Friday, May 31, 2013

I love my CTMH Family!


When I signed up as a Close to my Heart Consultant almost 9 years ago, I never would have dreamed that it would have such an impact on my life and that I would make such good friends. Once a month a few of my local Consultant Downlines and I get together for a special Consultant Club. Last night we met and they surprised me with some birthday goodies. (Thanks ladies!!!!) As I sit here and think about this group, I can honestly say that each and every one of them have become good friends. I even consider them like family. Without CTMH, I would have never met any of them.

I am so very grateful for these gals and all of the others that have joined my team and become my friends! Even those who are all the way on the other side of the country have quickly become a special part of my life!

Thank you CTMH for growing my “family” in such wonderful ways!!

If you would like information about joining the CTMH family and my Paper Trufflez Team, feel free to contact me or click here for some great info. *Ü*

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

CTMH is not just for Scrappers and Cardmakers...


If you thought Close to my Heart products where just for scrapbookers and cardmakers, think again! My 9 year old son was thrilled to have access to my Cricut machine, my Art Philosophy and Artiste Cricut cartridges, and the papers and embellishments in the Later Sk8r Collection for his 3rd grade Hobby Board assignment.

As you can tell, my son is very “into” computers and any type of technology. (It sure comes in handy when our computers, phones, or other electronics stop working. I love having our own personal IT guy in the house! He really knows how to troubleshoot and can fix anything!)


He used the Art Philosophy cartridge to cut the title out of Outdoor Denim, Lagoon, and White Daisy cardstock and then layered the letters with some 3-D Foam tape to give them dimension.

He also added some of the self adhesive, rubber backed Later Sk8r Assortment embellishments on top.


He used the Later Sk8r My Stickease around some of the photos.


I think his favorite thing was cutting the gear shapes using the Artiste Cricut cartridge and stamping the coordinating stamps from the In Gear set on top.


So there you have it. CTMH products can be used by everyone, even a 9 year old boy! (By the way, he got an A on his project! Yes, I am one proud Mama!)

Click on the icon below to shop for Close to my Heart products so you can create your own masterpiece.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Dream Pop "Thanks" Card


I am loving the fun bright colors of the Dream Pop May promotional Paper Packet. Normally I tend to lean towards subtle colors and simple patterns, but the colors and patterns of this Collection just make me happy! (And let me tell you. There is A LOT of happiness in this paper packet!)

I created this card with a Z fold design like the one I used to create the cards in this kit. They are super easy to make. Start with a 4-1/4" x 12" piece of cardstock and score it at 3-1/4" and 6-1/2". Then fold it into a “Z.” Trim a piece of patterned paper to 3"x 4" and adhere it to the front panel with a 1/8" border on all sides. Then cut another piece of patterned paper to 5-1/4" x 4" and adhere it to the inside panel of the card with a 1/8" border on all sides.

Trim a piece of White Daisy cardstock to whatever size you like to fit your sentiment and then double mat it. (I used the Thanks stamp and cut my piece to 3-1/8" x 2-3/4.") Add another piece of matted White Daisy cardstock to the inside. (Your cardstock sizes will depend on what size your sentiment is.)


I also added a couple pieces of folded Slate Polka Dot Washi Tape to the left side of the sentiment piece and trimmed the ends into a banner shape. I added a couple of Opaques Licorice Adhesive Gems on top.  I added the entire stamped piece to the front of the card with some 3-D Foam Tape making sure to just add the tape to the left side so that the card could open and close easily.


Don’t you just love the paper’s fun bright colors and patterns? You only have one more week to get this great paper packet for just $10 with a $35 minimum order. You can also get the super cute Stamp of the Month for just $5 with a $50 order.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Thank You CTMH for your BIG Heart!

As most of you already know, I love Close to my Heart for so many reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that Jeanette Lynton, our founder and CEO, has one of the biggest hearts I know. Today I found out that CTMH is releasing a cute new 2013 Fall/Winter stamp early and donating 100% of the profits to the Red Cross to aid tornado victims in Oklahoma.

If you are interested in ordering this cute mini stamp or adding it to an existing order, you can do so here. (It's a great deal at only $2.95!) I can’t wait to get mine so I can start creating lots of Thank You cards with it!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

"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.

Monday, May 13, 2013

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.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

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

Saturday, May 11, 2013

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:
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.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

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*

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

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.

Monday, May 6, 2013

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.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Happy National Scrapbooking Month!

Happy May everyone! I must admit that May is my all time favorite month! Not just because my birthday is this month, but because it is National Scrapbooking Month! Yes, we crazy crafters have a holiday just for us! Here are a couple of great promotions that Close to my Heart has created to help celebrate National Scrapbooking Month...

May Stamp of the Month 




Available May 1-31, 2013 only.

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your D-size Stamp of the Month set for just $5.00 US / $5.50 CAN! Add the stamp set to your cart on this page at full retail price or, with your qualifying order, add it at checkout for the promotional price.

Spend:   $50.00  No purchase required
You pay only:   $5.00    $17.95 (full retail) 

Set of 10
Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:
1" × 3½" (Y1002) 2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006)

Click here to order your own Stamp of the Month.

___________________________________________________

Dream Pop - National Scrapbooking Month Promotion 


In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get a special paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail). This paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get the paper packet anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! 

Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more. 

New Consultants who sign up during the month of May will receive the Dream Pop paper packet in their New Consultant Kit.

 Check out the adorable patterns on the paper and the cardstock!




This photo shows a great view of the beautiful coated patterns on the cardstock.
Thanks to Christina Eisenhour for the photo.



Look at the adorable things you can make with the Dream Pop papers and the May Stamp of the Month!


 Check out this great video filled with creative ideas using the Dream Pop Kit.


Contact me or click here to get your Dream Pop Collection today.

* Shipping/handling and tax apply. Not available for purchase at full retail. Offer valid May 1–31, 2013, while supplies last. Purchases must be current, retail-priced product.