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.

Family Rings

My mom had rings from her grandmother and her mother. There was a time when she could not wear them because of the radiation therapy she was receiving so I asked if I could wear them. I told her that when she wanted to wear them again, I would give them back. Well, I loved my grandmother's rings and when it was time to give them back, parting with them was more difficult than I thought. Mom suggested that we trade rings each time we saw each other, and so we both would get to enjoy the rings. It became a very sweet tradition over the past five years. When she passed away last fall, I got to keep the rings and wearing them has wonderfuly memories of both my grandmother and my mom.



This page commemorates the family rings and the exchange we made when we were together. I used the Silhouette creative basics paper packet to express my sentiments of celebration. (X5803 creative basics, x7090A, x7090B, and x7090c for My Reflections Kits) This is another paper packet that has been a staple to my CTMH scrapbooking and paper crafting. And this paper pack will be around for another year! If you are working on heirloom, wedding, or black and white photos, this paper offers a sweet display.

You can order this and other products on my website or email for more information.

Life's Delights

The paper packet Life's Delights has been a staple in the CTMH selection since Autumn 2007. I have used it here to decorate this journal and made many other crafts and scrapbook pages with this set. This paper packet is scheduled to retire in December 2009 and is available while supplies last. If this is a staple for your crafting, you will want to order soon. ( x7089A, x7089B, and x7089C).

Stamp sets used with this set include Playful Petals c1288.

You can shop on my website or email me for more information.

Thanks-a-bration Starts Today

Close to My Heart and I want to thank you for your business and support! I love what I do and CTMH corporate office loves making it possible! As a way of saying thanks, when you place a $100 order between August 3-17, you will not only get the stamp of the month free, but also a free paper packet and free shipping and tax on the free products. What a way to say thanks. To take advantage of this offer, you can shop on my website or email me with an order.

The photos need polishing but...

This is a sneak peak at some of the new products to be released in the Fall 2009 CTMH Idea book. Truly just a peak because I want to surprise you at my open house with all the new news. New stamp set, paper packets, and embellishments galore. I look forward to sharing more with you August 20th, 6:30 p.m. RSVP today!

It's Your Day: August Stamp of the Month

It’s the perfect time to party! Use these versatile words and images to celebrate the
best days of your year.
Available August 1–31, 2009 only. You buy it for $22.95, earn it at a discount or get it for free! Just ask me how!

For more great artwork, follow the blog hop beginning on Jena's website. You will see artwork from consultants around the country and their creativity at work with this stamp set. Then check back here and see what I have made.

Close to My Heart Leadership

This fabulous lady next to me is Jeanette Lynton, founder and CEO of CTMH. In October, I went on a Mediterranean cruise with several consultants and their families. We had all earned the cruise as a special gift from Jeanette. And, she spoiled us with showers of gifts while on the cruise as well! It was unbelievable. In addition, Jeff and I were on the ship, on our 20th anniversary. I was so happy to celebrate with him!

Well, tomorrow I leave for the CTMH Leadership conference in Long Beach CA. And again, I will be spoiled by CTMH. We begin with a Create and Take Thursday p.m. with new Fall/Winter product. Then the new Fall 2009 idea book will be revealed on Friday morning with the opportunity to buy bundles of product at 30% off. In addition to this we will have luncheons, crop time, business classes, and most of all, time together!

Just a reminder, you can be spoiled by CTMH this month! When you sign up as a consultant for only $99, in addition to the $218 retail of product you will get in the kit, you can choose from a list of FIVE favorites to add to your kit for free...no extra tax or shipping. There are also additional add ons to the kit. A scrapbooking kit for $60 ($180 retail of product) and/or a cardmaking kit for $50 ($150 retail of product). If you have ever thought of becoming a consultant to get the discount, make it a career or anywhere in between, now is the time to be spoiled!

You can sign up, even while I am gone. Go to my website and Your Opportunity and follow the "road" to wonderful opportunities to be spoiled!