You've Got Flair

I finally finished my swap cards for the July Stamp of the Month. I was having such issues with this stamp set. I tried water coloring with a waterbrush, blending with the blender pen, coloring with markers and pencils. I wasn't liking anything I tried! I even tried a couple of background techniques - shaving cream and re-inker smoosh - neither of which I liked. I'll post samples later of some of my failed attempts.

I finally decided to try the puddle pad technique. It's a pretty simple technique with very good results. I've also heard it called the tie-dye technique. Basically, you'll need a paper plate, a piece of felt to make an ink pad, re-inkers in 2-3 colors, and a stamp. Place your felt on the paper plate to protect the work surface. Place a few drops of each color re-inker on the felt next to each other but careful not to get them mixed. Take your stamp and ink it up on the felt pad using a tap-tap-tap method so you don't mix the colors. Then stamp your image onto your cardstock. Viola! You have a multi-colored image with little effort. This will work for outline images as well as solid images.

Card Design: Wishes - Medallion

Stamps: You've Got Flair (July SOM)

Papers: Moon Doggie Level 2 Papers

Inks: Cranberry, Desert Sand

Re-inkers: Cranberry, Garden Green, Indian Corn Blue

Accessories: Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon, Summer Craft Buttons, 3D dots

Techniques: Stippling, puddle pad/felt pad

Until next time...

Today's Deal - Free Autumn Garden Mini Medley Accents

The Deal-A-Day special continues through the end of June on my website.

Qualify for this fabulous FREE item by adding one My Acrylix® stamp set size A, B, C, D, or E to your order (Customized Stamps and Stamp of the Month excluded). Incredible discounted shipping/handling of $3 US / $4 CAN applies to your Deal-a-Day purchase. (Limit one free item per order. Shipping/handling discount applies to orders of one stamp set and one free item only. The $3 US rate also applies to all non-continental US locations (i.e. AK, HI, PR, APO/FPO, and Guam).)

Don't forget to check back again tomorrow! There are still TWO Great Goodies Boxes to be announced!

Until next time...

Scheduled Maintenance on MyCTMH Website

Scheduled Systems Maintenance for MyCTMH Sites. We will have a scheduled maintenance period on Wednesday, June 24, from 1:00 am to 2:00 am (MT) [11pm to midnight 6/23 ET]. This maintenance will affect all MyCTMH websites making them unavailable. We appreciate your consideration during this brief time. Close To My Heart

Until next time...

Today's Deal - White Daisy Organdy Ribbon

Today's deal on my website for the Deal-A-Day celebration during June is 3/8" White Daisy Organdy Ribbon. Qualify for this fabulous FREE item by adding one My Acrylix® stamp set size A, B, C, D, or E to your order (Customized Stamps and Stamp of the Month excluded). Incredible discounted shipping/handling of $3 US / $4 CAN applies to your Deal-a-Day purchase. (Limit one free item per order. Shipping/handling discount applies to orders of one stamp set and one free item only. The $3 US rate also applies to all non-continental US locations (i.e. AK, HI, PR, APO/FPO, and Guam).)

Did you know that you can dye organdy ribbon any color you need with just a few drops (or a little more)? Tie a beautiful bow or even a knot and add an accent to any card, layout, or projects.

If you've missed any of this month's deals, you can now see what you've missed by visiting my calendar. I've posted each day's deal, so far, onto my June calendar. You'll also find a couple of pictures of the past goodies boxes. There's 2 more goodies boxes to go this month.

Be sure to stop by and check out the deal of the day each day in June. Each deal is good from 11am ET through 10am ET the next day, while supplies last.

Until next time...

Moon Doggie Workshop on the Go

I finally got pictures of this month's Workshop on the Go - Moon Doggie. I wasn't too sure about these papers at first, but I'm really pleased at how they turned out.

This is the featured layout from the Workshop on the Go brochure. A lot of the white space is for photos, but I haven't gotten that far. The featured techniques are stamp rolling or rock n' roll and stippling. The pages are finished off with hidden journaling tags and Colonial White crocheted ribbon.

This is one of the two additional layouts (also featured in the Idea Book). Again, the featured technique is stippling. These pages are finished off with Dimensional Elements Framed Fun.

This is the second of the additional layouts (also featured in the Idea Book). The stippling technique is also featured. The only thing I've added to these pages is the My Stickease for the title and the arrows. I'm waiting until I decide on what pictures before I finish it off.

If you would like to do this workshop, let me know. We haven't set a date for it yet (even though my calendar has the 28th - we all couldn't get together then). If you don't want to wait for us, you can order everything you need either through me or through my website. The shopping list in on the Workshop on the Go page. I'll send you the instructional brochure for free once you place your order.

Until next time...

Moon Doggie Card Night

I know I've been neglectful of posting new artwork lately. It's not that I haven't done any, just that time and energy aren't always there.

Here are the cards we did this month during my monthly Card Night Workshop. All the card designs are from CTMH's AWESOME new book, Wishes. I actually used one of the 3 workshops featured in the book. I needed to prep 70 cards so I just cut the workshop out 4 times (I'll make up the extra set to use for thank you cards). Wishes gives you the cutting diagrams as well as the step by step instructions for assembly. Everyone's cards were slightly different as I usually have a selection of stamps available. And, of course, everyone's welcome to change up the layout of the card as they desire. One of these days I'll have to remember to take pictures of everyone's cards after we're done. Everyone was THRILLED and we had a ball! I haven't laughed so hard since, well, probably last month.


Papers: Moon Doggie Level 2, Desert Sand Textured Card Stock
Inks: Cranberry, Indian Corn Blue, Desert Sand, Honey, Garden Green
Stamps: Camping Fever, Let's Go Camping, June Word Puzzle, Extreme Happiness, and others
Accessories: Colonial White Crocheted Ribbon
Techniques: Rock n' Roll, Stippling, Generation Stamping, Masking

Until next time...

June Newsletter

In This Issue
June's Deal-A-Day
Stamp of the Month
Classes, Workshops, & Events


June's Deal-A-Day!

In June you can take advantage of a different deal each day on my website-a product special available only that day and only while supplies last. Specials include Great Goodies boxes priced 50% or more below retail and popular products for free with a My Acrylix® stamp set purchase (size A, B, C, D, or E; excludes K-size and Stamp of the Month) PLUS irresistible shipping discounts.

Check my website every day from June 1-30 for that day's deal and add to your scrapbooking and cardmaking supplies while saving a bundle. Remember, each special is good only for that day, only while supplies last, and only on my website.

Complete FAQ can be found on my Calendar under June 1st.

Monthly Contest
Each month, I will post a new contest with my newsletter. Most will be questions that can be answered by looking through the Idea Book.

This month's question:
What are the featured colors in the Moon Doggie Level 2 My Reflections Kit?

Be one of the first 5 people to email me with the correct answer, and I will send you a prize.

Dear Blog Reader,


Thank you for your patience and understanding in the delay in getting my monthly newsletter out. I found out on June 8th that my new work schedule will be 10am to 645pm, Monday through Friday with Thursday off and 8am to 5pm on Saturday. There have been a few issues with the way things have been done (if you've had any experience with unions, you'll understand, if you haven't - that's a story for another day). I think everything has been resolved and I start my new schedule on June 20th. While I know it will take some adjusting after working 4am to 1pm the last 3 years, I'm looking forward to not having to get up at 245am everyday and being thoroughly worn out by 6pm.

Close To My Heart is offering a Deal-A-Day special through my website everyday in June! They have already had two half-off goodies boxes, but there are going to be 4 more! Each goodies box will be slightly different, but the retail value is going to be about twice what you'll pay for it! And you get discounted shipping as well. For the free gift with stamp purchase, you need to add the stamp set to your cart first, then make sure you check the box to add the free item to your cart. In order to get the discounted shipping, you cannot add anything else to your cart. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.

There is also a new Stamp of the Month for June - Tender Tags. There are so many possibilities with this set whether you're a card maker, scrapbooker, or paper crafter.

Something new I'm starting this month, is a monthly contest. Check out the details above, and email me with the correct answer. Be sure to include your current mailing address so I can send your prize to you.

I have also updated my June and July calendar on my website, including open dates for gatherings and/or workshops.

Stamp of the Month
Tender Tags
D1350 (Set of 15) $22.95

Thoughtful messages complement these vintage tag designs, perfect for giving any package or project an elegant personal touch.

Available June 1-30, 2009 only.

Recommended Blocks:
1" × 1 1/2" (Y1001), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" (Y1004)

You can view a slideshow of artwork from our Consultant swap on My Art page.

Classes, Workshops, & Events
All classes and workshops are held at my home in Washington unless otherwise noted. If you cannot make my scheduled class/workshop, contact me to schedule one of your own with your friends. Minimum class size is 5 prepaid guests. Complete details and artwork can be viewed on my Calendar.



Workshop on the Go (pictured)
Sunday, June 28th, 2pm
Moon Doggie Level 2 Papers
Fee: Basic Workshop $25.00 when you RSVP & pay by June 15th
Basic Workshop after June 15th - $34

Open Dates
I am scheduling gatherings and workshops for June & July. Be sure to email me with your preferred date before it gets taken.

Saturday, June 20th, 7pm ET
Saturday, June 27th, 7pm ET
Thursday, July 9th, 8pm ET
Saturday, July 11th, 7pm ET
Tuesday, July 21st, 8pm ET
Thursday, July 23rd, 8pm ET

Choose one of the dates above and get a FREE gift when you hold your Gathering. Contact me today to schedule your Gathering or Workshop (all workshops require 2 weeks notice and pre-payment for supplies).


Upcoming Events
Tuesday, July 7th, Marcia's Card Night, 8pm ET
Wednesday, July 8th, Card Night 7pm ET
Sunday, July 26th, Animal Cookies WOTG, 2pm ET

As always, I am here to help you preserve your memories and celebrate your relationships. If you have any questions, need some inspiration, want to schedule a workshop, class or gathering, or would like more information on becoming a consultant, please feel free to contact me.

Until next time...

Debra Van Patten
Independent Consultant
Memories of the Heart

Today's Deal! Great Goodies Box!

What a deal! For just $60 US/$75 CAN you get approximately $120/$149.95 worth of popular product! And what's more, you get discounted shipping/handling of just $8 continental US, $12 APO, $15 PR, AK, HI, others / $16 Canada. (Shipping/handling discount applies to orders of one goodie box only.)

Visit my website to get your's today! The deal only lasts until 10am ET June 5, 2009!

Until next time...

Deal-A-Day Specials in June!

From June 1-30, you'll find a different deal each day on my shopping page. Specials include a free item with the purchase of a My Acrylix Stamp Set and goodie boxes priced at least 50% off retail or more! Available only that day and only while supplies last! Plus, get extraordinary shipping rates with these specials. Check back daily for the terriffic deals!

Certain restrictions and conditions do apply. For complete FAQ, visit my calendar page on June 1st.

Until next time...

June Stamp of the Month: Tender Tags

My contribution to this month's Stamp of the Month swap is a 5x7 Card. The design is from our Originals book. We were required to use the Animal Cookies Level 2 Papers (Dutch Blue, Tulip, Sunflower, Clover Meadow & White Daisy). I stamped the square tag in Sunflower second generation with rolled edges in first generation. Accessories are White Daisy Eyelets, Sunflower Waxy Flax, and Autumn Harvest Sassy Strands (Sunflower).




Tender Tags D1350: (Set of 15) $22.95

Thoughtful messages complement these vintage tag designs, perfect for giving any package or project an elegant personal touch.

Available June 1–30, 2009 only.
Recommended Blocks: 1" × 1 1/2" (Y1001), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" (Y1004)



Until next time...