Purrfect Models

My kids are off staying with my parents for their last week of summer break. What have I been doing while they're gone? NOTHING!!! OK not completely nothing, but none of my "mom" duties.
I did take some time yesterday to scrapbook. The August Stamp of the Month inspired me to create a layout with my favorite subject to photograph, my cats.

I may have been called a crazy cat lady once or twice. I don't think I'm obsessed, I just love my pets. They have their own personalities that make them endearing. I could go on and on about Walter and Mojito, but that might support the notion of how cat crazy I am ;) If you would like to learn more about these two, they have their own Instagram account @a_mojito_for_walter
So let's take a closer look at these pages:

 The title is stamped with the August SOTM Purr-fect Halloween and Typography alphabet, for Lady.
Close to my Heart has some really great alphabet stamp sets that are perfect for spelling out page titles.

The cats are also from the August SOTM set and I colored them to resemble my cats using watercolor paints and waterbrush. I have to admit, I wasn't a fan of watercolor painting at first, I preferred to use markers. But when I started using the paints with the waterbrushes it became so much more fun. The brushes give you the ability to add more water as needed and its a more controlled application. *Remember if you are stamping images to watercolor to use the Archival Black ink as the pigment and dye inks are water soluble*

Also I'm loving the CTMH color of the year Sea Glass and how it pairs beautifully with the Basics Fundamentals collections.

Layout Recipe:

• Rustic Home basics fundamentals Z3262
• Uptown basics fundamentals Z3263
• Sea Glass cardstock X5789
• Purr-fect Halloween August SOTM S1608
• All Together compliments Z3267
• Sea Glass glitter paper Z3240
• Whisper cardstock X5929
• Watercolor paints Z3132
• Waterbrush small round Z3224
• White Shimmer Trim Z3024
• Archival Black ink 44751
• Whisper ink Z2172

Because the Basics Fundamentals are so great, wouldn't it be even better to get them for FREE?!

Right now you can with the 'Basically the Best' promotion.

During the month of August, when you order our Whimsy, Adventure, and Enchantment Fundamental papers, you can choose to get either the Rustic Home or Uptown Fundamentals for FREE! Both of these Basics packets feature foil designs and specialty materials for making your artwork unique. Yep, this deal is basically the best!

Basically Fabulous

Today I'm sharing a card I created with the Uptown fundamentals from the Basics collection. But these papers are so much more than just basics.

Uptown Fundamentals Z3263

The black and white (and grey and white reverse side) patterns are neutral yet bold. The vellum and gold foil are great accents that go with any color palette. 

For my card I paired the black and white paper with gold foil, which I cut into a star banner with my Cricut, and sea glass cardstock. I used white embossing powder so the "Birthday Wishes" sentiment would show up on the black paper. And for more sparkle and glitz I added a strip of sea glass glitter paper and gold shimmer trim. My daughter said it looks like a night sky party! 

Card Recipe:

• Uptown Fundamentals Z3263
• Sea Glass cardstock X5789
• Birthday Sparkles stamp set  B1537
• Sea glass Glitter paper Z3240
• Gold Shimmer Trim Z1985
• White Embossing powder Z2068
• VersaMark ink pad Z891
• Cricut Flower Market collection Z3285

During the month of August you can get the Uptown Basics fundamentals for FREE!
With Basically the Best, when you order our Whimsy, Adventure, and Enchantment Fundamental papers, you can choose to get either the Rustic Home or Uptown Fundamentals for FREE! Both of these Basics packets feature foil designs and specialty materials for making your artwork unique. Yep, this deal is basically the best!

Flower Pot Card with Cricut

Available now is the new Close to my Heart Cricut Collection Flower Market.

This brand new Cricut® collection features blooms and blossoms for every season of life. All of the designs feature botanical details of some kind, from flowers and leaves to branches and wreaths. Designed to span an entire year's worth of themes and occasions, this collection features shapes for holidays, cardmaking, and everyday scrapbooking. We know this collection will really grow on you!

For only $99 it includes

 3 - My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets (valued at $17.95 each)

1 - Adventure cardstock combo pack ($14.50 value)

1 - cartridge (700 images: shapes, layers, banners, borders, titles, and font)

The font and all images included can be seen here

I have enjoyed previewing this collection and have a really pretty card to share with you today.

I made this really sweet flower pot card using the flower pot and hydrangea shapes on the cartridge.

The patterns on the flowers and leaves were made using the stamp sets that are included in the collection, as well as the card sentiments.

In Cricut Design Space I welded a basic shape to the hydrangea base so that there would be a "card" to slip inside the pot. Aside from stamping and gluing the layers, the Cricut does all the work for you.

I have the Design Space file here to share, all you need to do is purchase this collection and you'll be on your way to making Flower Market projects too.

Flower Pot Card DS File - https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/43541693

This file also contains a bonus design (perfectly sized to fit on a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" card)  for this card:

Project Recipes:

Hydrangea Flower Pot Card

• Sweet leaf, Juniper, Glacier, Lagoon, Peacock and Fern cardstocks
• Peacock, Fern and Sweet leaf exclusive inks 
• Cricut Flower Market collection

Hello Sweet-pea Card

• Whimsy Fundamentals( Thistle stripes and x's)
• Thistle and Fern cardstocks
• Fern thick twine
• Thistle exclusive ink
• Mini stapler
• Cricut Flower Market collection

I hope these projects inspire you to get creating.

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August New Arrivals!

It is finally here! The new Close to my Heart Annual Inspirations idea book.

There's a lot of new products to check out. These are just a few of my favorites, but of you want to see them all you can order your copy of the Annual Inspirations or view it online HERE and of course you can browse the products via Your Memories Here Close to my Heart

Rustic Home Fundamentals  Z3262

Rustic Home Fundamentals paper neutral foundations that can be used with any color palette. Featuring woodgrain, some kraft paper, vellum and copper foil accents.

Whimsy Fundamentals Z3255

Whimsy Fundamentals paper beautiful soft palette in watercolor designs

All Together compliments Z3267

All Together Compliments coordinate with the Rustic fundamentals but are also great, stand alone stickers and kraft die-cuts featuring white foil accents,  and vellum die-cut copper foil designs. 

Wise Guy Birthday C1662

Wise Guy Birthday funny stamp set. I can foresee a lot of cards being made with this set!

All the Thanks B1536

All the Thanks a really awesome all purpose thank you set.

There's also a NEW Cricut collection!

Cricut® Flower Market Collection Z3285

Cricut® Flower Market Collection for $99 it includes:

1 Cartridge (700 Images: Shapes, Layers, Banners, Borders, Backgrounds, and Font)

3 My Acrylix® D-size Stamp Sets

1 Adventure Cardstock Combo Pack

This brand new Cricut® collection features blooms and blossoms for every season of life. All of the designs feature botanical details of some kind, from flowers and leaves to branches and wreaths. Designed to span an entire year's worth of themes and occasions, this collection features shapes for holidays, cardmaking, and everyday scrapbooking. We know this collection will really grow on you!

I can't wait to share what I've been creating with this new cartridge! 

It's also available as Flower Market digital format for the Cricut Explore and Explore Air. You get all the papers and stamps, just no cartridge, overlay or book - all of your images are accessible online with a code provided and it's only $79. That's what I have because I have no need for cartridges anymore with my Cricut Explore.

Please take a look through the new idea book and leave a comment here telling me what you're favorite new product is (besides those I've already listed). You'll be entered to win a new stamp set from me  (this is NOT a Close to my Heart sponsored giveaway)