Why I love being a CTMH consultant! Why you will love it too!

I love receiving gifts, the pretty wrapping, the anticipation of unwrapping, and the surprise of what may be inside! I have this little bag and in it I have a toy horse, a luggage tag, and some paint chips. What do these mean? These are items that represent only a few of the "gifts" that I have gotten to do as a result of the extra income I get from my CTMH business.

THE HORSE
My daughter Alli has been a horse lover since she was about 4 years old. As she started taking lessons, I had this urge to live out my childhood dream and learn to ride as well. I began in a "mom's" class at the arena where she was riding. I was able to take lessons for about two years, using my CTMH income. I loved it and although other commitments have taken me out of the arena, I feel very blessed that I know how to ride and care for horses. It's a good thing...Alli will start leasing her own horse in April.

THE LUGGAGE TAG

In the fall of 2008, Jeff and I celebrated our 20th anniversary on board the Norwegian Jewel in the Mediterranean, compliments of CTMH. Yes, I earned that cruise through the incentive program offered by CTMH. The entire trip was a gift of a lifetime. The opportunity to explore the art and history of Italy, the civilization of Pompeii, the beauty of the Amalfi coast and the wonders of Barcelona were amazing. I am so thankful for the gift of experience and celebration on this memorable cruise.

THE PAINT CHIPS

We have lived in our home over 10 years and I have wanted to add some color to the walls. I was able to do so this winter with the CTMH income I saved throughout the summer and fall of 2009. I love the khaki and red colored walls in the living room, the sunny yellow in the bathrooms and the subtle sage green in our bedroom.

You can experience gifts like these as well! From the moment you become a CTMH, you are given access to the consultant website with ideas, training, support and information you will love! Then your kit arrives, for $99, you receive $300 in product! It's like Christmas! And in the month of March, new consultants will also receive the four “stamp of the month” sets from the Summer Idea Book 2010. That means, new stamp sets before even current consultants get them! And it adds another $90 value to the kit.
The gifts don't end there! You receive $25 in product credit when you have $300 in sales in the first month and $125 in product credit when you have $1800 in sales in the first 3 months for a total of $150 in product credit.

WHAT'S NEXT

That is up to me! I can decide what my next goal is and when I want to reach it! You can too!

Contact me if you want more information how you can receive $400 in CTMH product for $99...that is a great gift, full of potential to keep on giving!

New Art & Soul episode

If you haven't had a chance to watch it yet, there is a new episode of Heart & Soul on CTMH TV.  February has flown by so fast I missed posting it on the day it went live.  But, for the wonders of technology, it is still available to view!

This episode features an embossing technique you can’t resist, an overview of our super chic Topstitch papers, and some fun ideas for using our Irresistibles™ alphabet stickers. Plus, Jeanette Lynton shows us a delightful way to use the My Creations™ Cube!

Workshop on the Go Layouts

While Marissa was making cards, I was by her side making the layouts featured in the guide.  I substituted some textured cardstock that is on special this month. 

Workshops on the Go Testimonial

Last weekend I sat down to work on the cards and layouts from the Topstitch Workshop on the Go.  My 10 year old daughter was home and asked if she could help me.  I thought, why not, she has stamped with me before?  The workshop guide gives step by step directions and photos showing how to cut, stamp, and embellish to make the featured cards and layout.  So, I set her to work.  I cut the paper and gave her the pieces with the stamps, inks, and embellishments.  With the exception of a little cutting help, she did all three cards, stamping and embellishing, following the guide.  They turned out amazing!  Now if a 10 year old can do it, so can you. 

Try a workshop on the go for your next project.  For $29.95, you get 22 sheets of paper, cardstock and patterned paper, workshop guide, coordinating stamp set, and embellishments.  Bundled together, this saves you about 10%.  The workshops on the go are available for a limited time and change when a new idea book is released.  They are easy to pick up and take with you because all the supplies are included and any additional tools you need are listed in the guide.  Add photos and you are set! 

Here are the cards Marissa made and you can make too!
 

To order the Topstitch workshop on the go, use number G1005 on my website or contact me to include it in a group order. 

Textured Cardstock: What to do with it! What's the benefit?

As you know, the special for the month is the textured cardstock collections.  I have been playing with this over the past week or so and want to give you some tips and hints!

1.  Use it on cards to dress them up a bit.  It gives simple cards a classier look.

2. You really get two coordinating colors. The "back" of the cardstock is a lighter color than the front.  On this card, I used the back of the baby pink for the bottom strip. 

 3. When you ink the edges, the texture stands out for a great "distressing" effect.

 

4.  Use textured cardstock to cover dimensional elements, it adds even more dimension.

More techniques to come in a future post.  Stay tuned!

Hearts for Haiti: What will $2 buy in Haiti

Our hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, and like so many of you, we're eager to help. And helping has never been easier!

For only $14.95, you get two packs of 12" x 12" textured cardstock (a great deal at about $.30/$.36 per sheet!) and Operation Smile will receive $2 US to benefit the urgent, important cause in Haiti.
Email me to order your paper today and or visit my website. Stock up on every color combination.

• X5747 Basic
• X5681 Spring Harmony
• X5745 Summer Celebration
• X5669 Autumn Harvest
• X5670 Winter Cozy

What does $2 buy in Haiti?

» Collapsible water containers ($2 per container): Each container holds 10 liters amount of water and is especially useful for kids carrying water for long distances to ensure that all their water doesn't spill en route from their water supply. It is also very useful for storing clean, safe water for everyday use.
» Water purification tablets (60 cents for 50 tablets): Each tablet is able to turn 4-5 liters of dirty water into water suitable for drinking. Every day, 4,000 children worldwide die because they do not have access to clean water, according to UNICEF.

» High energy/protein biscuits ($1 per pack): These contain minerals and vitamins and have been developed for malnourished children during emergencies.

» Oral rehydration salts (7 cents for one package): This solution, containing sugar and salt, treats children suffering from dehydration caused by diarrhea. Approximately 3,500 children die each day from dehydration caused by acute diarrhea, according to UNICEF.

A wedding gift on the Veranda: Faster, Simpler and Easier!

This past weekend I attended a wedding shower for a friend.  I really wanted to make a gift for her but started a little late.  I made the card first, figuring I could shop from her registry if I needed too.  The paper spoke for itself so I added a sentiment, some ribbon, brads, and a butterfly from the Just Blooms and was very satisfied with the finished product. 

Then, I started making a keepsake box.  I used the My Creations Memory Keeper and covered it with the Veranda paper.  I used Modge Podge to glue the paper to the box (but did not Modge Podge over the paper as this causes lots of wrinkling).  Again, I finished this box very quickly because the beautiful, coordinating paper made it easy.  I was pleased with this special place to keep wedding mementos and a place for a photo on the front. 

Do I have time to do another project for my gift?  Full confession here.  I wasn't sure I could add to it so as we were out running errands, we bought a gift card to compliment the treasure box.  Then, we came home and I discovered I had a couple of hours in the evening so I delved into a 9x9 Accordian Album which fits perfectly in the memory keeper.  Using some inspirational artwork from another consultant, I started and completed this album.  Close to My Heart...Faster, Simpler, Easier!  And it was such a delight to see her appreciation for my gift, knowing I had made it, coordinated the papers to match her wedding colors, and had so much fun! 

February Stamp of the Month: Piece of Cake

Every month, 50-70 Close to My Heart Consultants participate in a blog hop to share their artwork using the stamp of the month.  It is an awesome journey, full of inspiration!  This month is no exception.  Grab your favorite drink, sit down and enjoy this delicious visual treat!  Start here at Jena's blog.  Then contact me or visit my website to get your hands on this great set. 

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