So long March!

   The end of March is already here! Did you participate in any of the bracket tourneys for March Madness? Are you winning? My husband and I always compete against each other, and this year we are pretty neck-and-neck going into the final four! We always have a fun time watching the games and seeing how far our teams go!

   I am also loving this warmer weather, and the long days full of sunshine! I know the warmer weather is more intermittent where we live, but I'll take it! Thank goodness Spring is finally here! Have you started your Spring cleaning? Have you had a chance to be outside to enjoy the weather? Well I hope so! It's refreshing to be able to be out-and-about again!

   Well with the end of March here, I would like to do another monthly recap of my favorite CTMH products that I used this month! Here are my top 5 product picks for March and why I chose them:

5.) "Feathers" stamp set!

• This super cute stamp set caught my eye when I thumbed through the new Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book, but I did not have it in my hands to play with until close to the beginning of March! I have not been able to stop playing with it this month, though! The images are so cute and really add a lot of texture and simple embellishment to any project! I love layering the different stamped feathers together to create clusters! It's so fun and only $13.95 for the whole set! Check it out on page 57 of the Idea Book!

 

I used the feathers stamp set on this 8x8 Kraft Album that I decorated! I used a second generation stamping technique to make softer embellishments for my project.

 

4.) Picture My Life: Skylark Scrapbooking Program!

•    I love the Skylark paper pack and Workshop-on-the-go Kit, so I absolutely had to have the PML: Skylark Scrapbooking Kit! The colors, patterns, beautiful phrases and quotes, and of course the coordinating Skylark theme is perfect for adding quick pages, journaling cards, and accents to my traditional scrapbooks! This kit is so versatile! I have used it for family, baby, masculine pages, travel, and just everyday memories! I love it, and cannot wait to use more of the 122 cards that came in the kit! 

I used these Picture My Life: Skylark cards on the fronts of these cards with Chocolate and Sweet Leaf cardstock, Chocolate Woodgrain and Lagoon Houndstooth Washi tapes, Aqua Enamel Dots, and the Brown Sparkle Assortment. They were inspired by the latest "Pajama Party" project featured on Big Picture Classes!

3.) "True to Life" stamp set!

•    This super cute stamp set caught my eye on the cover of the new Idea Book! I love all these versatile images, and have used them often on my recent projects (like the Binder project posted under the "Feathers" stamp set)! I have a thing for tags and tabs, so this was the perfect set to add to my collection! I also love stamping the smaller images, like the "Way Cute" image, on a separate piece of cardstock or matching die-cut to use as an embellishment on my layout, card, or even on my PML pictures! It's so fun to add just a little element of detail to your projects!

2.) Lollydoodle paper pack!

•  I loved using the Lollydoodle paper pack as March's paper pack-of-the-month! Its bright, cheery, and colorful patterns were perfect to start thinking Spring! I especially loved how the papers came together on the LOTM for March! Working with bold patterns and bright colors can sometimes be challenging, but if you use the papers on a smaller scale or as detail pieces, you can make a statement with the colors without it overpowering your project! You really should get your hands on this cute set! It will have you thinking happy, Spring thoughts in no time!

I used some simple stamped images, quick Cricut die-cuts, and some small scrap pieces of paper to put the final touches on this layout!

1.) Studio J Photo Express Collections!

•  My #1 choice for March are the Studio J Photo Express Collections! I loved playing with these this month! One, because it made printing my photos in different sizes super easy, and two, because it was a really great deal this month at only $5 for a 2 page spread of photos! I was able to print 72 of the 2x2 sized photos from my phone for only $5! That's less than 7 cents a photo! Plus, the printing process that Studio J uses is archival safe by using a high-quality silver halide processing system! The colors are beautiful on my photos no matter what camera I am using! I simply love it! Plus, I love that Studio J is a FREE program that any one can use and play with! If you haven't already, you need to check out these Studio J Photo Express Collections, and get this special pricing while you still can!

 


    There are my top picks for March! Did you get to use any of these amazing products this month? Are there any products you would add to the list? I hope you enjoyed seeing my list, and are feeling inspired to create some fun projects now! If you are needing any of these products for yourself, make sure and visit my CTMH Online Shop to get your hands on these goodies today!

    You also do not want to miss out on all the amazing deals March has going on right now, too! These promotions and specials end at midnight tonight, so be sure to take advantage while you still can! Here's a reminder of all these great deals for you:

March SOTM: Happy Place

    Get this cute stamp set for only $5 with a qualifying purchase of $50 or more this month! These images are perfect for coloring with watercolor pencils, the CTMH blending pen, or CTMH alcohol markers!

Studio J Promotion

    This month you can score big with Studio J layouts and Photo Express Collections by getting your 2-page printed layouts for only $5.00! That's only $2.50 a page, and as little as $0.07 a photo! Start designing and ordering yours today to get in on this amazing deal!

Here is an example of a photo express collection that I filled with photos from my cell phone. This template will print 4x4 photos, but there are many templates to choose from to print any sized photo you may need!

March Layout-of-the-Month: Lollydoodle

    The March LOTM features the Lollydoodle Paper Pack! If you purchase the Lollydoodle paper pack, or either Lollydoodle WOTG kits, you will receive all the die-cuts, stamped images, and assembly instructions needed to complete this LOTM for FREE! However, this offer is only good in the month of March, so take advantage of this amazing deal today by placing your Lollydoodle paper order with Candid Captures!

March Madness Mystery Hostess

    I wanted to do something big this month to celebrate all of you and all the support you have shown me since I started as a consultant with CTMH a little more than 6 months ago! To show my thanks, I want to give away FREE hostess rewards during the month of March! You do not need to host a home or online gathering to earn the rewards either! All you have to do is place an order of $25 or more with me, Candid Captures, before midnight tonight. Then you'll be in the drawing for up to $40 in FREE hostess rewards!

    Start planning your March order of $25 or more! Then contact me or shop online to place your order and be entered in the drawing! Good luck and Happy Crafting!

Rediscover Home FREE download

    Last, but not least, is the FREE Rediscover download from CTMH! This month the theme focused on "home", and this cute download is perfect for adding simple and elegant touches to your kitchen spices! Get your download today on my CTMH Online Shop!

    That's everything you need to know for March! If you have any questions or need assistance with your upcoming order or project, please let me know! I would love to help you out! Remember, though, all of these specials expire tonight, so do not miss out!

    On the blog tomorrow I will have new updates, announcements, and specials for April! Including a special Candid Captures Challenge that you do not want to miss (and that's no April Fools Joke)!!! Check back tomorrow, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Trying to Get Caught Up!!!

   Hello from Vegas! I am so sorry that I have not had a blog update in a long time! I have been out of town a lot these last two months and have not been home long enough to play catch up! April won't be too different either! So I apologize in advance on being behind on my projects, pictures, and updates! I am going to try my very hardest to get caught up as soon as I'm back!

   March is flying by us very quickly, and I have no idea where all the time went! Make sure you check out all the amazing specials and promotions going on this month so you don't miss them (especially the March Madness Mystery Hostess special!!!).

   I have a last minute big announcement for you today! I'm sorry that this is a late announcement, but the project details were just released this week! What exactly am I talking about? It's the next scheduled Pajama Party sponsored by Close to My Heart! CTMH and Big Picture Classes is teaming up once again to bring you this FREE, online, one-night event on Thursday, March 27th from 8-9:30pm CST! That's THIS Thursday, so make sure and mark your calendars!

   You can follow along with the awesome ladies at Big Picture Classes on the Big Picture Classes website. You will want to register ahead of time, though, (it's FREE to create an account!!!) so you can log-in during the class to "interact" in the message boards, download handouts/instruction guides, post to the galleries, and enter the FREE contests! Also, note that if for any reason you cannot be in front of your computer during the "class" time, you can always find full videos and downloadable content in your profile archives anytime after the webinar has ended! 

   If you attended the last Pajama Party, you will not need to register again! All you have to do is "sign-up" for the class ahead of time to save it in your profile! Then the night of the party log-in and start following along with these awesome presenters!

   The Pajama Party project features CTMH's awesome Picture My Life cards and some very cute and versatile greeting card designs! Check out all of the cards you can make by following along:

   During the Pajama Party, you'll learn how to create stylish, professional-looking greeting cards in just minutes using these cute, colorful Picture My Life™ Laughing Lola cards! I know it is a little last minute to try and order this set on time, but the great thing with any BPC is that you can access any class you have signed up for in your archives so you can go back again and again to reference your favorite classes, see videos on projects, and much more!

   Here are the supplies you will need to complete this Pajama Party Project:

• Tombow® Mono™ Adhesive (1514)
• Picture My Life™ Laughing Lola Scrapbooking Program (Z1944)                       
• Colonial White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (X1410)
• Black cardstock (1386)
• Kraft cardstock (Z1375)
• Aqua Dots (Z1853)
• Silver Geometric Washi Tape (Z1932)

    I hope you will all join me on March 27th! It is a lot of fun, and they do a great job teaching new techniques and showing off amazing CTMH products! Let me know if you would like to purchase these or any other CTMH products! I would love to help you make pretty things!

    I also have some product updates for you! The My Legacy Black Faux Leather Albums are now completely sold out! If you are still needing to purchase a Faux Leather Album for your next scrapbook or to complete your collection, the Dark Cranberry, Outdoor Denim, Hollyhock, and Dark Chocolate colors are still available, but act quickly because they will not be around long!

    Here are another couple product updates for you:

- CTMH Watercolor Pencils are temporarily out of stock, but will be back shortly

- Ariana Assortment is temporarily out-of-stock until April 1st

- My Creations Card box is temporarily out-of-stock until April 1st

- Still no word on when the new CTMH Albums will be available for purchase

- Kraft Cardstock is back in stock and available for purchase

   I hope you all are doing well and staying warm this week! Let me know if you need any help getting your hands on the products for Pajama Party, have any questions on announcements, or anything else! I would love to help you with any of your crafting questions! Have a great rest of the week, crafters, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

First Full Week of March

   Good Morning from the Arctic! Well it feels like it at least! Today's the warmest it's been over the last week, but there's still a wind chill and a chance of snow. Sooooo another day in the house for me and my dog! At least I get to finish preparing for tomorrow's Workshop Wednesday! Have you signed up yet? If not you really should! This is the biggest workshop yet! We will be making 20...that's right 20 everyday occasion greeting cards using simple techniques, new CTMH products, and Cricut die-cuts! The cost is only $6, too! So it's a steal of a deal! Plus, just for coming, you will get to make a bonus card for FREE, and be eligible for the March Madness bracket prize drawing! I still have a couple spots available for the 12pm and the 6pm workshops! It's going to be a blast, so make sure and save a seat today!

   Did you also see my brand new special for the month of March? This is a Candid Captures Exclusive Special, so you'll want to make sure and take advantage of this deal through me or my online shopping site! Here's the details in case you missed them:
  
March Madness Mystery Hostess!

        Let's kick start March with a new special from Candid Captures! I wanted to do something big this month to celebrate all of you and all the support you have shown me since I started as a consultant with CTMH 6 months ago! To show my thanks, I want to give away FREE hostess rewards during the month of March! You do not need to host a home or online gathering to earn the rewards either! All you have to do is place an order of $25 or more with me, Candid Captures, between March 1st and March 31st then you'll be in the drawing for up to $40 in FREE hostess rewards!

        Are you curious as to what FREE hostess rewards can get you? Well immense amounts of CTMH products throughout the catalog! Check it out:

• My Acrylix stamp sets
• My Acrylix blocks (page 136)
• Exclusive Inks pads, markers, and re-inkers (page 139)
• My Reflections Complements (My Stickease and Dimensional Elements)
• My Reflections Assortment packs (complementing embellishment packs)
• My Reflections paper packs (all 7 new collections and the 4 collections from the last Idea Book)
• All cardstock packs (page 139)
• Workshops-on-the-Go kits
• Studio J layouts
• Special Hostess Collections (page 5)
• Exclusive Hostess stamp sets (pages 6-9)

        Want to earn hostess rewards right away without waiting to see if you're a winner at the end of March? Not a problem! Place an order of $150 or more, and you automatically earn $25 in FREE hostess rewards, and a special gift pack from me full of exclusive CTMH products! The higher the order placed, the higher your rewards! Here's a break down of the hostess rewards for your reference:

        So start planning your March order of $25 or more! Then contact me or shop online to place your order and be entered in the drawing!

   I also just put the finishing touches on March's LOTM! This month I wanted a bright, cheery, and colorful layout to match the Lollydoodle papers! I used the Artbooking Cricut cartridge for the overlays and diecuts. Then I started piecing the papers and playing with the format until I came up with a layout I absolutely love! It's cute and playful, and perfect for my upcoming Spring pictures! I will be posting pictures later tonight once I get everything uploaded!

   I had a lot of Lollydoodle papers left over, too, so I decided to make a second, less-busy layout and a card to go along with it! Once I upload all my project pictures, I'll pick out a couple good shots, and post them on here and on my Facebook page! Sorry I didn't get a chance to go through pictures last night!

   Remember, you can make these awesome featured projects for yourself, too! All you have to do is purchase the Lollydoodle paper pack or Workshop-on-the-Go sometime during the month of March, and you will receive the die-cuts, stamped images, and assembly instructions from me for FREE! Not to mention if your order is $25 or more you are then entered into the hostess rewards drawing, too! So it's a win-win! FREEBIES everywhere!

   I also received more information a couple days ago from corporate about our new albums! The new albums were set to be available March 1st, but there has been some delays in manufacturing and that date has now been pushed back. I apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused, but I am right there with you! I would like to see these new albums as well! CTMH has not released an official date for the availability of these new albums, but I am hoping that it will be within the next couple weeks. 

   CTMH's Kraft Cardstock is also temporarily unavailable due to manufacturing delays. As far as I know, there is enough Kraft Cardstock in the warehouse to fill any of the Skylark and Jubilee orders, but not to fill the Kraft Cardstock packs. I will keep you updated when it becomes available again!

   I hope you all are having a great start to your week! Let me know if you have any questions or need assistance planning your next order this month! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

March Madness!!!!!

    Happy Saturday, everyone! March is officially upon us! For me March also seems to be an exciting month; March Madness starts, Mardi Gras celebrations pop up everywhere (although I've never been, I still love all the colorful decorations), Spring Break, and of course SPRING! I cannot wait for warmer weather and outdoor activities! Although, I look at all the snow in my backyard and wonder where in the world is all of this going to go when it melts? I see dirty paws and muddy floors in my (hopefully) near future! Bring it on Spring!

   Well time to start thinking March! Let's start out with March's specials and promotions! Here it goes:

   March's SOTM is a super cute nesting doll-themed set called "Happy Place"! The font for the sentiments has a "handwritten" theme to it, and it's perfect for your everyday projects, pages, and cards! Check it out:

      You can get "Happy Place" for only $5 with any qualifying purchase of $50 or more during the month of March! Wondering how to add color to these cute Russian dolls? My favorite coloring methods utilize CTMH's Exclusive Inks Alcohol Markers or CTMH's Watercolor pencils set and blending pen! If you've never used these products, you should attend one of my upcoming workshops! We will be playing with all of these things during the months of March and April, and I promise you won't be disappointed!

   A new month also means a brand new exclusive CTMH special! During the month of March, you can purchase layouts and photo collections from Studio J for only $5! That's only $2.50/page! Studio J allows you to use digital CTMH papers, embellishments, and designs to come up with beautiful and easy layouts in just minutes! The most amazing part......you can access the Studio J software for FREE! You can start here with your CTMH log-in information or, if you don't have a log-in, sign up for FREE account on this same page!

   Studio J layouts are processed, not printed, using a silver-halide process (considered the highest standard in the photo developing industry). Unlike printed papers or images you might print from a home photo printer, the silver-halide process yields “100-year+ quality” that has long been tested and used by the top photo labs in the world. We use the same papers and equipment used by leading labs to produce long-lasting photo prints, so you know your layout will be reproduced with high fidelity and will last throughout the years. As always, JPEG files are available free with your print purchase and are available as a stand-alone item at regular price during this promotion (if you wanted to print your finished layout elsewhere or just save it as a digital file only)!   

I made this cute layout last fall using a paper pack that no longer is available in the Idea Books!! The vast amounts of digital papers, colors, and embellishments makes designing all of your pages a breeze!

    
   Did you also see the brand new Studio J Photo Express Collections* are now available? Photo Express Collections are an assortment of templates meant for photos only, allowing you to print photos on the highest quality paper for use in your layouts. There are 8 templates to choose, and your options for photos sizes are very diverse! Choose to print several small photos (2x2, 3x3) or an array of larger photos (4x6, 5x7) according to your needs. You will find this photo-sizing option especially valuable for use in your Picture My Life™ albums, where an assortment of photo sizes is needed.

Here is the 3x4 Photo Collection! It's so easy to use! All you do is upload your photos, drag and drop them into the 3x4 boxes, and you're done! During the month of March these perfectly sized 3x4 photos are only $0.20 a print! Other online archival printing sites charge as much as $0.25-$0.45 for this size! So get those photos off your phone, and start printing with Studio J!

Here is the 4x4 Photo Collection! You can move your photos around to center them, easily remove and add photos to get the perfect college of prints, and edit the photos to brightness, contrast, etc. It's so easy, and very reasonable! During the month of March, these 4x4 prints are only $0.62 each! When you compare prices on other archival printing sites, most 4x4 sizes can be as much as $0.85-$1.10! So get your small picture sizes printed for a spectacular price this month with Studio J!

On this layout, I am adding photos to the 5x7 Assortment Collection! You can see all the photo wells and their sizes by clicking on each one! Then you simply drag, drop, and re-position your photos the way you like them! This particular photo collection has five 5x7 sizes, two 5x5 sizes, two 2x3 sizes, and four 2x2 sized wells!

    This is an awesome deal, so start designing your Studio J layouts today so that you can start printing them throughout the month of March!** When you order, though, do note that each order must contain a minimum of four 2-page layouts in order to be processed. There is a flat rate shipping cost added, but it's only $5.95/box of layouts. Each box can contain up to 50 layouts at that same flat-rate shipping, so definitely take advantage of this promotion, and start working on your layouts! 

   If you have any questions about Studio J, or would like help getting started, contact me and I would love to help you start designing with this amazing program! 

    The next promotion for March is from Candid Captures, and it's the new paper pack-of-the-month (POTM) promotion that I started last month! March's POTM is Lollydoodle! This paper pack is so fun and colorful! I love it! It has me thinking Spring every time I play with it!  

  
  This also means that layout-of-the-month (LOTM) will be featuring the Lollydoodle Paper Pack! If you purchase the Lollydoodle paper pack, or either Lollydoodle WOTG kits, during the month of March you will receive all the die-cuts, stamped images, and assembly instructions needed to complete the LOTM for FREE! However, this offer is only good in the month of March, so take advantage of this amazing deal today by placing your Lollydoodle paper order with me on my online shopping site! Pictures of the LOTM and other artwork featuring the POP will be posted soon! So stay tuned! 

   The last special featured this month is the new Rediscover download from CTMH! This month's theme is "Rediscover Home", and the FREE download this month features some cute spice jar labels with a chalkboard look! 

    You can download these FREE, printable labels on my online shopping site, Candid Captures Shop! Make sure you get yours downloaded before it expires at the end of the month, though!

    I think that's everything you need to know to kick-start your March! Like always, if you have any questions or would kind assistance placing your order for any of these amazing deals, please let me know! I would love to help you get your crafty projects started this month! Until next time;

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

*Using the mat feature within the Photo Collection may cause your photos to become misaligned. For this purpose, we do not recommend using the matting feature whatsoever in these specific templates. Should you choose to do so, your layouts may print unevenly and Close To My Heart will not be liable to reprint or refund them

**Tax and shipping not included. A shipment box must contain a minimum of 4 layouts, but may hold up to 50 layouts/box for a shipping price of $5.95/box.