Artfully Sent Cards

When was the last time you sent someone a card?  Do you keep a stash of cards created from your heart on hand to send on their way when needed?  Sometimes my card stash gets dangerously low.  I mean... not. much. in. there. low.  How about you?  

With a couple birthdays fast approaching, that's where I was at dangerously low.  Time to get crafty! My favorite time of the day!  I decided to pull out my Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge this last card-making-go-round and see what she could do for me.  Man, is this cartridge fun to use!  The amount of cards that can be created is unbelievable.  Needless to say, I've been having some fun making cards with Artfully Sent and my Brushed papers.  Here are some of the cards I've sent out and some that I've added to my stash that are ready to go when I need them. 

Birthdays are great, in my book, but a first birthday is even better!  This birthday card was using the functions as they are, super slick.  I literally pushed two buttons and this 5x7 card was cut for me.  I added Brushed papers and Flamingo Dots to embellish. 

Artfully Sent Cricut Card

The next two cards I played with the "Sleeve" function (pocket-style card) in Artfully Sent.  This first card is 4x6 and has a decorated tag for me to write on.  I embellished with Junebug Puffies and used my ShinHan markers (Carmine & Cherry Pink) to color my clear sparkles to match my papers.

Artfully Sent Cricut Sleeve Card

This is also a "sleeve" card but I created it much smaller so that it would be a gift card holder as well as a card.  I included a decorated tag for the inside and was able to stick a gift card inside as well.  The stamped sentiments come from one of the stamp sets that is included in the Artfully Sent Cricut Collection.

Artfully Sent Gift Card Holder

With just a few pieces of Brushed paper remaining I whipped up a small sentiment card for my stash.  I actually had a rectangular piece of the ombre-bokeh pattern piece in this paper pack that fit perfectly in the background of this small notecard.

Artfully Sent Cricut Card

Well, back to my first question: When was the last time you sent someone a card? 

I hope you feel inspired to make someone's day.  Go ahead, go pop a card in the mail.  Be a day brightener!

These cards were quick and easy to make.  As I said before, there are so many stylish, fun card creations that can come out of this one cartridge.  If you have any questions about the Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge or would like to get your own, please let me know!  

We all love mail!  

Happy Crafting!

Workshops & Gatherings

I'm ready for some paper play dates. How about you? Grab your calendars and get these upcoming workshops and crops on your calendar because my play dates aren't as fun without friends there with me! 

Upcoming Workshops:

August 11th: 

     12:00-2:00pm: New Product Preview Party

      4:00-6:00pm:  New Product Preview Party 

      6:00-9:00pm:  Scrapbook Layout Workshop

August 27th: 6:00-8:00pm Card Workshop

September 20th: 2:00-4:00pm Kid's Club

September 22nd: 6:00-9:00pm Layout Workshop

October 10th: 9am-Midnight CROPTOBER FEST Crop

October 20th: 6:00-8:00pm Christmas Card Buffet

These upcoming workshops and classes are ones that I'm hosting at my house in Hastings.  You are all welcome and invited to come!  Please call, email or text with your RSVP and I'll get you on the VIP list! :)

I will post more details on these workshops and projects as they get closer and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!

Booking Parties & Workshops Now!

Who wants a paper play date that will surely bring you free product? I'm booking parties and workshops for the fall and would love to put your personal gathering or workshop on my schedule! 

You can pick the type of party you want.  Just for hosting YOU get free product in addition to all the hostess rewards you will earn and EVERY party will have a free make-and-take project for you and your guests. 

I have lots of new ideas and I'm ready to party!  Call (651-319-3610) or email (ellielundstrom@gmail.com) me to reserve a party for you and your friends! I assure you it will be fun and easy!

Added Incentive:  I was challenged at Convention to added 6 gatherings to my calendar from now - October 31st.  If you want to help me get there I've got a bonus hostess gift for you!! Give me a call today to reserve your party!!

Happy Crafting!

Sunday Paper: Wavy Blooms

At CTMH Convention many consultants brings cards and swap with others. I debated and debated on what to create, tried a few different things and came up with this card for my card swap card this year at Convention.

To create this card I used Wavy Blooms and Finding the Words stamp sets, Cricut Artbooking and kept it clean and simple with white, black and thistle.

I made 30 cards for my first year attending and I think it was just right for me.  I had a chance to meet some pretty great ladies this way.  Swapping gives us all a chance to see each other's work up close and personal as well as give each other some new ideas and fun cards to add to our stash! Fun idea!

I was happy with what I came up with and it was well received.  I'm already looking forward to next year now that I got a taste of what card swapping is all about!

Happy Crafting! 

Retiring Products (Items Added)

Last week, I was able to see and hold new Close to My Heart product in my own two hands!  I got to craft away with some of it and have new product bundles ordered and on their way to my home as I type! (One of many benefits of being a consultant!  You get to order new product one month ahead of time AND if you go to Convention you get to see and order it even sooner!)  I'm excited to be able to share the new with you but first.... out with the old to make room for the new!

There are several soon-to-be oldies but goodies on the Retiring List.  You are going to want to snag them while they are still available as they are on a first come first served basis!  This retire list came out a few weeks ago but since Convention and the announcement of new product more has been added to the Retiring List!  

The additions to the Retiring List include: current Base & Bling chains and pendants, select cardstock and inks, and our four current Cricut Collections. 

Base & Bling: The current colors will not be available in the new Annual Idea Book.  If antiqued silver or antiqued gold is some of your favorite you want to swing over to my Online Site and get yours now! 

Cardstock & Inks: We are getting 7 NEW colors!! Wow! That means there are 7 colors retiring.  All of the colors that are retiring are part of the Enchantment color palette.  You can order cardstock as the enchantment pack or color specific.  Also, if one or more of these happen to be your favorite ink color you want to be sure to get the ink pack and the reinker for future use! 

Colors that are retiring are:

Smokey Plum

Outdoor Denim

Indian Corn Blue

Ponderosa Pine

Olive

Autumn Terracotta

Barn Red

Cricut Collections: WHAT?! Gone??? No. Not exactly. :)  These collections are being revamped to include colored card stock in place of the dimensional elements, which requires a change in item number.  Through August 31st you can choose to order the "older version" of the Cricut Collections that would include the dimensional elements.  Beginning on September 1st the "new version" of the Cricut Collections will include cardstock sets in place of the dimensional elements.  Same Cricut Cartridges!  Same coordinating stamp sets (3 of them!)!  These collections are truly unique they are packed full of images and fonts!  

CTMH Cricut Collections: Artfully Sent (Top Left), Artbooking (Top Right)
Artiste (Bottom Left), Art Philosophy (Bottom Right)

This is exciting... Did you hear yet??? There is a NEW Cricut Cartridge available in the New Annual Idea Book?? True story! AND even better it is going to release early! The Aristry Collection will be available August 1st from me!! 

Act quickly friends all these goodies will be scooped up quickly!  My Online Site (ellielundstrom.ctmh.com) is always open! Contact me if you have any questions or are looking for something and cannot find it! 

Happy Crafting!

Close to My Heart Mission Statement

Hey all! I'm back!   Whew - That. Was. Awesome.

Close to My Heart Convention was amazing and way more than I expected! From the moment I registered to go (and even before) I was excited to go.  I was excited to be one of the first to see all the new product, to be one of the first to make things with new product - heck! just to scrapbook on a vacation!  Sign me up!  I was looking forward to meeting people on the much bigger team I'm part of, Northern Stars.  And, I was excited to be able to go do Disneyland!

Convention was a blast from beginning to end.  I loved, LOVED the inspiring Creative Sessions, Product Premiere and crazy awesome artwork at Extravaganza.  The General Sessions were crazy fun and the giveaways and show this company put on had me stunned in amazement.  But as I said before I found out that Close to My Heart's Annual Convention was so much more.  The first thing I said to Mike when he picked me up at the airport was that I was surprised by how much my heart was touched.

While in California at Convention, I had the opportunity to meet so many great people from all around the world and was able to connect with different members of my team.  (Really!  Did you know Close to My Heart is in Canada, Australia and New Zealand?)  We got to hear from Jeanette Lynton the Founder & CEO of CTMH.  Her Q&A session left me with giggles, grins and teary eyes.  Even bigger hearing from her left me with a heart full of gratitude, a greater appreciation for this company and (if it were possible) an even deeper passion for what I do and why I do it.  Finally, CTMH is a huge supporter of Operation Smile and Convention is a major event where money is raised for this charity - wow!  More on that later!

I came back with so much to share!  Today, I'll start with a video really showing you Close to My Heart's mission and why we do what we do.  I shared it on Facebook when I was at convention but I don't think you can watch it too many times.  Take another look...

I'm excited to connect with everyone and show you what I've got, tell you what I've learned and to share Close to My Heart's mission with you!

We show you how to celebrate relationships 

through discovering your own creativity, 

to preserve and share the moments that matter most. 

Make it from your Heart!

Sunday Paper: Brushed

Brushed is the July paper pack of the month. I'm pulling my paper out and getting ready to put some summery pages together!

Often times when I sit down to scrap again (and especially when it feel like I haven't in awhile) I look around for some inspiration.  When I grabbed my Brushed papers I headed to my Annual Inspirations Idea Book to see what CTMH corp put together using this paper pack.  I found some cute ideas and these layouts to get me started and inspire my creativity. 

Brushed Workshop on the Go: Brushed Paper Pack, Brushed Workshop Stamp Set,
Coordinating Cardstock, Brushed Assortment, Topiary Striped Washi Tape,
Instruction Brochure for 2 Two-Page Layouts

Layout Featuring Brushed Paper Pack, Complements and Assortment

Layout Featuring Brushed Paper Pack, Complements and Assortment

I like the bokeh ombré print on the paper used as the background in this layout. And, I'm thinking the Brushed Complements have some cute titles and accents. Don't you think? "Sassitude" Ha! 

Side note: Creating a card or layout using the bokeh technique is on my summer to-do list. Have you tried this technique yet?

The Brushed WOTG Kit has already sold out, BUT you can still get the Brushed Paper Pack, Brushed Complements and Brushed Assortment while supplies last on my Online Site. Be sure to pick up your favorites while you can!

Brushed Paper Pack

Brushed Complements

Brushed Assortment

Remember your CTMH Idea Book is full of inspiration! Contact me if you still need your own copy of Annual Inspirations 2014-2015.

I'm off to play with paper!

Happy Crafting!

Jumpin' Into July!

July is already here!! Wowsers!

If you haven't already been enjoying the warm, summer weather I hope you are able to have sometime this upcoming long weekend to celebrate the Fourth and enjoy time with friends and family!

July is also the month I get to go to Close to My Heart Annual Convention in Disneyland this year!!! Whooeeeeeeeeeeee!  I'm excited to participate in this company's biggest party of the year!  I'm looking forward to meeting all the wonderful ladies on the huge team that I am part of.  I'm a sponge and ready to learn tips, tricks and techniques from some of the best paper crafters out there and I'm giddy-excited to be one of the first to see all the new CTMH products!  I'm certain I'm in for quite a treat and you bet I'll be ready to share when I return.

Jump on it July Promotion:
July CTMH promotions are sure to excite!  How many of you have had your eye on those cute Hostess Rewards stamp sets but have not yet hosted a party and been able to get them?  This promotion is for you - here's your chance!!

During the month of July, when you purchase $25 in current, retail priced stamps, you qualify to receive either the July Stamp of the Month, Life is Wonderful, FREE or any one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets featured in Annual Inspirations 2014-2015 or Season Expressions 2 for only $5!

The Hostess Rewards stamp sets have previously only been available as part of the Hostess Rewards program, which means now is the perfect opportunity to get those special stamp sets you've had your eye on and not yet gotten!

When ordering on my Online Site you will be prompted to add your FREE and/or $5 sets to your card.  Once you've placed a qualifying stamp order of $25 or more this message will appear:

When you click on the "Jump on it July" link you will see this screen and be given all your options for the stamps you'd like to get for FREE and/or $5!  (You can click on the images when you get to this screen for a close up view of each set.)

July Stamp of the Month: Life is Wonderful
This stamp set, Life is Wonderful, is only available during the month of July!   This lovely, versatile stamp set is a great match for your cards and layouts that celebrate all the wonderful things - big and small - that life has to offer.

Artwork Featuring July STOM: Life is Wonderful

Along with this months "Jump on it July" promotion you have two ways of getting this stamp at a great discount.  Get this stamp set FREE when you purchase $25 in current, retail priced stamps.  OR If you're looking to purchase other CTMH products and don't meet the stamp purchase qualification you can get this stamp set for just $5 with your order of $50 or more in CTMH products.

To get your FREE stamp set or your $5 Hostess Rewards stamp set, simply place an order for $25 on any current, retail priced stamps.  This offer is only available during the month of July so spring into action and jump on over to my Online Site to get in on this deal before it's gone!

While Supplies Last and Retiring Items Reminders:

If you missed my Facebook post last week new items have been added to the While Supplies Last section on my Online Site.  The items there are discounted and only available ... you got it, while supplies last! Be sure to hop of over to my site to see these great deals and add them to your cart before they're gone for good.  There are a lot of new embellishments!

As a reminder our brand new Annual Inspirations Idea Book launches September 1st.  This means there is a need to make room for all the new goodies CTMH will be offering.  With that, there are products that are only available until August 31st or while supplies last ... whichever comes first.  You can see all the Retiring Items on my Online Site also.

Happy Crafting!