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