Friday, May 31, 2013

Stamp Scrubber

Discover how the My Acrylix® stamp scrubber can keep your stamps in tip-top shape! By following these simple tips for using and caring for the stamp scrubber, your stamps will be clean in no time!




Lint-free cleaning and drying of your stamps. Raised bristles for cleaning large stamps. Rubber feet for grip. 2½" × 4".

A Different Spin...


Learn how to incorporate the sturdy chipboard spinner into your layouts for a unique, interactive element. You can stamp the spinner, cover it with your favorite papers, or just attach it as is to your layout for a different spin!



3 stampable white chipboard spinners, arrows removable for decorating, coordinates with Wheel of Life stamp set; 3½".Z1832- $4.95

Relief for Oklahoma!

Close To My Heart is making a new Autumn/Winter 2013 stamp set, A True Thank You, available immediately and will donate 100% of the profits from sales of the set from May 23 through June 30 to the American Red Cross to aid the Oklahoma victims. Help us provide relief to those affected by the devastating Oklahoma tornado by purchasing A True Thank You stamp set for $2.95 (M1029) today!

Shop my website 24/7...HERE!

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Pajama Party!


Close To My Heart is teaming up with Big Picture Classes to bring you a live webcast with step-by-step instructions for making this Happy Thoughts kraft container. The FREE webcast will air Thursday, May 30 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm (MDT). During the presentation, you’ll learn to make several projects from a variety of sponsors, including Close To My Heart’s Happy Thoughts kraft container, as the presenter walks you through the steps. Watch the Pajama Party by yourself or with some of your scrappy friends for a fun crafting pajama party.

The Pajama Party class will be available for FREE at BigPictureClasses.com on May 30. If you would like to interact on the message board, participate in live chat, post to the gallery, download handouts, or enter any contests, you will need to log in to the Pajama Party “classroom” by creating a free account on the Big Picture Classes website.




 
To make our Happy Thoughts kraft container (as pictured) you will want to have the following items—or similar products—on hand:
  • My Acrylix® Frame Flair Stamp Set (D1546)
  • My Acrylix® Happy Thoughts Stamp Set (C1536)
  • Chantilly Paper Packet (need 1 sheet of B&T, X7163B)
  • Crème Brulee Cardstock (need 1 sheet, X5754)
  • Lagoon Cardstock (need 1 sheet, X5762)
  • White Daisy Cardstock (need 1 sheet, 1385)
  • Whisper Cardstock (need 1 sheet, X5929)
  • Whisper Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2172)
  • Lagoon Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2195)
  • My Creations® Kraft Container (Z1833)
  • Baker’s Twine Neutral Assortment (need 3 yards, Z1701)
  • Color-Ready Trinkets Wooden Shapes (Z1844)
  • Sparkles Black & Grey Assortment (Z1754)
  • 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)
  • Micro-Tip Scissors (Z534)
  • Corner Rounder (Z578)
  • Paper Trimmer (Z1783)
  • My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner (1778)
  • My Acrylix® Stamp Scrubber (Z1782)
  • 2" × 3½" My Acrylix® Block (Y1009)
  • 4" × 5" My Acrylix® Block (Y1012)
  • Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection (Z1686)

To place an order or if you have questions about the project...email me kysprau@hotmail.com.  Or order from my website 24/7 www.closetomyheart.com/sherrisprau


Marker Magic!

I've never been a huge fan of the stamps that you have to color/shade in...insert audible gasp, here!  I've just never liked the look of the marker lines, or I'd smudge my colors all over the place with the blending pen.  I know practice makes perfect, but it just got to be a hassle as far as I was concerned.  And then this Copic marker thing blew up a couple of years ago and all I heard was how wonderful they were and that I really had to try them....but I didn't.  By that point, I had ever marker that CTMH had on the market and I wasn't about to spend another couple hundred dollars on an entirely new set.  So, I stayed curmudgeonly and used my markers as I always had...to journal and to ink my stamps, when the ink pad just wouldn't do. 
AND THEN MAGIC HAPPENED....
CTMH launched a line of alcohol-based markers last July...and more importantly, they gave me a set when I attended the annual consultant Convention.  AND we had to use them in a project, at the Convention... you see what they did there?  Gave them to me for 'free' (use that term loosely...I did pay to attend the Convention) and forced me to use them....and I was hooked!  As with almost every other scrapbooker/stamper that I know...you can tell me about something until your blue in the face, but if you show it to me and let me play...it's MINE! 

If you are like me (or the former me) and could care less about markers...ink or alcohol based...it all means the same to you.  I hope that my little admission along with this short video tutorial will help.  These markers will change the way you see/do journaling and shading...and you'll begin to wonder how you ever lived without them.  If you'd like to give them a whirl, you're welcome to borrow a pair of mine...just know what you're getting in to...you'll be purchasing every shade available before you know it!

Watch the video to learn how to magically create smooth, even coverage on your colored images with easy-to-blend alcohol-based markers. Have fun being a kid again!




CTMH's alcohol based markers come in sets of 2 ($5.95)...one is the color, from their color palette, and the other is either a shade lighter or a shade darker.
*Crystal Blue is the color shown, here.


If you have an questions about these CTMH products, feel free to email me at kysprau@hotmail.com
Shop my website 24/7 - www.closetomyheart.com/sherrisprau

Packed with a Punch



Learn how to use circle punches to pack some punch into your projects. Stamp with coordinating images, use as embellishments, and layer to create 3-D projects!





AND...don't forget...just 13 days left to take advantage of the 'Dream Pop' National Scrapbooking Month promotion.  With a qualifying purchase of just $35 or more (before tax/ship) you can get the 'Dream Pop' paper pack for just $10!
You'll love the gorgeous colors, the clear embossed sheets, the versatile double sided patterns...all high quality, cardstock weight!  None of that cheap & flimsy paper here!!!

 
If you'd like to place an order, email me kysprau@hotmail.com or shop my website 24/7 www.closetomyheart.com/sherrisprau


NEW Crop Dates...

Yeah!....my crop dates, for the remainder of 2013, are official!
 
The new dates are as follows:


June All-Day Crop - June 22nd

July All-Day Crop - July 13th

August Weekend Crop – Friday, Aug 23th – Sunday, Aug 25th

September All-Day Crop - Sep 21st

October Weekend Crop – Friday, Oct 18th – Sunday, Oct 20th

November All-Day Crop – Saturday, Nov 9th

December Weekend Crop  – Friday, Dec 6th – Sunday, Dec 8th

***There will be a Workshop at each of the crops (Saturdays - 9am-1pm) - workshops include all the materials to complete 5 cards and 1 - double page (12x12") layout.

*You can always check out my 'Croppin Info' page for more details.





Less than a week away....

May Weekend Crop and/or the May 'Sweet Surprises' Workshop...

Weekend Crop - Friday, May 24th (9am) until Sunday, May 26th (5pm)
Cost: $60/ weekend or $25/day ($15 after 3pm)
Location: Courtyard Marriott - Louisville East (Blairwood Rd - Hurstbourne Lane/I-64)

'Sweet Surprises' Workshop - Saturday, May 25th - 10am-1pm
Cost: $15
Location: Courtyard Marriott - Louisville East (Blairwood Rd - Hurstbourne Lane/I-64)
Workshop includes all the supplies to make TEN (10) cards - box envelopes included!
*Please bring your own adhesive & treats to fill the treat cups. Cups are approx 1 5/8" × ½". Treat recommendations: Skittles, M&M's, Reeses Pieces, mints, small buttons, ect.

NOTE: having the treat cup filler at the time of the workshop is a HIGHLY recommended! Treat cups have adhesive backing and must be adhered as part of the assembly process. Filling the treat cups after the fact, may result in tearing of the card.

RSVP's are a must...please email me at kysprau@hotmail.com if you'd like me to reserve you a seat!




Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Creative Cricut tips...

You know...I really love being a Close To My Heart  consultant.  I truly love their product ... and I don't have to work very hard b/c it really just sells itself!
Another reason why I love them so much ... is because they show us not only how to use their product, but they make being creative look & feel like so much fun!

Watch this video that they put together....some wonderful tips and tricks on how to get the most out of die-cutting with your Cricut machine; including how to change the image sizes, how to use special features, and more.





Both the Cricut Art Philosophy and Cricut Artiste cartridges have 700 different shapes on them with lots of designs that also coordinate with Close To My Heart stamp sets for easy embellishing and great creative possibilities. 

AND  if you haven't purchased either the Art Philosophy or Artiste yet....I am offering a Kentucky Derby special now thru Sunday (5/5/13)... purchase either cartridge and I'll not only pay your tax & shipping, but throw in the May Stamp of the month for FREE!  How is that for a scrapbooking trifecta!!!
You must email me at kysprau@hotmail.com... before the end of the day on Sunday (5/5/13).  Sorry, but this special is not valid through my website.





May Stamp of the Month - 'Pinwheel' - D-Size stamp (6x6" carrier sheet) set of 10 images, THREE (3) of which work w/ CTMH's Cricut Artiste Cartridge.


Day for Dad

Make Father’s Day a special day with the My Acrylix® Perfect Fit—Dad stamp set. Learn how to create personalized cards, gifts, and party decorations that are as wonderful as the men in your life!


Perfect Fit - Dad (C1542)
This C-size stamp is set of 11 images...FOUR (4) of which work w/ CTMH's Cricut Artiste Cartridge.
 
Perfect Fit - Frames 2 (D1536)
This D-Size (6x6 carrier sheet) stamp is set of 4 images...all, of which, work w/ CTMH's Cricut Artiste Cartridge.
 
 
 
 




Card Congrats - CONTEST

You can win the 'For Always' Workshop on the Go - Cardmaking kit!
Just leave a comment, about someone special & their accomplishments, on Jeanette's blog, or on YouTube (for this video)...and you could win the kit valued at $29.95!

Good Luck!



Use the materials, kit-exclusive accessories, and instructions in this kit to create 15 beautiful cards (5 each of 3 designs) inspired by Jeanette Lynton!
Included in the kit:
1 – My Acrylix® For Always Cardmaking Workshop Stamp Set (C-size)
2 – For Always B&T Duos® Papers
4 – Cardstock Sheets (Slate, Smokey Plum, Whisper, White Daisy)
15 – White Daisy Cards & Envelopes
1 – Slate Satin Ribbon (5 yards)
1 – Purple Sparkles (72)
1 – Instructional Brochure

Some basic tools you may already have, such as inks, stamp blocks, or tools are needed to complete this project.


Dream Pop video..



Close To My Heart is celebrating National Scrapbooking Month with a unique paper packet at a bargain price. Watch the video to get your creative juices flowing!


You, too, can have your very own Dream Pop paper packet....just email me your order at kysprau@hotmail.com or order from my website 24/7 HERE!

Dream Pop SPECIAL!

May 2013 National Scrapbooking Month Constant Campaign

Get the exclusive paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35!
In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.
Dream Pop Paper Pack: 12 Tone-on-Tone Embossed Cardstocks (2 each of 6 colors) and 12 B&T Duos (2 each of 6 designs)
A little 'up close & personal' w/ the embossed cardstock....SWEET!
(A big thank you to Karen Pederson, fellow CTMH consultant for this awesome photo - http://karenpedersen.blogspot.com/)
 
AND...the Dream Pop campaign gets even better with this SPECIAL OFFER...
*for everyone that orders the Dream Pop paper packet this month, I will be emailing you a 'Dream Pop Workshop' instruction guide...FREE!  This guide shows you, step by step, how to make:
 TWO (2) - 12x12" double page layouts
THREE (3) -  cards (various sizes)
ONE (1) - bonus project using the new treat tubes (not included). 
 
The layout and card examples, featured in the Workshop Guide...use the May Stamp of the Month - "Pinwheel"....so you'll want to make sure to add one of those to your order, too!
 
This fun 'Pinwheel' stamp has TEN (10) images - 3 of which, work w/ CTMH's Cricut Artiste cartridge.  It's a D-size stamp (6x6 carrier sheet) which retails for $17.95, but can be yours for just $5.00...with a qualifying purchase of just $50 or more (before tax/ship)!  This stamp is ONLY available during the month of May.

 
 
If you're interested in taking advantage of this WONDERFUL National Scrapbooking Month special...please email me at kysprau@hotmail.com or place an order on my website 24/7 HERE!