Dazzle Display Board

                                                Created by CTMH Art Studio

This is the last item I received in the silent auction at Convention. A beautiful display board made by the Art Studio at CTMH. Can you see the stars, flowers? All made by the Cricut cartridge exclusive to CTMH. Want one? Let me know and I can order one for you. They will not be available until August 1st but you can pre-order today.
Enjoy the Day!

More Silent Auction Cards

                                                    Created by CTMH Art Studio

                                                 Created by CTMH Art Studio

                                                Created by CTMH Art Studio

                                                     Created by CTMH Art Studio

This is a set of cards I bid on and won at convention. The cards were made by the Art Studio at Close To My Heart. This department at CTMH is mananged by Eric. He and I worked a table at registration. Funny story, lady walks up to register and says her last name is Hartman. I immediately said "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman". Remember the old late night soap opera? Anyway, she wasn't amused but Eric cracked up! We were laughing about it the whole convention. Just goes to show you I'm OLD! but my memory still works...for now!
Enjoy your day!

Silent Auction Cards

                                                     Created by CTMH Art Studio

                                                   Created by CTMH Art Studio

                                                       Created by CTMH Art Studio

                                                  Created by CTMH Art Studio

The last several years at convention Close To My Heart has a silent auction to raise money for Operation Smile. This worldwide medical charity is dedicated to treating facial deformities such as cleft palates. Did you know that a portion of the proceeds from every My Acrylix stamp set sold is donated to Operation Smile? Well it is! Isn't that cool!
So, when I go into a room of beautiful art and know that all the money is going to such a worthy cause I'm all a twitter!
This card holder & cards is on of the items I was blessed enough to win. The paper used is Dreamin' and the Stamp set is Instant Memories. Also used is the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection to cut out the stars, roses, circles and tags.
Enjoy your day!

Aloha

I'm off to Hawaii to celebrate with my family. Dalton turning 18 years old! I've scheduled a few posting of convention artwork to hold you over till I get home. August will be an exciting month with the new Idea book and all the new goodies it brings.
I hope you have scheduled to be with me at my annual Open House August 13th from 12pm to 4pm. Remember, FREE Idea book for everyone who comes. Bring a friend and win a prize!
Mahalo Nui Loa!

Dalton's Tattoo

Send your son to church camp and he comes home with a tattoo?? Okay, so it's a Sharpie tattoo but take a closer look. Yes, you are seeing "devil" and "666". Dalton played the devil in a skit at church camp which is held on houseboats in Canada. His friend, Scottie, did the art work. I'm thankful that it was gone by the time I got home from Convention.

Want to see permanent artwork? Check out this artwork using new products in the Autumn/Winter Idea book
Enjoy the day!

Convention Loot

                        These are the goodies I received at Convention.
                           Roxie paper, Believe paper, Typeset paper, etc.

                                                     All the swap cards I got

People often wonder if it's "worth" it to go to Close To My Heart Convention year after year. The answer is a resounding YES!!
Just the recharging of my creative battery is worth it. But on top of all that CTMH is sooo very generous with their consultants. We receive tons of new products, training in the creative and business aspects of our business plus they make it really fun.
I have so much to share in the coming days...stay tuned.
Enjoy your day!

Cricut Art Philosophy Collection

Here a picture of what you will get with the new Cricut Bundle from CTMH. This bundle includes the exclusive cartridge, 3 stamp sets, 3- 9"x12" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes).

Did you know that if you used all 700 images with the feature buttons you could have 32,000 images? Does that blow you away like it does me?
Enjoy your day!

Autumn/Winter Idea Book

Here's a sneak peek at the cover of the new Autumn/Winter Idea book from Close To My Heart! I brought my copy home from Convention but you can get one too at my Card Workshop August 5th & 6th or at my  Open House August 13th from 12pm - 4pm.
*NEW lower stamp prices! A-size set only $6.95 (was $7.95), B-size set $9.95 (was $13.95), C-size set &13.95 (was $18.95), D-size set $17.95 (was $22.95)....amazing! When everything else is going up, CTMH is lowering prices!
*8 NEW reconfigured paper packets. Now the Background/Texture paper is cardstock weight (100lbs text weight) and each side featuring a unique design...you get 2 each of 3 double-sided designs). Plus 6 cardstock sheets. Total of 12 sheets of paper for $9.95
*TONS of new, cool embellishments!! My fav!
*Stamps of the Month are now $17.95 full retail value OR place a $50. order & receive it for only $5.00! Every month you can make projects following the helpful hints online at closetomyheart.com under Campaigns & Promotions.
Remember, August 1st is when you can start ordering from this new, wonderful book.
Enjoy the day!

Home from Convention!

                        My friend & downline, Cheryl & me at Awards Banquet

           My name badge. See the silver heart pin? It's for 15 years with CTMH

                               I played Goofy Golf and won a Believe paper package!

This is Jeanette Lynton, Founder & CEO of Close To My Heart. This is a wonderful woman who loves her consultants and is always bettering the company to help us and to share CTMH with the world.

I'm home from Convention and starting the process of unpacking, laundry and stealing time to look at my new Autumn/Winter Idea book. This new book will come out August 1st and is full of new products, accessories, and ideas.
The BEST new item is the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection! This exclusive cartridge plugs right into your Personal Electronic Cutter machine and you are ready to cut 700 shapes with the touch of a button. The exclusive images are incredibly versatile, and many are designed to be used with specific My Acrylix stamps for really eye-popping power!

When you purchase the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, you'll also receive  3 exclusive D-size stamp sets designed to perfectly coordinate with images on the cartridge. Plus, included are 3 sets of 9"x12" Dimensional Elements that work in tandem with the cartridge as well.
Want to see it & play with it? Come to my Open House August 13th and I will have a station set up for you to see how it works.
Tons more to come in the following days! But for now....laundry!
Enjoy the day!

Dream Come True Card

Happy Thursday!!
It's the first day of convention & I am in Close To My Heart heaven!!
Today I will receive the Fall/Winter Idea book in all it's glory! This is a huge reveal at convention & corporate makes it so fun! There is a big build-up to the reveal and then they give us our Idea books, usually in a wonderful bag. They are smart to time it around lunch because after we have the new books we are engrossed in all the goodies and pay no attention to anything else. Whew!!
Are you excited to see it too? Come to my Studio J class on July 22 or my Open Crop July 23 to get a sneek peek. Everyone who comes to my Open House August 13th 1-4pm will receive one FREE too.!!
Enjoy the day!

Convention Swap Card

I thought I'd share with you one of the cards I made for Close To My Heart Convention. All the consultants make cards to swap with each other. It is sooo fun. You get great ideas, see different uses for stamps & accessories that you may not have thought of and on top of all that it's exciting!
I try to make 3 or 4 different cards in multiples of 15-20. That give me lots to swap with and I tend to get bored with the same old card.
This card uses the background stamps: Two-Step Background, the stamps from Sophia Workshop on the Go and the paper from Sophia. Add alittle glitter and viola!
Enjoy the day!

Disneyland Here I Come!!

I'm packing to leave for Close To My Heart's Convention at Disneyland. This will be my 15th convention and I'm as excited today as I was 15 yrs ago with my first convention.
You may wonder what all the hype is about.
Just imagine 3,000 screaming women, and a few men, spending 3 days together crafting, learning and sharing their passion for paper crafting. I am right in the middle, okay I sit near to back, of all the hoopla. I love this time of year when I recharge my creative battery. Not only do I get the new Fall/Winter Idea book before anyone else but I get to play with tons of new products. Learning new techniques, new ways to use products and business classes will fill my days.
Close To My Heart is very generous with their consultants so I have left room in my suitcase for all the goodies I will be bringing home!
Want to see what I get? Stay tuned!
Enjoy your day!

Fourth of July Layout

I loved this layout when I saw it on Helen O. blog. The layout is from the Imagine book and it is called Shadow.
Using the stamp of the month for July, this layout screams celebration! The stamp set has images that you can use throughout the year but especially for the 4th of July.
Do you notice the pennants near the bottom of the layout? Using the 1 1/4" circle punch, you stamp your image inside of the punched circle then cut them in half.
Fanfare is a great paper packet which will be carried into the Fall/Winter idea book. Sky, Pacifica, Sunny Yellow inks are used.
Notice the flag? I have cut my stamp into 2 pieces to make stamping the image in separate colors easier. I do this with alot of my stamps. You can put them back together and no one will be the wiser that you have cut them apart.
Enjoy the day!

Summer Fun Layout

Here's a fun layout for you to use with all those pics you are taking this summer. Can't you just see watermelon eating contest, picnic pics, or even an outdoors party.
I have used the Sophia paper packet, Dimensional Elements for the words & flourishes and Pear, Hollyhock, Blush ink.
Want to make this layout? We are doing it tonight & tomorrow at my scrapbooking workshops. Can't make it? Let me know & we can get together to make this anytime.
Enjoy the day!

Happy 4th of July

As we celebrate the independance of the greatest country on God's green earth, may we remember the sacrifices made so we can be free.

I pray that today you are able to spend time with family & friends. Wave a flag, barbeque a hot dog and hug a loved one!

God Bless America!!

Dalton's New Ride

As you know, Dalton bought a motorcycle for his 18th b-day. When Duke called to say that they had bought it and were coming home he said "Get your camera ready!". And so I did.
 As he came down the driveway I was thinking back to when we were younger and riding....ahhh, those were the days. As you can tell by the grin, Dalton is loving having a bike. He got his permit & is able to ride in daylight hours.
Yes, this is a Studio J layout. I'm telling you, the hours it has saved me and the options it gives me are wonderful. Try it for free at my website.
Enjoy the day!