Tuesday, July 31, 2012

August Creative Club - Avonlea Display Tray


August’s Creative Club will be held on Thursday, August 16th at 7pm. We will be using Close to my Heart’s beautiful new Avonlea Collection to make this Family Themed Display Tray. You will learn how to use our new Artiste Cricut Cartridge to make a 3-D Flower and 3-D pinwheel rosette! You will also get to choose your own initial which will be pre-cut for you using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.

The project kit is $30 and includes all of the following: 
Add the beautiful new Jardin stamp set for only $17 more!

Learn how to make this fun 3-D flower.

Add your own photos to customize your tray.


Use pre-stamped images included in the kit to add flair and dimension.


Customize your tray even more with your family’s initial. 
(Be sure to indication initial choice when ordering your kit.)


Feel free to contact me for more information or to sign up for this month’s class. Please contact me no later than August 6th if you would like to join us for the class.
 
To find out more about my monthly “no-commitment” Creative Club, click here. You do not need to be local to participate!

ETA: Thank you for the wonderful response. 
This class is now full, and all kits are sold out. Sorry.

Today is the last day...

Today is the last day...

 
...to order from the 2012 Spring/Summer Idea Book
Click here to shop the current products before they retire.


...to get the July Stamp of the Month
Click here to view the July SOTM.


...to take advantage of the Perfect Pairs promotion
Click here to shop online and earn your free Perfect Pair.


...to pre-order your Artiste Cricut Collection with no tax or shipping and get a FREE Idea Book!
Click here to take advantage of this GREAT offer.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Join CTMH in August for only $49 and get a FREE tote!

Have you ever thought about turning your hobby into a lucrative business? Or maybe just getting Close to my Heart products at a great discount for you and your friends? August is the PERFECT time to sign to up. Not only do we have a new $49 kit, but if you join my team in August, you can get this adorable exclusive tote bag for FREE!


You can choose to order the $49 New Consultant Kit and get $130 worth of brand new CTMH products shown below! (Or choose the $99 kit and get $280 worth of new goodies!)


 Promotion starts at 9am (MT).  
The tote is only available while supplies last, so sign up early to make sure you get yours before they are gone.

Have questions? Feel free to contact me or visit my New Consultant FAQs page here for more details.
 
Sign up using the quick and easy online form here

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Make It From Your Heart Publication

One of my favorite new products in the new Idea Book is a brand new publication called Make It From Your Heart which will be available to order on August 1st. This publication features 16 two-page layout patterns, two single-page patterns, as well as 12 different card patterns. Inspired by Jeanette Lynton’s Let Me Show You How philosophy, the patterns are the same as those found in the Workshops on the Go cardmaking and scrapbooking programs for the coming year. The publication highlights all-new artwork, technique ideas, and color palettes, conveniently bound in one volume for easy reference. The best part is that this valuable resource is only $7.95!


I was privileged and honored to be asked to create some artwork for this publication. I am excited to share that 5 of my layouts and 4 of my cards are published in this book. I will be sharing them with you throughout the month of August, but I thought I would give you a sneak peek and share one with you now.


This is a layout of my daughter that I made using a fun color combination that I honestly wasn’t quite sure would work at first, but after playing with it for a while, I really like it. The pattern is the same one that is used in the new Clementine Workshop on the Go that will be available to order on August 1st.


I used the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to make the flowers and the same image with Cricut Craft Room to make the flower cluster strips on the right page. I added a little hand stitching around the edges with some Embroidery Floss as well.


Stay tuned for more Make It From Your Heart projects...

Thursday, July 26, 2012

My Favorite "Perfect Pair"

Did you know that orders of $75 or more that are placed on my website in July qualify you to get a popular paper packet and coordinating accessory—a Perfect Pair—for free? Different Perfect Pairs are available on different dates throughout the month and there are only 2 Perfect Pairs left. (Plus, with your Perfect Pair order, you will also qualify to get the July Stamp of the Month for only $5!)

The current "Perfect Pair" is actually my favorite! It includes the Sophia Paper Packet (X7131B) and Sophia My Stickease® Assortment (X7131C) and is available from July 26th - 29th. They retail for $17.90, but can be yours for FREE with your qualifying order.



 Here are some projects that I have made in the past using this fun Collection.
Click on the photos for more details about each project.






Click here or on the image below to start shopping on my website and get your free Sophia Perfect Pairs before they are gone!



*Taxes and additional shipping/handling may apply. Offer good during above-specified dates, while supplies last.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

La Belle Vie Stationery Box/Set


Here is another project that I made for the Accessories Presentation at the Close to my Heart Convention. This is a “book box” with a stationery set inside. I covered a simple chipboard box with some paper from the beautiful La Belle Vie Collection. I used some of the striped paper around the edges to make it look like pages in a book. The top is embellished with coordinating My Stickease, Gold Mini Medley Accents, a flower from the new Colonial White Rosette Ribbon, and a heart cut from our new burlap ribbon.


I also used the new Artiste Cricut cartridge to make the accordion rosette flower. (Did you know that the Artiste cartridge has SEVEN different accordion rosette flowers on it? LOVE IT!)

The main compartment on the inside holds 12 cards each with a strip of La Belle Vie paper attached with a zigzag stitch in brown thread. The small compartment on top contains 12 more rosette flowers, each with a burlap heart in in the center. When you are ready to put your card together, simply attach the rosette where ever you like on the card and stamp an appropriate sentiment for your occasion.


The set also includes a matching pen. When you use up all of your cards, simply take out the dividers and you have a decorative storage box that can be used for just about anything.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

CTMH New Home Decor Workshop on the Go Kits

Check out some of Close to my Heart’s new Home Decor Workshop on the Go Kits that will be available August 1st. LOVE THEM! I plan to do a couple of workshops with them, so stay tuned for details...

Thursday, July 19, 2012

CTMH My Creations "Pear & Partridge" Frame


Another project that I made for the CTMH Convention Accessories Presentation is this My Creations Bracket Frame that will available to order on August 1st. It is a pre-assembled white chipboard frame that measures 11" on the outside and has a 7" opening on the inside. It is also 1" deep so you can add all kinds of dimensional objects inside if you like. I love that it coordinates with the the bracket image on the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge on page 53 of the booklet. Simply set your Cricut size to “Fit to Page” on a 12" x 12" mat, and it will cut the correct size. Then flip the frame over and trace the inside onto some Pear & Partridge patterned paper, cut it out, and you will have a perfect match. After I adhered my cut bracket to the frame, I used a Sanding Block and Finishing Files around the edges to smooth it out.


I added some of the new self-adhesive Pearl Flourishes around the edges and even trimmed off a few pieces to add to the photo so it looks like my daughter is wearing a pearl necklace and barrette. (Sorry the photo is a little blurry.)


Then I cut some 3-D flowers and leaves using the awesome new Artiste Cricut cartridge. (Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this new cartridge? LOL!) I can’t wait to make more of these fun frames!

Stay tuned for more new product sneak peeks...

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Win a FREE Artiste Cricut Collection!

How would you like to win your very own Artiste Cricut Collection for FREE? I have a bundle to give away to one lucky person. Just fill out the entry form here and get up to (4) entries! Giveaway ends at midnight on August 31st (Pacific Time.) See my Giveaways page for details.
If you are wondering, “What in the world is an Artiste Cricut Collection?” I must say that it contains the most amazing Cricut cartridge I have seen yet. Just like the incredible Art Philosophy Collection, this one will take your creativity over the top! With 698 exclusive images (and a square and a circle), the cartridge features themed projects, interactive cards, awards, and more! From robots and spooks to wedding and Valentines, your cupcake liners, invitations, and party favors will coordinate and quickly come together for any celebration! Cutting and assembling the MANY 3-D items is a snap using the projects reference chart and separate, step-by-step assembly book.

The Artiste Collection includes:
  • 1Cartridge (with 700 exclusive images including themed projects, cards, font, shapes, cupcake liners, accordion and rolled flowers, and TONS of 3-D boxes, purses, and other items)
  • 3new D-Sized coordinating stamp sets
  • 3sheets of coordinating chipboard shapes (with speech bubbles, a mini album, and lots of banner shapes)
  • 1project reference guide
  • 1step-by-step assemble book
Check out all of these great shapes including 50+ boxes, bags, tags, sentiments, banners, borders, a font, 50+ different cards and coordinating envelopes, 18 cupcake liners, 3-D flowers and rosettes, 3-D bows, and 100s more incredible images that coordinate with CTMH stamp sets!

Click here to download the full color Artiste handbook.
Click here to download the full color assembly instruction book. 
Can’t wait until September 1st to see if you won? Order the Collection now and if you win, I will reimburse you for the full cost of the bundle!

Order the new Artiste Collection here.


Below are the keypad functions. Click on the images below to enlarge.







Plus, don’t forget that
when you purchase the Cricut Artiste Collection, you’ll also receive three exclusive D-size stamp sets and three sets of Dimensional Elements (chipboard) designed to perfectly coordinate with images on the cartridge. That’s a retail value of nearly $125 for just for $99! 

Don’t forget to enter to win a FREE Artiste Collection here. And remember if you can’t wait until September 1st to see if you won, order the Collection now and if you win, I will reimburse you $99 for the full cost of the bundle! 

Order your Artiste Collection here.

La Belle Vie Dress Bow Holder


Here is another project that I made for the Accessories Presentation at Convention. I have a little girl whose bows and barrettes seem to always be scattered around the house. I thought this might help us organize them and keep them in one place, so we can actually find the one we need when we need it.


I cut a piece of chipboard to make the bodice and covered it with some patterned paper from Close to my Heart’s new La Belle Vie Collection. I added some of our new Black Tulle and Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon to the bottom and finished it off with some of our YUMMY new Colonial White Rosette Ribbon. (I LOVE this new ribbon!)

It could probably use more tulle, but my daughter loves it anyway. *Ü*

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Christmas Printers Tray


This is one of the projects that I made for the Accessory Presentation at Convention. I donated it to the Operation Smile Auction and I heard that it sold for enough to pay for a surgery for one child! THANK YOU SO MUCH to whoever bid on it and for changing the life of a child! What a blessing!


I used lots of new accessories from the new Pear & Partridge Collection in addition to some new ribbons and other accessories. I will post more details on the new products I used with links on August 1st when the new Idea Book goes live.


Stay tuned for more project photos and product sneak peeks coming soon...

Monday, July 16, 2012

More Convention Highlights

What an INCREDIBLE week! I am home from the annual CTMH Convention with loads of great creative ideas and lots and lots of new product! Since I had a hard time getting and staying online while I was at the hotel, I decided I'd post the rest of my photos and updates when I got home. Those of you who were trying to get a hold of me while I was gone, will be happy to know that I have decided to join the 21st century and finally get a smart phone! So this afternoon I am off to buy an iPhone! Woo-Hoo! Next year, you will all be able to get a hold of me much easier!

The last 2 days of Convention were jam packed with informative classes, awesome create and takes, and loads of fun!


We were blessed to have Stacy Julian from Big Picture Scrapbooking as our speaker during Friday's general session. Did you know that she started her career as a Close to my Heart Consultant? She still loves the product and has a special place in her heart for CTMH! She was so generous to give all of us a code for a free Big Picture Scrapbooking class and said that we could share it with our friends. So, if you are interested in taking a free online class with Stacy Julian, visit this website and use the promo code CTMH to learn how to scrapbook in record time! The offer expires on December 31, 2013. Thank you Stacy!

New Idea Book


Lots of great announcements were made about new products as well. The new Idea Book will go live on my website on August 1st and let me just tell you, it is packed with awesome new products and artwork! If you would like to get your own copy, I will be happy to send you a free one. I just ask that you pay the $5 shipping. However, I will include a $5 gift certificate for you to use on your next order, so the book will actually be completely free. Email me if you’d like a copy. You can also get a free copy (shipping included) if you place an order for new products next month, including the NEW CRICUT COLLECTION...

 New Artiste Cricut Collection


The new Cricut Collection is called Artiste and it is phenomenal! I have been playing with it for over a month and cannot wait for you to see it. Just like the incredible Art Philosophy Collection, this one will take your creativity over the top! With 700 exclusive images, the cartridge features themed projects, interactive cards, awards, and more! From robots and spooks to wedding and Valentines, your cupcake liners, invitations, and party favors will coordinate and quickly come together for any celebration! Cutting and assembling the MANY 3-D items is a snap using the projects reference chart and separate, step-by-step assembly book. There will also be upcoming how-to videos on my website.

When you purchase the Artiste Collection, you’ll get:
(1) Cartridge (with 700 exclusive images including themed projects, cards, font, shapes, cupcake liners, accordion and rolled flowers, and TONS of 3-D boxes, purses, and other items)
(3) new D-Sized coordinating stamp sets
(3) sheets of coordinating chipboard shapes (with speech bubbles, a mini album, and lots of banner shapes)
(1) project reference guide
(1) step-by-step assemble book


Click here or on the image above to see all of the images on this amazing cartridge.

 Studio J Changes
Lots of great Studio J improvements were announced as well, including no more Membership fees! Yay! Now everyone can have access to all of the layouts and kit without a membership*. The layouts are only $6.95 and there are TONS of great kits. There are also new super cute fast and easy Expressions Collections where you can create an entire 10 layout (20 page) album in less than an hour with themes such as Year in Review,  All About Me, Little Miss, Little Man, School Days, and Travels! There are available now, so be sure to check them out here.

*If you already have a membership, you will get to participate in a special Members Bonus program. Be sure to check your email inbox for an email from CTMH explaining the details.
Extravaganza

Extravaganza is one of the highlights of Convention each year! With eight classes, each covering a Workshops on the Go kit, a Cricut® Artiste feature, and brand new products, the classes were super fun and generated tons of creative ideas. Thanks to all the Consultants who taught the Extravaganza classes. You were wonderful! I appreciate all of the hard work you put into your artwork and class!

 
Awards Banquet

We were treated to an amazingly yummy dinner, a special western themed stamp set and entertainment by the Texas Tenors. Boy oh boy, are these guys talented (and pretty handsome too I might add.) I had the opportunity to meet them at the Awards Reception after the show. All I can say is “Hubba, Hubba!” LOL! 


I was honored and humbled to receive an award for 2nd place for Team Building during the 2011-2012 year. What an INCREDIBLE honor! A HUGE thank you goes out to my wonderful team who made this award possible. It is because of YOU that WE were recognized for such an accomplishment. Thank you!



Some wonderful friends and award recipients
(From left to right: Mandy Leahy, me, Cindy Baker, and Sheri Rottler)


 The incredible and fun Executive Team
(From left to right: Brian Holman (VP of Technology and COO), Monica Wihongi (VP of Training & Events & CS), little 'ol me, Kristine Widtfeldt (VP Sales & Marketing)


I am also excited to announce that I was asked to be on the 2012-2013 Advisory Board. What an honor to be able to serve with Karen Morris, Jillene Moen, Kristina Livingstone, and Brandy Lees who are all amazing Consultants with so much to offer! I am looking forward to working with the Executive Team and these other amazing Board Members to help make CTMH an even better company! (Is that even possible????) I think we will have our work cut out for us this year! *Ü*

I had the honor of presenting some of my projects on stage with the fabulously artsy Tresa Black on Saturday evening. Unfortunately I didn’t get any pictures of the presentation. (If anyone has any photos they’d like to share, feel free to share them on my facebook page or email them to me.) I do have some photos of my projects that I will post soon...

The Best Part of Convention?

“What was the best part of Convention?” you may ask. Being able to spend some time with friends — both old and new!



Some of my wonderful team members who were able to make it to Convention.
(Paige Barry, Meredith Steves, Noelle Catiller, Christine Adams, Vanessa Garcia, me, Lisa Laski, Diane Judy, and Susan Olney)


Would you like to join us next year at the Convention at the Happiest Place on Earth? Join my team and you will be able to join us in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, at Disney’s Coronado Springs® Resort for the 2013 Convention! Click here for information on joining my award winning team!