Gone, but not forgotten...

Sadly, my last post was in February.  And since it's been a long time since my last blog the website has changed =/  Change is good, I keep telling myself and it makes me grow =)

After attending the 2012 CTMH Convention in Dallas, TX I am fully charged and ready to embrace all of the wonderful changes that Close To My Heart has in store for me and my customers (or blog stalkers - LOL)

Right now, I am in the process of unpacking my supplies that I had to take to convention and I plan to post pictures of my April 2012 workshop (yes, I feel I must post pics before I can move forward).  Then, I will post pictures of the awesome create and take projects I completed at convention.

Sooooo.....stay tuned!!

2012 Spring / Summer Catalog

Get your hands on the NEW 2012 Spring / Summer CTMH Catalog.

There are tons of new products!!

New Products Available February 1, 2012.

Consume It...Don't Collect In!!

CTMH's new philosophy is "Consume it, Don't Collect It".

They have made a few changes in the 2011 Fall / Winter Catalog.  One of these changes is reducing the amount of "Bulk" cardstock that is available.  You will notice that not ALL of the colors are available in the 24 pack.  This is a one way customers will be introduced to the new "Consume it, Don't Collect It" concept.  The My Reflections Level II will no longer contain 4 pages of White Daisy or Colonial White Cardstock.  The cost of the My Reflections Level II has been REDUCED from $12.95 to $9.95.  It will contain fewer paper, by eliminating the unwanted White Daisy and Colonial White cardstock.  Instead it will contain MORE colored cardstock.

My 2010 Christmas Card

I would like to share with you my 2010 Christmas Card. I was not able to create cards last year, since my Uncle was in a car accident in November and was laid to rest on Christmas Eve. Even though I would take my supplies and work on them while I would sit in the waiting room, they were never completed. So this year I wanted to make my cards special. I used the C1427 I Believe stamp set. There are alot of things I believe in: Love, Hope, Karma, and of course.....Santa!!! Without the jolly 'ole man, gifts could not be delivered to children all over the world. (Yes, I still Believe!)

Products used:

Creative Basics: Mistletoe

New England Ivy Cardstock

Cranberry Cardstock

Bamboo Cardstock

Chobolate Ink

Prismta Glitter

Bonding Memories Glue Pen

Opaques: Pearl

Cranberry Brads

Microtip Scissors

3-D Foam Tape

Originals:

Heartfelt Classic (pg. 71)

C1427 I Believe

D1388 Card Chatter - Christmas

Clear Card Workshop Weekend

In August we will create 8 beautiful clear cards. There are 8 - 4 1/2 cards. 4 squares and 4 scalloped circles which includes cello envelopes. I drew my inspiration from the Wishes Card Confidence Program:

* All Tucked In

* Curtain Call

* Simply Secure

* Simple Statement

The Clear Card Workshop will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, August 21, 2010
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Joey's Scrap Room
Cost: $20.00

Date: Sunday, August 22, 2010
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Joey's Scrap Room
Cost: $20.00

Space is limited so RSVP today.

Items Used:
C1408 Live Inspired Stamp Set

Z1309 Clear Cards
X7126B Passages Level II
Z1146 Designer Brads (Pewter)
Z1206 Basic Craft Buttons
Z1033 Big Pinks Paper Flowers
Z1336 Opaques Pearl
Z1266 Just Blooms Paper Flowers
Z1276 Colonial White Mini Medleys
N/A Cocoa Organdy Ribbon (discontinued)
Z1126 Designer Ribbon Rounds: Colonial White Collection
Z1127 Designer Ribbon Rounds: Chocolate Collection
Z1269 Filigree Charms
Z2108 Brown Bag Ink
Z2111 Chocolate Ink
Z1142 Brown Staz-On
Z534 Microtip Scissors
Z1114 Piercing Tool
Z1090 Foam Tools
Z1151 3-D Foam Tape
Z578 Corner Rounder
N/A 1 Inch Circle Punch
9033 Wishes Card Confidence Program

5 Years With CTMH!!

In June I received a small package from Close To My Heart. My first thought was "did I have product on back order?" I began searching the corners of my mind thinking that I had a customer waiting for their product. When I brought the package inside I literally ripped into the package tearing my letter. It was nice surprise to see that Close To My Heart was recognizing my achievement of being with the company for 5 year. April 16, 2010 I celebrated 5 years with Close To My Heart. I have really enjoyed the growth I have seen over the 5 years I have been with the company. I have seen the color palette change to keep trendy and fashionable. I was able to witness the transition from Wooden Mounted stamps to Acrylix Stamps. The birth and death of the Coluzzle cutting system and much, much more!!

2010 CTMH Convention Bag

CTMH gives each convention attendee a bag. This is what we received this year. It was filled with the items we would use during the Create N Take Session.

2010 CTMH Convention

CTMH Convention was held in Washington, DC. Mom and I attended Convention (we wouldn't have missed it for the world!). It is always great to meet up with CTMH Buddies and meet new ones. (Right to Left: Joey Balles, Diane Bowman, Doris, Sylvia Rodriguez, Celina Little, ??) It was exciting to see all of the CTMH logo items EVERYWHERE!! Even on the stairs.
I have been involved in a Stamp of the Month cardswap for several years (hosted by Diane Bowman). She encourages us to make extra cards so they can be sent to corporate. It is always nice to see our own artwork on the wall and to see our name as an Art Wall Contributor!

Okay, so I have one "teaser" for you. There will be 8 BRAND NEW CTMH colors! These colors have been added to keep up with the color trends of the season. Colors that are retiring are: Clover Meadow, Hydrangea, Orange, Star Spangled Blue, Bubbleum, Citrus Leaf, Ocean, Watermelon.



Summer Carnival:
Gypsy - NEW
Holiday Red
Pacifica - NEW
Sunny Yellow
Sunset - NEW
Topiary



Summer Celebration:
Cotton Candy - NEW
Dutch Blue
Lagoon - NEW
Pear - NEW
Sky - NEW
Smoothie - NEW



*These new fun colors will be available September 1st with the unveiling of the 2010 Fall / Winter Catalog.

Stock up on your favorite colors before they are locked away in the CTMH vault forever!!

CTMH Convention @ Washington, DC

The Close To My Heart Convention was held in Washington DC this year. So we decided to take a road trip. We left Wharton on Friday, July 2nd and didn't return home until Monday, July 12th. My friend Bryan Crosswhite and his wife Melissa hosted us for most of our trip. Then we moved over to the Gaylord National Harbor on the Potomac. While we were with Bryan and Melissa we did A LOT of sight-seeing. This picture of the Marine Corps Memorial was one of my favorites. Mostly because I have family that was in the Marine Corps.

When the convention began on Thursday, July 8th Mom and I were so excited!! We learned about all of the new and exciting changes that will happen with Close To My Heart.

Feb 2010: My Valentine's Card

I created these cards as my Valentine's. I didn't send out very many (usually, I send out mass quantities - LOL). I had fun making these little cards. For my niece and nephew, I added a package of pop rocks. Here is a list of items that were used:

• X7120B Topstitch Level II
• 1299 Baby Pink Cardstock
• 1388 Colonial White Cardstock
• Blush ribbon (retired)
• Heavenly Blue swirls (retired)
• Z1037 Mini-Medley Accents: Shades of Chocolate
• Z1263 Bitty Sparkles
• B1246 Solo "V"
• C1265 Charm Lowercase & Numbers
• D1325 Argyle Backgrounds
• Z2117 Crystal Blue Ink
• Z2102 Baby Pink Ink
• Z2157 Vineyard Berry Ink
• Z2111 Chocolate Ink
  
  

2009 Fall / Winter Catalog

The 2009 Fall / Winter Catalog has arrived and is available to customers! I am very excited with at all of the NEW stamps, papers, etc. I have mailed out the catalogs to my customers. If you have not received one, please contact me and I will get one mailed out to you.

2009 Fall / Winter Catty Teaser...

Here is a new item that can be found in the 2009 Fall / Winter Catalog. I will be ready to shar the new catalogs soon!! You are going to love the new papers and stamps!

Remember....products go live September 1st....just 2 weeks away!

2009 Fall / Winter Catalog TEASER!!!

I am still waiting for the NEW 2009 Fall / Winter Catalog...but I have to tell you...there are some awesome products! I've taken a sneak peak at the on-line catalog (available to consultants ONLY) and I am very excited at what's in store for my customers. There have been a few changes to the Hostess Club that I know you are just going to LOVE!!! The best part of the new program is....an exclusive stamp will come in the Basic choice at a DISCOUNT!! I love CTMH!! As I see each of you, I will share all of the fun and exciting things that is soon to come.

Until then....keep creating!

Being Creative

This is what my room looks like when I am being creative and Iam working on more than one project. I am working on both tables! In these photos I was creating the megaphones and composition books for Kidz Krafts. On the other table I was working on the July and August workshops. Whew!!

Interactive Scrapbook Pages

Flip Flaps and Interactive Pages is the new generation of scrapbooking. Want to add all of those wonderful photos to tell the WHOLE story?? Check out Tresa Black's video tutorial here. Thank you Tresa for creating a fabulous demonstration!! If you would like to order flip flaps; 9x9; or 6x6 page protectors so you can creat an interactive page...contact me.

Post Cards for my Friend...

My dearest friend asked me to make post cards for her daughter before she headed off to college. These are a few post cards I came up with. Since the cards will not be in clear envelopes I could not use a lot of embellishments. Everything is adhered using Liquid Glass. I love that stuff!! It really works. The back of the cards are pretty much the same.

I hope Kelsey uses these post cards to keep in touch with family and friends as she begins a new chapter in her life.

Congratulations Kelsey!!

Wishes is Now AVAILABLE!!!

You’ll be thrilled to know that Jeanette Lynton’s latest how-to book, Wishes Card Confidence Program™ (9033, $29.95 US / $37.50 CAN), has arrived at the CTMH warehouse—a month ahead of schedule!—and will be available for purchase May 1st. This beautiful new book, which will teach you how to make multiple cards in a flash using Jeanette’s “workshop” approach, create trendy circle cards, and much, much more, this will be a perfect addition to your creative library. We can’t think of a nicer way to celebrate May Day—can you? Order right away!

The Summer Catalog Is HERE!!!

Beginning May 1st you can start ordering out of the 2009 Summer Catalog. There are a lot of new and exciting items. If you have not received your catalog please contact me and I will mail one to you.

Just a reminder....the Tickled Pink Constant Campaign is still in progress.

Let's Celebrate National Scrapbooking month in style!

New Updates from CTMH

I would like to share a few things with you that have been announcec by CTMH:

Price Changes:
Price Changes for Summer 2009 Idea Book Summer has never looked so good!
Please be aware of the following price reductions, effective April 1, 2009, and reflected in the summer 2009 Idea Book:

* Sassy Strands®: All collections changing to $3.95 US / $4.95 CAN (previously $5.95/$6.50)
* Z9071 Magic Moments Scrapbook Kit: Changing to $34.95/$43.50 (previously $49.95/ $62.50)
* Z1199 Life Delights Memory Showcase: Changing to $12.95/$15.95 (previously $17.95/$19.95)

Coluzzle Update:

Coluzzle™ Product Status As many of you know, the manufacturer of the Coluzzle™ cutting system has announced plans to retire the Coluzzle line at the end of the year. Many Consultants have asked what this means for the future of the products Close To My Heart currently carries. The Coluzzle replacement blades (Z370) are no longer available, effective immediately. All placed orders for the item will be fulfilled, but no new orders will be processed. We do anticipate that other Coluzzle products will become unavailable as the year progresses, and we advise you to prepare your customers and plan your events accordingly.Close To My Heart is always working on new products and innovations, and support for cutting systems is no exception. We look forward to providing you with exciting new cutting product alternatives in future Idea Books.

2009 Summer Catalog:

I have received our new Summer Catalogs and they are AMAZING!!!! There are new products, new stamps, new Stamps of the Month, and of course, New My Reflection Kits! I am so excited. Please remember the "Go-Live" date for customers is May 1st. I will mail the new cattys at the end of April. If you are on my mailing list, please contact me to make sure I have the correct address for you. I think you are going to love the new catty as much as I do.

CTMH Celebrates It's 25th Anniversary!

This is the constant campaign for February 2009.

Basically, if you purchase $25.00 worth of Acrylix stamps you get this stamp set for FREE!

I love free, don't you?!

This campaign is valid February 2nd thru February 28th.

Check out the website to see the stamp set.