Happy Mail! Thank you Close To My Heart!!!!

I am so excited.  Look what I got in the mail yesterday.. (actually I got it last week but didn't find it until last night, that will teach me to open ALL my boxes when they arrive!)

If you are wondering what all this stuff is, it is a care package from Close To My Heart (the best company in the WORLD!).  As many of you know I earned two incentive trips from Close To My Heart this year- New Zealand and a Caribbean Cruise.  New Zealand is NEXT WEEK!  Look at all the amazing items they sent me...

• an exclusive New Zealand Stamp Set
• a 12 x 12 album
• a prepared Create and Take project- accessories and paper included. (WOW)
• a make up bag with the CTMH logo on it.
• slippers (they are black, you can barely see them)
• an eye mask
• an E size Alphabet Stamp Set
• Shirts for both Kent and myself
• Custom Luggage Tags

Wow... do I feel spoiled.  Close To My Heart is such a generous company, I am so lucky to have such an awesome job.  Lucky, Lucky, Lucky Me!

Here is a close up of the stamp set.  Can't wait to create with it!  Stinkin' Cute!

I will be out of the office from January 7-18th.  So, if you need to place an order before I go, call me soon!  :)

I am getting so excited.  Doing The New Zealand Jitterbug...

Tina

Celebrate National Papercrafting Month with me!

Celebrate National Papercrafting Month with Felicity
Offer Good through January 31st!

Celebrate Papercrafting with the stunning Felicity Collection@  The collection features decorative die-cut paper, three gorgeous color schemes and a D size stamp set that include flowers, flourishes, argyle patterns, birds and an entire alphabet!  Your papercrafting possibilities are endless!

There are three ways to get the Felicity collection:

• Purchase it at regular retail price- $34.95.
• Place an order of $60 or more in full-retail priced stamp sets and receive ONE collection for FREE! (excludes Stamp of the Month, Art and Soul, and Workshop on the Go and customizable (K)Stamp sets.
• Place an order of $125 or more of regular price merchandise and earn it for free! 

Shop online now!

Merry Christmas...

from our house to your house!  Have a safe and blessed holiday!

Christmas Hugs,

Tina

Directions for Matchbook Candy Holder

Supplies Needed:
Cardstock
B&T Paper
Juniper, Tulip Markers
Merry Pursuit Stamp Set
Archival Black Ink
2 Brads

Directions:

1.  Cut a piece of Tulip Cardstock to 5 3/4 x 2 3/8.  (inside of matchbook)
2.  Score at 2 1/4", 2 1/2:, 5", and 5 1/2".   Fold as shown.  This is the pocket insert.

3.  Cut a piece of Tulip Cardstock to 7 3/8" x 2 3/4".  Score at 3:, 3 1/2" and 6 3/4".  Make your folds to the outside, add the pocket insert and fold over small flap.  Add a narrow piec of tape to the 1/2" flap and place the pocket insert as show and adhere the flap to the insert. 

4.  Add brads.  Put some adhesive on the back of the flap to secure.

5.  Decorate as Desired! 

6.  Fill with chocolate and give to someone special.  ENJOY! 

Jazzercise Surprise

Tomorrow I am bringing "happies" to my Jazzercise class!  I just finished making 18 Matchbook Candy Holders.  The inside holds a special treat...

I can't wait for my morning workout...  First we will sweat and then we will eat chocolate.  Fun, fun, fun! Tomorrow is going to be a happy day!!!!

Holiday Hugs,

Tina

I'll post instructions for this fun project soon, (hopefully tomorrow).  Until then, sweet dreams!

Last minute gift idea... Altered Clip Board

Need a last minute gift idea?  How about an altered clip board?  This project is so fun and easy to make.
Here is what you need:

Wooden Clip Board ($1.00 at Walmart)
Modge Podge
Sponge Brush
Jingle CTMH paper pack
Jingle Stickease
Coordinating Ribbon

• Cut the paper to the dimensions of your clip board.  Use a corner rounder for corners.
• Cut around top of metal on top.
  
• Adhere paper using Modge Podge.
•  If you have wrinkles in your paper, use a flat edge of a credit card to smooth them out.
• Apply Stickease to decorate.
• Apply a top coat of Modge Podge.
• Let dry. 
• Don't panic if you see a wrinkle.  As it dries, the wrinkles will flatten.
• Decorate with ribbon. 

Quick, Fun and EASY!

Fifth Annual CTMH Team Cookie Exchange

Last night was our annual cookie exchange.  Boy can my team bake!  I feel like one big cookie- LOL!  Just thought I would share a few photos from the fun event.  Enjoy !

Tina

Stamp, Chat and Scrap Club Party... so much fun!

Thanks to all my wonderful customers and friends who were able to make the holiday workshop and party last night!  We had an awesome time!  As promised, I am posting  a few photos.  Enjoy and see you guys in January!  Merry Christmas...

I'm waiting

I been MIA  for a few days.  My trip to Boston, followed by the two Christmas parties that I am having this week has kept me rather busy.  Today I have two scrapbooking classes.  One starts at 3:30 p.m and one at 7:00 p.m.  In between classes, at 5:30 I am serving dinner to both classes as a thank you for being such awesome customers and friends.  I can't wait.  I am serving a "FRENCH" dinner!  Patiently waiting until party time..

Tina

I'll post some photos tomorrow! 

Boston Baby- This is why I love my job!

Last week, Kent told me he had to go to Boston for busines and asked if I wanted to go with him.  SURE, I said.  That is one of the reasons I LOVE my job.  I was able to clear my schedule and plan a holiday getaway!

We had a rather bumpy flight into Boston but landed safely around 2:00 p.m.  Quick stop at the hotel and then the search started for Lobster.  We found it... we went to Atlantic Seafood and it was DELICIOUS.  I think I had the biggest and best lobster I have ever tasted.

Today, Kent went to work, I slept in until almost 8:00!  I got up, worked on the pattern for the Cookie Exchange album, got a massage, had clam chowder for lunch, got a makeover from Seporia and then went shopping.  I think Christmas came early!!!  I am so blessed to have the life that I do, loving what I do and having the financial/schedule freedom to take these weekend getaways!

I am looking for fun and energetic people to join my team.  If you would like some information on owning your own scrapbooking business, drop me a line.  I would love to help you get started.

Off to see some sites and find another scrumptious lobster!

New England Hugs,

Tina

Holiday Project- Glitter Ornaments

Here is a fun project to make for the holidays and SIMPLE!

Here is what you need:

Re-inker (I used Twilight)

Prisma Glitter

Close To My Heart Rub-On's

Ribbon

Clear Ornaments

Directions:

1.  Take top off ornament.  Put 40-50 drops of re-inker in the ornament. 

2.  Swirl reinker around and drain excess into a cup. 

3.  Put 1-2 tsp of Prisma Glitter in ball.   Shake.

4.  Put top back on ornament.

5.  Use a rub-on of your choice and rub on outside of ball.

Easy Peasy! 

Studio J- Pearl Harbor Layout

I completed this layout using Sutido J in about 20 minutes.  I can't believe how easy it is to use.  Now all I have to do is hit order.  WOOOHOOO.... scrapbooking has never been easier!
'Tina

Remembering Pearl Harbor 2009

December 7, 1941...
The Japanese planned a surprise strike on Pearl Harbor. My StepDad was there!

In 1976, he organized a local chapter of Pearl Harbor Survivors. In 1976, there were 64 members. Today there are 8. I am so honored that I was able to attend a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony with him today at the Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum. Please enjoy the photos from the event! 

Stamp Chat and Scrap Club- Sneek Peak- Feturing Topstitch

Want a Sneek Peak into the new catalog?  I am going to share with you January's Stamp Chat and Scrap layouts and cards.  I am so excited about this workshop! The pages and cards are BEAUTIFUL. The photos do not do it justice. In person, these layouts come to life. Here are the details of class:

Wednesday-January 27th or Thursday January 28th.  
Wednesday time is 7:00-9:00
Thursday  is from 3:00-5:00 or 7:00- 9:00. 

You must email me to register and hold your spot. Seating is LIMITED!

Featured Layout

Alternate Layout

Topstitch Cards

Exclusive Stamp Set that comes in basic kit.

Hope to see you in class.  As always, this stamp set is available by mail.  Email me for details!

Tina

Marcus Pointe Holiday Workshop

Every month, I do a crop at Marcus Pointe.  Last night we had our holiday workshop and Christmas Party!  We made a JOYFUL banner and round Christmas Cards.  I took this darling photo of Laurence and her beautiful banner.  We also made a card tin and 5 round holiday cards.   FUN, FUN, FUN!

As a happy, I made them hand dipped white chocolate pretzels.  I attached a hand made gift tag using our Jingle Creative Basics paper and D1380 Just For The Holidays Stamp Set.  Several asked for the "difficult" recipe so here goes:   

Hand Dipped Holiday Pretzels:

Block of White Chocolate

Pretzels

Holiday Sprinkles

Melt the white chocolate and put in a bowl that you can easily dip your pretzels.

Take pretzel, using a fork, dip into white chocolate.

Place on waxed paper to dry.

Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles.

 It is so easy, it is almost embarassing!  Enjoy and let the holiday season begin...

Tina        

I love CLOSE TO MY HEART- Happy Snail Mail Day!

I have the coolest job in the world1111 I just checked my mailbox and was surprised to find a handmade card and gift in my mailbox from Close To My Hearts, CEO - Jeanette Lynton.  For those of you who do not know Jeanette, you are missing out!  Jeanette has the biggest heart in the world and the fact that she takes time to send handmade cards and gifts to the Directors in the company is AMAZING!  Not many companies do that anymore- especially in this day and age when budgets are so tight.  Oh one really cool thing about Close To My Heart- our company is 100% debt FREE!  Love it, love it, love it!!!

Anyway, I bet you are wondering what is in the package.   As they say... good things come in small packages! Inside the package was a beautiful heart, complete with bling!  But the biggest surprise of all, is that when you open it, you find a flash drive.  I am so excited.  It arrived just in time for my trip to Boston next week.  I am going to load it with Photos from France and work on Studio J layouts while I am traveling! 

 

What a happy day.  I so love my business and the company I work for.  Jeanette- YOU ARE CLOSE TO MY HEART!!!!

Holiday Hugs,

Tina

Sharing a Holiday Card

Just sharing a holiday card that I made yesterday.  Hope you like it!

Tina

It's a Hey Day Online Clearance Sale- Starts TOMORROW!

Tomorrow starts our Holiday Heyday  ONLINE CLEARANCE SALE!  Items are 50%- 80% OFF!  Just in time for holiday shopping! 

The sale starts TOMORROW- Wednesday, December 2nd, at 9 a.m. (MDT) and continues through Thursday, December 17th OR WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.  Often times these items go fast, so plan on shopping early. 

Go to my website- http://.missgingerdots.myctmh.com and click SHOP ONLINE.  Look for the link that reads Holiday Heyday Clearance sale. 


Details:

*Sale has quantities restricted to FIVE per item to provide a smooth shopping experience for all customers.

*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, great shipping deals on orders over $100. Orders of $100+ have a flat rate shipping of $5.

*Please be patient while shopping and checking out.  Everyone will be shopping so it may be a little slow. 




*Here are a few of the items that will be available:
15+ Level One Kits (favorites like Vintage Travel, Laid Back, Free Spirit and more). $5 (regularly $9.95)
10+ Level Two Paper Packs (Caprice, School Zone, Expedition). $6.50 (regularly $12.95). Stickease $4 (regularly $8.95)
35+ Stamp Sets from $2-$8 (Let Us Adore Him, Let's Play Ball, Precious Alphabet, Card Sentiments, and other greats)
Embellishments like brads ($3), ribbon rounds ($4), chipboard ($3).

*Note that clearance items may not be combined with regular-priced items in a single shopping cart.


Armchair shopping at it's finest!  Ahhh... shop from your seat... not your feet!

Holiday Heyday Clearnance Hugs,

Tina

Studio J - I am addicted.

I've been up all night creating.  I am addicted to Studio J and falling in love with scrapbooking all over again. 

Tis the Season- I'm making time for Studio J

Gobble, Gobble.. Ho, Ho, Ho... I am not sure how to start the post.  It is still November but the Christmas season has begun.  I didn't wake up and brave Black Friday at 3:30 a.m. which is my usual routine, but we did go out and go shopping.  Kent's family is here for Thanksgiving and for those of you who know Fran, this won't surprise you.  We left the house yestreday at 10:30 a.m.   We got home last night at 11:00 p.m.  12 1/2 hours of shopping...Yes, the season has begun!

I have been busy, busy, busy and have not had time to blog, scrapbook, facebook or anything.  I'm barely keeping my crops alive- (Facebook- Farmville... I'm addicted).  But, we did have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Our entire family was here.  Yes, I cooked, and Yes, I took photos.

Experiencing  scrapbooking withdrawls, I woke up at 4 a.m. and played with Studio J.  Studio J is our new scrapbooking online program.  It is not available for customers at this time but it is coming soon.  As a perk for attending Leadership 2009, I am able to create fabulous layouts.  And guess what... it is so easy, so fun, and so addicting.

I thought I would share with you a layout that I created this morning.  It kinda gives me a check in all my boxes...

Thanksgiving- Check
Photo Sharing- Check
Scrapbooking- Check
Creating - Check
Networking- Check
Blogging- Check

And the best thing about it... I am caught up with my holiday scrapbooking for the season.  As the easy button says... THAT WAS EASY!

I hope you enjoy my layout.  I can't wait for Studio J to go live and to share it with all of you.  You guys are gonna love it.  It is like no other digital scrapbooking that  I have ever seen!

Holiday Hugs,

Tina

Reims, France

Fontainbleau- France

Everyone has been asking me to post more photos of my trip.  I took over 5000 photos so it is a little overwhelming.  I have decided to break up the slide shows into events and post as I have time.  Here is our  first event... Fontainbleau!  I hope you enjoy it.  This chateau was beautiful!

Tina

My Pages BARK????

I woke up in the middle of the night (that is when I get my most creative ideas) and thought about the Voice Recorder and all the handy dandy things you can do with it.  I thought to myself... I MUST do a voice recorder of my dogs barking.  SO, guess what I did at 4:00 a.m. this morning.   After I decorated it and recorded it, I hung ribbon on it to make it into a Christmas Tree Ornament.  Guess what the grandparents are getting for Christmas????  It turned out so cute.  Love it, love it, love it.  Sure wish I could play it for you... I am just not that computer literate.

Have a jolly day...

Tina

More Voices Talk Artwork and Ideas

Let's Go Shopping- Marketbasket Pensacola

It's time for the Junior League's 23rd Marketbasket Extravaganza and Close To My Heart will be there.  Come check out my booth- I will have lots of samples, specials and a fun create and take!

JUNIOR LEAGUE MARKETBASKET

• Thursday, Nov. 19: Girls’ Morning out with stroller-free shopping: 9 a.m. to noon. Regular shopping hours: Noon to 8 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 20: Regular shopping hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 21: Regular shopping hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Admission: Advance tickets are $35 for the Preview Gala and may be purchased through any Junior League member, at the Junior League office, through Ticketmaster or at the Civic Center Box Office. The cost for daily shopping is $5 per ticket.
• Details: For more information about Marketbasket 2009, go to www.juniorleagueofpensacola.org or call 433-4421.

Bring an unwrapped gift  which will be given to foster care families for the holidays! 

Hope to see you there!

Tina

My Pages Talk Voice Recorder

Yesterday I was looking at my layout that I am teaching at Scrapbook Club in December.  As I looked at the photos, I thought to myself, wouldn't it be neat to have French Music playing as I looked at this page.  Then I remembered the My Pages Talk Voice Recorder that I brought to France with me.  I had an Ah-Ha moment.

The My Voices Talk Voice recorder is a small recorder, that allows you to record 30 seconds of sound.  (Think children's voices, children singing, Elders telling a quick story, your dogs barking, Music or sounds of an event, a baby's heartbeat at a sonogram, etc.)  I brought my recorder to France and taped some music playing on the street.

Yesterday, I covered that voice recorder in coordinating Background and Texture paper.  I decorated the front of it and adhered it to my page.  Now, when I view that page, with a press of a button, I can hear music and the streets of France.  Love it, Love it, Love it!

Close Up Photo of decorated My Pages Talk Voice Recorder.  The play button has a small pearl on it.  FUN! 

More Info on Voice Recorder Here

 Tina

Mr and Mrs. Suggs

My cousin Brianna Jeselnik is getting married today and I am going to the wedding.  WOOHOOO... I just love weddings.  I wanted to share a card that I made for her today.  Her wedding colors are Eggplant, Red and Champagne, so I used those colors to design the card.  I hope she will like it. 

This card was inspired by Tiffany, a fellow CTMH consultant.  A while back she used the Family Ties Stamp set to make a wedding card.  I thought it was so cute, the idea stuck with me.  That stamp set is so versatile and I think it looks darling as a wedding card.  Thanks Tiffany for the inspiration!

Off to the chapel...

Tina

Impressed Myself- I made Creme Brulee!

As most of you know I went to France last week.  While in Paris, I took a cooking class.  I LOVED IT.  www.cookinwithclass.com I took the Pastry and Desert class.  I FINALLY learned to make creme brulee!  That is my all time favorite desert.

Making Creme Brulee in class and making it at home are two differnt things.  However, I was DETERMINED.  Upon returning home from France, my first stop was at Williams Sonoma to buy a kitchen tourch.

Yesterday, I did it.  I took the plunge.  I made creme brulee (6 servings might I add) and it was DELICOUS!   I impressed myself!

Let me share the recipe with you! 


Creme Brulee

1 Vanilla Pod
2 Cups Heavy Cream
6 Egg Yolks
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Sugar for topping

1  Using a convection oven, preheat to 220.
2.  Add cream to pan, squeeze out the vanilla grains and bring to a boil.
3.  Beat the egg yolks with sugar.

4.  Pour slowly the boiling cream over the egg and sugar mixture while stirring consistantly.  Do not overbeat as you want to avoid creating to many bubbles.
5.  Divide the mixture into 6 ramekins.  Put it in a deep tray or baking dish.  Fill it 3/4 full of water.  (this is called a bain-marine or water bath.)  Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the desert is set around the edges, but still loose in the middle.

6.  Remove from oven and leave in water bath until cooled to room temperature.  Remove ramekins from water bath, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to 4 days.

7.  When ready to serve, uncover ramekins.  If condesation has collected on the custards, place paper towel on surface and soak up mixture.  Sprinkle approximately 1 tablespoon of sugar over each creme brulee.

8.  For best results, use a hand held torch.  Hold the torch 4 to 5 inches from the sugar maintaing a slow and evenmotion.  Stop torching just before the desired degree of doneness is reached as the sugar will continue to cook for a few seconds after the flame has been removed.   BON APPETITE!

Friends Blog Award

This is such an adorable award, and I received it form my friend, Brenda.   I was so surprised to get this award and so thankful.   Take a minute to visit her because you will definitely be glad you did- she is an awesome artist!

This is what the award is all about:

This award is given to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These bloggers are not interested in interested in increasing their own status, but rather aim to find friends and be friends. The hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are born!

Now it's my turn to pass this award on to five of my blogging friends. It is a great joy to do so:

• Jennifer (She blogs about her family and her CTMH business.  She is such a fun gal)
• Shannon (Oh my goodness! Talk about a sense of humor- such a girly girl.  Shanoon also shares amazing artwork.)
• Barb (My friend with the HUGE heart.  Barb is always thinking of others and she is also a ver talented artist!)
• Cathy (My fabulous Flamingo Florida Friend- and also my friend that got me blogging!)
• Melanie (My cute Texas friend and downline.  She has some cute cute artwork.)

Be sure to visit these gals. I know you will want to follow them to keep up with the charm, fun posts, and their amazing artwork!

Close To My Heart Team Holiday Party- Cookie Exchange

I am home from Paris, and yes, I know that I am behind on posting photos from the trip. I need to get the photos uploaded from my camera's to my computer. I promise I will do a slide show soon but the next week promises to be busy, busy, busy. I have an out of town wedding tomorrow and I will be working the Marketbasket in Pensacola next week. Some time in between I will get the slide show put together. I promise!

I am very excited that I scheduled my local team's annual Cookie Exchange. The date will be December 10th and the party will take place at my house. It is open to all of my team members. We will be exchanging cookies and recipes and making an album of our recipes.

I am very excited about the way our recipe book turned out. I used our new All-sorts album to make it. I think it screams C-U-T-E! I hope my blogging friends like it.

It feels so great to be creating again. 10 days without stamping or scrapbooking is way too long.

Happy Friday the 13th-

Tina

Check out last year's team holiday party!

Scrap, Stamp and Chat Club- Sweet Home, Jingle or Both

This month, you get to choose your kit in Scrap Stamp and Chat club.  Your choices are either Sweet Home or Jingle!  Like them both?  Want the both?  Then order BOTH!

I am posting photos of the FEATURED card and scrapbook page layouts. ( I do not have photos of the alternate cards or layout ready) Both kits are awesome- so I know it will be a hard decision.

If you are not in my club but would like either kit, please email me and I will send you details.

Happy deciding,

TIna

Lorie Valley, France

I am a few days behind on blog posting.  We left Paris a couple of days ago to tour the Lorie Valley.  The Loire Valley is famous for it's French countryside;  It is Fall in France and the colors of the leaves are breathtaking.  In Florida, we don't have much of a fall, so I am very excited to see all the beautiful autumn colors.  Snap, snap, snap is the sound that you hear coming from my camera!  I can't seem to take enough photos.  

The Loire Valley has everything I could ever want.  Everywhere you look is a castle, a chateau, or a chocolate shop- all the things that make me happy.  I am trying to convenience Kent to move here, but I don't think that will happen.

We are staying at Chateau de Reginac.  The Chateu was built in the 15th century, and was fully renovated and restored in 2002.  The rooms are breathtaking and immaculate. And to even add more charm to this place iare the Chateau dogs. The owner has two beautiful, friendly beagles that I had the pleasure of meeting this morning.  It made me homesick for Dixie and Daisy.

I am going to post a few photos from the chateau.  If you have a minute, you should check out the Chateau de Reginac's webpage as my photos do not do this place justice!

The Chateu' De Reginac

The back of the chateau.  Our room is in the right tower!

The Chateau' Kitty!  Even the French Feline's appreciate fine furnishings!  Actually, I don't think she is supposed to be in the chateau, but she crept in when the door was open and made herself at home!  She loves the guests!

I am off to bed.  I have a busy day tomorrow.   We are touring chateaus all day tomorrow.   When I get home, I will post more photos of the Loire Valley.  I plan to do a slide show but am having difficulties with photobucket while traveling.

Au revoir,

Tina