Pit Stop

I saw a photo once of a child's tiny legs on a big potty and I knew I wanted to try that shot. Well I had an opportunity when Taylor wore only his birthday suite and cars slippers on the little potty. This will surly come in handy during the rebellious years. This is a layout created in StudioJ. I love how quick and versatile it is.

Hoppy Easter

Studio J is great for instant gratification. I was able to quickly turn this layout out with the Exclusive digi Easter paper pack and embellishments. It feels great to create fast sometimes and to be able to add it to the scrapbook without a lot of fuss. Hope you try Studio J today if you haven't already. You can access it from my new website. Did I mention it's free? Yep, there's no cost to you to use the software and nothing to download and install (if you have Reader & Flash).

2 Cute 2 Scare

When my 2 year old son first saw this layout in person he cried. He was scared of the Wicked Witch of the West. The funny part is on Halloween he didn't cry when he saw my mom, however it took him a few minutes to warm up to her. This is the first Studio J layout I created. I knew I couldn't wait to get this one done because it was such a wonderful memory. I wanted to make sure it was captured and Studio J was the perfect way to accomplish it. I completed it very quickly with the new digital software and the StudioJ exclusive Halloween digi paper pack.

Scrapbooking Rewards Club--- Starting in Feb.

Scrapbooking can renew your soul, refresh your mind as well as preserve your treasured memories. This is a great opportunity for you to get more than your monies worth and get your scrapbooking layouts completed. Our club starting in Feb will meet once each month for a full year. If you decide to take part now you'll receive the following benefits for YOU.

(Below is our first project for 2010)
Here are the exciting PERKS:

~You will receive over $60 in FREE products just for being a club member!
~You will get the stamp of the Month FREE during your month! It's a $26.13 value!
~You will get Connection Club gift located on the back of the Idea Book, FREE with each new book.
~You will get the Idea Book ($3.95 value) FREE of charge each term (four per year for a total of $15.80)
~You might also like to know that for the members who participated in all 12 months will also
receive a 12x12 Close to My Heart linen album free. That's nearly a $35 value.

(Below is the 2 page layout completed Nov's club meeting.)

Here are the details of the Scrapbook Hostess Club Commitment:

· Each month you will purchase the supplies to make the month's project. (The project will be chosen by a vote of attending club members at the previous month's meeting)
· The club meets for a year. (once a month on a date selected by all attending members at the previous month's meeting.)
· Your minimum purchase will consist of the paper and accessories you will need to create the month's projects and so much more.
· The cost of the kit is $25.00. You will get a minimum of $25.00 in supplies. Most months you will have enough left over supplies for several other projects. You can select to purchase the Better ($35 kit) or the Best kit (price varies). The better & best kit contains an exclusive stamp set that can only be purchased during the workshop, the best kit contains other coordinating accessories.

First 2009 Club project used Emporium

A sample of your kit may be: Our beautiful coordinating Background and Texture Paper and cardstock from a themed Level 2 Paper Pack, and Items such as coordinating My Stickease, My Acrylix Stamps, or coordinating accessories such as Ribbons, My Accents, Bigger Brads, Chipboard, etc.· Your cost provides you with 100% products and no class fees. (You pay for materials but not a class fee.) 1. These pages are created with tools and techniques so you learn as you go/grow. 2. Many of these designs come from our unique Scrapbook Programs, such as Cherish and Imagine.

· You are required to BYOBasics: paper trimmer, adhesive, scissors, glue dots, etc.
· If you can not attend class, then I will have a class kit with directions ready for you and you can pick it up at your convenience.
· When joining, you will be able to choose an open month to bring drinks and refreshments for your class. That is the month that you will receive the Stamp of the Month for FREE!


Another benefit to belonging to this exclusive scrapbook club is you will receive a FREE monthly scrapbook class from me! I will teach you new techniques, we'll use new products, and I'll guide you as you create 2 or more incredible layouts each month! I'm so excited to teach you the many wonderful things you can do with the products you purchase. They won't sit on the shelf and stay packaged up in the bag! We all know how often this becomes a problem, but I guarantee you won't be dealing with this issue by being in this club!

I want to go one step further and offer you an extra incentive to get even more products FREE:· If you recruit a friend that I haven't invited to join the club with you then you will receive any "A" size stamp set ($10.95 value) or Level 1 kit ($9.95 value) in the current catalog FREE! · If you recruit 2 friends to join you will receive any "B" size stamp set ($13.95 value) or a Level 2 paper pack ($12.95 value) in the current catalog FREE! I am very excited about this Scrapbook Hostess Club and would love for you to be a part of it!

Feel free to contact me via email or phone if you have any questions or if you would like to sign up. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Pumpking Patch Layout

For me this is my wow layout. I am tickled with how it turned out. I worked on it here and there through out the week and finsihed it up Saturday.We made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch and of course I lugged the big gun out and shot everything thing in site so as not to forget a moment. It was hard just choosing a few photos for this 2 page layout. You cannot really tell in the photo but the two pages are mounted on colonial white cardstock. The patterned paper is from Twiterpated, the CTMH Stamp sets featured are Many Thanks, Homestead and Elegant Script Alphabets. You also see Barn Red cs, chocolate ribbon, journaling spots, Top Coats, and colonial buttons with chocolate embroidery floss. Everything except the round scalloped page is CTMH. It's from Bobunny. Doesn't it work great with this gingham paper?

All Sorts Mini Album Workshop

This is a workshop I created (partially inspired by Jayma Malme) using the new Jingle Paper and the 6x6 All Sorts Mini Chipboard Album. The new twinkle brads are adorable and so cool with the matching glitter. I love how they set off the crocheted flowers. As a gift to anyone who reads my blog I would be happy to email you a copy of the instructions to make your own with a complete list of supplies used here. Just send me an email or leave a comment.

On the left page below I used Photoshop Elements to create a bracket that I used as a template to make this page. You can have it, just email me or leave a comment and I'll email it to you.

Here's a creative way to use the little chip board pieces you punch out of the holes. On the left page below, I colored them with markers and used liquid glass to make them look like brads. I

Grace Workshop project for Sept.

Here's a sneak peek of the new Grace Workshop on the Go from CTMH. I just love how it turned out. It was perfect for these photos of my son at just 9 days old. This is the project my hostess club will be completing in Sept. Close To My Heart has added great value to the WOTG program, now you can get a exclusive stamp set included in the kit along with a great accent like the edge anchors used on these pages. But the bonus is that you also get the step by step instructions for 6 cards using the same paper pack, stamp set, and embelishments. It's an awesome deal. I'll post the cards in just a bit.

Kreative Keepsake Box

I just love this paper packet. It's so versatile. I made this Treasure Box for my son and I love how it turned out. I have to admit I scraplifted this from Chris Green a fellow CTMH'er. It's a great way to keep items from Taylor's baby days. If you'd like to try one, the blank box is only 6.95 before shipping and handling. I'll be happy to order one for you.

Christmas Card Workshop

Designs and photo are CTMH www.closetomyheart.com

Love the look of handmade personal Christmas cards but don’t feel like you have the time? Get an early jump start on your holiday greetings with this 2 hour workshop. You will create 12 beautiful yet deceptively easy (meaning no creative talent needed) Christmas Cards to send to your loved ones. What’s the cost? $15 dollars and you get: great time with fun gals, snacks, 12 completed cards, (see Merry & Bright on page 52) accented with cranberry grosgrain ribbon, and cranberry brads. RSVP by Oct. 1st please so that I have time to place the order and get all of the supplies.

When:
Friday Oct: 10, 2008:
6:30 to 8:30pm

Where:
My place. Call for directions

RSVP by:
Oct. 1, 2008
251-661-9550

Cost:
$15.00

Give a gift, Get a gift!!

• Who wouldn't love to help a child have a future and get something really wonderful in return. Here is a great opportunity for you to receive this wonderful From Me To You card kit and give the gift of a better life to a child. I am so proud to announce this partnership with Close To My Heart and Operation Smile. This card kit can be yours for only $10 (plus S&H), and all of the profits go to Operation Smile! Isn't that amazing.

You'll get

• 16 Colonial White Card Bases
• D size My Acrylix From Me to You stamp set (value 22.95)
• Precut cardstock and textured cardstock
• Coordinating brads & ribbon
• Sandpaper
• 16 Envelope Flats
• Step-by-step instruction booklet to create 16 cards (2 of each of 8 beautiful designs
• An attractively decorated box

The retail value of this kit is $34.95

Operation Smile is a wonderful organization that works in 26 different countries around the world with volunteers preforming surgeries on children with severe facile deformities. The deformities are debilitating and in some cases lead to death. While at the 2008 Close To My Heart convention. I was blessed to hear co-founders Dr. William P. Magee Jr., a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen S. Magee, a nurse and clinical social worker speak. I was so impressed that they used their talent and time for the last 20 years to give an amazing gift to children who would have had no chance at life. Since their inception in 1982, OS has helped more than 115,000 children . I was astounded to learn that the life altering surgery takes less than 45 minutes to preform and costs about $240 each. I really encourage you to check out their website and learn more about Operation Smile for your self. I am sure you will feel the same way I do about such a worthy cause.

If you would like to order this card kit or any CTMH products, or even host a gathering please contact me.

Back from convention

This was my first, but not my last Close To My Heart Convention. Lisa Murphy and I traveled last Wednesday to sunny Orlando, Florida and stayed in the beautiful Gaylord Palms Resort. I have returned with a fresh new perspective and invigorating energy and I'd like to share it with you.

The excitement in the room during the first General Session of convention can be compared to the Beatles landing in the U.S. Yes, we were all screaming teenagers when we learned of the great new products being released by Close To My Heart. Some of them include 4 new colors with delicious names I can't wait to share with you on September 1st. We created a fabulous Christmas album with the crystal clear My Acrylic album (retailing for 14.95). We saw and came home with many beautiful new stamp sets and lots of creative ways to use them. I would love to show you the great new products and the truly fabulous current products Close To My Heart has to offer during my Open House coming in September.

I will be posting more information, and great items you can walk home with FREE. So like your favorite TV show keep it tuned right here for updates.

Let The Creativity Begin

I am so excited; I can feel the creativity pumping through my veins! I am starting this blog as a way to share with you ideas, tips, new techniques, and great new innovate products that will help your own creativity flow. Here you'll find semi-weekly blogs concerning scrapbooking, card making, creative gifts, photography tips, and much more. I am going to keep this introduction short. I don't know if you are like me but I don't have a lot of time to read all that I'd like, so I appreciate brevity and great new ideas that are to the point. So that's just what you'll find here.

Let me know you've visited with a quick post.

Sincerely,
Leana Ott
Independent Consultant
with Close to My Heart