10 Wonderful Years and Counting...

Today is my 10 year anniversary with Close to my Heart. As many of you know, I signed up as a Consultant because I took a look at the catalog and decided that hosting a party wasn't going to be enough. Even though I knew I would earn some free goodies for hosting a party, I wanted EVERYTHING in the catalog. So...I decided to sign up so that I could get a discount on the products for myself and maybe a few friends.

Who knew that over the next few years, I would end up teaching others how to use the products and how to tap into their creativity to create beautiful projects?

Who knew that I would make friends around the world who share in my passion for paper crafting?

Who knew that I would be taken out of my comfort zone to teach classes and do presentations to over 1,500 crafters on a stage with a microphone (my biggest fear!)

Who knew that I would be challenged creatively and asked to design projects for a publication?

Who knew that I would earn trips to exotic places and get to share the adventures with my hubby and kiddos?

Who knew that I would earn enough money, doing something that I love, to help with our household and medical expenses?

Who knew that I would be asked for my opinions and suggestions by the Corporate Executives and Staff and ultimately become friends with some of the most wonderful people at Close to my Heart?

Who knew that I would end up leading a team of women across the county and help many of them turn their hobby into a lucrative business like I did?

...and who knew that I would enjoy the process so much? I am truly thankful for all of the opportunities that CTMH has given to me and my family over the years and most importantly I am thankful for the friendships that I have gained along the way. I look forward to the next 10 years of creative, personal, and professional growth! Thank you CTMH!!!

Hugs and Kisses Valentine Card

Valentine’s Day is a special day to share with the ones you love. For me it is extra special because it is also my husband’s birthday. In fact, our first dance at our wedding was to Martina McBride’s “Valentine.” (I love this song!) Every year I make a special card for my hubby and I wanted to share this year’s card with you today.

It is a pretty simple card to make. I just covered a card base with a piece of Heartstrings paper. Then I cut some banner shapes in various sizes, inked the edges with Whisper ink and adhered them with some 3-D Foam Tape. The “hugs & kisses” sentiment is from the XOXO mini stamp. I added a few Stuck on You Puffies on the bottom to finish it off.

I hope this gives you a little inspiration to create something special for the ones you love. ♥

My Anniversary - You Get the Gift!

I am so thrilled to be celebrating my 10 year anniversary with Close to my Heart this month. As many of you know, I signed up to be a Consultant 10 years ago simply to get a discount on my own scrapbooking supplies. Who knew that 10 years later, I would still be with the company, have earned 3 incentive trips, had the honor of serving on the Advisory Board, been asked to teach and present at 7 different Corporate events, lead a wonderful team of Consultants around the country, and designed artwork that has been produced in one of CTMH’s publications. Thank you for helping me turn my hobby into a lucrative “dream” business and for allowing me to be able to stay home with my kiddos and earn a little extra to help contribute to our family income. I am truly thankful for you! 

As a special thank you, I would like to send everyone who places an order with me this month a free mini stamp. After you place your order, I will send you a free surprise M sized stamp, so watch your mailbox for it.

Thank you again for making the past 10 years so wonderful! I am looking forward to the next 10 years! 

Click here or on the image below to place an order. 

January Project Kit - Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes

January’s Creative Club will be held on Thursday, January 22 at 7pm. This month we will be making some fun Valentine-themed mini pop-up cards and treat tubes. Each kit contains (6) cards, (6) envelopes, and (6) treat tubes.

The project kit is $30 and includes all of the following: 

• (6) Pre-cut 2¾" x 4" Pop-Up Valentines Cards
• (6) Pre-cut Envelopes using the Heartstrings Paper
• (6) My Creations Clear Treat Tubes
• (1) Forever in My Heart Stamp Set
• (1) Sheet of Stuck on You Puffy Stickers
• Pre-cut hearts, cards, etc. using Cranberry and White Daisy cardstock
• Instruction Guide to make (6) cards, (6) envelopes and (6) treat tubes plus link to Design Space file for the cards and envelopes. (Design Space file can only be used if you have an Explore machine and Art Philosophy and Artfully Sent Cricut Collections.)

(Candy not included.)

This is the Forever in My Heart stamp set that is included: 

Additional products needed to complete this project:
Ink Pads: Cranberry, Slate, and Whisper

Adhesive of your choice
3-D Foam Tape
Art Philosophy and Artfully Sent Cricut Collections. (All pieces will be pre-cut for you, but you will need this if you would like to make more without buying additional kits.)

Order additional kits without the stamp set for just $15 more!

Create these simple but adorable mini Valentine cards using the pre-cut shapes  that will come in your kit. Add some Puffy Glitter Stickers for a little extra fun!

The best part about these mini cards is the inside! When your recipient opens the card, he/she will be happily surprised by the intricate heart that will pop up.

Add a mini puffy sticker to the center of the heart to make it even more special.

The treat tubes can be filled with anything. The samples below show them filled with Hersey’s Kisses and M&Ms, but you can add Candy Hearts, Gum Balls, or just about anything inside.

  

The top of the treat tubes will be decorated to match the cards. 

Contact me for more information or to sign up for this month’s class. Please contact me no later than January 9th if you would like to join us for the class. 

Kits ordered before 1/9 will be mailed by 1/24.

Kits ordered after 1/9 will be mailed within 2 weeks.

All kits/classes need to be paid for in advance.

Thank you for understanding.

To order a kit(s), you may either send me a check or pay securely online with a credit card or your PayPal account by using the PayPal “Add to Cart” buttons below. Be sure to use the drop down menu to choose your kit options. If you would like your kit(s) shipped, please choose the shipped option. $5 will be added for shipping. (Kits can only be shipped to U.S. addresses per CTMH policy. I apologize for the inconvenience.)

Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes Kit - Local Use this option if you will be attending the class or picking up your kit(s).

1 Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes Kit with 1 stamp set $30.00 USD 2 Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes Kits with 1 stamp set $45.00 USD 3 Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes Kits with 1 stamp set $60.00 USD 4 Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes Kits with 1 stamp set $75.00 USD 5 Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes Kits with 1 stamp set $90.00 USD

Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes Kit - Shipped Use this option if you would like your kit(s) shipped to you.  $5 will be added for shipping.

1 Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes Kit with 1 stamp set $30.00 USD 2 Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes Kits with 1 stamp set $45.00 USD 3 Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes Kits with 1 stamp set $60.00 USD 4 Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes Kits with 1 stamp set $75.00 USD 5 Valentine Cards and Treat Tubes Kits with 1 stamp set $90.00 USD

To find out more about my monthly “no-commitment” Creative Club, click here. You do not need to be local to participate.

January Promotions

Happy New Year! There are so many wonderful promotions to kick off the new year with a bang! I am excited to share them with you today...

Celebrate National Papercrafting Month

Get the Year & Noted paper kit and embark on a yearlong scrapbooking adventure!

In celebration of National Papercrafting Month, Close To My Heart invites you to reflect on the things that make you who you are and on what you want to accomplish in the coming months. Then, with the help of the Year & Noted paper kit, record your experiences and goals! During the month of January, with a qualifying purchase of $50, you are eligible to purchase the exclusive Year & Noted paper kit (which has a retail value of over $24) for only $5—that’s over 80% off retail! Or, for an additional $5, you can order the Year & Noted paper kit with an accompanying My Creations™ kraft mini book. The paper kit for both options includes a C-size stamp set, stickers, cardstocks, and B&T Duos™ papers, all specially designed to coordinate with the My Creations™ kraft mini book so you can have a yearlong scrapbooking experience. This means you will receive over $34 worth of product for only $10 if you purchase the kit with the accompanying mini book! But the fun doesn’t end there—included on the sticker sheet, you will find a large golden seal. Once the year is done and all the pages are filled, seal up your book and create a mini time capsule that you can open years from now. Remember, this deal is only available for January, so make sure to get your own Year & Noted paper kit today for the perfect start to a crafty year!

Watch this great video for more information on this fabulous kit...

*Offer valid January 1, 2015 (9:00 am MST) - January 31, 2015 (11:59 pm MST). Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the discounted items (without My Creations kraft mini book: $24.95; including My Creations kraft mini book: $34.51.)

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January Stamp of the Month - This Moment

Get this heart filled stamp set for just $5!

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your D-size Stamp of the Month set for just $5! Add the stamp set to your cart here at full retail price ($17.95) or, with your qualifying order, add it at checkout for the promotional $5 price.

Set of 12
Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:
1" × 3½" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006), 2" × 3½" (Y1009)

Stamp images outlined in red coordinate with the Cricut® Artbooking Cartridge (Z1906).

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Extra! Extra! Hostess Rewards!
January Hostess Promotion

During the month of January, all Gatherings that reach $350 or higher will be eligible to receive up to 50% more Hostess Rewards! This means an additional $30, giving you the opportunity to earn up to $230 or more in select free products. This offer is only available during January and is the ideal pairing for your National Papercrafting Month Gatherings, so join in the celebration and watch your earnings grow! 

Contact me to schedule your own home gathering or online gathering and earn extra rewards this month!

Please note: Hostess Rewards are redeemed at full price. An order total must reach $150 in sales, exclusive of shipping/handling and tax to qualify for our Hostess Rewards program. In the US, tax is collected on Hostess Rewards free products based on full retail price in AR, AZ, CA, GA, ID, IL, MN, NC, NY, TX, and UT. Tax is collected on discounted items based on discounted price. Tax rules are subject to change. Promotions such as Stamp of the Month and other specials are not eligible as Hostess Rewards. Free shipping/handling applies only on Hostess Rewards items with the exception of Studio J® one layout (SJ1001).

* Select from the following products for your free Hostess Rewards:My Acrylix® stamps, My Acrylix® blocks, Exclusive Inks™ pads, Exclusive Inks™ re-inkers, ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Markers, Complements, My Reflections™ paper packets, all cardstock packs, Workshops on the Go® kits, and Studio J® one layout (retail value $6.95 USD/$7.75 CAD, SJ1001). 50%–off items may be selected from any full-retail active single item.

** For each $100 in sales over $1,050, add an additional $20 in free products.

Cutie Pie SOTM Cards

Today is the last day to get your Cutie Pie (December Stamp of the Month) stamp set!

Both of these fun cards were made using Close to my Heart’s Brushed Paper along with some Silver Sequins and of course the adorable Cutie Pie stamp set. The card below also incorporates some painted metal flowers from the Brushed Assortment, and the Heart Embossing Folder.

I’m off to spend some time with my family and ring in the new year. I hope you all have a wonderful New Year celebration tonight and a 2015 filled with blessings! xoxo

Guest Designer Valentine's Card

I was honored to asked to be a guest designer for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog this week. The sketch they sent me to use was so much fun. Here is the card I made using the sketch as inspiration. I used Close to my Heart’s new Heartstrings Paper and Compliments on my 6" x 6" card. It is a little hard to see, but I also used the adorable new Heart Embossing Folder. The swirls were cut using a combination of images from the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. I combined them in Design Space. Here is the Design Space file if you’d like to use the image. The best thing about this card is that it was easy to make. There was no stamping involved. (Just a lot of 3-D Foam Tape.) *Ü*

Thanks for stopping by today. If you’d like to make a project inspired by the sketch above, be sure to share it on the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog.