2015 Retiring Stamps

It's that time of year for Close to my Heart to announce the retiring stamp sets of 2015. While some might be sad to see them go I look at it as pure excitement with new items on the horizon!

M Sized Stamps

B & C Sized Stamps

C and D Sized Stamps

 

I don't want you to miss out on your favorites so if you've been waiting to purchase any of them now is the time to do it before they are gone! For more information on each stamp set or to purchase please visit my website HERE.

Happy Stamping!
~Michelle

Hello Card Tutorial

 This is a card I recently made with the January Stamp of the Month, This Moment! It's as clean and simple as can be and is perfect for using the last bit of your favorite paper! Here's how to make it:

1. Gather your supplies. I started with a 1" x 5 1/2" strip of Chalk It Up paper and pulled three coordinating ink colors (Flaxen, Lagoon, Sorbet).


2. Use a pencil and a ruler to lightly draw lines 1/4" from the top and bottom of the card front and then in 1" increments in the middle. You should have five 1" sections.

3. Stamp "Hello" in Flaxen Ink in first section. Move to the third spot and stamp "Hello" in Sorbet ink. Using 2nd generation stamping (i.e., don't re-ink your stamp before stamping) stamp again in the second position. Using Lagoon ink follow above in the fourth and fifth positions. Erase pencil marks

4.Punch a circle in bottom right of card front (my punch is 1 1/4"). Close card and trace circle on inside with a pencil.

5. Open card and stamp target image in Flaxen ink centering on traced circle. Erase pencil marks.

6. Punch 1 /4" hole in Sorbet Cardstock.

7. Use a scallop circle punch (mine is 1 1/2" I think) to create border around 1 1/4" circle.

8. Complete card and embellish! I used Extra Thick Twine and an Enamel Heart on mine.


Supplies Used (All CTMH Unless Otherwise Noted):
Paper: Chalk It Up
Ink: Flaxen, Lagoon, Sorbet
Stamp: This Moment (S1501)
Other: Enamel Hearts (Z2009), Extra Thick Twine (Z3036), Ruler, Circle Punch Scallop Punch (EK Success)

I'd love to see your version of this card! If you make one please leave a link to your post in the comment section!

~Michelle Battitori

A Scrappy Valentine's Card

I pulled out some Lollydoodle scraps and paired it with the new Hearts Embossing Folder and Stuck on You Puffies to make this sweet Valentine's Day card!

The sketch is based on Freshly Made Sketch #168.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used (All CTMH Unless Otherwise Noted):
Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Lollydoodle
Ink: Slate, Hollyhock
Stamp: This Moment (S1501)
Other: Heart Embossing Folder (Z3018), Stuck on You Puffies (Z3037), Thin 3D Foam Tape (Z2060)

January Promos & Deals!

There are so many fantastic promotions to start your new year! I am excited to share them with you today...  Celebrate National Papercrafting Month Get the Year & Noted paper kit and embark on a yearlong scrapbooking adventure! In celebration of National Papercrafting Month, Close To My Heart invites you to reflect on the things that make you who you are and on what you want to accomplish in the coming months. Then, with the help of the Year & Noted paper kit, record your experiences and goals! During the month of January, with a qualifying purchase of $50, you are eligible to purchase the exclusive Year & Noted paper kit (which has a retail value of over $24) for only $5—that's over 80% off retail! Or, for an additional $5, you can order the Year & Noted paper kit with an accompanying My Creations™ kraft mini book. The paper kit for both options includes a C-size stamp set, stickers, cardstocks, and B&T Duos™ papers, all specially designed to coordinate with the My Creations™ kraft mini book so you can have a yearlong scrapbooking experience. This means you will receive over $34 worth of product for only $10 if you purchase the kit with the accompanying mini book! But the fun doesn't end there—included on the sticker sheet, you will find a large golden seal. Once the year is done and all the pages are filled, seal up your book and create a mini time capsule that you can open years from now. Remember, this deal is only available for January, so make sure to get your own Year & Noted paper kit today for the perfect start to a crafty year! Watch this great video for more information on this fabulous kit... *Offer valid January 1, 2015 (9:00 am MST) - January 31, 2015 (11:59 pm MST). Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the discounted items (without My Creations kraft mini book: $24.95; including My Creations kraft mini book: $34.51.) ___________________________________________ January Stamp of the Month - This Moment Get this heart filled stamp set for just $5! With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your D-size Stamp of the Month set for just $5! Add the stamp set to your cart here at full retail price ($17.95) or, with your qualifying order, add it at checkout for the promotional $5 price. Set of 12 Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks: 1" × 3½" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006), 2" × 3½" (Y1009) Stamp images outlined in red coordinate with the Cricut® Artbooking Cartridge (Z1906). ___________________________________________ Extra! Extra! Hostess Rewards! January Hostess Promotion During the month of January, all Gatherings that reach $350 or higher will be eligible to receive up to 50% more Hostess Rewards! This means an additional $30, giving you the opportunity to earn up to $230 or more in select free products. This offer is only available during January and is the ideal pairing for your National Papercrafting Month Gatherings, so join in the celebration and watch your earnings grow!  Contact me to schedule your own home gathering or online gathering and earn extra rewards this month! ~Michelle Battitori

A "New" New Year's Eve Tradition!

The last few years we've spent New Year's Eve very simply with a few friends. This year it was my turn to host and I wanted to help the kids (well more like myself) stay awake until midnight!
 
I turned to Pinterest for some help and found several ideas on creating a balloon activity time countdown and thought the idea was fun and simple enough to try. The idea is to write an activity on a piece of paper, put it in a balloon, blow up the balloon and then write a time on it. When the time comes one child pops the balloon, reads the activity and the group sets out to do it!

We had 5 kids with us ranging in age from 3-11 and decided to start our countdown at 7:30 with activities every 45 minutes until 11:15. Here are the activities we decided on:

7:30 - Puzzles

8:15 - Board Game 

9:00 - Make your own sundae

9:45 - Glow Stick Trampoline Jumping

10:30 - Wii Dance Party

11:15 - Go outside and wish the neighbors Happy New Year with noisemakers 

We finished off our evening ringing in the new year with a balloon drop and a sparkling cider toast!

It was quite a bit of fun and will certainly be added to next year's celebrations!

Happy New Year everyone!
~Michelle Battitori