Wander Scrapbook Sampler Available WSL

 Not all those who Wander are lost.  I love that sentiment and when Wander came along I knew I had to create a custom Sampler for my customers.  The Bitterroot Paper Crafts Scrapbook Sampler is a limited edition, precut two page layout. You receive an accessory to use with your layout and with future projects too. This kit includes a Triblend Spectrum Noir Marker.  I also include page protectors. The CTMH page protectors are some of the best in the industry.  The cost of the kit is $20 for local pick up, and it is $25 if you need it shipped within the lower 48 states.  

This fun layout uses some of our new Wander elements and also pulls in some of my favorite vintage items too. One of my philosophies is that if you keep a stamp set you should continue to use it, so I will use vintage sets in conjunction with newer products in the Sampler.  I also use a combination of papers.  The foundation is Wander but papers from other groups are also used in Samplers as well.  Finally, I do include written and a facebook tutorial on how to construct the layout.  You are welcome to put it together just as I have done, or change it up and make it your very own design.  This is meant to inspire you, a “jumping off point,” as I like to say.

To purchase the kit, you can email me at BitterrootPaperCrafts@gmail.com. I will Venmo or PayPal invoice you, get your address and send out your kit. Have a great day and thank you for stopping by!

Special Offer this June

 Any order placed on my website, BitterrootPaperCrafts.CTMH.com , will receive a free Petite Perks stamp set. Our current options are pictured below. Once your order is placed I will contact you to find out which one you want and then I will pop it in the mail!  

If you place more than one order, you can pick more than one stamp. No problem. These are while supplies last so please understand these may run out. I will do my best. 

Have a great day,

Amy 

Welcome To My Newest Kit-The Scrapbook Sampler

 The scrapbook sampler is a a concept that was inspired by a few of my friends and customers.  They have seen the ongoing success of the Paper Inspiration Kit (PIK)and asked why I hadn’t created a similar version for the scrapbookers in our group.  

It took me a while to come up with the pillars or areas of focus for these kits.  What is the reason behind creating another kit? The reason for the PIK is to help my customers make easy cards that are cute and build their collection of ink colors up over time on a budget. If they are new to stamping they can try it out and if they are experienced they can add to it.  It has a purpose.  So now I am creating a Kit for my scrabookers and Close To My Heart already creates a gorgeous three page layout kit every month.  Why do it?

Well, the Sampler is going to help you do a couple things.  You will be sampling the featured papers and combining it with another paper suite, predominately our Wood Grain paper group.  Mainly because that speaks to the lifestyle of me and my customers.  We are from the north and the northeast.  We live most of our lives outdoors and we draw nature or natural tones into our photos.  Secondly, we will be sampling a technique. Something new or different in each of our layouts.  Some you may be familiar with and others may be new to you. Finally I will add in an embellishment that you can use on this layout and then have some left for the next one you create on your own. So that you can tryout new products and see how you like incorporating them into your artwork.

My hope is that, like with the PIK, if you are new to scrapbooking you will enjoy putting your pages together and documenting your life.  It will be easy, cute and budget friendly.  If you are an experienced scrapbooker, you can use this as a jumping off point and add to it.  Change it up and make it into something completely uniquely yours.

Each kit will be precut and pre-stamped.  I am going to pull stamps and thin cuts or embossing folders out of my archives to use that you cannot find in our current catalog.  I want you to see how I am deciding to keep elements, how I am selecting items.  So when you are deciding on what to buy you can make a decision about how that item will work for you “right now” or “in the future” as well.

I am very pleased with this layout.  It is something I am happy to add to my album and share with my family and friends. It definitely has a vibe about it.  

The kit includes:

• pre-cut and pre-stamped pages
• Diamond Stickles
• Photo placeholders
• (2) Page protectors 
• Written Instructions with a photo plus a video instruction on how to assemble

The cost of the kit is $20 for local pick up or drop off, and it is an additional $5 for shipping.  Payment can be made via PayPal if arranging shipping.

I hope you like it and if you want to order one, let me know.  If you like it and feel inspired by it also please share that too. We love to see how our friends can reinterpret our artwork.  Have a great day and take care.

June Paper Inspiration Kit-Love Tree with Sage Ink

 We are almost halfway through the year and it does not seem possible.  It finally feels warm here so I am going to the warm weather colors with Sage Ink and a cute little stamp Love Tree (M1287) that we are making into a shaker.  We are using the Square Acetate  and Foam (Z4313) with the Stitched Square Die Cuts (Z4259) to make the cards designs and we have coordinated envelops for each card.

The PIK includes the following:

• Stamp Set
• Ink Pad
• Foam Acetate Set
• PreCut Papers, Card Bases and Envelopes
• Sequins
• Written Instructions with photos

Additional Materials you will need:

Adhesive and block

These kits are the perfect size for crafting on the go.  During the summer months we are often traveling, on the move and often find ourselves in need of a card for one reason or another. I know it happens to me all the time.  These cards can be used for a birthday, thank you, a note, an anniversary or any other reason you can think of. 

The cost of the kit is $20 for local pick up or drop off, if you would like it shipped here in the US it is $25 payable via PayPal.

May’s Card Making PIK Available

 Here is the May “Cherry Blossom”Paper Inspiration Kit.  It includes a new Csized stamp set (C1889), Espresso Ink Pad (Z2829), Peach Shimmer Brush (Z3661), precut papers, card bases/envelopes, and printed instructions. I also provide a video for those that prefer visual instruction on how to assemble the cards.  These kits cost have a retail value of between $25-$30.  You pay only $20 for local pick up or $25 for it to be shipped anywhere in the US.

Welcome to the Scrapbook Paper Inspiration Kit!

 Several of you have asked me why I have only offered the monthly kit for the card makers in the group. So I have decided to launch the scrapbook version of the monthly Paper Inspiration Kit or as I like to call it the PIK.  To kick it off I am asking for your feedback and help to ensure we accomplish our goals.  

The idea behind the PIK was to make help you build a collection of ink pads over time on a budget and to make cards that were easy and cute.  This Scrapbooking kit will not have the same emphasis on ink that card making does, instead we will focus on using the featured paper suite each month, it will be easy to assemble, have a technique that you can carry over to another page or layout in your future layouts (if you do not already know about it,) and have full size accessory or embellishment that you can use in the future. Some examples of those items are shimmer pens, gems, or shapes.  Most importantly, this will be economical.

Each month or kit will be a new limited edition two page layout, including the page protectors. The kit will be set at $15 per month, with the product value set between $15-$20 per month (it will be $5 additional if you would like it shipped directly to you.) This is how I have been offering the PIK for the card making over the past year and each month the demand grows.  

This month features Hillside Cottage.  One constant theme throughout these designs is the use of elements that tie back to nature.  Here in Montana, we spend a lot of time outside and nature is all around us. This month I pulled in our “Wood Grain” papers as well as mink twine.  For the technique, I used the stacking of stamped die cuts.  This is one of the best ways to stretch the use of a stamp set.  You can really save money while not sacrificing on quality by using your regular papers to make those thicker elements.  It gives your designs dimension, a more expensive look without the cost of buying lots of die cuts, chipboard and stickers.  

The kit is precut and stamped.  You will not need to own the stamp set or thin cuts to complete this layout.  Just assemble, add photos and journal.  Join me via video demonstrating how I assembled the layout or use the written instructions. This is meant to be a jumping off point, if you feel inspired add to it!

As a special for the first the very first month, if you subscribe to my blog, and comment below, I will send you this month’s scrapbook PIK free of charge (I will ask that you pay for the shipping charge if you need it shipped, no charge for local pick up or drop off though.)

Turn a Large Die Cut Into A Shaker Card

 Maybe it is because I live on a farm, or because my drinking glasses are all mason jars, or because I actually do can with mason jars, but the Eat Play Love-Card Making Stamp and Think Cut set is a winner.

When I saw that it included a solid die cut for the mason jar and it was a good sized one, I knew I could make it into a shaker card if I wanted to. All I do is cut out a extra layer using fun foam and then with double sided tape and a piece of acetate sandwich it together with the bits and pieces.

You have to admit there are some cute sentiments to add to this one. I do not hang onto many set, but I sure will be hanging on to this one.

If you are interested in purchasing this set (Z3924) it is on sale this month as part of our Stamp and Thin Cut special.  Use the link above to Shop at my site to see all of the great deals we have.  The papers that go with this set are featured this month.  They are so popular, I will be surprised if they last the entire month.  Make sure to check them out.

Happy crafting,

Amy

What is a PIK?

 What is a PIK?  The Paper Inspiration Kit (PIK) was my brainchild that bridged the gap for folks that love to play with paper but may not have stamped before or may not be familiar with Close To My Heart products and workshops. It is a card kit that is designed to be cute, easy to put together, and affordable.

Each month I design a new kit.  They are available for that month, and then while supplies last. They include a stamp, a full sized ink pad, an accessory, precut papers, card bases and envelopes, written instructions with photos and a video showing how to assemble the cards.  The cost of the kit is $20 if picked up locally, or $25 if you would like me to ship it to you directly.

Why do a PIK when Close To My Heart offers wonderful workshops? Good question.  When I started back in 2013, I had been with a scrapbook company that did offer stamping products. I never picked up a block and I did not know that you needed different ink colors or block sizes or any of those little tidbits that make beautiful images. The kits we have are absolutely stunning, affordable and have easy to follow instructions.  The one issue I found was that in addition to the kit you needed to buy two and sometimes three additional colors of ink to complete the kits.  That can make it a bit more expensive to jump into. So the PIK is a way to introduce the concept of stamping, or it is a way to build up your collection of ink colors over time.

Here are few addition things to keep in mind: 

1.  You can choose a different color. If the featured PIK is a color that you already own, you can change it for one that you do not own.  Just let me know when you order it that you want a different color. Again, the idea is that you build your collection of colors not that you stick to my schedule! 

2. This is meant to inspire you, not to fence you in.  I love to see the different versions that my customers create.  There is no right answer and it is supposed to be fun.

3. These make great gifts for new crafters or experienced crafters. One of my customers has arthritis and she likes not having to cut the papers, she can play and create without extra work.

4. It is budget friendly.  Each kit has materials to make an average of six cards, and you have a stamp, ink and embellishment to use on more of your liking.  The kit contains between $25-$30 in retail product each month.

April’s Stamp of the Month- Scandinavian Folk Art Greetings

 Ok, even if you are not Scandinavian it is hard not to see the versatility in this stamp set (How is that for a double negative?) Scandinavian folk design is a hot trend right now and you will see more of this style in the upcoming month (HINT!)  This weekend in my Facebook group I am doing a virtual crop and will be showing a couple ways I am incorporating this into my cards and layouts.  I will post some of that here next week as well.

To see the stamp in more detail you can go to my shop site BitterrootPaperCrafts.CTMH.com and look at the Specials tab. It will show you the current stamp of the month images as well as artwork.  Here is a picture as well.

 The SOTM is a limited edition stamp that is literally only available for that month.  We have three ways to get our hands on them.

1. Buy the stamp for $18.95 during the month.

2. Place an order over $50 and you can add the stamp for $5. This is a savings of $13.95.

3. Be a VIP and place an order over $50 and get it free! This is a $18.95 savings.

(Two free stamps of the month will pay for your VIP membership for the year!)

Getting Ready to Launch the New Paper Inspiration Kit, Previous Month’s Kits Are WSL

It is a typical spring day in Montana. It is warm and sunny today, while yesterday was rainy and snowing.  You just never know what you are going to get for weather. I cannot help but look forward to my garden and flowers and just being outside.

You will see that as a running theme in my Paper Inspiration Kits.  I still have a couple left over from February that featured the Country Bee. This is such a great stamp and who doesn’t love yellow and pewter?  Don’t answer that!  Anyway, the newest video with April’s PIK will go live today on my Facebook group.  I will make sure to post it to YouTube and here as well tomorrow.  If you missed the bee and want to buy this before it is gone let me know ASAP!

Hello my crafty friends!  It is another month and we have a great Stamp of the Month (SOTM) for you.  This one had two large images and some great sentiments.  I see this one as great for card makers and for scrapbookers.

The SOTM is a limited edition stamp that is literally only available for that month.  We have three ways to get our hands on them.

1. Buy the stamp for $18.95 during the month.

2. Place an order over $50 and you can add the stamp for $5. This is a savings of $13.95.

3. Be a VIP and place an order over $50 and get it free! This is a $18.95 savings.

(Two free stamps of the month will pay for your VIP membership for the year!)

Check out this beauty. I think it screams springtime, and boy could we use some bright sunny days!

Happy March!  Does everyone feel like spring is around the corner?  I am originally from Maine so I know that real spring is still weeks away but I am sure it is coming!

Have you heard about the Paper Inspiration Kit (PIK) that I create each month? I started this kit a couple years ago because when I showed crafters our great kits and projects, they had to invest a lot of money just to have the supplies to create the adorable projects.  I thought if I could help you create your collection of colors on a budget we could have more fun without breaking the budget.  So i create a monthly PIK.

These kits are designed to be economical functional and pretty.  Each kit includes the materials to make several cards, include a new stamp set, a full sized ink pad and a special decorative element (like stickles or a shimmer pen.)

This month I brought back a favorite stamp set the Easter Bunny and feature the Cinnamon ink pad.  This is no regular bunny, it is a SHAKER bunny! Normally we make the same card, but this month we have three different cards and you make two of each for a total of six shaker cards.

The kit is $20 for local pick up, and $25 to ship.  I produce a set number each month so when they sell out they are gone.  I include written instruction as well as video tutorial on my Facebook group page.

If you want to join us in my crafting Facebook Group you can request to join using this link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/166279610751094

Well have a great day everyone.  If I can answer any questions you can message me at BitterrootPaperCrafts@gmail.com. If you want to purchase this kit let me know ASAP, there are only a few left.