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The Best of 2014 on SALE now @ Cricut
Is your new years resolution to be more crafty? Lucky for you, you can ring in the New Year right with the Best of 2014 sale at Cricut! Right now, you can save on their top selling products in 2014, cartridges, supplies, digital sets, and more through January 6th and you can get Free shipping @ Cricut use code: FREESHIPDECEMBER.

Using Layers in CCR

New Year!!

As you may have noticed, I took some time off away from my computer to spend the holidays with my family.  My son flew in for a week and just left on Sunday.  We are getting our lives back to our normal routines, and for me that means getting back to this blog, my crafting and making videos for my youtube channel as well as playing with all my fun Close to my Heart toys.

I have a few offers to send your way!  Lets do a 30 day challenge.  Each day for January complete one scrapbook layout or one card and post what you made here.  Everyone that completes all 30 (you get a day off since there is 31 days in January!) will be enterred to win a Close to my Heart stamp set.  If we have more than 10 people that complete this challenge, I will draw for more than one winner.  

January is just around the corner and that means and new Stamp of the Month.  You can get this stamp for just $5.00 with any $50 order.  

Did you see the new tote bags that just came out?  You can use Hostess 1/2 item rewards to get these!  Contact me today to book your January class and earn additional Hostess perks as well.
Visit my website

Cricut Re-Released old cartridges on Sale!!

Cricut continues with the 12 Days of Christmas sale, and has no put re-released cartridges on sale.  A couple of them are Disney, so not in the subscription.  

Check it out Here

Cricut Craft Room Basics

Totes To Go

Order your now Here

Rolling Tote (#Z3032) $149.95
Shoulder Tote (#Z3031) $26.95

Olaf Glass Block

I made this cute little Olaf light for my daughter room using the print the cut feature on the Cricut Explore Machine.  You design your canvas in Design studio, then click "Go" just like if you were going to cut.  But instead, it sends it to your printer where it prints your image.  I had it print on Cricut Brand printable vinyl.  Then, you place the printed page on your cutting mat and load it into your Explore.  It knows right where to cut.  Transfer it to your project and your done!

Frozen content is only available right now with the Explore machine.

Shop HERE for great Christmas savings

Cricut Explore Frozen Bundle

The only way to get the Frozen content with Cricut is with an Explore until 2015 when an actual cartridge will come out and digital content for Cricut Craft Room. But you can get this bundle now for a great price. Other bundles to pick from. click on the picture for more options.

Cyber Monday

Did you miss out on Black Friday Shopping? Have no fear Cyber Monday is here!!
 Explore machines just $219.99 and huge savings on bundles
$5.00 off order of $50.00 with CRICUTBF5
free shipping with FREESHIP35

 Don"t miss out on these great deals, and the best part? No crowds!!

Shop Here

Black Friday Sale

Thanksgiving & Black Friday Sale: Cricut Explore $219 + $30 off all Explore Bundles Dont wait! Sale is only good through Friday!

BREAKING NEWS: FROZEN now available for Cricut!!

"Anyone want to build a Snowman?"

Well as of right now you can!!!  Images are available in Cricut Design Space now.  Physical cartridge will be available in 2015, and Cricut Craft Room format at that time as well.

Cricut Design Space is only compatible with the Cricut Explore Machine.  Get your Explore Right Here!

As an added bonus you can save $5 off orders of $50+ through 12/1 with code CRICUTBF5  buddy that up with FREESHIPNOV and get more savings!  

I Love you to the Moon and Back

Just one more block I made with my Explore.  I used items found on The First Years Cartridge for the moon and stars and the Nursery Rhymes Cartridge for the letters.

Santa Glass Block

These glass blocks are becoming an addiction to me!  They are so easy to make and so adorable when done.

For this one I sprayed the block with frost paint so it appears frosted.  I searched for Santa in my Cricut Design Studio and found this little guy.  Because I have the subscription I have access to tons of things.  If you want the subscription (works with Cricut Craft room as well) there is a link below.  I sized Santa at 6.50 inches high and used Cricut red vinyl.  I cut using my Explore, but this would cut with any Cricut machine because its a Cricut image.  Once it cut I weeded out what I did not want to transfer to my project, used Cricut transfer tape and stuck it on my block.  Added lights and done.  Super easy project that you can make in less than 30 minutes.

Get the subscription here  for $9.99 a month give you access to 25,000+ images and 200+ fonts.  Or subscribe annually for $99.99

Frosted Glass Block

My newest crafty creation!  Since I am still learning how to use my Explore I am trying new things.  I made this last night.  Well completed it last night.

First I bought the glass block and some frost paint to make it have a frosted window look.  I sprayed it and let it sit overnight, added a second coat and let it dry.  I purchased this svg file online and imported it into Cricut Design Space.  It was ready to go, I just sized it to fit 6.50 x 6.50, put vinyl on my Cricut mat and cut.  The hardest part of the whole process (and it really wasn't hard) was weeding out the vinyl I did not want to transfer onto the block.  Once I was done with that, I applied some Cricut transfer tape to the image, removed it from the cutting mat, applied it to the block.  Then added some christmas lights to the inside.  All total I think I spend less than 2 hours on (probably less than 1 1/2 hr) on this project.

This design cannot be be done with older Cricut machines (personal, explore, expression, E2 for example) using svg files.  Only the Explore can import images that are not on cartridges.  But if you wanted to, you can design your own in Cricut Craft Room using your cartridges or subscriptions and cut in Vinyl. To make your own block.

You can order all your Cricut supplies, including the machine Here! .  You can also downloand Cricut Design Space (for use with Explore) or Cricut Craft Room (for all other Cricut Machines) by clicking the link above, then learn, then software.  These are both free downloads.

If you have any questions on how this process works, please leave your question below and I will answer them for you.

Customized Logo Coffee Cup / Tumbler

I made this the other night with my Cricut Explore.  Not my idea, but still fun to make.  I will make them for friends as stocking stuffers.  I will also take orders for custom names for either hot mugs or cold tumblers at my Christmas Bazaar.  

If you have an explore I can walk you through making these.  You are not able to cut this in any Cricut machine prior to the Explore :(

November Mystery Box!

The Cricut November Mystery Box is now available.

Over $120 in product for just $29.99.  Use FREESHIPNOV and get free shipping too!

Get yours now! Before they are gone!

Cricut Cartridges on sale for $19.99

Cricut Sale Shop here

35 Holiday Cartridges from Cricut are on sale for just $19.99.   Use code FREESHIPNOV and get free shipping too!  Digital Cartridges also on sale for $19.99

Life's a Party
Cupcake Wrappers
Winter Frolic
When It's Cold Outside
Winter Woodland
Joys of the Season
Just Because Cards
Everyday Pop-Up Cards
Wild Card
Scandinavian Christmas Cards
A Quilted Christmas
Merry and Bright
Simple Cards
Creative Cards
Holidays Through the Year Iron-On
Sweet Tooth Boxes
Pretty Pennants
Tags, Bags, Boxes & More 2
Ribbons & Rosetts
Home for the Holidays Fall and Winter
Snow Folks
Teresa Collins December 25th
Sweater Weather
Tablescapes Fall & Winter
Winter Wonderland
Simple Holiday Cards
Creative Holiday Cards
Creative Everyday Cards
Wild Card 2
Simple Everyday Cards
Fancy Boxes
Box it Up
Anna Griffin Splendid Soirees
Anna Griffin Sophisticated Soireers
Spring Holiday Cards

All-Purpose Mat Color Splat

(copied from the CTMH blog found at http://blog.closetomyheart.com/2014/11/05/all-purpose-mat-color-splat/)

When we posted the Halloween-themed cards on our Facebook page last month, the background on the Halloween village card captured many hearts across the world. (Click here to see the card.)

Several of you asked us how it was done. So we took your questions to the artist herself, and not only was she generous enough to show us her methods, but she also created yet another stunning card for us that illustrates this beautiful technique.

Check it out!

Isn’t that beautiful?

The technique used to create this kind of background centers on our all-purpose mat. (This tutorial will only add more truth to its name!) The non-slip surface makes it perfect for mixing ink and water to create special artistic effects.

There’s an infinite amount of possible art you can create with this technique, but first try this quick tutorial on creating the background seen on this great Happy Autumn card.

You can order all the supplies needed to make this card Here!

What Tools You’ll Need:
D1604 My Acrylix® Season of Thanks
C1589 My Acrylix® Lifetime of Happiness
Z2123 Goldrush Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2118 Desert Sand Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2137 Olive Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2191 Sunset Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2101 Autumn Terracotta Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2162 Honey Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2643 Canary Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2172 Whisper Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2642 Flaxen Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2641 Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z1380 Spray Pen
1778 My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner
Z697 Round Sponge
Z2045 All-Purpose Mat

1. Rub Olive, Desert Sand, Goldrush, Sunset, and Autumn Terracotta Exclusive Inks™ pads directly onto surface of all-purpose mat to create desired pattern.     2. Holding spray pen at a distance of about 12″ from the mat, spray water over ink until it has a dewed appearance.     3. Take your cardstock (preferably Colonial White or White Daisy) and lay it directly down into the watered ink. Rub back of paper lightly to ensure complete coverage. Lift paper and allow ink to dry completely. Use a craft heater to speed up the process.     4. Once ink has dried, repeat steps 1–3 with Glacier ink, except this time, instead of spraying the Glacier ink with water, spray it with the My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner in order to achieve a more modeled look.

5. Using the My Acrylix® Season of Thanks stamp set, stamp several tree trunks in Whisper. Stamp some trunks with second-generation impressions in order to add depth.     6. Using the My Acrylix® Lifetime of Happiness stamp set, stamp leaves in Canary, Honey, and Flaxen inks. Stamp quickly, using both second- and first-generation impressions. To give some leaves a more finished look, spread some ink on the all-purpose mat, spray it with spritz, dip the stamp in the dewed ink, and then stamp on cardstock.     7. Using the sponge, daube Canary ink around your design to lighten things up and maintain depth.      8. In order to create a soft edge, spread Whisper ink in a circle on your all-purpose mat and then spray it with spritz. Rub each of the edges of your cardstock lightly in the ink until you achieve a subtle border on each side. Allow ink to dry completely.

Voila! Your beautiful background is now complete. Now all you need to do is add your embellishments and other additions to complete your card.

This technique is full of possibilities, so feel free to experiment with it in other ways, too. We’d love to see what you come up with!

Happy crafting!

Order supplies here

Cricut Explore Bundles

Cricut Explore Bundles starting at just $269.99
Get yours now!

Bundle shown is normally $359.97 for a savings of $89.98 just in time for Christmas!!   I wonder if Santa will bring me one???  Other bundles available.

Cards from Yuletide WOTG

Using some of the left over paper from the Workshop on the go I made these 6 cards.  I have lots more paper to create either pages or cards.

$29.95 give you the complete kit, with an exclusive stamp set you cant get any other way.  Shop Now

Yuletide Workshop on the go

Yuletide WOTG

I used the Cricut Craft Room with the CTMH Artbooking Cartridge to make these pages.  If you would like the cut file, just let me know and I will email it to you.  

New Cricut Cartridge and FREE shipping in the US

New Cricut Cartridges & Free Shipping in the U.S.
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With the holidays coming up, you're probably making lots of crafts with your Cricut machine. Good news! There are new Cricut cartridges, including Holly and Ivy, Lyrical Letters 2, and more. You can also get free shipping in the U.S. for the entire month of November, just follow the links below.

Our newest cartridges are $24.99, including Holly and Ivy, Lyrical Letters 2 and more. Get free shipping all month of with code FREESHIPNOV

Snowman tic tac holder

My little snowman army!  I made these tonight using the CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  When you use CCR you can manipulate the images to make what you need!

If you want the CCR file, please email me at toribe@yahoo.com.
If you do not have the Artbooking Cartridge, you can order it here

design used with permission from Sheri Rottler

October Stamp of the Month

I have to say, of all the the SOTM's in the catalog, this one is my favorite. If you don't have it, you will want it. You can get it for $5.00 with a $50.00 order. Just go to My website place your order (and you still qualifty for the Oct FREE Ribbon too!) On Nov 1st its gone never to return.

The SOTM also coordinates with the CTMH Art Philosphy Cricut Cartridge.  Cartridge will cut what you see outlined in red to give you the perfect tag or embelishment on all your crafting projects.

What are you creating today?

Share your fun creations with us!

Cricut October Mystery Box

UPDATE! I checked this morning and the mystery boxes for October are still available. If you have not yet ordered yours get it before its gone! Mystery boxes are still available, but time is running out. Today (10/28) is the last day to order.  I have seen many posts from different people, and it seems that you get two cartridges, cutting mats, replacement blades and tacky tape for sure. But some are getting a knifty knitter and some are getting a 3rd cartridge. Which ever you get its a great deal! $29.99 for over $100 in products. Just click Here! to order your box!

Order $31.00 and get free shipping with code HALLOWEEN31  ( I added an extra roll of tacy tape to my order to get free shipping.  Still cheaper than paying the shipping, and who can't use more tacky tape??)  Make sure you change the shipping to the standard shipping to get free shipping option

I just got my box and this is what  I got!

I got pack of two cutting mats $12.99
Replacement Blades $9.99
Tacky Tape $6.99
Merry and Bright Cartridge $29.99
Sweater Weather Cartridge $39.99
December 25th Cartridge $29.99

Thats $129.94 in product for just $29.99!!!

Cricut Designs

Here are some designs that I found.  Hope they help you with your creating!


Here are some designs that I found

Joy card Pop Up Card - CTMH Artfully Sent Cartridge

Joy Pop up card made using the CTMH Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge

www.LoriKutsch.ctmh.com

www.Lorisscrappybunch.blogspot.com



Artfully Sent Bundle #Z3017 $99.00

Best Christmas Stamp #D1613 $19.75

Versamark #Z891 $9.95

Silver Embossing Powder #Z2067 $5.95

White Embossing Powder #Z2068 $5.95

Craft Heater #Z555 $34.95

Cranberry and Colonial White Cardstock #1272 $14.50 & #1385 $9.50

How to use CCR Hide Contour

I have been asked how I deleted the windows from the element in CCR (Cricut Craft Room) to make the Halloween Card with the CTMH Artfully Sent Cartridge.  So here is a short video showing how I did that.

**I just bought a new camera and the sound does not seem to be so good.  So hang in there with my videos while I figure out how to adjust that**

Sneak Peak! Sshhhh.......

Do you want a sneak peak at whats coming???  Follow this link to see what will be available from CTMH on Dec 1st.  The supplemental catalog has lots of cute items that are only available for a short period.

So get your warm beverage of choice for this cool morning (well cool in Reno anyway!) and settle in to check out whats coming.  So many things I can't wait to get my hands on!  Hoping to have some of these to show at my Nov crop (it will be tight if they make it here on time).  If you have not registered yet let me know, I will get your signed up!

Ok here is the link!  Sneak Peak Here

CTMH Halloween Contest

Its time to get creative and show your spooky pages.  Follow the story in th CTMH Contest to get your assignment then submit for your chance to win!  Follow the link below for all the details.  Good Luck!

CTMH Halloween Contest

A Spooky Crafting Adventure Contest

Are you ready to choose your own creative adventure? Grab your scrapbooking gear and buckle your seatbelt because it’s about to get spooky. This contest has a special twist and a spine-tingling prize.Follow these four steps carefully for a chance to win one of five Cut Above™ Treat Bag or Card Kits! Here’s what you need to do:

1. Embark on the adventure below by clicking on the link above. Follow the colored hearts and make decisions that will ultimately bring you to your individual creative challenge.
2. Complete the creative challenge you are issued at the end of the adventure.
3. Email a picture of your finished artwork to ctmhblog@closetomyheart.com before October 29 to enter the contest.
4. Anxiously await the winners announcement that will come on October 30 after our panel of judges assesses the entries based on creativity, cleverness, and artistry!

Now that’s settled, let’s get going. Have fun!

Cricut Mystery Box

Myster Box - follow link to order your Mystery Box.

Each month Cricut offers a Mystery Box full of great items at a huge discount.  From what I am here the October box is a dont miss!  Order yours HERE

Tree Christmas Card

Such an easy card to make, even a beginner could do it!

www.LoriKutsch.ctmh.com

VersaMat and All-Purpose Mat

Rounding out our week of tools by Close to my Heart we have the VersaMat and the All Purpose Mat.  Both of these are must haves and things I could not work without.  The VersaMat has easy to see white measurements which I use all the time.  Turn it over and the slightly padded back makes for the perfect stamping platform.



Watch this short little video to learn more.  Then order your mats Here

Free Stamp Set

Get your FREE Stamp set with any $40.00 order

Just go to www.LoriKutsch.ctmh.com to place your oder and I will mail you the following stamp set for free!  Each image on this stamp set coordinates with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartrdige available exclusively frrom Close to my Heart.

Just place your $40.00 order in the month of October and you will get this stamp from me for FREE!  

If you order $50.00 in the month of October one of these Chevron Ribbons will be included in your order for free

A $50.00 order also qualifies you for the October Stamp of the month for just $5.00.  This is the only way you can get this Stamp Set.

5 of the 7 images (outlined in red) on this stamp set also coordinate with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge for perfectly cut and stamped images on your projects.  

Just follow the link below to get your FREE Stamp from Lori, and don't miss out on the Free Ribbon from CTMH and the October Stamp of the month for just $5.00

Order Here!

Score Board

The Score Board is a must have for all card makers!  Get a perfect crease on all your folds each time.  This board is ideal if you are using our cricut cartridges (like the new Artfull Sent) for folding your cards and custom made envelopes.  Watch this short video to learn more.







Order your Score Board Here!

Cricut Contest!

(sponsored post)

Cricut Halloween Giveaway
Halloween inspires so many delightfully devilish crafting projects that it is no wonder there should be a celebration! Enter to win the Cricut Halloween Giveaway, where you could win a Cricut gift card for $50, $75 or even $100! Winning designs will be posted on the Cricut Facebook page! 

Here are some designs that I found on the Cricut site to get your creative juices flowing. If you need to stock up on your Cricut supplies in order to give your designs that extra bit of spook, great news—Cricut offers free shipping on all orders of $35 or more!

Good luck, and may the best ghost or goblin win! Submit your Entry to Cricut's Halloween Contest here 

Cricut Halloween Treat Bags	Cricut 3D Pumpkins	Cricut October Birthday Card
Cricut Crash Landing Cupcakes	Cricut Halloween Klok

Micro-tip Scissors

Who knew there are two types of scissors from CTMH?  I know I have scissors that are all gunked up from cutting my foam tape, so you can avoid that by using the scissors that are made to prevent that.  Watch this short video to learn more.





Then, order your scissors Here!

Quilling Tool

Continuing this week with videos from CTMH about tools we have to make your projects just a little bit easier. Today we have the quilling tool.  Such an easy way to wrap those pretty flowers.  Then add yesterdays tool, Liquid Glass, to hold the ends in place so they do not unravel.



Check out this short video to learn more.

Christmas Card

This card took a little more time, but I love the finished product.

First I used the CTMH Artfull Sent Cartridge to cut the medallion I stamped and embossed on. Then I used the CTMH Artbooking Cartridge to cut the white overlay.  I put a piece of Twilight Cardstock behing it.  I stamped the scroll with versamark and heat embossed with silver embossing powder.  Next I stamped Merry Christmas with Twilight pigment ink and added clear embossing powder to it.  I ran a piece of twighlight cardstock through the Sissix with my CTMH embossing folder, cut the ends and added a piece of silver tape.

You can order all the supplies needed to make this card by clicking Here

Liquid Glass

This week I am going to showcase some videos from CTMH of products that I love. The first one is Liquid Glass. I use this for so much more than just my cards and pages. My daughter dropped a ceramic keychain that her boyfriend had made her and it broke in two. I just applied some liquid glass to both sides, let it dry and she is a happy girl again. I have also used it to fill those annoying little holes on the bottom of coffee cups. You know that ones that fill up with water when you wash them and then they drip all over your when you try to drink your coffee. As for my cards and pages, use them anywhere you need to add a little shine!  So just sit back, watch this short video and then share with us what you use Liquid Glass for.

Order your Liquid Glass here!

How to Take Your Art in the Next Dimension With Cricut

How to Take Your Art into the Next Dimension with Cricut It started out as a doodle, something small, casually tossed in the margin of your grocery list. But somehow this graphic element took over and before you knew it, it became the decorative element to everything in your world. Unfortunately all those minute details that you added make it virtually impossible to transform it into the third dimension. Not true. If you can print it, you can cut it with the Cricut Explore machine. Now with the newest feature of the Cricut Explore machine, you can choose your image (either your own or one of 50,000+ in the Cricut Design Lab), flatten the image and then click 'Go'. Once printed, the Cricut Explore machine works its magic to bring your 2-dimensional idea into the 3rd dimension. Take a look at this super short instructional video (less than 4 minutes) and see just how easy it can be… If you can print it, you can cut it with the Cricut Explore machine.

Halloween Card Video

Halloween House Card how to video.

Not a great video, but I had camera malfunctions!  I promise to make better videos in the furure.  However, I think this give you a pretty good idea as to how to make this card.  It was just such a simple card.

Halloween House Card

This card was made with the CTMH Artfully sent Cricut Cartridge, in Cricut Craft Room (CCR).  If you do not use CCR or know how to use it please join our Facebook group called Cricut Craft Room.
The card will cut in layers.  The black layer - you will score it to fold.  The inside yellow layer is also on the cartridge.  I cut both of these at 7 in.  You cannot do the green layer without using CCR.  To do the green layer, I added a second of the black portion of the card.  I used the Hide / Contour button to remove  the windows from the image.  I then cut off the edge to make it fit behind the house.  I did this so that you could write the embellishment in the card with out it showing through the windows.   I then stamped "Happy Halloween" with one of the stamp sets that comes with the cartridge in black ink.

The cricut cut file is located in the files section of the Cricut Craft Room facebook group for download.

Have a Cup card

When I saw this card I knew I had to make it.

Supplies used:
CTMH Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge
Love you a Latte Cricut Cartridge
CTMH Cardstock in Blush, Chocolate, Cashmere, and Colonial White
CTMH Exclusive Ink in Blush
CTMH Bonding Memories Pen
Tombow Adhesive
Ribbon
CTMH You mean the World to me Stamp set
Lastly I added a Starbucks gift card and sent out as a surprise Random Act of Kindness

You can get all the supplies to make this card (except the Love you a Latte Cricut Cartridge)at  Shop CTMH.  You can get the Love you a Latte Cricut Cartridge at Shop Cricut (Use code FREESHIP35! and get free shipping on all order of $35 or more at Cricut)


What colors would you use to make this card?