Easel Card FREE Printable

Interested in learning how to make this Easel Card? Click on the image below to download the FREE Instructional Printable.

The Easel card is an easy fun way to make an interactive displayable card. Once you get the base instructions down you can whip out a multitude of them. I created 150 cards this year using this method and it was probably the fastest easiest card I've made to date. Be patient with yourself the first time as the scores and folds can be hard to understand at first. Make yourself a mock up to play with then come up with your own card front color's and design. 

New Product Highlight: New Style Ink Pads and Other Color Tools!

The NEW style ink pads are available in all the NEW Adventure colors: Pansy, Emerald, Willow, Lemon, Tangerine, Blossom and Raspberry.

Click here to download the Ink Chart.

The description on these babies is very accurate. "Sleek" is the word but a written description is just not good enough. You have to see them and play with them to really get the feel for how different and much more "usable" they are.     

SIZE
NEW vs OLD

Overall size -        3  5/16" x 4  7/16" vs 2  15/16" x 1  1/16"

Pad size - 2  7/16" x 3  7/8" vs 2  7/16" x 2  15/16"

Here is some basic information on what type of inks all the CTMH products provide. You will see we are very diverse!

Here is a handy ShinHan Touch Twin Marker guide for you to use as well. Click HERE to download.

While were at it here is a wonderfully useful Watercolor guide that gives you formulas to match as closely as possible the CTMH colors using the Watercolor pallet.

Click here to download a copy for yourself.

I hope you find these documents useful in your color quest. Visit www.NinasArtSpot.ctmh.com to purchase your NEW Close to my Heart products or www.NinasArtSpot.etsy.com for your retired and gently used Close to my Heart products as well as kits, handmade items, planning items and more.

New Product Highlight: Rustic Home Fundamentals

Today I want to highlight the Rustic Home Fundamentals. I was floored by the quality and diversity of these papers. This paper pack comes with 12 sheets of 12" x 12" paper (2 each of 6 designs). Some are in Kraft paper, one on vellum with copper foil accents.

I immediately fell in love with them. For my first attempt at playing with this paper I tackled a 24 card Thank You workshop. 

24 Thank You Card Workshop Created by Karen Pedersen

Download a copy of the workshop for yourself HERE

Now of course I had to spice it up a bit from the original intended workshop. I will of course list the changes I made so you can make your own decisions if you want to recreate these for yourself. I still made 24 cards but instead of using the Hearts Thin Cuts (Z3260, pg 79 of your AI) I used my Cricut.

Here is my Supply list:

• Rustic Home Fundamentals - Z3262, pg 29
• 24 White Daisy Cards & Envelopes - X254, pg 101
• 2 Sheets White Daisy Cardstock - 1385, pg 95
• 1 pk Enchantment Cardstock - X5781, pg 98
• Versamark Ink Pad - Z891, pg 106
• Ranger White SuperFine Embossing Pwd - Z2068, pg106
• Pearl White Embossing pwd - CTMH no longer carries
• Happy Hearts Stamp Set - A1192, 49
• Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge - no longer available

Now the Art Philosophy Cartridge is no longer available for sale but I'm sure there are other cartridges with equally usable hearts for this project. On page 26 of the Art Philosophy book I found one that will cut an outline and do a solid. I chose my large heart to be 3", my medium heart to be 2 1/2" and my small heart to be 1 1/2". Because the cricut cuts out the center on the outline you can spice it up and use the slightly different heart shape as well. 

Here are each of the cards close up from this work shop doing it My Way = Spicy!

I choose not to do any distressing on the card stock pieces. I carried that throughout the entire workshop.

On card #3 I choose not to back the vellum with the Peacock cardstock. I felt it looked too dark. 

In this image of card #4 you can really see the raised design on the kraft paper.

On card #5 I left off the white strip at the bottom. I felt it was too distracting. You can see I choose a different size poppy and saffron hearts for the focus.

On card #7 I tried using some old pearl embossing powder on the stamped hearts I wasn't thrilled with how it looked against the bright of the White Daisy cardstock and White embossing powder. On the 3 of this design I changed out and played with the die cut hearts getting a variety of different "looks" out of each of them. 

On card #8 was the only place where I found a bit of a cutting discrepancy on the workshop instructions. They call for these each to be cut at 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" but doing that as you can see left no room to leave space between each of the square's. I choose to butt them up to each other rather than trim each of the pieces down to 1" x 1 1/4".

I hope you have enjoyed this New Product Highlight! It sure was fun creating and playing with these new products!

Basically the Best.....Constant Campaign

Brand new scrapbooking papers are here, and you can get some FREE!*

What could be better than treating yourself to brand new scrapbooking paper? How about getting even more paper for FREE!

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

Whimsy Fundamentals ~ Z3255

thistle, crystal blue, glacier, juniper, sweet leaf, canary, flaxen, sorbet, pixie and smoothie

Adventure Fundamentals ~ Z3253

pansy, pacifica, lagoon, emerald, willow, lemon, tangerine, blossom, raspberry and cranberry

Enchantment Fundamentals ~ Z3254

eggplant, sapphire, peacock, new england ivy, fern, saffron, goldrush, poppy, pomegranate and ruby

The Fundamentals come with 24 sheets of 12" x 12" paper, that's 2 each of 12 double-sided designs as shown in each of the color pallets.

So purchase each of the above and pick one of the following for FREE!

Rustic Home Fundamentals ~ Z3262

black, slate, whisper, cocoa, chocolate, saddle, cashmere, champagne, desert sand, bamboo, kraft paper, vellum and copper foil accents

or

Uptown Fundamentals ~ Z3263

black, slate, whisper, cocoa, chocolate, saddle, cashmere, champagne, desert sand, bamboo, vellum and gold foil accents

The Rustic Home and Uptown Fundamentals come with 12 sheets of 12" x 12" paper, that's 2 each of 6 designs.

Our new Fundamentals papers feature incredibly versatile patterns in a wide selection of colors, so they can be used for any and every project! Because they come in our exclusive colors, you can mix and match them with the themed paper packets from the Seasonal and Holiday Expressions. 

But the bonuses don't end there: Workshops have been created using these products and you can download them here for FREE! To complete them, you'll just need a few extra items and then you can follow their cutting diagrams, patterns and instructions to replicate the artwork or spice it up a bit and make it your own!

Click HERE to download the Scrapbooking workshop or Click HERE to download the Cardmaking workshop.

Bonus to the Bonus: When you take advantage of this campaign, you'll automatically qualify for the Stamp of the Month for only $5.

*with qualifying purchase. Offer valid August 1, 2016 (9:00am MDT)- August 31, 2016 (11:59 pm MDT) while supplies last. Shipping/handling rates are based on the full retail price of free items. Tax is not charged for free items.

National Scrapbooking Month Celebration Give Away!

I will be on live today reviewing the Give Away. All times are AZ MST. I will be live on Periscope (NinasArtSpot) at 2:00pm and on Facebook at 2:30pm. Hope to see you there and you can get in on all the awesome possibilities during this wonderful month of building your Scrapbooking/Cardmaking/Crafting STASH!

Please note this give away is only good through me at www.NinasArtSpot.ctmh.com.

Picture My Life Watercolor Cards Tutorial

These are a fun take on the already fun to mix and match Picture My Life cards. Now you can discover your creativity even more with the watercolor cards, creating designs and sentiments that are all your own.

Close to my Heart created a wonderful tutorial on their YouTube Channel. It is very helpful and quite an inspiration on using these wonderfully creative addition to our Picture My Life Line.

Don't forget my special National Scrapbooking Month's Special Offers (specially #4 that includes the Watercolor PML's) Click HERE to see the details!

Happy National Scrapbooking Month ~ Special Offers

In celebration of National Scrapbooking Month Close to my Heart and I have some awesome offers for you going on during the whole month of May. Now some are while supplies last so don't take to long to think about it because these will go fast! If you are confused by any of the offers and need answers to your questions please don't hesitate and shoot me an email at NinasArtSpot@yahoo.com or pop over to the Facebook page and post your question there!

MY OFFER #1

During the month of May place a $25 order by Clicking HERE and joining the National Scrapbooking Month online Gathering and receive a FREE mixed goodie bag from me worth $3.95 in product &/or pre-made item(s).

or

May Stamp of the Month ~ Celebrate with Cake S1605

OFFER #2

During the month of May place a $50 order by Clicking HERE and joining the National Scrapbooking Month online Gathering and receive the May Stamp of the Month S1605, Celebrate with Cake a 17 piece set for $5 (a retail value of $17.95) and receive a FREE mixed goodie bag from me worth $3.95 in product &/or pre-made item(s) and a FREE NEW Seasonal Expressions II!

or

OFFER #3

Happy times can be yours during the month of May because it's National Scrapbooking Month, and we're offering an exciting promotion to celebrate! With a qualifying purchase of $60 you can get the exclusive Happy Times paper packet (CC1063)** for FREE! This fun paper packet, which is available for one month only, features 14 exclusive B&T Duo's, including four papers with gold foil designs in floral and gold foil details! Featured colors: Canary, Fern, White Daisy, Smoothie, Pomegranate and Glacier. You can also purchase this exclusive paper pack at full retail for $14.95 with no purchase requirement. Additionally, we've designed a coordinating D-sized stamp set, My Acrylix Happy Times (CC1064), to go with the paper packet, which you can purchase for $17.95. It contains 18 stamp images, including floral images and sentiments perfect for memory keeping which can also be used for creating thoughtful and heartfelt cards. There's never been a better time to treat yourself to some beautiful new paper. Plus receive the May Stamp of the Month S1605, Celebrate with Cake a 17 piece set for $5 (a retail value of $17.95) and receive a FREE mixed goodie bag from me worth $3.95 in product &/or pre-made item(s) and a FREE NEW Seasonal Expressions II!  Place your $60 order by Clicking HERE and joining the National Scrapbooking Month online Gathering. 

**While Supplies Last

or

Offer #4 Layout #1 & #2

MY OFFER #4

Place an order of the following items, which is a $120 order, HERE by joining the National Scrapbooking Month online Gathering, with the following items, have it shipped to me directly and I will pre-cut and label all pieces and include the full color instructions so you can make the following 6 page scrapbook layouts and the 12 Standard size cards. Then I will mail or deliver (if your local) the layout & card kits to you to put together. Plus you will get the May stamp of the month for $5 instead of the usual $17.95, receive a FREE mixed goodie bag from me worth $3.95 in product &/or pre-made item(s) and a FREE NEW Seasonal Expressions II!

Offer #4 Layout #3 & #4

Purchase These Items

• CC1064 Happy Times Stamp set - $17.95
• CC1063 Happy Times Paper Packet** need 2 - FREE
• M1051 Make a Wish Stamp set - $2.95
• 1385 White Daisy Cardstock - $9.50
• X5780 Pomegranate Cardstock - $14.50
• X254 White Cards & Envelopes - $14.95
• X3189 White & Gold Ribbon - $5.95
• Z3091 Pink Enamel Gems - $3.95
• Z2012 Sequins Gold Assortment - $2.95
• Z1768 Metallic Markers - $4.95
• Z3217 Picture My Life Watercolor Cards Gold - $8.95
• Z1985 Gold Shimmer Trim - $4.95
• Z2060 3D Foam Tape - $5.95
• Z2089 Micro Glue Dots - $7.50
• S1605 May Stamp of the Month Celebrate with Cake - $5
• Any additional item at $10 or more of your choice

Offer #4 Layout  #5 & #6

12 Standard Size Cards

Items You will need to complete the kits

• Paper Cutter
• Pomegranate Ink pad
• Smoothie Ink Pad
• Glacier Ink Pad
• Canary Ink Pad
• Fern Ink Pad
• Black Ink Pad
• Acrylic Blocks
• Z1999 1" Circle Punch (Optional)
• Z1851 Scallop Punch (Optional)
• Scissors
• Adhesive

or

OFFER #5

Now through the end of May, you can save 25% on the purchase of Close To My Heart’s amazing My Legacy™ albums! That is a savings of over $8.50 per album! Choose from our gorgeous variety of colors and patterns available in both post-bound and D-ring styles. But this offer is only available while supplies last, so place your order early to make sure you get the styles and colors you love. They’re built to last and going fast—order yours today! See all the different choices we have available! Place your order by going to www.NinasArtSpot.ctmh.com click the join button on the National Scrapbooking Month Gathering and placing your order and and receive a FREE mixed goodie bag from me worth $3.95 in product &/or pre-made item(s).   *Offer valid while supplies last. Sale ends May 31, 2016 (11:59 pm MDT). Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the discounted items.

Please Note: The FREE mixed goodie bag from me worth $3.95 in product &/or pre-made item(s) and the FREE NEW Seasonal Expressions II and the pre-cut kits with instructions will be mailed directly from me under separate cover and will not be shipped directly with your order.

My offers are only being offered by Nina's Art Spot and not by any other consultant. Orders placed to take advantage of My Offers need to be placed on NinasArtSpot.ctmh.com by clicking on the Join button for the May National Scrapbooking Month orders. Any offer can be combined but all conditions need to be met for each offer.

** April Special Offers **

Special Offer #1

First 5 people to order the April 2016 Life in Pictures Stamp of the Month (S1604) (at the retail value or at the $5 price with a $50 order) will receive from me the above 2 sided 4" x 4" InstaLife page which can be used on a full sized scrapbook page, on an InstaLife page or even on the front of a greeting card. When you place your order online I will automatically send out the bonus page. However it will not ship out with your order as it is coming directly from me. Click HERE to see more images of this wonderful set being used.

Special Offer #2

Place a $60 order during the month of May and receive a New Season Expressions 2 Good from May to August 2016 FREE and you are automatically eligible to order the April Stamp of the Month (S1604) for $5 and thus you can also get the Special Offer #1. Your FREE Season Expressions 2 will ship out April 29, 2016 directly from me. If you took advantage of Offer #1 I will ship both together.

Interested in taking advantage of these Special Offers? Then Click HERE scroll down, to the right and click on the Join button on the April Online Order to place your order now.

Planners Gonna Plan: The Everyday Life™ Planner System from Close To My Heart

I'm so excited to announce the Newest product from Close to my Heart.

Everyday Life Planner System

Attention all planner addicts! During December, you can get your hands on the new, gorgeous Everyday Life™ album from Close To My Heart, the accompanying Everyday Life 2016 planner pages, and the coordinating Everyday Life Perfect Plan roller stamp in an exclusive product bundle for only $29.95 USD / $35.95 CAD. That’s over 15% off the retail price! With the new Everyday Life line, you’ll experience “memory keeping on the go” as you track your menus and shopping lists, stamp reminders, keep appointments, and tuck away precious memories—plus much more—all at once! This offer is only available while supplies last, so plan to place your order early in the month and start 2016 off right. This is a WHILE SUPPLIES LAST so if you are going to order do it quickly as I anticipate they will go quickly. …but wait that isn’t all, if you take advantage of this special Promotion I will add to your order the matching Planner Washi tape FREE!

Dates Offer valid: December 1, 2015 (9:00 am MDT)–December 31, 2015 (11:59 pm MDT) ONLY...while supplies last.

Place your order at NinasArtSpot.ctmh.com click on join on the December Planner Orders party to place your order online.

THE DETAILS: The album is a black hardcover 3-ring album with gold foil designs. It measures 9 3/8” x 8 ¼” x 1 ½.”. The 2016 planner pages consist of 154 pages, including 1 pocket folder page, 12 monthly dividers with tabs, 1 designed page finder, and 4 sheets of stickers. The pages are 3-ring hole punched and measure 8 3/8” x 6 7/8.” The pages include both monthly and weekly horizontal spreads that begin January 2016 and run through December 2016. The roller stamp coordinates with the label stickers that come with the 2016 planner pages and features titles, reminders, and additional images.

View the YouTube video with details

I will be doing a Periscope broadcast of this set and other Planner items CTMH has available, the date will be announced soon.