Instalife for mini albums and so much more.

The Close to My Heart Instalife collection is perfect for celebrating special events, capturing the memories of the day and even creating cards and gifts. 

Our current Seasonal Expression catalog features the City Limits Instalife Cards and the Black & White mini album. 

Z3199

Z3206

On  Thursday May 26th, I am hosting a  Father's Day mini album class using the City Life cards and the mini folio album for $18.  Just add photos of dad and you will have a great keepsake. 

The items above as well as the items for the class will be retiring on April 30th.  Order yours before then so you don't miss out on these cute ideas. 

And for more Instalife inspiration, take a look at this cute video from our home office. 




Happy Scrapping,
Michele

Baby I'm Worth It

This month I am celebrating two BIG events.  First, it is my 14th year as a consultant with Close to My Heart.  Second, the Baby I'm Worth It campaign.

Although I am not officially part of the blog hop this evening, I wanted to share my story with you and get you connected to the blog hop so you can see how inspiring and fun it is to be a part of the Close to My Heart family. 

For me, there are so many reasons!  This layout lists just a few:  Family, Creativity, Travel, Challenge and Friends.  

Being a consultant means that I can make creativity (which is therapeutic) a priority. Having access to all the goods at a discount makes me even happier!  At first, I was just a hobbyist but then I realized I could make a bit more money if I was willing to step out of my comfort zone just a bit and share what I have learned with others.  Then, there was an opportunity to earn a Mediterranean Cruise in 2008.  I took the challenge and made it happen.  Since then I have earned a trip to Costa Rica and am working on a trip to Puerta Vallarta.  Whether you want a discount, a little extra income or an all inclusive FREE vacation, CTMH has a place for you!

What about you?  What is your story?  Who do you enjoy sitting down with for creative time?  What are your favorite products?  Are you a patterned paper lover?  Do acrylic stamps make you smile?  Would a few extra dollars help your family budget?  Have you ever been curious about Close to My Heart?

Close to My Heart is offering webinars just for you!  Wait til you meet Kristina and she shares all the great information with you.  She will put a spark in you!  You can't be helped to be inspired.  And after the webinars, I am available to chat with you, either online or by phone to answer your specific questions.

Thursday, April 14, 7:00 pm MDT
Saturday, April 23, 9:00 am MDT
Wednesday, April 27, 7:00 pm MDT

Join the Opportunity calls via phone by calling 1-201-479-4595. To join online, go to http://fuze.me/32464058 a few minutes before the scheduled webinar time. You can also simply go to www.fuze.com or open the Fuze app and enter the meeting ID: 32464058. If you wish to participate online, we encourage you to download the Fuze application beforehand so you can be all set up to enjoy the webinar when it’s time to join.

Now if you want to see the journeys of other sister consultants, move on over to this blog hop starting with Melinda's Blog.  Then hop through the other 15 who are sharing.

When you are done, schedule out some time for you to be creative or give me a call and we can create together.  

Blessings

Michele

FAQ's: Become a Close To My Heart Consultant

I love being a Close To My Heart Consultant! It’s one of the best decisions I ever made, and I want to invite you to join my Team and get in on the fun! But before you do I’m sure you have lots of questions. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions. 

1. Can you tell me more about yourself and your Team?  

Absolutely! 
I am a wife, mother of two girls, and CTMH consultant since 2002.  For me, being a consultant means that I can make being creative (which is therapeutic) a priority. Having access to all the goods at a discount makes me even happier!  At first, I was just a hobbyist but then I realized I could make a bit more money if I was willing to step out of my comfort zone just a bit and share what I have learned with others.  Then, there was an opportunity to earn a Mediterranean Cruise in 2008.  I took the challenge and made it happen.  Since then I have earned a trip to Costa Rica and am working on a trip to Puert Vallarta.  Whether you want a discount, a little extra income or an all inclusive FREE vacation, CTMH has a place for you!

My team of Evergreen Memories is a solid team with a total longevity of over 50 years.  We are small (looking to grow) and mighty group.  I am delighted to say that these women have become my friends and supporters as we have shared many life events together.  They challenge me to grow every day.   Sharing ideas and inspiration, offering workshops and events together, and just having crafty time brings enriches our friendships.

2. What is the cost of the New Consultant Kit, and what comes in it?
The New Consultant kit costs just $75 USD plus tax and shipping, and has a retail value of $205! You receive all the essential business tools you need to get started—in a handy organizer—PLUS $50 in FREE Select Product Credit so you can choose your own creative products. It’s a great value on the tools you need, with free credit toward the fun products you want! 

© CTMH CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
 

3. What discount do I receive as a Consultant?
Consultants receive a minimum base commission of 22%, which can increase up to 35%, depending on monthly sales totals. Consultants can also earn up to $75 in FREE select product credit every single month, which really adds up! When you decide to build a Team, your earning potential is even greater!
This chart outlines the commission (or discount) and Select Product Credit (SPC) you receive based on monthly commissionable sales. Personal Sales

4. As a new Consultant, can I earn free products?

Yes! You are immediately eligible for the Straight To The Top Program, with the chance to earn exclusive products in your first 90 days. There are three levels in the program, with rewards given at each level based on your personal sales. If you reach all three levels by the deadline dates, you will receive the following free products: three exclusive business builder stamp sets, an adorable “On the Go” bag, a trendy heart dangle, a Close To My Heart logo t-shirt, and a bonus for hitting all three levels which is an organizer filled with $150 in free products! 

5. As a Consultant, can I have a party and be my own hostess?
Absolutely! Close To My Heart has a very generous Hostess Rewards program for hostesses, and you are welcome to be your own hostess and earn even more free products! How awesome is that?! 
 

6. What are the sales requirements for Consultants?
To remain an active Consultant you must submit $300 in sales per calendar quarter. You are not required to meet the sales requirements during your first quarter; this is considered a grace period to allow you additional time to get your business up and running. The first quarter you would be required to meet the minimum sales requirements is the next quarter after you sign up. 

7. What is a calendar quarter?
Our calendar quarters are a period of three consecutive months, beginning in January. There are four quarters per year, as follows:
Quarter 1: January – March Quarter 2: April – June Quarter 3: July – September Quarter 4: October – December 

8. Do I have to build a business?
You have the opportunity to build any size of business you choose, but you don’t have to. Many Consultants buy the products at a discount for their personal use. You are welcome to simply enjoy the discount, or choose to earn income by selling to friends and family. It’s completely up to you! 

9. Am I required to keep an inventory of products?
No. We recommend ordering products as you and your customers need them, rather than investing lots of money up front. This means you can begin a home-based business for very little start-up cost! It’s one of the most affordable business models in the world.

10. What training is available for new Consultants?
Close To My Heart offers all the training you will need! They have business videos, product videos, training courses, Start With Heart newsletters with step-by-step instructions for new Consultants, a Listening Library of recorded conference calls from industry experts, Consultant bulletin boards for artwork ideas, and more. They also offer pre-designed projects and workshops you can use to create beautiful layouts and cards. You can contact me with any questions as well! With my help, the Home Office resources, our Team’s resources, and our incredible community of Consultants, you will never be without help. 

11. Does Close To My Heart offer events?
Absolutely! They host a fabulous annual Convention which is full of product reveals, artwork inspiration and business training. They also offer an assortment of local events, leadership meetings, Album Retreats, and more. In addition to these incredible events, you also have the opportunity to earn our awesome annual incentive trip for you and a guest—free! 

12. How much does it cost to have a website?
Every Consultant is given a personal website free of charge! This is a professionally designed and maintained e-commerce site that is a terrific benefit of being a Consultant with Close To My Heart. Your friends and customers can place orders through your website 24 hours a day, and their orders will be shipped directly to their home. And the best news is that you earn commission on these orders. It’s that easy! 

13. Can I accept credit card payments for orders from customers?
What fees will I incur?
On orders placed through your free Consultant website (called your Online Business Address, or OBA), customers can use Visa, MasterCard, or Discover to pay for their orders. There is no charge for you to accept these payment forms. Additionally, you can accept these same credit cards as payment for orders you enter through our normal Order Entry system. Again, there is absolutely no charge for you to do so! 

14. How do I sign up?
Go to my website to sign up. It’s quick and easy—it takes less than five minutes. Copy and paste my website address below into your internet browser. This will bring you directly to my website. Once there, select the tab that says “What We Do”, and then selection “Be a Consultant”.
My website address:  MRowley.CTMH.com
Once you sign up you’ll be sent your New Consultant Kit right away. Please remember that if you have previously been a CTMH Consultant, the approval process may take a few days. You will receive an email notification as soon as your application is processed. 

15. Which credit cards do you accept as payment for my enrollment?
Close To My Heart accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover. They have a secure, encrypted website to keep your private data safe. 

16. How long will it take to receive my kit?
New Consultant kits usually ship within 1-2 days of receiving your online application. When it ships you will receive a FedEx Tracking number so you can track your package. 

Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions. I would love to have you join my Team! Whatever your motivation for signing up, you are welcome here. I look forward to working with you!

Website address: MRowley.CTMH.com
Phone number: 206-697-4373
Social media:https://www.facebook.com/EvergreenMemories/   AND  http://evergreenmemoriesandart.blogspot.com/

Brand New Consultant Kit

Close to My Heart is always trying to make it faster, simpler and easier for you to be a successful consultant and they have done it again.  The consultant kit for April 2016-June 2016 has catalogs and business supplies you need to get started PLUS $50 in select product credit (SPC) to build a kit that works best for you!  Are you a hobbyist, scrapbooker, cardmaker, or business builder.  You can use that $50 in SPC to create the kit that fits your goals. 

It will all still come beautifully wrapped and in a medium organizer and the kit cost is $75.  

Here's the Special!

When you sign up during the month of April and sell $350 in product within 30 days, you will also get to choose the Cricut cartridge of your choice OR another $100 in SPC to continue to have resources for your hobby or business.  In addition, at the $250 in sales, you will get 3 "crafting girl" stamp sets that are only available for new consultants who meet this goal. 

I am excited to share this opportunity with you and help you create dreams and goals you may have. 

Don't quit your daydream!
Michele

Life is worth it!

I never thought I would be celebrating 14 years with this company.  Yes, I signed up, thinking I would get a discount for a few months and then be done.  Well, if this is what you call done, then it has been worth it. 

This month, Close to My Heart is offering a special opportunity to see if getting a discount, earning a bit of income and/or traveling on their dime is worth it.  Not to mention rewarding friendships, creative time and online and personal training! 

Here's a short video that shares the heart of this company. 



If you would like to learn more about this special or know someone who might want to, I would love to hear from you!

Dream a little,

Michele

Life in Pictures: Stamp of the month Blog Hop

 I am back on the blog hop this month and happy to share artwork with this fun set.  If you have arrived here from Paige's Blog...you are on the right track to follow all the way through and see the great consultant artwork.  After you have visited here, you will be hopping on over to Helen's Blog and see what she has created and continue on through the hop.

 I am in love with this unique set of stamps featuring the evolution of the camera!  Now, we just use our phones!  What kind of camera was your first camera? 

Capturing our memories with photos is a special way to celebrate the many adventures we have with family and friends.   Along with the Regatta paper, I used these stamps to create cards as well.  I love the ombre look of this paper in Regatta so I used the watercolors to color my Polaroid camera. 

Cameras are often clicking away during birthday celebrations so why not send birthday greetings to someone with cameras?  

Now remember, you can get these stamp sets during the month of April and with a qualifying purchase you can get this set for $5.  If you do not have a Close to My Heart consultant, you can shop on my website here.

Now remember, you will be traveling on to Helen's Blog to see what she has created.

Enjoy the hop,
Michele

Keep calm and color on!

Many of you have seen the adult coloring books on shelves in the craft stores.  Adult coloring is a newer trend but it can take you back to calm, peaceful place.  I found this article, 10 Therapeutic Benefits of Coloring and I thought it summed up what I have been feeling, seeing and hearing as I have enjoyed time to color.

I have always found paper crafting therapeutic and want to share some calm relaxing color time with you so I am starting a "coloring club".  Coloring with the Shin Han markers creates vibrant pieces of artwork that you can use to create cards, postcards, or even elements for a scrapbook page or home decor.

You can join the club and collect all the Shin Han markers sold by CTMH or you can just join us for an evening of coloring.

For $30 per month, you will receive:

• 4 Shin Han markers
• Archival or Momento black ink will be included one month
• Pre-stamped coloring pages
• Card bases and envelopes to create 4-6 cards
• Use of my stamp sets at the club time
• Instruction on fun techniques to try including shading, blending, pointillism, and layering
• After completion of the club, $25 in free CTMH products.  

You can join us here locally OR you can start your own coloring club.  I will supply you with the materials and Skype in with techniques and instructions.

If you already own the Shin Han Markers and want to join us, RSVP and for $5, I will provide the pre-stamped coloring pages, card bases and instruction techniques.

Our first coloring night will be in my home in Bothell, on Thursday April 7th.  We will then meet every first Thursday of the month through September.  I will recommend a marker selection for each meet up and through out the times, you will collect them all.

RSVP by March 28th so I can have your supplies for you!

Keep calm and color on!
Michele

Regatta Scrapbook Workshop and More

The blues fading into red, the anchors, the bows, the flowers.  So much potential to capture your memories and and celebrations.

 I used the Regatta Workshops Your Way, G1105, the super cute stamp set Beach Days D1684 and thanks to Tina Lovell for the sketches, I created four double page layouts! 

 Adventure

 Explore

 Happy Place

Nothing Better

Which memories would you scrapbook on these pages?  Join me for a workshop or crop time to create these layouts.  Dates are listed in my calendar of events.  Or, you and your friends can gather together and I would love to walk you through, creating these pages for your scrapbooks.  

Happy Scrapping,

Michele

March Stamp of the Month and Stampaganza

March brings us some peeks at Spring and a special offer you don't want to miss.  Make sure you read to the bottom of this post to get the scoop.

Sunshine birdies is a whimsical stamp set that you can use many different ways!  

Are you into the adult coloring book trend?  Stamp these birds and butterfly in a random fashion all over a white sheet of cardstock, color in with your favorite medium, then cut them apart into sections that you can use to create handmade cards. 

What is your favorite coloring medium?  We have a selection of options you can use. 

• Watercolor pencils
• Shin Han Markers
• Blending pen and ink pad
• Watercolors paints

Although I was not able to participate in the blog hop this month, you can start at Melinda's blog and hop through to see what the consultants have created with this set. 

STAMPAGANZA is BACK!  

One of your all time favorite Close to My Heart Specials is here for March.  Buy 2 stamp sets and get 1 free.  You can save up to $29.95, you can order as many sets of three as you like and you will get the lowest priced stamp set(s) for FREE. 

Here is how it works.  

• Read the details here. 
• You can shop on my website  (shipping is $4.95) or contact me personally.   
• You can see all the new stamp sets HERE.  
• Don't forget we still have deep discounts of products in the clearance section, only available with website order.  
• One last reminder.  All the stamp sets in the Spring Seasonal Expressions will retire on April 30th.  You can see the catalog here.  Don't miss out on your favorite.  

I look forward to sharing inspiration and tips with you this month.
Michele

Blog Hop: Share the Love

During this month, CTMH is Sharing the Love!  That is the love of a sweet smile!  Close To My Heart will also donate $7 USD of the proceeds from The Share the Love stamp set to Operation Smile™, an amazing organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates for children all over the world!  And you are here to see the fine talents of many different consultants who have created with this special stamp set.

If you have arrived here from Haley's Blog then you are on the right track.  When you have finished here, you are welcome to hop on over to Priscilla's Blog to see her creative work.  

Isn't this set adorable?  Am I the only one who starts singing the Adele song when I see that cute little "hello" speech bubble?

So I created a really fun project, inspired by Tina Lovell.  These 10 cards, 2 each of 5 designs fit perfectly in the Designer Creations cupcake box, with 10 3x3 envelopes and the cards peek out the window with a sweet peek.

As you can see I added a bit of the Cranberry Fundamental assortment to give them a little sparkle. 

Remember, this month, you can "Share the Love" and help create a smile!  Order the stamp set from your CTMH consultant or visit my website here. 

Hop on over to Priscilla's Blog now and see what sweet thing she has created. 

Smiles,
Michele