Idea Book Superstars!

Okay...I have a confession to make about Close to My Heart Idea Books! The day my supply of idea books arrive is a much anticipated day at my house. Of course, one would think I simply can't wait to see the new goodies CTMH has designed and the amazingly inspiring artwork that graces the pages of each book. However, if I am being perfectly honest, my first look through the idea book isn't focused on the incredible new products! No, my first look is always focused on the artwork, specifically the pictures used in the artwork. Yes, I look eagerly for my pictures in each Close to My Heart Idea Book!!!

Close to My Heart encourages consultants to submit photos for their Art Dept. to be used in sample artwork. Well, who doesn't love sharing their photos?!?! I faithfully oblige and send them my favorites and lo and behold occasionally I will flip through a new Idea Book and see the precious face of one or both of my children smiling back at me.

My kids have learned to anticipate the new books too, and always ask, 'Mommy, am I in the catalog this time?" More often than not, the answer is "Not this time, sweetie!", but it sure is fun when I can open my copy and show them "their page"! Thank you CTMH for making my kids feel like superstars!!!

The picture above is page 80 of the Spring 2010 Idea Book. I wish I could claim the amazing artwork, but I CAN claim the adorable little girl who was using a wrench to put her training wheels back ON her bike all on her own!

January is National Papercrafting Month

January is National Papercrafting Month and Close to My Heart is celebrating with Felicity! A special website filled with tips, techniques and inspiration, and daily giveaways along with amazing product collection make this a celebration you can't miss!

Felicity means extreme happiness or bliss and that is exactly what you'll find in this gorgeous collection!

The Felicity Collection features decorative die-cut paper, three gorgeous color schemes, and a D-size stamp set that includes flowers, flourishes, argyle patterns, birds and and entire alphabet!

There are three ways to get your Felicity Collection:
-Purchase it at full retail price for $34.95
-Place an order of $60 or more in full-retail priced stamp sets and receive the Felicity Collection FREE!
-Place an order of $125 or more in full-retail priced CTMH products and receive the Felicity Collection FREE.

Additionally, Hostesses who have total gathering sales of $400 or more and new Consultants who join CTMH in January will each get a Felicity Collection FREE!

Available through January 31st or while supplies last! Celebrate with Felicity today!!!

To make the celebration even better, Close to My Heart invites you to visit the National Papercrafting Month blog, where everyday you'll find something new - fun techniques, helpful tips and inspiring artwork AND evey day this month they are giving away a FREE Felicity Collection! Visit daily and leave a comment for your chance to WIN!

Spring 2010 Idea Book is HERE!

You won't want to miss the brand new Spring 2010 Idea book from Close to My Heart! It is filled with the latest and greatest goodies for scrapbooking and stamping - 4 gorgeous, new My Reflections Scrapbooking kits, over 35 exclusive My Acrylix stamp sets, and more incredible new accessories - not to mention the inspiring artwork that fills the pages! This Idea Book is one of the best yet!!!

This beautiful new book is available NOW! You can view it online by visiting my website - http://beth.myctmh.com/. Or shoot me an email at beth@MyCTMH.com to get your very own copy delivered to your door.

Since I know you're all dying to see the 4 new My Reflections Kits, I thought I'd share them here. Enjoy!!!!

If you like the gorgeous layout on the cover of the Spring Idea Book, you'll love the soft, muted, earthy colors of Veranda (Creme Brulee, Cocoa, Garden Green & Juniper). These papers have such an elegant look!
I think Topstitch is quite possibly my favorite new kit!! The fun color combination of Baby Pink, Chocolate, Heavenly Blue, and Vineyard Berry give these papers a bit of a retro feel. Check back soon to see the fun Easter layout I created with Topstitch!

This next kit is oh so playful and downright FUN! Caboodle is perfect for those little boys in your life and all sorts of springtime fun. Caboodle features Buttercup, Crystal Blue, Sorbet and Sweet Leaf.
For all you aspiring Guitar Heros and Rock Band members out there, this kit is for you! I simply love the psychadelic look of You Rock which combines Goldrush, Indian Corn Blue, Olive and Outdoor Denim with some great patterns for a totally groovy look!

So there's a peek at the new kits! Are your creative juices flowing yet? I hope so - I know mine are! If you LOVE one of these kits (or ALL of them), be sure to check out my workshop schedule on the right hand side as each of these new kits will be featured for a month at my workshops this spring.

Happy Scrapping! Happy Stamping!

Happy New Year!

What a wonderful holiday season we had. After a hectic couple months dealing with our remodel and just those everyday things that keep us all busy, we thoroughly enjoyed the two weeks the kids were on vacation! We slept late, played games, baked and cooked in our new kitchen and enjoyed time with friends and relatives.

The kids are back to school in the morning, and that means I am back to work too! My newsletter will be going out SOON with information on the NEW Spring 2010 Idea Book AND my upcoming workshops. Watch your inbox and check back here often for updated info!

Wishing each of you a happy and healthy 2010!

It's a Holiday Heyday - With HUGE Savings for YOU! 50-80% Off!!!

Sit back and relax, it's okay to start your holiday shopping a little late this year because the BEST deals start TODAY!!!

Beginning at 8am (PST), you'll want to get in on the amazing deals like My Acrylix stamp sets from $2 and My Reflections paper packets from $5. But that's not all - we have "grab bags" for $30, each filled with over $100 in retail products! Plus get great shipping deals on orders over $100. These products are only available while supplies last, and if you've shopped our clearance sales in the past you know how quickly items sell out, so head on over to my website - http://beth.myctmh.com - and be the first to fill your shopping cart!

For a complete list of items to be offered during this incredible clearance sale, visit the Calendar page of my website and see the post on December 2nd!


*Sale continues through December 17th or while supplies last. Shipping/handling: orders of $100 or more have a flat rate shipping of $5. Tax is charged based on discounted amount.
**Sale items and regular priced items cannot be combined on the same order.
***Limit of 5 of any one item per order.

December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Can it possibly be December already? It is, it is, and that must mean it is time for another fabulous Stamp of the Month blog hop with many of my fellow Close To My Heart consultants sharing their artwork.

If you've hopped with me before, you know the routine, but if you're new to blog hopping it's really quite simple. After checking out my submission below, just click on the link at the bottom of my post to get to the next blog. Each blog will link you to another and by the time you end up back here, you'll be full of inspiration! So here we go...

This month, we are featuring the December Stamp of the Month set, Notice the Details. This set of 41 stamps is fun and versatile!

For my creation, I chose the Grace My Reflections papers (possibly my most favorite from the Fall/Winter Idea book). The simple card was inspired by a card share by fellow consultant Amanda DesJardins.

I stamped the weekly calendar image. to create the sentiment, I used the phrase "Celebrate the Everyday" which is a stacked title in the stamp set. By masking it and stamping it three times I was able to get the sentiment situated as shown.

A little ribbon knot and some liquid glass on the flowers in the B&T add the finishing touches to this fast and easy card!

Remember, the Stamp of the Month set is only available through December. Get yours for $22.95 or place and order and earn it at a great discount, or even FREE! Details can be found on my website - http://www.beth.MyCTMH.com.

Now head on over to my friend Michelle's blog to see her fabulous creation - I know she won't disappoint!!! If at anytime you get lost along the way (or find links not working) check out Jena's blog for the complete list of SOTM Blog Hoppers.

Thanks for visiting and Happy Hopping!

Creating with Studio J!

Last summer, at the CTMH Leadership Conference, Jeanette and Close to My Heart introduced Studio J, a tool unlike anything else out there! Simply put, Studio J is an online scrapbooking design software. There is nothing to download, no software to buy, no membership fee to pay...Studio J is absolutely FREE to use and create with! When you are done creating you simply order your gorgeous projects and they are printed and shipped directly to you, ready to slip right into your albums...Studio J is Real Life, Real Scrapbooks, Real Time!

This week, along with the other Leadership attendees, I began beta testing Studio J before its initial release in the Spring. What fun I've had! It really is a snap to create a beautiful layout with Studio J in just a few easy steps...

1. Upload photos

2. Select your Kit - you'll find your favorite classic CTMH My Reflections kits in Studio J as well and an exclusive Studio J kit released with every new Idea book!

3. Select your Layout - if you love using Cherish, Imagine and Reflections, you'll LOVE selecting your layout - simply filter by the number of photos you'd like to use and select the exclusive layout design.

4. Select your Kit Mix - just like when you are crafting with paper, you have plenty of options for different paper combinations within each kit - this is where CTMH has truly done the work for you!!

5. Complete your layout - With a simple drag and drop feature your photos are placed in the designated photo wells where you can enlarge and enhance them in many ways. Pre-set accents are included in the layout and with the simple click of your mouse, you can change the color of your ribbon, brads, buttons and more! Add My Stickease, title and journaling. Distress a little if you'd like and you're done!

This is just the simple run-down. With Studio J, the possibilities are endless when you start rotating layouts, swapping out papers and resizing embellishments!

Here are a couple of the layouts I've created over the past couple days on Studio J.

On Wednesday, while visiting my parents for Thanksgiving, we celebrated Jenna's birthday. After the kids were in bed, I sat down with my laptop, logged into Studio J and had completed this layout in a matter of minutes!

I selected the Magic Moments kit as a great compliment to the photos. The Stars Above layout worked well for the number of pictures I wanted to include. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the ability to resize the My Stickease - notice the different sized letters making up the playful title! Jenna was so excited to wake up in the morning and see a this layout using her celebration pictures from the night before!

My next layout used the It's a Guy Thing kit. The colors were perfect for these outdoor photos of my duck huntin' hubby! Notice all of the accents colored to match the layout.
As I continue exploring Studio J, I will be sure to share my creations right here with all of you. Visit the Studio J website for more info and watch for info from me in the Spring about a special Studio J preview I will be holding!