Almost Gone!

Close To My Heart is retiring a ton of items at midnight on July 31. You won't want to miss out on these items if they have been lurking around on your wish list! I've listed the items below so you can see what is being retired. You can make purchase on my website or by emailing me at danaterry4@comcast.net. Don't delay, order your favorite items today before they are gone!

Why is Close To My Heart retiring so many items? Well, we have to move out the good to make room for the BETTER! Which is what you will find in the new idea book starting August 1! Contact me today for your copy!

ACCESSORIES:

Z1289 Block Buddy
Z185 Block Organizer
Blocks:
Y1001 1" x 1 1/2"
Y1005 1" x 6 1/2"
Y1007 2" x 11"
Y1004 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
Y1011 4 1/2" x 6 1/2"
Y1500 MyAcrylix Block Starter Kit
Ribbon Rounds Collections:
Z1125 Sweet Leaf
Z1154 Buttercup
Z1209 Cranberry
Rub-Ons:
Z1265 Primavera
Z1231 Across the Board
Dimensional Elements:
All Dimensional Element Monograms
Z1156 Borders
Z1140 Framed Fun
Z1223 Booksmart
Z1312 Stars

Mini-Medley:
Z1243 Pewter
Z1277 Outdoor Denim
Z1339 Pear
Z1340 Lagoon
Irresistible:
Z1354 Miracle
Z1390 Villa
Embossing Powder:
Z647 Heavenly Blue
Z648 Baby Pink
Z664 Pansy Purple
Z671 Clear
Z678 Silver Pearl
Z1211 Top Coats Framed In
Z1357 Sophia Journaling Spots
Z1377 Kraft Color Ready Borders
Z1141 My Creations 3-Ring Binder
Z1166 3"x3" Cream Mini Album
3501 Red Eye Pen
Z1009 Pivot Point Stapler
Z1090 Foam Brushes
Z263 Fun Flock White

All Ink Pad Sets (individual still available)
All Marker Sets (individual still available)

PAPERS:

All Level One Kits

Bliss Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Bliss Level 2 Paper Pack
Bliss MyStickease
Miracle Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Miracle Level 2 Paper Pack
Miracle MyStickease
Sweetheart Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Pack
Sweetheart MyStickease
Wings Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Wings Level 2 Paper Pack
Wings MyStickease
Magnifique Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack
Magnifique MyStickease
Olivia Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Olivia Level 2 Paper Pack
Olivia MyStickease
Hooligans Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Hooligans Level 2 Paper Pack
Hooligans MyStickease
Mistletoe Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack
Mistletoe MyStickease
8 1/2" x 11" Vellum Paper

Cardstock:

Close To My Heart will not be discontinuing any colors of cardstock, but they will be selling only select colors in individual color packs. All colors will still be available in combo packs.

The colors that will continue to be sold in 24 sheet packs of one individual color are:
Black, White Daisy, Colonial White, Vanilla Cream, Chocolate, Cocoa, Desert Sand, Bamboo, Sweet Leaf, Pacifica, Smoothie, Creme Brulee, Olive, Cranberry, and Outdoor Denim. All other colors will now only be sold in combo packs. Cardstock prices are also going up so order your bulk cardstock today!


Envelope Flats:

2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
3" x 3"
3" x 4 3/4"
4" x 4"
4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
5" x 5"
5" x 7"
5 1/2" x 4 3/4"
6" x 6"
8" x 3 1/2"

Roxy Layout

Hey Friends!

Check out this adorable layout I made with my new Close To My Heart products I received at Convention!

Spray Pen Tutorial

Howdy!

I must say that the new spray pen has got to be one my favorite new Close To My Heart Products in the new Spring 2011 idea book! One of the things I love about it is that you never get the exact same look twice! It's always just a little different with every spray and mixture!

Close To My Heart did a great job with their tutorial that I would be crazy to try and top it! Check it out!

One tip that the tutorial does not cover is to add a few beads to your pen when mixing up your re-inker/paint mixtures. This will help mix the paint and keep it thin. Just be sure you don't forget about them when you pour out the liquid in your pen!

One spray pen is included in the Wings Workshop On The Go which is available in January. They will also be available for purchase in the Spring 2011 Idea Book (3 for just $395!).

Contact me today if you would like to order a spray pen or would like to host a class using this technique!

Happy Scrapping!

Take 6 Tuesday - 6 Ways To Distress Paper

Happy Tuesday and welcome to this week's edition to Take 6 Tuesday!

This week, I want to share some ideas on paper distressing with you. The simplest way to explain paper distressing is adding an aged/well worn look to your paper. Close To My Heart sells an awesome Distressing Kit for just $35.95 and it includes almost everything you need to distress your paper in so many ways! The kit includes:

• 6 Texture Tools (2 foam, 2 stipple, 1 sea sponge, 1 stubble)
• 6 4 x 4 sheets of sandpaper
• 1 Sanding block
• 1 Emery board
• 3 Paint brushes (1" flat, 1" foam, 1" fan)
• 2 Distressing inks (black, chocolate)
• 1 2oz Delta Creamcoat Paint
• 1 Edge distresser
• 1 Paint tray with mixing sticks
• 1 Carrying Box

Now let me tell you what you can do with such a great little kit!

6. Add Color With Ink.

There are a TON of ways to distress by adding color with your inks!

• Swipe your paper with ink and a sponge/stipple tool. When doing this, you can swipe a sponge inward toward the center of the paper, off the edge of the paper, or down the edge of the paper. There are also several different types of sponges that you can use to obtain different looks. The round sponge and sponge daubers are not included in the distressing kit but they are also very reasonably priced. Tools in the kit used for this technique are the foam texture tool, sea foam texture tool, tool, and stubble tool.
• Direct to paper. The direct to paper technique simply adds ink straight from your ink pad directly to your paper. To accomplish this, hold your paper in one hand and your ink pad in the other and swipe your ink pad across your paper as desired.

5. Distressing Inks.

The distressing kit comes with two distressing inks: black and chocolate. These mini-inks are about 1" squares and are great for small projects.

4. Paint and re-inkers.

Adding paint to your projects gives your art another look. To do this just add a couple drops of the re-inker to the white paint in your distressing kit and mix it together. If you want a darker color, continue to add drops of re-inkers.

There are different paint brushes in your kit:

• Foam brush
• Flat brush
• Fan brush

Don't forget that you can paint on your dimensional elements too!

3. Sanding.

Sanding is a great way to remove color. Since the Close To My Heart papers have the white core, sanding the paper has a great affect. When you are sanding to distress, you can sand your edges or your entire cardstock. You can also make plaid patterns in your cardstock by sanding in one direction and then switching directions. Don't forget that you can also sand the edges of your photos to make them looked aged as well.

2. Edge Distresser.

The edge distresser that comes in the distressing kit is a great way to distress the edges of your cardstock, pattern papers, and photos.

1. Wet & Wrinkle.

Wet and wrinkle paper is a way to make your cardstock look very old or even leather-like. I use a heave spray bottle of water to saturate my cardstock. Once it is wet on both sides, I carefully wrinkle it up into a tight ball like I'm throwing the paper away. Be careful with this step as you don't want to tear the paper. Some small tears may help the paper look aged but you don't want them to get out of control. Then unfold the paper and flatten it out and let it dry. Once it is dry again, you can even stamp on it.

I hope you are ready to try some new distressing techniques. Don't be afraid to experiment a little and see what you like. Play around and let me know how it goes! If you don't already have these tools, mention this blog post to me and I will give you a 15% discount your your purchase of the distressing kit.

Take 6 Tuesday - 6 Things I am Thankful For This Year

Welcome to this week's edition to Take 6 Tuesday!

In just a few days we will all be sitting around a big table eating Turkey (or some other yummy favorite) with family and friends enjoying the day off from work. Naturally, Thanksgiving is the time of year that we sit back and reflect on the things in our lives that we are thankful for. I'd like to share my list with you this week. Of coarse noting in my life would be possible without God so my list consists of not just 6 things that I'm thankful for but also 6 ways in which God has touched my life.

1. Family

As many of you know, my baby sister passed away just 4 months ago. This was very much a surprise to everyone. Lisa was only 37 years old but left 3 children and 2 darling grandchildren behind. Words cannot express how thankful I am for my family! I have a wonderful, supportive husband and two great kids that always keep me on my toes!

Here is a recent picture of my family taken at a wedding this summer. Look closely! That IS Jordan in a dress!!

2. Job(s)

In an economy where you can't open the newspaper or turn on the TV without hearing about more layoffs or unemployment rates, I have become very thankful that Rob and I have both been able to keep our jobs this year. I'm also thankful that Nick was able to find a permanent job working security at Harrah's just as his seasonal job at Worlds of Fun came to an end!

3. Freedom

Most of you that know me well know that I am very passionate about our country and our freedom! I am so thankful for the freedoms we have (and often take for granted) as Americans. I am thankful for all the men and women who serve our country to protect those freedoms as well.

2. Health

I'm thankful that God has provided me with the health that I need to do the things that I am able to do! As long as Rob and I have our health and our kids stay healthy, there really isn't too much more we can ask for.

1. Friends

I am so blessed to have so many different circles of friends! I have friends from work, high school, customers that are friends, Close To My Heart consultants that are friends, friends from fan clubs (you know who you are), friends from professional organizations, and on and on! I love my friends!

I'm sure you will also be reflecting on some of the things you are thankful for this week. I would love to hear from each of you if you are willing to share! Drop me a note and I'll drop you some blog candy!

Happy Thanksgiving and if you are reading this, I am thankful for YOU TOO!!

Take 6 Tuesday - 6 Ways to Use Buttons

Happy Tuesday and welcome to this week's edition to Take 6 Tuesday's!

This week I want to share some ways to use your craft buttons. As you know, there are always many more ways but I am limiting my list to just 6 this week.

Here we go.....

6. Place in the center of a flower.

5. Hang your title or die cut from the button.

4. Use as the center of title letters.

3. Use the buttons to make an object such as apples, grapes, holly berries, balls, etc.

2. Put a button on a vellum envelope.

1. Add buttons to accent stickers.

Let me know of some ways you have used buttons on your projects and I'll send you some blog candy this week.

Have a great week!

Take 6 Tuesday - 12 Christmas Gifts For Under $20!

OMG!! There are only 47 days left until Christmas!

If you haven't already started crafting your home-made Christmas gifts, it is time to get started! There are so many people that we often want to give a little something to for Christmas but can't always spend unlimited amounts of money on, like teachers, grandparents, neighbors, co-workers, etc.

Close To My Heart has several items that can be made as gifts for under $20 and most even cheaper than that! Because there are so many options, I've decided to make this a bonus week and give you not 6, but 12 ideas this week!!

I also have sample pictures of many of the projects but as you look at the samples keep in mind that they are projects I've made in the past so try to imagine them in your favorite papers, ones that you might use for a Christmas gift.

Hang on tight and here we go!!!!!!!

12. Photo Wallet. This adorable little photo wallet is a great little gift or even a stocking stuffer. It is made with just cardstock and patterned paper and folds up to fit right inside your purse. It uses very little paper and therefore would make a very inexpensive gift.

11. Display Album. Display albums can be decorated to just hold pictures or they can also be used as a desk calendar. Decorated in your favorite papers they are an adorable desk item! The My Creations Display Album can be purchased for only $7.95.

10. Board Book. These books are great gifts for just about anyone. They can be made as a children's book or a theme book for any event. I think this particular item makes a great coffee table book as well. I made the one below using the "You Rock" paper packet. The My Creations Board Book only runs $6.95 and you can usually decorate it with less than 1/2 of a level 2 paper packet.

9. 3-Ring Binders. The 3-Ring Binders also make great theme books as well. They come about 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 and are adorable when decorated. These binders make a great "Baby's First Year" book and other themes as well. Last summer I made a Disney binder using the characters and their autographs. The My Creations 3-Ring Binder is only $5.95!

8. Mix & Mingle Album. I love these! What more is there to say? These adorable mix & mingle albums come with 8 different panels to decorate. You can see in my sample below how I decorated it and used it to display in the accordion style. But the great thing about these albums is that you can also make wall hangings and other projects with them. You can also divide you 8 panels and make more than one project per package! Can you say Adorable?!

7. Star Album. Here is a project that makes an awesome teacher gift! It only requires cardstock and pattern paper so there is no base product to purchase. I love these because you can display it on a table or hang it as a decoration. And when you are done for the season, simply close it up to a 6 x 6 book and it is easily stored until the next time you want to pull it out! Here is a picture of one I made in the spring. I also have a Christmas workshop coming up on this one if you want to check out the current workshops tab.

6. Accordion Album. Accordion Albums (Memory Showcase) come in 6 x 6 and 9 x 9 sizes. These are fun to decorate and can also be used for a variety of themes. Some examples may include wedding, baby, graduation, Christmas, or vacations. The My Creations Memory Showcase are very reasonably priced also at $3.95 for the 6 x 6 and $5.95 for the 9 x 9.

Half way there..... Are you still with me?

5. Recipe/photo box. There are so many ways to decorate and use these boxes. I actually use the one I've decorated below to keep postcards in. I love to buy postcards when I travel and never knew what to do with them until I made my box. Another great feature about these boxes is that you can add a variety of 3-d embellishments to them and really get creative! The My Creations Recipe/Photo Box is only $6.95.

4. Photo Cube. I like the photo cube because it can also be decorated with lots of 3-D embellishments. It can also be used as a gift box for various occasions (baby shower, bridal shower, etc.). This item also makes a great desk decoration for the office. The My Creations Cube can be purchased for just $4.95!

3. Journal Books. The journal books make great gifts for teachers and students! They can be decorated with any papers of your choice and make a classy, inexpensive gift. The My Creations Journal can be purchased for $7.95 and holds 75 unlined pages.

2. Calendars. Calendars always make great Christmas gifts as we approach a new year. And nothing is better than a home-made calendar. There are two kinds of calendars that I find to be great Christmas gifts: 1) the event calendar and 2) the 12 x 12 Monthly Calendar. The Event Calendar is only $8.50 and the Monthly Calendar is just $7.95.

1. All-Sorts Mini Album or Acrylic Mini Album. The All-Sorts Mini Album is probably one of my favorites. Both of these albums are very unique in their design which leaves a lot to your creativity. When decorated, they are nothing but stunning! I can't imagine anyone that wouldn't appreciate either one of these gifts! The My Creations Acrylic Mini Album can be purchased for a reduced price of $9.95 and the My Creations All-Sorts Mini Album is only $5.95 - a deal that can't be beat!

I hope you have enjoyed some of my Christmas gift ideas as much as I have enjoyed sharing them with you. If you have any questions regarding any particular project or need more detailed instructions, feel free to email me at danaterry4@comcast.net. Naturally, if you need to order any supplies for your Christmas gifts, you can do so on my website by clicking the link to the right or by emailing me.

Thanks for hanging with me and have a fantastic week!