The February promotions at Close to My Heart end today, before which I'd like to share a card that I made out from the promotion set:
Inspired by the challenge at Always Playing with Paper, I wanted to make a masculine card. To match with the theme of travelling I have used the Regatta paper packetwhich has a nautical theme. Do you see the tone-on-tone waves in the blue background paper?
I can't really explain why I used that floral patterned paper on a masculine card. It was definitely something outside of my comfort zone but I'm glad I did it! The floral pattern is not too over-powering and I like that some red complements with the dark blue background nicely.
It was my first time using the thin cuts from Close to My Heart when I was creating this card:
I've learned that when I make cards, it would be nice if it can serve as a multi-purpose one. For instance, this one says "Oh Happy Day" could be used for a birthday card or other occasion for celebration. And this one has the color scheme and patterns that's good for guys of various age groups. Isn't that nice? I should try making more cards like this one!
Guess what I used this card for? It was a Valentine's Day card. I wanted to make something other than the traditional red and hearts and the stamp set My Anchor from Close to My Heart inspired me to try something new! It has sentiments that say "I love our adventures together", "I'd lost without you", "You're my anchor", which are all great form a V-day card, don't you think? Click here to see the images of this set.
I also have the coordinating dies for this set. I love that the dies come in the same package as the stamp set, so storage won't be a problem (uniform packaging makes organization much easier!). The other thing I appreciate a lot is the magnetic sheet that comes with it. So thoughtful! Oh one more thing, the dies were already separated, so we don't need to cut them apart for use! I have bought dies from other companies where the dies are attached together. I don't mind cutting them apart, but just a bit concerned that the tiny little connecting pieces would go all over the place. Close to My Heart has done an awesome job in packaging its dies! Yay!
If you'd like to know more about its products, you can find more information here.
Because the balloon giraffe is a solid image, I think stamping it in black against a colorful background would make it pop and sure it did! I used the brushstroke image with a rainbow of colors: Pixie, Sunset, Canary, Pear, Glacier and Gypsy. Oh yes, there are only six colors in my rainbow. That is a better proportion for the giraffe!
Today I am sharing something different than my usual post. I receive questions from time to time about how to maximize the shopping experience with Close to My Heart. I thought about it and think that I'll prepare a post for it. If you are new to Close to My Heart, you'll find the shopping tips below helpful!
Stamp of the Month promotion
What is Stamp of the Month?
Each month, you can purchase a new D-size stamp set, available for only that calendar month, for just $5! A typical D-size stamp set costs $17.95, so it's a huge discount! If you place an order of $50 or more in Close to My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month.
Can I buy this stamp set alone during that calendar month?
Yes, but I suggest that you ask if your craft pals will make an order and let you take advantage of the promotion. Perhaps your pal is placing a $100 order and is qualified for TWO sets of Stamp of the Month, then you each can have a set. That is an absolute win-win situation. But if that doesn't work out, you could still buy the Stamp of the Month alone at its full price of $17.95.
Can I buy this stamp set after the promotion?
Depends. It depends on how much after the promotion has ended. I suggest that you contact your consultant and ask if she has an extra set, or if she knows other consultants who may have one. If you don't have a consultant yet, I'll be happy to be yours.
How can I learn more about Stamp of the Month?
Go to your consultant's website, click promotions and select Stamp of the Month. You'll find the images of the entire stamp set there.
Constant Campaign
In addition to the Stamp of the Month promotion, Close to My Heart usually has one more promotion each month. For instance in February, the promotion is called Share the Love.
Unlike the Stamp of the Month program where the details are the same every month , this other promotion varies month to month. Sometimes it is a bundle of products offered at a discounted price, sometimes it is a limited edition product that is only available during that month. This month, for instance, is that we get to buy a beautiful stamp set that's only available in this month. What's special here is that Close to My Heart will donate $7 USD of the proceeds from this stamp set to Operation Smile, an amazing organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates for children all over the world.
To learn more about this promotion, go to your consultant's website, click promotions and select Share the Love. After this month, you'll find another promotion other than Share the Love, but you get the idea.
Operation Smile
I invite you to visit Operation Smile's website to learn more about its meaningful mission.
You may also want to watch the following videos:
and
Close to My Heart offers its Operation Smile line of products where it donates a portion of each purchase to Operation Smile that provides surgeries for children with cleft lips and palates. For now there is a stamp set called Animal Greetings:
and T shirts in gray and red in two versions - women and unisex:
and
Want to make donations in addition to purchasing the stamp set and the t shirt?
Let me first thank you for your generosity and kindness. Those kids and their families will always be grateful for your donations! An easy way to make a small donation is to round up your order to the nearest dollar amount. It may be just a few cents or a quarter, but every penny counts and adds up to help a child in need. Just let your consultant know that you'd like to round up your order for that purpose.
If you want to make a bigger donation, there is a donation box on the Customer Order Form and you can contribute any dollar amount you would like. Again, notify your consultant when you place an order at your home gatherings.
If you want to make an even larger donation or wish to receive a donation receipt, you are encouraged to use a dedicated website operationsmile.org/ctmh so that your contribution can be counted twoard the Close to My Heart annual goal. Thank you again for your support!
Clearance
Now we get the the most exciting part! Clearance!
I don't think I need to explain much about clearance. We all know too well about it.
Close to My Heart has done a fabulous job to categorize the clearance items:
I always jump to the Accessories section first because that never disappoints me. Right now, the Carnival Washi Tape Packand the Broadwalk Washi Tape Pack are sold for only $1.90 each. It is a huge discount from its original price of $5.95! It's three rolls of washi! I love the extra wide and the skinny ones, all in one pack! I also like the Slate Diagonal Striped Ribbon. It's only $1.78 for 5 yards! Unbeatable price!
My reflectionssection also delights me. I love those buttons and assortments at steep discounts! Even though they were made to coordinate a particular paper pack, trust me, they will also match the colors of your other projects!
Two main points about the clearance section: 1. Check this clearance site as frequently as possible. They are put on sale on a rather random schedule. We can't tell when new items arrive at the clearance section, unfortunately. The only way to ensure you know about it is to check it out often.
2. Snap it up before it's gone. Want to think about it before putting it in your cart? No No No! Making purchases in the clearance section is no different from shopping in a vintage store. You can't think about it because while you do, others will have snapped it and before you have made your decision, it's sold out. I suggest that you set a budget and give yourself a shopping spree in that section.
If you have read my 2016 resolutions earlier this year, you may recall that one of them is to resist the temptations of sales. Yes, I still mean it and I have been doing pretty good for the last month and a half. But I do have a soft spot for the Clearance section on the Close to My Heart website because its products are those I am familiar with and I know I can put them to good use. I used to jump to any sales in stores and online and buy a lot of items that are later found to be rather useless because I was so distracted by the price tag that I disregarded whether I could think of a purpose for it. Sometimes I just didn't have the coordinating products to go with the sale items. Either way, even though I did save money because the item was on sale, I actually lost money because I couldn't find a meaningful way to use it, or I have to make an additional purchase to put it to good use. As I have got many Close to My Heart products already, I know that the clearance items will be a good match to my existing stash. That really helps me save money. Like I said I tend to go to the accessories section because many of the accessories are not related to any theme. Take ribbon, washi tape, sparkles, studs for example, you could use these on any projects, be it a birthday card or home decor or a scrapbook layout. I think they are the best items to snap during sale. :)
There you have it, my take on how to maximize the shopping experience at Close to My Heart. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Hello everyone! Today is the first year of the Lunar New Year. I gave up making Lunar New Year card long time ago as most supplies available, except for red and gold cardstock, are not really helpful to make one. This may be the only occasion that I buy store-bought cards. Trust me, it hurts me to do that because I'd much rather be able to make a decent one.
For those celebrating it, I wish you a year of health and happiness. :)
I'm continuing my Thank You card journey:
I've used a retired paper packet and Stamp of the Month from Close to My Heart. The sketch is one from Wishes. Though these products were retired, the card still looks fine to me. Typewriters are still in, aren't they?
I'm back today to share my card using Balloon Animals, Stamp of the Month of February of Close to My Heart.
I had many ideas in my head but I couldn't resist using another sketch from Make it from your Heart II. These how-to programs are time-savers! They are also my source of inspiration when I need it. :) I can't help but using theZoe paper packet. The fun and bright colors are perfect for this party/celebration themed stamp set. It turned out cute and I hope you like it too!
Share the love this February by purchasing the exclusive My Acrylix® Share the Love D-size stamp set (CC1060). Filled with adorable icons and loveable sentiments, this stamp set will be a beautiful addition to your collection—but there is more to this stamp set than meets the eye! Not only will you be getting a high-quality, swoon-worthy stamp set by taking part in this promotion, but Close To My Heart will also donate $7 USD of the proceeds from this stamp set to Operation Smile™, an amazing organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates for children all over the world*! Check out our social media channels all month long to see this stamp set in action, and remember to post your own artwork using the hashtag #ctmhsharethelove to help bring attention to a wonderful and worthy cause. If you want to see all the images of the set, please click here. Stamp of the Month in February is Balloon Animals - a fun stamp set that's perfect for kid's birthday but will be great for many other occasions. You can see all the images of this set here.
I'll be sharing a birthday card using this set very soon. Stay tuned!
