Magical Layout and Card Kit Now Available

My Magical Layout and Card Kit is now available for purchase.  The kit includes everything you need to make this layout and the four cards shown.  The pieces are pre-cut, pre-stamped and ready to assemble.  All accessories are included as well as a full package of the Magical Complements (you will have extra images that you can use on other projects).  Cost for the project is $18 plus $5 for shipping.  I still have a number of other kits available. . .scroll down to my previous posts to see my other options!

Urban Layout and Card Kit NOW AVAILABLE

My Urban Layout and Card Kit is now available!  The kit includes everything you need to make this layout and the four cards shown.  The pieces are pre-cut, pre-stamped and ready to assemble.  All accessories, including a full package of the Urban Complements, are included.  Cost for the kit is $18 plus $5 for shipping.

HAPPY TIMES ARE HERE!

We have a fantastic special to kick of National Scrapbooking Month in May!  Beginning May 1st, when you place a $60 order, you can get this beautiful collection of papers for FREE!   You can also purchase this paper pack for $14.95 with no additional order required.  And, let me tell you, photos really don't capture how pretty this paper is.  The metallic gold just POPS on your projects!!  And, to make it even more fun, we have an exclusive stamp set that coordinates with this beautiful paper.  This D-size stamp set sells for $17.95, and it CAN count toward your $60 qualifying purchase.

We have two incredible workshops available to go with this kit.  If you live in the Springfield area and you purchase the Happy Times paper pack from me in May (or earn it free with a $60 purchase), you are invited to attend my workshop on Thursday, June 16th.  You can do the cards OR the layouts--your choice!  You'll need to bring your Happy Times paper pack plus the supply items that are highlighted below.  I'll provide any of the other items at no additional cost.

 The card workshop, designed by Michelle Snyder, makes 12 stunning cards.  Plus, you'll still have a fair amount of paper to make more cards or use on a layout.  If you purchase this paper pack in May and can't attend my workshop, I'd be happy to e-mail instructions to make these cards.  Below is a list of the supplies you'll need for the cards.  At the time I put them together, I could not find my metallic markers, so you won't see that in the photo above (and it does look cool).  Also, know that you can select any message stamps and, of course, use your own card bases.  The list below includes everything you might need, but many of you will already have some of the items on the list. 

CC1063 Happy Times Paper Packet

􀀂 CC1064 Happy Times Stamp Set

􀀂􀀂 1 Sheet White Daisy Cardstock

􀀂 X254 White Cards & Envelopes

􀀂 Z3189 White & Gold Ribbon

􀀂 Z3091 Pink Enamel Gems

􀀂 Z2012 Sequins Gold Assortment

􀀂 Z1768 Metallic Markers--OPTIONAL

􀀂 Z2089 Micro Glue Dots

􀀂 Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape

􀀂 Z2653 Pomegranate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

􀀂 Z2650 Fern Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

􀀂 Z2643 Canary Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

􀀂 Z2196 Smoothie Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

􀀂 Z1999 - 1” Circle Punch (Optional)

􀀂 Z1851 Scallop Punch (Optional)

The beautiful layouts below are designed by Tina Lovell.  Again, if you purchase the Happy Times pack from me in May, I'd be happy to e-mail you the detailed instructions.   Below is a list of the supplies you'll need for these layouts.  If you're coming to my workshop in June, you'll just need to bring the items that are highlighted, and I'll provide the rest.  Remember that purchasing these other items can go toward your $60 and help you earn the paper pack FREE!

• Happy Times Paper Pack
• 3 Sheets Pomegranate CS
• 5 Sheets of White Daisy CS (4 for base pages)
• CC1064- Happy Times stamp set
• Inks: Pomegranate, Smoothie, Glacier, Canary, Fern
• Z2012- Gold Sequins
• Z3091- Pink Enamel Gems
• Z3189- White & Gold Ribbon
• Z3217- PML Watercolor Cards - Gold
• Z3224- Waterbrush - Small Round
• Z2060- Thin 3D Foam Tape
• Glue Dots
• Z1985- Gold Shimmer Trim

Why I Became a Close to My Heart Consultant

Early in 1996, I was a young, stay-at-home mom with a one-year-old baby girl.  It was important to me to be at home to raise our children, yet I also wanted to bring income to our family and have a sense of job-related accomplishment.  I had a BA degree in writing/journalism and a desire to have some kind of creative aspect to whatever I did.  I prayed about this, asking God to provide me with some type of "job" that would include creativity, bring some income in and allow me to stay home with my kids.  What kind of job that could be was a total mystery to me!!

A few months later, I went to a "D.O.T.S." party at a friend's house.  I had never heard of D.O.T.S., and I had never picked up a rubber stamp in my whole life.  But, as soon as I saw that Consultant stamp her first card, I knew this would be right up my alley.  A couple of my friends at the party said, "Christina, you'd be good at this!"  So, I asked the Consultant for info and booked my own party a couple months down the road.  I had never even considered a career in direct sales, and certainly didn't like getting dragged to friends' home parties!  But, THIS was different because I was actually LEARNING how to do something fun and creative--not just sitting there feeling obligated to buy something I didn't want!

By the time my party came around, I had thought it through, talked it over with my husband and decided to sign up.  I began by asking a few friends that I knew to host a party for me to help me out.  These friends traveled in different circles, and they quickly helped me find an enthusiastic base of customers.

As I started to book home parties, I realized that I could REALLY make income at this job. . .and, I loved that I got to be creative and stay home with my child during the day.  Sounds a lot like what I prayed for many months before, doesn't it?!

As my business began to grow, I continued to set higher goals for myself.  D.O.T.S. (now Close to My Heart) began offering incentive trips, and I realized that, with a little extra work, I could reach this goal!  I earned my very first incentive trip (a Hawaiian cruise), and I was hooked!!  And, let me just say, so was my husband!

I've been with Close to My Heart almost 20 years now!  I've earned 11 incentive trips, and I hope to earn more.  I never thought that I'd have the opportunity to travel all over the world and see such incredible places--like the beaches of Costa Rica where I am standing in the photo above.  My business has changed over the years as our products have changed.  Though I still do home parties, I spend most of my time on workshops where my customers can come and learn new creative techniques.  As a Senior Director, I also spend time communicating with my team members and planning team events and projects.

It's unusual to stay with a direct sales company 20 years, and I think that speaks volumes about what an incredible company Close to My Heart is.  I have several team members who have been with CTMH for over 15 years now, and they will tell you the same thing.  Close to My Heart cares about its Consultants, and they are always looking for ways to help us thrive.  They have SO many tools to offer their Consultants. . .we're never left out their on our own trying to figure things out!

If you're looking for a job that offers flexibility, creativity and great personal support, consider joining my Close to My Heart team.  We welcome all Consultants, whether you want to start earning trips or just get a great discount on your favorite products.  We have reasonable sales requirements ($300 per quarter) for our hobbyists, yet we reward those who really want to work the business.

I'd love to help you get your business rolling!  In the month of April, Close to My Heart is offering you a chance to sign up for only $75.  In addition to the great kit deal, they are also offering some fantastic incentives to help you get off to a great start.  If you sell $350 in your first 30 days (that's usually one party), you can earn one of our Cricut Collections (or $100 in product credit) FREE!

To sign up, visit my website at http://christina.ctmh.com.  Click on "What We Do>Be a Consultant."

If you have questions, feel free to e-mail me at teisenhour@aol.com.





 

Making Cards from our PML Sheets

Our newest paper packs now contain two sheets of Picture My Life cards. . .they're all on one sheet, and you cut them apart to use on your layouts or in our pocket pages.  But, they also happen to be fantastic fun for card makers.

This all started with a card inspired by Chris Lothian.  Chris is one of our fabulous CTMH Consultants in Australia, and I adore her artwork (check it out at www.christinescreativecapers.blogspot.com).   Anyway, I wanted to make a card similar to her fox card, and I was trying to figure out where she got the cute sky background paper.  Then, I realized it was from one of the PML sheets in the Penelope paper pack.  If you look at the PML sheet below, it's the card with the birds on a line. . .I just trimmed off the birds and saved them for another project.

So, here's how my version of her fox card turned out.  The fox is from the Spring Critters stamp set (C1638), and the cactus is from the Stuck On You stamp set (C1643).  Both of these stamp sets have die cut sets to go with them!   The tan paper I used for the desert is from the Charlotte paper pack--it's got a slight pattern to it that's hard to see in the photo.  Remember that, if you're wanting the torn look with the white edge, rip toward you and use your thumbs to control the direction you tear.

So, after making the fox card, I started thinking about all those other cute PML cards on the sheet and decided to make a few more cards.  For the bird card below, I used two cards--the one with the bird and the light blue floral piece. I cut the floral piece in two sections so I could have some at the top and some at the bottom. . .so cute!

For the Thinking of You card below, I used the card with the floral design in the corner and the one with the diagonal stripes.  Note that each PML card has a vertical version and a horizontal version--if you don't want the vertical design, just flip the card over and the horizontal version will be on back.

For this pocket card, I used the pink woodgrain pattern card and trimmed it into the shape of a pocket.  I stamped, watercolored and cut out flowers from the Friend in Me stamp set (C1640) to fill up my pocket.  The striped background paper is also in the Penelope paper pack.  Note that, for any of these cards, you could use whatever sentiments (word stamps) that you like.

LAST THREE WEEKS TO PURCHASE THESE AWESOME WORKSHOPS YOUR WAY KITS!

The last couple of months have flown by, and that means that our Seasonal Expressions 1 catalog is just about done.  Although a few items will be carried over from this catalog, those gorgeous paper packs will not. . .nor will these fun Workshops Your Way Kits.  If you were snoozing and missed these kits, let me briefly explain. . .

Each kit, priced at $26.95, comes with everything you need to make SIX layout pages PLUS a pocket page layout.  You also have all the materials you need to make several cards, though the cards will require purchasing the stamp sets (unless you come to my house on workshop night and use my stamps)!!  You can access the cutting guides and instructions for your kit on my website.

I'm hosting a Workshops Your Way night on Monday, May 9th, 6:30 p.m.  This will be an open night where you can put together any of these Workshops Your Way kits.  I will have any stamp sets, inks, watercolors, etc., that might be needed for the cards, if you'd like to do those.  To attend this class, you need to let me know IMMEDIATELY which kit you'd like me to order for you (Charlotte, Penelope or Regatta).  Each kit is shown below.  Or, you can order it online right now and bring it with you to the workshop (let me know you are coming).  Visit http://christina.ctmh.com, to purchase the kit online.  

Here's the CHARLOTTE KIT (G1104) and below it are the three layouts, optional pocket page layout and optional cards that you can make from it: 

HERE IS THE PENELOPE WORKSHOPS YOUR WAY KIT (G1106):

 

And, last but not least, here's the REGATTA WORKSHOPS YOUR WAY KIT (G1105):

You are Welcome Here!!

I love this video from Monica!  She explains the current specials we are running for new Consultants and talks about different reasons that you might want to sign up.  Whether you live across the country or somewhere near me in southwest Missouri, I'd love to have you on my team!  Visit my website at http://christina.ctmh.com, and click on "What We Do>Be a Consultant" to sign up!

April Stamp of the Month: Life in Pictures

Our April Stamp of the Month features vintage cameras -- a perfect set for photo-loving scrapbookers!!  This stamp set is only available for the month of April.  Get it for only $5 with a $50 purchase or purchase it for regular retail price of $17.95.  Either way, it's only available in April.  You can order it directly from my website at http://christina.ctmh.com.  While you're there, be sure you purchase any remaining items that you want from the Seasonal Expressions catalog because this book only runs through April.