a TIP about Markers and the Ink to Use With Them...

My Cricut Explore and SVGcuts - the PERFECT COMBO!

I don't know about the new purple version, but my GREEN Cricut Explore is completely AMAZING.  With the new Print then Cut feature, the possibilities seem endless!  But, if we're talking quality 3d paper crafting, we HAVE to look no further than SVGCuts.com.

Filled with seasonal and home decor items as well as party and gift ideas, this site will knock your socks off!!! Just take a peek at a few of the cool projects I have been able to complete with their svg files and super-helpful tutorials (each kit comes with a video intro and tutorial for each project you will receive).

... Jack O' Lantern from the ...

Fright Night SVG Kit

... Witches Hat from the ...

Haunted Forest SVG Kit

... and this realistic crate from the ...

Caramel Apple Pie SVG Kit

Yes!  I made them ALL with my Cricut Explore, and YOU can, TOO!

Don't know what paper to use?  Simple answer... Just use the beautiful paper patterns I chose.  Pick your favorite paper packs from my Close To My Heart Website, where you can shop till you drop, effortlessly and securely.  We take the guesswork away, so all you have to do is cut, glue or tape, embellish, and Voila! Finito! a Gorgeous Creation by YOU!

But you can use what you have on hand, as well, because if you're like me, you probably have a paper COLLECTION that you are afraid to bust into.  Well - HERE'S YOUR OFFICIAL ENABLING ALERT.  You are HEREBY AUTHORIZED to have hours of FUN creating AMAZING 3D OBJECTS that will serve as great gifts for others or home decor items for YOURSELF.

Want one of these fun creations for yourself, but don't have a Cricut (or time, for that matter?) Contact me (see the many ways to connect with me on the right side of this post) for details on how you, too, can benefit from my love for my Cricut Explore :) .

So TREAT YOURSELF... To a TRICK or TWO of mine, 

and may your holiday season be DIVINE.

(ps... if I can do it, anyone can!)

ENJOY CREATING FOR KEEPS SAKE!

~ Brenda ~

Go a Little Crazy...

During HSN's 24 Hour Craft Day, did ya? welllll... SO DID I!

I had to have some dies, punches and a couple of Anna Griffin's stamps.  I ALREADY HAVE and Explore in MY FAVORITE COLOR... hahaha... so it worked out that I did not take that particular plunge... but I did get my must-haves from her, and can't WAIT to get them home to play.

Speaking of playing, did YOU get the Wildflower Explore from HSN?  Do you own any of the Cricut Machines? If so, I invite you to try the BRAND NEW Artfully Sent cartridge kit from Close To My Heart.  Full of spectacular card creations, it will make your greetings come alive in a SNAP... or should I say "Click of a Button"!

Looking forward to seeing all of your new creations from either your HSN purchases or our Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge... so comment below with yours and I'll enter you into my monthly give-away.  Give-away could be Close To My Heart or Cricut items... either way, you WIN!

Thanks for "keeping" my blog in your thoughts, you have made my day by stopping by!

- brenda z

Close To My Heart Turns 30, and YOU get the GIFT!

In honor of our founder and CEO Jeanette Lynton’s 30-year anniversary in the stamping and scrapbooking industry, we’re offering you a special deal! When you place an order totaling $50 during the month of June, you can add your choice of one of six great gift collections to your order for just $30! Each collection has an original retail value of at least $50—some even as high as $65. Plus, each collection is perfectly tailored to fit a variety of interests and styles. They feature everything from gift bags to ribbons to washi tape to alphabets—and much more! Take advantage of these savings and snag your own collection for just $30. It may be Jeanette’s anniversary—but you get the gift!

Contact me for more details.

*Offer valid June 1–30, 2014. Shipping/handling is calculated based on the qualifying order total plus the price of the promotional item ($30).

Celebrate With Me... It's National Scrapbooking Month!

During National Scrapbooking Month in May, you can get the Free to Be Me paper collection for just $5 with your qualifying purchase of $50.

The paper collection features exclusive printed cardstocks, vellums, and B&T Duos™ and, with a retail value of $11.95, is a fantastic deal for products you can’t get anywhere else. Plus, with your $50 qualifying purchase, you will also qualify for the May Stamp of the Month for an additional $5 (retail value $17.95)! This means May is the perfect month to double up on promotions, getting the paper collection for $5 and the May Stamp of the Month for $5—that is a savings of nearly $20! So make sure to get your Free to Be Me paper collection in May for just $5 and let your creativity take flight!

Dates: Offer valid May 1, 2014 (9:00 MDT) – May 31, 2014 (11:59 pm MDT).

2. What is included in the Free to Be Me paper collection?
   You will be able to create 2 gorgeous layouts and 3 beautiful cards using the materials in the paper collection, the online workshop guide, the May Stamp of the Month, and some basic supplies. The Free to Be Me paper collection features exclusive printed cardstocks, vellums, and B&T Duos™. The retail value of the workshop is $11.95. The paper collection includes:
   • 6 – Free to Be Me B&T Duos™ Paper
   • 2 – UV-Coated, Designed Teal Cardstock Sheets
   • 2 – UV-Coated, Designed Red Cardstock Sheets
   • 2 – UV-Coated, Designed Gold Cardstock Sheets
   • 1 – White Feather Print Vellum Sheet
   • 1 – Gold Foil Polka-dotted Vellum Sheet
   • 1 – Access to Online Workshop Guide
   Featured colors: Gold, Mint, Peach, Red, Teal, Tan, White Daisy

Love Your Cricut? FREE* Cartridge Bundle in April!

    

LOVE our Cricut Cartridges?  Thinking about buying one of our bundled packages?  If so, and you just CAN'T GET ENOUGH of Close To My Heart products, then you're in the Right Place... at the Right TIME.  There has been NO Better Time than Now to join Close To My Heart as an Independant Consultant.  *When you join in the month of APRIL, You will receive YOUR CHOICE of Close To My Heart's Cricut Art Philosophy, Artiste or Artbooking Cartridge Bundle... FREE.  That's right... I said FREE.  

What's more, when you reach specific sales goals set by Close To My Heart 

within your first three months of being a consultant, you will receive the 

cost of your NEW CONSULTANT KIT back TOO...

... yep, that means it's FREE!

All I can say is "WOW".

Contact me today to start the journey of your crafting dreams 

with Close To My Heart, or visit my Close To My Heart Website to

learn more about this amazing company!

See You Soon!

~ Brenda ~

WILD About Our New Outdoor-Themed Stamps!

SOO EXCITED!

I can't even begin to tell you how EXCITED I am about the NEW CRICUT machine that was just launched on HSN, and will be available March 15th in all Retail Outlets.  What an amazing "toy" this will be for you!  If you think you don't have the "knack" for crafting, just give this baby a try.  It practically does everything for you - except the creative decision-making and finishing touches.  That's where Close To My Heart comes through for you.

We put all of the coordination questions to rest for you.  When you say "I have no clue what to use with that paper", we are here to help.  When you say "I love that accessory, but what will I put it on", here we are again, giving you vast ideas with our terrific line of paper, stamps, supplies, embellishments and home decor items that you can put all together with little "fuss" or "muss".

Want to learn HOW to put it all together?  Let me know via comment or shoot me an email, and I will provide you with my upcoming class schedule.  We have lots of fun playing with all of the products, and you will actually LEARN some things, too - haha! Hope to see you soon - but until then, you can...

Head on over to my Close To My Heart website, where you will find all of our OUTSTANDING Cricut cartridges and the packages we offer to coordinate with them.  Our Cartridges WILL WORK in ALL Cricut machines, so load em' up and get to crafting!

Right Around the Corner!

I am SO excited.  Why?  Because Close To My Heart is launching our NEW Idea Book for Spring/Summer 2014 in just a FEW SHORT DAYS!

With literally HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of NEW ITEMS, as well as fabulous ideas for your next creative endeavor, you're sure to find something to spark your interest inside!

Pre-order your Idea Book today by leaving a comment below. 

 I will get back to you personally to arrange for shipping and payment details.

WANT YOUR IDEA BOOK FREE ? 

Simply place an order on my Close To My Heart Website,

and I'll make sure to get your FREE IDEA BOOK off to you right away!

Rediscover Ways to Keep Your Memories Fresh and On-Trend

Journaling your memories, also known as writing them down, doesn't have to be a task you dread!  With the help of Close To My Heart's Journaling Cards, FREE to DOWNLOAD for the month of January, you'll enjoy it instead!

Visit my Close To My Heart Online Shop to find more ways to capture and keep the memories you hold most dear.

Start the New Year on Cloud 9 with the Help of Close To My Heart!

JANUARY is National Papercrafting Month... Celebrate it With Us... Won't You?  See How Below...