Did you know....

that our hostess benefits just got even better with this new Idea Book?  In addition to our already generous hostess rewards program (see rewards list below), we have added our hostess only stamp sets for purchase at reduced rates.  These brand new, A- through D-size stamp sets are only available during the current Idea Book cycle and are priced at a discount to make the rewards stretch further!  Be sure to check out the new sets on pages 6-9 of the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book-a variety of everyday and seasonal themes.  And remember, you can host a home or online gathering!  Please contact me for further details.

 I couldn't wait to get my hands on Washi Wonder for only $10 (a retail value of $17.95) and Wintry Wishes for only $8 (a retail value of $13.95).  Here's just a couple of my creations.

Wintry Wishes-Who can resist these adorable penguins?

Wintry Wishes and Washi Wonder-Now you can add the look of washi tape to any project!

 

With sales of:	Hostess earns $X in free product—to be chosen from select product credit	Hostess may purchase X items from the Idea Book at 50% off retail price. Includes ANY item in Idea Book, as well as any Hostess Collection.
$150-$249	$25
$250-$349	$40	1
$350-$449	$60	1
$450-$549	$80	2
$550-$649	$100	2
$650-$749	$120	3
$750-$849	$140	3
$850-$949	$160	4
$950-$1049	$180 For each additional $100 in sales, rewards increase by $20	4

Laughing Lola Artwork

I've had so much fun playing around with the Laughing Lola Paper Packet this month.  Its deep, rich hues lends itself beautifully to the August Stamp of the Month, A Chocolate Affair.  I was really thrilled with the finished product of the Hinged Display Tray-a gift for my mother-in-law Sandy (my biggest fan).  It depicts a trip to Hatteras my family took last September.  She absolutely loved it!  Lastly, I have been experimenting with the Artbooking Cricut Collection and how you can make complete 8" x 8" mini albums from start to finish.  The innovation of Close to My Heart once again "knocks it out of the park!"  In the coming months, I can't wait to share all my work with the newest cartridge so stay tuned.

August Crop and Craft Workshop Schedule

Join me on Saturday, August 24, 2013 for the Laughing Lola Card Workshop at 2:00 p.m. (featured on page 68 of the Autumn/Winter Idea Book.  These cards are perfect for everyday use and have a bold and cheery color scheme of greens, purples, and blues.  With this kit, you will receive all card bases/envelopes, embellishments (multicolored bakers twine and purple faceted jewels), and papers to make 15 cards (of 3 different patterns shown above).  Did I mention that you also will take home a size-D stamp designed exclusively for the card workshop (a $17.95 retail value)?!  The price for the workshop is $24.95 plus tax/shipping.  Add additional product to total $50 pretax and you can take home the August Stamp of the Month, A Chocolate Affair for FREE (a $17.95 retail value)!  See our August Special Campaign for further details.  Please rsvp for the class no later than Wednesday, August 14th with payment (credit/debit cards and checks welcome).

Free crops will be held at my house Tuesdays, August 13th, 20th, and 27th from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Stay for all or part of the day.  Feel free to bring a lunch or snack and your current crafting projects.  An rsvp is appreciated.


For my address and/or directions to my house, please contact me at grimjennifer@hotmail.com. 

Monday, February 1, 2010-Hearts for Haiti

Close to My Heart has been partnering with Operation Smile for several years now.  With every purchase of My Acrylix stamp sets, a portion of the proceeds goes to this very worthwhile charity.  Operation Smile offers free reconstructive facial surgery to children in need throughout the world.  Now with the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Close to My Heart has created a Constant Campaign for February that combines a great deal for CTMH customers and at the same time gives back to those from Operation Smile working tirelessly in Haiti.  For additional information regarding their on-the-ground response, please visit www.operationsmile.org/haiti. 
Beginning today Monday, February 1st you can purchase any 12" x 12" Textured Cardstock Combo Packs and receive one pack free.  That is a $14.95 savings at only 30 cents per piece of cardstock!  Close to My Heart will donate $2 to Operation Smile's relief effort in Haiti for every offer purchased.  Now is your time to stock up because all textured combo packets are featured in this campaign.  You may choose from the following palettes:  Basic (X5747), Spring Harmony (X5681), Summer Celebration (X5745), Autumn Harvest ( X5669), and Winter Cozy (X5670).  There is no limit to the amount of paper you may purchase.  For individual colors listed in each packet, please check out my website at https://jrjordan.myctmh.com/Retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=73.  The offer is good through February 28th.  Thanks for helping to make a difference!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010-Layout of my little Princess

I have been fighting the winter doldrums and needed to put this layout on my blog as it brings instantly a smile to my face!  I hope it does yours too!

This design is based on the pattern "Title Topper-Subtle" of Jeanette Lynton's "Reflections" book found on page 14.  (The book was a gift from my husband for Christmas and I couldn't wait to try it out).  Additionally, please refer to the book for precise paper cuttings and photo sizing.


INGREDIENTS:
Sorbet Cardstock for base
Felicity Collection (die-cut sorbet paper and My Acrylix stamp set)
Different B&T duo papers from the Felicity Collection
Colonial White Cardstock (for embellishments)
Cocoa Exclusives Ink Pad
Sorbet Exclusives Ink Pad
Clear Sparkles
3-D pop dot adhesives

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1.  Cut the top 3 inches of the sorbet die-cut paper.  Distress the scalloped edges with Cocoa Ink.
2.  Stamp with Cocoa Ink 5 large flowers.  Stamp 5 small flowers with Cocoa Ink.  Additionally, stamp 9 small flowers with Sorbet Ink.  Trim all images.
3.  Layer 5 small sorbet flowers on top of the 5 large cocoa flowers using pop dots.
4.  Create layout based on instructions from book.
5.  Stamp the bottom left hand corner and just above the picture on right using the large flourish stamp and Cocoa Ink.  Use the small flourish and Cocoa Ink and stamp in bottom right corner and to the left of the large flourish twice (each above the first two photos).
6.  Embellish with flowers accordingly clustering them about the page.  Top each flower center with a small clear sparkle.  Scatter clear sparkles throughout page.

Between this post and the last, I have only used one of the color patterns of the Felicity Collection.  There are still two additional color ways (Autumn Terracotta and Twilight bases).  Its not too late to get the Collection, check out my website to find out how:  http://www.jrjordan.myctmh.com/.

Friday, January 15, 2010

As promised here is the recipe for my "Love You" card.

The design is based on the pattern "Sentimental Wave" from Jeanette Lynton's "Wishes" Card Confidence Program.  The pattern and cutting instructions are found on page 118.

INGREDIENTS:
Sorbet Cardstock (for base and embellishments)
Felicity Collection (die-cut sorbet paper and MyAcrylix stamp set)
Colonial White Cardstock (for embellishments)
Exclusive Inks Cocoa
Clear Sparkles
Ribbon
Micro-tip scissors
3D pop dot adhesives

INSTRUCTIONS:
1.  Cut Sorbet CS (cardstock) 8 1/2" x 7" for card base scoring in half creating a 8 1/2" x 3 1/2" left sided card.
2.  Cut Sorbet die-cut paper into quarters.  Take one quarter and cut in half (will be 1/8th of die-cut paper).
The die-cut paper replaces the Sentimental Wave template.  Distress the edges with Cocoa ink.
3.  Create your flower embellishments by stamping in Cocoa the large flower on Colonial White CS and 3 smaller flowers on Sorbet CS.  Cut out each image.  Layer one small sorbet flower onto the large colonial white flower using pop dots.  Adorn with sparkles.
4.  Using Cocoa ink stamp the argyle pattern onto Colonial White CS.  Cut out and adhere partially underneath the die-cut paper.
5.  Stamp the large flourish and the sentiment (Love You!) in Cocoa.
6.  Embellish with ribbon and additional sparkles as you wish.

Voila!  A perfect card for Valentine's Day!

The Felicity Collection is only available for a limited time during National Papercrafting Month.  The Felicity Collection features decorative die-cut paper, three gorgeous color schemes, and a D-size stamp set that include flowers, flourishes, argyle, birds, and an entire alphabet!


This collection has a retail value of $34.95 US/ $40.95 CAN. You can buy it outright, or get it free!
There are two ways to qualify for a FREE Felicity Collection:

Purchase a minimum of $60 US / $70 CAN in full-retail priced stamp sets (A, B, C, D, and E-size). (Excludes Stamp of the Month, Art & Soul®, Workshops on the Go™, and customizable (K) stamp sets.)

Place an order of $125/$145 CAN or more in full-retail priced Close To My Heart products.

Limit of one FREE kit per order.

The campaign also has enticing opportunities for hostesses and new Consultants. Hostesses get the package FREE with a Home Gathering sales total of $400 US/ $470 CAN or more, and New Consultants who join Close To My Heart between January 1–31 will receive the package FREE in their New Consultant Kit. Shipping/handling and tax may apply.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

I have been papercrafting for just about seven years thanks to the persuasion of my sister, Jayne.  She wanted to make an album for my upcoming wedding and suggested we take an introductory scrapbooking class together.  I can't thank her enough for igniting my passion for preserving memories and creating one of a kind cards and home decor items.  In fact, she was the one to convince me to attend my first scrapbooking weekend.  The Crop Classix weekend in Harrisburg, PA (our hometown) opened my eyes to a whole new world of papercrafting and introduced me to the products of Close to My Heart.  After our first cardmaking class we were hooked and couldn't wait to pick up the papers, inks, and My Acrylix stamps to duplicate our efforts at home.  Thus began my obsession with Close to My Heart products.  When my husband and I decided to relocate from the Washington, D. C. area, I knew it was time to join the Close to My Heart family.  What better way to make friends then to share this fun and exciting hobby with those around you?!
Yesterday marked my second year anniversary with Close to My Heart.  I am so proud and excited to be a part of such a wonderful company.  I chose to be a consultant with CTMH because of their superior quality of product and ingenious designs.  With every new idea book there is always something new and fresh I can't wait to try.  The current book, Spring 2010 is no exception.  Once you get your hands on it, I am sure you will be hooked.  Contact me via email at grimjennifer@hotmail.com to find out how to get a paper copy and/or view it on my website http://www.closetomyheart.com/Products/Online_Idea_Book.aspx?i=4444&c=1.  Be sure to check back in on Friday when I share with you my "Love You" card (complete with instructions) perfect for Valentine's Day.