Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween! Here are your treats!


Beginning Tuesday November 3 Stampaganza is back! This means that when you select two stampsets (sizes A through D) you can select a third set free! This offer comes just in time for you to review the list of stampsets soon to be retired and add those you have on your wish list.

To make your search for those to be retired stamps easier there will be a category for them on my website. So, on Tuesday head over to http://jeanie.myctmh.com/ and search for the stamps you can't wait to order and get some free! For any website order placed between November 3 and November 10, not only will you get great stamp purchases, but I will be adding in a special gift from me as a thank you gift!


Another treat I am offering to those who e-mail me this weekend - if you haven't received your Fall/Winter Idea Book yet, just let me know that you want one and I will get it to you free! Let me know your mailing address and I will get it in the mail to you if we can't get together.

Today is the second work session for those who pre-ordered the Twitterpated Workshop On The Go (WOTG). It is happening from 10 a.m. til noon. Stop in to Trick or Treat anytime from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. today and not only will you get the Fall/Winter Idea Book, a chance to see the upcoming Jingle WOTG, a Twitterpated card Take and Make for the first 5, but a CTMH treat for all!
Happy Halloween and stop back next week to see samples and more information on the November Jingle WOTG. Keep all the little ghosts and goblins (along with the princesses and super heros!) safe and happy tonight.


Thursday, October 29, 2009

Halloween is almost here!

Halloween may be almost here, but we've already had snow! Here is a photo I took last Friday. Now I've heard of checking for frost on the pumpkin, but I had snow!Well, all of this is a prelude to telling you to check back on my blog Saturday to get your own CTMH treat! I want to tell you now, but promised myself I wouldn't post this new info until Saturday. It will be posted by 10 a.m.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

October Is Flying By!!


Holiday Card Basket
Saturday, Nov. 7
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $25.00 Note: lunch included

Location: 330 E. 4th Street / Zumbrota MN 55992

To register: phone Jeanie at 507-732-7642, e-mail at basket55992@yahoo.com or mail registration and fee to above address.

There are so many things going on in October that I have been running from one thing to the next! Tonight I will finish my two session basket class for Rochester Community Ed. and then will move onto the next basket event I am offering at the Village House. Do you want to begin making your own baskets? This Holiday Card Basket is not going to take long, but is so dang cute, you may have to make more than one!

I began posting the soon to be discontinued CTMH products earlier this month and hope to complete those postings before the beginning of November! Below you will see information about the paper packs included on the list. Check those projects in progress to see if you need to stock up on any of these patterns!
X7045A Vintage Travel
X7045B Vintage Travel
X7045C Vintage Travel
X7079A Rough ‘N’ Tumble
X7079B Rough ‘N’ Tumble
X7079C Rough ‘N’ Tumble
X7080A Route 66
X7080B Route 66
X7080C Route 66
X7082A Expedition
X7082B Expedition
X7082C Expedition
X7083A Let’s Get Together
X7083B Let’s Get Together
X7083C Let’s Get Together
X7084A Floral Tapestry
X7084B Floral Tapestry
X7084C Floral Tapestry
X7085A Everlasting
X7085B Everlasting
X7085C Everlasting
X7086A Caprice
X7086B Caprice
X7086C Caprice
X7088A Free Spirit
X7088B Free Spirit
X7088C Free Spirit
X7087A Enchanted
X7087B Enchanted
X7087C Enchanted
X7089A Life Delights
X7089B Life Delights
X7089C Life Delights
X7093A Sweet Pea
X7093B Sweet Pea
X7093C Sweet Pea
X7094A Paper Garden
X7094B Paper Garden
X7094C Paper Garden
X7099A Whoops-A-Daisy
X7099B Whoops-A-Daisy
X7099C Whoops-A-Daisy
X8608 My Originals Groovy Blossoms Card Kit
X8611 My Originals Pretty Purses Card Kit
X8615 My Originals From the Heart Card Kit
X8617 My Originals Holiday Wishes Card Kit
X8620 My Originals Merry & Bright Card Kit
X8524 Simply Snapshots Rough ‘N’ Tumble Album Pages
X8525 Simply Snapshots Let’s Get Together Album Pages
X8527 Simply Snapshots Free Spirit Album Pages
X8529 Simply Snapshots Silhouette Album Pages
X8530 Simply Snapshots Sweet Pea Album Pages
X8531 Simply Snapshots Boom-Di-Ada Album Pages
X8532 Simply Snapshots Perfect Day Album Pages

Thursday, October 15, 2009

October is breast cancer awareness month

I am now a five year survivor of breast cancer. I am seeing and living a time in my life that I wondered if I would ever reach when I received my diagnosis of breast cancer. Today, I would like to take a moment to remind everyone who thinks it won't happen to them to remember most breast cancer occurs in those without a family history of the disease. In my case my mother and sister had already been diagnosed with the disease, but I was still in denial when I suspected that I might have breast cancer. I recently had a chance to read a book of one lady's journey with this disease and had a chance to ask the author Anne Marie Bennett a few questions.

How did you decide to write this book?
I was taking a walk one morning several months after my last radiation treatment, and I was thinking about my journey. Thinking it might be cool to write an article about my breast cancer experience for a magazine, I started forming beginning sentences in my mind, and when I got home, immediately sat down at the computer and wrote the first few pages of a rough draft. After that, I just kept doing the next thing (gathering my journal entries into one document, grouping them into time sequence, finding quotes to go with each section of the journey…etc). Then I realized that it was way too big of a story for a magazine article, so I allowed it to turn into a book.

Can you remember your reaction to being told your diagnosis of breast cancer?
Yes, vividly! My immediate reaction was absolute terror. It was a completely surreal situation. My thoughts went something like this: I can’t believe this is happening to me. I don’t WANT this to be happening to me. I don’t have time for this. Am I going to die? Get the cancer OUT of my body. And really, my immediate response was fear. I know some women whose basic emotion was anger, but I honestly didn’t feel a lot of anger. My main emotion, the one that had huge potential to keep me from the bright side, was fear.

What was the low point and high point in your recovery process?
For me, the low point was during the third and fourth chemo treatments, a segment of time that stretched over several weeks. I just didn’t feel like myself. I had no energy to sit at my art table and collage or paint or anything. The high point was three months after my treatments were finished. I went to a Living with Breast Cancer Retreat at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in the Massachusetts Berkshires. It was a very healing experience to spend three days with 18 other breast cancer survivors and share our stories. We walked a labyrinth, did yoga, danced, ate healthy foods, tattooed ourselves (temporarily!). I learned some huge lessons in Trust during that weekend, and the whole adventure was a catalyst to a new direction in my life.

Has there been an enduring change in your view of life, importance of things and events due to the diagnosis and recovery from breast cancer?
Yes! I feel that one of the biggest gifts I received from the cancer was a major re-routing of my life. You know, I was going along, minding my own business, everything was status quo. And then, bam! A breast cancer diagnosis drops down from the sky and shatters all my predisposed notions of what my life was all about. I suddenly could see that all the things I worried and fretted over (my job at the theatre, the troubles with Jeff’s kids) were very small compared to what was happening inside my body and soul. A friend of mine in college used to talk about “the angels rearranging the furniture” inside of us, and I feel like that is exactly what happened to me during my cancer journey. My soul furniture has been rearranged!

I know in my own process they said as soon as you were diagnosed you could consider yourself a survivor of breast cancer. I couldn't view myself as a survivor until I was about a year out. At that point I had completed all therapy and overcome a lot of the residual tiredness from radiation and felt I had earned the title survivor. How about you, when did you adopt the survivor title?
When I was first diagnosed, I found a wonderful message board (www.bcsupport.org ) which labeled itself as a “meeting place for survivors.” I remember posting a message asking if I really belonged there because I hadn’t had my surgery yet, and the cancer was still in me. The answer I received reassured me that I had already survived a stereotactic core biopsy AND the breast cancer diagnosis, as well as having told several people about the cancer. From that point on, I called myself a Survivor!


I
Anne Marie Bennett is a writer, self-taught collage artist, website goddess, cancer survivor and SoulCollage® Facilitator. She received a BS degree in Education from Southern Connecticut State University and has taught people of all ages throughout the East Coast. She has also worked as a bookseller, sheet presser, library assistant, computer consultant, and in theatre management. Anne Marie lives in eastern Massachusetts with her middle-aged husband (also a cancer survivor), two elderly cats and one very playful dog who keeps all of them young-at-heart. She is happiest when she is reading, writing, breathing salt air, dancing, and hugging her beautiful grandchildren.

For more information about Anne Marie’s book, Bright Side of the Road, please visit this page: http://www.annemariebennett.com/

To purchase the book, please visit this page: www.annemariebennett.com/how-to-purchase Bright Side of the Road is also available on Amazon.com (PLEASE LINK TO: http://tiny.cc/lf3HF

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

CTMH Soon To Retire Products, cont.

Here is a continuation of the products that are only available until current inventory is gone:
Z292 Photo Clips
Z1037 Mini-Medley Shades of Chocolate
Z1043 Dimensional Elements Bookplates
Z1017 My Creations Circle Album
Z1012 Braggin’ Tags
Z1199 Life Delights Memory Showcase
Z9071 Magic Moments Scrapbook Kit
1394 Vellum Paper 12 x 12
X1400 Stickstock Twill
X1401 Stickstock Linen
X277 Cello Envelopes 5 x 5 1/2
X278 Cello Envelopes 6 1/4 x 6 1/4
X301 Weekly Calendar
Z920 Earth Coloring Pencils
Z921 Primary Coloring Pencils
Z922 Pastel Coloring Pencils
4206 My Legacy Writer Pen Set– Color
Z1049 Photo Marker
1762 Write ‘n Rub Pen
Z268 3-D Foam Squares
Z261 Double Scrubber
Z533 Cutting Knife
Z309 Sculpting Foam
Z657 Vineyard Berry Embossing Powder
Z1293 Delta Paint
Z1295 Paint Brushes
Z368 Cutting Mat
Z369 Swivel Knife
Z370 Refill Blades
Z374 Oval
Z500 File Folder
Z375 Tags
Z371 Circle
Z1144 Big Circle
1776 Long Reach Punch 1/8″
1777 Long Reach Punch 1/4″
1012 Eyelet organizer
1505 Memorabilia Pockets
1011 1″ posts & screws
Z4126 1/2″ posts & screws
Z4201 Shoulder Tote
Z4202 Rolling Carryall
Z1134 Holiday Fabric Tags
Z400 Sassy Strands White Daisy
Z401 Sassy Strands Autumn Harvest
Z402 Sassy Strands Winter Classic
Z463 Sassy Strands Spring Harmony
Z464 Sassy Strands Summer Carnival
Z465 Sassy Strands Winter Cozy
Z466 Sassy Strands Autumn Garden
Z468 Sassy Strands Summer Celebration
Tomorrow I will post the papers that are to be discontinued.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Retiring CTMH Items

Close To My Heart retires products annually and the new list for the products retiring at the end of 2009 has been released. The following items are available while supplies last until they are retired on December 31, 2009. Check the list against your wish list and order those that will soon go away.
Z1190 Barn Red 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1180 Amethyst 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1181 Heavenly Blue 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1185 New England Ivy 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1186 Baby Pink 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1187 Indian Corn Blue 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1189 Bamboo 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1174 Amethyst 9 x 9 Linen Album
Z1175 Indian Corn Blue 9 x 9 Linen Album
Z1176 Cranberry 9 x 9 Linen Album
Z1177 Garden Green 9 x 9 Linen Album
Z1178 Outdoor Denim 9 x 9 Linen Album
Z1202 Hollyhock 9 x 9 Linen Album
Z1168 Amethyst 6 x 6 Linen Album
Z1169 Indian Corn Blue 6 x 6 Linen Album
Z1170 Cranberry 6 x 6 Linen Album
Z1171 Garden Green 6 x 6 Linen Album
Z1172 Outdoor Denim 6 x 6 Linen Album
Z1203 Hollyhock 6 x 6 Linen Album
Z1133 White Daisy Ricrac
X287 Square Metal-Rimmed Tags
Z825 Clear Inspirations Friendship Dangles
Z1083 Amethyst Waxy Flax
Z1084 Olive Waxy Flax
Z820 Window Charms Squares
Z817 Just Blooms Autumn Daisy
Z818 Just Blooms Sunflower
Z1304 Just Blooms Autumn Leaves
Z4128 Foundry Frames
Z4129 Foundry Plates
Z1010 Colored Staples
1757 Eyelet Kit
Z330 Eyelet Setter
Z331 Eyelet Mat
Z336 Exchangeable Head/hole punch
Z135 Baby Pink Eyelets
Z136 Heavenly Blue Eyelets
Z149 Garden Green Eyelets
Z150 Autumn Terracotta Eyelets
Z151 Outdoor Denim Eyelets
Z153 Indian Corn Blue Eyelets
Z157 Cranberry Eyelets
Z159 Buttercup Eyelets
Z165 New England Ivy Eyelets
Z168 White Daisy Eyelets
Z169 Black Eyelets
Z171 Pewter Eyelets
Z179 Chocolate Eyelets
Z182 Bamboo Eyelets
Z1051 Bitty Brads
Z1137 Spring Harmony Brads
Z1110 Spring Blossom Brads
Z1111 Summer Carnival Brads
Z1112 Autumn Harvest Brads
Z1113 Winter Cozy Brads
Z1040 Antiqued Copper Brads
Z1107 Black Brads
Z1108 Chocolate Brads
Z1106 Colonial White Brads
Z1109 Cranberry Brads
1758 Gold Brads
1759 Silver Brads
Z199 Pewter Brads
Z1105 White Daisy Brads
Z295 Bigger Brads Spring Harmony
Z296 Bigger Brads Summer Carnival
Z297 Bigger Brads Autumn Harvest
Z298 Bigger Brads Winter Classic
Z299 Bigger Brads Basic
Whew - it is a long list check back tomorrow for some more of the discontinued products. Order these while they last from my web site (http://jeanie.myctmh.com) or let me know what you would like to order by e-mailing me at basket55992@yahoo.com

Monday, October 5, 2009

Rubber Stamp & Scrapbook Expo in St.Paul this coming weekend


Close To My Heart will be offering our famous: 3 Cards for $5 for your Creating FUN ! Everything is provided for you, come on by the Close To My Heart booth and relax & stamp!! Above is a photo of the card I will be helping you create.
http://www.rubberstampandscrapbookexpo.com/shows/exhibitors.php?ShowID=23
Enter the web site address listed above to get the details for this weekend's expo.
FALL SHOW DATES: October 10-11, 2009 Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SHOW LOCATION: Progress Center Building
FABULOUS Specials:
1. Buy 3 My Acrylix Stampset and get the 4th one FREE!!! (Equal or lesser value.) WOWOSA!!! Stock up, we will have HUNDREDS of different stamp sets for your purchasing FUN!!! Come by the Close To My Heart booth! See you there! Bring a friend!
2. New Consultant Special: Get a BUNDLE! Get a Bundle of 5 Stampsets FREE when you join the weekend of the Rubber Stamp & Scrapbook Expo $125 Value! ALSO: Get Tickled Pink---a Fabulous Gift for All New Consultants from the company for those New Consultants who join in May ONLY!
3. 50% any Item the FIRST HOUR ONLY of each show! Ask me for a coupon if you are shopping during the first hour! I will be present both days at the Close To My Heart Booth - come in and see new products. Introduce yourself to me. Jillene is offering an early shopper special.
See you in St. Paul!










Sunday, October 4, 2009

I'm back from CTMH Regional Celebration in Mpls!


Here is a layout I did the first day using our new Twitterpated paper and photos of my great-niece's daughter Ryla. Mom, Amanda, completed a series of photos showing how mobile Ryla is and how that is making it more difficult to get staged photographs of her. She doesn't stay in one spot long! What better caption than "It's a wide world" from the Twitterpated Level 2 My Stickease Assortment? I inadertantly left these under my chair when I left the crop on Friday night. They were turned into lost and found, so were projected for all attendees to see and for me to reclaim. So Ryla was "oohed and ahhed" by 320 attendees!

Check out my webpage to find more information about the October special featuring our on-line scrapbooking product, Studio J, coming soon. If you join my team this month, you qualify for the special! More info to follow later this week on this.

Here is a screen shot showing an estimate for a family's photo costs per year. Turn some of that budget into Studio J purchases and not have just the photo, but the completed layout! Studio J will feature CTMH paper kits for you to select and work with. Have relatives who look at your classic layout and want you to do that for them? In Studio J, you can provide those copies with no extra work!

Here is a photo of my downline, Barb, and me on day one of Regionals. I am on the right. Don't I look wide awake and ready to go?
This was Barb's first corporate sponsored CTMH event. She met many people including Jillene Moen, my upline. Tomorrow I will be talking more about Jillene and the expo she is participating in next weekend. It's in St. Paul at the fairgrounds both Saturday and Sunday, so start making plans to attend. I will be there as one of the consultants working in the booth. Come find me, let me know you read my blog and I will have a special little gift I will send to you following the expo! Like I said, more info tomorrow!