New Annual Inspirations and Holiday Expressions catalogs are here!

They're here!

The new Idea Books are live - check out the link to see the books online. There are two! The Annual Inspirations will be available all year while the Holiday Expressions is available until December 31st. Lots and lots of new goodies to play with! I can't wait to share with you everything I've been working on with these great new products. 

Use the September party link on my website to be entered to win the Hostess Credits - any order made on my website until 9/29/15 will be entered to win!

Fall Open House!!!

Hey All!!!!

I am so excited - it's almost here!!!

During August, you've seen lots of sneak peeks from the new Annual Inspirations from Close to My Heart and the wait is almost over! I will be having my Fall Open House on September 1st and 2nd so you can see all the goodness yourself!

Arriving September 1st - Close to My Heart 2015 Annual Inspirations

Tuesday, September 1st from 6:30 - 8:30pm and Wednesday, September 2nd from 10am to noon.

I'm still in the planning stages but there will be prizes and projects and incentives galore! Stay tuned for more information. :)

August Stamp of the Month

With the introduction of the new Annual Inspirations, CTMH has changed how they do the Stamp of the Month program, which mostly affects consultants but you the customer get to benefit from it too.

In the past, consultants could only purchase the stamp of the months ahead of time with a large prepaid order of Idea Books. Not always easy for the little guys (like me) to be able to work ahead. Used to be, we could order a SOTM one month prior but we'd have to pay full retail price for it. Still not something a little guy (like me) could do. These are the two reasons you rarely saw SOTM projects from me - because I was purchasing them, like you, with my orders, usually at the end of the month.

However, that is in the past!!! Did you see the first few pages of the Annual Inspirations? All 12 SOTM sets are shown!!!!! That's right - you can see what the next twelve special stamp sets are going to be and plan your purchases accordingly! And - they are only $5 with a qualifying order! Seriously - this is a game changer for me! And here's the proof:

An August Stamp of the Month Card!!

Chalk It Up paper pack with August SOTM & ShinHan alcohol markers

I used Chalk It Up paper pack for the background and mat then stamped the images on White Daisy cardstock using the Archival Black stamp pad and let it dry overnight. I used the new ShinHan alcohol markers in Marigold, Golden Yellow and Barely Beige on the belly of the owl and the pumpkin (top) and Carmine for the mask that was stamped in Ruby ink. The feathers of the owl, I used Warm Gray 7, Warm Gray 4 and Clay.

Chalk It Up paper pack with August SOTM & ShinHan alcohol markers

 I wanted to compare the new ShinHan alcohol markers to the water-based markers of the past and you can tell the difference in the photo above. I used the same marking technique on both pumpkins but you can tell how much better the alcohol markers blend together as you color.

Chalk It Up paper pack with August SOTM & ShinHan alcohol markers

 I wanted to see what else I could color with the new markers, so I did the white enamel stars and the puffy prints from the Chalk It Up accessories. Cute!

This was a super fun project as I was able to experiment (successfully) with new products to show you how cute the Stamp of the Month is and how versatile the Chalk It Up paper pack is.

Check back on August 10th as I will be participating in the Joyful Stars Blog Hop with another Chalk It Up scrapbook layout I created.

Annual Inspirations Blog Hop: Chalk It Up layout

Welcome to the New Product Blog Hop featuring projects made from the New Annual Inspirations catalog from Close to My Heart!

I chose to re-work the Chalk It Up Workshop on the Go so there was no stamping or Cricut cutting. I usually only get to work when the kids are in bed so I needed an option that was fast and quiet! :)

I actually feel on top of things by making this layout for my son's first day of first grade coming up in a few short weeks (seriously, where did this summer go?!?!?)

You can check out two more versions of this layout - one with stamping and Cricut cutting and one with just stamping in the WOTG kit - talk to your consultant for more information.

I'll be posting more layouts I made with Chalk It Up throughout the month so I hope you stop back!

Enjoy hopping!

Open House tomorrow & Friday

Just a reminder that tomorrow and Friday is my Open House where I will be sharing with you my new favorite products and projects out of the new Annual Inspirations catalog from Close to My Heart.

Here are a few specials - just from me - just for attending:

• A free gift just for you plus your own copy of the Annual Inspirations catalog
• A free M-sized stamp set with your order (up to $50)
• A free stamp set of your choice with your order ($50.01-100) 
• A free paper pack of your choice with your order (over $100)
• Plus additional discounts on my Cash & Carry items

Stop by tomorrow, Thursday 7/31 from 4-7pm or Friday, 8/1 from 7-9pm to join in the fun!

July Stamp of the Month

This is a fun stamp set that I had to share with you!

I don't usually go head-over-heels for a Stamp of the Month (though I regularly collect them!) but this one is special enough that I wanted to point it out - it's an alphabet!

I love alphabet sets - I own every one available since I became a consultant. They are so versatile and  easy to make any size title, phrase or just to personalize notecards, envelopes, etc. I even use them to make personalized labels for my kids (using Archival Ink).

This is a fun alphabet too, I imagine I will use this on a lot of home decor items for my daughter and niece, it just fits their personalities!

The stamp set includes both upper case and lower case letters and numbers!

Here's the deal: You will need to place a $50 order (before tax and shipping) then you will be able to add this stamp set for an additional $5. This is a great way to get your retiring items and anything you want that will have a price increase soon. (Check out my other post for more information on this)

Also, since it is my birthday, I will extend the party all weekend... Any orders this weekend (until 7/13/14 at midnight) will be entered to win an exclusive grab bag of brand new product! Any size order qualifies for this deal so hurry over to my website - but don't forget the stamp of the month, retired items or items that may be increasing in price.

July News

There is so much that happens in July that I have a hard time keeping up - it's like Christmas for me ... I jump from one thing to another just trying to keep up with all that has to get done. There are birthdays galore (6 birthdays, including mine and my husband's), it's the start of CTMH's new year (meaning a new Idea Book and a year's worth of class/workshop planning and an Open House to plan and create for), plus all the normal summer stuff (we have three vacations this year plus me going to DisneyLand for CTMH's convention) then you throw into the mix our church's vacation bible school planning and the "normal" daily stuff: like going to the pool, playdates and of course we can't forgot actual, good old fashioned WORK! It really is a wonder that our summer goes so fast! I enjoy every minute of it but I want to take a moment to remember you too!

Since CTMH has announced a new Annual Inspirations catalog (available Aug. 1st), there has also been a retired list for items that didn't make into the next year's catalog. Along with the retired list, some eagle-eyed consultants have shared some items that are continuing into the new Annual Inspirations but at a higher price. Because I value you, I want you to be aware of both lists.

CTMH products retiring July 31, 2014
For a complete list of still available products, visit my website here. While this may not be the full list, it is what is still available to order.

CTMH products increasing in price August 1, 2014 (many thanks to the original consultant who shared this!)

Artistic Adventure Daily Recap - Day One

With all the excitement over the last few days, it's eerily quiet around the hotel tonight. Consultants can be found all over DisneyLand with their new Annual Inspirations in hand, post it notes and a growing list of new items to buy!

I've quickly uploaded and (badly) edited photos to share with you! Here's a quick intro to the new products. Over the next few weeks, I'll share more detailed information and artwork with you about specific products.

Brian Holman, VP

Brian, Monica and Kristine

Artfully Sent Cricut Collection

Five new colors - Pixie, Thistle, Flaxen, Canary and Glacier

Cut Above - precut card kits

Embossing powders

Snack time, Disney style!

A goodies winner!

She won a new Artfully Sent Cricut Collection

A new Score board!!!!

 

Designer Creations - preprinted treat bags and boxes perfect as they are or ready to embellish

Stay tuned, there's more to come!!! It's only day one! :)