New Starter Bundle!

Have you always wanted to scrapbook but just are not sure where to start?  Here is a great deal for you!  This product starter bundle is available at a discounted price and includes some basic tools and materials to help those who are new to crafting jump right in and start scrapbooking and creating other papercrafts.
The starter bundle includes:
SureCut™ Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer (Z1783)
Memory Protectors® Clear Value Pack (qty. 50) (Z4115)
Outdoor Denim My Legacy® Faux Leather Album (Z1346)
3 album posts and screws, 1″ (1011)
White Daisy Cardstock 24-pack (1385)
Product Starter Bundle $90.00  This discount offer reflects a savings of nearly 10%!

Please check out my CTMH webpage to order this great deal!

September is National Stamping Month!

Remember, the You Are My Happy stamp set trio is only available during the month of September 2013.  The retail value is $47.90, but it is yours for only $10 when you spend $50 in other CTMH products.  

This exclusive, whimsical stamp set trio includes three adorable, coordinating stamp sets on three D-size carrier sheets.  They will arrive at your home in 2 stamp envelopes, one carrier sheet in one envelope and two carrier sheets in one envelope.  Your trio includes:

• One alphabet (upper and lowercase)
• One sheet of 9 encouraging, friendship sentiments
• One sheet of 15 cheerful images great for a variety of life's occasions.

These three sets have been designed stylistically to work together for creating darling cards, layouts, and 3-D projects. 

Contact me or go to my CTMH website: http://cardsbytamara.ctmh.com/ if you would like to receive a copy of the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book.  As a National Stamping Month special, you are eligible to purchase the You Are My Happy stamp set trio for only $10 with a $50+ order in CTMH products.   

Also, The September Stamp of the Month called "Poster Tidings" is only $5 with a qualifying purchase.

One last thing,

While Supplies Last!!

New items were just added online yesterday but they will not be there long: These deals always sell out quickly!  Most items are only $1.  Purchasing these items will count toward your minimum purchase of other specials this month as well (Double Bonus!).  Go here to check out these deals (available online only): http://cardsbytamara.ctmh.com/Retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=1702 

Daisy Card ~ CTMH September Blog Hop

Welcome Back!!  I'm so glad that you took the time to hop onto my blog! 

Welcome to our Blog Hop featuring a project that was inspired from the new Artbooking Cricut art cartridge!!

We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our 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 get lost you can find your way by going to Brae's blog at http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/2013/09/brae-er-team-blog-hop-cricut-inspired.html or http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com for a full list of participants.  

If you came from Lucy Imrie's blog for this month's blog hop:    http://lucyscreativeexpressions.blogspot.ca/2013/09/brae-er-team-blog-hop-cricut-inspired.html then you are in the right place!  I'm sure she has done an amazing project that will help inspire you to create new crafts from the Cricut cartridges!

The technique I will be focusing on for the September blog hop is the Daisy Card using the daisy from the page 48 of the new Artbooking Cricut cartridge!  I wanted to bring back a bit of summer with a pretty daisy card. 

Stamp the firework image from the D1575 - STRONG AND FREE - MILITARY SUPPORT CAMPAIGN stamp set onto SKY colored card stock that is cut into 1 1/2" squares  - I did that 6 times.  The firework stamp looks a bit like a daisy! Don't forget to ink around the edges to make it stand out better.  Arrange all 6 squares onto the cashmere cardstock cut at 3 3/4 x 5".  Then glue this onto the saddle cardstock cut at 4 x 5 1/4".  Wrap the ribbon around this and glue the whole thing onto a white daisy card (front of card back measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2).  Attach a pretty bow then add the daisy flower with a pop dot.

I know you'll want to know how I made the flower too.  It's honestly so simple.  You'll need the Daisy Flower cut twice at 2" on daisy white cardstock.  Layer the two flowers on top of each other and secured them with a pretty brad (the one I used was a retired one from CTMH, but any of the new brads or new embellishments would look beautiful!).  To give it a bit of dimension, using a pencil sideways, curl up the petals a bit.  Attach with a 3D glue dot.

Hope you love this card as much I do!

Your next stop on the Hop is " Heather Steeves blog with another great Cricut inspired idea:  http://paperplayroom.blogspot.com/2013/09/september-team-blog-hop.html

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to create your own projects using some of the designs and paper seen along the way. Join us again in next month when we will be featuring projects that give thanks- they can be thanksgiving-ish or just focus on thanks!

1. Brae Montgomery-http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/2013/09/brae-er-team-blog-hop-cricut-inspired.html
2. Sheri Ballantyne   http://sherisays-justscrapit.blogspot.com/2013/09/brae-er-team-blog-hop-clicking-with.html
3. Rosalynd Kelly   http://inmyscrappinroom.blogspot.com/2013/09/welcome-to-our-blog-hop-featuring-ctmh.html
4. Lucy Imrie  http://lucyscreativeexpressions.blogspot.ca/2013/09/brae-er-team-blog-hop-cricut-inspired.html
5. Tamara Lisowski http://geermara.blogspot.com/2013/09/daisy-card-ctmh-september-blog-hop.html
6. Heather Steeves - http://paperplayroom.blogspot.com/2013/09/september-team-blog-hop.html
7. Kim McArthur  http://kimscherrystreetcreations.blogspot.com/2013/09/september-blog-hop.html
8. Michelle Hughes http://therighthugh.blogspot.com/2013/08/braeers-team-blog-hop.html

May CTMH Blog Hop! Embossing on Velum ~ Pinterest Inspired Ideas!

Welcome Back once again!!  I'm so glad that you took the time to hop onto my blog! 

Welcome to our Blog Hop featuring a project that was inspired from Pinterest!!  Boy do I LOVE Pinterest!!  I can spend hours and hours on there (when I first started looking, I wouldn't even notice that 3-4 hours had passed.  But it has helped me come up with most (if not all) of my ideas for my card classes.  I don't know what I would do without it!  But I'm sure many of you out there would have to agree with me....  

We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our 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 get lost you can find your way by going to Brae's blog at http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/2013/05/inspired-by-pinterest-team-blog-hop.html or http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com for a full list of participants.  

If you came from " Lucy Imrie for this month's blog hop: http://lucyscreativeexpressions.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-brae-ers-may-blog-hop.html then you are in the right place!  I'm sure she has done an amazing project that will help inspire you to create your own 'Pinterest inspired' project! 

The technique I will be focusing on for the May blog hop is Embossing on Velum!  I will be featuring the Gold embossing powder (z668).  We made this card at our April Card Class, some of them changed it to an anniversary card and one changed it to a wedding card by changing the sentiment on the front!  I hope you have as much fun making it as they did!   I will also be showing you a great link to how to make a double waterfall fold card mini album below!!  It is sooooooo cute!!!  

My inspiration for this first card came from a photo on Pinterest which took me to a blog called MASKerade FS267 - Pinkberry:  http://ardythpr.blogspot.ca/2012/03/fs267-pinkberry.html

Just like from the card that inspired me, I too let the vellum layer 

overhang the white background to create two borders! 

I didn't have 2 round plain stamps, so I used the back of 2 round print stamps (I turned the stamp upside down so the print was against the block and a plain circle was up...since the CTMH stamps cling on either side!!)

The card that inspired me:

Here's a second really amazing Waterfall Mini Album card that was inspired by a Pin I found on Pinterest!!  http://alwaysstampin.blogspot.ca/2012/12/waterfall-mini-album.html   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn5Kniqpm48&feature=youtu.be

Enjoy the tutorial video on her

YouTube channel

"Always Stampin' Videos"

This adorable album is created from just

ONE 12X12 SHEET OF CARDSTOCK.

Here is my version using all the left over green & blue toned B&T Duo Papers that I had on hand:

(With both album pages open, just imagine the possibilities!)

 Even the back of the album can be utilized for photos and more!

Each album page "waterfalls" to allow

more and more opportunity

for photos and journaling.

The bonus gift card holder that I made from left over paper from the 12x12 sheet of paper!!

Here are just 2 of my favorite Pins, but here is a link to my Pinterest account:  http://pinterest.com/geermara/boards/ where you can follow me and see the many other ideas that I want to try some day!!

If you would like to place an order or find out more information about this, please go to my CTMH website at http://cardsbytamara.ctmh.com.  As well featuring this month for every purchase over $35. you get the amazing Dream Pop paper pack value of $19.95 for only $10.00 (but only until May 31, 2013!!). Thanks for stopping by!

Here is a close up of the glossy cardstock, isn't it amazing???

Have you ordered the May Stamp of the Month? Isn't it adorable? It pairs up perfectly with the Artiste Cricut Cartridge. It's only $5 with a $50 order and don't forget when you spend $35 in current products you can add on the Dream Pop paper pack this month for just $10. 2 great offers this month.... don't miss them.  

Your next stop on the Hop is " Lisa Elliot - With a great layout idea: http://lisaspeanutgallery.blogspot.com/2013/05/braers-team-blog-hop-inspired-by.html.". 

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to create your own projects using some of the designs and paper seen along the way. Join us again in next month when we will be featuring something with a summer theme- any kind of item just has to fit summer!!

1. Brae Montgomery- http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/2013/05/inspired-by-pinterest-team-blog-hop.html
2. Heather Steeves - http://heathersscrapping.blogspot.com/2013/05/may-team-blog-hop.html
3. Lucy Imrie -  http://lucyscreativeexpressions.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-brae-ers-may-blog-hop.html
4. Tamara Lisowski - Gold embossing on Vellum! http://geermara.blogspot.com/2013/05/may-ctmh-blog-hop-embossing-on-velum.html
5. Lisa Elliot - I'm going to do a layout.
http://lisaspeanutgallery.blogspot.com/2013/05/braers-team-blog-hop-inspired-by.html
6. Cheryl Peyton - Layout maybe card as well http://peytonspaperplace.blogspot.com/2013/05/mays-pinterest-inspired-layout.html
7. Heather Dawson - Layout inspired by a card from Pinterest - http://www.pagesbyheatherd.blogspot.ca/2013/05/brae-ers-team-blog-hop-we-love-pintrest.html
8. Nancy Else - Cards inspred by Bo Bunny
http://scrappingforbee.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-brae-ers-may-blog-hop.html
9. Carol Taggio- Picture on Pinterest inspired my layout. My permalink is http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com/2013/05/may-team-blog-hop.html
10. Michelle Hughes - cards/layout http://therighthugh.blogspot.com/2013/05/may-team-blog-hop.html

DREAM POP COMING IN MAY!

With May being National Scrapbooking month, Close to My Heart always has a NEAT AND FUN paper pack to help celebrate the month. This year is no exception! The DREAM POP paper pack is almost here! It will be available to purchase online on May 1st. Take a peek:

Here is a closer look at the glossy card stock:

April CTMH Blog Hop ~ Easy Easel Card!

Welcome to our Blog Hop featuring a project using a special technique of our choice.  We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our 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 get lost you can find your way by going to Brae's blog at http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-brae-er-technique-blog-hop.html or http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com for a full list of participants. If you came from " Heather Steeves - True Fit Folios
http://heathersscrapping.blogspot.com/2013/04/april-blog-hop.html then you are in the right place! 

The technique I will be focusing on for the April blog hop is the easy easel card!  I will be featuring the Buzz & Bumble paper (X7164B) and the Quick Cards - Bumble Bee (A1135) stamp set.  We made this card at another one of my Card Classes and the again girls loved it! I hope you have as much fun making it as they did!  This stamp set can be purchased for only $6.95 and the paper is only $9.95 for 12 sheets!! If you would like to place an order or find out more information about this, please go to my CTMH website at http://cardsbytamara.ctmh.com.  Thanks for stopping by!

1. Get two cards the size you want to make your easel card.  For this specific card I used a 12x12 colonial white cardstock cut at 4', 8' and 12'. This will make 2 cards with 2 fronts (see further instructions).  Fold all 3 of them in half (or score at 6'). 
2. Cut the front off one of the cards. Cut one of the three 12'x4' cards at the 6' mark (this will make 2 card fronts). 
3. Fold the front cover of the uncut cards in half (fold inside so it meets the middle of the card.)
4. Using the piece of card that you have cut off the other card, you then stick this onto the folded over section to give you the slanted easel shape (you may want to decorate the card front before gluing it down).

 

There are amazing instructions with photos for this card fold at: http://fluttabyz.blogspot.ca/2010/05/easel-card-tutorial.html

 

The other items that were used to make this card were:

• X7164B Buzz and Bumble paper
• Z1375  Kraft Cardstock
• Z2168 Colonial White Cardstock
• C1537  Honeycomb Stamp Set
• A1135 Quick Cards - Bumble Bee stamp set
• Z2167  Creme Brulee Ink Pad
• Z2114  Cocoa ink Pad
• Z2118 Desert Sand ink Pad
• Z1358 Buttons Basic Assortment
• Z726 Sponge Daubers
• Y1006 3" X 3" My Acrylix® Block
• Beige Ribbon (not CTMH)

 

 

There are amazing instructions for how to fold this card at: http://fluttabyz.blogspot.ca/2010/05/easel-card-tutorial.html

 

 

Your next stop on the Hop is " Brae Montgomery who will be featuring a Puddle pad~ http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-brae-er-technique-blog-hop.html or  http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com ".

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to create your own projects using some of the designs and paper seen along the way. Join us again in next month when we will be featuring a Pinterest inspired project.

1. Brae Montgomery- Puddle pad

http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-brae-er-technique-blog-hop.html
2. Heather Dawson - fancy folds http://pagesbyheatherd.blogspot.com/2013/04/april-team-blog-hop-techniques-my.html
3. Alyson Mayo- Kraft containers and muslin bags - http://createwithalyson.blogspot.com/2013/04/brae-ers-team-blog-hop-kraft-containers.html
4. Lucy Imrie- Fabric and flip flaps
http://lucyscreativeexpressions.blogspot.com/2013/04/scrapping-with-for-always-fabric.html
5. Cheryl Peyton- masking  http://peytonspaperplace.blogspot.com/2013/04/welcome-to-our-blog-hop.html
6. Michelle Hughes- shaker boxes httphttp://therighthugh.blogspot.com/2013/04/team-blog-hop.html
7. Carol Taggio- 3D objectshttp://craftycarol55.blogspot.com/2013/04/april-team-blog-hop-3-d-object.html
8. Lisa Elliot- wet embossing  http://lisaspeanutgallery.blogspot.com/2013/04/braers-team-blog-hop-teachnique-focus.html
9. Roz Kelly- Chalkboard technique  http://inmyscrappinroom.blogspot.com/2013/04/april-brae-ers-blog-hop.html
10. Heather Steeves - True Fit Folios
http://heathersscrapping.blogspot.com/2013/04/april-blog-hop.html
11. Tamara Lisowski - Easy Easel Card http://geermara.blogspot.com/2013/04/april-ctmh-blog-hop-easy-easel-card.html

 

Join My Team In April & Get Free Stamps!!!!

I would love to have you join my team! During the month of April, the deal is even sweeter!! Along with your Consultant Kit (just $49!), you will receive 4 stamps of the month - April, May, June, and July - absolutely free!! That increases the value of your kit to $225!!

To join my team please go to http://cardsbytamara.ctmh.com and look under the Sign Up and Celebrate link: http://cardsbytamara.ctmh.com/CTMH/Content.aspx?id=%2fen%2fsitecore%2fcontent%2fOBA%2fPromotions%2fApril_2013_Sign_Up_and_Celebrate.aspx

As an added bonus, if you sign up by the end of the month of April 2013, I will also throw in 2 more retired stamp sets of the month that cannot be purchased any more (you can choose 2 from the remaining sets that I have in my stock) as a Thank You from me! 


We would love to have you on the CTMH team!!