My favoritist Idea Book yet!!

Yes, favoritist is a word!  I just made it up, of course it's a word!

I know, I say it every time, but this time around, Corporate really knocked our socks off at Convention and unveiled a fantabulous (yes, another real word) Idea Book!  I love every single thing about it!

(If you click on the image, it'll take you right to the online version of the Idea Book-contact me to get your very own hard copy of this beauty)

Here are just a few of my very favorite things:

*Our all new, exclusive Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge!  You can make a great things using this cartridge and then have coordinating stamp sets to use with it.  There are over 700 different images that you can cut out using this cartridge (and that's not counting all the different sizes!)  Check out the card I made with it.  You, too, can have me send out these invitations to your guests at your very own party.  Ask me how...

*Brand new, truly double sided cardstock weight patterned paper.  The paper packs are a bit smaller (not so much extra paper left over-a complaint a lot of you have had) BUT, the price also went down :)  The papers have a 'zip-strip' on the edge that you will have to cut off, but you can then use it as a border (they all have a fun pattern on one side and the coordinating colors listed on the other side along with the paper pack name).

*Speaking of price cuts...all our stamp set prices have gone down!  Wowzers!  What a great deal!  Same great stamps at a smaller price.  Also, the stamp sets are now featured at full size in the idea book-no more guessing as to what size they are :)

*Lots of new embellishments and such.  My favoritist (yep, there's my word again) of all is the new ruler.  I know, it's a little thing, but it is amazing!  It is a 14" clear ruler that has little holes in it for ease in lining up and evenly spacing brads and the like.  This makes me happy :)

*A newly redesigned Stamp of the Month program!  You can now get the Stamp of the Month at full price of $17.95, or spend just $50 and get it for only $5!  What a deal!

Now that you are headed off to view the new catty, you'll want to hear all about this month's great special.  You can read all about it by clicking on the Extra! Extra! page at the top of my blog, but in a nutshell, when you purchase $50 in products this month anbd purchase the Stamp of the Month for $5, you get a FREE A-size stamp set, Typeface, absolutely FREE!  What a great deal :)

Is Close To My Heart looking out for us in this cruddy economy or what?  I say, Whoo Hoo!

Happy Scrappin'

Holy hotness, Batman!

I really want to go back to California!  The weather here in Wisconsin has been just dreadful!  I got home Sunday night a little after 8 pm and had to be up for work about 4 am Monday morning.  The temps have been in the upper 90's and 100's since then with very high humidity.  The heat index has been in that 120 degree range.  It is soooo hot at work, it is miserable, so forgive me for not posting more.  I have been just exhausted by the time I get home each evening.  I have not even finished unpacking yet :(  The laundry is done, though, so that's a plus :)

Here is the last swap layout I made for the girls for Convention.

Stay tuned, as I will have to give you the directions for making those paper flowers.  They are pretty easy, but I'll have to make some and take photos as I go along so you have step-by-step instructions.  I will also be posting a whole lot of fun new information that we learned last week.  I will give you a hint at the biggie...do you like bugs?  How about crickets Cricuts?  I hope so, we've got a brandy-new special cartridge just for us in the new Idea Book...and speaking of the Idea Book...contact me right away, you'll be wanting to host your very own party because there are so many fabulous new things - you are gonna want them all!

Happy Scrappin'

The happiest place on earth!

Yep, I am at Disneyland in California :)  I am here having a little fun - both with Mickey and with my Close To My Heart sistas!

Now that I am here, I can start to show you some of the swap layouts I created for the girls I'm swapping with.  Here is the first layout I created for the girls.

Happy Scrappin'

Just a little Heads Up!

I just thought I had better post quick to let you know that a little birdie has told me of our retiring paper packs come July 31st.  After that date, you will no longer be able to get these papers.  If you are wanting any of them, you had better get a hold of me quick before they are all gone.

Bliss

Sweetheart

Miracle

and Wings
Along with the older Olivia, Hooligans, Mistletoe, and Magnifique.

Just send me a message if you are in need of any of these wonderful papers, I can hook you right up :)

Happy Scrappin'

Hello snow...and a new toy!

This is what I woke up to this morning.

I am soooo not ready for this kind of weather yet!  I know, I live in Wisconsin and it is the middle of November, but really??  We had beautiful weather up until last night.  When I left work at 11:00 last night, it was just barely sprinkling when I walked out to my car.  About 5 miles down the road, it was raining pretty good.  Another 10-15 miles down the road, it was a blizzard.  It was hard to see the road while driving, but being a good Wisconsin girl, I managed just fine...now if all the other cars would just get out of my way!  LOL!

I am bummed about the snow, but excited because I get to play I mean LEARN how to work my new toy...I mean _____ no I don't, I mean TOY!  I got a new phone and am just loving it!  I never in a million years would have dreamed that I would be so into the latest and greatest gadgets, but I guess I am.  I am now "with the times" with my phone.  I even love the camera that it has on it-it actually takes great pictures (I will never give up my Rebel, but this is a great option for in my purse, as I always have my phone with me).

Anyone that knows me also knows that normally I am not willing to pay anything extra for my phone.  I have always just gotten whatever was available to me for a free upgrade.  I did splurge last time and spent an extra $10 on my phone and thought I was really something.  What got into me?  Well, let me tell you.  I just love this 'job on the side' that I do-it's called Close To My Heart.  My monthly commission check totally paid for the phone and the extras I got with it!  That is my reason for the splurge.  Just for me, just because!  Isn't that reason enough?  I thought so!

If you have a desire to make that kind of extra income (or even more) let me know.  I would be happy to have you join my team and start earning that income right away!

Happy Scrappin'

5 Wonderful Years!

Have I ever told you how great Close To My Heart is?  Well if not, now I will.  I have been with this company for 5 wonderful years now!  This is the best company ever, and once you meet Jeanette in person, you will find out that she is just as great in person as ever!  I always knew this company was great, but now everyone else knows it, too!  Close To My Heart has been named the #1 Best Direct Sales Company for Women!  Click on this link to read the whole article yourself.

Just look what they sent me in the mail in honor of my anniversary with them!

I love this gorgeous charm!  I can hardly wait until my next big anniversary to get the next gift from Corporate.  They spoil us a lot!  :)

I first signed up to be a consultant only as a hobbiest (and you could too, just let me know)!  I was only going to sign up to get the discount on my own scrapbooking supplies...well, 5 years later, I am still going strong and loving every last minute of it!  Let's just say that it is more than just a hobby, it is the job that I love!

When you sign up as a Consultant with CTMH, you become part of a welcoming family that values and honors what makes you special.  Whether you join for friendship, creative, or business reasons, you are welcome here!

For only $129 you'll receive all the business essentials you need to get you going in the right direction plus your choice of 3 product collections that are sure to be perfect for the type of business you want to build.

You don't have to stop there.  If you want them all, you can have them all.  Purchase additional collections for just $40 each, plus shipping and handling, and save even more!  It's a one-time offer you'll want to take advantage of!

Watch videos and read stories of other just like you who have built a Close To My Heart business with their own personal style:  community, creative, or business focused.  Visit the Corporate website to be inspired by their stories.

Choose Me 1:  Enhance your business with an all-important web presence, complete with online shopping, event calendars, an art gallery, and more.  Retail value is $155.40.

Choose Me 2:  Create beautiful Studio J online layouts using exclusive patterns and papers with discounted prices with a 12-month Studio J membership.  Retail value is $99.00.

Choose Me 3:  You'll love the scrapbooking products, stamps, and instructional guide in this versatile collection.  Retail value is $66.30.

Choose Me 4:  A cardmaker's delight, this collection features a full-color guide and products for creating exquisite cards and more.  Retail value is $66.30.

Choose Me 5:  Preserve your memories in a beautiful, expandable album, then take it along in a pretty shoulder tote.  Retail value is $68.55.

Choose Me 6:  Make an immediate impression with these whimsical new stamps, complete with blocks and a storage organizer.  Retail value is $83.75.

If you have any more questions or if you are ready to sign up now, let me know.  I would love to have you on my team (whether as a hobbyist, a business builder, or whatever-there is always a place for you!)

Happy Scrappin'

We are getting a new live-in house guest!

Do you know this man?  I do and I love him...please, don't tell my husband...oh wait, he already knows!  His name is Sticky Boy.  I first met him in Salt Lake City, Utah when I went to my first ever Close To My Heart National Convention.  Here he is posing for a picture with me and Sheri.  How fun!

A little explanation for those of you that don't 'get it' yet.  When Close To My Heart first came out with their clear acrylic stamps, they also came out with this video for people to watch.

Corporate came out with clear acrylic stamps in the 'sticky boy' shape (I think there are 5 or 6 sizes in the family).  Whenever we are at a Corporate event, the Corporate staff (ok, David) hides Sticky Boy anyplace he sticks to.  It is kind of like playing 'Find the Button' when all these grown women are on the lookout for Sticky Boy.  If you are lucky enough to find one, you wear it proudly on your name badge for the rest of the event.  You can usually always tell when someone finds one, as the squeals of delight are heard.

Here is the one that I received at Convention this year.  While I did not 'find' him, he found me.  See, I won a prize and when they handed me the package, he was attached to the package.  I love him.  I was so proud to keep him close to my heart the rest of the week.

Now fast forward a few years and if you have been following Close To My Heart on Facebook, you would know that during the month of September they were giving away Sticky Boy stamp sets.  All you had to do is leave a comment and they randomly choose winners.  Lucky me!  I was a winner!  Sticky Boy and his family (the compete stamp set) will be coming to live with me here in Wisconsin! I am so excited and can't wait for him to get here!  (If you go and join now, I believe they are giving away stamp sets!)

I hope you are having a great day!  Happy Scrappin'

The new Idea Book is here...

The new Autumn/Winter Idea Book is here!  Do you have your copy yet?  If not, let me know and I will get one to you.

There are sooo many cool new things in this book, you won't want to miss it.  Here are just some of them...

*4 brand new paper packs
*too many to count new stamp sets
*8 brand spanking new exclusive colors
*4 new Workshops on the Go
*4 new Stamps of the Month
*2 new clear cards
*circle cards
*1 new card kit
*a new My Creations Mix & Mingle Album
*1 new how-to book "Magic"
*new and improved albums
*several new embellishments
*3 new sizes of flip flaps
*exciting new updates to Studio J
*better than ever hostess rewards
*4 brand new Hostess Rewards plus
*an all new kit if you choose to become a consultant
*6 new choices/add-ons to the consultant kit
plus much, much more that I just can't even think of right now!

If you do not have a copy in your hot little hands, just click here to take you to the online version of it (I know, it's just not the same, but it might just hold you until you get your copy from me :)

Happy Scrappin'

Iwo Jima and the Patriotic Parade

After touring Arlington National Cemetery, we walked (yes, in that 106 degree weather!) to the park where the Iwo Jima statue is to watch the Marine Corp Drum and Bugle Corp perform for the Patriotic Parade.  They did a fabulous job.  How amazing to be able to watch that!

We have stopped at the Rosa Mexicana Restaurant twice now.  I have never been a guacamole lover, but now...things have changed and I am ready to make my own...now if I can just find a grocery store to buy avacados in (remember, I live in a very small town).  They make this stuff right at your table in front of you.  It was amazing and made a guac-lover out of me (yeah, I know...the diet is on hold this week!)

We really are here for the Close To My Heart National Convention, too!  Here is the cool sign that is hanging on the big windows of the hotel to greet us.

Just look at the stairs, they even have our convention logo on them, too!

Until later, Happy Scrappin'

What a beautiful hotel at our scrapbooking Convention!

I absolutely LOVE to travel...add in some scrapbooking and it just can't get any better.  I am in Washington DC for our annual Close To My Heart National Convention.  I truly treasure the time I get to spend with some of the most creative women I know.  It is the best time a girl could ask for.  We are kept BUSY every day and evening, but it is soooo worth it!  We learn some great new business ideas, get to create some wonderful new artwork, get to share some time with new and old friends, get a sneak peak at the brand spanking new Idea Book (I can't even show you that part yet), and just plain get rejuvenated!

What a beautiful hotel the Gaylord National is!  Of course, for over $200 per night, it better be!?!  Good thing I have my 3 wonderful roomies to split the cost with (waving hello to Sheri, Rachel, and Lynn :)

Here is what the joint looks like...and this is the 'back' side of the place.  How would you like to have a backyard like that?

This is the view from our room. We get to look out over the Atrium and also get to see out over National Harbor.  It is awesome!

Our first day in town, we did a little sight seeing. We went to Arlington National Cemetery.  Here are the graves of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline along with the eternal flame.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and the changing of the guard.

Stay tuned for more sight seeing photos and some new artwork.  We are exhausted here every day, but it is so worth it.  I may have to go home and go back to work just to rest up!

Happy Scrappin'