Mix & Mingle

Here's a little home decor I made for this fall season!  I used the new Mix & Mingle mini album, some paper from our Olivia kit, and the Many Thanks stamp set.  Wondering what to do with the other side? 

Celebrate the Christmas season!

This time I used the Mistletoe paper pack, the Evergreen stamp set, and the I Believe stamp set.

A Little More Thanks

During November, you can earn two fabulous My Acrylix stamp sets for FREE!  When you place a minimum order of $100, you will not only receive the November Stamp of the Month set, A Little Thanks, for FREE, you will also receive one stamp set of your choosing from the 2010 Autumn/Winter Idea Book for FREE*!  This means you can increase the value of your purchase by up to $45.90 - that's almost 50% more in value!  It's just our way of imparting A Little MORE Thanks to you for being a great customer.

*Free stamp sets include A-D size sets. Stamps that are not available as the free set include Workshops on the Go,™ Stamp of the Month retail, E-size, and customizable K-size. Tax and shipping/handling may apply. Offer good November 1–30, 2010.

New CTMH TV Episode online now!

Autumn Projects to Fall For is the newest episode on CTMH TV.  Learn a great new stamping technique with tissues.  Also, see some fun ideas using our new Flip Flaps.

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Sneak Peek for November Workshop

I've had people ask when my next scrapbooking workshop is.  Haven't picked a date yet but most likely the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  But here's a sneak peek of what we will be making.

Ever wish you could get more photos on a page?  Well, I have the answer.  It's our new how-to book Magic.
Next month we will make an interactive layout that can hold up to 20 photos!

This layout is not complete yet, but you get the general idea.

This is the basic layout.  Now pay attention to the right side of the layout.

See how the flaps open to reveal more. 

Wait for it . . . . now open the flaps again and

Voila!!!  A Christmas layout that opens like a present!!!!!!  More info and photos coming soon!

Christmas Card Workshop 2010

Here are the cards I'll be teaching at my Christmas Card Workshop this year.  Hope you enjoy.  Email me or call me if you would like to attend. We will make 7 cards for $7 on Saturday, October 23 from 4-7 pm.  RSVP by Wednesday, October 13 to ensure I have enough supplies for everyone.  Everything will be precut.  Just bring adhesive of your choice and come enjoy the fun.  If you are not a cardmaker, this is a great time to come learn how to stamp embellishments for your scrapbook pages.

Christmas Tags

I am totally getting into the Christmas spirit this week.  Need some Christmas tag inspiration?  These are some of my favorites that I've made.

Notepads

Some notepads that I made for potential gifts.  All they need are some initials! 

October Stamp of the Month

For the crafting industry October really mean Christmas!  Close to My Heart is no different.  Our new stamp of the month is a great Christmas stamp you can use for your Christmas cards or scrapbook pages.  Maybe you haven't done last year's pages yet or you just want to get an early start. If you don't need any supplies right now but want the stamp set, it's just $22.95 plus tax and shipping.   Spend $100 with me and get this stamp set for FREE!https://kcreates.myctmh.com/Retail/Product.aspx?ItemID=5700&CatalogID=953

Jump for Joy in October

If you're looking for a way to build your scrapbooking and stamping supplies more affordably than ever, October is the time—and a Home Gathering is the way! Why, you ask? During October, all of my hostesses will earn more Hostess Rewards with a qualifying Gathering of at least $450 US / $500 CAN in sales. How does this work? As a qualifying hostess, you'll automatically jump up to the next Hostess Rewards level which means more rewards for you! You'll earn at least $20 more in free select product, which includes our stamp sets and blocks, stamp pads, markers, re-inkers, My Reflections^® Level 1 and Level 2 scrapbooking products, and all cardstock packs! Just for reaching the minimum in sales, we'll reward you with more products that you love! You may even earn an additional item of your choice at 50 percent off, which means you save big bucks on the higher ticket items you've had your eye on. So, don't wait! October is a great time to invite your friends and family over to do some holiday shopping with Close To My Heart, order their holiday card supplies, and have a fun night out crafting, laughing, and relaxing."

Ready for fall??

Take a look at the Olivia paper pack for all your fall photos!  Level 1 is super fast and easy.  Level 2 gives a little more creative leeway.  Or just forget the original ideas and order a Workshop kit!  Comes with detailed instructions AND a stamp set!

Hooligans

Be prepared for Halloween early!

Want to get ready for those Halloween layouts??  Go ahead and purchase one of our new Hooligans kits.  Choose Level 1, Level 2, or even go for it and get the Workshop kit which comes with detailed instructions, a stamp set and some embellishments!  You choose.  

New Fall/Winter Idea Book!

The new Idea Books are HERE!

They are full of awesome, new products - new paper kits (including a new Halloween and Christmas pack, new embellishments, even new albums, and of course new stamp  sets.  Order yours from me today!

Preserving Memories

I've talked about the reasons for scrapbooking before.  It's about preserving memories.  That's it.  Most of the time, we do it with pictures.  Sometimes we add some pretty stuff to go with them in the form of paper and embellishments.  So many times I hear people say, "I don't have time."

Well, the truth is, you make time for the important things.  For me, scrapbooking is important.  My kids LOVE to look at pictures of themselves.  They want me to tell them the same stories over and over.  Scrapbooking helps me to preserve those stories.  They don't care if I use the "right" paper or the "perfect" embellishments.  They just want the stories.

Several years ago, I was a Pampered Chef consultant.  I enjoyed it, but I noticed I was spending all my commission on scrapbooking supplies.  I found Close to My Heart and fell in love with the products.  CTMH motto is scrapbooking faster, simpler, and easier.  There are sooooo many ways to get this hobby done faster, simpler, and easier.  That's why I am such a HUGE fan of my products.  Oh, and everything is beautiful and perfectly coordinated (a big plus for a perfectionist like me).  I save time right there because I don't have to go from store to store trying to match everything.

As for other easier and faster ways to scrapbook, I have several solutions.  Today, I will focus on one.  Studio J!

What is Studio J, you ask?

Close To My Heart’s online design software!!!

Studio J™, helps you create two-page layouts faster, simpler, and easier—saving you time and money!
You’ll love your Studio J layouts, perfect for your cherished album.

Here’s why:

• Every layout is custom printed using the highest quality photo processing paper and technology. Your layouts will last a lifetime!

• Choose from dozens of themed kits to suit any event or occasion, with coordinating embellishments, stickers, and fonts to customize your look.

• Select just the right pattern, accommodating from two to 15 photos per layout—great versatility.

If you are still hooked on traditional scrapbooking, you can use the software to plan your layouts, and then make them the traditional way OR you can even order the digital layouts then add traditional embellishments to them when they arrive at your house. The possibilities are endless!

• The software is free! Create an account to start designing complete layouts in just minutes.

Try Studio J today and fall in love! Visit my website at http://www.kcreates.myctmh.com/ to begin working with this awesome program today! 
 

Happy Forever Card

I mentioned last week that the July Stamp of the Month is the Happy Forever set.  Here's a little card I made with it!

I used the Animal Cookies Level 2 kit along with inspiration from our Wishes Card Program, page 78 - Sentiment Secured template.  I stamped the hedgehog with Chocolate ink onto Desert Sand cardstock.  Then I used the chocolate and cocoa exclusive ink markers along with the Desert Sand watercolor pencil to color him in.  I then stamped the balloons onto 3 different colors of patterned paper from the kit.  The grass was so easy.  I just turned the hedgehog on its side and stamped with Clover Meadow ink.  Then a little Cranberry Waxy flax completed the balloon string.  Also, the sentiment is from the Holiday Jubilee stamp set in Dutch Blue ink.  So easy!

Convention Is Underway!

The CTMH Consultant Convention is underway!  Tons of news: 2 Idea Books (bigger and better) per year instead of 3.  My cost will be cheaper so I can give more away!  We will be using FedEx instead of UPS so Saturday deliveries will be possible!  There is a new scrapbooking idea book being released (don't know date yet).  New hostess reward program. New Consultant sign-up packages will be available.  Studio J enhancements - they can count toward Stamp Of The Month rewards now!  New Studio J app for iPhone!  (Studio J is our online digital scrapbooking program - ask me for more details if you want).  I know there will be lots more updates over the next 3 days!

We are getting 8 new colors.  Pear, Smoothie, Sunset, Lagoon, Pacifica, Sky, Cotton Candy, and Gypsy!

Here's a preview of a new Fall Paper packet and Workshop on the Go.  See the new colors Pear, Smoothie, and Sunset?  Woo Hoo!  New Big Glitter Brads too!

Meet Olivia!

July Stamp of the Month

Have you seen the new Stamp of the Month?  Every month Close To My Heart offers you an exclusive My Acrylix® D-size stamp set FREE or at a large discount. The stamp set is available to qualifying customers for that month only. It’s our way of saying thank you, and your way of getting fantastic deals on our amazing stamps!


Here’s how to get a fabulous deal on your very own Stamp of the Month!

You spend $25, You save 25%, You pay only $17.21

You spend $50, You save 50%, You pay only $11.48

You spend $75, You save 75%, You pay only $5.74

You spend $100, You save 100%, You get it for FREE!!!!!  ($22.95 value)

Here it is:

Happy Forever

How can you not be happy looking at one of these little guys?!

Have a blessed day!

Recording Memories

So many people hear me talk about scrapbooking, and then I hear it. The same thing I hear from almost everyone that asks me about CTMH. "I would love to scrapbook, but I don't have time." Oh how I wish I could just sit everyone down who says this and give them my pep talk.

You see, scrapbooking is not about making it perfect, spending hours and hours on 2 pages, and it certainly isn't about trying to make it like everyone else. Scrapbooking is simply this: recording your memories. That's it! Nothing more than that. Pictures are almost always used, but sometimes even those are not the focal point. It's about the memory. Memories can be documented through photos, words, and even just hand-drawn sketches. It's about getting those memories down so your kids (or even you) can remember when . . .

It's about remembering when your kid took his or her 1st step, or the smile on his or her face on Christmas morning. Maybe it's just remembering how your own mom used to sit you down and wipe your tears when you had a bad day. Simply that . . . recording memories!

So my question to you is what memories do you want to record? We'll get to the "how" on another post.

Sharing my memory making with you,
Karen

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Thanks!

Don't forget!

Don't forget to check out today's June Jackpot!

Today's Jackpot

Get select paper packs for $10 today. You may order as many as you like. If you choose the right one, you can get the Adorable stamp set for FREE ($22.95 value). Order all the packs and be assured you get the free stamp set. What a sweet deal!

Newsletter

Want to receive my newletter each month? It will be packed with ideas, upcoming events, and the monthly specials offered by CTMH! You don't want to miss it! All you need to do is sign up at the bottom right-hand corner of my blog. Thanks so much for your interest in my business!

Jackpot June

Hit the jackpot in June and win free products OR grab loaded goodie boxes at 50% off or more. Enjoy 2 types of deal days this month!

On goodie box days, you can purchase one box filled with popular products at 50% or more off retail value! Each goodie box day will feature different surprise items so you can get tons of current or recently retired items.

On jackpot days, 5 products will be offered for sale at discounted prices. One of the 5 products is the mystery jackpot item for the day. If you happen to order the mystery jackpot item, you'll be rewarded with one or more free CTMH products, with shipping included on the free products. If you purchase all 5 products, you're guaranteed to hit the jackpot! There's no purchase limit, if you order multiple secret jackpot items, you'll get the same number of free items.

These deals are available on my website http://www.kcreates.myctmh.com/

P.S. Today is goodie box day!

Initial Note Cards

Here is a set of stationery I made from the Silhouette paper kit and some beautiful Crystal Blue cardstock. I also used the Baroque Alphabet stamp set.



Change the cardstock and you get a whole new look!

Making Progress!

I am completely happy with my background and my 3-column layout! Now I have just a few more things to do on my product website and my facebook page to have everything coordinated and ready for complete release on July 1st. In case you can't wait, here's a little preview of what's to come.

I used 3 blank coasters to make this little wall hanging. I decorated it with CTMH Paper Garden Background and Textured papers and some cute embellishments. All it needs are 2 small photos to be complete. I gave this as a gift for the recipient to add photos. Hope you like it!

Under Construction

This blog is currently under construction. Please check back July 1st for the complete release.

Thanks

Karen