Hurry Deal of Decade ends soon

I wanted to remind everyone that the stamper's dream Deal of the Decade sale is going to end tomorrow!!!!! It will also be your last chance to own December's Stamp of the month. So hurry now to heatherplotzke.ctmh.com before you feel like Cinderella after the ball.

Deal of the Decade - Stamp Sale

I know we are all in the Christmas rush, okay who am I kidding I'm in full swing panic here, but I wanted to remind everyone that the special anniversary stamp sale is still going through the end of this month. So now is the perfect time to pick up those stamps that have been on your wish list ladies!!
http://heatherplotzke.ctmh.com/ctmh/promotions/campaigns/1412-deal-of-the-decade.aspx

Holiday Magic Studio J layout by Guest Designer

Our very own Guest designer Rose's layout today completes her Studio J layouts from last year's Christmas Magic.  Thanks to Rose for sharing her memories with us all year long!

Decorating the Tree Studio J Layout by Guest Designer

Today our Guest designer Rose is sharing her cute Studio J layout of cute her kids look while they are decorating the family tree.  I LOVE how well coordinated their PJ's are with each other and the papers!  Great layout Rose!

Holiday Studio J Layout by Guest Designer to get you in the Holiday Spirit

Thanks as always to one of our contributing Guest Designers Rose for sharing her Studio J art and families' memories with us, ENJOY!

Seasonal Expression Dec 1st - March 31st

Shop now at heatherplotzke.ctmh.com

CYBER MONDAY & DEAL OF THE DECADE SALES

HURRY THESE DEALS ARE TOO GOOD TO MISS -- HEATHERPLOTZKE.CTMH.COM

 For the first time ever, Close To My Heart is offering a Cyber Monday Sale on Monday, December 1, 2014. There has never been a better time to buy Close To My Heart’s exclusive Cricut® Collections for 20% off the retail price. Whether you love scrapbooking, cardmaking, or creating 3-D projects, our four exclusive Cricut® collections make the perfect addition to any craft room! Sale starts at midnight (MST) on December 1 and ends at 11:59 pm Monday night.

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Close To My Heart’s revolutionary My Acrylix^® clear polymer stamps—and we can’t wait for you to celebrate with us! With a qualifying purchase of $50 during the month of December, you will be eligible to purchase ANY C- or D-size stamps from the Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 idea book for only $10. That’s up to $7.95 USD / $9.75 CAD of savings on a single stamp set! Plus, once you achieve the qualifying order total, there is no limit to the number of eligible stamp sets you can purchase at this discounted price. Remember, a purchase of $50 will also qualify you to receive the December Stamp of the Month for only $5, so if you purchase both the discounted Stamp of the Month and additional stamps at this special campaign pricing your savings will compound! It is truly the deal of the decade.

Pathfinding FALL letters

Hope you all had a Happy Turkey Day!!!!  Wanted to share this last Fall project with you (okay so I'm just not ready for Christmas yet maybe because its in the 80's today).  I made this with our amazingly rich Pathfinding paperpack and embellishments.  The wood pieces came from Wood Creations.

Happy Birthday Love Bug - Artfully Sent

Since its my Birthday AND as a child of the 1970's I thought I'd share this fun card project I made using the new CTMH Cricut Artfully Sent and Chalk it up papers designed by my good friend and CTMH Sister Dawn Heuft.

I love the Slug Bug (Yup that's still what I call them) and how Dawn recommended we add the big Sparkles to the headlights! Genius!  The second photo might not show it but the car inside pops up off the card when the card opens....so stinking cute!!!!

Close To My Heart Ordering --Check!

Yeah blank cards ordered--check. Blank calendars ordered--check.  Studio J calendar layouts done and ordered--check.  Studio J--Picture My Life style 4x3 photo designed pictures made (12 fit per page = 24 per layout) ordered and ready to make my Xmas cards PML style--CHECK!!!!!!  YEAH!!!!!!!!!

Oh and by the way those personalized cards from layouts are all on sale through the end of November so it was a HUGE savings at $5/2 page layout. AND I am getting a bonus gift in my box as a part of the Lucky 5 celebration my shipping notice said!!!

Check it out at heatherplotzke.ctmh.com

Late night Studio J Scrapping

Am I the only one up crafting into the wee small hours tonight??? hmmm anyone??? I'm taking a break but I'm up working on my Studio J Christmas Calendar and layouts so I can get them ordered in the next week to take advantage of the HUGE savings of the $5 layouts all November long!!!!! Can you believe it, HUGE DEAL. Plus as a bonus, you can be your own hostess too! SCORE! There is plenty of time to take advantage ladies.

Puppy Treat Bag

This bag was designed by my friend Dawn Heuft.  Didn't see do a great job taking our designer paper bags and with a couple quick scores, adding one stamped piece of cardstock and a ribbon tie we made this super cute mini gift bag!

Get your supplies for your own at heatherplotzke.ctmh.com now!

Thank You For Your Service! Happy Veteran's Day!!!!

Using Desert Sand Cardstock and CTMH's new Cricut Artfully Sent, I was quickly and easy able to cut this card to give my husband for Veteran's Day.

The eagle is totally cut out and popped up, with foam tape AFTER I completely inked it with VersaMark™ Ink Pad and then heat embossed it with Ranger™ Princess Gold Embossing Powder.

The pops of color behind the words and flags were easily created by taping in colored cardstock in from behind.  Afterwards I completely hid those pieces by glueing another full card size piece of Desert Sand cardstock overtop, creating a hidden sandwich effect on the inside of the card.

Happy USMC Birthday - Wine Bottle Topper

As a way to wish a very Happy 239th Birthday to the US Marine Corps I made this wine bottle topper to take with us to our Birthday Ball later this month. 

The main card was cut using CTMH's brand new Cricut Artfully Sent cartridge (don't you love it!) out of Cranberry cardstock.  The rose was cut from CTMH's Cricut Artiste. 

To get that great lit bit of sparkle and POP on the word "Remember" I inserted a piece of Bronze Shimmer Trim Z1849 onto the Honey Cardstock, before I slid it into the pocket.  Both the pocket and the rose are distressed with Cranberry ink.

Make photos your Focal point with Studio J

Our Guest Designer Brandi P. did an amazing job on this layout making her photos the STAR of this layout, right!  With Studio J its easy making the photos your focal point with Studio J. 

I love how easy it is to zoom in and enlarge your photos right before your eyes.  No more guessing which size will look better or when to zoom in or out. 

Remember all November there are special prices $5 layouts and prizes to be won.  See my site for the details heatherplotzke.ctmh.com

Studio j calendar

Remember it only takes 6 layouts to fill your calendar! Better yet you can design once and order multiple times, perfect for both your mom's and mother-in-law's holiday gifts. Works for me each year, plus I order a set for my book too! Work smart not hard this season with Studio j at heatherplotzke.ctmh.com

2014 CTMH Studio J Calendar:

Some Studio J love from a guest designer!

Don't you just love this layout by Rose! This month Studio J Layouts are only $5 I'm so excited, don't miss out!

Happy Anniversary to Studio J!

November marks the five-year anniversary of Studio J^®, and that means it’s your lucky month, with five amazing ways to win through Studio J and Close To My Heart social media!
First, throughout the month of November, all layouts purchased in Studio J are $5! That is a savings of over 25% off of retail—an unprecedented deal!
Your second chance to win big must come by sheer luck: every fifth order placed in Studio J during November receives a FREE surprise Close To My Heart accessory in its shipping box! The accessory has a retail value of $5 or more.
If luck doesn’t smile on you in that way, you might stumble upon it by finding a little extra something in your Studio J box. Five “golden tickets” will be sent out during the month of November with randomly selected Studio J print orders! This “golden ticket” is redeemable for one of Close To My Heart’s new D-ring albums* loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors™.
For a fourth way to win, simply create new, gorgeous layouts in Studio J, select your favorites, and then post pictures of them on Close To My Heart’s Facebook page using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. After November 30, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries based on their artistry and creativity and each of these winners will receive their own D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!
And there is one last way to win: take your new Studio J artwork and post a picture of it on Instagram using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. Just as it is with Facebook, after November 30, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries to receive their own D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!

Happy Halloween - Wood Bats

I wanted to share my happy bats! I made them with all CTMH products (with the exception of the wood and the wire & ribbon). What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Happy Halloween!

CTMH Scaredy Cat Wood Witch's Boot

What do you think of my latest Halloween Decoration?  This solid wood sign is covered with CTMH's Scaredy Cat papers.  I painted the the edges of the wood black, which matches the black inked distressed edges I had applied to the paper edges.

Quick tips for applying paper to the wood:

• Trace image face down on the backside of the paper in pencil, and trim to shape (that way there are no marks left showing on the outward view).
• I use modge podge glue applied to the paper to adhere the paper to the wood.  Be sure to get out wrinkles and that all edges are down tight.  I don't apply a layer on top of my finished project, as the instructions say to.  I don't like the sealed look and I'm okay with it.  Its a paper craft I wasn't trying to make it last 100 years lol, its pretty together, just not water proof but no paper craft is.
• Last tip, I apply all the embellishments with Liquid glass, even the one that already have adhesive on them.  I don't think glue dots style adhesive holds up to 3D-decor style wear and tear. 

PS: I found this boot, plus several more wood projects coming up at Wood Creations

System Maintenance - brief time out

Just a house keeping note everyone my website is down for system update until around 6pm MST tonight.  So even if you were logged in I need you to back out without ordering and don't work on your Studio J layouts right now okay....tonight it will be all back online and ready for you I promise!  I just don't want your info getting lost in the update.

Mystery Hostess

Where oh where has my Mystery Hostess Gone??????  Is she or he YOU??????  Could be!!!!!!!!  Shop Online TODAY at heatherplotzke.ctmh.com and Join the Mystery hostess gathering with an order of $25 or more and YOU will be entered in the hostess drawing at the end of the month...you may win all the hostess rewards from the party!!!!

Studio J - Castle Builder Layout

I love the Metallic sheen this layout gives off to match that quality from the Knights of Parker's Lego Kingdom.  This Studio J exclusive paper pack is a favorite of mine for everything from the boys photos to family photo shoots because of its great neutral color pallet.

Chalk It Up PML Card

Today's card sample is a reminder that Project My Life cards aren't just for scrapbooking.  This card came together in about five minutes.  I simply distressed the cardstock, along with the edges of the PML card and the stamped/punched image;  I glued it all together, added a couple of embellishments and it was ready to mail.  This is MY KIND OF EASY!

Lincoln Resident Business and Craft Fair Reminder - Shopping Alert

There are going to be some HUGE deals tomorrow from me...at the Lincoln Vendor and Craft show 1p - 3p so be sure to stop out and see me.   I will have some finished crafts and samples from the new Idea Book to inspire you. But what you'll really want to spend save your pennies up for is BIG SALE I have planned for you.  I am having an ON HAND INVENTORY CLEARANCE.  

Stamp sets for the crazy low price of $10 a set; 4 sets for $30...That means for every 3 sets you buy I'm giving you a set FREE!

Crop reminder - 6 pm FREE at Oceanside Community Church

Crop reminder - 6 pm FREE at  Oceanside Community Church

Come out and play with us and be sure to bring your friends!!!!

Brushed Dream On Card

Lincoln Resident Business and Craft Fair! 10/18 1 - 3

Saturday, October 18 at 1:00pm - 3:00pm 

Corner of Wire Mountain Rd. and Santa Rosa Dr, Camp Pendleton (just inside the Main gate area by the Little League ballpark)

Come Out and see MY CTMH booth at the Lincoln Military Housing - Camp Pendleton Business and Craft Fair.  There will be a total of 50 booths from a variety of vendors.  I am having a HUGE CLEARANCE SPECIAL next week on stamps on hand, and retired product.

I will also have plenty of samples to show you from our new 2014-2015 product line, as well as finished crafts for sale, o be sure to stop by!!!!

Chalk It Up Artwork Hanger

I love this project if I do say so myself!  Its a school artwork hanger!  I took a wood pants hanger, Chalk It Up Compliments (chipboard pcs) and Assortment Pack (puffy stickers) and layered them onto the hanger.  I adhered them using Liquid Glass (even on the stickers for added permanency) and in some cases where layered foam tape to make level.

 This project makes a great gift for any Mom, Grandma, or Teacher -- and for a great price.  I could make a few of these for under $10 worth of supplies.

I made another version of this using Ariana last year.

Happy Father's Day Layout - Studio J

I love how fast and easy this Studio J layout came together.  You can see here that I left it fairly un-embellished.  If I wanted on the printed version for my book I could add dimensional elements, such as 3D stickers to the B&T areas which I left blank below the journalling area.  I decided to leave it as is, not every page needs to be all foofy-lala.  Remember its about the pictures and the story. 

Are YOU October's Mystery Hostess??? Join the party now with your online order for you chance!

Join my October Mystery Hostess Gathering when shopping online Oct 9th - Oct. 31st, place an order greater than $25, and you may find yourself the HOSTESS!  What that means is, when all is said and done on Nov 1st I will do a drawing of everyone that has a qualifying order and has joined our Mystery Hostess Gathering.  I will contact the winner and they will receive all the eligible hostess rewards from Gathering, no fuss no muss!  How easy is that!?!?  Place the order you already were going to for that awesome new Cricut Bundle and Stamp of the Month OR maybe some paper packets and ink pads, GET the FREE ribbon  from the special of the month AND be qualified for the Mystery Hostess drawing!

CTMH October Oceanside Free Crop - 6 pm

Hosted by Me!  Thursday 10/16/14

Free Crop this month - get together and crop with friends whether you are working on cards, layouts, or holiday gifts...this is the perfect time to spend a few hours among friends gathering inspiration and crafting in a creative atmosphere.

Join us...please RSVP to reserve your spot now! 6pm at the Oceanside Community Church

Have a Happy Day Card

I am in love with this Happy day card I made (designed by my Upline Bren Yule) using Seaside Paper packet and Have a Happy Day stamp set, and CTMH's sequins which are so hot and trendy right now.

Make It From Heart - New CTMH Blog

I just wanted to share the new CTMH blog address with you, its brand new and a great place for crafting inspiration, contests, artwork (including receipes), and more...http://blog.closetomyheart.com.
So check it out today.

For your convenience I have added a link over on the right hand side of my blog for easy reference for you so you will be able to hop back over there whenever you are on my blog (which I hope is often!).

Happy World Card Making Day!

Isn't this holiday a cardmaker's dream!!!!!!
Who's taking advantage???  She you really can tell your husband it really IS a holiday!!!!!!!!!!

Scaredy Cat Layout

Look how cute this Scaredy Cat layout is from CTMH's design team.  Get all the supplies from heatherplotzke.ctmh.com.

Chalk It Up Teacher Gifts

I made these craft containers for teacher gifts and filled them with dark chocolate yummy treats.  The paper packet is Chalk it up.  I used Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to cut the flower (fit to page) out of B&T paper.  It was super easy and fast. Imagine one in any theme, Halloween, Thanksgiving hostess gift, Christmas, New Years Time Capsule (you could put in all your resolutions in it OR all your highlights from the year before!).  Get your supplies today at heatherplotzke.ctmh.com

October Special and Stamp of the month -- combine for even more Sweet deals!!!!

During the month of October, with each qualifying purchase of $50 USD / $55 CAD, you are eligible to receive—as a special bonus—one of two chevron ribbons FREE! Each chevron ribbon—Ruby or Outdoor Denim—has an original retail value of $6.95 USD / $7.75 CAD. So which ribbon will you get? It’s a surprise! Quantities are limited, so make sure to place your orders as early in the month as possible. Be sure to take advantage of this fantastic offer so you can enjoy embellishing your creations with your own surprise roll of bonus ribbon!

That same $50 order let's you buy the Stamp set of the month for $5!  Look how cute it is!  And it coordinates with the Art Philosophy set.  Get yours today at heatherplotzke.ctmh.com

September 2014 - Shadow Box Club Layout

September marked the inaugural layout of our Shadow Box Club.  To join the Club it cost members the discounted price of $44 for their choice of frame (antique  white or black), journaling pen, and your 1st months layout.  After that the cost is only $10 a month (unless you need it shipped -- then just need to add postage).  The kits come pre-cut, pre-stamped, and ready to assemble with a layout photo and assembly tips when needed.

This month's layout recipe is:
·        CTMH’s X7184B Chalk It Up Paper pack
·        Layout cutting template from Make It From Your Heart Vol 2, pattern #14, pgs 32-33 
·        C1588 Great Job Stamp Set (Stamped with black on Juniper CS, stars stamped on Flaxen CS) 
·        E1030 Handwritten Print Stamp Set (Stamped with White Daisy Ink on Black CS)   
         Stamping underlined with Z1767 Chalk Marker
 

Next Month's layout will be designed by the talented Dana Simone-Kurtz and will be featuring CTMH's Pathfinding paperpack. 

Oceanside Crop Reminder - Come out and Play

Hi to all my local So-Cal Crafting peeps out there....I wanted to remind everybody that Thursday the 18th is our monthly FREE crop at the Oceanside Community Church here in Oceanside. We will be getting together starting at 6p.

When we get together and crop its anything goes.  Some will scrapbook, some will make cards, some will papercraft...others will just hang out and chit-chat lol.  Like I said anything goes!  Its also a great time to ask me to show you those techniques you've been wanting to learn about; questions about your CTMH cricut sets? Bring your equipment and some play cardstock and will play with it for awhile...best way to learn is to take it out for a ride!

AND ALWAYS FEEL WELCOME TO BRING ALONG FRIENDS!!!!  We love new friends to play with!

Hope to see you out there!

September 2014 Studio J blog Hop "Anything Goes"

Welcome to the "Anything Goes" Blog Hop....if you came from Julie Sinnott's - 12x12travels.blogspot.ca WELCOME and you are in the RIGHT PLACE!

 

I love how easy in Studio J that I can get 15, let me repeat that FIFTEEN photos onto a layout easily and still allowing for design and embellishment.

 I choose not to add a lot of My Stickease to this layout because the pictures were already so bright and decorated as the kids were all playing dress up and it was so colorful.  That's also why I choose to use White Daisy as the back drop neutral to leave some quiet space.

One last thing I HIGHLY recommend you do when doing layouts of the kiddos and their friends, especially at this young of ages....label the little darlings individually every so many layouts like I did on this spread.  My kiddos ALL look alike at each age and so does my girlfriend's kids...two, five, ten years from now I don't want to be guessing which kid is this (trust me it happens...just ask my MOM which one of my siblings and I wore what during Halloween any given year in the 1970's).  I also some where on EVERY layout I Studio J add the date  This time its pretty noticeable right in the journalling area, other times, its more hidden in a corner or tucked onto a picture or piece of ribbon, but all the same just a small date somewhere on there years from now will mean a lot to your loved ones.

I hope you enjoyed my layout and tips....if you do be sure to stop by again....until then now its time for you to HOP on over to Rebecca Brown - www.showmescrapping.com

Cricut® Artfully Sent

IT'S AVAILABLE TODAY AT HEATHERPLOTZKE.CTMH.COM SO HURRY AND GRAB YOURS NOW!

Get this Super cute stamp set FREE and let's get STAMPING

September is National Stamping Month, and Close To My Heart is ready to celebrate all month long! When you spend $30 on any current retail-priced stamps during the month of September, you qualify to receive the exclusive C-sized stamp set #30yearsofhappy for FREE! This special offer is part of our celebration of National Stamping Month and in honor of our on-going celebration of our founder and CEO Jeanette Lynton’s 30-year anniversary in the scrapbooking and stamping industry. The exclusive stamp set features 30 mini images and sentiments perfectly suited for 30 days of happy stamping! So head to heatherplotzke.ctmh.com and let's get stamping!!!!

I Love YOU page - Studio J

Studio J made putting this layout together a breeze. One of best tricks in Studio J is that you can not only reuse the same My Stickease over and over again, but you can RESIZE them!!!!!!! Like I've done in this layout. 

Total game changer for me.  It makes layering and manipulating of the Stickase so much more valuable.  I just love to use them with the program, it gives you such a freedom to play and create AND the best part its all FREE with the Studio J program.  You don't have to pay extra, its all included!!!!  I only pay once print at the end no matter how much foofy-la-la I add to my page or how little...gotta LOVE THAT!

National Stamping Month - Sept 2014 Stamp of the Month

September's Stamp Of the Month can be yours for $5 today~at heatherplotzke.ctmh.com

National Stamping Month September - Tips on Facebook

Follow my Facebook page Close To My Heart - CTMH and Studio J Scrapbooking with Heather Plotzke at www.facebook.com/HeatherPlotzkeCTMH 

Everyday in September I will be posting a different stamping tip and technique for you...Some new, some old forgotten friends that will seem new again!

Picture Perfection

Picture My Life is already a great scrapping deal for the dollar but I wanted to remind everyone: During the month of August, when you purchase any of the 13 available Picture My Life™ scrapbooking programs featured in the 2014–2015 Annual Inspirations idea book at their full retail price of $24.95 USD / $27.50 CAD, you are eligible to add your choice of 1 of 8 qualifying Memory Protectors™ 10-packs for just $3 (USD & CAD)! Each Picture My Life scrapbooking program already includes a coordinating 10-pack of Memory Protectors, so when you add your additional 10-pack for only $3 you will be well on your way to your own picture-perfect pocket scrapbooking adventure! heatherplotzke.ctmh.com

Shadow Box Club

Introducing the SHADOW BOX CLUB

Get those pictures onto paper, one month at a time.  Start-up package includes one shadow box – colonial white (z2016) or Black (z2015), one journaling pen (z1979), and current month 2-page layout kit for only $44 (saving you over 10% on the box and pen).  Each month you confirm that you’d like the next month’s layout kit for just $10.  Once you put the kit together – don’t forget your pictures – you’ll display one page for the month in your shadow box.  After the month is over, just slide the pages into an album. 

Designed Décor Black Shadow Box Item #: Z2015

Designed Décor ColonialWhite Shadow Box Item#: Z2016

Wooden frame with hinged back that opens for easy loading.  Magnetic closure.Sawtooth hangers on back. Interior dimensions: 12" × 12". Tray depth: ½". Total depth when frame is closed: 1¼"

Marvy® Uchida® LePen™  ItemNumber: Z1979

 

 

Ask me more OR sign up today:

HEATHER PLOTZKE

hrkinney@hotmail.com  (760) 712-7033

Close To My Heart | Shinhan Touch Twin Markers Demo

I just watched a GREAT You Tube Video about CTMH's brand new Shinhan Twin Touch Alcohol Markers that was filled with tips and Techniques on how to use them!  As you all are aware for everyone that orders a new Annual Inspiration Idea Book from my site I am sending you out FREE your choice of one of these great markers, so I thought I'd share this Fab video from a sister consultant on WHY I am in marker-love!  To order your Book, more markers and all your crafting supplies head to heatherplotzke.ctmh.com....AND to get your FREE marker email me, call me, or text me your color choice! 

Lots of you have them on the way already...but I'd love to send out more FREE GOODIES!!!

Thursday Aug 21st - Free Crop Reminder!!!!!

Remember the Crop starts at 6p bring whatever you want to work on or projects you just want some help planning out for the future, or if you have questions about those tools you just haven't quite figured out yet bring them along and and some scraps and we can just play!!!!

The Crop is at Oceanside Community Church...contact me for the full details!!!!