Chatter from the Heart - Day 1 (An update on what's new with Close to My Heart)

As with every new year, there are fabulous changes coming in the paper crafting industry and Close to My Heart is no exception. Besides the innovative designs and programs you've come to love with papers and stamp pads as well as Cherish, Imagine and Wishes, CTMH is also leading the industry in making your scrapbooking and stamping creations faster, simpler, and easier while going easy on the pocketbook! Each day this week you'll be receiving an update on what's to come in 2011. Keep reading to see what Close to My Heart and I have in store for 2011 and for you!

TODAY'S FEATURE: My Reflection Kits



Beginning February 1, you can order your favorite products from the NEW Spring/Summer Idea Book. But, HURRY! One of the changes this year is the My Reflections kits are only "live" during the idea book period for which they are featured. If you have favorites, you must purchase them before the next Idea Book is released.  Doing so will give you more choices for fresh product instead of choosing from the same styles over and over.

This Idea Book features 8 new designs with fresh new color combinations:
Sophia (Floral) - blush, goldrush, hollyhock, pear
Bliss (Wedding/Anniversary) - bamboo, chocolate, grey flannel, vanilla cream
Miracle (Bold Floral with Butterflies) - bamboo, crystal blue heavenly blue, sweet leaf
Sweetheart (Hearts) - baby pink, black, cotton candy, tulip
Wings (Butterflies) - black, juniper, sweet leaf, vineyard berry
Mayberry (Summer Scene) - cocoa, honey, olive, smoothie
Lucky (Vintage with Bicycles) - desert sand, olive, outdoor denim, sunset
Fanfare (Stars/Summertime) - cranberry, pacifica, sky, sunny yellow

Only 4 My Reflection Kits remain from previous Idea Books: Magnifique, Olivia, Hooligans, and Mistletoe. All are viewable on my website: http://latishahaag.myctmh.com

Do I have your attention yet? Would you like to see these kits for yourself? You can! Call today for the new Idea Book and be one of the first to see these stunning My Reflection Kits! One of the best money-saving changes made is a reduced price on the Idea Book - instead of $3 the price has been reduced to $2...or you can get it FREE! Contact me today to find out how!

2 - 4 - 6 for 8!

Whoo-hoo!  For 8 days in August (starting August 4 at 2 p.m. - Aug. 11)  Close to my Heart will be having a HUGE paper and stickease sale on our websites!  Supplies are while they last but there is a HUGE list of products to choose from PLUS you can combine sale and non-sale items AND all sale items count towards Stamp of the Month promotion too! 

To get these great deals, just visit my website starting AUGUST 4 at 2:00 p.m.!

$2 - Level 2 Stickease!

$4 - Level 1 Kits!

$6 - Level 2 Kits!


Remember - it is WHILE SUPPLIES LAST so log on early - sales like this in the past have sold out within the first day! And, to sweeten the deal, for every $10 ordered, your name will be placed in a drawing for a brand new Level 1 kit or Level 2 paper pack from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book to be released on Sept. 1!

Without further delay...  here is your sale list so you can start planning your shopping! 
My Reflections Abundance Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Abundance Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Abundance My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Animal Cookies Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Animal Cookies Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Animal Cookies My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Aspen Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Aspen Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Aspen My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Back Country Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Back Country Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Back Country My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Bella Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Bella Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Bella My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Best Friends Forever Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Blue Ribbon Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Blue Ribbon Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Blue Ribbon My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Boom-Di-Ada My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Caprice Level 1 $6.00

My Reflections Caprice Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Caprice My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Cutie Pie Level 1 $6.00

Cutie Pie My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Daydream Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Daydream Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Daydream My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Discovery Level 1 $4.00

My Reflection sEmporium Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Emporium Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Emporium My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Enchanted Level 1 $6.00

My Reflections Enchanted Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Enchanted My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Evensong Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Evensong Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Evensong My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Everlasting Level 1 $6.00

My Reflections Everlasting Paper Packet $6.00

Everlasting My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Expedition Level 1 $6.00

Expedition My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Floral Impressions Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Floral Impressions Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Floral Impressions My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Floral Tapestry Level 1 $6.00

My Reflections Free Spirit Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Free Spirit Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Free Spirit My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Game On Level 1 Kit $4.00

My Reflections Game On Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Game On My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Good Times Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Good Times Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Good Times My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Grace Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Grace Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Grace My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Heirloom Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Heirloom Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

My Reflections it’s a Guy Thing Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections it’s a Guy Thing Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

it’s a Guy Thing My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Jingle Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Jingle Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Jingle My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Just Chillin Level 1 $4.00

Just Chillin My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Laid Back Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Let's Get Together Level 1 $6.00

Life Delights My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Lifes Delights Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Magic Moments Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Magic Moments Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Magic Moments My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Majestic Blue Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Majestic Blue Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Majestic Blue My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Moon Doggie Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Moon Doggie Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Moon Doggie My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections More To Adore Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections More To Adore Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

More To Adore My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Notebook Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Notebook Paper Packet $6.00

Notebook My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Paper Garden Level 1 $4.00

Paper Garden My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Perfect Day Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Perfect Day Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Perfect Day My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Rough n Tumble Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Rough n Tumble My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Route 66 Level 1 $6.00

Route 66 My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Sarsaparilla Level 1 Kit $4.00

My Reflections Sarsaparilla Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Sarsaparilla My Stickease $2.00

School Zone My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections School Zone Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Silhouette Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Silhouette Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Silhouette My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Simple Pleasure Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Simple Pleasure Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Simple Pleasure My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Sonata Level 1 $6.00

Sonata My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Stardust Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Stardust Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Stardust My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Sweet Pea Level 1 $4.00

Sweet Harmony My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Sweet Home Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Sweet Home Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Sweet Home My Stickease $2.00

Sweet Pea My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections That’s Amore Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections That’s Amore Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

That’s Amore My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Tinkerin Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Tinkerin Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Tinkerin My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Twitterpated Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Twitterpated Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Twitterpated My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Unforgettable Level 1 $4.00

My Reflections Unforgettable Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00

Unforgettable My Stickease $2.00

VintageTravel My Stickease $2.00

My Reflections Vintage Travel Level 1 $4.00

Close to My Heart July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

You've arrived from Melissa Burch's blog on the Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. Unfortunately, I'm unable to participate this month. Please continue to Jill Lucas's blog to see more fabulous artwork using the stamp set below! Happy blogging!

June Stamp of the Month - Wonderful Friend

Tonight's post is going to be a quick one so I can slide in under the wire. You know me: Last Minute Latisha!

If you're traveling on the CTMH Blog Hop, you should have arrived from Allison Mullen's blog. After you view this bolg, you will travel to Laurie Newton's blog.

The June Stamp of the Month - D1422 Wonderful Friend - has a Father's Day theme, but can be used for many other celebrations. For my 4x4 card, I used the tie as a background because my husband doesn't wear ties. Hopefully this will inspire you to look outside of the box when working with this set.

Products used:
D1422 Wonderful Friend
Z2135 New England Ivy Ink Pad
Z2140 Outdoor Denim In Pad
Z2114 Cocoa Ink Pad
1301 Bamboo Cardstock
X5642 Cocoa Cardstock
1388 Colonial White Cardstock
Z1146 Pewter Designer Brads

As always, all these products are available on my website.
(Sorry about the blurry picture - I was holding the baby when I took the picture.)

2 - 4 - 1!!! May Stamp of the Month AND National Scrapbooking Month Special

This month you get a sneak peak at 2 of my most favorite items released with the new Idea Book (Summer 2010) that goes live on May 1:

• May Stamp of the Month - D1421 Cherish the Moment
• Miracle Kit for National Scrapbooking Month

If you're blog hopping, you should have arrived from Laura Dame's blog. If you're continuing in the hop, you're next stop is Shirley Ross's blog. But, before you rush off, spend some time browsing through the creations on this stop!

I can't say how much I LOOOOVVVVEEEEEE this set! Having a background in English/Journalism, I think journaling is very important on scrapbook pages because it tells the story to those who weren't present at the event. I admit, however, that I don't always journal like I should. This set will make it so easy to record the important information without a lot of journaling (for those times when the creative juices are flowing and you don't want to stop to journal about the event).

This stamp set, as well as all the products used on these samples are available on my website.


I admit up front that there is little originality in my creations this month. I used the Miracle Kit to create the pages. The cool thing about this kit is that it gives you EVERYTHING you need to create the pages except the ink and pictures! When you finish creating, you'll have 4 completed pages and scraps to create some cards!

The kit includes:
5 – Colonial White Cardstock, 1 – Bamboo Cardstock, 1 – Floral B&T Duos® Paper, 1 – Stripe B&T Duos® Paper, 1 – Crystal Blue Circle B&T Duos® Die-Cut, 1 – Sweet Leaf Bracket B&T Duos® Die-Cut, 1 – 6" x 12" My Stickease® Assortment, 1 – 6" x 9" Irresistibles™ Chipboard Die-Cuts, 1 – Mini-Medley Accents Colonial White Collection, 12" Colonial White Waxy Flax, 3 – 4" x 6" Memory Protectors® Flip Flaps™, 2 – Sponges, 1 – Directions cutting guide. All of this for only $19.95! You can even get it for free! 

Now hop on over to Shirley Ross's for more creations!

Close to My Heart April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Flower Pot

This month's posting snuck up on me - well, sort of. I've actually had the projects completed, but haven't had the time to sit down and write about them. If you're blog hopping, you should have arrived from HELEN ONULAK's blog. If you plan to continue along the hop, JILL LUCAS's is your next stop.

I'll admit up front - I didn't like this stamp set when I first received it. BUT, it has definitely grown on me now that I've created with it. Truthfully, the reason I was turned off was because it's a line art stamp and I just don't want to take the time to "color" in the images. My challenge to myself was to create projects that required little coloring yet effectively showcased the stamp set. I certainly liked what I came up with and hope you do to!

I chose X7121B Caboodle for the My Reflections Paper Pack to create the projects. I also added Z2115 Sweet Leaf Collection Ribbon Rounds to each one and only used two colors of ink in all three projects: Z2117 Crystal Blue Exclusive Inks and Z2105 Black Exclusive Ink. Remember, all of these products are available to order on my website under "Shop Online". 

We'll start with the smallest creation and save the biggest for last. The first project is a 3x3 gift card. In addition to the supplies listed above, I used 1385 White Daisy Cardstock for the card base and 3505 Watercolor Pencils blended with 3174 Blending Pen to color the flower pot and flowers.

Next is a 4x4 Notecard. I didn't use any other product on this card other than what's been mentioned already. I did run the Sweet Leaf cardstock through my Cuttlebug for the embossed swirls. I have to say, this is one of my most favorite creations of all time!

The last creation I want to share is a Z1195 6x6 My Creations Memory Showcase album. In addition to the products listed above, I also used Z1217 Metal (Pewter 4mm) Brads, and Z1271 Tiny Tabs.

Front cover:

Back cover:

Inside pages, set 1:

Inside pages, set 2:

Inside pages, set 3:

I hope you've enjoyed this month's projects. As always, if there is anything I can do to help with your stamping and scrapbooking needs, don't hesitate to let me know! Just a reminder, your next stop on the hop is Jill Lucas's blog. Happy Easter to all!

Close to My Heart March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - A Little Everything

Happy March! Can you believe the first two months of 2010 are over? I  can't! I'm still stuck on time to get started with all that I hope to accomplish in 2010!

Welcome to the Close to My Heart March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. If you started at the beginning with Jena DeVries, and continued through in order, you should be arriving from Katy Donaldson's blog. From here you'll go to Danielle Chapman's blog.

This month's stamp set is one of my favorites. I'm a sucker for sentiment stamps and fonts anyway, so this one was no exception. D1408 A Little Everything is a whimsical set with not only general holiday sentiments but also some additional phrases to complete popular greeting card wishes.

I created 2 projects for this month's hop. We'll start with a standard card. I used X5807 Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection, 1242 Sunflower cardstock, 1385 White Daisy cardstock, Z1087 Sunflower Waxy Flax, Z1214 Summer Carnival Brad Assortment (Clover Meadow 8mm), and Z2103 Black Ink. By the way, all these products are available on my website or through me.

To create the frame, I used my cuttlebug. The sunflower cardstock is layered under the frame. I love Close to My Heart cardstock because it has a white core. It's nice to choose whether I want the complimentary effect of the white or a solid color tear edge. When I saw the frame, it reminded me of a business window and I couldn't help but create a look of an open/closed sign with the waxy flax hanging from the brad.

One other fun technique I'd like to point out on this card is that the "all you do" is only part of the full phrase. Because Close to My Heart's acrylic stamps are clear, it's easy to omit words you don't wish to use by "stamping off". It's so easy to line up because you can see where you're stamping exactly. The full phrase in this stamp was "for all you do." I just simply left the "for" off and stamped the remainder of the phrase!

In keeping with my theme for this year's projects, my next sample using the stamp of the month is a gift card holder. Several years ago, I purchased these cardboard CD cases. I thought them to be perfect for a gift card holder with a little more "wrapping" if you will.

X7105B My Reflections Emporium Level 2 paper pack, Z1125 Designer Ribbon Rounds Sweet Leaf Collection, Z1220 Twinkle Brads Jolly Assortment (Twilight standard brad), Z2117 Crystal Blue ink, and Z2214 Cocoa ink are the products used in this project.

On the inside of the CD folder, there's a pull out blank piece of cardstock to write a message to the gift receiver. Opposite the message card, there's another tab pull. On this piece, I placed 4 photo corner holders to insert a gift card.

Once the receiver has removed the gift card, it would be quite easy to turn this into a mini album or photo frame for a desktop. I LOVE when things become 2 gifts in one!