"For Always" Nameplate

I just realized that I never shared this beautiful nameplate that CTMH made for me last year. The five Advisory Board members and the CTMH Executive Team went to an incredible home in Utah last August for a week for the Advisory Board retreat. Each of us had our own rooms (or shared a large room) while we were there. The door to each room had a beautiful handmade nameplate on it so we would know which room was ours. I loved mine so much that I brought it home and hung it above my computer. I look at it everyday and it reminds me of the wonderful time we had last year and what an incredible company Close to my Heart is. Since I get to enjoy it everyday, I thought I would share it with you too.

They used some of my favorite products including the Glamour Glitter Alphabet stickers, the For Always Paper Collection, the Color Ready Seam Binding Ribbon, the Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems, White and Black Embroidery Floss, Love Blooms stamp set, and our incredible Art Philosophy and Artiste Cricut cartridges.

Dream Pop "Have a Nice Day" Card

I just finished creating the cards from the For Always Workshop on the Go Kit. While I looked at the mess on my desk from the projects that I have been working on all week, I thought, “Why not make a card using one of the patterns from the WOTG Kit and the Dream Pop papers that are still out?”

This is the card that I created. I used the pattern from the WOTG Kit which is also in the Make It From Your Heart Volume 1 Book, along with the stamp set that came in the Kit. I also used a small piece of ribbon that was left over from the Kit. The May Stamp of the Month called Pinwheels was used for the sentiment. I added a few Clear Sparkles to the hearts like they suggest in the WOTG Guide. Even though the Dream Pop papers are very bright and festive, if you just use a couple of the beautiful colors, you can get a whole different look and feel.

Happy Mother's Day!

I think I may have shared this layout with you already, but thought it was appropriate to share again today. I am so grateful to have such an amazing mom. She has weathered so many storms in her life and yet always comes out stronger and more positive than she was before. I only hope to be 1/2 as good a mom to my kids as she has been to my brother and me.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom! I love you and am blessed to be able to call you “Friend” as well as “Mom!”

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you Moms out there as well. I hope you have a day filled with fun, laughter, and blessings!

Supplies used:
CTMH Paper Packets: Pear & Partridge, Flirty, and Clementine 
Other: Flirty Dimensional Element Compliments, Glamour Glitter Alphabet stickers, Embroidery Floss, ruler, piercing tool

It's a Pajama Party!

Close To My Heart is teaming up with Big Picture Classes to bring you a live webcast with step-by-step instructions for making this Happy Thoughts kraft container. The FREE webcast will air Thursday, May 30 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm (PDT). During the presentation, you’ll learn to make several projects from a variety of sponsors, including Close To My Heart’s Happy Thoughts kraft container, as the presenter walks you through the steps. Watch the Pajama Party by yourself or with your crafty friends for a fun crafting pajama party. Anyone with an Internet connection can watch, so be sure to order your project supplies in advance and then tune in!

The Pajama Party class will be available for FREE at BigPictureClasses.com on May 30. If you would like to interact on the message board, participate in live chat, post to the gallery, download handouts, or enter any contests, you will need to log in to the Pajama Party “classroom” by creating a free account on the Big Picture Classes website.

To make the Happy Thoughts kraft container, you will want to have the following items—or similar products—on hand:

• My Acrylix^® Frame Flair Stamp Set (D1546)
• My Acrylix^® Happy Thoughts Stamp Set (C1536)
• Chantilly Paper Packet (need 1 sheet of B&T, X7163B)
• Crème Brulee Cardstock (need 1 sheet, X5754)
• Lagoon Cardstock (need 1 sheet, X5762)
• White Daisy Cardstock (need 1 sheet, 1385)
• Whisper Cardstock (need 1 sheet, X5929)
• Whisper Exclusive Inks^® Pad (Z2172)
• Lagoon Exclusive Inks^® Pad (Z2195)
• My Creations^® Kraft Container (Z1833)
• Baker’s Twine Neutral Assortment (need 3 yards, Z1701)
• Color-Ready Trinkets Wooden Shapes (Z1844)
• Sparkles Black & Grey Assortment (Z1754)
• 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)
• Micro-Tip Scissors (Z534)
• Corner Rounder (Z1912)
• Paper Trimmer (Z1783)
• My Acrylix^® Spritz Cleaner (1778)
• My Acrylix^® Stamp Scrubber (Z1782)
• 2" × 3½" My Acrylix^® Block (Y1009)
• 4" × 5" My Acrylix^® Block (Y1012)
• Cricut^® Art Philosophy Collection (Z1790)

Did you know that you can get many of the supplies listed above in the CTMH New Consultant Kit? Plus, once you order the New Consultant Kit, you can get the rest of your supplies at a great discount!

Contact me if you have nay questions.

Dream Pop Congrats Card

Have you seen the new Dream Pop Promotion? The papers and patterns are so bright and fun! I created this card as part of a gift for one of my downline who won a team challenge last month. (She also got a cute CTMH embroidered tote bag.) The “Congrats” sentiment was stamped with the Glamor Uppercase Alphabet stamp set in Whisper Ink. (I LOVE this whimsical font!) The flowers were cut using the Artiste Cricut Cartridge. I added some Bling Gems (retired) to the center to add a little sparkle.

Would you like to get your own Dream Pop Paper Packet? You can buy the packet of beautiful 12 patterned papers and 12 sheets of coordinating cardstock (with a special patterned coating) for just $10 with a $35 order. Or you can get it for FREE with the New Consultant Kit this month! You will love this paper. It is soooo yummy! *Ü*

How is Close to my Heart doing in this economy?

With the uncertainty of our economy today and the many changes that are occurring in our industry, you might wonder how Close to my Heart is doing. Jeanette Lynton, CTMH’s founder and CEO, posted a great message on her blog yesterday that I wanted to share with all of you. I have always been proud to be part of such an amazing company, and the fact that we are 100% debt free in an economy like this, makes me even prouder.

Creativity Now and Always

by Jeanette Lynton

Within the past month, paper crafters have heard and seen some hard news—well-known industry names have announced bankruptcy or removed their scrapbooking lines. It may leave many wondering what the future is for our beloved pursuit of memory keeping and creativity. As the CEO and Founder of Close To My Heart, I have many thoughts on the topic and wanted to share a few with you.

First off, preserving our memories is NOT a fad. It's one of the most important things we do in our journey here on earth, and it's as key as breathing and as sustainable as family. In the past few years, we have seen scrapbooking come into the spotlight and many flocked to set up shop and design products to capitalize on it. While we at Close To My Heart have welcomed the focus on scrapbooking over the past few years, we know that even when the hubbub fades, the core and relevance underneath the hype remains. I have been in the industry for nearly 30 years—LONG before it was "trendy"—and plan to be in this essential industry for decades to come.

Because Close To My Heart will be here for the long-term, we have run our business differently than many others. We are not leveraged to the hilt or financed by outside investors. I have always believed in organic, cash-based growth, and the simple provident rule of spending less than I earn. It's a principle I've applied to business and it's ensured that Close To My Heart operates profitably. We have been profitable month after month, year after year. Our credit rating is excellent, and this protects our commitment to delivering a wealth of diverse, beautiful products at competitive prices while providing secure commission checks for our Consultants, employees, and vendors.

Second, yes, the industry is changing. I welcome and embrace that! In my 30 years in business, I have seen many changes and they almost always yield fresh directions, new products, and a new crop of crafters. Change always brings opportunity! I have long said that as long as little girls are born with hands, they will want to create. I am grateful to be a part of such an important contribution to society and know that this will continue.

Ultimately, I invite everyone—whether you are an existing Consultant or customer, a past purchaser, or even if you have never purchased a Close To My Heart product—to get to know us again for the first time. Close To My Heart is strong. Papercrafting, memory keeping, and creativity are more important than ever before and we provide unique, diverse products for every style and ability of crafter.  Close To My Heart is committed to scrapbooking, and if it's a passion you share, then YOU ARE WELCOME HERE.

If you would like more information on Close to my Heart’s products, hostess program, Consultant benefits, etc. Feel free to contact me. I would love to share all of the wonderful opportunities with you.

Marker Magic

Coloring has never been so fun! Learn how to use Close To My Heart's alcohol-based marker sets to magically create smooth, even coverage on your colored images.

Click the link below to order Close to my Heart alcohol based markers.