CTMH News - Just back from Convention 2017

Hello Friends -

Well, I have just returned from Close To My Heart Convention 2017 and I have so much news to share, I don't know where to start!

Our convention was at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City this year. My first convention (11 years ago) was there too, and it was a real treat to go back. The company is headquartered about a half an hour away and the home office was excited to have us back in their "home town".

Our theme this year is "Who tells your story?" Let me tell you, once you get started thinking about your story, the results are amazing. I started out to tell my friend Denese about the homemade pizza my parents used to make, and ended up telling her about:

• My dad's hitchhiking trip to Santa Monica, 
• How my parents met
• A freak accident and my dad's paper route that led him become the first person in his family to go to college,
• Our family's move to Arizona,
• Miracle Whip on tacos.

It was great to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones, but I know that you're really interested in new products! The new Annual Inspirations 2017 goes live on August 1, but I can share a few sneak peaks!

Here's the cover:

. . .  And how about a few products???

These are the new Adventure Fundamentals. All the Fundamentals have been refreshed with new patterns, new Complements, and new ribbons.

This gives you just a glimpse of the new Cut Above Layout Kits -- The Story Begins. There's one kit for boys and one for girls. Each one contains everything you need to make 10 two-page layouts. If you've tried out any of the earlier Cut Above Layouts, you know just how easy and beautiful these layouts are. There is also an option to add a My Legacy album and save 30%. Wouldn't this make a fabulous baby shower gift?

Of course there are lots of terrific new stamps. Here's a glimpse of just a few.

And wait until you see the new Cricut cartridge! The You Are Here collection includes all kinds of travel-related images --- some of my favorites are the National Park patches. Many of the images can be used for other projects too -- think of the possibilities for the sailboat, crab, bowling pin, canoe,whale, pine tree, log cabin, and many more.

Okay, I think that's it for now. I'll continue posting this week because I have a lot more to share.

Happy scrapping!

Little Dreamer Cards

Always be yourself

Unless you can be a unicorn

Then always be a unicorn!

Isn't that the cutest stamp? Isn't this the cutest paper?

These are my cards for our 3rd Wednesday Card in May. They're made with Close To My Heart's Little Dreamer Paper Pack. The stamp and the unicorn are part of the Little Dreamer Cardmaking Stamp Set. You can get the stamp set alone or bundled with matching Thin Cuts diecuts --- Thin Cuts make cutting out the unicorn easy-peasy. The flower on the right is from the CTMH exclusive Flower Market Cricut cartridge.

If you're in the Sacramento area, join us for 3rd Wednesday Card Club. Contact me for details.

These cards were made with:
Little Dreamer Paper Pack (X7219B) 
Little Dreamer Cardmaking Stamp Set bundled with Thin Cuts diecuts (Z3335) stamp set also available without Thin Cuts
Flower Market Cricut Cartridge (Z3285) also available in digital only version
Lagoon Ink Pad Z2895
Thistle Ink Pad Z2840

Graduation Card

I made a graduation card for our friend Oscar. I didn't really have any "graduation-y"paper, but when I poked through my stash of old papers, I found this awesome Stardust paper. It's from a few years back, but I always loved the strong colors and whimsical stars. So I mixed some old stuff and new stuff and came up with this.

I've been dying to make a shaker card and I got a major jolt of inspiration from Lisa Bzibziak. She posted a fantastic card, and as I was reading through the comments, I found out she had used one of the CTMH Picture My Life transparencies for the window. Wow! That was a head slapper! I've got some of those! The transparency made the window come together so easily.

I also made a matching gift box to go with it. It's actually a dressed up old Stampin' Up stamp box. One of the My Stickees seemed just right for the top.

If you'd like to see the inspiration for the shaker part, pop on over to Lisa's blog. Her cards are amazing. http://bzscrapper66.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-cutting-cafe-inspiration-popup-cards.html

No Worries Scrapbook Workshop

This is a beautiful new scrapbooking workshop designed by Chris Robertson for Close To My Heart. It uses their new No Worries Workshop Your Way, which is shown in the Seasonal Expressions (May-August 2017).

Please contact me to order the No Worries Workshop Your Way kit and other supplies needed and I'll be happy to send you the directions.

Workshop Kit Supply List:

· No Worries! Workshop Your Way G1127

· No Worries! Coordinating Cardstock X7220D, (1/3) pack which is 1 of each Cashmere, Glacier, Sapphire, Whisper

· (1/2) Kraft Cardstock Z1375

· (2) White Daisy Cardstock (24) 1385

· Enamel & Glitter Duos Blue Dots Z3122

· Whisper Thick Twine Z3095

· Aqua Shimmer Trim Z3086

· Bitty Sparkles Z1263

Optional add-on’s-

· Desert Sand Ink Pad Z2818 (edge distressing which is completely optional)

· Sponge (only needed if edge distressing) Z697

· No Worries! Scrapbooking Stamp D1718

· No Worries! Cardmaking Stamp C1679

· Marvy Uchida LePen Journaling Pen (optional only needed if doodling) Z1979

· Shimmer Pen-Clear Z3293

· 3-D Foam Tape Z1151 or Thin 3-D Foam Tape Z2060

· Grey Enamel Gems Z3089

Photo sizes:

Layout 1: (3) 3.75 x 5.75 (L); (1) 3.75 x 3.75; (3) 2.75 x 2.75

Layout 2: (3) 3.75 x 5.75 (L); (2) 3.75 x 3.75; (2) 2.75 x 2.75

Layout 3: (4) 3.75 x 5.75 (L); (1) 5.75 x 3.75 (P); (1) 3.75 x 3.75

Layout 4: (2) 3.75 x 5.75 (L); (2) 3.75 x 3.75; (3) 2.75 x 2.75

Layout 5: (1) 3.75 x 5.75 (L); (6) 3.75 x 3.75

Layout 6: (2) 3.75 x 5.75 (L); (3) 3.75 x 3.75; (3) 2.75 x 2.75

Prickly Pear Scrapbooking Workshop

This is a fun new scrapbooking workshop designed by Donna Cosgrove for Close To My Heart. It uses their new Prickly Pear Paper Packet, which is shown in the Seasonal Expressions (May-August 2017).

Please contact me to order the Prickly Pear Paper Packet kit and other supplies needed and I'll be happy to send you the directions.

Materials required:

· Prickly Pear paper packet (1/2 pack)

· Prickly Pear Complements

· Prickly Pear Sequins

· Stamp Set: C1682 Prickly Pear Cardmaking

· White Daisy Cardstock: 4 sheets and a 3 x 4 inch mat

· Emerald Cardstock: 3 sheets

· Sapphire Cardstock: 2 sheets

· Tangerine Cardstock: 2 sheets

· Blossom Cardstock: 1 sheet

· Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

· Silver Shimmer Trim

· 1” Paper punch

· Adhesive: E-Z Dots or similar

· Thin 3D Foam tape

· Bonding Memories Dual Action Glue Pen

· Paper Trimmer

Photos: Suggested photo sizes 21 in total.

Please note, photo orientation is indicated as Portrait (P) or Landscape (L).

Layout 1: (3) 5 ½” x 3 ½” (P) (2) 5 ¾” x 3 ¾” (L)

Layout 2: (2) 5 ¾” x 3 ¾” (P) (3) 5 ¾” x 3 ¾” (L)

Layout 3: (2) 5 ¾” x 3 ¾” (P) (4) 5 ¾” x 3 ¾” (L)

Layout 4: (1) 6” x 4” (P) (1) 5 ¾” x 3 ¾” (L) (1) 5 ¾” x 3 ¾” (P) (2) 3 ¾” x 3 ¾”

Whimsy Baby Book

Are you looking for a special baby gift or a way to commemorate a little one's first year? This kit makes a quick, easy, and darn cute baby book. This is an easy project, suitable for crafters of all skill levels. All the products used are from Close To My Heart (CTMH). 

This album is made with the CTMH Whimsy Creative Collection and coordinating Boy or Girl Complements (a collection of vellum, glitter, foil and cardstock sticker embellishments). All the pieces are pre-cut and ready to assemble quickly. For maximum flexibility, you can choose just the items you want in either 6" x 8" or 8" x 8" format. (Kit options below.)

These posts show pictures of all the pages:

• Baby Boy Book - Pictures
• Baby Girl Book - Pictures

Kit details:

• Basic Kit - Includes pre-cut papers for 12 page layouts, Boy or Girl Complements, and full-color assembly guide. You provide your own base pages (6"x 8" or 8" x 8"), photo placeholders, and album. [$25]
• Better Kit - Includes the Basic Kit PLUS White Daisy cardstock base pages and photo placeholders.  You provide your own album. Choose the size you want:
• 6" x 8" [$28]
• 8" x 8" [$31]
• Best Kit - Includes Better Kit PLUS beautiful Sea Glass Leatherette album and page protectors. This option is available only in 6" x 8". I do not have 8" x 8" albums or page projectors. [$50]

All prices include tax and shipping and handling to the Sacramento, California area. If you are not local to Sacramento, California, contact me for additional shipping changes. I'll keep the price as low as I can.

Be sure to specify Boy or Girl and the size format (6" x 8" or 8" x 8") when you order. Kits will ship after payment clears.

Send me an email if you have questions, or to order the kit: montanabaitshop@hotmail.com

View the CTMH products in the new Idea Book on my website here: Shop with Shelley

Note: The Sea Glass album is in the Seasonal Expressions catalog, which is available 9/1 - 12/31/2016.

 

Thanks for checking out my blog!

Baby Girl Book - Pictures

These are the photos of the Girl Baby Book. See my post Whimsy Baby Book for information on products used and how to order kits. Check out this post Baby Boy Book - Pictures for the boy version.

Baby Boy Book - Pictures

These are the photos of the Boy Baby Book. See my post Whimsy Baby Book for information on products used and how to order kits. Check out this post Baby Girl Book - Pictures for the girl version.

Convention Swap Cards #1

One of the highlights of the Close To My Heart Convention is swapping cards with other consultants. During the first couple of days, whenever consultants gather, you'll hear gals saying, "You swapping? You swapping?" Small clusters of strangely dressed women (CTMH T-shirts, Minnie Mouse ears, badges, buttons, ribbons) gather and pass cards back and forth, simultaneously filling and emptying their designated zip lock bags. There is much cooing and oohing and aahing.

Here are a couple of the cards I made and swapped this year.

Both of these cards are made with the Chalk It Up Paper Pack (still available in the Close To My Heart Annual Inspirations.) Isn't it great? I love the color combination and it just pops when you pair it with black.

In addition to the Chalk It Up paper (X7184B), the apple card uses a small piece of Smoothie Bakers Twine (retired) and the apple is cut with the Cricut from the Artbooking cartridge.

The second card is embellished with Chalk It Up Assortment (Z3009). The stamp set is from Joyful Birthday (B1419).

PS: I updated yesterday's post with the name of the book that inspired me to make the mini albums for my roomie gifts.

Roomie Gifts - Mini Albums

I just returned from the Close To My Heart annual convention a couple of days ago. It was four days of inspiration, awesome artwork, tremendous cuteness and extended laughter. One of my favorite events was the Consultants' Creativity Showcase, where we could show off some of our recent ideas and share ideas. I'll be posting information about my display soon, but today I want to share some pictures of the roomie gifts I made. These are all based on a pattern I found in an Annie's Attic book. I'll publish the title tomorrow. 

Update: I found the directions for these mini albums in a great book from Annie's Paper Crafts. It's called Interactive Mini Scrapbooks by Kathy Orta Files.  I bought it at the Stamp Art Shoppe in Roseville, California (http://thestampartshoppe.com/) but you may also be able to find it online. I made a few changes to the design, but it works great "as-is".