Saturday, August 31, 2013

Saturday YouTube Video: CTMH Convention 2013 Highlights

 Want to see what all the excitement is about when I attend the CTMH Convention? 

Here we are in Orlando, FL at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort:
See if you can spot me...I'm in there twice!  It's quick...

Does it look like something you would like to share with me?  Join my team!!!
I am already registered to attend Convention 2014 at the DisneyLand Hotel in Anaheim, California.  I've been to 13 Conventions, and the one at DisneyLAND several years ago, was the BEST...
perfect wether, variety of restaurants, walking distance to the parks!  Fun, Fun, FUN!!! 
I can't wait to go back!

I also want to show you the layouts we created during our Creative Sessions.
These papers were exclusive to Convention attendees.
We also received an exclusive stamp set to preserve our memories shared in Orlando.
I have pictures for my layouts coming soon!

Each year, during Convention, the corporate staff hides our company mascot, StickyBoy (I will have to post Sticky Boy's video too).  I have found only 3 StickyBoy's in 13 years.  In Orlando, I found this tiny little guy hanging out on a metal door frame in the Art Gallery room. 
 I love that he is decked out in his sombrero, and maraca's.  VIVA!!!



To learn more about the testing that went into the My Acrylix stamps before we made the switch from wood & rubber nearly a decade ago...watch Sticky Boy's video.
I love the sense of humor our corporate staff has!

Friday, August 30, 2013

Fun and Games with ProPlayer WOTG

In the month of September, I'm hosting the ProPlayer WOTG scrapbooking layouts.  
These papers are so fun to work with...great for those ever challenging masculine layouts.  
These pages will allow you to highlight life's fun moments!

(click on any image to enlarge)




By purchasing the WOTG kit, you receive the exclusive ProPlayer stamp set (now D-size!), 3 extra sheets of cardstock, and all the embellishments (the ProPlayer Assortment and the Slate Twist Ties) used to create both of these layouts!  In addition, you SAVE $11.34...and only pay the low price of $29.95 even though the kits have more product, and larger stamp sets than last years kits.
Thank you CTMH!  

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Thoughts from the Heart

Do you enjoy scrapbooking or cardmaking more?  I'm not sure I could give you a definitive answer to that question.  I enjoy it all!  Most importantly, I think I enjoy the "people" that I create with.  I love the friendships that I have developed because of Close To My Heart.  I have friends all over the country that I wouldn't have otherwise met.

I'm beginning the workshops from the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book with the Laughing Lola Cardmaking WOTG kit.  These cards the perfect "pick me up" for a friend.


The cardmaking kit includes the papers (both cardstock and B&T Duo papers), kit-exclusive accessories, cards with envelopes and instructions to create 15 beautiful cards (5 each of 3 designs) inspired by our own Jeanette Lynton.  Even if you're unable to attend the live event, you can create this workshop on your own time with the full color step-by-step instruction guide...order yours today.   This is my therapy!


Monday, August 26, 2013

we all SCREAM for ICE CREAM layout

I love super FUN mail days!  
Recently, I received this amazing layout from my 2nd upline and friend, Michelle Snyder, 
for reaching a sales goal in June 2013.  
Did you realize that during the month of July (specifically July 21st this year), there is a National Ice Cream Day?  How did I not know this?!?!  Well...until now! Oh, how I enjoy ice cream...of all flavors!  

(click on image for more detail)

This layout is so bright and cheerful...I love the vibrant colors (Lagoon, Smoothie, Sunset, Pear and Cream Brulee), and the use of the Silver Shimmer Trim to add some glam.  Michelle also used the Chalk Marker to add highlights to the "Ice Cream" title and the waffle appearance in the ice cream cone.  Brilliant!  The scoops of ice cream and the white background behind the title comes from the Artiste Cricut cartridge (pg36, Accent 3, <6>, cut at 2-1/2" and 4-3/4" respectively). How creative!  She also used the Pixie Glitter Alphabet as part of the title, and used the font from Artiste for "Ice Cream".  I am always inspired by Michelle's artwork!  Thank you, Michelle!  I can't wait to add photos to this layout.


Saturday, August 24, 2013

Saturday YouTube Video: Ombre Technique


Oooh, can't wait to try this technique for myself! 
HaPpY SaTuRdAy!!!

Dress up titles and sentiments in vibrant colors to make your lettering fresh. With the ombré technique, you can watch colors of your choice melt together for a fun new style.

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!

Friday, August 23, 2013

ProPlayer Card - Just Hanging Out

One final card from our team shoebox swap...


Yes, all 6 paper packets from the Autumn/Winter 2013 catalog were showcased in our Shoebox Swap.
WooHoo!

Melanie, one of my newest team members, used the ProPlayer paper pack for her card creation.  Mel was so nervous about participating, but she did an amazing job with her card!
So creative, and original too!

Mel used the Artbooking Cricut cartridge to create the frame for her card.
Artbooking: pg64, Photo Mat 1, shift <J>, cut at 4-1/2"
I love how she used the sentiment from the ProPlayer WOTG stamp set "Just HANGING Out", and let it just "hang" out.  She used the Slate Twist Ties to tie it to the frame.  Using one of the embossed metal badge buttons from the ProPlayer Assortment for the "O"...too cool!


I have lots more artwork to post using this paper pack in the next week or so in our Display Board swap. Watch for it...


Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Laughing Lola cards

More cards from our team shoebox swap...

Kimberly and I chose Laughing Lola for our cards.  The Lola paper pack have several colors that are exclusive to only Laughing Lola, but other colors in the CTMH color palate also coordinate, such as Lagoon and Gypsy.

Kimberly used You Only Live Once (B1434, pg7) stamp set, which is one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets, only available to hostesses.  The sequin ribbon and shimmer button are both from the new Black Mini-Medley Accent collection.  The tag cricut images are from Artiste and Art Philosophy, and the "Live" image is from Artiste.  The sentiment "Live" is stamped inside the frame from Holiday Tags using Gypsy ink.


My card uses an overlay from the new Artbooking Cricut cartridge.  You can find more details, including measurements and image shapes on my card in an earlier post HERE.  I was able use the same card from my Catalog Celebration, and kill two birds with one stone by creating just one card!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Frosted Cards

More cards from our team shoebox swap...

Both of these gals, Donna and Tammy, used the new Frosted papers for their cards.

Donna's card uses the B&T Duos cut into 1" squares, then each square corner rounded (thanks for doing that part for us Donna!)...that's a big job in itself...but I love the look!  Actually, the only stamping was on the inside where we stamped "Thinking of You" from the Sincere Expressions stamp set, and randomly stamped the snowflake from the new mini Single Snowflake stamp.



Tammy's card uses one of the seven new Hostess Reward Stamp Sets as the focal point on her card (Friend, A1142, pg8).  The inside is stamped with images from the Polar Bear Holiday stamp set in Bamboo ink.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Saturday YouTube Video: Hostess Rewards: Better than Ever!

Each new CTMH Idea Book is better than the last...in my opinion.  Being the leader in the industry, we stay on top of current trends and have innovative products.  This new Autumn/Winter Idea Book has exclusive Hostess Reward Stamp sets...just for our amazing hostesses!

Take advantage of the opportunities from Close To My Heart to earn Hostess Rewards stamp sets; must-have sets, just for you! Watch this video to see one of these adorable stamp sets in action and learn how to get your own.


Ready to earn the Washi Wonder stamp set for yourself?  Let's schedule a gathering (online or in person) for you and your friends, so you can choose one or more of the hostess reward stamp sets for your collection!
Contact me today!

Friday, August 16, 2013

Sarita Cards

More cards from our team shoebox swap...

Now...this is the first time in many years of doing this swap, that 2 people used the same stamp set with the same papers...but the look is completely different!

Vicki and Jodi both used the Sarita papers for their cards...
coincidentally they both used the One-Way Borders stamp set.

First up, Vicki's card.  Did you notice she didn't use any patterned paper at all for her card? However, Vicki's card still has lots of "texture" with the combination of the images in the Borders stamp set and the addition of the Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape and Sarita Textiles in place of ribbon.  The sentiment is from one of the exclusive stamp sets included with the Artbooking Cricut collection.


Jodi's card was inspired by the card on page 27 of the new catalog, starts out with a 5x5 card base (cut cardstock 5x10 and fold in half) in Colonial White CS.  A 5x5 piece of Sarita B&T Duo paper covers the front of the card base.  Jodi used Goldrush, Lagoon and Gypsy inks when stamping just one of the borders multiple times.  The "HeLLo" sentiment is from the Artiste cartridge (pg65, Card, shift <B>, cut at 1-1/4" from Outdoor Denim CS).  Also used on her card is the Neutral Bakers Twine and the Trinket Wooden shapes (still one of my favs!) with the new Aqua Dots in the center.

I hope you come back to see more!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Huntington Cards

More cards from our team shoebox swap...

Both Victoria and Anne-Marie used Huntington papers for their creations.  
I love the Huntington papers...fall colors are my thing!

Here's what Victoria did with her card.  
She used several Art Philosophy (AP) Cricut images for her focal point.
AP Cricut Cartridge: 
pg34, shift <Leaf2>, cut at 2-1/2" from Autumn Terracotta CS and B&T Duo paper
pg34, Layer, shift <Leaf2>, cut at 2-1/2" from Champagne CS
pg56, shift <Leaf4>, cut at 2-1/2 from Olive CS and Saddle CS (leaf veins are dry embossed then sponged with ink to highlight)
pg62, shift <Leaf1>, cut at 1-1/4" from Barn Red CS (cut 2)
pg67, Decorative Layer, shift <Stocking>, cut at 2-3/4" from Desert Sand CS
pg67, <Shape10>, cut at 2-3/4" from B&T Duo paper

The <Leaf2> images were stamped with the flower base image from the Happy Autumn stamp set...I thought this was a very clever idea!  It gives a great texture to the plain cardstock.



Anne-Marie used the Perfect Fit-Thanksgiving stamp set for her holiday themed card.  Her images were cut from the Artiste Cricut cartridge.
Artiste: pg61, Accent 3, <z>, cut at 1-1/4" from Colonial White CS
pg78, Accent 3 <Thnkgvng> cut at 1-3/4" from Colonial White CS
Artbooking: pg75, Photo Mat 2, <Merry>, cut at 3" from Slate CS
Opposing corners were rounded using our new Corner Rounder.   I really like this look, and often forget to do this...it just looks so much more interesting than a standard card with square corners.  
I also like the pop of the Honey CS too.

I still have more to show you...come back and visit again!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

BabyCakes Cards

I always look forward to our consultant shoebox swap...for each CTMH catalog release (February and August), our team of consultants gets together and creates artwork using new papers and stamp sets.  Each of us randomly chooses a new paper and a new stamp set to work with (no assignments given out), and we each create just ONE card and then supply all the pre-cut pieces and embellishments for others to create our card.  

The fabulous thing about participating in the shoebox swap, 
is the amount of new artwork we have created when it's over.  
This round we had 11 people participate, so 11 new cards!

Both Theresa and Randa chose to work with BabyCakes papers and each card has a baby theme.

Theresa's card uses the exclusive stamp set that comes with the BabyCakes WOTG scrapbooking kit.  In fact, all the embellishments on her card are included in the kit too...a great value!

Randa's card uses the Wild Wonders stamp set for the main image..adorable!  But she also used the Geometric Background stamp set to create a patterned cardstock piece on the Sunset cardstock.  With just a piece of chocolate grosgrain ribbon for an accent, and a mocha opaque for the giraffe eye.  

Come back to see more!



Monday, August 12, 2013

Announcing the NEW Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book

It's FINALLY here...and all the fabulous new products inside too!

Many of you have already received your copy of the new catalog, but if you haven't, it's still not too late!  Simply contact me, and we can make arrangements to get you a copy of your very own!

Every catalog release, I have a Catalog Celebration party introducing the new product line.  This year was no exception.  We play CTMH Bingo, I give away prizes, we create a project or four, enjoy treats, and the best part is drawing for mystery hostesses!  It's always a BLAST!

This year, I wanted to show as much new product as possible...so we created 4 cards! 

The first card uses the new Huntington papers (love them!) and the new Always Grateful stamp set.  The tree was stamped in 2nd generation Olive ink and the sentiment was stamped directly over in Slate.  I often forget about this technique...but I love the outcome!  The metal flower embellishment is from the new Base & Bling Floral Accents.


The next card is one of my favorites.  It uses an overlay from the new Artbooking Cricut Cartridge...AMAZING!!!  The Artbooking Cartridge is going to change scrapbooking forever!  Ok, back to the card...the overlay is from Artbooking, page 82 (Overlay, <AllBoy>, cut at 4-1/2") from black cardstock.  Each strip behind the overlay is cut at 1/2" x 4-1/2" from the new Laughing Lola papers.  The middle images were also cut from Artbooking page 82 (Photo Mat 1, shift <Football>) at 3" for the purple, 2-3/4" for the black and 2-1/2" for the white cardstock.  The stamped images are from the new All the Details stamp set (so versatile).  The base of the card was cut from Lagoon CS at 5"x 10" with top fold.  The embellishments are Teal Jewels and Sparkle Flourishes-Small.


This card uses the new Babycakes papers, and I added the Lagoon cardstock to change the feel of the papers.  The stamp images are from the new Love This stamp set, and the sentiment is from the new Holiday Tags stamp set (perfect for home-made gift tags!)  I love how the poppy flowers really 'pop' off the card!  I also used the new Bronze Shimmer Trim for some added bling, and the center of the flowers uses the new ProPlayer Assortment embossed metal badge buttons.


Finally, can you tell I'm excited about the hexagons on Artbooking!  This card is overloaded with hexagons!  I used the new hexagon B&T Duo paper from ProPlayer, a hexagon image border from Artbooking page 66 (Border, <l>, cut at 5"), the new hexagon irresistables,  and the happy birthday sentiment is from the new mini stamps Heartfelt Birthday Wish, and finally accessorized using the new Slate Striped Twist Ties (who would of thunk it!).   I stamped the birthday sentiment twice, the top half first in Ruby ink, then without stamping, inked the bottom portion in Outdoor Denim.  When you do this technique, just make sure you start with the lightest color first, so you don't contaminate your lighter color stamp pad.  There is a great masculine feel to this card.  Overall size is 6x6 from Slate Cardstock (cut at 6"x12" and folded in half).


I have SO MUCH new artwork to show you, so make sure you come back soon to check it all out!