Spellbound Workshop on the Go Kit

This kit works hand in hand with the new Artiste Cricut cartridge from Close To My Heart, and makes decorating for Halloween a breeze!  Spellbound includes exclusive paper and stamps only available in this kit, jump rings, bakers twine, foundry pin clips, plus an instructional brochure outlining how to make all the great projects shown in this picture.  I can't wait to make a spooktacular table like this one at my house this Halloween!  Boo!

Top Ten Reasons Summer is the PERFECT Time to Host a Tastefully Simple Party

I still have some dates open for you!

1. It's a spontaneous season.  You'll be amazed at who will attend!

2. People like to socialize and get out of the house.

3. August Host Rewards are FABULOUS!

4. It stays light longer and people don't mind driving as much when it's light out.

5. The increase in daylight boosts people's moods and makes them more fun to be around!

6. You can have your party on a deck or patio.

7. You get to show off your tan!  (Or your notoriously tan friend gets to show you hers, at least.)

8. Fun Summer drinks.  Think buckets!

9. The season is so short that you need to seize the chance to gather with your favorite people in a casual way.

10. Light, cool and easy to prepare samples for you.

August is the perfect time for fun, friends, food, and FREE rewards!  With our new host special, you can get four of our most popular picks - all in addition to our usual free products for hosts.  Ask me for details, and let's select a date for your party!  Not local?  Do a catalog/virtual party!

Close To My Heart Artiste Cricut Collection

700 images including cards (with envelopes), fonts, 3-D items, and so much more!  There is even a Workshop on the Go kit that coordinates with this cartridge and includes everything you need for great Halloween party treats and decorations!

CTMH retiring colors

The new Close To My Heart Idea Book will be available August 1, and WOW, there are a ton of changes coming!  First, some very exciting news - there is another Cricut package!  This is called Artiste, and I'll share more about that in future posts, but it's the same great bundle as Art Philosophy, including exclusive My Acrylix stamp sets and chipboard diecuts that coordinate with the cartridge images.  VERY cool!  There are also big changes coming to the markers (alcohol based now!) and the color pallette.  I'll be sneaking some information about the new products soon, but I really want to let everyone know which colors are retiring.  It's a long list!

• Grey wool
• Grey Flannel
• White Daisy
• Colonial White
• Vanilla Cream
• Parchment
• Brown Bag
• Baby pink
• Key Lime
• Heavenly Blue
• Lilac Mist
• Amethyst
• Holiday Red
• Sunflower
• Sunny Yellow
• Dutch blue
• Moonstruck
• Vineyard berry
• Tulip
• Garden Green
• Spring Iris
• Petal
• Garnet
• Pansy Purple

That is TWENTY FOUR retiring colors, people.  So if you see any of your favorites in that list that you simply don't want to live without, make sure you get the re-inker now while it's still available to order.  (Which is only through July 31st!)  Like I said - big changes coming! 

This looks like a fabulous treat!

Almond Pound Cake Parfait

Submitted by Kim Lussier (NH)

Ingredients

Absolutely Almond Pound Cake Mix™
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) melted butter
1 cup water
3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding; prepared
1 jar Rhubarb Strawberry Fruit Spread
8 oz non-dairy whipped topping; thawed
Fresh strawberries; sliced
Sliced almonds
Amaretto liqueur; optional

Directions

Prepare Absolutely Almond Pound Cake Mix per package directions. Cool. Cut into 1 inch cubes. Prepare vanilla pudding mix per package directions. In large clear glass bowl, layer 1/4 of cubed Absolutely Almond Pound Cake with 1/4 of the Rhubarb Strawberry Fruit Spread, 1/2 cup vanilla pudding and 1/4 cup non-dairy whipped topping. Repeat layers three more times. Top with fresh sliced strawberries and toasted slice almonds.
Optional: Pour Amaretto liqueur over almond pound cake cubes before layering

Get your perfect pair for FREE in July!

Place an online order of $75 or more in July and Close To My Heart will send you a popular paper packet and coordinating accessory—a Perfect Pair—for free! That’s a retail value of up to $17.90! Different Perfect Pairs are available on different dates throughout the month so you’ll want to place more than one 

qualifying order to snatch several Perfect Pairs. Place your order early in the availability period, as the promotion is while supplies last.  There are several products from the Autumn 2011 Idea Book that have not been available to order since the current book came out in February, so if you missed out on (or ran out of) some products since then, now is your chance to get them back!  This is only good with online orders, so visit my website as soon as your favorites become available so you don't miss out.

July 1–5 Mischief Paper Packet (X7144B) and Midnight Felt Shapes (Z1462)

July 6–10 Dreamin' Paper Packet (X7142B) and Harvest Charms (Z1633)

July 11–15 Fanfare Paper Packet (X7138B) and Fanfare Level 2 Assortment (Z1400)

July 16–20 Lucky Paper Packet (X7137B) and Lucky My Stickease® Assortment (X7137C)

July 21–25 Mayberry Paper Packet (X7136B) and Mayberry My Stickease® Assortment (X7136C)

July 26–29 Sophia Paper Packet (X7131B) and Sophia My Stickease® Assortment (X7131C)

July 30–31 Believe Paper Packet (X7145B) and Holiday Pockets (Z1486) OR  

Wonderland Paper Packet (X7146B) and Wonderland My Stickease® Assortment (X7146C) (Qualifying orders placed July 30-31 will receive either the Believe package or the Wonderland package; it will be a surprise which!)