It is definitely March Madness time! Close to my Heart must be going mad with all of the great deals they have this month! First is the Die-namite sale! Wow! If you don't have these thin cuts, now is the time to get them! The bundles have a huge savings of 30% off!! 

Check out the Die-namite deals here:
https://lauriesmith.closetomyheart.com/ctmh/promotions/campaigns/1803-die-namite.aspx

Next "Step Right Up" for this great deal:  Whether it's the circus, a birthday party, or just a day of fun, you can share and preserve those moments with the Step Right Up special and the exclusive Showtime Stamp Set. The special also includes a discounted bundle with the stamp set and other items to coordinate perfectly with this spectacular theme, including five colors of cardstock, gold foil paper, gold pearls, and red shimmer trim.

Available for a limited time:  February 15, 2018 (12:01 am MDT) – March 31, 2018 (11:59 pm MDT)

And last but not least, the March Stamp of the Month.  With a $50 purchase between now and March 31st, you can get this stamp set for only $5.00!  If you take advantage of this month's great deals, you will easily qualify for this stamp set!  You may also purchase it without a qualifying order for the full retail price of $17.95.

  Below is some sample artwork from Close to my Heart.  I will post some of mine in the next few days.

Don't miss out on these "mad" deals!!  To order, simply click on the box to the right that says "Come Shop with Me" and you are all set.  Orders will be sent directly to you!  If you have any questions, please leave a comment below!  Happy Shopping!

January 2018 Stamp of the Month Bloom & Grow card

Each month I make 8 card fronts, using the next month's stamp of the month set and one of the new papers from the most current book. These are exchanged with 7 other consultants so we have a variety of designs to show our party/crop attendees. My January card is made with the Chelsea Gardens papers and the January 2018 Stamp of the Month set, Bloom & Grow.

Chelsea Gardens Papers

Happy New Year! Today's the day!! The new Seasonal Expressions is available on-line for you to view!! The new paper packets and stamp sets are so irresistible! Simply click on the "Shop with Me" link/picture in the margin to the right and then click on Idea Books.

I started out with the Chelsea Gardens papers. The following photos are from the Workshops Your Way Sending Hugs Cardmaking Kit! After making 6 cards of each style...

I decided to use up all of the leftover paper! I've never used up an entire packet before! I usually just throw what's left in my scraps tote and never get to them again. Not this time! I was able to make a 2 page layout (I added the 2 - 12"X12" Slate cardstock bases because they are not included in this kit). The January card in the center is from a retired set of Picture My Life cards. I followed pattern #1 in the Make It From Your Heart Volume 4, which I store in my bashful Everyday Life Album.

The card kit includes a B size exclusive stamp set (see the cards above from the kit). I used this stamp set and the January Stamp of the Month "Bloom & Grow" to embellish the 2 page layout as well as on the 3 extra cards I was able to make using what "scraps" I had left (I also added the cardstock for the extra cards).

Other supplies used to create everything posted above, included: My Acrylix blocks 1" x 1" 2" x 2" 3" x 3", piercing tool, dual action glue pen, NEW cream ribbon, micro-tip scissors, glue eraser, Spritz cleaner, scrubber and gray twine. All papers, stamps and supplies can be found by clicking on the "Shop with Me" link in the margin to the right.

Last Day for the Boxing Week Sale from Close to my Heart and it's a pretty good one for those of you that like the digital cartridges!! December 29, 2017: Today's specials include the following: Cricut Hello USA DIGITAL Collection (no cartridge) $34.97, Cricut Hello Canada DIGITAL Collection (no cartridge) $17.47, Cricut Hello AU/NZ (Australia/New Zealand) DIGITAL Collection (no cartridge) $17.47 albums with page protectors $29.33 (navy, red, white, SEA GLASS), coordinating ink pads and re-inkers $8.94 (linen, mink, heather, almond, toffee, espresso, nutmeg, charcoal, pewter, pebble), same colors, but separate: ink pads $5.57-$5.96, re-inkers $4.87 (better deal if you want both and purchase the bundle), 12" x 12" cardstock $10.15-$10.88 (same colors listed above), Basics Cardstock Combo Pack $10.15, Basics mini pigment pad set $13.97. Today's deals go until 12:59 CST, while supplies last. Shipping and handling is based on the full retail price of the items on your order. Happy Shopping!!

December 28, 2017: Today's specials include the following: (Some of my favorite colors today!!!) Cricut You Are Here DIGITAL Collection (no cartridge) $55.30, albums with page protectors $29.33 (black, grey, brown, red), coordinating ink pads and re-inkers $8.94 (crystal blue, sweet leaf, sorbet, juniper, smoothie, thistle, glacier, flaxen, canary, pixie), same colors, but separate: ink pads $5.57-$5.96, re-inkers $4.87 (better deal if you want both and purchase the bundle), 12" x 12" cardstock $10.15-$10.88 (same colors listed above), Whimsy Cardstock Combo Pack $10.15, Whimsy mini pigment pad set $13.97. Today's deals go until 12:59 CST, while supplies last. Shipping and handling is based on the full retail price of the items on your order. Happy Shopping!!

BOXING WEEK SALE!!!

Close to my Heart is having a Boxing Week Sale, which began at 1:00 this morning! I got on there at that time to check it out! There will be different deals, daily, through December 29. Each day they will post the new deals at 1:00 am, our time. I cannot order for you on these deals. You simply go to https://lauriesmith.closetomyheart.com, click on promotions at the top, click on Boxing Week Sale and the deals will pop up. Click on what you want to order, proceed to the checkout, enter your credit card information and mailing information and "ta-da", your order will be processed and shipped directly to your door! I think I might be seeing a lot of my Fed Ex driver in the next week or so! :) December 27, 2017: Today's specials include the following: Cricut Artistry DIGITAL Collection (no cartridge) $55.30, albums with page protectors $29.33 (teal, white, SEA GLASS!!!, pink), coordinating ink pads and re-inkers $8.94 (goldrush, New England ivy, eggplant, sapphire, peacock, fern, saffron, poppy, pomegranate, goldrush), same colors, but separate: ink pads $5.57-$5.96, re-inkers $4.87 (better deal if you want both and purchase the bundle), 12" x 12" cardstock $10.15-$10.88 (same colors listed above), Enchantment Cardstock Combo Pack $10.15, Enchantment mini pigment pad set $13.97. Today's deals go until 12:59 CST, while supplies last. Shipping and handling is based on the full retail price of the items on your order. Happy Shopping!!

Today I was showing my mom how to view blogs, to help her find some new ideas for cards. I told her it was just like going to my blog and then from there, you can search out other blogs. How embarrassing when I went to my own blog only to realize that I have not posted on here since May of this year!! I think my 2017 New Year's resolution was to be more consistent on here. So, I'm going to go for that goal again this year!! The new Seasonal Expressions has arrived at my house and it has inspired me to share with others all of the great products that are in this book!!! I'm beginning with only a sneak peak of the cover! This cover features one of the new paper packets called Chelsea Gardens. The colors are beautiful!! I love the whole gardening theme that goes with this paper! The featured colors include charcoal, fern, glacier, heather, juniper, mink, sweet leaf and white daisy. It is gorgeous! As I complete cards, workshops and other items using this paper, I will post pictures on here. Beginning January 1st, you can go to my Close to my Heart OBA site at https://lauriesmith.closetomyheart.com where you can view the entire new book! Merry Christmas!