Village Heart's Delight

October Opportunity with CTMH

2010-10-05T14:12:00.002-05:00

October is the perfect time to play Hostess because when your party reaches a minimum of $450 in sales you will be able to “jump” to the next level of Hostess Rewards – which means more free products and more items at 50% off! Contact me to get your party on the books - don't live in Zumbrota? Talk to me about how you can now do your entire party over the internet as an E-Z invite party!! Let's talk and then party. . . soon!
Dates: 10.1.10 – 10.31.10

Wow! Too long between posts!

2010-08-19T16:20:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted for a while - so long in fact that I forgot what my blog address was! Now, that is bad - luckily it didn't take long for me to come up with the correct address format!

What I wanted to share with you today was information about how you can now select parts and pieces you need/want when you decide to join my Villlage Hearts CTMH team.

NEW: Create your own Consultant Kit with CTMH!
On August 9, Close To My Heart launched our brand new “Customizable” Consultant Kit! *Woohoo!* For only $129, you’ll receive all the Business Essentials you need to get your business headed in the right direction. PLUS, you have the choice of 3 of the 6 “choose me” options to meet your unique business needs…which means having the freedom to customize your kit to fit whatever position you want to play on my Close To My Heart Team!

Here are just a few of the options to consider…
Be a Business Builder – Work with customers to hold in-home gatherings, fun classes, monthly clubs, weekend crops, and even introduce them to Studio J, all while earning additional income to contribute to your family! Recommended options: 1, 2 & 3 or 4 ($320 value)
Be a Club Creator – Do you have a group of friends that love Close to My Heart as much as you do? Get 4 or more of your friends together once a month to create Close To My Heart’s fabulous Workshop on the Go kits! Recommended options: 1, 3 & 4 ($290 value)
Be a Hobbyist – You and a couple of your friends really like the Close To My Heart product line. You submit $300 or more in orders per quarter and would love to receive a discount on all your purchases.Recommended options: 3, 4, & 5 or 6 ($210 value)

As you can see, depending on what kind of a team member you see yourself becoming, there are different ways to customize the new Close To My Heart’s consultant kit.…but wait, here’s the really awesome part! If you want to own them all, you can purchase them all! Each additional “choose me” option is only $40 a piece plus tax and shipping! Way cool and super affordable!

To see your options, please click on the title above beginning with NEW. You will be taken to our on line application for joining the CTMH team. Scroll down to view all of the options available.

I have tried (unsuccessfully) to add a photo to this post to jazz it up a bit and get you excited about the new papers coming soon, but decided I'd better just post this and get on to other tasks.

Christmas Preparation starts in August!

2010-07-29T21:42:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone! Here is one way we can be less stressed as the Holidays get closer - let's get our cards made earlier this year. I will be offering a Christmas Card making class every month from August through November!

Monthly Christmas Card Class

August - November 2010

Third week of the Month (Thursdays 7-9 or Saturdays 2-4)

Contact me at basket55992@yahoo.com for more details or to register and place your order for your selected paper pack. Paper packs can be seen on my website at http://jeanie.myctmh.com

or ask me to review the paper options with you.

$20.00 will cover your basic paper supplies for the first two months. It is advised for you to bring a basic class kit each time (scissors, papercutter, if you have one and adhesive of your choice). For that $20.00 you will get a Level 2 paper pack, a coordinating My Stickease Assortment and an additional assortment of embellishments to "try before you buy". But that's not all! We will meet once a month (August and September) for a 2 hour hands on work session. Each session I will show you a new technique which you will be able to make on a sample page to keep as a reminder of how to do it. I will show 2 holiday cards using that technique and you will be able to make cards for the remaining time (and if you so choose you can continue the card producing outside of the class!)

But don't use more than half of your paperpack because we will use the remaining half of the pack during our September meeting. At the September meeting we will do some planning for the remaining two months of card making. You will be able to tell me what you would like to learn during our final two sessions. I anticipate that you will be ready to try a different paper pack for our October and November sessions (maybe our new holiday assortment called Mistletoe which will be orderable starting on September 1) and have made some decisions about other embellishments you may like to purchase.

The number of cards you make will be up to you, so start putting your list together and plan on having your cards made and ready to address before Thanksgiving! Now, when can we get together to do this planning and crafting? The deadline for registering for this class is Tuesday, August 10 (Yikes, that's soon!!!)This is so I can order in the inital class supplies. Classes will be held the third week of the month. You will have the option of Thursday evening from 7 to 9 or Saturday afternoon from 2 to 4. (If you need to switch which session you attend because of a scheduling conflict, we can make that work!) looking forward to offering this class to each of you! CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT THE VILLAGE HOUSE BASKETS AND CRAFTS (330 E. 4th St. / Zumbrota MN)

Oh! The places you will go!

2010-07-25T19:54:00.003-05:00

Here are just a few more pictures from my recent trip to Washington DC. These photos were at the convention which was really in Maryland at the Gaylor National. In the photo above you see me on the left with Tina Sutton, who is my DUL (like my grandma) from Navarre FL (her convention goal is to achieve enough award to have her name tag add on banners touch the floor!). On the right is Jillene Moen, my energetic upline (like my mother) from Eden Prairie MN. This photo was taken the last night at the Closing Ceremonies banquet. These gals are great leaders to have for mentors!

The theme of the 2010 CTMH Convention was "Picture This". See the convention decoration on the window facing the esculator and all of my CTMH sisters (and Phil) headed for lunch the first day.

The above photo is just one of the many display boards we saw during convention. Ideas were everywhere! We received a balance of business classes, creative classes and information about new products that will be available to all of you starting September 1.

Have you all taken advantage of my web site to see what Studio J can provide for you in your own home? Check it out before Sept. 1! Let me know what you think and get a goodie from me! Go to http://jeanie.myctmh.com.

Next posting will be for a new series of classes to help you complete your Christmas cards - check back Thusday for details and photos!

I'm back from Washington D.C. & CTMH Convention

2010-07-16T14:28:00.004-05:00

$99 Consultant kit pricing ending soon!There are always some changes that are presented at convention, and this year was no different. One of the changes is to the consultant kit. As of August 1st the base consultant kit cost will go up to $129 from the current amount of $99 (You receive more than $300 in retail value). I believe change is good and see lots of positive aspects of the new consultant program, but I have to admit for the next several weeks it's a great deal to sign up to become a Close To My Heart Consultant. Remember that you can decide how much and how hard you wish to work your business when you join CTMH.

Today marks the beginning of my fourth year with CTMH. I enjoy training and encouraging my team to succeed with their vision of how CTMH fits into their life. Have you been considering joining CTMH but just didn't know when was the right time? ...THE TIME IS NOW and I would love to welcome you on my team - The Village Hearts. See my website http://jeanie.myctmh.com/ for more information, or contact me. It only takes minutes to get you activated and ready to roll! Anyone who signs up before this $99 special expires will also receive an added gift from me.

My plans include spending some time this weekend going through and organizing both my D.C. "tourist" pictures and convention photos, so will post more information about the trip here also. With some of the CTMH family the only time we get to see each other is at these events, so it is always fun to run into each other and get caught up. Unfortunately, the time doesn't slow down for us to allow more time together! The last night of convention was a late night for me and my roommates. I know we were still talking at 2:20 am! I'm not sure I can call this convention a relaxing or restful time, but it sure was exciting!

Next Village House Basket Class
Hit & Miss by Debbie Hurd
Taught by Jeanie Wilcox

August 14, 2010 9 am til approx. 4 or 5 pm
$35.00 (Registration confirmed when money received)
Bring a bag lunch and beverage of choice – I will provide a morning treat, chips, carrots and dessert.
Bring routine weaving tools

This is one of the baskets I wove on the Basket Weaving Cruise this past February. When weavers saw it, their question was. . . ”Are you going to teach it?” So I contacted Debbie for permission and I’m going to teach it. The basket requires a 5" round wooden grooved base. Techniques include a 4-rod variation (you’re going to like this!), chase Japanese weave, a false rim and finishes with a folded/lashed rim. It was fun to do with something new (or different) thrown in occasionally along the way right up to the rim!

Village House Baskets and Crafts
330 E. 4th Street / Zumbrota MN 55992
basket55992@yahoo.com
(507)732-7642

Washington DC is HOT!!!

2010-07-06T20:54:00.002-05:00

Here I am - proof that I made it to Washington DC. This is me at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall on the last day of the festival, when temperature was close to 100 degrees.

Some of my group got to take two private scheduled tours while we were in DC. Here is a picture of the Capitol when I went back to the gift shop to get my camera! Yes, I left my camera in the gift shop, at the end of the day. So, Security and I went back to the gift shop and I did get it, yeah! The other tour was of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. We got to see work being done on the new $100 which will be introduced next February.

Here is a picture of the Smithsonian Castle - it is located in the center of the mall length. There is an exhibit of Madeline Albright's pins called "Read My Pins" currently on exhibit. I had lunch here our last day before moving to the National Harbor and on to the CTMH convention. End of being tourist and on to being Independent Consultant! The convention is also HOT! HOT! HOT! - but we have a nice temperature controlled environment. The heat comes from all the new products and changes coming up (and a grouping of 1000+ women with its share of menopausal and premenopausal women!)

I am getting ready to start day two of the convention and we get to scrap and create this afternoon using some of the new products!

Covered Bridge Festival Fireworks

2010-06-20T13:18:00.002-05:00

The fireworks last night gave me a chance to try my camera in the fireworks mode. I just needed to go stand in my neighbor's driveway to get these shots... The instructions recommended using a tripod. I can see the motion in these following photos, so looks like I will need to see if I can take better ones on the 4th of July in Washington DC. I will be there to attend the Close To My Heart Convention for 2010. Some of us will be tourist earlier in the week and hope to include the fireworks on the Mall for the 4th - to make it a capitol 4th!

I did try photos of fireworks in Disneyland when I attended CTMH Leadership in Long Beach, but didn't have the camera in the Fireworks mode. Little by little, I'm learning more about my camera - I've had it for 4 years now!

Glad I got to see the fireworks and do a trial run last night! Now I need to go add the tripod to my growing list of things to pack. July 3rd will be here before I am ready!

A Banner Basket Day!

2010-06-13T08:12:00.004-05:00

Terry and Jo with completed Hit and Miss baskets Yesterday was a gray, rainy day outside but inside my shop we were having a "sunshine" day! Thirteen baskeket weavers had come to have Vickie and me help them weave this basket pattern written by Debbie Hurd. I had taken this as a class from Debbie on the basket weaving cruise in February ( let me know if you are interested in getting info about the next cruise - Feb. 2012). Along with completing the basket, it was a day of friendship, great conversations and good food! The next basket class to be held at Village House will take place during August. Let me know if you are interested in getting details when they are available.

2010-06-01T13:32:00.002-05:00

Hit the jackpot and win free products with Jackpot June! This Close to my Heart (CTMH) Campaign, starting June 1, provides you with a different type of MyCTMH® deal each day. Some days you can grab loaded Goodie Boxes at 50 percent or more off retail value, and other days are Jackpot Days.

Jackpot days give you a list of 5 products, one of which will trigger the Jackpot—a surprise product you’ll receive free! Take a chance and hope that you buy the right item that gets you the free product, or play it safe and buy one of each, guaranteeing that you will hit the Jackpot!

Either way, you will save money on favorite scrapbooking and stamping supplies by grabbing a different bargain each day in June. Deals include discounted shipping/handling, too! These special offers are available only online so be ready everyday to check out my webstite and get your deal! New deals are posted each day at 9:00 am (MDT). Go to http://jeanie.myctmh.com

Have fun with June and let me know what specials you have been able to snag for yourself!

April Review

2010-05-02T05:50:00.007-05:00

I selected this photo of a driftwood basket for something to remember about April. Technically I made this basket in March, but didn't download it to my computer until April. Zumbrota participates in an"Art Splash" in September and this is the basket photo I submitted to represent some of the baskets Vickie and I will have for sale. Baskets represent a focus for the month also. It is the birthday month for the MBWG (Minnesota Basket Weavers Guild for the uninitiated!) I did attend the April meeting and took a class from Susan Coyle. It is a double wall basket and I didn't quite get it done in class - and of course no time since then to finish!

April was a sad month since my cousin Gary, my basket weaving friend Diane and my CTMH fellow consultant all died in April. That's enough for a while! At work we had a retirement. Gregg retired after 32 years with MML. He had a retirement party at work and then the party moved to a motel party room for the rest of the evening. I think we sent him off in style. I began working on a 2 page LO of his parties in Studio J yesterday - not sure when I will get back to finishing it, but will post when it's done (and I figure out how to post it! LOL).

May is shaping up to be a busy month. Today I will be going down to Rochester for a nice little 5 mile walk for MS. This is the first time I am doing this walk and I did a really poor job of fundraising - but I can turn in donations until May 28, so if you would like to go the following to visit my personal page and make a secure, online donation http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=4909661&pg=personal&fr_id=12043
I'll provide more details about the rest of the month in my next posting. Gotta get ready to go walking!

Studio J went LIVE today!

2010-04-27T21:23:00.005-05:00

I first saw Studio J as it was being developed last summer in California at CTMH leadership. It's going to change the way people do digital scrapbooking...it's so much more than that. I know all of you want to know when you can actually start playing with this amazing program. Well wait no longer. It went live TODAY!!!! YAY!!

All you'll need to do is go to my website http://jeanie.myctmh.com/ and you'll see a link that will connect you to the STUDIO J program. While you are on my website you will want to create an account there. This gives you the designation of being one of my customers and will hold your unpurchased projects for 90 days from when you started building them.

You'll be able to choose from some of our most loved paper packs and even some STUDIO J exclusives, pick from tons of our designer layouts, add our exclusive mini medleys accents, distress your pages, even add our stickease stickers and more ...you are so going to be addicted to this program once you start playing with it. Now here's the kicker....IT'S ALL FREE! You can upload your pictures and create your layouts free of charge. Our software is not something we charge for like other companies.When you're ready to make an album you can purchase your layouts for an introductory price of only $12.95 for a double layout. . . Better Yetorder five-nine layouts and get five free memory protectors. . .Best of Allorder 10 layouts and get 10 page protectors FREE and FREE SHIPPING. Now who couldn’t complete 10 layouts in three months time? That would be the frequency you would need to purchase layouts in order to not loose them in the computer records. Better yet once you purchase them, you can go back to order additional copies if you need them for relatives and friends. Making any type of Studio J purchase keeps your active projects in your account for another 90 days, and purchased projects remain in your account for one year following purchase. I know that you'll be amazed at quality of our printed layouts, the ease of our program and the creative aspects only Close To My Heart could provide. I've never know Jeanette Lynton to create anything that isn't the best on the market and STUDIO J is for sure the BEST!

Are you getting excited to know more? Go to my website http://jeanie.myctmh.com/, create your account then follow the Studio J logo on the left column. If you want to have some time to see how Studio J works, make sure to stop by this coming Saturday, May 1. I am also interested in setting up individual 1 on 1 times with you to get you rolling, so get in touch and we can do that soon. You say you don’t live close to Zumbrota, but still don’t want to try this by yourself? Arrange a phone call where we can cover your questions and concerns. I’m even willing to be on the line while you get started with your first layout.

Anyone who orders 10 double page layouts through my website during the month of May will be thanked by me with a chance to win a free 12 x 12 linen album (retail value $27.95 + S/H and tax)! Dig in! Get those layouts going and let me know if you have any questions.

Earth Day 2010

2010-04-22T21:55:00.004-05:00

Were you kind to the earth today? It has been 40 years since the first Earth Day. Have we made progress? Every little kind thing we do does make living here better for ourselves and others. I can't say I did anything major today, but I did collect paper items from around the house for recycling. On a regular basis I collect soda pop tabs from collection spots around work (and home) and turn them in to the Rochester Ronald McDonald House for them to recycle and collect the money.

I did take a few moments to walk around the house to assess where the weeds were and what flowers were blooming, but didn't take any photos to share. My hedge is in tough shape, so hope to spend some time on Sunday triming that back into a better shape.

MAY 1 -SEE NEW CTMH IDEA BOOK, CROP WITH ME, PLACE ORDERS FOR NEW SUPPLIES AND WIN PRIZES!
We are coming close to the end of the month of April and with that the current CTMH Idea Book will be replaced with a new Idea Book - always exciting to see the new book! May 1 falls on a Saturday this year and I will be hosting a crop day where the first 6 people to sign up can come here to spend the day working on their own projects from 10 am until 4 pm (or whatever portion of time you care to spend working on your projects).

At 2pm I will host an unveiling of the new IDEA BOOK - come in and get yours free that day. If you can't get here that day, email me and ask to have one sent to you. At 3pm we will have a quick make and take project with some of the new papers. Hope to see you on May 1!

The whole month of May is designated as National Scrapbooking Month. Watch for specials happening all month! Order your supplies during May and include the Miracle Kit with your order. I will be hosting a free work session using the Miracle paper kit on June 3 (Thursday evening) from 7-9pm or June 5 (Saturday) from 2-4. Make sure you get one or more kits while they are available to order - only during May!

Have you been considering holding a home gathering - May is the time! Check your schedule and contact me to book your gathering while I still have a few choice dates left. Let's party! If you don't want to host it at your place, let me know and we can arrange to have you host your gathering at my place - all you need to do is bring a light treat to share with your guests.

Administrative Assistant Recognition

2010-04-21T23:30:00.003-05:00

This week has a couple of celebrations going on - National Lab Week for those of us working in Medical Laboratories and Adminstative Assistance Recognition Week. I volunteered to make a card for our Administrative Assistant. The stamps used are not CTMH images, but everything else is using CTMH products. I am finding that Twitterpated and Caboodle papers mix well together. Sorbet and Sweet Leaf are my major color accents. The bottom card has a little scrap of Miracle paper underneath the sorbet ribbon. I know I agreed to make one card, but with three, the others can choose which they like best. The tulips were colored in by using our watercolor pencils - so much fun! If I get up early enough tomorrow morning, the adminstrative assistant will get colored in too.

More Miracles

2010-04-18T13:27:00.004-05:00

I need to thank a fellow CTMH consultant, Beckie Lehman, for the inspiration for these four cards using the Miracle kit now availabe for ordering through me. She took her paper pack and made the most out of it! She did add a few extra sheets of cardstock in order to get 14 - YES, 14 cards out of the kit! These are the four I made this morning. While these are all standard A2 card size (5 1/2" x 4 1/4") some of the others will be smaller or larger. Yesterday I cut the papers for all 14 cards, so the parts and pieces are there for me to continue. I just need to find the time! Today the weather is so nice, I need to stop these indoor activites and head out to do some yard work.

Another place for you to look to see more about the Miracle kit is to click the logo for CTMH on the right side of my blog. It will take you to my web page where you will see the kit advertised. Follow the info and click on the arrow at the bottom of that photo to find out more! You can order directly from my website to get your kit, or contact me if you have any questions. This kit has been great fun to work with so far (I think I may need to get another!) Got to sign off. . . I think I hear some weeds calling my name.

National Scrapbooking Month is May!

2010-04-15T22:31:00.004-05:00

Beginning April 15 order your own Miracle paper kit to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month. From April 15 - May 31 purchase the kit outright for $19.95 (CC1009). The kit is a spring-themed grouping of everything you will need to complete a couple great 2 page layouts and some cards. The kit includes an instruction spreadsheet to guide you as you complete the projects. Some talented CTMH consultants have used this kit to create their own projects. I hope to try this also.

Want the kit for less? You can get other CTMH products at the same time! Place an order for a minimum of $40.00 (excluding Studio J orders) and purchase kit for only $10.00 (CC1009A). Place an order for a minimum of $60.00 (excluding Studio J orders) and purchase kit for only $5.00 (CC1009B). If you host a Home Gathering with minimum sales of $300 you receive kit for FREE (CC1009C).

Be the first to send me an e-mail stating that you would like to book a Home Gathering and hold it before May 15 so you can get the Miracle paper pack FREE and you will get an additional gift from me to thank you for your booking!

Goodbye, Diane

2010-04-10T09:48:00.004-05:00

Today is the day my basket guild group says goodbye to one of our members. The last couple months she has been dealing with inoperable cancer. Thursday morning as I was getting ready for work and thinking about Diane I remembered what someone in my breast cancer support group did when Liz died. They had made pink ribbon pins for each member of the group to wear at the funeral. Trying to translate this idea to Diane I came up with making heart pins (her business name was From the Heart). I used one of the many hearts included in CTMH's stamp set So Luck (C1390 $13.95) which was new in our spring idea book. I stamped onto a piece of packaging chipboard that came from CTMH with my summer Idea Books! It was white on one side so worked well. The color ink I used was Cranberry which is a nice dark red unless you put liquid glass on it - then it turns an orangish red. I put clear embossing powder mixed with prisma glitter - still turned orangish red. A new lesson learned. The surface of the pins had a rough feel from the glitter, so I added a layer of liquid glass.

I had to take this photo of a single pin without a flash because of the glitter, so its not the best. Before embossing I stamped her name on each pin using a retired CTMH set - Doodle alphabet with cocoa ink. The letters look like they are floating in the embossing powder or liquid glass layer instead of stamped on the surface. I made 26 of these pins. About 18 guild members responded they would be attending the funeral and would be honored to wear the pin. There may be a few who didn't respond or read my e-mail, so thought I'd better have a few more. Diane will be remembered for her good deeds long after today. Also, most of us are not wearing black to funeral - bright colors are the order of the day!

March 2010 - NO SNOW ALL MONTH IN MN!!!!

2010-04-09T03:16:00.012-05:00

March was a busy month, especially the last week. It was hard to pick just one photo to represent the month for me. There was one unusual event which I have highlighted in the title of this blog - no snow. There is no picture to document this. I have decided to highlight Kaylan's Bridal Shower as a highlight of the month. The cake was made by Jill at work - she used the CTMH stamped images from the invitations I highlighted in last blog to decorate cake. Kaylan has really been a part of the family for quite a while now, since she and Matt have been going together (through their ups and downs) for some time, but the wedding will take place in May.

At work Gregg is getting ready to retire. He is now in his 32nd year at Mayo. His "official" retirement party takes place next Friday, April 16th, but his 8 closest co-workers and sposes held a "roasting" at Terri & Craig's house early in March. Here is a photo of Gregg and his wife Mary. Gregg is wearing one of his gag gifts - an apron declaring him the master fish chef for him to wear at his next fishing trip. Today he was beginning to clear out some of the things accumulated during his time at Mayo - what a process.

March also saw me attending the funeral of my cousin Gary. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer around 2 years ago, so it was quite a trip for him which ended with his coffin being taken to the cemetary in a horse drawn wagon. I like this picture of the horses because I happened to catch my gold PT Cruiser in the background - not on purpose! Gary was a cowboy in every sense of the word, so he went out with a cowboy's funeral. Roy Rogers had written a Cowboy's Prayer which was included in the printed program and the last song at the funeral was a recording of George Strait singing The Cowboy Rides Away. It was good to see some extended family, but was a quick trip to Jackson and back in one day.

The day after Gary's funeral I got together with a group of friends and co-workers to celebrate Ruth's birthday. Her birthday is earlier in the month, but it took until almost the end to find a time that would work for all of us to get together. We are kind of a birthday club, since we try to at least plan things to do about 4 or 5 times a year. Mary B. (back left in photo) has a birthday in January, Ruth's is in March (sitting - looks like the rest of us are trying to keep her from leaving!). My birthday is towards the end of June so we usually try to have a pool party at Ruth's to enjoy the warm MN summer. I'm in the middle of the photo. Mary V. (back right) has a September birthday and then we try to plan a holiday get together that happens sometime between November and January. This year our holiday celebration and Mary B.'s birthday happened at the same time.

Here is documentation of my last Holiday celebration for 2009. These are college friends (most truly are - we have just adopted Sharon as a college friend, even though Becky didn't introduce us until about 2 years ago). In this photo Becky and Sharon are in front with Kris and Jane behind. I took the photo, so I'm behind the camera. Kris gave us an evening out at The Melting Pot in Minneapolis as our Christmas gift. Thank you Kris! Back in December we began looking for a good date and came up with March 27.

The Melting Pot is a fondue place where you have heating surfaces in the table and you take care of cooking your meal. Our appetizer was a cheese fondue. Here Sharon is adding the veggies to a pot of some kind of red wine broth mixture. Note the little bottle of tabsco sauce front bottom left. Sharon's meat was cagjun seasoned. After she had fondued a few pieces we were all tasting it on ours from cooking in the same pots. LOL - it was fine.

Almost all of these pictures that I have highlighted as March memories occurred in the last few days of March - whew. 25th - Gary's funeral 26th- Ruth's lunch 27th- The Melting Pot 28th - Kaylan's Shower. It has taken me a few days to recover.

Bridal shower coming up!

2010-03-14T03:56:00.005-05:00

Whew. . . the invitations are in the mail! These cute postcard invites were fast and easy to do using CTMH computer fonts. I have both CDs loaded on my computer. I used Daydream for the who, what, where and when info. Don't know what I am talking about? Turn to page 99 in current CTMH Idea Book to see all the great fonts you can add to your computer. I used two current stamp sets to add a little spring pizzaz to these invites (Express postage D1262 for the wording You're Invited on the postage side of the card and Thoughtful Seasons D1299 for the umbrella and heart). The umbrella stamp comes as one stamp, but I cut (YES, CUT) my stamp into two pieces to make it easier to do two different colors of ink.
These inivations are for my godson's bride-to-be Kaylan's bridal shower I am hosting along with his cousin Amanda. When I got married he was 16 months old and his dad was part of the bridal party. Our service was recorded by the minister as a gift to us and you can hear Matt crying that he wants his dad! Where has that time gone! Let's see, back to the invites . . . I used honey, topiary green, tulip, and star spangled blue for the colors.
I had moved my laptop back into my home office and have found that I post less frequently than when I had it based in my bedroom, so it is moving back in the bedroom! The printer is still in the office, but I can manage to take it there when I need to print. A wireless printer sounds like fun, but I am holding out for a printer that I can use to print 12 x 12 cardstock. I don't even dare to begin looking for that yet!
I went to a chili tasting fundraise for a 3 day cancer walk team tonight and I am paying for it now! That's why I am up at 4:20am. My next project is to go to Studio J and to begin building layouts from my recent Caribbean Cruise. Anyone who wants to know more about Studio J, just send me an e-mail and not only will you get whatever info you need, but you will also get a little "giftie" from me. I am having fun with Studio J since I can scrap in bed with only my laptop - no scissors, glue and paper to fall asleep with! LOL! No, seriously, I think even the most committed conventional scrapper should give our new product, Studio J, a try. Just ask me how! Come to my next Scrap Day on April 10 and see the layouts I am going to make with Studio J - no reservation necessary, no cost to see and play, but you may want to just let me know you are coming. Bring a friend who is new to CTMH and I will have something here for both of you to take home with you! Hmm. . . what could that be? Come and find out on Sat. April 10 from 10 am to 4pm. See you then!

How can it be March?

2010-03-01T22:11:00.005-06:00

Hi Everyone, Sorry I haven't been posting very regularly so far this year. Last year I saw some scrappers/photographers who were taking a look at their lives by taking a photograph a day. I knew that was too ambitious for me. I thought I might be able to do "52 Sundays" since Sundays are my day where I have flexibility to do many different things. Well, that didn't work (at least didn't get completed). I decided to try something different for 2010. I decided to review photos taken during the month and posting a picture depicting something to remember about the month. Here it is March and no photos about that posted, so here goes . . .

January 2010 -Snow, cold and car troubles! February 2010 - 7 day Caribbean Cruise!

For some reason I prefer to share some info about February instead of January! I went cruising for the first time! It was a basket making cruise which meant when we had sea days we had basket classes. What could be better? Sound like something you'd like to do, then contact me for more information about the cruise taking place in 2012. Pack your bags for a 02-11-2012 departure. Vickie and I both went on this trip. We came home with unfinished projects, which is pretty typical for me on any weaving venture. I did complete one out of my four projects, had a little bit of a tan from time on the beach pictured above and many great memories. Tomorrow I will post more about my plans for CTMH during the month of March. If you have ever thought about a career with CTMH now looks like the time! Check back tomorrow for more!

Caboodle WOTG set for Sat. Feb. 27

2010-02-07T13:28:00.003-06:00

Order your kit of Caboodle in time to attend my FREE 2 hour work session on Saturday, February 27 from 10 a.m. til noon. There are two ordering options; Basic for $29.95 includes the Level 2 paper pack, an exclusive stamp set titled This Way and the workshop guide. Get the Best option by adding Z1271 Tiny Tabs for $3.95 and the Sweet Leaf Ribbon Rounds for $7.95.

You will have the option to work on either cards or scrap booking layouts during the two hour work session.

Donation for Haiti

2010-02-07T06:34:00.002-06:00

Order any 12” x 12” textured cardstock combo pack at full retail price and receive a second textured cardstock combo pack of your choice FREE. and with every offer purchased, Close To My Heart will donate $2 US to Operation Smile’s Haiti relief efforts.
Eligible packs include:
• X5747 Basic
• X5681 Spring Harmony
• X5745 Summer Celebration
• X5669 Autumn Harvest
• X5670 Winter Cozy
(See pages 100–101 of the current Idea Book to view the available colors and details about the textured cardstock combo packs.)
For only $14.95, you get two packs of 12” x 12” textured cardstock (a great deal at about $.30 a sheet!) and Operation Smile* will receive $2 US to benefit the urgent, important cause in Haiti.
There is no limit! You can buy as many as you want, and get the second free! Customers can have multiple qualifying textured combo packs on one order and receive multiple free textured combo packs. Note: You may choose a FREE textured combo pack that is the same or different as the full retail combo pack.
Dates: February 1-28, 2010
How do I order?: Online of course… Press the Close To My Heart button of the right side of your screen.

*Operation Smile is always a fantastic charitable partner—offering free facial reconstruction surgeries to needy children throughout the world. They’ve currently marshaled their medical teams and resources to provide emergency relief in Haiti, and the donations given as part of Hearts for Haiti will be used exclusively for Operation Smile’s efforts in Haiti. For more information on their on-the-ground response, you can visit www.operationsmile.org/haiti.

Felicity kit now available

2010-01-07T09:26:00.007-06:00

Have you been buying for everyone else? Well now it's time for a gift for you from Close To My Heart. So get ready for the awesome Felicity Scrapbook Kit, that is offered for National Papercrafting Month......
This collection features beautiful decorative die-cut papers , patterned paper and cardstock and a D-size stamp set that includes a WHOLE alphabet, flowers, flourishes, bird and more! This is a must have for your stamp collection and one that will be used all the time! There are five ways to get the Felicity collection right now: Purchase it at full retail price for $34.95.• Place an order of $60 or more in full-retail priced stamp sets & receive 1collection FREE!• Place an order of $125 or more in full-retail priced CTMH products and receive one collection FREE! Hostesses get the collection FREE with Home Gathering sales total of $400 or more, or new Consultants who join Close To My Heart between January 1–31 will receive the collection FREE in their New Consultant Kit. You would receive over $300 in product, plus the Felicity kit for just $99. WOW! Felicity is pretty enough when you view it online, but I promise it delivers so much more in person, so let me help you have it arrive at your doorstep. You can place your order on my Shop Online page at jeanie.myctmh.com or if you would like to host a gathering local or long distance please contact me basket55992@yahoo.com, or if you are interested in starting a wonderful journey of becoming a consultant and getting the kit FREE please contact me with questions...and don't forget I always give an extra bonus for new team members...so you could really rack up during the month of January.
This is a limited time offer and is available while supplies last , so don't delay...let's talk and be sure to get yours today.

Oh. . . there is one more way to get Felicity FREE . . . WIN IT! Go to htpp://nationalpapercraftingmonth.blogspot.com daily and leave a comment. You may be selected to receive the kit free.

Holiday Cookies - here and gone!

2009-12-18T03:39:00.002-06:00

Here are the cookies I took to a recent cookie exchange.

Martha's Dried Cherries Cookies

1 1/2 c. flour (plus a little more)

1 tsp. baking soda

1 c. butter

3/4 c. white sugar

3/4 c. brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. dried cherries

1 c. chocolate chips

1 c. Skor toffee bits

1 1/2 c. quick cook oatmeal

Cream butter & sugar, mix in egg, add remaining dry ingredients, then add cherries, chips and bits. Form into three logs. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill. Slice 1/2" to 3/4"thick for baking. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 2 dozen 3" cookies (or close to 6 dozen holiday bite size cookies). NOTE: I add a little extra flour and make smaller cookies. Instead of 3 logs, I made 6 or 7 logs about 1 inch in diameter. I figure at Christmas you would like to sample many kinds of cookies, so smaller is better! Enjoy!

I plan on making another batch of this dough tonight and baking the cookies tomorrow morning. Hopefully, some of these will get bagged for gifts and a few will be left to take for Christmas Eve. I find that these cookies are good right from the oven, but I like them better in a day or two. The cherries seem to soften a bit. These are a crispy cookie.

How are your Holiday plans going? Getting on top of the shopping and baking? I find that I'm not stressing too much - just getting done what I can, enjoying the time I am doing holiday activities and the time spent with friends. Next Tuesday is the final weigh in for a work weight watching challenge that started back in October. I sure hope the final number is down from my starting point. There haven't been any drastic weight changes, up a little one week and down a little the next. When I think that I have gotten through Halloween, Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Christmas parties without a weight change, I think that is a WIN!!

Christmas is COMING! It's snowing!

2009-12-08T22:06:00.004-06:00

Here is what I was facing as I started organizing ornaments to pull together a Christmas tree this year. I'm not doing much entertaining at my place this year, so decided to do a test run of an idea for a Festival of Trees tree for next year. These ornaments have been gathered with the idea of doing a colorful tree - not sure what it will be titled yet. Have any ideas?

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This run through for the ornaments has shown me what to look for on sale after Christmas! Now, I still need to find a Christmas tree skirt for this year. Seeing the colors on the tree, I'm thinking it may need to be a custom job!

Here is the tree with the camera flash off and the room lights dimmed. It's kind of fun to do something different. Some years I have had three trees up in the house, so I'm kind of missing seeing my "special" ornaments gathered through the years - they are going to stay boxed this year. It's been snowing all day, so need to check how much we have gotten since I got home from work - they are talking for us to get 10+ inches! Well. . . no evidence that I ever drove in the driveway tonight. The flakes have been small all day, but tonight they look like prisma glitter when the light hits the ground! It might be a long drive into work tomorrow!

Thanksgiving Thank You cards

2009-11-27T12:32:00.004-06:00

Here is a shot of the Thank you cards I made with CTMH Grace paper using the words sheet and the clear My Acrylix stamp set Flourished Blessings (D1379). Back in September I participated in a 10 mile cancer walk and haven't sent any thank yous to my contributors. Well that is happening now, with these cards.

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Here is a close up of a single card. I used the rock and roll second generation stamping technique (ask me to demo this for you the next time we are together) on the background paper when it was 12" x 12" and then cut down to cover the front of the card. The green leaf is cut and embossed on the cuttlebug using a sheet of paper from CTMH Abundance set. The pink ribbon is also cut using my cuttlebug.

Later today I hope to play with CTMH's Studio J for the first time! That is the carrot I am dangling in front of me if I have a productive day cleaning and organizing today. I took just a few photos of Thanksgiving yesterday, but hope to use those on a two page LO. I don't know if I'll be able to post right away, but ask me to see my Studio J layout. Studio J will be available to all our customers Spring 2010. I get to preview now because I attended CTMH leadership at Long Beach CA this past summer. Now I get to play and offer feedback to this new product! How exciting!

Wish my house looked as Christmas-y as my blog!

2009-11-22T16:14:00.004-06:00

I just got done adding a Countdown to Christmas gadget to my blog. That was a lot easier and faster than getting my house ready for Christmas. First on my agenda is to do a major cleaning when I have the day after Thanksgiving off - that's right CLEAN, not SHOP on the day after Thansgiving! I am hoping to tackle the Christmas decorating on Sunday. Today I have been working on Thanksgiving cards. Those who donated to my 10 mile cancer walk for Join the Journey in September are going to get Thanksgiving Thank You card. I will post a photo of them after I have them completed and mailed!
For me, Sundays are usually the day when I have the least commitment to others. I have started to treat that time as my time to do a few special things for myself. Part of the time is to help with my home based businesses - working on customer lists, updating records, taking classes or reading books that will help me develop my businesses (both Close To My Heart and Tupperware). These past few Sundays when I have been able to do that have made me feel better focused. Sometimes it doesn't need to be a large chunk of time to help me feel more in control!
Today I spent some time doing my own bloghop to catch up with some other CTMH consultants to see what they have been doing. I reviewed videos posted by Tresa Black and now have to play with glitter - oh. . . sounds dangerous! Hopefully, this will provide me with something else I'll post for you to see. The gears are churning in my mind - hope it works and turns out like I am visualizing! Oh. . . secrets are so hard. Stop in to my Shoppin' Saturday Open House next Saturday and you might get a chance to try this idea yourself. . . IF it works the way I think it will!

Plan to attend CTMH Shoppin' Saturday on Nov.28

2009-11-18T20:21:00.003-06:00

I think I have recovered from my Saturday of craft show and Home based Business Expo. The day (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.) went fairly fast. Since Barb and I were covering the two booths we swapped locations every two hours so each of us got to work each booth. Thanks to everyone who stopped at either booth! Here is a photo of our CTMH booth (or at least part of it!) The Workshop On The Go shown is Jingle. For those who ordered it, the FREE work session is happening from 7-9 tomorrow night, Thurs. Nov 19 or from 10 -noon on Saturday, Nov. 21.

The next event to happen at Village House will be my CTMH Shoppin' Saturday Open House from 10 a.m - 4 p.m. Stop in when it works for you that day. Get a chance to see some of our new products up close and personal! I will have Cash and Carry Products available for purchase that day. You will be able to place orders and receive product in time for Christmas giving. Just tell me to wrap it and it will be ready for giving when you receive it! Don't forget to make your own "Wish List" to share with family and friends!

November is "stampaganza" - a great time to stock up on stamp sets. Order two sets and get a third of equal or lesser value for FREE! What a great way to move into December. You can go to my web site at http://jeanie.myctmh.com to order directly on my website, but you can also either e-mail me at basket55992@yahoo.com or call me at 507-732-7642 if you want me to place your order or to get more information. I know there will be some more stamp sets coming to stay at my place! Shoppin' Saturday is still in November, so you can get FREE stamp sets when you order that day.

I think I will be posting before Thanksgiving, but just in case I don't, let me wish you a great holiday. If you are traveling, do so with care. My Thanksgiving will be spent with one of my sisters and her family. One good thing is I only have to travel about 40-45 minutes. There is also the good company, good food and relaxed day that make it fun to get together. Hope for the best for each of you.

Two for One Opportunity

2009-11-06T06:59:00.007-06:00

Next Saturday, November 14, the place to be will be the Rochester Civic Center. It will be the site of TWO great events. The Mayo Clinic Craft Sale and Home Based Business Holiday Expo are both happening the same day, same location and same time - from 8 a.m. (yes! Don't sleep in this morning!) until 4 p.m. The picture above shows four baskets I recently donated to the Minnesota Basket Weavers Guild fundraiser. I will have similar baskets for sale at the Mayo Clinic Craft Sale.

I spent part of yesterday getting these candy bars ready for the craft sale. They are Hershey candy bars covered with CTMH B&T paper I ran through my Cuttlebug using the snowflake embossing packet. Mickey and the Snowman were cut out with Cuttlebug dies and stamps are from CTMH. Merry Christmas is from set C1293 Wonderful Season and the snowman is part of set D1308 All Decked Out. Remember, November is a great time to add to your stamp set collection because Stamaganza is happening - buy two sets and the third set is FREE.

I will be at both shows! Barb and I are sharing display space at both locations. Our Mayo Clinic Craft Sale tables will feature handcrafted items including jewelry, baskets, cards, scrapbook pages, papercrafted items similar to the candybars and whatever else we get completed this week! At the Home Based Business Holiday Expo Barb and I will be representing our CTMH businesses. We would love to show you the products available to you at a reduced price or FREE by hosting a home gathering or the opportunities available to you when you decide to join our team, the Village Hearts! I know next weekend will be busy for both of us, but stop by to meet with us and mention that you have read my blog and there will be a special treat for you! You also will have a chance to win a personalized crop for you and 5 of your guests! If you are in the Rochester MN area, be sure to add this to your schedule for next Saturday on the 14th!

Well, I needed to get this added to my blog early this morning because I will be running the rest of the day. I have a day of vacation to spend getting projects done and errands run. These days off of work really get booked with many things! I am so glad I was able to get the day off in order to get these all done. It should help keep my sanity! Minnesota is having a weekend of Indaian Summer this weekend - temperatures around 60! That means I should also add yard work to my list - don't see that happending until Sunday evening if at all! I will be spending Saturday night and Sunday with college friends learning a new craft (beading around Christmas ornaments), eating good food and shopping! What could be better?! Hope your weekend is as good and don't forget to add the Rochester Civic Center to your TO DO LIST for next Saturday, the 14th.

Order date for Jingle WOTG is Nov. 9

2009-11-05T08:24:00.008-06:00

Have your Holiday layouts completed or your Holiday cards started before Thanksgiving with Jingle Workshop On The Go (WOTG)! Everyone who orders the Jingle WOTG is entitled to a FREE 2 hour work session! Let me know you want me to order you a kit by Monday November 9. We can be sure to have the kits by the work sessions being held on Thursday night from 7 to 9 pm and repeated on Saturday morning from 10 am til noon. Orders for this Jingle WOTG can be placed later, but there is a chance the kits won't arrive before the FREE work session. This will be the last WOTG held in 2009. The next one will be held in January 2010. See more information about WOTG on my website at jeanie.myctmh.com. The basic kit costs $29.95 and options are listed for additonal embellishments and supplies you may select to help "bling out" your layouts or cards. At the time you contact me to place your kit order I would also like to know which work session you would like to attend. Payment is due when ordering. I can take cash, check or charge. Many of you haven't attended a WOTG session yet. Here is what you get - A level 2 paper pack of Jingle, the glitter brads, an exclusive stamp set only available through ordering the Jingle WOTG. With this basic set you will be able to make the featured 2 page layout and 6 cards (2 of 3 featured variations). From there you can review the supplies needed and add the things you may need (blocks, inks, ribbon rounds, dimensional elements, etc.) to complete the layouts as shown. There are leftover pieces of B&T and cardstock you can use to make more projects by adding a couple extra pieces of cardstock.

Happy Halloween! Here are your treats!

2009-10-31T04:01:00.006-05:00

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.

Halloween is almost here!

2009-10-29T23:09:00.002-05:00

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.

October Is Flying By!!

2009-10-27T10:07:00.003-05:00

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

October is breast cancer awareness month

2009-10-15T05:53:00.007-05:00

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

CTMH Soon To Retire Products, cont.

2009-10-14T08:57:00.003-05:00

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.

Retiring CTMH Items

2009-10-13T16:11:00.002-05:00

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

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

2009-10-05T23:25:00.005-05:00

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!

I'm back from CTMH Regional Celebration in Mpls!

2009-10-04T10:30:00.003-05:00

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!

It's been busy...

2009-09-27T16:33:00.010-05:00

. . . and it's not going to slow down any time soon! Close To My Heart is now offering Workshops On The Go (WOTG). They offer great products at a great price and many options on how to assemble the kit - it doesn't matter if you prefer scrapbooking or cardmaking. These kits can be used either way. The workshop guide provides assembly instructions for a 2 page scrapbooking layout and instructions for 3 cards (you can make 2 of each). None of these designs have been published in our hardcover books. There are also suggestions to complete another 2 page layout and 3 more cards that have been published in our how to programs. Just refer to them for the details!

The first Workshop On The Go will be the Twitterpated kit (G1000). The BASIC KIT has a retail value of $35.85 but is offered to you at the discounted price of $29.95. It includes Twitterpated Level 2 Paper Packet, Designer Ribbon Rounds Chocolate Collection, Workshop Guide and an exclusive stamp set Hello There that is only available as part of this kit. To upgrade to the BEST OPTION (which includes all of the additional embellishments), you need to order the BASIC KIT (G1000, $29.95) and then add Dimensional Elements in Color - Organic (Z1230, $3.95), Natural Hemp (Z280, $2.25) and Brads Basic Assortment (Z1218, $4.95). Other optional items you may elect to include in order to complete projects as shown are the My Acrylix Headline Alphabet Large (E1011, $34.95), Chocolate Exclusive Inks Pad (Z2111, $5.25), Sorbet Exclusive Inks Pad (Z2164, $5.25), Sweet Leaf Exclusive Inks Pad (Z2153, $5.25), Liquid Glass ( Z679, $6.95) and a sponge ( Z697, $1.25).

Anyone ordering this kit by October 15 will be able to attend a FREE 2 hour work session held on either Thursday night October 29 from 7-9pm or Saturday morning October 31 from 10am-noon.

Below is a sneak peak at the November WOTG which will use the Jingle paperpack. The BASIC KIT has a retail value of $31.85, but is again offered to you at $29.95. The BEST OPTION adds Cranberry Designer Ribbon Rounds and Dimensional Elements On Target. More details will follow on this, but just mentioned now so you have a chance to get these dates on your calendar - November WOTG supplies need to be ordered by November 5th. Because of Thanksgiving Jingle WOTG work sessions will be offered on Thursday, November 19 from 7-9 pm or Saturday November 21 from 10-noon.

Unpublished 2 page layout is shown above and the three unpublished cards included in the Jingle WOTG are shown below.

Do you want more details about WOTG? Just send me an e-mail at basket55992@yahoo.com and we can get together to discuss this new offering and the FREE work sessions I am offering.

September 1 - NW CTMH Idea Book is active!

2009-09-01T12:41:00.005-05:00

Come to my place and see the new Fall/Winter CTMH book this week or next and get one to take home! I am having THREE (yes, three) times when you can come and get some of the new products into your hands to see and adore! There are so many products to try this time that I will have one or two projects for you (well, maybe three!)

1. First time to get your Idea Book is on THIS THURSDAY (Sept. 3) evening from 7-9pm

2. Second time will be SATURDAY MORNING ( Sept. 5) from 10-Noon

3. The last roll-out party is on FRIDAY (Sept. 11) from 10-Noon.

After that time I will change my focus to the Zumbrota Area Art Splash (actual title is Zumbro River Art Splash), which is being held on Saturday Sept. 12 from 10am to 5pm. This is a chance to get into a variety of artist studios or gallery spots to purchase original hand crafted art work. You will be able to see baskets at my shop.

CTMH Specials - this week!

2009-08-16T21:43:00.004-05:00

The Thanks-a-bration special at CTMH ends on Monday, August 17. Order a total of $100 and get not only the stamp of the month free (value= $22.95), but CTMH will throw in a Level 2 paper pack of their choice (value= $12.95). Tuesday, August 18 and running through September 30 you will be able to get a card kit to make 16 cards to celebrate the everyday moments. The value of this kit is $39.95, but there are multiple ways for you to get it FREE

Purchase a minimum of $60.00 in stamp sets (Stamp of the Month, Art & Soul, and K-size custom sets not included) between August 18-September 30
Host a Home Gathering with minimum sales of $400 between September 1-30
Sign up as a new Consultant on my Village Heart's Team between September 1 -30
Place any order between September 1-30 and you'll be automatically entered into a daily drawing for a FREE card kit. Winners will be posted on my website( http://jeanie.myctmh.com/)

I am working on getting an e-mail invitation ready for my Autumn/Winter Idea Book reveal (save the date - you can attend either September 3 or 5). If you want to make sure to be on my invite list, drop me your e-mail address at basket55992@yahoo.com - just say I want to attend.

August Special - now through Aug. 17th

2009-08-12T23:36:00.002-05:00

Customer Thanks-a-bration!
As a special thank you to my customers, this August 3–17, 2009, all orders for $100 will receive a free My Acrylix® It’s Your Day August Stamp of the Month and a My Reflections® Level 2 paper packet. There is a limit of one free paper packet and Stamp of the Month per qualifying order. No shipping/handling or tax on free items, but shipping/handling and tax will still apply on the $100. Click over to my website to place your on-line order. (It's located at http://jeanie.myctmh.com)

Naked Lady Lillies

2009-08-11T21:12:00.012-05:00

I've owned my house for around 25 years and have had a few (usually 2-3) Naked Lady Lilly flower stalks every year. They were here before I was! Well, this year these bulbs have outdone themselves - there were 13 flowerstalks. I cut one to take into work last Friday and have been meaning to photograph the remaining dozen some morning, but never any extra time! Tonight when I got home from work, I decided now was the time. I've always looked forward to seeing this plant when the snow starts melting. It is the first to make an apperance in the spring. The green leaves come up and then some time in July they all die down and it looks like nothing is left. Out of that pile of dead leaves the flowerstalks shoot up and you have about a week of great blossoms. Such fun!

As I was finishing up taking the photos, a little flying bug came into the picture. I needed to click a couple more to see if I could capture it. I don't think it was a bee, but it was sure enjoying the blossoms. I will need to print and scrap some of these as one of those moments of beauty that is around us, if we take the time to look. So, enjoy this moment of beauty.

Leadership Card Contest Winner

2009-08-10T21:40:00.009-05:00

These three cards submitted at Leadership were included as the winning entry for CTMH consultant Christine David. As you look at each of her cards, you will see a lot of details-stitched felt, stitching on cards, brads, paper layering and paper pleating. Of the four I showed yesterday for my entry the pink and brown dream card was not submitted.

My Leadership Cards Entry

2009-08-09T19:33:00.010-05:00

Here are the four cards I made for a contest held at leadership. We needed to submit three cards made with the same layout pattern from Wishes. I was able to come up with 4 cards, so I asked others for their opinion on which 3 to submit. Well I didn't make it into the circle of the final five finalists, but I did meet my challenge of submitting. Check back to see the winning cards and to see which of my four didn't get submitted.

Basket Class coming up this month and CTMH Leadership Conference 2009, Long Beach, CA

2009-08-08T20:45:00.007-05:00

Basket Class I am offering on Saturday, Austust 22 from 9am to about 4pm is for Betty Nesselrode's Market in Style. We will be modifying the basket to include Christmas colors as the weaving accents. The cost is $32.00. Maximum class size will be ten.

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I am back to "world reality" after a great trip to CA from July 29 until August 2. I had the opportunity to spend time with sister CTMH consultants. We are all interested in improving and expanding our CTMH businesses and to bring you - our customers - the best scrapping, stamping and papercrafting products, opportunities to learn and customer service! As always we will help you complete it faster, simpler, easier, just let me show you how!

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The first day was spent with a group of amazing Scattered Heart women. We are all under the leadership of Tina Sutton and she took care of us by offering a day of classes and creative time presented by some of the leaders on her team. After spending the day enjoying Chocolate University, CTMH events started that evening with registration and a creative crop using some of the new Fall 2009 products! These will be available to order begining September 1st! Speaking of which...FIRST PERSON TO BOOK A HOME GATHERING OFF OF MY BLOG RECEIVES A NEW STAMP SET FROM ME IN ADDITION TO WHAT THEY EARN OFF OF THEIR GATHERING TOTAL! Book this gathering by contacting me at 507-732-7642 and letting me know if you want to hold your gathering at your place or mine. Yes, you don't have to even get ready if you select to hold it at my place! Don't delay long before booking - only the first one booked gets this special offer.
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Do you want to see the new CTMH papers and products? Come to my Open House to be held on Thursday evening, September 3 from 7-8:30pm. RSVP that you are coming and you will be able to take home a new Fall Idea Book, free of charge! Bring a friend new to CTMH and both receive an additional gift from me. Place an order for more than $25.00 and also receive a gift. There will be many ways to get great new fall products that night.
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I wanted to hold the Open House on a Saturday, but here is how my Saturday's are shaping up for September. The 5th is open for a gathering in the afternoon, the 12th is the Zumbrota Area's ART SPLASH - mark your calendars and plan to attend this fun self guided studio tour! Great art to see (and purchase) - I will be displaying handwoven baskets for sale. The 19th is an open date, but I couldn't wait that long to have my first showing of the Fall Idea Book. Instead, this date will be a card workshop using new fall paper called Jingle - so will focus on Christmas Cards, but will show how versitile this paper is. We will spend from 10 til noon working on 6 to 10 card ideas. You will need to RSVP and pay for the paper pack by September 8 so I can order the paper packs. See more details about this on my CTMH website at http://jeanie.myctmh.com/. On Saturday, September 26th I will be holding a ScrapPink event. Part of your registration fee will be dontated to the Susan G. Koman Foundation for breast cancer research. All details for this day should be available in a couple weeks, but save the date for a special scrapping event!
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During the next week, I will share some more information about new products being offered by CTMH.

Why are CTMH My Acrylix stamps so great?

2009-07-10T21:40:00.008-05:00

Have you ever wondered why Close to my Heart My Acrylix® stamps are so much better than other company's clear stamps? There are a lot of technical reasons why, but there is a video that says it all. Click here to see the fun video.If you are interested in the technical reasons why CTMH stamps are better than the rest, here is some GREAT information!Acrylix®
Close To My Heart began producing clear polymer stamps in 2003, one of the first to offer clear stamps on the market. This introduction created a revolution in the industry and has been a major milestone in the growth and success of the company. The clear, decorative stamps are easy to use and store, offering complete creative control and artistic precision on every project.
RETAIL PRICE:
$10.95-$34.95 (stamp sets, sizes A-E)$3.95-$17.95 (acrylic blocks)
FEATURES/BENEFITS:
Precision: Clear mounting blocks make it possible to stamp in exactly the right spot, time after time. Our exclusive blocks allow you to see exactly where the stamp is placed and whether there is even coverage of the ink on the design.
Versatility: Mix and match stamp images to create your own unique designs, backgrounds, and borders. You can choose a block that perfectly fits an individual image, or design your own “scenes” by placing multiple images on a larger-sized block.
Simplicity: Stamps are easy to maintain, store, and transport. Pre-organized storage envelopes are durable, well-labeled, color-coded by category, and compact.
Assemble a title, word, or phrase on your block, then just keep stamping (no more individual letter stamping). This is especially useful when creating invitations, announcements, or a set of cards.
Manipulate the stamp images on the block to create curves or waves. Stamps have a “memory,” and will always go back to their original shape.
Available in over 4,000 designs, styles, and themes. My Acrylix® stamp sets come in five sizes (with corresponding prices): A, B, C, D, and E.
Compact, durable, portable, easy-to-use organizers are available for both stamp sets (My Acrylix® Organizer) and acrylic blocks (My Acrylix® Block Organizer).
DIFFERENTIATORS: As clear stamps are becoming more popular on the market, other companies are starting to follow the trail Close To My Heart blazed almost six years ago. But not all clear stamps are created equal. Close To My Heart My Acrylix® stamp sets reflect the production expertise, the variety of designs, and the quality materials that guarantee a superior stamp set that will deliver consistently beautiful, lasting artwork. Three areas make Close To My Heart My Acrylix stamps different from anything else on the market:.
1.) PRODUCTION PROCESSUsing state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment in an on-site production facility, a team of experts in polymer work know exactly how to handle the materials through production, carefully controlling temperature, moisture, production speed, and the many other variables that affect quality. This labor-intensive process ensures the highest quality standards and allows for the production of very finely detailed stamp designs that many other manufacturers can’t duplicate. Base-and-shade stamps, distressed designs, toile-and lace-style artwork, and even tiny script fonts, to name a few, retain incredible clarity and detail not found in most clear stamps on the market. The depth and cut of the stamp grab the ink well, but minimize blurring and “fill in.”
2.) MATERIALSWhile clear polymer is available from a variety of sources, there are many levels of durability, flexibility, and quality that may be initially indistinguishable to the human eye. As the leader in clear stamps, Close To My Heart has continued to refine materials and improve their performance and aesthetics, using the top grade of polymer produced today. By putting the polymer through rigorous testing including aging and environmental tests to ensure that with proper care the stamps will last for generations. The stamps can be easily stretched, arched, or angled for a variety of different “looks” in artwork, where as many other companies’ products are stiff and rigid, with a strong smell, too sticky or not sticky enough, and yellow easily within a few weeks of purchase.
3.) DESIGNSWith approximately 450 “active” stamp sets at any time, Close To My Heart offers more than 4,000 individual designs in My Acrylix® clear stamps. Many of these designs were created to complement each other, making it easy to build a library of sets that coordinate in themes and sentiments. The packaging is also unique on the market—not only does the flexible envelope protect the stamps inside, it allows for convenient storage, organization and retrieval. The unique carrier sheets include all designs already cut (many manufacturers require the purchaser to cut out the stamps), and make it easy to view the positive design.
TIPS FOR USE:
Initial Use: Loosen the image on all sides and peel slowly from the carrier sheet. To condition a stamp for first time use, rub the stamp vigorously across the surface of any stamp pad and stamp on a scratch paper. Repeat the process two to three times, clean, and then stamp as usual.
To minimize the amount of staining on a new stamp, use a light neutral stamp pad first, like Bamboo.
Center the image on an appropriately sized My Acrylix® block. When using alphabet stamps, place each letter on the line guide for accurate spacing and alignment.
Ink the stamp, place the image in the designed location, and apply even downward pressure. For best results, always use the included foam pad to cushion your card or layout.
Cleaning: The My Acrylix™ Spritz Cleaner and the Double Scrubber are available to clean the stamps and help retain the ability to cling to the block and the carrier sheet. After use clean both the front and the back of the stamp. And there you have it. Close to my Heart makes the best clear stamps in the industry!

Well, I tried to add some photos of great CTMH My Acrylix stamps, but haven't been able to get that to work, so just come and see them in person! Hands on time with these stamps is the best way to fall in love with them. Thanks to Jennifer and Lisa for the suggestions they gave me!

and the winner is . . .

2009-07-04T18:34:00.009-05:00

Lori Bengtson! Lori placed an order on my Close To My Heart website at jeanie.myctmh.com during June. I said that I would draw one name to win a present from me. Lori will receive the Magic Moments Scrapbooking kit. It contains 24 12" x12" preprinted layout pages (in photo to left, you can see suggestions for using these layouts to cover a year's worth of activities), 8 - 6" x12" My Sticease Adhesive Sheets, 2 - 12" x 12" Colonial White Cardstock Sheets, 13 - 12" x12" Memory Protectors, 50 cocoa brads, 24' cocoa 3/8" grosgrain ribbon. Congratulations Lori and thanks to everyone who ordered from my website during June. Remember, my website is available 24/7 for your convenience (shop in your jammies!).

I have heard from other consultants that this paperpack works well with our July Stamp of the Month (SOTM) set, You've Got Flair. You can get this 8 piece stamp set at a reduced price by ordering other items during the month of July.

Now IS the time to join my team at CTMH

2009-07-02T10:19:00.004-05:00

If you have ever thought about owning your own scrapbook and paper crafting business by becoming a

Close To My Heart Consultant, now is the time!

Sign up during July and choose five fabulous products from our Favorite Five list for FREE (no addtional shipping/handling or taxes added either) This means you get around $100.00 of additional product for no charge, just for signing up in July! Around $400 total retail in product will come your way for your $99 sign-up fee.

Interested? Here are the items you can choose 5 of (only 1 of each item selected):
My Acrylix Thank You Stamp Set (D1361; $22.95)
Magic Moments Scrapbook Kit (Z9071; $34.95)
Basic Textured Cardstock Combo Pack (Z5747; $14.95)
Life Delights Memory Schowcase (Z1199: $12.95)
My Originals Hello Birdie Card Kit (X8621; $12.95)
Creative Basics Sihouette Collection (X5803; $8.95)
HeartFelt Whimsy Die-Cuts (Z1145; $9.95)
All-Out Adventure Rub-Ons (Z1153; $9.95)
Window Charms Squares (Z820; $9.95)

Sign Up Today. . . It is easy to sign up! You can do everything electronically just by going to my website and following the steps below:
1. Go to http://jeanie.myctmh.com
2. Click on "Your Opportunities"
3. At the bottom of the screen, locate the line: To sign up or for more information to become a consultant "Click Here"
4. That will take you to the application which will only take a few minutes to complete.

What are YOU wating for? If you have questions, please e-mail me at basket55992@yahoo.com

Congratulations, Sarah!

2009-06-21T22:10:00.010-05:00

Today our family helped my nephew's daughter Sarah celebrate her high school graduation. The weather was a bit "iffy" as we drove from my sister Karmen's - we were in and out of rain numerous times, but it was dry by the time we arrived. As is pretty traditional for MN summer parties, the celebration started in the garage. This party provided me with an opportunity to get a photo of my sister, Karmen, with all six of her grandchildren. Sarah is the far left of the picture. I think that may have not needed any pointing out as I look at the composition of this picture - there really isn't another option. Aren't they a good looking group?

Completed cards

2009-06-20T05:41:00.010-05:00

Here are the six card bases I posted yesterday with some finishing steps added. As I said yesterday, all but the Christmas cards have an intended home and will be used this weekend. I figured I'd better capture them quick in a photo before I started using them.

This weekend Zumbrota is having it's summer celebration the Covered Bridge Festival, so there will be a lot of activity and events going on today and tomorrow. This year I am going to miss most of it since I will be heading out of town later today. I am hoping to swing by some of the events this morning. There will be a flea market in front of the Congregational Church. East Park - only a couple of blocks from my house - will be the site of a crafts festival, music and food vendors. I never make it as far as the actual Covered Bridge Park for the events happening there. The weather seems to be holding and no rain so far. Birds are chirpping and its time to get the day started, so I'd better close and post this.

Cards for July 11 Workshop (Card Camp)

2009-06-19T14:21:00.003-05:00

Here are the three paper combinations I have selected to work with for the Just Because Card Workshop being offered at my place on July 11th. The back paper pack is Evensong (a good Christmas mixture), Silhouette, and then one of our new paper packs Bella. I have cut each of these workshops as described in the new Wishes book and now have the makings for 60 cards. This comparison without stamping or embellishing gives you an idea how different the same card "recipe" can look with the different papers. I am just showing 2 of the 10 recipes included in this workshop.

Tonight after work I will begin personalizing these cards for some of the events I have coming up soon. Just this weekend I have a 50 year wedding anniversary and 2 high school graduations to get the cards out for. In the near future I have a bridal shower and a wedding. Then a wedding reception for a destination wedding that took place this winter will also happen this summer. Now throw in a few summer birthdays and I don't know how many of my 60 cards will even be here to share by July11th! Let me know by July 1 if you intend to attend this workshop or the whole 12 hour crop being held that day. See the calendar listing on my web site for more details.

For most people, the Christmas cards can probably wait a while. Although, one year I did receive a Christmas card in the summer. It occurred when a friend had been working and attending school. No Christmas cards had gone out from her the previous Christmas and as she said in her letter included with the card it probably wouldn't happen the following Christmas either. We could consider that card as late or early because it would probably have to cover both! That card did take me by surprise!

Have you been to my web site yet today? If not wander over there (just click on link in upper right corner of this site) or enter jeanie.myctmh.com. The Deal-A-Day offer for today is a $60.00 goodie box (this will be available for purchase only on the web site until 9am tomorrow morning). It will contain about $120.00 worth of CTMH products. Check back a few days to see the photo of what I got in my $40.00 box.

Haave a good weekend. It sounds like the weather is supposed to be about mid 80's here in Minnesota - finally some warm weather - along with it comes the humidity! More from me next week.

Happy Birthday, Marion

2009-06-18T09:38:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was my sister Marion's birthday, so, of course, I am getting the card in the mail today! She is a blue lover. Anything you give her in blue she will like better than another color. I wonder if' she's caught on that I always make her birthday card with blue paper? Here I am using our new Moon Doggie packet. The little strip of multiple colors is really part of the surfboard paper! Then the solid blue strip I cut a little extra long, ran it through my corregator and cut to the correct length for the width. Add a little random stamping (stamp set C1257 $18.95) and a little bling (Clear Sparkles Z1104 $2.95). The card layout is from the new Wishes book pg. 27 Lucky Layers. This layout was randomly picked. Yes, I literally just opened the book to a page and picked a card on that page. There are so many ideas in this book. Consider ordering your copy today (9033 $29.95).

We had some bad weather around here last night, luckily not close enough for me to head to the basement, but a tornado did touch down in Austin MN, with extensive property damage being done. Sounds like we may be in for some more stormy weather today. I still have plants that I haven't planted. Seems like I run out of day before that comes up on my list.

I had a discussion with my neighbor Rozie last night - about garbage! Our garbage pickup is on Tuesday. Every other week we have recycling pickup along with garbage. Rozie puts her garbage bins out on Monday night. I do mine on Tuesday morning, and I've gotten into the habit of following Rozie's lead. Well, she was out of sync this week! Pickup isn't until next week for recycling, but we both had our bins out there and the garbage men just left them. Looked like Rozie was going to leave her recycling sit there for the week, so I was going to too. She hauled her's back in last night, so I did too. Rozie's daughter thought she should appologize for leading me astray!

Hope your Thursday is a great one. Today's Deal-A-Day is our 6" x 6" accordion album called Memory Showcase. Check it out (and order it, along with a stamp set, on my web page jeanie.myctmh.com). Keep your eyes open for more goodie boxes to be offered yet this month. Take a chance, you can always see about trading for something else if you get something you know you won't use. Remember my Crop and Swap day July 18 fro 10 til noon.

Weekend Recap

2009-06-16T22:49:00.006-05:00

It is almost the end of Tuesday and I haven't updated this site with my weekend adventure. I did go to northern MN to see if I could locate my Grandfather's grave. My dad's father died when my dad was young. There was some mystery about his death and some misinformation about where he was buried. About 2 years ago I did search and was given some information for where he was buried. It proved to be true and I did locate his grave on Sunday. I spent some time at his grave, took some photos, left a little marker indicating I had been there (see stone in upper right corner of photo) and started for home. This trip added another nugget to my Wilcox family history. My next trip will probably be to the Children's Home School over at Owatonna MN. My father and my aunt spent part of their childhood at the orphanage in Duluth MN and then the one at Owatonna. Owatonna has recently turned part of the original buildings into a memorial to the children who were at the Home in Owatonna. My dad and aunt were then placed in homes as foster children and were wards of the state until they turned 18 years old. I will start scrapping the Wilcox/Richards history of my family. I am going to scrap in 9" x 9" format and will probably use a variety of papers since I do have pictures from different events and eras. I will need to journal quite a bit too to tell the stories I know.

2009-06-13T23:26:00.007-05:00

Saturday is just about over and I am just getting around to posting! Here are some unstamped, non-embellished sample cards using the new Bella paper pack and the new card book Wishes Just Because workshop. These are just the first 5 card layouts. The workshop has a total of 10 different layouts and from the cutting you do you get two of each layout - for a total of 20 cards! I am now in the process of cutting and assembling these first 5 cards from the Silhouette paperpack and then still want to try them in Evensong. I will post these as soon as possible. If this July 11 workshop is something you would like to attend, let me know! An e-mail notification will be going out to my mailing list next week. Not on my list? Well, let me know you want to be added by leaving a comment here or contacting me at basket55992@yahoo.com.

2009-06-12T08:29:00.005-05:00

My goodie box from the first offer from CTMH arrived yesterday! Now, as I review the photo I so excitedly took of all my goodies, I see the glare from the packaging and that I should have removed the stamp sets from their cases so you could see them better, but just let me tell you - this is a great package. Here's what I got: 3 stamp sets - all new to me (no duplictes with stamps I already own, Yeah!)
B1208 Birthday Scrip: $13.95
C1224 Fluttering Frames: $18.95
D1196 Floral elements: $22.95
X143 Doorhanger Pouch: $?
Z1044 Dimensional Elements basic shapes (circles and squares): $5.95
CON027 Twilight ribbon (brown with blue & cream squares):$12.95
X7076B Sonata Paper Pkt Level 2: $12.95
W619 Clear shapes (Connection Club reward):$?
Z9071 Magic Moments: $34.95
I just did some quick math to figure out what kind of value this had and I got $122.65 without including prices for two items. The price I paid was $60.00 and then a reduced shipping cost with the special also!

This was the first goodie box special for the month of June. A second one was posted this week. There are still four more opportunities to order one of these surprize boxes Keep checking my web site every day). Remember that if you order a box and get items you don't want I will be hosting a Crop and Swap event on Saturday morning July 18 from 10am until noon. Bring those items and see what trades you can make!

It's Friday and I am looking forward to a good weekend. I may go searching for some more information on my family history, so a road trip to northern MN may be in the works. I'll provide updates on that next week.

LO with CTMH Stardust paper pack

2009-06-11T11:52:00.001-05:00

I find it hard to believe that this is my nephew Cary with his two GRANDDAUGHTERS! Well, Cary is only 8 years younger than me, so I guess I should get used to the idea that everyone is growing up. He has his hands full with these two (at least in this photo).

The lettering on this layout was from a Cricut cartridge, the circles were made using the Coluzzle Big Circle template and I think the star was stamped on the reverse side of the paper with a star from the stamp set D1237 Star Struck. Sometimes I find it fun to introduce these shapes into my scrapbooking. If I'm not thinking about it I tend to be more of a square and rectangle type scrapper (which works well). This one took me out of the box a little!

Yesterday I hated to go to work on a sunny day. ends up it wasn't a sunny day - just a day without rain. Looks like we are in for a few more cloudy or overcast days. so might as well be at work!

Deal-A-Day on my website is the craft tray today. This will help you contain either glitter or emossing powder. Regular price is $7.95. Qualify for this fabulous FREE product by adding one My Acrylix stamp set size A, B, C , D or E to your order. go to my website by clicking on Deal-A-Day logo on the right of this blog.

Wishes is here!

2009-06-10T07:14:00.005-05:00

The source of the card ideas for the July 11 CARD CAMP will be CTMH's new book Wishes. Card-making inspiration for single cards or many cards made all at once! Wishes delivers a collection of all new tips, artwork, plus card patterns in a variety of sizes and shapes, including circles! Also features standalone workshops designed to help you create many cards made from a single pattern and cutting guide in a very short time. Envelope template CD included.

I have started making the sample cards for this workshop and hope to have them finished to post within the next few days. If you like making and giving cards this workshop is a way to get a good supply on hand. Paper choices will provide many different looks to the cards. I will show some options for paper choices in my samples. This will be such fun!

Minnesota is having it's first sunny day in a while and now, unfortunately, it's time to head off to work for the day. I just need to spend some time outdoors planting - doesn't look like it will happen today.

June 9, 2009 - First day of my blog

2009-06-09T16:02:00.000-05:00

Well, I have decided to jump into blogging. I am excited to share this space with you and to be able to let you know about what I have been doing with the remarkable Close To My Heart products that are currently available. (Have you been to my web site at http://jeanie.myctmh.com/?) Now is the time to mark July 11th on your calendar to attend CARD CAMP 2009 at my place. It is being held in conjunction with the 12 hour crop I and my team mate Barb will be holding that day. The crop will run from 9am until 9pm. The CARD CAMP will begin at 1pm that day and is scheduled to run for 2 and a half hours. Check the calendar on my web site for more details - or contact me if you still need more info.