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I’m Proud Of You Pinwheel Card (Free Kit with Purchase)

Who do you know that deserves a “I’m proud of you card”?  I bet you have at least one person in mind. 

so proud of you card

So many people have stepped up to the challenges during this current pandemic. Here’s a few that come to mind: teachers, medical professionals, parents, truckers and grocery store workers. Of course there are also the students who have continued their education as their school year changed completely and graduations without the normal pomp and circumstance. 

If you’d like to make this card and send to someone you are proud of, you just need to order May Stamp of the Month, Time to Celebrate, from my Close To My Heart website. This stamp set is only available in May and is discounted to just $5 when you add it to your cart of $50 or more. Everyone who purchases this stamp from me will receive a kit to make the card above (or one of the variations below) in the mail! 

This stamp set is filled with script and print sentiments for all occasions. You can easily change up the kit to make tell someone “happy birthday” , “thank you”, “congratulations” or any other of the sentiments on this fully loaded stamp set. In fact, I used same materials included in the kit to make this Father’s Day card.

Father's Day Card

Besides switching out the sentiment, I made a few other changes for this card. Because our patterned paper is double-sided, I turned over the paper at the bottom of the page to show the check pattern instead of the plaid. 

Another change was to flatten out the pinwheel. Although the 3-D pinwheel is a lot of fun for cards that you are hand delivering, it doesn’t fit in an envelope well. I was afraid that even if I was able to fit it in an envelope, it would get crushed into an odd shape in transit. So I used a Bone Folder and working from the inside of the pinwheel out, creased each of the spokes of the pinwheel. 

Finally, on the Father’s Day card, I painted the button with the Sapphire shimmer brush. Keeping with the change in color, I sponged the edges of the card base and papers with Sapphire ink rather than the Toffee I used in the first card.

Get Your Free Card Kit

When you purchase the Time to Celebrate stamp set on my Close To My Heart website (at full or discounted price), I’ll send you a kit to make this shaker card! If you have not tried our our new Pinwheel Thin Cut, you will love learning how to do this. I did a tutorial in my Creative Friends facebook group earlier this week. You are invited to join the group and check it out!

Kit includes

– Card base

– Pre-cut Aurora papers and cardstock, including piece cut with the Pinwheel Die-Cut

– Silver Brad

– Wooden Button

 

Additional supplies needed to finish your card as shown:

– Sapphire Ink

– Clear Acrylic Blocks

– Sponge

– Adhesives

– Toffee Ink (optional for sponging)

– Sapphire Shimmer Brush (optional)

Here’s a couple more variations using the kit.

thinking of you card

congrats card

If you’d like one of these kits, simply place an order on my Close To My Heart website that includes the Time to Celebrate stamp set.  

Start shopping now>>

Always create,

Rebecca

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Updated Schedule: New dates for virtual and live events

Covid-19 has changed how we meet up to craft together. Several events have been canceled or postponed and new virtual opportunities have been scheduled. Read this post to get all the updates then mark your calendar so you don’t miss them!

As we start to emerge from sheltering in place, it is unclear how quickly our lives will get back to normal and what “normal” will look like in our post-pandemic world. This post includes current information about upcoming creative events. As thing evolve, you can always find up-to-date information on my Events webpage. 

Rebecca’s Creative Friends Virtual Crop – NEW DATE

Over the weekend of June 12 – 14, I’ll be hosting another virtual crop on the Rebecca’s Creative Friends Facebook Group. If you are missing getting together to create with friends, join us for a weekend filled with project ideas, tutorials, exclusive specials, games and prizes. The event is free, but you need to join my creative friends Facebook group to participate. Join now>>

Annual Scrapbooking Yardsale 

This will be the fourth year I’ve hosted this multi-crafter sale and you don’t want to miss this chance to get some great products for your next creative project. Because of the pandemic, we have moved this year’s sale to October 3. Click “going” to the event on Facebook and turn on notifications to get access to pre-sale bargains and any other updates. RSVP>>

Close To My Heart Virtual Workshops

Join me on the Close To My Heart Facebook page for these FREE virtual events! Workshop kits are (or will be) available to order on my Close To My Heart website, just put the item number in the search bar. Learn more>>

First Baptist Church of Arnold Crops

I’ve  missed getting together with my cropping buddies the last couple of months. The June crop has been canceled due to Covid-19. Mark you calendar an plan to attend the remaining crops in 2020.

  • July 18
  • August 15
  • September 26 — new date!
  • October 17
  • November 21

Rubber Stamping Event 

This event has been rescheduled for September 19 – 20 at the Gateway Center in Collinsville, IL. Tickets to this fun shopping event are just $5 online ($8 at door). The online ticket includes early admission on Saturday. My booth will be filled with creative products for both scrapbookers and card-makers. Subscribers to my newsletter will receive 30% off retail price on one item!  Learn more>>

I have missed seeing you live, but am glad we have the technology that allows us to get together virtually. There are some advantages for meeting at a distance, including no packing! Also, most of these virtual events are recorded so you can watch on your schedule. 

Remember, you can always find up-to-date information on my Events webpage. If you have any questions, please let me know

Happy creating,

Rebecca

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Memorial Day Weekend Sale starts today at 4 pm!

This weekend, we’re celebrating Memorial Day with a special sale! With deals up to 30% off selected items, the online sale is a great opportunity to prepare for a new season of crafting. The sale will begin today (Friday, May 22) at 4 pm (CDT) and end at midnight on Monday, May 25. 

Once it starts, the sale items can be found under the Promotions tab of my Close To My Heart website

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New Exclusive Stamp Sets for Quarantine Crafting (You’ll love the pets with masks!)

Quarantine Stamp Sets

In light of the continuing popularity of our My Acrylix® Let’s Stay Home stamp set, Close To My Heart has released two new exclusive stamp sets featuring sentiments and icons to help you capture more of what is happening in your life right now. 

The Great Indoors Stamp Set

This stamp set if filled with fun sentiments that are perfect for your memory keeping as well as other crafts. Take a look at the projects below created by the talented artists at Close To My Heart including a beautiful layout, cards and candy wrappers.

New Quarantine Stamp Sets

On Repeat Stamp Set

On Repeat Stamp Set

This stamp set also has relevant phrases, plus the adorable cat and dog decked out in masks! This set have been specifically designed to give you images and sentiments to use in your craft projects. Take  inspiration from layout, cards and MASK created by the Close To My Heart art team.

New Quarantine Stamp Sets

Both of these new stamp sets are available now. Order yours for your next craft project! Learn more>>

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New Craft with Heart Layouts Reveal PLUS Subscribe in May and get Bonus Essentials!

TheCraft with Heart scrapbooking subscription program is a fun way to get a kit for two layouts delivered to your door automatically each month. 

The two layouts for May (shown below) coordinate with the Aurora collection that is now available in our new May/June catalog. With titles “Reach for the Stars” and “Be Brave” these pages are perfect to celebrate heroes (or heroes in training) in your life. During the last few months, so many have stepped up and done extraordinary things. Snap some pictures to preserve these memories!

Not only are the Craft With Heart layouts beautiful, they are also super fast to assemble. Thanks to beautiful pre-printed base pages, paper pieces, die-cuts and stickers you’ll have completed pages in minutes.

There is NO cutting, NO stamping, NO big decisions!

These layouts are ONLY AVAILABLE available through our subscription program. If you’d like to get these beautiful, easy layouts, follow these three steps:

Ready to subscribe? Let’s compare your options:

In case you missed it in the chart above, in addition to the lower kit prices there is significant savings on the kits themselves plus shipping and handling when you choose the 4-month or 12-month options. 

4-Month Plan Savings

First you save 10% on every it. In addition, under this option you only receive (and pay for) a shipment every 4 months. This means that over the course of a year, you save a total of $93.15.

12-month Plan Savings

When you pay for 12 months at a time, you save 20% off each kit. In addition, there is NO SHIPPING and handling charge! This saves you a total of $138.48 over the course of a year.  You also get a coupon for 30 free photo prints from Persnickety Prints! It really is the best deal. 

Also when you choose the 4-month or 12-month during May through August, your first shipment includes the layouts for all four months. Below are pictures of the other six layouts you will receive in your box. Note that if you love the first two, you need to check out the Stitched Togetherpaper collection. 

BONUS TIME! 

If you are ready to subscribe, I am ready to give you some bonus products! Everyone who subscribes under the 4-month or annual option between today and May 31 will receive a few bonus items to help you complete your layouts. When you subscribe on the 4-month plan, I’ll send you a Black Journaling Pen (.03) AND a Close To My Heart Adhesive Runner! Since each kit is a complete kit that is ready to assemble, with these additions, you will have everything you need to get started.  

When you subscribe on the 12-month plan, I’ll send you the Journaling Pen, and Adhesive Runner, plus a pack of  3-D Foam Dots! I love using these double-sided adhesive to pop up elements on my layout. While these are not technically essential, these are always handy when I’m scrapbooking to add dimension to my projects. 

Remember these bonus items are only when you subscribe before the end of May 2020! For more information watch the unboxing video below.

Subscribe now>>

Happy Creating! 

Rebecca

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Overview of Flower Market Cricut Collection: More than just Flowers!

Today, I’d like to share some of the reasons I love the Flower Market Cricut Collection. Although the physical cartridge that contained these images is now retired they are now available using my special Cricut Affiliate link

This is the second post in a series focusing on the Close To My Heart Cricut image sets. 

An Introduction to Flower Market

If you have been keeping up with Cricut developments over the last few years, you have probably heard of Flower Market. It is one of the most popular Cricut collections ever because it has such a wide variety of flowers, including several that are 3D when assembled. But you may may not know that this collection has so much more! In addition to flowers, it has images of things to put flowers in like vases, jars and even off things like boots! It also has things to put flowers on like wreaths, laurels and even horse shoes! There are also titles and other images related to the symbolic nature of flowers.

For example, the Poppy flower is used worldwide as a symbol of remembrance, especially those who have died for their country. Along with both 3-D and flat versions of the flowers, there is also a jar, wreath, ribbon and the words “Always Remember”. 

Of course you can mix and match these images with others on the cartridges, but coordinating images are conveniently organized by pagethe handbook. Each page has 14 total images (some are automatically layered in Design Space) including a flower and related images. 

Links to Handbook & Index of Flowers

Are you excited to see it all?   

View the handbook >> 

View the shape index>>

Flower Market includes familiar favorites like the Daisy, Sunflower and Rose. But it also includes less well known flowers like Trillium and Delphinium. When this collection was released (with the help of Google), I identified each of the flowers and created a handy index that you can download for free! View Flower Market Index>>

Two Fonts

The Flower Market collection includes two lovely fonts. For each letter, you can choose the decorative or straight versions.  The collection also includes numbers and basic symbols. 

3-D Flowers

Have you been wanting to join the paper flower craze? This cartridge has several 3D flowers that you can cut and create in minutes. If you need some help with assembly, there are some basic directions in the back of the handbook. These are so much fun to make! 

Flowers and much more

As you scroll down and see all of the images on this collection, you’ll see why this is a favorite of mine. There are images and sentiments for all occasions. I frequently use images from this collection in my projects, yet I still see something new every time I look through the handbook. 

Posts with additional Flower Market Projects

Over the years since this cartridge was first released, I’ve shared several projects on this blog. See all of the posts featuring Flower Market >>

Videos featuring Flower Market

If you are looking for even more inspiration, you are in luck! When this amazing collection was first released in 2017, Close To My Heart made a series of 34 videos with inspirational art made using the images in the Flower Market set. Click here to see the whole Flower Market video play list>>

Watch the video below to see a beautiful spring layout featuring snowdrop flowers.

How to purchase

The physical cartridge is retired and out of stock, but the good news is that it is back! If you never bought the physical cartridge, you can now create with these images in Design Space. You can access them  several different ways. The Flower Markets images are now available with Cricut Access or can be purchased individually in Design Space for $1.99 for each project and $6.99 for the font. However, the best value is to purchase the full collection which includes all 700 individual images (projects plus font) for just $49.95. When you purchase the full collection, the images are yours forever, regardless of your subscription status. You can subscribe to Access or purchase the full collection on Cricut.com. (If you use the Cricut link in this post for your purchases, I’ll earn a commission without you paying extra. Thank You!)

I hope this post has encouraged you to check out or re-familiarize yourself with this great Cricut collection.

Keep creating!

Rebecca

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Mirror, Mirror… Evil Queen Layout (Free Design Space Project)

Anyone else missing getting out and going places? Today, I was thinking of one of my favorite places to visit and thought I’d share this layout from our trip to Disneyland a few years ago. 

 

These pictures bring back the memories of this trip. My daughter was totally into taking selfies at the time and collected them with each character she met on the trip. The exchange happening in these pictures was priceless. The Evil Queen, being from Once Upon a Time,  had never seen a cell phone of course and was very interested in the miniature “mirror”.  It was a moment of Disney magic that still makes me laugh when I see these photos.

To make this layout special enough for these special photos, I used red and green glitter paper (retired) and gold foil paper. I love how well these specialty papers cut on the Cricut. Be sure to use the custom material settings to get the best results. 

Want to make this project? Click the link below to open the Design Space file. 

I used images from Lyrical Letters 2 and Disney Princess Happily Ever After.  Open Design Space project>>

Keep creating,

Rebecca

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Make 3 Beautiful Projects in the Virtual Cricut Design Space Workshop

Get your Cricut out of the box or dust it off. It’s time to learn some new skills at the Flower Market Cricut Workshop.

You’re invited to join me for a virtual Cricut class next Sunday (May 17). We’ll make the three projects pictured and described below using the amazing Flower Market Cricut collection. When you make these projects, you’ll learn both basic and advanced Design Space skills. I’m so excited to teach you how to make these beautiful projects.

If you’ve attended one of my workshops before, these are two changes. First, this is now a virtual event which has both limitations but also some advantages over a live event. The most obvious benefit of a virtual class is that you will not need to pack up your machine, laptop, other tools and supplies to travel to where ever I am. You will have the convenience of working in your normal space without the inconvenience of packing and unpacking. We’ll also be able to share community without the pressure to keep up with the person across the table or feeling guilt for working ahead. 

Second, for this workshop, you’ll get a guide that includes both step-by-step directions and Design Space links to the completed projects. You choose whether to design the projects from scratch or to jump straight to cutting.

Learn more>>

Sending Sunshine Card

This cheerful card will brighten the day of whoever you send it to. Your kit includes the solid and patterned cardstock, foil paper plus the card base and envelope. 

May Flowers (Iris) Layout

Just in time for your late spring pictures, this layout features just one of then many flowers in the Flower Market collection. You’re going to love creating these iris and fern bouquets. 

Pot of Succulents

The last project is this gorgeous pot of succulents. Optional sponging technique adds fun detail to these 3-D plants. 

Register now>>

Workshop contents:

  • Cardstock
  • I Heart Us Paper
  • Foil Paper
  • Card base & envelope
  • Paper mache flower pot
  • Dual Track Printable Guide, with step-by-step directions plus Design Space links to completed projects
  • Virtual “Live” Workshop Meeting

New Dual Track Classes 

The printable workshop guide includes step-by-step directions for each project. For each project, you will be guided through the design, cutting and assembly process. These directions will give you the opportunity to learn how to do intermediate and advanced techniques in Design Space. The format will look very familiar if you have attended one of my Cricut classes before. 

New with this workshop, the guide with also include links to completed projects in Design Space. If you are new to Design Space or just want a fast track to finishing the projects, you can use these links and focus on basic skills rather than the advanced techniques used to design the projects. The addition of the Design Space links creates a beginner and advanced track for the projects. You choose which track is best for you! 

New Virtual Workshop Format

Each workshop will have a schedule date and time for a virtual workshop using Zoom. The session will begin with a walk through the steps of each project. I’ll point out any challenges that you may have along the way and give you tips to avoid them. Once I have finished this portion, the classroom will remain open while you and others in the workshop work at your own pace. Together, we’ll discuss any questions or issues that come up along the way. 

Additional Materials Needed:

  • Cricut Explore or Maker machine, mat and tools
  • Paper adhesives
  • Liquid Glass 
  • Thistle & Pixie ink pads (optional)
  • Sponge (optional)
  • Rocks
  • Images from the Flower Market Cricut Collection*

*You will need to either (a) subscribe to Cricut Access or (b) purchase these images prior to cutting the projects. If you wish to subscribe or purchase the entire Flower Market collection, you can do this using my personal Cricut affiliate link. Alternatively, you can purchase the individual images used in the projects in Design Space just before you cut. I also have two remaining copies of the digital-only collection on discounted to just $40. Let me know if you’d like to purchase one of them.

Register now>>

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Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with Blue Skies!

We are celebrating National Scrapbooking Month with the beautiful Blue Skies collection, featuring a double-size paper packet with lots of fantastic coordinating products, such as stickers, stamp sets, Thin Cuts, and more! 

Blue Skies Collection

The sensational Blue Skies collection may just be our best National Scrapbooking Month offering ever! Start with the incredible Blue Skies Paper collection, which features 12 double-sided paper sheets—twice the number of designs in our other paper collections. Accent your papercrafts with coordinating stickers and cardstocks—both featuring eye-popping UV-coated designs—as well as two coordinating stamp sets and a dimensional Pinwheel Thin Cuts die!  

Blue Skies Product Bundles

If you want it all, be sure to add one of the Blue Skies paper bundles  to your cart and save 20% – 30% over the retail price! Be sure to review the contents of each bundle to choose the one that is right for you. Learn more>>

Blue Skies bundles

In addition to these stand alone and bundled products, you can choose one of the project workshops — or you may just want to make all three! 

Blue Skies Cut Above Layout Kit

This workshop gives you the materials for creating two beautiful two-page layouts using pre-printed base pages with die-cut pieces and stickers made just for these layouts. Learn more>>

Blue Skies Cut Above Layout

Blue Skies Cardmaking Workshop Kit

Use the materials in this workshop to make 18 standard size cards, each with its own unique design. Photos of each card, a downloadable guide and list of additional supplies needed is on my website.Learn more>>

Blue Skies Cardmaking Workshop Kit

Blue Skies 6″ x 8″ Scrapbooking Workshop Kit

Use the materials in this workshop to make a beautiful mini album. Completed album includes an opening page, 11 2-page layouts and a closing page. Kit includes papers, embellishments and memory protectors.  Photos of each page, a downloadable guide and list of additional supplies needed is on my website.  Learn more>>

Blue Skies Mini Album Workshop

Blue Skies Scrapbooking Workshop Kit

Use the materials in this kit to create four coordinating 12″ x 12″ two-page layouts. Workshop includes a pack of Blue Skies Paper Pack and Sticker sheet, Blue Skies coordinating cardstock (with UV patterns) and 20 additional sheets of cardstock. You will have lots of paper left over to make a few additional layouts with these bright cheerful colors. Photos of each layout, a downloadable guide and list of additional supplies needed is on my website. Learn more>>

Blue Skies Scrapbooking Wokshop Kit

I’m very excited about this beautiful collection and will be sharing some of my personal projects thoughout May. If you’d like to see all the options summarized on one page, visit the National Scrapbooking Month page on my website. There are so many options that it can be hard to choose. Let me know if you need help figuring out what project or projects are the right ones for you.

Keep Creating,

Rebecca

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Craft along with me to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day this year!

If you are getting stir crazy sheltering in place and are ready to have some fun, join me on the Close To My Heart Facebook page on May 2 to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day!

National Scrapbooking Day

This unprecedented virtual event will be filled with creativity and fun! Everyone is welcome to join in and watch the FREE event on our Close To My Heart Facebook Page! We will be demonstrating some fabulous creative projects during the event. 

Close To My Heart will also be giving away creative prizes! There is no purchase necessary, just go to the National Scrapbooking Day Facebook event and click “Going” to be entered into the drawings.

You can create along with us by using the products and bundles below!

Blue Skies Cut Above Layout Kit

This kit for two 2-page layouts is from our “cut above” line which means that it features printed base pages, die cuts and stickers and will go together super fast! Learn more>>

Story Starter Workshop  – with guest instructor Stacy Julian!

 In addition to an adorable 4″ mini album, this workshop includes step-by-stop directions to tell the story of an important person, place or thing that you love. . Learn more>>

For this event, Stacy will be using the “Let’s Stay Home” stamp set to document this unique time as we shelter in place and keep healthy social distancing. 

Cardmaking Bundle 1 – Through Thick & Thin

 You’ve probably heard that laughter is the best medicine. If that’s true, this adorable set of “punny” cards may be just what the doctor ordered. The kit includes materials to make 20 fun cards you can use to send some cheer.  Learn more>>

Cardmaking Bundle 2

 The second card bundle also has materials to make 20 cards. This set include heartfelt messages of appreciation and best wishes. The double stamp set also includes icons representing the many people who are helping us during this difficult time.  Learn more>>

Scrapbooking Bundle 

What would National Scrapbooking Day be without layouts? This next bundle includes materials to make SIX 2-page layouts! This kit includes BOTH of the brand new paper collections coming out in May — Aurora and Stitched Together. It also includes the coordinating Picture My Life cards for both of these paper collectoins.  Learn more>>

“Home” Wreath Bundle

Show your home some love with this lovely home decor piece. This kit includes the wooden frame, paper background and 3D flowers and leaves.  Learn more>>

Mega Bundle 

Can’t decide which project to make? The National Scrapbooking Day Projects Bundle includes the Story Starter Kit, both Cardmaking bundles, the Scrapbooking bundle plus the Home Wreath. (This is everything except the Blue Skies Cut Above layouts.) When you buy the bundle you’ll save 25% off retail price! Learn more>>