embellishments and more from the  Close To My Heart Spring/summer 2014 Idea book. To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today,kindly contact me to place an order or you can order on line at: http://cardsbytamara.ctmh.com.

We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we really love feedback from our blog 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 our team's blogs, then please start at the beginning and join Brae Montgomery at http://wp.me/p4htXJ-wC

If you came from Alyson Mayo - http://createwithalyson.blogspot.com/2014/07/brae-ers-unit-blog-hop-retiring-products.html then you are in the right place! 

Here are two products that I will miss that are retiring:
The Cityscape stamp set C1563 $13.95


The pretty paper from the Laughing Lola Paper Packet X7170B $9.95


Which helped to make this beautiful card!!



Another set I will miss is the Maximum Power stamp set D1564 $17.95


It's great to make guy cards like this:



You have until July 31, 2014 to purchase these (and many other retiring items!!) before they are gone!  http://cardsbytamara.ctmh.com/Retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=18 is the page to go to to place your order!


Your next stop on the Team Braer Hop is Carol Taggio http://craftycarol55.blogspot.ca/2014/07/july-out-with-old-blog-hop.html to help inspire you with her amazing creation of her favorite things!

If you get lost along the way, you can head to  Brae's blog at www.brae-er.com, as she has the complete blog list .http://wp.me/p4htXJ-wC

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.  Join us next time where we will be featuring things that are from our new Idea Book ~ IN WITH THE NEW!!



Our amazing blog hop group!
1. Brae Montgomery- http://wp.me/p4htXJ-wC
8. Carol Taggio http://craftycarol55.blogspot.ca/2014/07/july-out-with-old-blog-hop.html

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

CTMH These are a few of my favourite things, April 2014 Blog Hop

We have been inspired by Maria Von Trapp- this blog hop will feature a few of our favourite things!
You will see creations from our team that may include stamp sets,patterned paper,inks, embellishments and more from the  Close To My Heart Spring/summer 2014 Idea book. To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today,kindly contact me to place an order or you can order on line at: http://cardsbytamara.ctmh.com.




We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we really love feedback from our blog 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 our team's blogs, then please start at the beginning and join Brae Montgomery at http://wp.me/p4htXJ-tK


If you came from Lucy Imrie  http://www.lucyscreativeexpressions.blogspot.ca/2014/04/my-favourite-things-brae-ers-monthly.html then you are in the right place! 

One of my favorite things or I should say places is Paris!  And the new Base & Bling Wearable Crafts helped me to showcase my Love for Paris!
    
                       
It is so simple to make this necklace with our great CTMH products!  See below for all the items available.  To make the square pendant, you need to choose an image from the style sheet (self adhesive) and stick it onto the square pendant.  Add a small amount of Liquid Glass on top of the image and spread it around.  Attach the glass cover on top (remove any excess adhesive from around the edges and let it dry for a few minutes! 

Items for sale to make this beautiful necklace:


Base & Bling Chain—Faux Antiqued Silver Z1940 $5.95 30" chain with 2" extender, lobster claw clasp.

 Base & Bling Storyteller Style Sheet Z1973 $3.95 12" × 6" Sheet Of 32 Adhesive-Backed, 1" × 1" Stickers For Decorating Base & Bling Pendants In Trendy Style.


Base & Bling Square Pendant—Faux Antiqued Silver Z1962 $4.95 3 Pendants, 1" Inside Dimensions, With Loop To Hang On Base & Bling Chain.

Base & Bling Square Glass Covers Z1967 $1.95  3 Glass Covers For Pendants, Recommend Adhering With Liquid Glass, 1".


Base & Bling Storyteller Charms Z1959 $3.95 6 Charms With Jump Rings, 2 Each Of 3 Designs; Faux Antiqued Silver, Faux Antiqued Gold.
Base & Bling Rhinestone Charms Z1978 $4.95 6 Rhinestone Charms With Jump Rings, Set In Faux Antiqued Silver And Faux Antiqued Gold (3 Of Each).
Liquid Glass $6.95 Z679 Apply this clear liquid to your stamped images, My Stickease™ art, or any other item for an extra bit of 3-D sparkle and shine. The fine-tip applicator lets you apply it precisely where you want for a glossy, glaze-like look. (2 oz.)


With enough supplies, you can make from 3-6 necklaces or charms!

Another thing that I loved when I was in parish was drinking coffee right on the Champs Elysee. Perfect venue for Paris people watching, with a view of the Arc the Triomphe on the right and the ferris wheel at the Place de la Concorde to the right. 



This card and Gift holder helped to remind me of my travels to Europe a few years ago!



You can find great written instructions for this card at: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/project-instructions-f142/coffee-cup-gift-card-holder-t564474.html

or you can watch the video that I use to help me create these 2 cute cards!  Coffee Cup Video Tutorial by Lorri Heiling on Youtube  at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oouz-j6i0tY


Skylark Paper Packet $9.95 X7177B 6 – 12" × 12" B&T Duos™ Papers (2 each of 3 double-sided designs)
6 – 12" × 12" Cardstock Sheets (2 Kraft, 2 Lagoon, 1 Juniper, 1 Sweet Leaf)




Hope you have fun creating your own favorite things card and jewlery!

Your next stop on the Team Braer Hop is Sheri Ballantyne -- http://sherisays-justscrapit.blogspot.ca/2014/04/brae-ers-blog-hop-my-favourite-things.html to help inspire you with her amazing creation of her favorite things!

If you get lost along the way, you can head to  Brae's blog at www.brae-er.com, as she has the complete blog list .http://wp.me/p4htXJ-tK



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.  Join us next month where we will be featuring things that features 'Our Favourite Things'! 



1. Brae Montgomery- http://wp.me/p4htXJ-tK