CTMH Cardstock Only Artwork

Join Karen from the Close To My Heart Home Office as she shows us beautiful artwork created using cardstock only!!

Today is the last day to take advantage of our Cardstock Carnival special!!

Save 15% on all individual cardstock packs, 20% on exclusive combo packs, and 30% on the Cardstock Carnival bundle!!

Cardstock Carnival Bundle (CC3213)
(Retail $227.40) ... 30% Sale - $158.95



(Left) Cardstock Bundles (Retail $18.95) ... 20% Sale - $14.95
(Right) Cardstock Packs (Retail $16.95) ... 15% Sale - $13.95

The Cardstock Carnival special is available only through March 31.

VIP Customers Please Note ...

The items in the Cardstock Carnival special are eligible to earn your 15% VIP Bank Credit!!

The items are not eligible for purchase using VIP Bank Credit however.

The amount paid for the items count towards earning the 
Stamp of the Month for FREE!!

Keeley's Kreations YouTube Video: CTMH March Stamp of the Month: Winged Masterpiece (S2103)

Close To My Heart's March Stamp of the Month:
Winged Masterpiece (S2103)

Each month you can purchase the Stamp of the Month, 

a new D-size stamp set valued at $18.95.

Or ... with a $50 purchase you can get it for $5!!

Or Even Better ... you can get it for FREE as a VIP Customer!!

Qualify for this special pricing by placing an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products. 

This month’s set is only available March 1-31.

Winged Masterpiece (S2103), set of 36

Recommended Blocks: 
1″ × 1″ (Y1000)
1″ × 3½″ (Y1002)
2″ × 2″ (Y1003)
2" x 3 1/2" (Y1009)
5" x 6" (Y1015)

VIP Customers Please Note ...



You will receive the Stamp of the Month for FREE with a $50 order!!

The SOTM set is not eligible for purchase using VIP Bank Credit however.

The amount paid for the items count towards earning the 
Stamp of the Month for FREE!!

Close To My Heart Supporting Operation Smile

Close To My Heart is a proud supporter of Operation Smile, an international surgical nonprofit that has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial differences.

Through its expertise in treating cleft conditions, Operation Smile creates solutions that deliver safe surgery to people where it’s needed most.



Since 2008, Close To My Heart has donated over $1,500,000 to this life-saving and life-changing organization, helping it pursue its vision of improving the health and dignity of all through safe surgery.

We invite you to become a part of our ongoing support of this amazing cause. 

To help raise funds for this life changing charity, we offer a special stamp set each year, where $7 USD are taken from the proceeds of each sale and donated directly to Operation Smile.

This year, the stamp set we’ve dedicated towards this effort is the Every Bit of Wonderful set.

This delightful floral set includes a variety of flower images and heartwarming sentiments, perfect for any project.

From cards to layouts, this special stamp set is an ideal addition to bring some extra beauty to your artwork.

Along with this beautiful stamp set, we also have two limited edition Operation Smile t-shirts available for purchase on my Close To My Heart website!!

For each t-shirt purchase, we donate $10 directly to Operation Smile.

We also offer the option of rounding up your order total to the next dollar for an Operation Smile donation, or you can visit my website and donate directly to Operation Smile.

Even the smallest donation of a few cents can have a big impact and adds up quick!!

We are thrilled to see the selflessness and kindness demonstrated by each donation to Operation Smile, and we look forward to being able to offer continued support to this amazing organization as they provide treatment to children who desperately need it.

To help support this cause, you can purchase the Every Bit of Wonderful stamp set or t-shirt, round up your order, or get on my site and make a donation directly to Operation Smile.

We want to bring as much joy as possible into this world, and we’re honored to be able to partner with Operation Smile to be able to bring smiles to children’s faces all around the world.

Close To My Heart Artwork with Besties - Olivia (Z3937)

The new Besties stamp sets are adorable!!

Check out this cute 8 1/2" x 11" layout using the
Besties - Oliva Stamp + Thin Cut Set (Z3937).


8½" x 11" Beautiful Life Layout Recipe ...
A1275 My Acrylix Besties—Olivia Stamp Set
X7266B Daisy Meadows Paper Packet
X9026 Mix-in Paper Packet
X6053 Avocado Cardstock
X6048 Blue Belle Cardstock
X6033 Paprika Cardstock
X6044 Peach Cardstock
X6051 Sundance Cardstock
Z6519 Blue Belle Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z6515 Paprika Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2805 Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z7001 Blue Belle Glitter Gems
Z3661 Peach Shimmer Brush
Z3630 Watercolor Pencils
Cricut Flower Market Collection
Cricut Daisy Meadows Collection
Cricut Basic Shapes
Die-cutting & Embossing Machine

Cricut Shapes:
Flower Market #MD4285C #MFAD3B7
Basic Shapes #M369879

Besties - Olivia Stamp + Thin Cuts
(Z3937) - $11.95

Includes the My Acrylix Besties - Olivia stamp set and 2 metal dies to cut the shapes shown here.

Thin Cuts are packaged on their own magnetic sheet and work well with most die-cutting machines.


Besties - Olivia Stamp Set
(no thin cuts) (A1275) - $7.95

Set of 5 stamps.  Outlined images coordinate with the Thin Cuts metal dies (not included).
 

VIP Customers Please Note ...

The items used to create this layout are eligible to earn your 15% VIP Bank Credit!!

They are also eligible for purchase using VIP Bank Credit.

The amount paid for the item counts toward earning the 
Stamp of the Month for FREE!!

Close To My Heart Artwork with Months of the Year - March

Creating fun artwork with the Months of the Year - March (D1998) ...

Continue your year of stamping fun with two new month-focused stamp sets for March!!

If you missed the first two sets for January and February, you can find them on my website:
Months of the Year - January (D1996)
Months of the Year - February (D1997)

6¼" x 11½" Here Comes the Sun Perpetual Calendar Page Recipe ...
 D1998 My Acrylix Months of the Year— March Stamp Set
X6040 Clover Cardstock
X6031 Green Apple Cardstock
Z6519 Blue Belle Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z6507 Clover Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z6524 Grape Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z6513 Green Apple Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z3312 Gold Glitter Gems
Z3888 Perpetual Calendar
Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape


12" x 12" Welcome Spring Page Recipe ...
D1998 My Acrylix Months of the Year— March Stamp Set
X6038 Candy Apple Cardstock
X6040 Clover Cardstock
X6055 Desert Rose Cardstock
X6054 Grape Cardstock
X6031 Green Apple Cardstock
X5968 Lagoon Cardstock
X6035 Lemonade Cardstock
X5947 Mink Cardstock
X6043 Nectarine Cardstock
Z6519 Blue Belle Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z6507 Clover Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z6524 Grape Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2805 Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z4054 Gold Embellishing Thread
Z3312 Gold Glitter Gems
Z3630 Watercolor Pencils
Z3815 Grape Shimmer Brush
Z3787 Platinum Stickles Glitter Glue
Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape

Months of the Year - March

(D1998) - $18.95
 

VIP Customers Please Note ...

The items used to create the calendar and perpetual calendar are eligible to earn your 15% VIP Bank Credit!!

They are also eligible for purchase using VIP Bank Credit.

The amount paid for the item counts toward earning the 
Stamp of the Month for FREE!!

Close To My Heart Artwork with Be the Good Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z3929)

Check out these bright and vibrant cards using the ...
Be the Good Stamp + Thin Cuts (Z3929)

3" x 3" All You Need Is Love Card Recipe ...
Z3929 Be the Good Stamp + Thin Cuts
X6035 Lemonade Cardstock
X6043 Nectarine Cardstock
X5974 Raspberry Cardstock
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Z3830 Mustard Seed Distress Oxide Ink Pad
Z3827 Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide Ink Pad
Z3829 Spiced Marmalade Distress Oxide Ink Pad
Z891 VersaMark Ink
Z1263 Bitty Sparkles
Z3874 Springtime Flower Sequins
Z2088 Clear Super Fine Embossing Powder
Z4220 Anti-static Pouch
Z4252 Heat Tool
Z3886 Mini Ink Blending Tool
Die-cutting & Embossing Machine
Sewing Machine


3" x 3" Be the Good Card Recipe ...
D2009 My Acrylix Be the Good Stamp Set
X7267B Eat Play Love Paper Packet
X6031 Green Apple Cardstock
X6035 Lemonade Cardstock
X6043 Nectarine Cardstock
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Z6510 Nectarine Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z4189 Intense Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z3803 Lemonade Shimmer Trim
Z1263 Bitty Sparkles
Z3874 Springtime Flower Sequins
Z2485 Light Green TriBlend Marker
Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape

Be the Good Stamp + Thin Cuts
(Z3929) - $30.95

Includes the My Acrylix Be the Good stamp set and 5 metal dies to cut the shapes shown here.

Thin Cuts are packaged on their own magnetic sheet and work well with most die-cutting machines.


 Be the Good Stamp
 (No Thin Cuts) (D2009) - $18.95

Set of 18 stamps. Outlined images coordinate with Thin Cuts metal dies (not included).

VIP Customers Please Note ...

The items used to create these cards are eligible to earn your 15% VIP Bank Credit!!

They are also eligible for purchase using VIP Bank Credit.

The amount paid for the item counts toward earning the 
Stamp of the Month for FREE!!

Keeley's Kreations YouTube Video: Close To My Heart’s March / April Catalog Walk-thru

Check out the Close To My Heart March / April Catalog!!

Join me as we take a look at the new paper packs, embellishments, workshop kits, stamp set and thin cut combos and more!!



The products are available thru April 30 and While Supplies Last!!

You can view the printable PDF catalog HERE!! 

Did you know you can receive your very own copy FREE from the Home Office with any size order placed on my website?!?!

Like anything you see on your tour ... look it up online HERE!!

Keeley's Kreations YouTube Video: Close To My Heart Cardstock Carnival

CTMH Cardstock Carnival Special ...

Join me as I walk you through the Cardstock Carnival special ... available through the end of March!!

Enjoy special discounts on our amazing, two-toned cardstock all month long!!

Available in all of our exclusive colors, our cardstock is a crafting essential that you can never have too much of!!

Save 15% on all individual cardstock packs, 20% on exclusive combo packs, and 30% on the Cardstock Carnival bundle!!

Cardstock Carnival Bundle (CC3213)
(Retail $227.40) ... 30% Sale - $158.95



(Left) Cardstock Bundles (Retail $18.95) ... 20% Sale - $14.95
(Right) Cardstock Packs (Retail $16.95) ... 15% Sale - $13.95

The Cardstock Carnival special is available only through March 31.

VIP Customers Please Note ...

The items in the Cardstock Carnival special are eligible to earn your 15% VIP Bank Credit!!

The items are not eligible for purchase using VIP Bank Credit however.

The amount paid for the items count towards earning the 
Stamp of the Month for FREE!!

Close To My Heart's Scrapbooking Pockets for More Memory Space

Are you the kind of person who loves taking photos?

If you already know that you have more photos than you know what to do with for a traditional scrapbook layout (most of us are this person), take a look at these surprisingly easy ways to include all of them in your albums and tell your whole story!!

Sometimes we have too many photos for one particular layout but, for whatever the reason—not enough time, not enough variety, not enough paper (heaven forbid!)—we can’t make a second layout from what we do have.

If you’re anything like me, the thought of tossing any of these “extra” photos makes you cringe!!

This is where I can help!!

Have you ever given Pocket Plus Memory Protectors a try?

Wondering what I'm even talking about?



Pocket Plus protectors are exactly what they sound like—additional pockets to add to a layout, creating space for more photos, journaling, mementos, etc.

You fill the pockets of these protectors with your memories, then slip them right into your layouts!!

They’re fast and simple and add a fun interactive element to your layouts!!

Pocket Plus is a great solution for adding those stowed away photos to your already existing albums.

If you’re planning ahead, however, you can take your designing a step further and purposefully create your layouts so that the 
Pocket Plus protectors lay on top of the 12″ x 12″ pages in such a way that titles, photos, or other elements of the page aren’t partially covered.

Pocket Plus Memory Protectors come in two widths, 6″ and 4″.

So, for instance, if you are planning on using a 6″ wide protector on top of your 12″ x 12″ page, design your base page with this in mind.

Create a visual line at the 6″ mark that none of your photos, sentiments, journaling, or titles can straddle.

If you are planning on using a 4″ wide protector on top of your 12″ x 12″ page, design the base page with a visual line at 4″ from the inside margin.

This way, your Pocket Plus is working with the visual elements of your layout rather than interrupting them.

If you’ve only got a few additional photos or need just a small amount of extra room for some journaling, or whatever, then 
Flip Flaps are the way to go!!

Flip Flaps are individual protective pockets that you attach to a page and flip to reveal additional photos, sentiments, or designs—and they’re something you can only get with Close To My Heart!!

 Available in eight different size options, Flip Flaps can be attached to pretty much any size or style of scrapbook page!!

If you haven’t already, today is also a good day to discover the simplicity of scrapbooking in pockets.

 Using Memory Protectors with multiple pockets is another great way to display all of those photos you have of that one birthday party, camping trip, or girls’ night out in a trendy blocked style.

(See all of our different style and size options, here.)

Looking to fill those none-photo pockets?

Picture My Life pocket cards are beautifully and purposefully designed for you to use for exactly that, and they effortlessly coordinate with our paper collections and products.

We are especially excited about two brand-new sets of Picture My Life pocket cards, Lovely and Party Time.

These two sets were recently designed to coordinate with the Lovely and Party Time paper collections in our 
2020–2021 Core Products Catalog, and are only available until March 31, while supplies last.
(Snag these gorgeous cards for yourself, while you still can!)

With a wide assortment of pocket protectors and pocket cards at your disposal, you always have that extra space for all of your photos, journaling, and memories!!

VIP Customers Please Note ...

The Pocket Card Perfection special is eligible to earn your 15% VIP Bank Credit!!

However, the items are not eligible for purchase using VIP Bank Credit.

The amount paid for the item counts toward earning the 

Stamp of the Month for FREE!!

Keeley's Kreations YouTube Video: Close To My Heart Pocket Card Perfection

CTMH Pocket Card Perfection ...

Join me as I walk you through the two fun Lovely and Party Time Picture My Life Card Sets in the Pocket Card Perfection special ... available through the end of March!!

During the Pocket Card Perfection special, you can purchase the brand-new PML Cards, which coordinate perfectly with the
Lovely Paper Collection and Party Time Paper Collection in our
2020-2021 Core Products Catalog.

Left: Lovely Picture My Life Cards (CC2219) - $6.50
Right: Party Time Picture My Life Cards (CC2220) - $6.50


Save 15% with the Pocket Card Perfection Bundle, which includes both sets!!

Pocket Card Perfection Bundle
(CC2221) - 15% Discount $10.95

VIP Customers Please Note ...

The Pocket Card Perfection special is eligible to earn your 15% VIP Bank Credit!!

However, the items are not eligible for purchase using VIP Bank Credit.

The amount paid for the item counts toward earning the 

Stamp of the Month for FREE!!

Quick & Easy Watercolor Techniques with Close To My Heart

Great artwork is built on the inclusion of many small elements, all coming together for a stunning end result!!

Watercolor is an incredibly easy and effective way to boost the overall aesthetic of your artwork, resulting in a truly professional appearance while still keeping it uniquely “you.”

When most people hear “watercolor,” they may picture intricate images painted free-hand by a skilled and experienced artist.

Today, however, I'm going to show you a variety of different ways you can easily apply watercolor techniques to your artwork, some of which may even surprise you!!

Watercolor is a skill anyone can practice and use to up the ante in their own artwork, and the techniques I'm sharing with you are great for beginners and experts alike!!

All of the artwork I’ll be showing you today was made using papers, stickers, and embellishments from our beautiful 
Daisy Meadows collection.

This bright paper suite lends itself well to watercolor and is a great starting point for anyone who may be new to this beautiful medium!!

Artistic splattering is a great way to break up a plain background, and it’s incredibly quick and easy to add to any artistic project!!

To create these fun splatters, take a wet waterbrush, pick up some paint from your watercolor paint palette, and gently tap the brush on top of your index finger, holding it over the general area where you’d like the splatters to land.

(Tip: Use a piece of scratch paper to cover any parts of the page you don’t want to be splattered.)

You can also see this technique reflected in this Easter-themed layout from the Daisy Meadows Scrapbooking Workshop Kit.

Here, we’ve combined the splattering technique with some light stamping and complemented it all with a few small stickers and Daisy Meadows Dots.

When these elements are combined, you go from a plain white background to a multi-textured one!!

Another way to incorporate watercolor into your artwork is to create a painted border around the perimeter of your scrapbook pages.

To create a painted border like this one, lightly make a few long strokes around the edges of the page, taking care to not let your hand wander toward the center.

A simple watercolor element like this is a wonderful way to brighten up a modest background!!

The next technique on my list shows you how to use watercolor paints to create eye-catching elements and accents in the foreground of your projects.

In the page pictured below, we used watercolor paints to add soft color not only to the floral accents by the photos, but also for the bright swash in the title.

This vibrant addition draws the eye to the title, allowing for a natural, flowing progression as viewers take in the rest of the page.

(Tip: To achieve a flawless swash effect, add the watercolor paint and let it dry completely before stamping. This way, you can adjust the color to get it just right, and you’ll avoid smearing the ink on the stamped image.)

For the delicate floral accents, you can easily achieve a gentle fade by concentrating the paintbrush along the outer edges of the stamped image, creating an outline.

Then, clean the brush, wet it, and softly brush the color toward the center of the image.

If watercolor paints aren’t your preferred watercolor medium, this effect can also be achieved using watercolor pencils.

Another fun way to up your watercolor game is to play around with various color saturations and pigment shades.

For a more pigmented effect on your initial coat, consider using a dry brush to pick up your wet paint.

 Wet bristles will pick up less paint, resulting in a lighter pigment, so starting with a wet paint well and a dry brush will allow you to achieve a darker color right from the get-go!!

You can also adjust the color saturation as needed, but this process takes a bit of patience.

To get the best results, wait for the first layer of paint to dry fully before going in for a second coat.

For a more abstract approach to watercolor painting, consider using a smooshing technique!!

Like you’d do with a swash, you’ll want to apply your watercolor pigments to the paper before stamping.

To add a smushed watercolor element, apply your watercolor paint to the page or accent in a more abstract form.

Once you’ve applied your color, you’ll take a plastic bag and smoosh it on top of the paper where the paint has been applied, mixing the colors together.

This results in a beautifully blended texture, which will be ready for you to stamp on top of once it’s fully dry.

(Tip: You can save the acetate wrapping from a new stamp pad, or any other new product, and use that for your smooshing!)

One last technique we’ll share with you today is stencil painting.

This technique is one of the easiest things you can do to add watercolor to your scrapbooking pages or cards.

This technique is also a fantastic way to express your own unique creativity, as you can cut your own stencil patterns for this watercolor element!!

To create your own stencil, cut a design into cardstock using your favorite cutting machine.

If you’d like to reuse your stencil, cut your design on Stencil Sheets, so you can design and create your own stencils and use them for multiple projects! (For pre-designed stencils, check these out!)

When you use a stencil to add watercolor to your artwork, use strips of washi tape to hold it in place while you paint over it.

This will ensure a more uniform appearance with fewer unwanted smears.

Once your stencil is secured in place with washi tape, use your waterbrush to gently wash over the stencil.

This technique may result in some light bleeding, rougher edges, or blotching, which gives it a beautiful, perfectly imperfect look!!

VIP Customers Please Note ...

The items used to create this artwork are eligible to earn your 15% VIP Bank Credit!!

They are also eligible for purchase using VIP Bank Credit however.

The amount paid for the items count towards earning the 
Stamp of the Month for FREE!!