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Have You Heart the News about CTMH Cricut Cartridges?

October 6, 2019 by Carol

Have you heard the news? All 13 of the Close To My Heart Cricut^® collections, including the new Complete Creativity and some that have been retired for years, are now digitally available for purchase! I am so happy to be able to offer you access to every cartridge Close to my Heart has ever made. Whether you are looking for simple basics to Christmas to Complete Creativity you can get them all by clicking this link!

There has been some confusion around how to access these collections, so we’ve put together a quick tutorial below to show you how. If you’ve already figured it out on your own, skip to the bottom half of this post to see sample shapes and an artwork example for each collection.

**You will need a Cricut^® machine that is Design Space compatible to digitally link your collections to your account. Any of the Explore models or the New Maker will do. If you already own some or all of the Close To My Heart collections in cartridge format, with the right cutting machine, you can link these collections digitally as well. Click here for a short video to learn how. If you don’t currently have one of these machines let’s get a party date set up so you can earn one!!

STEP 1

To start, go to your Close To My Heart Consultant’s website. (If you do not have a Close To My Heart Consultant, visit us here and click on Find a Consultant to find one near you.) Scroll all the way to the bottom of the home page and click on the green Cricut^® button.

Clicking on this button will take you to the 13 Close To My Heart Cricut^® collections, hosted on the Cricut^® website.

Choose the collection you want to purchase and click Add to Cart. Doing so will pull up a side bar with the items you’ve chosen to purchase. When you are ready to check out, you can either click on the small cart icon or the green Checkout button. If you aren’t signed in to your Cricut^® account already, you will be prompted to do so.

Make sure to use your Design Space account information to sign in and then continue the checkout process.

After purchasing any of the CTMH Cricut^® collections, they will automatically populate in your Design Space account, along with your other shapes. Then the fun begins as you create beautiful layouts and cards. If you haven’t bought a digital cartridge or linked a physical cartridge, when you start a new project you simply click on add image and then filter at the top right under “my cartridges” and there will be everything you own, including your just purchased Close to my Heart cartridges.

ONE FINAL TIP

Each of the shapes in Design Space is given a name and assigned a number. If you click on a shape, for example the first shape of the collection shown above, this information will show up in place of the shape’s image. If you are looking for one specific shape, and you know its Design Space name or number (including the “#” sign), you can use this information in the search bar to locate it. When we give out project “recipes” (a list of products used), either for our catalogs or on this blog, Cricut^® shapes are referenced by the collection from which it comes and its shape number. The star shape above would then be:

Cricut^® Shape:
Art Philosophy
#M3EA7D

Now that you know how to access all of our Close To My Heart Cricut^® collections and shapes, Tomorrow we will start looking at each collection and discover what each of them have to offer! If you can’t wait, and who could blame you, click here and check them out yourself now!

What’s Your Scrapbooking Style?

July 18, 2019 by Carol

I hate it when someone asks “what is your style”? Style means different things to different people and whether you are talking clothes, furniture or scrapbook design. As I get older, comfortable is the most important, but I do need to look presentable so I look for compromises. In your scrapbooks, you don’t have to have a single style and unless you are doing a themed album I believe a scrapbook can have many styles. I found an old article talking about different papercrafting styles and thought I would share some of the definitions with you.

Grunge: Grunge came about when altered mini-albums and shabby chic were the styles of the day. with their inked edges, distressed elements and soft to medium colors, think tans, browns, and colors that have been muted and whitewashed.

Modern Feminine: This style is or was heavily influenced by women’s fashion trends, of course not MY fashion trends. Use black or white, or even both with bold feminine colors; mix patterns and textures, using ribbons, brads, maybe a frame around a word, even an old earring will work.

Retro: I tend to think of this style as anything from my childhood. It’s anything from the 50’s and 60’sthrough the 80’s. If it’s gaudy, splashy and bold then it works. It’s pop-culture inspired.

Graphic: Clean lines and extra large photos are typical in this style. Often inspired by print media and uses typography as a design element.

Vintage: Here we revert back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s with lots of brown, black, ivory colors often used with old heritage photos and genealogy research.

Scrapbook and papercrafting style is a personal thing, and I don’t think we should let one style define us. For me, different styles show up in different scrapbooks. Sometimes it is as easy as how you feel at the time, just don’t feel you have to label your scrapbook style. I would love to hear your thoughts on your scrapbook page style, do you define it? Let me know below.

Find True Love Scrapbooking Sketch

June 6, 2019June 4, 2019 by Carol

This month Close to my Heart is featuring the True Love Paper Packet . I have used some of those elements in today’s Motivational Monday scrapbooking sketch. Colors in this paper pack include Ballerina, Sugarplum, Sage, Mint, Eggplant, Sapphire, New England Ivy, Canary and White Daisy.

Scrapbooking Sketch for Motivational Monday

This sketch uses 2- 4″x 6″ photo mats and 4 – 3″x3″ photo mats. Trim your pictures about a 1/4″ less to center on the mats. The two strips are done in Ballerina pink cardstock and measure 2 1/2″ x 12″. The embellishments are taken from one of the sheets included in the pack. As a result, you have a nice, cohesive layout.

The Eggplant flower in the left corner, the tag ribbon and the flower in the upper right quaderant follows the rule of three, guiding the eye from left to right.

Check back later in the week when I will have done the layout myself and posted the image so you can see how I have made this sketch work.

When you finish your layout, send me a picture of your layout and I will post it here on the blog. You will then be entered into a drawing to win a free stamp set. You can e-mail your photo to Carol@CreativelyCarol.com or even send it via text to 801-597-4896. I am excited to see your take on today’s scrapbooking sketch.

Pigment Ink Differences

June 2, 2019June 1, 2019 by Carol

Close to my Heart water based dye ink & pigment inks — Close to my Heart water-based and pigment inks.

A question from Charlie: “I purchased acid-free stamping inks labeled “water-soluble pigment ink” for use on my scrapbook pages. A friend told me that water-soluble inks should not be used on scrapbook pages. Doesn’t pigment ink mean that it’s permanent? What is the difference between pigment ink and water-soluble ink?”

When evaluating scrapbook materials, the primary concern is whether a product is both photo-safe and archival. A photo-safe material will not accelerate normal photographic deterioration, while an archival material possesses qualities that make it long-lasting. Photo-safe, archival stamping inks should be pH-neutral and composed of pigment ink, which us fade-resistant. Close to my Heart inks meet this requirement.

Many stamping inks are not waterproof. If your page gets wet, the ink will bleed. However, you have to weigh the creative and practical advantages of using water-based stamping inks against the possibility of your pages getting wet.

Water-based ink saves on clean-up time and is much easier to remove from stamps. It is not a permanent ink because it will dissolve in water, but it is still a pigment ink, meaning that the color is fade-resistant and completely acid-free.

Motivational Monday Sketch

January 21, 2019January 21, 2019 by Carol

Today I have a sketch for you that can hold 10 photos. I look forward to seeing what you do with this. Here is the sketch:

When you have completed the sketch, text it to 801-597-4896 or send the photo to Carol@creativelycarol.com

I will give away a free stamp set in a drawing at the end of the month with names of everyone who submits their take on today’s sketch.

Here Are My Stamping New Year’s Resolutions! What Are Yours???

January 21, 2019January 8, 2019 by Carol

I know it seems kind of strange with everyone making resolutions about life for New Years I am making stamping resolutions. Stamping is a major part of my world so it seems right to want to accomplish more this year since I let life get in the way last year but I want to do so much more this year thus my stamping New Year’s resolutions.

Learn and share more techniques. I have learned lots of different techniques over the years, some are standard “go to” techniques that I probably use too much and some I left behind long ago. I want to unearth and share those older techniques that may have been forgotten about and learn new ones to share with you and enhance my own cardmaking and scrapbooking.
Have an organized workspace so I want to stamp. Let’s face it, it is hard to get motivated surrounded by clutter. My goal this year is not only to get my space organized but to keep it that way. This will require some diligence as it is not my normal situation.
Try new color combinations. I enjoy color but sometimes it is harder to break away from the traditional to the innovative in working with colors. In order to complete this endeavor, I can rely on the Close to my Heart Color Guide. I will also be posting “Color Challenges” to help you with expanding your use of color.
Complete one scrapbook page a week. I find it hard to actually find time to complete a scrapbook page without my mind wandering into the “what should I be doing right now” tunnel. I believe it is just as important to preserve one’s memories as it is to clean the house or do the laundry. I will accomplish this by posting a sketch every Monday and my take on the sketch sometime during the week.
Finish one card a week. I hate paying good money for cards. $6.95 is ridiculous and most of the time the card isn’t that impressive. I would rather keep a stock of cards in a variety of occasions that I make myself at a MUCH less expensive price. I know my recipient will appreciate a handmade card so much more, and more likely keep it longer than a store bought card.

Do you have resolutions for your creative side? I would love to be able to help you achieve them. Post a comment below and share that resolution with me and when it is complete, send me a picture of your creation so I can post it here on the blog.

35% OFF Alphabet Stamps

January 4, 2019 by Carol

2019 marks 35 years since Founder & CEO Jeanette Lynton first started selling stamps, and to kick off the celebration Close to my Heart is giving you 35% off all of our alphabet stamps. Beginning today, we are kicking off 2019 with the Celebrate 35 Years special featuring alphabet stamp sets. Until the end of January, you can purchase alphabet stamp sets at 35% off the retail price. Alphabet stamp sets give you unlimited creative options for adding titles, sentiments, and other words to any project. Here is a list of the alphabet stamps included in this sale:

My Acrylix Solid Classroom Alphabet Set E1043

Regular Price:$31.95 Sale Price $20.77

Set of 39 The tallest image in this stamp set is approximately 1¼” in height.

My Acrylix Outline Classroom Alphabet Set E1043

Regular Price:$31.95 Sale Price $20.77

Set of 39 stamps. The tallest image in this stamp set is approximately 1¼” in height.

My Acrylix Stitched Alphabet Set C1738

Regular Price:$31.95 Sale Price $20.77

Set of 42 stamps. The tallest image in this stamp set is approximately 1″ in height.

My Acrylix Modern Typewriter Alphabet Set B1638

Regular Price:$10.95 Sale Price $7.12

Set of 67 stamps. The tallest image in this stamp set is ¼” in height.

My Acrylix Brushed Alphabet Set E1041

Regular Price:$31.95 Sale Price $20.77

Set of 45 stamps. The tallest image in this stamp set is approximately 1½” in height.

CTMH Morgan's Hand cursive alphabet stamp set

My Acrylix Morgan’s Hand Alphabet Set E1040

Regular Price:$31.95 Sale Price $20.77

Set of 52 Stamps. The tallest image in this stamp set is approximately 1½” in height.

My Acrylix Erin’s Hand Alphabet Set E1039

Regular Price:$31.95 Sale Price $20.77

Set of 90 stamps. The tallest image in this stamp set is approximately ¾” in height.

My Acrylix Simply Said Alphabet Set C1725

Regular Price:$14.95 Sale Price $9.72

Set of 51, The tallest image in this stamp set is approximately ½” in height

These are amazing savings and a great opportunity to pick up a great stamp set or two. The Classroom Alphabet solid with the outline is a great way to get a beautiful two-tone stamp.

Leave a comment below and tell me your favorite stamp set and how you use them,

13 More Ideas for your Bullet Journal

December 9, 2018 by Carol

Here are some more ideas for your Bullet journal. I have a challenge coming up regarding journaling to begin in the new year, but thise should help too.

Favorite Music

Foods I Would Like to Try

My Budget

Family Birthday List

Baby Names

Wedding Planning

Kids’ Milestones

Wish Lists

Honey to Do

Business Goals

Meal Planning

Books to Read

Movies to Watch

Did you have a favorite? Leave a comment and let me know.

Start a Bullet Journal

December 8, 2018 by Carol

I know how hard it is to keep a journal but I also know how important it is to record things in your life. Perhaps a bullet journal will help you to keep those memories. Here is a list of 10 things you usually need to write down anyway. One way to do this is to take one of those composition notebooks you get the kids before school starts and use it to write things down.. date the top of the page and write those notes. You will get a double benefit by doing this:

You will have a record of important triggers for other memories. The recipe you record today might be prepared for Christmas at some point. When you look back and see the recipe it will trigger the warm Christmas memory

You clear all those notes off your desk, table and nightstand. Everything will be in one place. Yes, I know you have a phone to put things, but sometimes you just need to put a pencil to paper and empty your mind.

Grocery List

Things to Do

Weight Loss Tracker

Holiday Shopping List

Kid’s Activity Schedule

Recipes

My Exercise Plan

Weekly Schedule

Community Service Ideas

Dream Vacation Spots

Feel free to share your thoughts on this method of journaling or tell me about your holiday shopping list. Tomorrow I will give you a few more to add to your list.

It Made Me Sad for Them

December 6, 2018 by Carol

Andy Williams Christmas As I was sitting in the doctor’s office the other day, they had Christmas music playing softly in the background. Good, old fashioned Christmas music I grew up with, not the new modern stuff. I started thinking about how kids today have no clue who Andy Williams, Dean Martin, Perry Como, or even Bing Crosby. Now this was Christmas Music! My grandfather was a big music buff, with a pair of reel to reel tape machines front and center in the family room. He could always be counted on for wonderful music to be played in the background of our holiday get-togethers. I will have to ask my kids, and grandkids what their favorite Christmas son is,. and who sings it. I wonder if I will even know who the vocalist is…

Wondering where I am going with this? Have you taken the time to scrapbook and journal about YOUR holiday memories as a child? If we don’t take the time while we still have the memory to record these special moments, will they be lost in the history of our family vacations and such? I have a challenge for you today. take 10 minutes to sit and write about your favorite Christmas memory as a child. What gives you that sense of peace in your heart? I know, it’s a week day, a school day, a day in your busy week where you don’t have the time to sit down and scrapbook the event. I get that. But take just 10 minutes for you (and later your family) to remember and feel the warmth. Then while you are having your morning break, write it down.

Take Time to Record Your Thanksgiving Moments

December 3, 2018December 2, 2018 by Carol

Thanksgiving is over and you’ve made it through the first weekend in December. Now is a good time to get those Thanksgiving moments committed to paper so in the frenzy of the next several weeks you forget the little details like giving your two year old a turkey leg that seems bigger than she is! The Close to my Heart paper pack like for this occasion is Greatful Heart (X7237B). If you are not familiar with our paper packs, you get 12 sheets of paper ( two of each double sided sheet) which are the perfect thickness for your paper trimmer or your favorite cutting machine.

Tomorrow is Mojo Motivational Monday. This is where I post your scrapbook sketch challenge of the week and you can win prizes for sending me pictures of your creations I can post here to inspire others. I will create a sketch with lots of photo spots to catch all your Thanksgiving fun!

Leave me a comment below and share your funniest Thanksgiving story, or a tip you’ve found to get your holiday photos scrapped.

Are you Ready for the Three F’s?

November 22, 2018November 19, 2018 by Carol

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? For most people, this means food, friends and family. I remember those days fondly. Now that we have relocated to Arizona it’s different, since it is just my husband, myself and my youngest son. Since he doesn’t want to pull his son away from the family activities on his mother’s side of his family. I still haven’t decided if I am cooking or if we will go out and grab something. It will probably be determined by whether my son has plans or not. He is 32 now, but I remember when Thanksgiving morning meant mud football. He would meet up with a bunch of friends and play at the field closest to the house. It seems there was always mud this time of year. He came home exhilarated and ready to eat lots of turkey.

Here is a sketch for saving those great memories.

I have left the box sizes off because you can vary them according to what photos you have available and size needed.

The background paper is from the Grateful Heart Paper Pack (X7237B). I chose this paper because it would go so well with muddy football.

Adjust the boxes as you need them to create your scrapbook layout. Come back tonight and I will show you what I created with this sketch.

Remember, e-mail or text me (801-597-4896 ) a copy of your finished page so I can share it with everyone. Each submission name is submitted to win the prize of the month.

My Favorite One Hit Wonder, What’s Yours?

September 25, 2018 by Carol

What is your favorite one-hit wonder — isolated over white background.

Happy National One Hit Wonder Day!

I was given the challenge to write a post about my favorite one hit wonder. Before I share my favorite with you, I want to explain what exactly what constitutes a one hit wonder for those of you who have never heard of this, especially outside of the United States.

Taken from Wikipedia:

A one-hit wonder is a musical artist who is successful with one hit song, but without a comparable subsequent hit. The term may also be applied to an artist who is remembered for only one hit despite other successes. This list contains artists known primarily for one hit song in the United States, who are described as one-hit wonders by the media. To qualify, an artist had to have – or sing on – just one national Top 40 Hit.

I had a good idea that the song I chose for my wedding in 1979, “You Light up My Life” by Debby Boone would be on there (#2) since I couldn’t remember anything else the artist did, and a secondary song, “Loving You” by Minnie Riperton, from our marriage was on there too. The marriage didn’t last either (things that make you go hmm.) I did a google search and found a website that listed the top 100 one-hit wonders (link at the bottom of this article). As I read the songs my youth flashed before my mind. So many of these songs I knew and sang along with too.

Do you remember the Macarena? Yep #1, and if you are older, like me you might remember a song called “Short People” by Randy Newman which in today’s environment would be very politically incorrect! Have some fun checking out these and more at http://forgottenhits.com/top_100_one-hit_wonders.

I told you I would share my favorite one-hit wonder with you, it was #42 Harper Valley PTA by Jeannie C Riley. I guess it shows a dark side somewhere in my mind LOL.

Leave a comment below and tell me what YOUR favorite one-hit wonder is.

Make Your Holidays Shine

September 6, 2018 by Carol

The NEW Close to my Heart Holiday Expressions 2018 is HERE!

While it may seem early, I love when the new Holiday Expressions comes out! Christmas is certainly my most favorite holiday to decorate and craft for and this catalog is no disappointment. We have five new paper packs with an additional “Seasons Mix In” with complimentary papers to round out all your paper packs. This is the first time I have seen a package like this and they have done a good job putting this paper pack together.

Introducing the Season Mix-Ins

Introducing our new Mix-in papers designed to coordinate with every other paper collection in this idea book, giving you added flexibility and creative freedom in all your crafting projects. Available in a pack of six 12″ x 12″ patterned paper sheets and a custom cardstock pack. To see these beautiful papers just click here.

Alternate Uses for Patterned Papers

I especially like the grey fence paper in the bottom left, perfect for masculine birthday cards and the blue watercolor just above it. I see so many possibilities with these papers, I look forward to sharing them with you in the next several months. I think it is always important to see what else can be created just by thinking a bit outside the box. What I mean is, just because it is a Christmas Paper Pack, it doesn’t mean it can only be used for Christmas. As you can imagine, I have a LOT of patterned paper and I really want to use it.

As a result of having so much paper, I am bringing back Throwback Thursday. I will be creating with older paper packs and some older colors that are no longer available. I am happy to sell these colors if someone is looking for a specific color or falls in love with an older one. I am also going to use some older stamp sets. These will be for sale here on the website as well.

This Holiday Expressions Idea Book also brings us a new medium to Close to my Heart, texture paste. I used this any years ago at a Creating Keepsakes crop I attended with my daughter and it is lots of fun. I look forward to sharing those ideas with you soon.

There is also a new Cricut digital collection for Christmas!

Get Your Own Copy of Holiday Expressions

If you would like your own copy of the Close to my Heart Holiday Expressions 2018 Catalog, drop me a note. I would be happy to send you one. One thing though ~ please include your phone number so I can give you a call a few days after you receive it to help you get your items ordered. Buying and sending catalogs can get costly, but I don’t mind if you are thinking there will be things you would like. This is also a great way to start your Christmas list. After Thanksgiving I will start making calls to people on your list you would like to give you Close to my Heart products. Don’t worry, they are usually very happy to hear from me as they are stumped on what you really want for Christmas or Hanukkah.

Don’t Limit Yourself to One Color

December 15, 2016 by Carol

Don’t you just love this card! This Sea Glass color of the year is so popular and lends itself well to the winter feeling. In this card the Sea Glass cardstock in layered with Chocolate cardstock and 1/4″ spacing which really makes the image stand out. This stamp set is called Snow Shadows (A1194) and is from the Holiday Expressions Catalog. There are 5 stamps in the set, the trees, the boy, girl dog and dots used as snow here. I think the twine ribbon from the Rustic Home Ribbon Pack finishes the card off nicely. Leave a comment below and tell me what you think!