Fall is coming with Grace

The Grace paper packet is rich with earth tones. I was surprised how well it worked for these water photos. This layout is featured in the "workshop on the go" kit from Close to My Heart. The kit includes a 22 piece paper packet, a stamp set (flourish images) only available in the kit, a set of Rustic Edge Anchors, and a trifold brochure with a new patterns for layouts and cards. the kit has a retail value of $33.85 but is sold for $29.95. It is only available through Dec 31, 2009. Contact me for details on how you can earn this kit for half price!

More Studio J News

Close to My Heart Consultants including myself have been waiting patiently (?) to have the opportunity to be the first to use the new online scrapbook design software. The latest and greatest from Jeanette. YOU could also be one of the first to use this software.

When you sign up to be a consultant in October 2009, you will have access to the CTMH consultant website and the opportunity to begin using the software. And it gets better, if you are a consultant, you will get a 22% discount, base commission, on your orders.

Can it get even better? Yes it can! As a new consultant, when you achieve Straight to the Top, our business building starter, you get 10 FREE Studio J layouts. This is in addition to the current rewards a STTT achiever earns.

Watch this video to see what Studio J is all about.

If you are interested in having early access to this new scrapbooking product, contact me to talk about becoming a consultant.

If you are interested in learning more about Studio J and how you can use it as a customer, contact me for my schedule of information groups.

I look forward to sharing this super simple, fun new product with you!

Jingle All The Way

Each month I host a "team time" workshop for consultants on my team and those I have adopted. This month we decided to do a card swap. It is so much fun to see the creative ideas these ladies came up with from the parameters I gave them: colors of the Jingle My Reflection Kit and a current holiday stamp set. Wow! They are beautiful! Thanks ladies for sharing your ideas!

Created by Cindy N.

Created by Barb L.

Created by Tracie C.

Created by Jessica B.

Hurry! September Stamp of the Month: Treasures

It's not too late to get this unique, versatile and beautiful stamp set of 13. Purchase price is $22.95 but you can get it for a discount or even for free. Below is some of my artwork using this stamp set. If you would like to see more, follow the blog hop to view over 45 pieces of consultant artwork using this stamp set.

Family Cabin Time

This summer we spent a week at our cabin and different family groups came and went through out the week. Cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, and lots of fun! Once more, Twitterpated was the paper packet of choice! This layout was inspired by a consultant on our corporate website. (I apologize but I can't find your name.) I love all the ideas these ladies share. Enjoy!

5th Grade

With a little extra time on the first day of school, great outdoor lighting, a cooperative child and a fairly decent digital camera, I was able to get some wonderful First Day of School photos. When I saw them, I knew the perfect paper to show them off. Enjoy another Twitterpated Layout using chocolate ribbon rounds (Z1127), natural hemp (Z280), Simple Numbers Chipboard (Z1115) and Poster Board Alphabet (E1014).

Introducing Studio J

One of the most exciting times during our Leadership Conferences and Conventions are when Jeanette shares the results of one of her BHAG's. We all wondered what BHAG stands for as you are probably doing so now. Big Hairy Audacious Goal. Well Studio J™ had been in the making for three years and you are going to love it and the possibilities is brings.

What is it? Studio J™ is free online design software that Close to My Heart will be releasing in the Spring of 2010. It will allow you to create custom-printed two-page layouts you put in your albums. There is no software to purchase and install; instead, you will simply log in to Studio J on my website and start designing your layouts! You can create and immediately purchase your layouts, or you can save them for later completion and purchase.

All Studio J patterns are two-page layouts, chosen from Cherish™ and Imagine™, with additional combinations forthcoming from Reflections®. The initial launch of Studio J will include 25 layout patterns that can be swapped and rotated for even more variety. You will be using the products you love in an creative, online format.

We got to see the program in action and it is amazing. I want to share a sample with you. I am planning information nights about this new product. Watch for the dates in my newsletters and here.

To get a preview of this product, watch this video.

Grown With Love

More art using this stamp set. This is a page in my All Sorts Album (Z1224). It has six chipboard pages with 5 different designs. It can also be integrated with pages of the Acrylic Mini Album. The measurements are 6 1/4 x 7. The photos of our cabin trip with my dad and his wife enjoying the grandkids will make an memorable Christmas gift for them. Shhh.

Wedding Album!

No, not my own. My wedding photos are still in the proof album we bought and the negatives are somewhere in the closet. We will be celebrating our 21st anniversary in October. I should be doing something about that! But, for the time being, I am working on an album for my sister's best friend who is getting married in a couple of weeks. I had a lot of fun putting together these few pages but I can't wait until after the wedding and get the photos on these pages and create more. It will be fun to work together on it.

The paper packet is Silhouette ( X7090B & C) with the Love Letters Rub Ons (Z1098). This classic paper kit is due to be a selection on Studio J.

More Twitterpated Artwork

I have loved this owl stamp set since it came out last fall. Although I have played with it several times, I was inspired by Christine Adams to create this card. And, I like it! Another card to make at the September workshops.

Attending September Workshops?

This card was make with the new stamp set, Grown with Love (D1372). You can "dress" this tree for any occasion. I am looking forward to many cards and page using this tree! For more ideas, browse the Fall/Winter 09 Idea Book. RSVP by today to attend any of the September workshops! Hope to see you there!

Many Thanks

This card was inspired by Katrina Sikora. I used the stamp rolling technique to get the multicolored leaf. I love this technique for fall leafs. So easy! This card will be one you can make at my September workshops. Take a look at the calendar and see which workshop you would like to attend.

Interupting the "Twitterpated" art for a commercial

On September 18th at 7 p.m., I am hosting a workshop to create a write & erase board. This is a fun way to decorate an item you may use in your home on a daily basis. The class fee is $5 and you bring your own frame! Let me know if you want to join us, please RSVP by September 10th.

Twitterpated...All week long

My upcoming workshops will feature the new paper pack Twitterpated. I love the diversity of scrapbook and card themes that will work with this paper. If you haven't seen it yet, click on the idea book on the right hand side and you can browse on my website. Also, if you liked colors of the spring paper, Unforgettable, you will also like Twitterpated as it has a similar color scheme. Sorbet, Sweet Leaf, Chocolate, and Crystal Blue. Very pretty.

My workshop weekend is September 18th -20th. Take a look at the calendar on my website for the workshop details and then RSVP for your space by September 10th.

Here are some photos of the layout we will make at the scrapbook workshops. I have since added some journaling and more embellishments...but that will be a surprise for you! Enjoy!

Everyday Celebration: More Up Close Views

Here are four more cards up close. The colors are brighter in person. Hmm...what is happening with my camera?

Faster, Simpler, Easier

Or FSE as we at Close to My Heart say. The card kit special this month is truly FSE. I took the kit, some adhesive, paper piercer, acrylic blocks and paper trimmer on our trip to Esperanza in early August. I found a small table space in our sleeping quarters and I was able to put together all 16 cards. Through out the week, during my down time, I would sit down and work on the project. First, I cut all the paper needed using the cutting diagram given in the guide. Then, I stamped all the images and distressed the edges of the cut papers as desired. Finally, I pieced together the cards and added the embellishments that were included in the kit. When I was done, I was thrilled with the results! And, I have a new stamp set to use with other papers, a cutting diagram that I can duplicate the card patterns, and I have two new "travel size" inks for my next trip. (We don't sell these small inks but when they come with a special card or scrapbook kits, I keep them in for traveling. It lightens the load!)

Want to see them up close?

September is National Stamping Month

Close to My Heart is giving you 3 ways to get a FREE Everyday Celebration card kit for making 16 beautiful cards!

• Purchase a minimum of $60 in stamp sets (includes A, B, C, D, and E-size) between August 18–September 30
• Host a Home Gathering with minimum sales of $400 between September 1–30. Contact me for a date today.
• Sign up as a new Consultant between September 1–30. Contact me for details today.

You can also buy as many card kits as you’d like for $39.95 per kit.

And there’s more fun!

Place any order between September 1–30 and you’ll be automatically entered in our daily drawing for a FREE card kit! Winners will be announced on MyCTMH website and closetomyheart.com. Express your passion for stamping with this pretty new card kit today!

Welcome the new Close to My Heart Idea Book, Fall/Winter 2009

Sporting a new look, four new paper packets, lots of new stamp sets and embellishments, the new idea book is "live" today! To take a look online, visit my website. To get your hands on a copy, email me for details. To order, shop on my website, 24/7.

August Recap

I intended to blog through out the month of August but here we are, September 1st and I am returning after 3 weeks! Well, those three weeks were filled with lots of fun: new stamp sets, Close to My Heart open house, two vacations, meetings with downline, a vendor fair, and painting my daughter's room. Phew!


These are the two places we visited this month. Absolutely beautiful!

Fish Lake, near Lake Wenatchee.

Nootka Inlet, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

We are home now, getting ready for school to start, attending to the home fires, and enjoying some great memories made this summer.