Friday, July 30, 2010

Close to my Heart Retiring List

Close to my Heart just released the 2011 retiring list. I think we are in for some big changes because there are a ton of things retiring, including ALL but four of our upcoming paper packets! If there is anything that you would like that is on the list, be sure to get it now because these items are only available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST until December 31, 2010.

Click here to download the 2011 retiring list.

Click here to start shopping.

Happy Birthday Ry-Guy

Yesterday was my son’s 7th birthday. I can hardly believe that my little Ryan is SEVEN! It seems like just yesterday that he was a tiny little 5 pound baby! If you know my son at all, he is not much into sports or other typical 7-year-old “boy” stuff. He is into anything electronic. (He can probably tell you how to fix your computer if you are having problems. LOL!) So what did my techie boy ask for, for his birthday? He asked for a REAL projector and an iTouch! What??? Well, my hubby found an old projector at work that they were going to throw away so he brought it home and we fixed it so that it now works. We hooked it up to my hubby’s laptop and watched a movie the other night downstairs on the wall. The kids brought down their sleeping bags and we had a picnic on the floor while we watched Alice in Wonderland. (The old cartoon version.)

Well, as far as an iTouch goes, sorry, it's just not going to happen. I don't even have one! LOL! Plus I don’t think a 7-year-old needs to have unlimited and unsupervised access to the internet. But, I did make this birthday card for him that he thought was pretty cool.
We also got him a new bike that he LOVES!
And we spent the day at Legoland yesterday, which was pretty special. This is a photo of all of us wearing the silly 3-D glasses before seeing the new 4-D movie Clutch Powers at Legoland. It was pretty cool.
So, all in all, even though he didn't get an iTouch, I think he enjoyed his special day!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Harmony and Adorn-ables Sneak Peek

This is a card that we will be making at my Team Meeting tonight. It uses a couple of new stamp sets called Harmony and Adorn-ables that will be available in the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book beginning September 1st! Don’t you just love that cute nest and the sweet little eggs? Wait until you see the rest of the new stamp sets! The State of Mind set was also used for the background. (This is one of my all time favorite sets.)
I just love those little eggs. *Ü*
For those of you who asked how my weekend was with my mom, it was FABULOUS! She took me to the La Costa Resort in San Diego as a belated birthday gift. My b-day was in May, but she told everyone that we were celebrating my birthday so I felt like it was still my special day!

This is right after we both had a massage at the spa!
(Don’t I just look lovely with no make-up and oh, that crazy hair!)
This was a dessert they brought me after dinner. It was sooooo yummy! It had a graham cracker crust, was filled with chocolate moose, marshmallows, and a little tiny crunchy chocolate balls, and covered with a rich chocolate shell. The little “Happy Birthday” tag on the plate was made out of white chocolate! Can you say “Scrumptious?”
When we got back to the room, there were two milk cartons (on ice), 3 huge chocolate chip cookies, and a note from the hotel wishing me a Happy Birthday! How fun! I have never celebrated my special day in July before. LOL!
Have a great day!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

August Club Project - Passages Mini Album

August’s Creative Club will be held on Wednesday, August 11th and Thursday, August 12th . We will making this fun mini album. Everyone will get a 6"x6" My Creations Memory Showcase Album and a full pack of Passages My Stickease. I will show you how to change the accordion style album into a little book. (Thanks to Tresa Black and Christine Adams for the inspiration!)

To find out more about my monthly non-commit Creative Club, click
here. You do not need to be local to participate. The cost for the kit this month is $15 or $10 with a $25 order. (If you are not local, please add $5 for shipping.) Extra kits are $15. All of the cardstock and B&T pieces will be pre-cut for you.
If you like this project, click here for more details on my super fun club! Contact me at lisa@myctmh.com for more information, to sign up for next month’s class, or to order your own club kit(s). Please contact me no later than August 1st if you would like to join us or order your own kit(s).

I am off to the La Costa Resort with my Mom for the weekend. (She is taking me as a belated birthday gift! Gotta love Mom!) Have a great weekend. I know I will! LOL!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Time is running out to get your $99 New Consultant Kit!

Close to my Heart Consultant/Hobbyist Opportunity

Starting August 9th, the New Consultant Kit will be completely changing. The cost will go up to $129 and you will have the opportunity to choose 3 of 6 different bundles for your kit. This means that the current $99 base kit and the bonus add-on kits that are available now, will be gone forever! While the new kit is a great deal and the bundles are awesome, I wanted to let you know in case you were contemplating whether to sign up now or later. Here is what is in the current kit...

For only $99, you get over $300 worth of products in the base kit including:

X7123A My Reflections Level 1 Kit: ‘Cherry-O’
X7123B My Reflections Level 2 Paper: ‘Cherry-O’
X7123C My Reflections Level 2 Stickease: ‘Cherry-O’
Cherry-O Workshop on the Go Guide
Stamp Set: ‘Bowl of Cherries’ (WOTG)
A1108 Stamp Set: ‘A Flitter’
B1351 Stamp Set: ‘You’re Sweet’
D1427 Stamp Set: ‘Tasty Treat’
C1414 Stamp Set: ‘Little Princess’
Z1320 Mini-Medley Accents: Tulip Collection
Z1139 Dimensional Elements: Perennials
Z1274 Designer Brads: Colonial White
Z280 Natural Hemp
Z1307 Irresistibles Pizzazz Die-cuts
Z1319 Opaques ‘Cherry-O’ Adhesive Gems
1385 12x12 White Daisy Cardstock
Y1002 My Acrylix Block: 1x3 ½
Y1003 My Acrylix Block: 2x2
Y1004 My Acrylix Block: 2 ½ x 2 ½
Z2106 Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad: Blush
Z2111 Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad: Chocolate
Z2153 Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad: Sweet Leaf
Z2166 Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad: Tulip
Z1322 My Creations Recipe/Photo Box
Z1163 Double Scrubber
1778 Spritz Cleaner
1512 Bonding Memories Glue (.85 oz.)
Z697 Sponge
Business Supplies –
Hostess Helps
Home Gathering Postcards
Brochure: ‘You are Welcome Here’
Brochure: ‘The Rewards Come Now’
Hostess Order Forms (25)
Customer Order Forms (25)
Cello Bags (25)
Customer Register Envelopes (25)
Idea Books: Summer 2010 (10)
‘Keynotes’ Newsletter
2010 Product Review
Incentive Stamp Set: ‘Beautiful Day’
Petite Perks Stamp Set: ‘Dreams’
B&T Duos Sampler
Connections Club Reward: Textured Stickers
Connections Club Cards
Color Swatches


You also have the option when you order your kit, to get one or both of the bonus add-on kits at an amazing 65% discount!

The Card Making Bonus Kit contains over $150 in products for only $50 and includes...
StudioJ
9030 ‘Imagine’ Scrapbook Guidebook
X7125A My Reflections Level 1 Kit: ‘Zippidee’

X7125B My Reflections Level 2 Paper: ‘Zippidee’
X7125C My Reflections Level 2 Stickease: ‘Zippidee’
D1425 Stamp Set: ‘Thrill Ride’
E1015 Stamp Set: ‘Cocktail Alphabet’
B1354 Stamp Set: ‘Boom!’
Y1006 My Acrylix Block: 3x3

Z2116 Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad: Cranberry
Z2130 Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad: Indian Corn Blue
Z1312 Dimensional Elements: Stars

Z1313 Glitz Stardust Glitter Glue

Z1315 Fancy Fuzz: Zippidee
Z1155 Clear Craft Buttons
Z280 Natural Hemp
Z1311 1 ¼” Circle Punch
Z1310 My Creations Board Book

Z1321 My Creations A-door-ables


The Scrapbooking Bonus Kit contains over $180 in products for only $60 and includes...
StudioJ
9033 ‘Wishes’ Card Confidence Program
X7124B My Reflections Level 2 Paper: ‘Splendor’
D1426 Stamp Set: ‘Over the Rainbow’
D1434 Stamp Set: ‘You’re Great’
D1431 Stamp Set: ‘Happy Holidays’
Y1008 My Acrylix Block: 4x4
Z2123 Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad: Goldrush
Z2155 Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad: Topiary
Z2118 Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad: Desert Sand
Z1309 4 ½” Clear Cards
Z1317 Designer Brads: Splendor
Z1102 Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon
More benefits to ordering a New Consultant Kit today...
  • Get 22% - 34% discount on all of your CTMH products, every day!
  • Order new products before they are released.
  • Free online business, creative, and personal development classes.
  • Access to Consultant only bulletin boards, including artwork, templates, swaps, business, gathering, and more.
  • Opportunity to go to corporate sponsored events.
  • Opportunity to join my “Consultant-Only” monthly club.
  • Earn up to $125 in free products in your first 90 days with the Straight-to-the-Top Program.
  • Be your own hostess and earn hostess rewards as well as generous commissions.
  • Attend team training meetings.
  • Gain access to pre-designed workshops and tons of wonderful project ideas.
  • Participate in my team challenges and win prizes.
  • and tons more...
There is a place for everyone on my team including...

Business Builder
– Work with customers to hold home gatherings, create clubs, have fun at weekend crops and host workshops. Make additional income to contribute to your family. Wake up with a purpose to your day – owning your own business!
Studio J Consultant – You have fallen in LOVE digital or online scrapbooking. The ease and timeliness of creating these Studio J layouts works with your lifestyle. Between you and your friends & family, you are creating about 10 layouts per month at a 22% discount.
Club Coordinator – You have a group of friends that love Close to My Heart as much as you do. Get 4 or more of them together once a month to create one of CTMH's Workshop on the Go and get at least a 22% discount on your purchases.
Personal Use Consultant – You and a couple of your friends really like CTMH's products. You submit $300 or more in orders per quarter and get at least a 22% discount on all your purchases.
Junior Consultant – You like CTMH's products and can't resist getting more than $300 for only $99. You might order a few things a year at a 10% discount.

Ready to order your kit?
Does this all sound too good to be true? I know, but it is all true! Click here to email me if you have any questions and click here to order your kit and take advantage of all that Close to my Heart has to offer. But hurry, The last day to order this kit is August 8th!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Home from Convention

Wow! I am home from CTMH’s annual Convention and my head is still spinning from all of the fun I that I had and all of the awesome new products, promotions, and policies that were announced. I would LOVE to show you all of the new products and the new Idea Book, but that must wait. I promise that you will not be disappointed though! The new Idea Book will be released on September 1st. But you will be able to get a sneak peek and order all of the new products a month ahead of time if you are a Consultant. Not a Consultant yet? What are you waiting for? Now is the perfect time to join. Click here to sign up or email me at lisa@myctmh.com for more information.

Would you like to see a few highlights?

We stayed at the Gaylord in Washington D.C. It was fabulous!
Don’t tell my hubby, but I was flirting with “Honest Abe” in the lobby.
Each of our team members chose a different paper packet and we made sashes to show the pack we “represented.” There are only 6 of us in this photo, but there were 12 total team members who attended. (I was Ms. Topstitch.) We each had a glittery tiara as well. It was so funny. We kept getting asked how we “earned” our sashes.
This is a photo of me with two of the sweetest people you will ever meet.
Christine David and Melissa Laverty are so much fun to hang out with, super nice, and so darn talented!
Check out what my team did for me. Not only did they give me a beautiful Brighton “Queen” Key Fab, a box of super duper yummy chocolates, and a handmade card. They also made me an official “Team Proclamation.” I loved it! I was so surprised and humbled by their wonderful gift. Thank you again ladies, You are the best!
Here is a photo of me with Jeanette Lynton, CTMH Founder/CEO.
Talk about a sweetheart. This lady has a heart of gold!

One of the highlights for me was winning an award for being in the top 10 for Team Building for 2009-2010.
I will treasure my certificate and crystal heart pillar forever.
I also really enjoyed seeing old friends and getting to know some of my online friends better.

This is my darling swapping buddy Kelly English-Triggs whose talent always blows me away! I am honored to be in her swap for every New Idea Book release.
My friends Jen Rubio and Starr Nelson. (Love you guys!)This is my sweet friend Amy McGrew who comforted me the past few months when I thought I might be moving to South Carolina. As sad as I am that we won’t be neighbors, I am happy to be staying in Southern California, for now at least.
I was thrilled to finally meet Janene Wawro. I have admired her from afar for a long time.
I was honored when she requested to be my Facebook friend a few months ago. (Hi friend!)Among all of the great announcements, fun new products, seeing old friends and making new ones, we also had some FANTASTIC entertainment! Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp played at the Awards Banquet. WOW! I was blown away. They were awesome and so funny. I was excited to get the chance to meet them both. You must check these guys out. There are tons of great videos on You Tube.
I was also excited to see Anita Renfroe again during the closing banquet. This gal is HILARIOUS! If you have never heard the Momsense Song, you must check it out. Make sure you are not drinking anything when you watch however, because it will surely come out of your nose from laughing so hard. LOL!
Wow! That was only a tiny glimpse into my last week. I wish I could post more. As soon as the CTMH announcements are made public, I promise to share them all with you! I know you will love each and every single thing that is to come!! (If you would like to join my team, you are welcome to attend a Convention Re-Cap meeting on Tuesday, July 27th at 7pm. Contact me for details.)

Lastly, I want to send a great big thank you to the CTMH Corporate Staff. You all worked so hard to make this Convention so wonderful and I am truly grateful! Kudos!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Creative Journal Team Gifts

Right now I am in Washington D.C. most likely having the time of my life. I scheduled this post before I left because I didn’t want to ruin the surprise for the gals who were going to get one of these fun little journals. I made one for the 12 team members who are joining me at our annual Convention this year. I wish more of my team was able to go, but being that it is all the way on the East Coast, many of them couldn’t make it.

Each of my gals will be getting (if they haven’t already) one of these journals I made using CTMH’s My Creations Journals. They are so much fun because they have a little pocket on the front so you can slide whatever you like in it. I used some of my favorite papers and added the definition of “Creative.” I am hoping they will use them for their sketches, notes, and creative ideas. I also included a matching pen.
The Silhouette paper is an oldie but a goodie. It will always be one of my favorites.
This one is made using another favorite of mine, the Topstitch paper. (I will have a few fun photos to show you of “Ms. Topstitch,” sash and all, when I get back from Convention next week. Just wait until you see this. You are going to die laughing if I don’t die of embarrassment first. LOL!)
I’ll be home Sunday with lots of fun things to post...

Monday, July 5, 2010

Have I mentioned lately how much I love CTMH?

In January I celebrated 5 years as a Close to my Heart Consultant. It has been an amazing 5 years and I can’t wait to see what the next 5 years have in store. Check out this beautiful pin they sent me for my 5 year anniversary. Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE Close to my Heart?

I don’t think I ever posted a photo of my PhD pin, so I thought I would show this to you today as well. I earned this a few years ago when CTMH first came out with their online Training Academy. You would not believe the incredible classes you can take online for FREE as a Consultant. You can earn your CTMH Bachelors, Masters, and of course, your PhD. There are a variety of great business, creative, and personal development classes. When you earn your PhD, they send you a certificate and this beautiful pin! Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE Close to my Heart?
I am flying out to Washington D.C. early tomorrow morning for CTMH’s annual Convention. I cannot wait to come back and share all of the wonderful things I learn with you. (Not to mention the great new products!) Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE Close to my Heart? Oh, yes. I suppose I have.

Until next week when I return...

A Sweet Award from a Sweet Friend...

My sweet friend Melissa awarded me with this adorable (yummy) blog award. Thanks girlfriend! You are the best! If you have never visited Melissa’s blog, be sure to check it out. She is one amazing lady!

The rules for this award:
1. Thank the person who gave this award to you.
2. Copy the award and put it on your blog.
3. List three things which you love about yourself.
4. Post a picture you love.
5. Tag people you wish to pass this award on to.

3 things I love about myself:

1. I love that I am surrounded by amazingly wonderful people. Without them, I would not be who I am today. My hubby, kiddos, friends, and family are so special to me and are a HUGE part of me. (Does that count as something I love about myself?)

2. I love that the Lord has given me a passion for creating. I may not be the most creative person in the world, but I love the fact that I have a hobby that brings me such enjoyment.

3. I love that I have been chosen to be God’s child. I know that is nothing of my own doing and that the Lord chose me. I love that I will be able to see Him face to face someday and be able to spend eternity with Him.

I couldn’t choose just one favorite photo so I chose two. These are two of my favorite photos of my kids:
I love Hannah’s expression in this photo. Just look at that darling little face
I love Ryan’s eyes in this photo. They are so reflective you can almost see the camera in them.
The people I would like to pass this on to are:
My sweet friend Barbara who I don’t get to see as much as I would like
lately. (Miss you Barb.) She is so talented and such a wonderful person. Love ya!

My friend Amy whom I got to know through CTMH. Amy is such a sweetheart. She also VERY talented and constantly inspires me to be a better Mom. I love reading her blog because it is filled with fun family events as well as amazing artwork. Love ya Amy!

And to another sweetheart, Bren. Bren is one of those people you just want to be around all the time. She is so positive and always has something nice to say about everyone. Her glass is always half full! Love ya Bren!