Chatter from the Heart February Newsletter

Greetings from my living room where my youngest is playing over and over (and over, and over, and over...) a dancing bear singing the chorus of "Come 'n Get Your Love." As it plays, I can't help but think of all the "love" that Close to My Heart is offering this month and I want to share it with you! Keep reading to discover the news you want to know about your hobby!

FREE LIBRARY CROP

The monthly crop at the Ellis Public Library is the coming Friday (Feb. 11) from 7 p.m. to midnight in the Community Room (the rear of the library). Please RSVP if you plan to come so there are enough tables and chairs set up.

SPRING/SUMMER IDEA BOOK NOW LIVE!

You got a taste of the newest, greatest products from Close to My Heart last month with the Inspirations Brochure and my week of e-mails. Now you can see it all in the Idea Book. This book is "live" from February 1 through June 30. If you can't wait until the actual book is in your hands, you can visit my website for a digital version. If you would like a copy of the Idea Book, let me know. They are only $2 and packed full of project ideas and techniques.

FEBRUARY STAMP OF THE MONTH BLOG HOP

Want to see over 70 examples of artwork using D1453 Friendship? Click here to start a blog hop of Close to My Heart consultants' projects.

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

Close to My Heart announced an updated list of products discounted and available only while supplies last. Click here to see what's available!

FREE, FREE AND FABULOUS ~ A PERFECT 10!

Free, Free, and Fabulous is perfect for those thinking about making the leap from customer to Consultant. In addition to the $100 in select product credit new Consultants receive when they achieve both levels of Straight To The Top, every Consultant who joins Close To My Heart in February and achieves both levels of Straight To The Top will receive a New Consultant Kit rebate of $129. Free product credit and free kits make February fabulous!

February is also a fabulous month for Studio J® members, because it’s time to achieve "A Perfect 10". Members who buy 9 custom-printed layouts in a single order get the 10th layout free! Take advantage of this promotion to save more and get more with a Studio J membership.

LEVEL I KITS RETIRING

Are you a fan of the pre-designed Level I kits? If so, now is the time to get them. Close to My Heart announced this week that all Level I kits will be available only through June 30. There will be no Level I kits after the release of the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book. While this is sad to some, I am always amazed by what Close to My Heart introduces when a loved product is retired. I'm excited to see what is coming to keep scrapbooking faster, simpler, and easier!

February Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - D1453 Friendship

It's been a while since I've been able to participate in a stamp of the month blog hop, but I'm super excited to join this month's hop and be among some very talented paper crafters! If you're following the hop, you've come from Cecilia Marsh; if you're continuing on, you'll be headed to Vickie Tagatz. Before you move on, don't forget to see my creation below!

This month's stamp set is a regal damask-like set. When I first received it, I knew right away what colors I wanted to use: Cranberry, White and Black.

This 5x7 greeting card was a quick assemble, but has such a bold look it doesn't need much. Don't you agree?

Here is a shot of the full stamp set:

Here is a list of supplies to recreate the card pictured above. All products are available for purchase on my website or send me an e-mail for the newest Idea Book which goes live February 1.

• 1385 White Daisy Cardstock
• 1386 Black Cardstock
• 1272 Cranberry Cardstock
• Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
• Z2109 Cranberry Collection Designer Ribbon

If you'd like to continue on the hop, your next stop is Vickie Tagatz.

The Best for Last - Chatter from the Heart Day 5 (Studio J)

We've come to the end of the week and I've saved the most exciting change for today! Before I reveal what it is, let me ask you some questions.

• Do you have a computer with digital photos and an internet connection?
• Do you love to take pictures but find it hard to get them printed once they've been downloaded to your computer?
• Do you have memories captured in photos that you'd like to preserve?
• Are you interested in scrapbooking but feel overwhelmed by where to begin?
• Are you a seasoned scrapbooker that would like to be caught up on thousands of pictures?
• Would you like to create themed albums (like Baby's 1st Year, Christmas, Sports) but don't want to invest in the paper and embellishments to complete a project?
• Do you want to create more than one of a layout for multiple books? (i.e. a copy for family member or one for each child in your family)
• Are you pressed for time but want to complete pages to add to existing or future albums?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then I have a solution for you!

Introducing Studio J, an online design software that allows you to create custom-printed two-page layouts for 12" x 12" albums. There is no software to purchase and install; instead, simply log in to Studio J and start designing your layouts. You can create and immediately purchase your layouts, or you can save them for later completion and purchase. And, don't let the word online or digital turn you away; please keep reading!

Close to My Heart knows you have busy lives—lives that are hosts of crazy schedules and demands, but also of joys and wonders. We take more and more digital photos, but preserve memories less and less. You have the photos, you want the scrapbooks. Ultimately, you need a solution that brings everything together in real time. Studio J is the answer: It translates real life into real scrapbooks in real time—more quickly than you could imagine.

I want to share with you how you can take the photos of your joy and wonder and preserve them for generations to come. You are invited to join me for one of 3 informational events where I'll show you how faster, simpler, and easier Studio J will make preserving your memories. At these events you will:

• View printed pages made using Studio J (see the layouts in this message in real life!)
  
• Watch step-by-step creation of a Studio J layout
• Learn tips and tricks to enhance your pages
• Learn the pros of using this form of scrapbooking
• Discover the savings of different ways to create and print pages

Reservations are required (and will earn you a free gift!) and refreshments will be served. Choose the date that works best for you:

• Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. (Reservation deadline Jan. 30)
• Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. (Reservation deadline Feb. 2)
• Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. (Reservation deadline Feb. 4)

Latisha Haag, Independent Consultant
Close to My Heart
785-624-6356
latishahaag@myctmh.com
Visit my website for the latest product, video tutorials, and shopping!

Chatter from the Heart - Day 4 (Getting product at a discount or even FREE)

With all the exciting changes, I bet you're wondering just how you can get your hands on the great products you've read about. Maybe you're wondering how you can afford all that you want? What about earning product packages (below) at 50% off?

Collection One (only $36.73) - great for a beginning papercrafter!

Bliss Level 2 Paper Packet, Bliss Level 2 My Stickease, Bliss Level 2 Assortment, Chocolate Exclusive Inks Pad, My Acrylix Trellis Stamp Set, 4x4 My Acrylix Block, Clear Buttons, and Irresistibles Villa Chipboard Die-Cuts.

Collection Two (only $37.83) - created with the cardmaker in mind!

Creative Basics Wings Collection, Wishes Card Confidence Program, Weezers, Bitty Brads Metal Assortment, Buttons Green Assortment, 4.5" Colonial White Circle Cards, and My Acrylix Dream Stamp Set.

Collection Three (only $44.70) - a complete set!

Sophia Level 2 Paper Packet, Sophia Level 2 My Stickease Assortment, Sophia Level 2 Journaling Spots, Desinger Ribbon Pink Collection, My Acrylix Heartfelt Treasurers Stamp Set, My Acrylix Fill in the Blank Stamp Set, 1x1 My Acrylix Block, 3x3 My Acrylix Block, and Pear Exclusive Inks Pad.

Collection Four (only $54.48) - for those interested in getting caught up quickly!

12-month Studio-J Membership and a 12x12 Outdoor Denim Quick Pic Album

So, just how can you earn all the products at 50% off?

• Host a home (OR online) gathering and let me teach you new techniques, see the products in person and share with friends how Close to My Heart makes this hobby faster, simpler, and easier while still going easy on your wallet!

• At home or online, a gathering is a great way to celebrate relationships through the art of stamping and scrapbooking. What could be better than sharing products you love with the people you care about? And just as great, when you become a hostess, you can earn valuable Hostess Rewards. Get started with the free product credit, and continue with the shopping spree with Hostess Rewards Plus! items at 50% off. It's a great way to get the products you want and need affordably or even free.

• Can't get everyone together because of time, distance or gathering space? Host an online gathering! If you have e-mail, you're ready to host an Online Gathering using EZ Invite where guests are invited via email and do all their shopping online. You'll receive all the benefits of Hostess Rewards without cleaning the house and preparing food!

Need more incentive to host either a home gathering or online gathering? The first 3 people to book and hold a home or online gathering will receive a FREE product of your choice from me ($10.95 maximum value).

Contact me today to schedule your gathering!

2 - 4 - 1!!! May Stamp of the Month AND National Scrapbooking Month Special

This month you get a sneak peak at 2 of my most favorite items released with the new Idea Book (Summer 2010) that goes live on May 1:

• May Stamp of the Month - D1421 Cherish the Moment
• Miracle Kit for National Scrapbooking Month

If you're blog hopping, you should have arrived from Laura Dame's blog. If you're continuing in the hop, you're next stop is Shirley Ross's blog. But, before you rush off, spend some time browsing through the creations on this stop!

I can't say how much I LOOOOVVVVEEEEEE this set! Having a background in English/Journalism, I think journaling is very important on scrapbook pages because it tells the story to those who weren't present at the event. I admit, however, that I don't always journal like I should. This set will make it so easy to record the important information without a lot of journaling (for those times when the creative juices are flowing and you don't want to stop to journal about the event).

This stamp set, as well as all the products used on these samples are available on my website.


I admit up front that there is little originality in my creations this month. I used the Miracle Kit to create the pages. The cool thing about this kit is that it gives you EVERYTHING you need to create the pages except the ink and pictures! When you finish creating, you'll have 4 completed pages and scraps to create some cards!

The kit includes:
5 – Colonial White Cardstock, 1 – Bamboo Cardstock, 1 – Floral B&T Duos® Paper, 1 – Stripe B&T Duos® Paper, 1 – Crystal Blue Circle B&T Duos® Die-Cut, 1 – Sweet Leaf Bracket B&T Duos® Die-Cut, 1 – 6" x 12" My Stickease® Assortment, 1 – 6" x 9" Irresistibles™ Chipboard Die-Cuts, 1 – Mini-Medley Accents Colonial White Collection, 12" Colonial White Waxy Flax, 3 – 4" x 6" Memory Protectors® Flip Flaps™, 2 – Sponges, 1 – Directions cutting guide. All of this for only $19.95! You can even get it for free! 

Now hop on over to Shirley Ross's for more creations!

Close to My Heart January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Happy New Year!

I'm so excited about the upcoming year and the blog hop! It is achieving two of my goals on my 101 List of Things I'd Like to Do in 1001 Days (blog coming soon - keep watching): write more and update my blog more often!

If you're following the CTMH Blog Hop you should have arrived from Shirley Ross's blog. Welcome! For those of you new to blog hopping, simply click on the link below to go to the next blog. If you started at Helen's blog, you've made it all the way through. Following each link will allow you to see over 60 different ways to use the January Stamp of the Month, True Friends (D1406). Below is my contribution to the hop (a total of 3 today!).

First is a Postcard Gift Pack. I purchased the vinyl cases from an online website for another workshop, but they are PERFECT for this project.

Inside the vinyl case is two slots. One is perfect for a decorated cover and the other is good for 4x6 postcards. To make the postcards, I simply random stamped one side of a sheet of 12x12 cardstock and trimmed it to the postcard size. You get 6 postcards from one sheet.

In addition to the January SOTM, I used the Grace Level II Paper Pack (X711B) and Copper Brads (Z1217).

(Vinyl case open)

(Postcards with open case)

The second project is a 4x4 Gift Card. The sayings on this stamp set was perfect for gift giving.

I like to try and use paper and color combinations that differ from the company suggested combinations. This card uses paper from the Tinkerin' Level II Paper Pack (X7113B) and the Designer Ribbon Rounds Sorbet (Z1123). I also added Just Blooms Paper Flowers White Daisy Variety Pack (Z1300) and Twinkle Brads Jolly Assortment (Z1220).

Finally, I altered a 2010 Planner that I picked up at my local Dollar General store for $1. The paper pack is retired now (Free Spirit Level II Paper Pack), but I loved the colors. I also used the Playful Flourishes set (D1212) and some brown ric rac I purchased when a fabric store was closing.

 

All of these current items are available to view on my Close to My Heart website. Click here and then choose the "Shop Online" button. You can search by item number for quick location of the products.

Be sure to join me again in February for the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. A listing of classes, workshops and crops will be available on my website shortly after the first of the year. Subscribe to my blog to receive updates when I post.

If you're continuing in the blog hop, your next stop is Helen Onulak's blog.

Here is a complete list of blog participants if you prefer the jump around method:

Helen Onulak http://www.hookedonstamping.com
Jena DeVries http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com
Jessica Booth http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
Carla Ironside http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com
Lori Miller http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com
Misty Jackson http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com
Jen Patrick http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com
Susan Brooks http://www.stampingintheopen.blogspot.com
Kathleen Androlewicz http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/
Dawn Ross http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com
Amy McVey http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com
Antoinette Herrin http://www.GodblessyourART.blogspot.com
Jill Lucas http://scrapwench.blogspot.com
Barbra Otten http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
Lori Brown http://www.savingmine.blogspot.com
Brae Montgomery http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com
Wanda Riley http://www.creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com
Adeline E. Brill http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com
Kami Welter http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com
Judy Burger http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
Pamela O'Connor http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com
Cindy Leek http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com
Mary Eisen www.mestamp2.blogspot.com
Sylvia Jacquot http://stampinsylvia.blogspot.com/
Laura Dame http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com
Melissa Laverty http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com
Haley Dyer http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com
Terrie Dodd http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com
Katy Donaldson http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com
Chris Shouse http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com
Tammy Lea Pinchard http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com
Krista Ritskes http://kristaritskes-simplycreating.blogspot.com/
Shannon Pelletier http://www.mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com
Deb Young http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com
Amy Edwards http://PaisleysPlayhouse.blogspot.com
Sheila Bennett http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com
Kristie Herdener http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com
Jen Rubio http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com
Jody Gustafson http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com
Sarita Schraeder http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com
Laurie Levnik http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com
Debra Van Patten http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
Kimberly Smith http://verykimberry.blogspot.com/
Michelle Nist http://Michellenist.blogspot.com
Karen Norman http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com
Traci Godbee http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com
Nancy Brown http://www.creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com
Maricar Harris http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com
Nona Davenport http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com
Laurie Newton http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com
Melissa Burch http://melissaburch.blogspot.com
Kim O'Rear http://kimorear.blogspot.com
Michelle Bourlet http://michellescreativeconnections.blogspot.com/
Angela Tutton http://www.tuttonstreasures.blogspot.com/
Jenifer Benner http://www.jensmessystudio.com
Shirley Ross http://www.momnmescrap.blogspot.com
Latisha Haag http://domestichomefrontcoordinator.blogspot.com

The 6th Picture Challenge

I've been challenged by Elaine at Times Captured

These are the challenge instructions:

•Go to your photo folder in your computer.

•Go to the 6th folder of the photos.

•Go to the sixth picture.

•Put the picture on your blog and description of it.

•Invite six friends to join the challenge.

•Link them in your blog and let them know they have been challenged!


The 6th thing didn't quite work out for me because there were only 2 pictures in my 6th folder, but by far pictures some of my most favorite scrapbook pages. I posted both pictures since there were only 2. The pages are of my son Zeke in his cowboy garb - he doesn't go anywhere without those boots or hat (well, a little more now without than before, but...you get the idea).








Tagged in this post:
Staci Roe: Paper Heaven & Stamp Obsession
Leanne Eisler: Scrappin' with Gamma
Laura Bohall: Just Gathering Pieces
Mary Carrell: Scrapbook and Stamping With Mary
Debra Van Patten: Deb's Not-So-Daily Ramblings
Mary Vogel: On Life & Creating

Back to posting...FINALLY!

It's good to be posting once again. After my laptop crashed TWO times before Christmas, it took some time to get back on track of all the e-mails, downloading/uploading pictures, and finishing paperwork. I'm glad to be back to having only a few pictures on the camera (which makes it easier to download and upload to Winkflash) and I'm caught up on paperwork so that gives me more time for creating and sharing.

This little project is my January workshop which is this Saturday. It's a fun little desktop calendar using Close to My Heart's January Stamp of the Month, Moments in Time. The workshop isn't full (I know it's only a few days before, but you can still RSVP if you like) but it's going to be a quick one and a good price! Only $6.

30 Cards for $30 - Assembly Instructions

Whew! It's good to be back online. I've lots to tell, but most importantly, need to post the directions on how to assemble the cards in my 30 Cards for $30 workshop. For those of you who need to assemble, best of luck. I hope you enjoy them!

Some words of note:
1. I've tried to list helpful hints in assembling the cards - use them or don't; just things I've discovered in putting them together.

2. Some pieces are slightly altered; I've tried to note that on the descriptions.

3. You should be able to click on the picture and a new window with a larger view should open so you can read the directions attached to each picture.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Caught by the 'BUG

You read correctly. I've been caught by a bug - the cuttlebug that is. I'm not one for jumping on big ticket scrapbooking items. In fact, I consider myself pretty cheap and rarely give into spending a lot of money at one time on something. But, I just couldn't resist this one. I gave in and bought one and some dies and embossing folders.

See, this nifty little machine will work with any dies (like sizzix or quick cuts), and not that I have any of those, but I might find a good deal!

Anyway, here's my first project using my cuttlebug. The entire cupcake is free hand. I used my cutter and scoring blade to make the lines in the cupcake wrapper and then sent the "frosting" through the cuttlebug in the swirl embossing folder. Then I used glitter on the swirls to make it stand out a little more.

The stamp set is from Close to My Heart; it's called Card Sentiments.