Thursday, March 26, 2015
This June, I will be celebrating my 10th anniversary as a Close to my Heart consultant.  It's a pretty huge milestone, and one that I'm quite proud of.  I've put in a lot of hours, effort and pieces of my heart into my business, but I can honestly say that I've gotten so much more back.

It's not just about the income.  Money helps, sure, and the money I've made as a CTMH consultant has not only paid for my own personal scrapbooking supplies, but it's also helped pay for my cleaning lady, my son's orthodontics, my Weight Watchers membership, and family vacations.  This past February, I was able to take my husband on a bucket-list vacation to Hawaii, because I EARNED the trip with CTMH.




It's not just about the accomplishments.  In 10 years, I have set a lot of goals and reached many of them.  I am a Top 3 Seller in Canada, I have reached the title of Director, and I have become a leader within CTMH consultant circles.  Whatever goals are important to you, there are many opportunities with CTMH to achieve them.



For me, the biggest thing I have gained from CTMH is family.  Community.  A place where I belong.  I knew I had met some great friends -- customers and consultants alike.  But the true testament to the love I receive from CTMH became evident this past year when I was battling cancer.  The support I received was amazing.  The friends that stood by my side with encouragement, strength and a casserole, restaurant gift card, jar of spaghetti sauce or baggie of waffles.  The people I hadn't met yet, but sent good thoughts and prayers to me anyways, just because they were CTMH sisters.  I discovered just how truly blessed I was ... and it was all because of CTMH.  Ten years ago, I would have been fighting my battle with much less support, much less strength.






With CTMH, I found the place where I belong.  It feeds my passions.  It allows me to work to my strengths and excel.  It gives me friendship, support and encouragement when I need it most.

Being a CTMH consultant isn't just a job.  It's home.

If you're looking for somewhere to belong, email me at justscrapit.ctmh@gmail.com.  Let's talk.  I just might know the place you're looking for.

Monday, March 23, 2015
This month's Stamp of the Month is so much fun.  I've made some cute cards using these great frames and sayings -- take a look!


With Spring in the air, I was inspired to create a rainbow with one of the borders in this stamp set.  Then I used the frame, White Daisy pigment ink and embossing powder on black paper to create a backdrop for the sentiment.

This little black frame then motivated me to do more embossing and create a "chalk board" look on this card ...


So sleek and simple.  Which then lead to ...


I love it when I can just play and play.

Do you want to "choose happy"?



All you have to do is spend $50 and you can get this fabulous stamp set for just $5!  It's only available in March, so get it before it's gone.  Email me at justscrapit.ctmh@gmail.com with your order today or shop online.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015
I'm a scrap hoarder.  I admit it.  Even the smallest scrap left over gets kept "just in case".  Are you the same way?  It's ok -- I know lots of people who are.  :)

I was working on some projects and here are the scraps I had leftover from the Confetti Wishes paper pack.


So what to do with these pretty scraps?
Make cards, of course.



Mini cards are so fun, so easy to make and such a great way to use your scraps.  Your kids can help -- get out the stamps and embellishments too for even more fun.  Then, they can send their cards to their friends, their grandparents, their cousins -- anyone who needs a little pick-me-up in the mail.



Or, you can save them for when the kids go back to school next week and send them as little notes in their lunch boxes.

Your mini cards can be any size you want -- I prefer to cut strips that are 3x6, which become 3x3 cards when folded down.  Even mini-er 2x2 cards are cute, or try something that's not square, like 2x3 or 3x5.  It's totally up to you!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Who doesn't love cupcakes?  We make them often in our house -- they are yummy and sweet and portion controlled!!  And they are super fun to decorate!

This March Break, make some your tasty treats with your kids, and while they are baking, make some special cupcake picks.  All you need are some scraps of paper, a few stamps and toothpicks!


These picks literally took me minutes to make. And they are so fun!  Simply take some strips of cardstock and fold them in half.  Cut, stamp and embellish to your hearts desire.  Then put some adhesive and the end of a toothpick inside.  Alternatively, you can take two diecut or punched shapes -- like the scalloped circle I used on the right -- and glue them together with the toothpick sandwiched inside.  Super easy.

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Crafting this March Break.

Monday, March 16, 2015
As a crafty person, I love to get crafty with my kids.  So this March Break, I'm going to share with you a craft a day that you can do with your kids and everyone can have a lot of fun.

Today we're starting off easy with some adorable corner bookmarks.  When my 9-year-old son Charlie got started making these, he didn't want to stop!

 STEP ONE:  Start by cutting a piece of patterned paper into a square.  I cut mine at 3x3.



STEP TWO:  Score two diagonal lines from corner to corner.



STEP THREE:  Cut along the lines to remove one triangle from the square and fold along the score lines.



STEP FOUR:  Fold in one triangle and put adhesive on the outside.  Fold over other triangle and secure.  You'll end up with a triangle-shaped pocket like this.



STEP FIVE:  Decorate as desired.  Do something simple, like adding shimmer trim, or be more creative!



Then use it in your favourite book.



You can have lots of fun with these.  Use some stamps and embellishments to make them pretty.  They would make a great Mother's Day gift! Just be careful not to make your decorations too "thick".  You still want to make sure the book closes nicely.




Or let the kids go crazy and make bookmark monsters.



And here's my special helper having fun making his bookmarks.



Have fun making today's March Break craft!  Then maybe head to the library to pick up some books to use the bookmarks in.  :)

Sunday, March 15, 2015
Welcome to March’s Cross Canada Blog Hop, where we’re wishing everyone a Hoppy Easter!!  The pastels, the bunnies, the fun … it makes us feel like Spring is really just around the corner.

Now, let’s get HOPPING and see some awesome projects from across Canada that you can do too!

ABOUT THE HOP
·         This is a circular hop so you can start here and go all the way around.
·         If you came from Krista’s “Simply Creating” blog, then you are going in the right direction.
·         Visit Michelle’s “My Creations” blog  for the complete blog list if you get lost along the way. 


HERE'S MY PROJECT: Mini Easter Treat Bags



These adorable treat bags are a favourite project of mine.  They look so cute and you can get really creative without using a lot of product OR a lot of time.  They come together so easily.

This time, the treat bags were cut using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge at 3.5". When folded and finished, they are only 2.5" tall -- perfect for a just a few little eggs.  I plan to put this at the place settings when we host Easter Dinner in a few weeks.

Just like egg decorating, the sky is the limit when it comes to decorating these little bags.  I used lots of stamps and fabulous inks, washi tape and shimmer trim.  Oh, and don't forget the zip strips that come with CTMH papers -- they are PERFECT for these little bags.

I also made some bags using the March Stamp of the Month, "Choose Happy".  It works so well because making these bags really made me happy.



And you don't have to be limited to Easter.  With St. Patrick's Day happening this week, I made some "lucky" treat bags too.




KEEP HOPPING & LEAVE COMMENTS, PLEASE!
Your next stop on this GET IT BEFORE IT’S GONE Blog Hop is Lucy’s “Creative Expressions” blog.

Please take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our crafty readers ....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see.



Thanks for hopping along with us - we wish you a Hoppy Easter and hope we were able to inspire you to get creative using some of the designs, paper and techniques seen along the way.  And come back next month when we’ll be celebrating Spring with the “April Showers bring May Flowers” hop!

Friday, March 13, 2015
There are some projects that I like to make over and over again because they are just so stinkin' cute.  This paper rolling tote is one of them.  I've made several over the years, and it's amazing how great they look just by changing up the papers.  And it's really super easy to make!


It's a really great little project.  The size is perfect to hold a set of standard sized cards and envelopes.  Or, you can do what I did this last time and use it for candy!  I even stuff the little side pockets with chocolate coins.  So much fun.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Welcome to our Team Brae-er’s Close to my Heart March Blog Hop, where we’re featuring great stuff from our Seasonal Expressions #1 booklet.  This booklet expires at the end of this month so if you see something you like, email me right away and GET IT BEFORE IT’S GONE!



Now, get ready for some amazing creative from my fellow CTMH consultants that you can make too!

ABOUT THE HOP
·         This is a circular hop so you can start here and go all the way around.
·         If you came from Carol’s “Crafty Carol” blog, then you are going in the right direction.
·         Visit Brae’s “The Brae-er” blog  for the complete blog list if you get lost along the way. 


HERE'S MY PROJECT: Heartstrings Pennant Frame
The Heartstrings paper theme was designed for Valentine’s but that doesn’t mean that it can ONLY be used for that special holiday.  The gorgeous combination of red and lagoon can be used for a variety of projects, and the subtle patterns create texture without being over the top.  

Here, I used Heartstrings to create a special momento for my Hawaii Secret Sister.  she has two adorable puppies that I knew she would be missing, so this frame was a nice reminder of the good things she’d be going home to when she left paradise.



Supplies Used
X7193B Heartstrings Paper Pack **
Z1941 Designer Creations Pennant Frame
Z3038 Junebug Puffy Stickers **
Shapes from CTMH's Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge
Urban Alphabet Stamp Set

** These items are GOING, GOING, GONE as of March 31.


KEEP HOPPING & LEAVE COMMENTS, PLEASE!
Your next stop on this GET IT BEFORE IT’S GONE Blog Hop is Darcel's "Close to my Heart KW" blog.

Please take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our crafty readers ....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see.

I'm also entering this project in Jeanette Lynton's weekly creative challenge.  Check it out on Facebook and play along each week.  #‎jrlcreativechallenge‬ 

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to get creative using some of the designs, paper and techniques seen along the way.  And come back next month when we’ll be sharing and showing off the fabulous new products in Seasonal Expressions #2!

Thursday, March 5, 2015
You're the bomb!  And I'm sure you know many amazing, awesome ladies who are also "the bomb"!  Wouldn't you like to send them a card that tells them just how "bomb-tastic" you think they are?  It would surely make their day.

So I've created a series of cards using the fantastic "You're the Bomb" stamp set featured in CTMH's Seasonal Expressions 1 booklet.  Not only is this a fun and versatile stamp set, but proceeds from the sale of this stamp set go to help kids around the world with Operation Smile.

I also chose to use the Whimsy Paper Fundamentals pack.  These colours are bright and happy and fun -- perfect for this time of year when we long for sunshine and warmer weather.

So take a look ... and then read on for details about how YOU can make these cards at my workshop.


This group of cards just makes me smile, and I already know who I'm going to send them to.  And because they are so fun, I decided to make 2 of each card, just using a different colour for each.






You can make these cards at my "You're the Bomb" workshop.


Sunday, March 15
1-4pm
Make 10 cards
$25 per person  

RSVP TODAY!
Email me at justscrapit.ctmh@gmail.com to reserve your spot.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015
OK ladies.  Just a heads up.  This post is going to be about me.  Because #ilovemyjob!  Really, really love my job.  And I think shows when I meet with you, scrapbook with you, write these posts to you.  My job is amazing, because it doesn't feel like work.  I love being a Close to my Heart Consultant!

I get to play with fabulous products and be creative whenever I want.  I love designing workshops, playing with stamps and helping people with their creative challenges.  And I love that some of you call me your "creative goddess".  ;)



I get to meet new people, and hang out with cherished friends.  The friends I have gained through Close to my Heart mean so much to me, and they astound me with their caring and support.  I feel very special ... and it wouldn't have happened if I didn't have this job.



My life is flexible.  That's because I can work my business, my way and schedule my work and my events around my family.  I'm home when my kids get home from school.  I can take my kids to their activities, and even have them join activities at more convenient times (like after school).



And the flexibility doesn't end with the clock.  I can offer the kinds of classes that I want to teach, hold the events my customers want to come to, and work my business the way I want to because I'm my own boss.




With my job, I've been able to travel.  In fact, as many of you know, I just got back from glorious, tropical, beautiful Hawaii -- a trip I EARNED with Close to my Heart and they took care of the expenses.  It was a fantastic trip and an amazing reward for what I love to do.





And speaking of rewards, I love the sense of accomplishment and recognition I get with Close to my Heart.  Earning nicknames from my customers and friends, having people feel GOOD about what they've created, seeing smiles on faces that come back for workshop after workshop -- that feels pretty awesome.  Top it off with "official" recognition like awards is also a great feeling.



I love my job.  I cannot imagine my life without Close to my Heart.  And I want to share it with you.  Right now, there's an AMAZING deal waiting for you if you choose to join my team.  That's on top of the flexibility, creativity, friendship and rewards you'll get from owning your own Close to my Heart business.  Get more details here or email me at justscrapit.ctmh@gmail.com.  I would love to talk to you about Close to my Heart.

Close to my Heart

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If you are inspired and would like to scraplift any of my work for your PERSONAL use, go ahead. We can all learn from each other. However, if you post somewhere, please give credit where it is due. Please DO NOT use or copy my ideas for contests, publication or selling purposes. All images are protected under Canadian Copyright.

For CTMH products, including but not limited to papers, stamps and inks, are Designs Copyright CMTH Co.

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