Be My Valentine

Does absence make the heart grow fonder? I realize I've been rather absent lately...I had a fabulous time once again at the Ultimate Scrapbooking retreat Jan. 14-16th...from there on in I've been organizing my products and getting some display grid to have at my upcoming School Crops...check out the side column for where I'll be and when...so needless to say, I'm not sure where the past week and a half has gone...but I am back!

I thought I'd post a picture of my mini-card class that I'm having next Monday...short notice I know...but adorable, just the same...you can click on my classes tab above to pre-pay if you'd like to attend...unfortunatley I am only offering 8 spots for this class, so act fast if you are wanting to come!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper:  Wings B&Ts; Sweet Leaf, Colonial White CS
Inks:  Black, Vineyard Berry, Sweet Leaf & Juniper, Pear
Embellishments:  Adhesive gems, pleated Vineyard Berry ribbon
Other:  Micro-tip scissors, 3D foam tape, glue dots, green craft wire (Michaels)


Happy Monday!

CTMH Spray Pens...Yippee

I first tried spray pens a couple years ago and I love the effect they have on projects...Glimmer Mists, Maya Roads and now Close To My Heart...only difference is that with Close To My Heart you can make your own! 

All you'll need to use these cool spray pens is some water, a re-inker and some create-a-shade pearl paint from Close To My Heart. You just simply mix them together and watch the magic happen as it beautifies your scrapbook layouts and cards. This is a fun, unique way to spruce up your projects and get a different look every time you use it.

Check out this video below from Close To My Heart to se how to use these fab new spray pens....  

Recipe:

Fill Spray pen with water to the seventh line (from the bottom) ADD the re-inker colour of your choice to the ninth line and then add a good three blobs of the Create-A-Shade paint...shake it really well...it will seem like forever to get it mixed together...but keep on shaking...then hold about 8" away from your project and 'spray' ...you might want to give a demom spray on some scratch paper for the first time you spray...make sure you cover your work space so you don't make a huge mess...and enjoy

In Stitches...

There's being in stitches, like last night in the Hospital ER, when you are laughing...no really...I was finally getting around to making supper for my family...decided to try out the brand new *sharp* Henkill knife my mother gave me for Christmas...and didn't she always tell me to hold the knife just so, and keep your hands just so...needless to say, had I actually retained anything that was said to me many a times...I wouldn't have carved my thumb instead of the Ham for supper...so I was in 'Stitches' laughing, holding my DD's hand so I wouldn't cry :( and after was 'in stitches' literally! 

Luckily, my darling daughter has started driving...well she has her 'L' and can legally drive with me in the car...so off we go to the ER...one hour 10 minutes later (really great time I might say)...I'm back home, on the couch and getting dinner prepared, served and cleaned up by my fabulous three children...so my plans to pack up Christmas will have to wait till I get help later on tonight...here's what it looks like around here today...

But this couch time today is not a total loss as I have caught up on some emails, browsed some Scrapbooking Magazine's and cuddled with my four-legged babies (they live on the couch too)

Here's a (poorly lite) photo of our Wings Workshop layout for next week...

the stamp set that comes with this Wings WOTG kit (G1016) is really great...I love the way we've used it to create a patterned paper effect, the little embellies I've stamped and cut out using some 1st & 2nd generation stamping, and the great new Black Mini-Medley collection adds the perfect final touches.

I have to say that this beautiful 'Bohemian' E-size stamp set (E1019) is now my new favourite...last catalog it was the 'Posterboard' and the time before that was the 'Rustic'...they are all my favourites, all different and function differently...but all my favourite nevertheless!

Need A Smile?

Have you heard of Operation Smile? I have been an Independant Consultant for Close to my Heart for 18 months now and have just come to grasp the effect that my Business has had on many children around the world.

When we take the time to think about all the causes and organizations there are that need help, it's wonderful to realize that without even knowing it, you and I have helped change the lives of children with cleft lip and cleft palate around the world.

Next time you place an order with me or your Close To My Heart Consultant, consider 'topping up' your order with a donation to Operation Smile...at the bottom of each Customer Order form is a spot where you can simply top-up your order to the nearest dollar, or even more....think about the smiles you'll have had a hand in making.

Please take the time to check out the Operaton Smile website and our CTMH link as well.


Close To My Heart is partnered with Operation Smile^®, an organization that provides life-changing surgery that repairs smiles and reshapes lives, one child at a time. A portion of the proceeds from every My Acrylix^® stamp set sold is donated to Operation Smile. Buy with pride. Your business with Close To My Heart makes a big difference in the life of a child.

  

Something Old is New Again...

I have always felt the greatest personal temptation with being a Consultant with Close To My Heart is wanting everything that is new, the minute a new catalog is released....this one is no exception...a late add-on to my New Year's resolutions needs to be #4 - be happy with what you've got!

Sure, sure, I say to myself, easier said than done....and for any of you out there that know me....they know that 'If they build it...I will come' ...well I'll probably buy it anyways :)

Luckily for me, I am seeing some of my favorite stamp sets in the newest Spring/Summer 2011 catalog...and with that being said...I have made something new, with something old...I have had the 'Shining Star' stamp set (D1320) for several years...since it's first release back in the Autumn/Winter 2008 catalog!!!

Yesterday, Matthew was heading out to a pals 12th birthday party and I quickly...let me emphasize quickly...made a card for him to give. I snapped the picture just before my son snapped it outta my hands...hence the poor quality...

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Colonial White, Black, Cranberry CS

Stamps:  Shining Star (D1320)

Inks:  Archival Black

Embellishments:  Grey and White twine (unknown), Sizzix embossing template

Hello January!!!

I have to say that after seeing our newest promotion in the Inspirations Brochure, that I was beyond excited about what was coming next with the Company...now that I have flipped through the *new* Spring/Summer 2011 catalog I can't wait to start sharing some bits with all of you...but not just yet...let's start you all off slowly with CTMH's newest addition to 2011 

and this beautiful 'Wings' paper collection.

It is available to purchase right now, one month prior to the release 

of our Spring/Summer 2011 catalog. 

G1016 Wings Workshop on the Go

 






 Wings Workshop on the Go™ Kit contains:
Wings Level 2 Paper Packet
My Acrylix Wings Workshop B-size Stamp set
Mini-Medley Accents Black Collection
Spray Pen (1)
Workshop Guide


Follow the included step-by-step instructions to create the two workshop projects featured in the workshop guide: a two-page layout and six cards (2 each of 3 designs). Layout and card patterns are Jeanette Lynton originals created exclusively for this workshop.

Here's a look at some more artwork created by some talented CTMH consultants

Happy New Year!!!

Wow! Another year has come and gone...where does the time go? Time for resolutions, cleaning and getting into the Workshop...

Resolution #1 - take more time to care for me

Resolution #2 - make more home-cooked meals!

Resolution #3 - try to be more organized with my time

Resolution #4 - update my Blog at least twice weekly!

Resolution #5 - be more productive with my business

Well we all know how New Years Resolutions tend to be great in theory, but not always in practice...it is always good to set goals...even if that is all we are doing...I hope that by writing it down, these goals for the coming year may become a new reality for me.

I hope that 2011 brings us all health and prosperity and creativity.