Specials to end the year with

  

Christmas Day was great at the Tuggle home, with family celebrations all day, and I hope yours was as well!    And maybe "Santa" left you some crafting cash to spend so here are reminders for two fantastic specials CTMH has right now.

This month's Stamp of the Month, "Mad About You," has hearts, swirls and "love-ly" sayings that are always good to have, but we know that Valentine's Day is coming.  Look at it here:

Remember this set can be purchased at full retail for $17.95 or for just $5 with every $50 purchase you make.

In addition we have a GREAT new kit, with a big "E-size" stamp set and a sneak peek product from the new Idea Book, called "Rock the Block" for just $15 with every $25 purchase from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book.

 Look at all these images - the squares are 2" big because they are designed for the 9 color-ready blocks that are included in the kit, the "Collage Cubes" that will be in the new Idea Book.  Together these items would retail for $45 so that's a great deal!

Plus if you purchase one of these two specials before the end of the month you can select your choice of Opaques or Sparkles for free as my end of the year gift to you!  So call or email me soon to place your order or to answer any questions you may have.

Making memories with you,

So easy an 8 yr. old can do it!

Lots of you have used Cricut machines but it's only been a recent addition at my house. A few days ago I was crafting so I took it out to the dining room area and left it there for a few days.  One morning I hear the familiar Cricut "chirp" sound before I'm out of bed so I get up to see what's going on.  There's my 8 yr. old and her 12 yr. old sister loading the mat!  They turn around and say, "we're making our Christmas cards!"

The CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge contains over 700 images and comes with a little spiral bound handbook with all the images.  Well, I took that little handbook and scanned it all in and re-printed all the pages in 8.5x11 in. pages, placed them in page protectors and in a binder, and boy, I am glad I did!  It's funny to watch them page through the handy (and much more durable) binder and decide and find the images they want.  

 I teach them how to use the book's image to determine the size of the cut but they did all the thinking themselves.  They came up with cards with stars and their decorative overlays, cut out tags with little stars already cut out, and learned to use the punch out to enhance their design!  My 8 yr. old decided on using the scalloped oval that has Christmas trees cut out cut on white, with the solid oval underneath cut in green so it would look like ... get this ... a "thought" cloud where someone was dreaming of Christmas trees!!  Well, it made me laugh!

I can't tell you just how versatile this cartridge is so if you are a Cricut user (or hope to be one) you should consider getting this one - you will use it constantly!  For each of my customers, I got permission from CTMH to give you the file I created with all the images for you to make your own binder like I did.  I can even help your loved ones get that special gift as a "surprise" for you - just give them my email or address and I'll work with them!  Here's a couple of projects I made with the AP cartridge, the Dimensional Elements and the stamp sets that all come in the AP bundle for $99!  The first is a 5x7 Christmas card using purple and green shades and the other is a small, purse size album using  tags and extra pagesthat match the chipboard tags - hope they inspire you!  Email me and I can tell you how I made them!

 

Last Day to order "Holiday Wishes" & "Cherish the Day"

These two beautiful stamp sets are olnly available through today since they are special item only for the month of November.  Please call or email your order in to me by tonight - yes, I AM up quite late! :-)

Three Holiday Cards and Black Friday countdown

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  While in Florida we don't have the changing leaves so much it's still such a pretty effect that I had to make a card in honor of the Fall season!  I am thankful for so many things but especially for knowing that the Maker of all Creation loves me!  This card uses the November stamp of the month "Cherish the Day" tickets and numbers plus "Harvest Happiness" for the leaves - all cut with the Cricut.  Thanks to Annette Green for the inspiration for the card.

  The next 2 cards use "Holiday Wishes" stamps and the Cricut, too.  The gold card uses heat embossing for the stocking and sentiment (the gold paper is not CTMH).  Simple and elegant but soooo easy! Thanks to Allisa Chilton for the idea.  The stockings on the mantle card was inspired by Marie Flayer.  The stockings were cut with the Cricut and then stamped with the matching stamp image from the "Holiday Wishes" stamp set.I used gold brads with a little brown Staz-on to dull the shiny effect and make them look like nails - nice, right?  I hope you enjoy these and feel inspired to make your own. 

 

Don't forget to click on the November Specials tab above to get all the details on the current sales:

• While Supplies Last - get your specials before they are gone!
• "Holiday Wishes"  special stamp set for only $5 with every $25 of stamp purchases!
• ** 5 DAYS left **  in my 2nd Annual  Black Friday Special Sale that runs through Cyber Monay - Nov. 28th with a Mystery Hostess!

With these special offers now is a good time to get your Cricut cartridge - in time to help you make all those holiday crafts!  Contact me if you have any questions or if you need some help deciding - I'll assist you in getting the best package and price as possible!

Updated the blog - check out the November Specials tab above!

Slow computers make keeping up with the blog a <<loooooong>> process but I think I've got it done!  And just in time to offer my ...  drumroll, please ...

2nd Annual Black Friday Special Sale

with lots and lots of what I love best - overlapping sales opportunities!  Just take a look ...

• November Stamp of the Month for as low as $5!
• Exclusive Christmas stamp "Holiday Wishes" for only $5 with $25 in other stamp purchases!
• Mystery Hostess with a chance to win at least $25 in FREE products!
• FREE Shopping Rewards - the more you shop the more FREE products you get!
• Additional savings when you purchase the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge!
• Retiring products at up to 80% off in "While Supplies Last" sale!
• Includes purchases of Studio J memberships in the Black Friday sale for more value!

Believe me, I know how to stretch my family's budget dollar and I can help you do it as well!  Just click on the "November Specials" - "Stamp of the Month" - "Studio J" tabs right below my title/header to see all the details!

Did you miss me?

I don't know about you but where did October go?  There are at least 5 birthdays in my family in the month of October so I know that October was here but it just went by too fast!  Or is it true that the older you get time just seems to fly faster and faster by you?  Either way, I am still here and will update you all soon about this month's crafting opportunities.  Talk to you soon!

Stamping in September

There's only a few days left in September - National Stamping Month - and for you to get a fantastic stamp set for FREE from Close To My Heart!

This card below was one that I made  with one of the images and sentiments of "Pair-A-Phrase" - the DOUBLE and FREE stamp set that CTMH is offering this month:

It is so very easy to choose a sentiment and stamp image for any occasion and holiday that it's a great one to have in your stash.  Just look at the images: - aren't they cute?  And they color SO easily!

Here's a beautiful one that was posted by CTMH on their Facebook Pair-A-Phrase Album/photo page:

You will get this great set FREE with every $75 purchase you make.  Add $5 to that purchase and you will ALSO receive this month's Stamp of the Month, "Limited Edition" - here's a card I made with that stamp set. 

If you decide that you want the great, new Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge -

and here's a card I made with several Cricut cuts and the matching stamp - then you would get a grand total of 6 D-size Stamp Sets, plus the exclusive Art Philosophy Cartridge and 3 packets of matching chipboard Dimensional Elements for $104 - that's a great bundle price! 


You have just four days left for this special so contact me today to get your own fantastic bundles!

Cricut and Cards Tonight 7-10 pm

Busy days just fly by, don't they?   I had a couple of free evenings at the last minute so I've opened the house up if you would like to take a look at the new Cricut cartridge and also if you would like to make some of my cute and quick cards.  See the pictures below of the designs which include new papers and products AND some Cricut cuts! 

Tonight's event will be from 7 pm to 10 pm.  Like last night, if you want to make all 4 cards you'll need about 1 1/2 hrs. of time and they'll be just $5.  If you just have time for one card, it'll be just $1.50 and you'll need a little less than 30 minutes to complete.  Call ahead if you can (727-2519) but feel free just to drop by! 

FOUR Stamp set discount event

Whenever "National Stamping Month" (NSM) comes around, you can guarantee that Close To My Heart will have a wonderful kit to celebrate.  This time is no exception and for the next two weeks it is even BETTER:  with a $70 purchase you will receive a total of 4 MORE stamp sets for only $5 - three of our D-size stamps and one A-size stamp - that's $60 worth of stamps for only $5!  Here's the details:

• Purchase the D-size Stamp of the month, "Wicked," for only $5 and receive an exclusive A-size stamp set, "A Typeface," for FREE. Even if you don't do the halloween thing there are lots of great art to be made with this stamp set and the alphabet is so versatile with its small type!

• Then you will receive the special NSM DOUBLE stamp set "Pair-A-Phrase" full of phrases and beautiful images that can be used for all special occasions throughout the year ... for FREE!

This 4-stamp special is only good through August 31 so don't let it pass you by!

It’s Finally Here!

The new Autumn/Winter 2011 is finally out and it is SO great! Of course, I had to tell you ahead of time about the Cricut but there is much, much more to tell you!  Let me now give you some of the other big highlights.

New lower pricing on My Acrylix sets!!  Need I say more?!?!  Here they are:     A-size $6.95 B-size $9.95 C-size $13.95
                                D-size $17.95 E-size $29.95

WOW!!!  The high-quality you know and love has not changed – still made in the USA – just at a better price! And just introduced - you can view the stamps in the Idea Book at 100% - FULL SIZE! A lot of the new artwork includes many more stamped projects that can be great inspiration as well.

Say “Hello” to the new Stamp of the Month program!!

You know that each month you can enjoy a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only. Now you can receive that set for just $5 when you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing! While it will no longer be available for free, at this price it’s very easy to add to your order.

 PLUS, in celebration of the newly updated Stamp of the Month program, CTMH is throwing in a little something extra: a FREE* bonus stamp set! In August, when you place an order of $50 or more in products and purchase the August Stamp of the Month set, ”Wicked”, for just $5.00, you’ll receive the My Acrylix® ”A Typeface” bonus A-size set FREE (retail value $6.95)! Think of it as two

promotions in one—qualify for and purchase the discounted August Stamp of the Month set, and CTMH will throw in a second stamp set FREE! It’s Extra! Extra!

Heavy Weight B&T Papers!!

All our Background and Texture papers are now cardstock weight and feature a  different design on the front and the back.  The new “Zip Strip,” a coordinating strip at the top of one side, that can be used in your projects is included as well!   At this new weight, the B&T papers can now also be used as the bases for your cards and layouts!

Lower Prices on Level 2 Paper packets!!

In an effort to help you make projects and not collect so many leftovers, CTMH has made the packages a little smaller but has lowered the price! The B&T papers are heavier and can be used as bases. Instead of including the neutral colors, all the included cardstocks will be colored, with more color selections included!

New Color Sets of Cardstocks!!
Cardstock sets in color families and complete sets of the different color ‘seasons” have now been provided - all to give you more selection and great value with just the right amounts for most projects!

Well, this is a lot of information to digest and it’s easier to see in person and in the new Idea Book so I will be hosting a couple of days for you to come by and see lots of the new things that I’ve purchased from the new book plus some projects I’ve made with them. Keep checking your emails for the news! 

Before I quit tonight I'll show you an album constructed out of 3 of the new 6x6 Kraft cards that I made at Convention -  you may be seeing this down the road as a workshop if enough of you like it so let me know!

Front view - cover page 

 2 of the 10 album pages   

complete view from the top

Can you chirp like a "Cricut"? See a 5 minute video

Boy, is there a lot of  good stuff to share with you about what's coming up! I could just fill up an entire page of all the things I learned, the projects we made, the innovations that are going to make things so much easier for all of us to preserve our memories and share with others, BUT, just let me give you the BIG NEWS ...

You are going to love the brand new partnership of CTMH and…. wait for it, wait for it  ….. CRICUT!!!  Yay!!! You should have heard the ballroom erupt when our founder and CEO, Jeannette Lynton, announced the exclusive, fully loaded (700 images and all function buttons) cartridge that Close To My Heart is rolling out for the Cricut die cut machine – works with all of them from the “Baby Bug” to the newest Expression2 and Imagine!  We will be able to stamp on already precut shapes that match exactly – can you say no more cutting curve of those beautiful bracket shapes?  How about beautiful window cards, boxes and more?

We are going to have so much fun with this!!  CTMH will sell a bundle that includes:

•  the cartridge  plus
• three D-size stamp sets that have the image shapes for the Cricut to cut AND
• chipboard shapes that coordinate as well – all for just $99!! Wow!

Close To My Heart has already included a special page on their website dedicated to this cartridge so just click here to go read all the details.  Last but not least here is a video CTMH put together about the Cricut cartridge:

I'll be getting my preliminary new stuff to play with and, so, needless, to say, stay tuned for more as we get closer to August 1^st.  Remember to get your calendars out to see when you would like to host a fun party at your house so you can qualify for some of these great goodies for FREE!!

Back from Disneyland ...

Yes, Disney LAND not Disney WORLD J Close To My Heart’s annual convention was held at the Disneyland Hotel and it was both an exhilirating and exhausting event! The fun of being in a place full of people who enjoy a lot of the same things is a wonderful thing: pictures of friends and families, beautiful handmade projects, gadgets and gizmos, bright colors of papers and ribbons, silly jokes and good food, and the list goes on and on! That’s all involved when Close To My Heart hosts a meeting to showcase the year that’s coming and review the year that’s past.   However, staying up to eat dinner at 7:30 pm Pacific Standard Time, even if it's good – not so much – ha, ha,ha!!

Lots of us consultants go a little nuts among so many crafters and we do card swaps, kind of like kids used to do with baseball cards – trading them with others and it gets kind of crazy! Here’s the card I designed for swapping and managed to make 18 of them to swap – lots of fun and it was over in about 10 minutes! Got some real pretty ones in exchange!Here’s a picture of my roommate, Tamra Pope, a fellow CTMH consultant from here in Melbourne, and I in our Disneyland Hotel room and behind us is a black and white photo of Sleeping Beauty’s castle with Walt Disney in front. We were registered under “Jasmine” so my mom and I made some rhinestone sparkly shirts in purple that we wore on the first day (my parents and I have a t-shirt making business together).

 Got lots of great comments about it! Even bigger news was that Tamra entered this year’s Album Contest and won twice! She received the highest honor among consultants - the Consultant’s Choice Award - and placed third in the company’s awards – it is a gorgeous work of both Art and Heart!

 Here’s a shot of me with other consultants of a team I belong to – Legacy Leaders – most of us from the Central Florida area. Love the Mickey Mouse! There are lots of great announcements but you’ll need to wait a little bit – let me just tease you with one of the most exciting announcements ….

What’s the name of the little insect makes annoying noises but also the name of a great crafting machine? Can you guess? Just ask “Jimminy …” for help! Can you guess?

I’ll tell you in my next post!


IMPORTANT NOTE: It’s a good time to look through the current Spring and Autumn/Winter books and see if you are interested in anything from this catalog that will not be offered anymore once the next one comes out – particularly the Workshops on the Go kits. If you have questions as to what will or will not be available (such as the Christmas or Fall papers) please call or email me and I’ll let you know. I can also tell you that due to rising costs, CTMH is changing how it packages its cardstock and the prices will be going up slightly. If there are certain colors that you would like to stock up on, either by complete 24 sheets or combo packs, you might want to get some before the end of July when the price will change.

Don’t miss the current sale – Bang for your Buck where you can get a special item for $1 when you place an order of $50 or more. You get a choice of several including a couple of 12 Card kits, regularly priced at $12.95, for $1.00!   Please call or email me with questions.

I’ll “talk” to you soon! Making Memories with you,