Operation Smile donation

Close To My Heart is proud to partner with Operation Smile, an organization that provides free, life-changing surgery that repairs smiles and reshapes lives, one child at a time.  

At each CTMH event, a silent auction is held to raise money to provide facial surgeries for children.  For the Regional Celebration held last weekend in St Louis, I was honored to be asked to donate some artwork for the Operation Smile Silent Auction. 

Using papers from the Stella kit, I created a dry erase board, a clock, and a nightlight.  The sentiment and flowers on the clock are from the stamp set which is included in the Scroll Album WOTG kit.  Remember, the stamp sets included in the WOTG kits can be used for many different projects.  

When I decided to create a clock, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Artiste cartridge includes two different clock faces.  Using the Cricut machine to cut the clock face with the roman numerals was great, as I did not have to worry about getting the numbers lined up correctly and I love the way the face looks layered on a patterned piece of paper from the Stella kit.  The sign post and sign were also cut using the Artiste cartridge, and the flourishes on the dry erase board were cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge.  

In total, over $800 was raised in St Louis - that is more than enough to pay for three complete surgeries with Operation Smile. 

Pear & Partridge ~ Christmas Card Workshop

It's that time of year - time to start thinking about and creating your Holiday cards.  Next weekend will be the first Christmas Card Workshop of the season.  Join us to create nine fabulous cards - three each of three designs. 

UPDATED: two extra workshops added, so you have four opportunities to create your own Christmas cards!  Choose to attend Friday evening (7 pm) or Saturday afternoon (1 pm) either of the next two weekends - October 5 & 6 or October 12 & 13.  

All three cards use classic Holiday colors and are featured in the new Pear & Partridge Cardmaking Kit available in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book from Close To My Heart.  After the workshop, you can purchase you own WOTG Pear & Partridge Cardmaking Kit to complete 15 more cards.  The WOTG kit comes complete with all the card bases, envelopes, paper, embellishments, stamp set, and an instructional brochure.    

My favorite card of the trio.  The detailed sentiment stamp is fun with different fonts and scrolls.

    The second card for the workshop uses stamps from the Pear & Partridge WOTG kit to create a nice branch with different ornaments hanging from it.  .       

For this card, the "Merry Christmas" stamp is used repeatedly to create an do-it-yourself background.  The elegant sentiment along with some gift images complete the card.     

The Christmas Card workshop will be offered two weekends - October 5 & 6 and October 12 & 13.  On Friday at 7 pm, and on Saturday afternoon at 1 pm.  You will create three of each of the three cards for a workshop fee of $10.  Allow approximately two hours to complete your project.  Please be sure to bring your favorite adhesive.  All other supplies are provided with the workshop fee.  All stamps and papers used are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

Everyone who attends will also receive a FREE copy of the Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter Idea Book & Catalog which features some fabulous new stamp sets, papers, and other great items.  As an added bonus, if you place a $30+ order, your workshop fee is waived. 

Please let me know if you would like to attend.  Contact me by sending an email to sheilabennett@comcast.net, or calling 913-485-4355.

CTMH Workshop-on-the-Go kits for Autumn/Winter

The new Autumn/Winter Idea Book from Close To My Heart was released on September 1, with new products available through the end of the December.  There are four new My Reflections scrapbook paper kits, with papers and colors themed for Fall celebrations and holidays.  Each of the four kits is also available as a Workshop-on-the-Go (WOTG) package that can be used to create scrapbook pages and cards - and each one contains an exclusive stamp set that is only available with purchase of the kit.  These kits are available ONLY during the 4-month cycle of the Autumn/Winter Idea Book which is September, October, November, and December.  The WOTG kits are featured on pages 24 and 25 of the new Idea Book - let me know if you would like your own copy.

Each kit contains a complete paper packet, an exclusive stamp set, a Workshop Guide, and a coordinating embellishment. Each item in the WOTG - except the exclusive stamp set and the Workshop Guide - can be purchased separately. However, if you purchase the basic kit for $29.95, you will be saving between 10% and 15% off the retail value. The Workshop Guide is a full-color 6-page brochure which has complete cutting and assembly instructions for 2 scrapbook pages and 6 cards (2 each of 3 designs). Also included are pictures of 2 additional scrapbook pages and 3 additional cards. More information about the additional projects is available in the Workshops On The Go section of MyCTMH website.

With the Troublemaker stamp set in the Hooligans WOTG kit, you can create your own adorable 'monsters' for invitations, birthday cards, or just a silly card to cheer someone up.  The three card designs for this WOTG are shown above, and the contents of the kit include the papers, stamp set, metal accents, and a "how to" guide.

The Magnifique kit has some really beautiful papers, and features some of the newest ink colors introduced by CTMH - Lagoon, Pacifica, and Sky, all shades of blue.  The Heart to Heart stamp set is a great multi-purpose set with flowers, hearts, and a great dotted swiss border stamp.

Olivia also features new ink colors - Pear, Smoothie, Sunset, a green, pink, and soft orange.  Papers in this kit are stunningly beautiful and the Timeless stamp set has some gorgeous leaf stamps.  

There is always something new for the holiday season, and this year the Mistletoe paper kit has traditional Christmas colors and coordinates wonderfully with the detailed ornaments in the All the Best stamp set. 

This is the sample 2-page layout which you can create following instructions in the Workshop Guide.

You can think of the WOTG kits as a "project in a bag" since the papers, stamp sets, embellishments, and instructions are all included - the only extras you need are adhesive, inks, and blocks to use the stamps. Chances are you already have these extras at home just waiting for a new project to work on!  Contact me to order your WOTG project - or order through the MyCTMH website.  All of the papers available in each kit can be viewed on the website.

CTMH Workshop-on-the-Go kits for Summer

The new Summer Idea Book from Close To My Heart was released on May 1 and there are some really fun new stamp sets along with four new My Reflections scrapbook paper kits.  Each of the four is also available as a Workshop-on-the-Go (WOTG) package that can be used to create scrapbook pages and cards - and each one contains an exclusive stamp set that is only available with purchase of the kit. There are four new WOTG kits included with each Idea Book.  These kits are available ONLY during the 4-month cycle of the Summer Idea Book which is May, June, July, and August. 

Each kit contains a complete paper packet, an exclusive stamp set, a Workshop Guide, and a coordinating embellishment. Each item in the WOTG - except the exclusive stamp set and the Workshop Guide - can be purchased separately. However, if you purchase the basic kit for $29.95, you will be saving between 10% and 15% off the retail value. The Workshop Guide is a full-color 6-page brochure which has complete cutting and assembly instructions for 2 scrapbook pages and 6 cards (2 each of 3 designs). Also included are pictures of 2 additional scrapbook pages and 3 additional cards. More information about the additional projects is available in the Workshops On The Go section of MyCTMH website.

A very charming kit is Cherry-O.  It includes cheerful images and the Bowl of Cherries stamp set has stamps for cherries, stems, leaves, and bowls.  The three card designs for this WOTG are shown above.

Zippidee includes a fun color combo that can be used for more 'boyish' items.  The Ticket to Ride stamp set has some great images to use with vacation photos, or to create masculine cards.

This Passages kit and Lifetime stamp set have a very 'vintage' feel.  The papers are just beautiful and would make wonderful scrapbook pages for a European vacation.

The Splendor kit comes with the whimsical Summer Wishes stamp set which will brighten up any project.

You can think of the WOTG kits as a "project in a bag" since the papers, stamp sets, embellishments, and instructions are all included - the only extras you need are adhesive, inks, and blocks to use the stamps. Chances are you already have these extras at home just waiting for a new project to work on!  Contact me to order your WOTG project - or order through the MyCTMH website.  All of the papers available in each kit can be viewed on the website.

CTMH Workshop-On-The-Go Kits for Spring

Close To My Heart has some great new Workshop-on-the-Go (WOTG) kits that can be used to create scrapbook pages and cards - and each one contains an exclusive stamp set that is only available with purchase of the kit. There are four new WOTG kits included with each Idea Book.  These kits are available ONLY during the 4-month cycle of the Spring Idea Book which is January, February, March, and April. 

Each kit contains a complete paper packet, an exclusive stamp set, a Workshop Guide, and a coordinating embellishment. Each item in the WOTG - except the exclusive stamp set and the Workshop Guide - can be purchased separately. However, if you purchase the basic kit for $29.95, you will be saving between 10% and 15% off the retail value. The Workshop Guide is a full-color 6-page brochure which has complete cutting and assembly instructions for 2 scrapbook pages and 6 cards (2 each of 3 designs). Also included are pictures of 2 additional scrapbook pages and 3 additional cards. More information about the additional projects is available in the Workshops On The Go section of MyCTMH website.

One of the kits is named You Rock.  It includes bright, up-beat colors and the Just Be You stamp set has some really fun images.

The Veranda kit has absolutely beautiful papers.  And the Follow Your Heart stamp set can be used for 'springtime' cards, or to add decorate elements to just about any project.

The Veranda WOTG Workshop Guide includes instructions for creating this 2-page layout.

This kit is named Topstitch and the versatile Love Is In The Air stamp set has some adorable 'stitched' images of flowers and pinwheels.

The Caboodle kit comes with the unique This Way stamp set which includes some arrows and circles which you can use to decorate many cards and scrapbook pages.

You can think of the WOTG kits as a "project in a bag" since the papers, stamp sets, embellishments, and instructions are all included - the only extras you need are adhesive, inks, and blocks to use the stamps. Chances are you already have these extras at home just waiting for a new project to work on!  Contact me to order your WOTG project - or order through the MyCTMH website.

Hello There - exclusive WOTG stamp set

Close To My Heart has some great new Workshop-on-the-Go (WOTG) kits that can be used to create scrapbook pages and cards - and each one contains an exclusive stamp set that is only available with purchase of the kit. This first kit is named Twitterpated and the super cute Hello There stamp set includes an adorable hedgehog. Who knew that a hedgehog could be adorable!?

Each kit contains a complete paper packet, an exclusive stamp set, a Workshop Guide, and a coordinating embellishment. Each item in the WOTG - except the exclusive stamp set and the Workshop Guide - can be purchased separately. However, if you purchase the basic kit for $29.95, you will be saving between 10% and 15% off the retail value. The Workshop Guide is a full-color 6-page brochure which has complete cutting and assembly instructions for 2 scrapbook pages and 6 cards (2 each of 3 designs). Also included are pictures of 2 additional scrapbook pages and 3 additional cards. More information about the additional projects is available in the Workshops On The Go section of MyCTMH website.

These are the cards that I created by following the instructions in the Workshop Guide, and using some of the embellishments from the "best option."



And the sample scrapbook pages that can be created:
You can think of the WOTG kits as a "project in a bag" since the papers, stamp sets, embellishments, and instructions are all included - the only extras you need are adhesive, inks, and blocks to use the stamps. Chances are you already have these extras at home just waiting for a new project to work on! Contact me to order your WOTG project - these special kits are not available to order through the MyCTMH website.