Back to School!

The start of school is right around the corner.  I have enjoyed a wonderful summer although you notice I did not call it a "break".  I had two days of summer vacation, but I was able to schedule in a few trips along the way and enjoyed every minute of them!  Now...it is time to get back to reality!

Tomorrow marks the unveiling of a NEW Idea Book which is debuting as, "Annual Inspirations"!  It is a phenomenal book/resource full of superb products and fun artwork!  As a Consultant we are privy to new product at least a month in advance of them going "live" to the public.  One of the perks for attending Convention is getting our hands on and dirty with new products.

This is one of the layouts we were taught at Convention.  It was fun to create and has some nice embellishments to give it visual appeal.  It is made with the "Chalk It Up" paper pack which you will see me use and showcase quite a bit through the year!  LOL  Despite it being titled "Chalk It Up, it does provide versatility and you will see that is the case in some upcoming artwork.

I await the rain in my neck of the woods - perfect for preparing for a team meeting on Saturday.  :)  Be sure to check back tomorrow for some TOO FUN artwork with a new stamp set and paper packet!  See you then!

Price Increases Around the Corner

In just two days, when the NEW Annual Inspirations comes out, there will be some price increases on some of our products.  We have not seen an increase in quite some time, which is totally awesome, but feel free to take advantage of them before the end of the day (12 midnight MST) on July 31st.

My top 5 picks from this list are:
#5 Sanding Kit
#4 Water Color Pencils
#3 Archival Black Stamp Pad (especially to use with our new markers!)
#2 Small, Medium and Large Organizers - I cheated to include all three!  LOL
#1...a must-have...12x12 My Legacy Faux Leather Albums

Have a rockin' day!

It's Right Around the Corner!

Our NEW Idea Book, now called "Annual Inspirations", is ready to debut on Friday, August 1st!  Not only does it serve as our catalog, but it is chalk full of inspiring artwork creations you will want to duplicate.  The new products are top-notch and you will fall in love with them, I guarantee it!

This is an annual book, the reason for its' name, but we will release new product a few times throughout the year.

You can get your hands on a hard copy when you place an order of at least $50.  You may also buy it outright for $6.50, plus shipping.  Place an order through my website, taking advantage of those items that will be available only until the end of the day on July 31st, and you can be entered in a drawing for FREE products!  (Click here to see the retiring items.)  Contact me with any questions you may have and have an awesome Sunday!

Happy BirTday, Sister! (Mispelled intentionally - lol)

Today is my sister's birthday.  We won't talk about how old she is.  :)

I could not decide which of these girls represents me...  I should be the taller one because I am older but I am the shorter one so...  Eh, you decide!  LOL

We always wanted a brother... Oops!  So I digress.  LOL

Stephanie and I have shared in many fun times over the years and some of those fun times will remain unspoken. ('Til death do us part, right?  That saying applies to sisters too and not just married persons. LOL) 

We have shared in laughter and tears and sometimes a few fights (but just a few and nobody was hurt; don't worry).  She always pestered me although she would tell the story different. hee/hee  I remember when we had our own bedrooms and still insisted we sleep in at least the same room, if not the same bed, even as we were older.  We had to be in the same room to share in the silliness, especially when we would not go to sleep and would get in trouble.  It was always Stephanie's fault.   

Now we are both grown and she is a mother to my darling niece.  While the time has passed quickly, I am thankful that I can rest on the memories I have of our times together.  

Today and always...I love you!  Happy birthday, Sister!

Fun Mail!

I received this fun card in the mail earlier this week from my third upline in Close To My Heart, Karen Morris.  (In familiar lingo, she would be my great grandma in family lineage.)  She sent it "just because" and it had a sweet message contained inside.

The card was made using our Jubilee paper packet and a retired stamp set which creates the focal point.

Who, in your life, would love to receive some fun, happy mail from you?!  This is one of the reasons I became involved in Close To My Heart almost 19 years ago...to create handmade fun stuff that will make people smile.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Alternative Use for PML Cards

I hope you enjoyed the layouts I shared yesterday using the Picture My Life cards.  Well...check this out!  I used a PML card, from the Laughing Lola line, to create this card!

The "RAD" was part of a 4" x 6" card and I trimmed it down a bit, and used the Scallop Border Punch, to create the focal point.

Then I used the July Stamp of the Month to stamp "you are".  I colored in "you" with our markers.  Both the "You are" banner and the "RAD" piece are 3-D with the use of our Foam Tape.  ALWAYS gotta add some dimension to make things pop!  I used three Black Epoxy Bubbles to fill some of the empty space on the left and...who can refuse bling?  :)

This is a sampling of the cards contained in the Laughing Lola PML pack. 

Still in love with Picture My Life!  (Give it a try!  Like Mikey...I know you'll love it!)

I'm in Love...

with Picture My Life, one of Close To My Heart's exclusive product lines!  What is Picture My Life (aka PML), you ask?  It is a fast, simple and yet, attractive way to scrapbook your photos and preserve your fondest memories.

 Here is a close-up of the two pages.  (Click on them for an even enlarged view.)

Each PML kit comes with the following items for just $24.95!  

• 44 - 4" x 6" Cards (2 each of 22 designs)
• 78 - 3" x 4" Cards (3 each of 26 designs)
• 1 - 12" x 12" Designed Cover Sheet
• 10 - 12" x 12" Memory Protectors (various designs)

This is a sampling of the "Surf's Up" cards.

You simply take your photos and then decide on which PML card(s) you want to use - they are double-sided, by the way - and then you insert them into the pockets as you desire.  Don't forget to add a little journaling and then call it D-O-N-E!  There is always room for extra embellishing but it is completely unnecessary.  It is time to get those photos out from boxes and off your phone so everyone else can enjoy them too!

You might want to consider these additional purchases to get you off on a fabulous start!

• Adhesive
• Corner Rounder
• Journaling Pen

I used the Surf's Up kit on this layout.  Watch for tomorrow's post that will incorporate PML into a focal point on a card.  Questions?  Just ask!  

Lovin' PML (not to be confused with PMS)!  LOL

Aren't We a Cute Couple?!

And you thought it was going to be a picture of me and my hubby!  LOL  This FUN photo was taken by a photographer at Convention and I received it in my email.  (Gotta love fun mail!)  Before the Directors dinner, we were provided with a special photo opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse!

Our Director's Dinner was held outside of the Disneyland Hotel, in the Rose Garden.  We were served delightful food and out of this world desserts!  (I made sure to try one of each of them!)

 It was fun to see these two ladies, Etta and Shirley, become Directors this year.  WAY TO GO!

I shared dinner with these four ladies, Christina, Doris and Shari.  After dinner we headed to the Magic Kingdom, watched Fantasia, and enjoyed a few rides.

 It was fun sharing the Director's events with these fine ladies.  I love being a Close To My Heart Director!

Until next year, Mickey... (Convention 2015 will be held at the Disneyland Hotel.  I would love for you to join in the fun!)

I Promoted!

Prior to the end of May, and a few weeks before Convention, I promoted to Senior Director with Close To My Heart!  I was absolutely ecstatic about the promotion and just received a couple of my promotion gifts in the mail!  (There were some other gifts and incentives we received while at Convention.  I will post about them later.)

You know I fell in love with this bag at "hello", okay...when I saw it was purple!  LOL  It is gorgeous, I love it and it IS Vera Bradley!

If you would like to become a part of Close To My Heart, whether as a customer or team member, let me know.  I am happy to answer any questions you have and would love to share Close To My Heart with YOU!

Doing the happy dance!

Technique Hop - Annual Inspirations Sneak Peek

Close To My Heart's Idea Book, to be called "Annual Inspirations" once it goes live on August 1st, is full of beautiful artwork and fun techniques.  During today's hop, we will be showcasing some of the various techniques highlighted throughout the book.  You will definitely want to get your hand on a hard copy.  If I can help you with that, let me know!

This hop is one big circle and consists of seven participants.  You can start at the beginning by visiting Debi's Blog, or you can continue to proceed through the link I have provided below so you can move through all the artwork.  If you are coming from Haley's Blog, you are on the right track!  I know you will be inspired by all that you are about to see so sit back, relax, and enjoy!

I decided to focus on the technique called, "Charmed, I'm Sure" (which will be found on page 133).  It encourages incorporating our cute charms from our jewelry line, Base & Bling, to bling out your papercrafts.  (You get 6 charms for just $3.95!  That is a great deal!)  Here is how I decided to add a little "charm" to my project!

I decorated one of our My Creations Kraft Containers.  The stamp set used is "Girl's Rock" and I incorporated a resin flower from the Ivy Lane Assortment for the center of the flower.  (The striped paper used is from Skylark and then I incorporated some Cotton Candy and Ultra White cardstock.)

Here is a close-up of the charms.  I strung them on some the Slate color from the Baker's Twine Neutral Metallic Assortment and also used Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape for a little added texture and to coordinate with the Baker's Twine. 

It was fun, while at Convention, seeing the various ways to incorporate our darling charms into various projects and not just for our Jewelry Line.  This hop definitely made me step out of my box and I am so glad I did!  I hope I have inspired you to do the same.

Please take a moment to leave a comment before moving onto Tonya's Blog.

Happy hoppin'!

Lola Notepad

I participated in a "Christmas in July" event on Saturday at a fun store downtown.  It was fun getting to meet people in the area who love papercrafting as much as I do.  I am looking forward to joining with them to work on our projects!

This was the door prize designed for giveaway (although I would love to keep it for myself)!  LOL  I used the Laughing Lola paper packet to cover the composition book (just $0.50 in the school supplies section right now) and the stamp set that matches perfectly with it, "Paisley Perfect".  How fitting, right?  

Then, I absolutely LOVE being able to make a matching pen!  I buy the RSVP pens that you can buy at most stores - and that are cost-effective.  I take a sheet of coordinating paper that measures 1" x 3", wrap it around the ink "tube", stick it back inside the pen barrel and reassemble the pen.  It is too fun to have a matching notepad and pen!  

Love making fun and inexpensive gifts!

Bling It Up - Artwork with an Attitude

As a member of the "Stamper's with an Attitude Team", through Close To My Heart, I am joining this Blog Hop where we are featuring artwork that is "blingy and full of attitude".  There are 14 participants.  If you are coming from Sheila's Blog, you are on the right track!  A list of participants is provided at the bottom of my post.

Nothing screams attitude and bling like a purse (and I have plenty of them)!  Using a pattern found through this link, I used our Ivy Lane paper line to create this fun purse.  It was made from one sheet of cardstock that measures 8 1/2" x 11".  

The sentiment came from the Casual Expressions stamp set.  The Ivy Lane Assortment is too fun to include on your creations.  That is where the purple rosette came from and of course, I had to include some Pink Glitter Gems.

Here is a side view of the purse - perfect for including some little goodies.  

Now, hop on over to Melinda's Blog.  She always has something fun up her sleeve!  Don't forget to leave a comment before you do.  I would love to know what kinds of goodies we could include in the base.  The first thing that comes to my mind is CHOCOLATE!  What else?!

1. Becky McClain ~ http://beckysstudio-cards.blogspot.com
2. Di Crawford ~ http://scrapwithdi.blogspot.com/
3. Barbi Kelley ~ http://barbispapercreations.blogspot.com
4. Kimberly Moss ~ http://kimspapercrafts.blogspot.com
5. Catherine Nowak~ http://catscrapbooking.com/
6. Angela Garcia ~ http://angelascraftcloset.blogspot.com/
7. Sue Latta ~ http://lattastamps.blogspot.com
8. Sheila Bennett ~ http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com
9. Melissa Robinson ~ http://mlisrobinson.blogspot.com
10. Melinda Everitt ~ http://www.ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/
11. Jen Patrick ~ http://roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com
12. Fawn Carriker ~ http://photofunwithFawn.wordpress.com
13. Aggie Peters ~ http://busyaggie.blogspot.com
14. Denise Elliott ~ http://www.inspiredbyd.blogspot.com

Happy hoppin'!

44 Years and Counting...

My parents are celebrating 44 years of marriage today!  What a great milestone to celebrate and to take the time to recognize.

I am blessed to have them as parents.  They have modeled what a marriage is supposed to consist of - love, support, encouragement, and there through the good and not-so-fun times.  They provided a life for us that was full of love and rich in experiences.  One of the many fond memories I have is them saving up, during the year, to take us on a family vacation over the summer.  Despite living in a small town, we were able to see new things while having a ton of fun.  

They have continued to remain supportive of my sister and I over the years and even as an adult, I have been able to share many treasured memories with them.

Honoring my parents on their special day...

It's About to Get Wild Around Here!

Using our soon-to-be retired Timberline paper packet, and the "Wild Wonders" stamp set, I created this fun card.  Gotta love the monkey!

I used the Make It From Your Heart - Volume 2 how-to book for the design and included our Aqua Dots and itty bitty Black Epoxy Bubbles (for his eyes) for some added dimension.  While this paper packet screams at me for outdoor or masculine artwork, it does allow for some other fun themes.

Be sure to get this paper packet while it is still available.  It is on the Retired List provided here.  When you place your order, be sure to join the July event listed on the main page of my website and take advantage of the special ordering incentives.

Guess what day it is!  Happy hump day!

Create Your Own Patterned Paper

As you know, our National Close To My Heart Convention was held at the Disneyland Hotel just a couple of weeks ago.  One of the fun traditions of the event is creating gifts for team members.  It is not always the easiest to decide on what to make since there are so many ideas swirling out there.  Over the past few years, I have created a layout, perfect for preserving our fun memories of our time together.

I was not sure how I was going to accomplish the Disney theme with our current product line and woke up one morning with a fabulous idea:  Why not create my own patterned paper?  So...I did...

In order not to infringe on any copyright policies, I designed the Mickey image out of three circles and then copy and pasted them all over a Word document.  I cut my Cranberry cardstock to 8 1/2" x 11", put it through the printer and this was the result!   I used a layout out of our Imagine How-To book and chopped up my papers to create these two pages!

The Convention title was cut using the Cricut and our Artiste cartridge.  I stamped 2014 using our White Daisy Exclusive Ink Pad - making sure to give it plenty of time to dry - and added some Red Glimmer Trim for a finishing touch.

They seemed to have been well-received and I enjoyed making them!

Awaiting the rain in southwest New Mexico and going to create the night away!