The Huntington Crop is Filling Up!

Just a quick note to let you know that my upcoming weekend crop at the Ramada in Huntington is filling up! Only about 10 spots open! Be sure to secure a spot for you and a friend before it fills up!

For those of you already signed up or considering coming, I have a couple things to share with you…

TABLES

Because I have to rent additional tables for this venue, I'm offering a $10 discount to anyone that can bring their own 6' table. So far 6 people have taken advantage of that discount! But I still need 14 more tables. In order to avoid renting and giving a rental company my money, I WANT TO GIVE YOU MY MONEY! (How often do you hear THAT?) 

Yes, if you have additional 6' tables that you can bring with you, I will give you $10 in product credit (toward the purchase of workshops or product for sale) AND $25 in Crop Cash for each table you bring!! For those who already signed up to bring their own table, I will have your $25 in Crop Cash waiting for you!

WORKSHOPS

I am already planning a wide variety of workshops for you to participate in! I'm meeting with my planning committee to finalize all of the fun details of workshops, games, prizes, and tons of fun!! Watch my blog for the opportunity to sign up for workshops as space will be limited. If there is one you want, be sure to sign up right away!

HOTEL ROOMS

I have reserved a block of rooms for the weekend, but that block will be released on September 18th! Be sure to reserve your room before they are gone! You can get the room rates, hotel phone number and more info here.

I'm really getting excited!!! I hope you are too!!!

Open House Projects

My Open House is this Friday and Saturday!
(click here for all of the details)

I'm so excited to share our new Annual Inspirations Idea Book and fresh new products with you! Want to see a sneak peek of the projects you can make at my open house?

Here is a card using our Stamp Of The Month - What A Hoot!

I've done a little paper piecing and colored in the sentiment with our new ShinHan alcohol markers, then topped it off with Liquid Glass!

How about a simple layout using our new Brushed papers!

This layout features a few new products - including coloring clear sparkles with our new Alcohol markers!

How about a card using our new markers? We made this at our leadership day at convention and I thought it would be cute to share with you too!

You will LOVE working with these new markers!

I even have a FREE gift for you inside one of our new Designer Paper Bags - great for gifts and party favors! These are Lagoon and come in 3 designs. They are also available in Honey, Ruby, and Slate.

I'm really excited about this new product because it is something for the crafty DIY person and the "I don't have a creative bone in my body" person alike!

Our new Cut Above kits include precut pieces and accessories ready for your stamped sentiment - no paper cutter required! Each kit contains materials to complete 10 projects! 

Thank You and Happy Birthday Card Kits

I love how all of the card envelope flaps have a beautiful coordinating design!

And there is one stamp set to share with each of these two kits!

Here are the Holiday and Christmas card kits. The also share one stamp set!

Aside from cards, there are a few FUN treat bag kits too! Although they are holiday themed, you can really use them for any occasion! Each kit includes 10 bags with 2 different designs, plastic bags and decorative stickers to put on your candies! Also included is 3-D foam tape and accessories! And again, there is one stamp set to share with both sets of bags!

Aside from these fun projects - there is SO MUCH MORE to see! I hope you can make it! I'll be watching for you!

My Gift to YOU!

Who doesn't like to celebrate birthdays? Whether it's yours or someone else's, it's an opportunity to celebrate life! And I can't wait to celebrate YOURS with you!

In the past I have offered my customers (local and long distance) a birthday discount during their birthday month, but as of August 1, 2014, our company policy will change and I won't be able to honor that for my long distance customers anymore*. 

INSTEAD, what I WILL be able to do is offer you a FREE GIFT with purchase during your birthday month!

So for every $25 you order, you can now add on another $5 in FREE product! Instead of my selecting the gift for you, I'm giving YOU the opportunity to select your own gift! It's like a FREE shopping spree!

Order $25, add on $5 in FREE product!

Order $50, add on $10 in FREE product!

Order $75, add on $15 in FREE product!

Order $100, add on $20 in FREE product!

and so on…

It's my Gift to YOU to help you celebrate your special day!

Happy Birthday!

Click here to join my mailing list - be sure to add your birth date to your profile so that I can send you a reminder!

If you are already on my mailing list - you can edit your profile to add your birthdate so I can send you a reminder! (Wait for my Weekly Blog Update to arrive in your mailbox on Monday morning, scroll down to the bottom to edit your profile and save it!)

Open House and Giveaway!

I am so excited to introduce to you our NEW Annual Inspirations book which will be active for a full year - Aug 2014 - July 2015! It is PACKED with so many new products that it makes me squeal with delight!

There is so much to share that I am opening my doors for TWO days just so you can take advantage of this opportunity! Come when you can and stay as long as you want!

Friday, August 1st
2pm - 7pm
and
Saturday, August 2nd
10am - 3pm

And to add even more value, I'm offering a few specials at this event that you won't want to miss! There is something for everybody!

Clearance Sale
I will have lots of clearance items for sale - new and used stamp sets, paper by the piece, completed layouts, paper packs, kits, accessories and so much more! Prices range from 25 cents to $25!


Stamp of the Month
For every $50 you spend you can receive our adorable stamp of the month - What a Hoot - for only $5!  We will be using this for one of our FREE projects!

Marker Trade Up
As many of you know, we had some quality control issues with our previous alcohol markers last year, so this year we are replacing them with the well know, high quality ShinHan Touch Twin Alcohol Markers. Come check them out and use them at my open house. I know you will LOVE them just as much as I do! They are ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in your hand and have both a fine point and broad tip. Even though colors are not CMTH specific, they are gorgeous and I will provide a handy chart (designed by fellow consultant Ellen Jarvis) to show CTMH coordinating colors for each ShinHan color.

Since I feel so strongly about the quality of these new markers and want you to have a quality product to create with, if you purchased the previous CTMH alcohol markers from me, you can trade them in for the NEW markers! The previous markers sold in a two-pack for $5.95 each. The new markers are $5.95 each. Trade in your old two-pack for a NEW ShinHan marker of your choice! There are 24 colors to choose from plus a colorless highlighter/eraser/blender marker!

For those that didn't purchase the previous ones or want to hold on to them, I have another special for you! For every 5 new markers purchase, you can choose one of 23 Mini Stamp Sets FREE! Many of these mini stamps are perfect for coloring in with the new markers! (I'll have a link to view the mini stamps after August 1st.)

More For Your Money

Back by popular demand is my More For Your Money sale! I need 8-10 people to participate for this to work and everyone WINS! For every $100 you order, you will receive $20 in FREE product*! Not only that, but you will also qualify for TWO of the adorable stamp of the month sets for only $5 each! One for you and one for a friend!

PLUS for every $100 you order, you will be entered into a drawing for up to FOUR half price items! After all of the orders are collected, I will be drawing for four half price items - and you could potentially win all FOUR! Your odds increase with each $100 order you submit!

For example:

• Order $100 - receive up to 2 stamp of the month sets for only $5 each, choose $20 in additional product for FREE and receive one ticket for the half price item drawings.
• Order $200 - receive up to 4 stamp of the month sets for only $5 each, choose $40 in additional product for FREE and receive TWO tickets for the half price item drawings.

And so on….

Order $100 in product all on your own OR combine orders from your friends to reach the $100! Your qualifying purchase can include cash and carry items, clearance table items and orders for new products! (ShinHan Markers are not included unless you want to forfeit your free stamp sets as outline above.)

There are many higher priced items that would be such a GREAT deal to get at half price, including our Cricut Collections, our Design Decor items, Organization, Workshops On The Go, and more!

 *free product includes: stamp sets (including discounted hostess only stamps), blocks, exclusive inks, re-inkers, Alcohol Markers, Complements, My Reflections paper packs, cardstock packs, Workshops On The Go kits, and Studio J layouts.

Participate Online

Can't make it to my open house, but want to participate in this great giveaway? Click here to shop online - be sure to join my Open House Giveaway posted on my shopping site - then send me your wish list for $20 in FREE product! 

Note: Your online order must be placed no later than 8/8/14 to qualify for my giveaway. I will notify you if your name is drawn for the half price items.

At my Open House I'll have lots of new artwork featuring our new products, a Clearance Table, cards available for a donation to Operation Smile, free munchies, and free projects for you to make! You can also sign up for upcoming workshops, classes and clubs! 

Watch my blog for new product reviews and the projects we will be making! I can't WAIT to share it all with you!

Please RSVP to the Open House so that I can be sure to have supplies and snacks ready for you!

See you soon!

Upcoming Crops!

Just a reminder that I have a Fall and Winter Crop scheduled. They are about half full right now, so now is the time to secure your spot. If you have told me you are coming, I have penciled you in. But the only way to actually SECURE your spot is to pay. 

My Fall Crop will be in Huntington, WV.

Ramada Hotel and Conference Center

October 3-5, 2014

Cost $50

This crop and venue is very laid back - we have access to a kitchen to prepare our own meals or you can walk across the street to restaurants.

Get all the info on my blog here.

My Winter Crop will be at the Stonewall Resort in WV.

Stonewall Resort and Conference Center

January 23-25, 2015

Cost $105

This crop will be held in the spacious Grand Ballroom of the resort. Beverages and breakfast will be provided by the resort to all attendees and is included in the crop fee. All other meals are on your own. Check out the bar/grill or gourmet restaurant on site! This is by far one of my favorite places to go!

Get all the info on my blog here.

And finally, I will be a vendor at a crop in Greenup, Kentucky.

Greenbo Lake State Resort Lodge

November 20-23, 2014

Cost $75

This will be my first time with this group so I don't have any personal recommendations to share this time, but it sounds like a lot of fun! Registration begins August 1st. Contact Rhonda Bailey at bbs@zoominternet.net for more information.

Hope to see you at one of the upcoming crops! They are SO much fun, a chance to get away with friends or escape the mundane tasks of daily life, the chance to get caught up or learn new things, you don't have to cook, clean, wait on others or take out the dog! The weekend is YOURS to eat, sleep, crop, swim, hike or get a massage! See you soon!

Lollydoodle Club Cards

This month my club members will be using our Lollydoodle papers and kits to create bright, fun, whimsical projects!! You can see the layouts here. But for our card makers, we will be using the Lollydoodle Card Workshop On The Go kit!

This workshop kit has everything you need to create 15 adorable cards (5 each of 3 designs)!! Here are the cards as designed:

I have to be honest and say that, as adorable as these cards look, they just aren't my "style" and I wasn't going to do them. (GASP!) I know! But I ran out of time getting ready for convention and didn't have time to create my OWN card workshop, so this was going to have to do. Well…I finally got around to creating the cards to display at club night and I have to say I LOVE THEM!!! I changed a few things - just slightly - but I'm so glad I ordered the kit and made the cards now!

One thing I like to do is stamp the envelope flaps to coordinate with the cards while I have the stamps and inks out! Who doesn't love to receive happy mail with brightly colored stamped images right on the envelope????

You too can make these adorable cards in the comfort of your own home! Simply click on the image below and add them to your cart! Or if you would like to attend my club and make these with me, contact me ASAP. Our club meets on July 25th in Cross Lanes, WV or August 8th in Danville, WV.

Order Now!

Skylark Club Cards

Next month my clubs will be creating with our beautiful Skylark papers! I've already posted the layouts, now for the cards! 

I had several ideas for the cards - but gravitated toward this idea in the end. I'm using our new Picture My Life pocket card memory keeping system. It's an incredibly easy way to capture your memories on the go by sliding in photos and journaling or sentiment cards in convenient 4x6 and 3x4 sizes!

Well, I wanted to use these gorgeous cards for CARDS!

Each Picture My Life (PML) kit includes a 12x12 cover page, a 10-pack of Memory Protectors, and 122 double-sided cards in 3"x4" and 4"x6" horizontal and vertical designs! 

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY TWO CARDS!!!!! WOWZERS!

There are 44 - 4x6 cards (2 each of 22 designs) and 78 - 3x4 cards (3 each of 26 designs). I selected 15 PML cards and made 10 greeting cards. They went together SO easily and quickly I found myself giggling! Here's how they turned out - but WAIT! I've seen these cards embellished to the "T" with bling and ribbon and cricut cuts, and accessories galore! But I'm always conscious of the cost of a project and wanted to keep it on the simple economical side - with the OPTION of adding on if you want! I'll explain more later….so with simplicity and economy in mind, here is what I came up with…

This card has a 4x6 and a 3x4 PML card layered together with Kraft cardstock. I added a few sparkles to the bird cage chain.

This one is simply one 4x6 card trimmed down to fit a standard sized card. And a few sparkles. That's it! EASY? You bet!

This card features some of the skylark paper on the base and then parts I trimmed off of other cards - and a few sparkles...

The sentiment came from a PML card, I just trimmed it out and added it to my card base! 

This is another beautiful 4x6 card that I trimmed down and matted with kraft cardstock. I added some interest in the bottom left with left-over trimmed of card parts and a resin flower.

This is another 4x6 card, trimmed down to fit a stand card! I added a resin flower and leaves trimmed from excess card parts! (I love the sentiment!)

Here is another 4x6 card that says it all! Simply matted on kraft cardstock with a few sparkles! 

(See the tiny red dots toward the bottom left sided? Yep, I can honestly say that I put my BLOOD, sweat, and sometimes tears into my cards! Can anyone say "paper cut"?)

Here is a card with Skylark paper on the card base and a sentiment trimmed out from a 3x4 card! So easy! 

 Here is a card with Skylark paper on the base, a 3x4 PML card in the center and a sentiment trimmed out from a 4x6 PML card! Again - SO easy!

 Here are 2 PML cards matted in kraft cardstock and layered together. I added a piece of zip strip arrow border at the top to match the bottom and a resin flower with a sparkle. (You don't even need the flower! It's cute without it!)

And finally, this has a 4x6 card on the base and a 3x4 card matted in kraft cardstock and a sentiment cut from another 3x4 card added on top! You really don't need that last "you and me" part, but I put it on there anyway. And added a resin bird and some bitty sparkles.

Inside of the card I added a trimmed down 4x6 card!

See what I mean about EASY? Now remember I said I had used 15 total PML cards? That means there are still 107 cards to create MORE! Or scrapbook with, or use as notes or gift tags, etc. 

Another note, I chose cards with sentiments on them already. There are a TON of cards just waiting for your personalized stamped sentiments!

So here's the deal. You can purchase a kit to make your own on club night. I made all 10 cards with the following:

BASIC KIT

10 cards/envelopes

1 sheet Skylark paper

1 sheet Kraft cardstock

1 package Clear Sparkles

Plus

1 package Skylark Picture My Life  (see below)

Optional add-on's

Skylark Assortment

Teal Shimmer Trim

Lagoon Zipper Lace

Chocolate Woodgrain Washi Tape

Aqua Dots

Clear Sparkle Flourishes - small assortment

White Daisy Cards/Envelopes Value Pack (50)

Skylark Paper Pack (12 sheets of paper)

Chocolate Ink (for distressing)

Corner Rounder

3-D Foam Tape

So here is the deal for my club members:

Friendship Kits - $15 each

Purchase a basic kit above and SHARE a PML card kit with 2 other friends in the club (you will each get 40 cards)

BFF Kits - $20 each

Purchase a basic kit above and SHARE a PML card kit with 1 other friend in the club (you will each get 61 cards)

The "Who Needs Friends" Kit - $32 each

Purchase a basic kit above and an entire pack of Skylark Picture My Life cards for just $32 and as a BONUS receive a FREE decorated box to store your completed cards or leftover PML cards in! (You will have ALL 122 cards to work with!!) You might want to consider adding on the value pack of cards/envelopes so you will have plenty to make more cards!

Choose the deal that's best for YOU! And if you are not in the club, you can purchase the long-distance Basic Kit items on my website (listed below) and I'll send your completed box by mail! (Simply click on the items below and add them to your cart!)

Long Distance Basic Kit 
Skylark Picture My Life
Skylark Paper Pack
White Daisy Cards/Envelopes Value Pack

Optional Add Ons
Skylark Assortment
Skylark Complements
Clear Sparkles
Teal Shimmer Trim
Lagoon Zipper Lace
Woodgrain Washi Tape
Corner Rounder
Aqua Dots
Clear Sparkle Flourishes - Small Assortment
3-D Foam Tape
Chocolate Ink
Sponge

Close To My Heart makes creating beautiful artwork, that you are proud to share with others, SO EASY!