February 29, 2012

Footloose Scrapbook Workshop

Wow, March came fast and we even had an extra day in February this year.  Well this weekend is my Footloose Scrapbook workshop and I am excited to share one of the four double page layouts we will do!  (Take a look at my calendar below for more details.)

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Taken from the Spring/Summer 2012  Idea Book, page 12 I created this layout with its companion page shown below.  It was so much fun to play with the new product!  The banner was created using the chipboard banners.  These come with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge package or you can purchase them separately here

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I used the cartridge to cut the coordinating banner pieces, letters, stars, tab and rectangle “medallion” shape on the left pages.  The large stars are stamps using the coordinating stamp from the Art Philosophy Cricut package.  Did you know, the package also contains three stamps sets that are only available with the cartridge and are full of coordinating Cricut cuts?   Such a great deal.  And in the month of March, you can get the entire package for FREE as part of your consultant kit.  Read here for more information. 

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I love these photos of my nephew, taken by my SIL.  His eyes are so amazingly clear and he is playing “plant eating dinosaur” as he runs through the sprinkler. 

February 27, 2012

Wow! It couldn't get any better!

Close to My Heart is offering a whopper of a sign up special in March and I am looking for a few good Cricut lovers on my team!  Is that you?


March is a great time to join the fun! When you sign up as a new consultants you will receive a fabulous Cricut® Art Philosophy collection FREE! If you already have a collection, you can choose to receive $100 in select product credit* instead. So, what do you think?  The collection, which retails for $99, is actually valued at over $124, adding incredible value to the New Consultant Kit. It’s time for everyone to embrace the philosophy of fun—Consultant and Cricut® fun!

Dates: Offer valid valid March 1 at 9:00 am (MST) – March 31 at 11:59 pm (MDT).

Here is some more information about this great opportunity.

March is a great time to share Close To My Heart’s philosophy of fun! Add new members to your Team with this great incentive: New Consultants who sign up in March will receive a fabulous Cricut® Art Philosophy collection FREE! If your new Team member already has a collection, they can choose to receive $100 in select product credit* instead. So, begin asking your hostesses, repeat customers, your “maybe some other time” contacts, family, and friends. The collection, which retails for $99, is actually valued at over $124, adding incredible value to the New Consultant Kit. It’s time for everyone to embrace the philosophy of fun—Consultant and Cricut® fun!

Dates: Offer valid valid March 1 at 9:00 am (MST) – March 31 at 11:59 pm (MDT).

For more information, take a look at this video.

Your kit includes all of this


And in March, it also includes this!



Let's get together and talk!  I would love to catch up with you and hear your thoughts about joining the greatest company for scrapbooking, stamping and papercrafting!  Contact me to schedule a date today and I when we meet or after we talk on the phone, I will send you a handmade gift! 

February 17, 2012

February Studio J Love Your Layout

The new paper packets are now on Studio J.  This month, the video highlights the Stella paper packet and teaches you how to create your background paper using My Stickease. 

Before you watch the video, here’s a reminder about the Fabulous Five Special for Studio J during the month of February.  When you purchase one five pack of layouts, you get a second one for FREE.  There is no limit to how many 5 packs you purchase and the 5 packs do not expire so you can use them when you want or give them as gifts throughout the year!  You can purchase your 5 packs here or contact me.  You can see the flyer with details here

And now for the video.

February 15, 2012

Mini Banner: Time for Tea

One of the new products in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book is a mini chipboard banner and it made a great decoration for my Sip & See Tea.  It contains a variety of shapes and all of them can be cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge making assemble faster, simpler and easier!  (Each piece is 4” long for your cutting reference.)

I inked the edge of each piece, before adhering the paper,  using a sponge and grey wool reinker.  This was a tip shared by Karen Pedersen and it made the inking so fast.  You can see the step by step assembly process below.

 

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I put reinker on my palette from the distressing kit and then used the sponge to ink the edges.  (Just a note, the distressing kit will not be available after this Idea Book season.  Get yours before it is retired!)

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After sponging off the ink on scrap paper, I sponged the edge of the shapes cut using the Cricut.

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I sponged the Monogram Chipboard letters with the sponge after I colored the edges using a matching marker.  Sweet leaf was the coordinating color for this project.

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I adhered the shapes and then letters to the banner pieces.  Then I colored our new “Color Ready Ribbon” using a sponge dauber and Cotton Candy ink pad.  Use the dauber to hold the ribbon and run it over the ink until you have achieved the desired color.  It dries very quickly and ties easily holding the banner together. 

The flowers that embellish each banner piece were also cut using the AP Cricut cartridge and stamped with with flower from the Lucy Workshop on the Go.  The glitter button is from the Bohemian Assortment.

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The “4” is from the Irresistible Make it Count Numbers Set.  I love the touch it adds to the banner. 

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Hanging in the entrance to the Sip & See Tea Party.

February 13, 2012

Success!

Last weekend I hosted a Sip & See tea party for my customers and their friends to introduce the new Spring Summer 2012 idea book.  I was fun to transform my crop room into a “Tea Room” and treat everyone to a sit down tea.  My daughter was the server and everyone enjoyed themselves as they shopped and sipped.  It was a success!

Below are the photos of the invitations, the small treat everyone received and the entire room.  I was sad that I was so busy I did did not take any photos of the guests!  What was I thinking?  I will post more this week about the decorations I made.

The heart treat box is made from the new Lucy paper packet and the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.  The flowers are also cut from the cartridge and then stamped with coordinating stamps from the Hooray Bouquet and Lucy workshop on the go set.  So much fun!

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February 06, 2012

Studio J Photo Editing

Studio J has a photo editing tool built right in.  You can edit your photos in the photo “library” after you upload them or after you have placed them on your layout.  This month we will work with this tool during our Studio J workshop.  Join me on Monday Feb 13th, 7 p.m. to learn about the photo editing, “practice” with some guidance, and then crop until 9:30 p.m.  Bring your laptop with photos uploaded or on a disc or drive and I will get you hooked up to WIFI. 
Want to learn more about Studio J?  Contact me today

February 04, 2012

Cluster Stamping

Embellish a page or card with a cluster. You can create a clustered look with multiple stamp images for a cute and coordinated design!  The versatility of CTMH clear acrylic stamps is a bonus for your creativity. 

February 03, 2012

It’s a girl!

Yes, both of my children are girls.  Pink was a major color group in my laundry sorting for many years.  Then there was a bit of a revolt but now it seems to be coming back…in a variety of shades from reddish pink and even pink/orange colors.  (In close to my heart terms that is tulip and sorbet!)

I love this video…it helps solve a challenge that I often have because many of my customers have all boys…and my girly stuff just doesn’t cut it.  Watch this video and begin to think out of the box with your stamp sets.  I am looking forward to taking on the challenge!

February 02, 2012

Have you seen the new Idea Book?

Whether you have looked at the book online or have one in your hot little hands, here is a “tour” that might help you find some of the great goodies in the book you may have missed.  Thanks to Sue Laufer, a consultant from Hawaii, for creating this tour for us!  Grab your beverage of choice and relax for a few minutes while you tour Spring and Summer.

Close To My Heart

Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book and Catalog

 

Here are just some of the highlights of this issue:

 

§   EIGHT fresh & fun My Reflections Scrapbooking Kits…something for everyone. There’s bold & flirty Stella, soft & subtle Lucy, Footloose for all your summery beach projects and Victory, Cruisin’ and Super Hero for the guys in your life. pages 14-61

 

  • Over FORTY fun, new stamp sets!

LOWER PRICES on all stamp sets!

All sets are shown at 100%

Stamp images that coordinate with the new Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge are outlined in red

Six Stamp of the Month sets that you’ll want to add to your collection! pages 139-144

 

  • Our exclusive color palette features cardstock, stamp pads, markers & re-inkers. pages 8 & 9

 

  • Our Cricut Art Philosophy exclusive cartridge bundle (pages 12-13) continues to be a top seller. Check out all the new artwork samples created with the cartridge throughout the Idea Book.

 

  • Just in time for spring…our all new My Originals Sweet Surprises Card Kit is here! Create ten 3-D cards perfect for favors, goodies & gifts. Page 123

 

  • Our new and oh so hip Baker’s Twine debuts in two color palettes-Paradise & Neutral. page 124

 

  • Two new My Creations project bases join our line…Milk Cartons and the Bookmark Album. page 131

 

  • You’ll love the additions to our embellishment line. Check out the Paper Shapes, Sparkle Flourishes, Durables & Bottle Caps just to name a few! page 126-128

 

  • Wood embellishments are quite the thing & Close To My Heart has plenty. Check out the Wooden Badge Buttons, the Seaside Wooden Shapes and the Color-Ready Garden Wooden Shapes. pages 125-129

 

  • Studio J is better than ever! Are you ready for a 3-month or 12-month membership? Or take a “test drive” with a Studio J 5-Pack! Check out all the options. page 11

 

  • Are you looking for a new career opportunity or a chance to enjoy paper crafting at a discount? Check out our New Consultant Kit …only $99! Page 4-5 Join my team!

 

All products, including retired and discounted items can be viewed

 by visiting my website www.ctmh.com/mrowley  Click on the Online Shopping link, place your order,

and it will be delivered right to your door. How easy is that?!?!?

Of course, you can still call or email me to place your order too!

 

Need even more ideas and inspiration?

 Be sure to check out my blog www.EvergreenMemoriesAndArt.blogspot.com

for ideas, artwork, tips and giveaways!

 

Michele Rowley Independent Consultant

206-697-4373

Email: michele@therowleys.us

February 01, 2012

It has arrived!

I am talking about the Spring Summer 2012 Idea book!.  It goes live today and you can see it here on my blog.  If you want a real copy, contact me and I we can work out the best way to get a copy to you!
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If you are in the greater Seattle area, you can join me this Saturday to have a personal look at new products, shop at my studio sale table and enjoy a cup of tea.  Here are the details. 
Much more than just tea
at this special Sip & See
Close to my Heart
Tea Party
Saturday, February 4th
10:30 a.m.
Michele Rowley Residence
RSVP 425-398-5410 or by email


While sipping your tea and tasting some treats, I will introduce you to the new Spring/Summer Idea Book from CTMH.
I will also host a studio sale. Purchase new and used stamp sets, paper, embellishments and sample items. Use your money or earn “studio bucks” towards sale items .
Earn your first studio buck with an RSVP and five studio bucks for each friend you bring.
You will have many opportunities to earn more studio bucks during the tea party.