Join the Close to My Heart Family!

Fourteen years ago, I was a young mom spending my days at home with our first child, then a toddler.  Although I really enjoyed being home with my daughter, I felt the urge to do something else as well--partly to bring income into our family but also to fulfill that part of me that just needed to succeed at something.  I'd been a high academic achiever in high school and college, and I just felt like I needed that "something" that I could work at and call my own, even though I was still committed to staying home with my growing family.  In 1996, I attended a friend's home party.  I'd never heard of the company (then called D.O.T.S.) but thought it looked kind of interesting.  While at the party, I watched the Consultant stamp and create an adorable card.  I was fascinated. . .I'd never even touched a rubber stamp before, and I began to see all of these fun creative possibilities.  Some friends of mine at the party told me, "Christina, you'd be good at this!" so I asked the Consultant for information.  Two months later, I signed up with D.O.T.S. whose company name would later become Close to My Heart.

I started out with modest goals, just trying to do a couple of parties each month.  When I found out that I could do this fairly easily, I raised my goals a little higher.  I found that home parties were fun, but for me, teaching workshops was even more fun!  I got to spend my evenings with fun groups of ladies, teaching them how to create their very own cards, paper crafts and scrapbook pages. 

One perk I never expected to get out of this business was the opportunity to travel.  Not only could I go to fun places around the country for Leadership meetings and Conventions, but I could also EARN trips by doing what I loved.  I've earned seven cruises from Close to My Heart, and my husband and I have sailed all around the world--what an incredible treat!!

On a personal note, being a Close to My Heart Consultant has given me an opportunity to cultivate my creative talents, to develop leadership skills and to feel proud of what I have accomplished--all while staying home and being actively involved in my children's lives.   I love that I'm my own boss--that I get to decide HOW I want to work my business and when I want to work it.  If I want to work hard at it for one season and then take it slow the next, it's okay. . .no one will "fire" me for setting my own goals.

I want to invite you to join my Close to My Heart team and find out what Close to My Heart can do for you!  Maybe you work full-time, but you'd still like some extra income.  Maybe you just want something that you can call your own and work at for yourself.  Maybe you'd like to be part of a caring company that cultivates your passion for scrapbooking or papercrafts.  Maybe you'd like to be part of a team where you feel you belong.  


As your upline, I will train you and work with you reach our fabulous Straight to the Top goals so that you can earn even more FREE product for your business. 

If you'd like more information on becoming a Close to My Heart Consultant, give me a call at 886-4156 or e-mail me at teisenhour@aol.com.   You can sign up on website, christina.myctmh.com.

I can't wait to welcome you to my team!!

Wallet Album Class, Monday, May 23rd, 6 p.m.

 I'm offering the Wallet Album class on a different night because several of the people originally signed up for the class could not attend.  If you'd like to learn how to make this fun, fold-out album, sign up soon.  Cost is $4 for materials plus a $10 minimum order.  NOTE:  once you learn to make this album, you can adapt it to make a great gift album--for baby, wedding or any occasion!

STUDIO J--come experience the fun!!

Due to some cancellations and a soggy basement, I decided to reschedule my Studio J Basics class for Tuesday, May 24th at 6:30 p.m.  If you've even THOUGHT about trying Studio J, you should come to my class.  After all, it's FREE!!  I'll show you how easy it is to load pictures, select a paper kit, select a layout and start scrapbooking. . .all with a click of your mouse.  If you sign up for a Studio J Membership while you're at my class, I'll have a special gift just for you!

Fill in the Blank Card Class, Tuesday, May 31st, 6 p.m.

 I had so much fun making cards with the Fill in the Blank stamp set (D1465 from our current catalog), that I had to plan a class just to play with this stamp set!!  For this class, we'll make six beautiful cards/projects, all featuring the images from the Fill in the Blank stamp set.  You play only the cost of the stamp set ($26.65, including shipping/tax)--there is no additional fee for the project materials.  You must let me know by May 20th if you'd like to attend so that I have time to order your stamp set!

Flip Flap Layout Class, Tuesday, June 7th, 6 p.m.

 If you haven't tried out our incredible Flip Flaps, then you need to make it to this workshop.  We're going to create a two-page layout that folds out into a multi-page layout, thanks to our 12" Flip Flaps.  We'll use the beautiful blue tones of the Magnifique paper pack--colors that should work for just about any layout theme you choose.  Cost for the class is $5 for materials plus a $10 minimum order. 

Cards from my Spring Card Marathon

 These are the cards that we made at my Spring Card Marathon.  The goal of this workshop is to make 20 cards in one night (four each of five designs).  I try to keep the cards fairly simple so that we can mass produce them!   The top card with the flower was the most popular card in the class--it's made with Sophia paper and the Heartfelt Treasures stamp set.

 For the baby cards, I used the same design but different paper packs (Miracle for baby boy and Sophia for baby girl).  I love the Baby Love stamp set with these cute baby silhouettes.

 What I like about the Bride & Groom card is that it's REALLY easy, thanks to our ready-to-go circle cards in the catalog.  Black and white is always elegant, and you can just change the stripe color to match the wedding color.

I got the card design on the left from Vicki Wizniuk--her blog is AWESOME (www.wizardshangout.blogspot.com).  Both use stamps from the new Card Chatter Birthday set, which is a MUST for anyone who makes cards!

Mexican Chicken Casserole

I got this recipe from one of Tim's co-workers, and it's been a family favorite for us.

In a 9 x 13 dish, layer:

3 cups cooked, chopped chicken breasts
1 onion, chopped
1 lb. of Velveeta, grated or cubed (if using the block Velveeta)
1 8 ounce bag of Doritos (I get an 11 oz. bag and don't quite use it all)--I break the chips up a bit, not quite crushed--and sprinkle them over the top of the other layers.

In a bowl, combine:
1 can Rotel
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I use fat free)
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use fat free)
1 cup of chicken broth

Pour mixture all over the top of the casserole.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, until it's good and bubbly.