Monday, July 26, 2010

Convention Roommate Gifts

It is a Close To My Heart tradition to bring gifts for your roommates while at Convention.

I made waterfall mini albums for my roomies using the Splendor paper pack.  Pull the tab on the right and the pages flip open one by one.








To make a waterfall mini album like this one, click here.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Convention Wrap Up

Well, this convention has been a very amazing experience!  I've been to many non-CTMH conventions, leadership training, etc.  This one has left me the most inspired and filled with love, passion, and joy for my job!

I have no idea how to summarize this experience.  I need a view days to decompress, review my pictures and notes, and then I will share bits and pieces, so as not to make you explode the way I feel like I'm going to right now.  And that's not just because of the fabulous gourmet 4-course meal we were just served.  It's because of all of the fantastic, exciting, awe-inspiring information that has been poured into us over the last 3 days!

Bottom line is, I am going to next year's convention.  And I'll be bringing my family.  That is my first goal.  Why, you say?  Because it will be in DISNEYLAND, July 13-17, 2011!!!!!  What better place to be inspired and have my family with to share.  Plus we'll be able to visit Grandpa Tom (Darrin's Dad).  I know he'll be waiting for us!  Want to join us?  I can help you with that, drop me an e-mail or give me a call!

My second goal is to earn the next CTMH Cruise.  Why, you say again?  Because it is in HAWAII, March 3-10, 2012!!!!  March 3 is my DH Darrin's Birthday!!!  What could be better!  If you would like to join us on this cruise of a lifetime, let me know!  I would love for you to be there too!

My goal is to teach everyone I know, and everyone they know, and so on, how to scrapbook Faster, Simpler Easier ... the Close To My Heart way.  There really is no better way.  By doing so, my crafty friends will be able to preserve their memories for generations to come, faster, simpler, easier.  Plus, I will earn a fabulous trip to reward my husband for supporting me in my work from home business!

Grandma Cindy and Auntie Sue, can you babysit March 2-11, 2012?  Please?  ;-)

Friday, July 9, 2010

Convention Update - Friday

Extravaganza yesterday afternoon was fabulous!  We broke into smaller groups and attended 8 classes showing us fantastic new artwork created with new Fall products!  We learned several new techniques and heard from a few of the best consultants in our business!

Last night there was a mix & mingle to meet other consultants.  I chose some down time instead because I knew that today and tomorrow are going to be non-stop from dawn to dusk and beyond!

This morning we heard from the lovely, inspiring, fabulous, Mary Christensen.  Check her out at: www.marychristensen.com.  She gave us a lot to think about and challenged us to strive for a goal.  I'll share my goal with you after I get home.

Mary left us with inspiration from another fabulous woman, Maryanne Williamson:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most.
We ask ourselves,
"Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?"
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of GOD.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us;
it is in ALL of us.
And when we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."


I guess you could say that I am inspired to become more!  We're off to create and learn.  Have a fabulous day, I know I will!!!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

OMG!!! Convention 2010 - Team Meetings & Opening General Session

Well, that was F-U-N!!!  We get a little break for lunch, so I'm writing quickly.

Last night we met with our bigger teams for our team rallies and awards.  They were a lot of fun and geared us up for this morning.

The general session opened with Jeannette Lynton giving an inspiring talk.  She really is the sweetest, most humble, genuine, woman.  Talk about someone to look up to!  I definitely want to be her when I grow up! :-)

They created some wonderful TV episodes to introduce tons of new things.
A new How To Book "Magic" (featuring interactive techniques),
7 gorgeous new colors (updating the Summer palettes),
New Studio J Membership Benefits,
better Hostess Rewards, and when we left we each received
the new Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book!  In a gorgeous bag.

The icing on the cake was the corporate "dance team" performing a number to "If You Like It Then You Should Have Put Some BLING On It!!!"  A fantastic remake of Beyonce's song, of a "similar" name.  You can bet I'll be singing that one in my head for weeks to come!

I'll upload pictures later, out of time,
I've got to go to EXTRAVAGANZA!!!

More to come from DC ...

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

I've Arrived in Washington DC!

Driving to the airport was lovely.  It was early enough that there wasn't much traffic.  The Sun Country flight was full but very nice.  I had considered taking the bus/train to get from Dulles to the hotel but decided to go for the Super Shuttle instead.  After 1 1/2 hours in an air conditioned van I arrived at the Convention Center Hotel.  It is Beautiful and HUGE!!!  They have a gorgeous atrium overlooking the Potomac.  I'm off to have lunch with my new friend Barb.  We met on the shuttle ride over.  Be back soon!

Monthly Crop 'til You Drop Invitation

The Monthly Crop will be on Saturday, July 17 from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm at my home, which I lovingly call the "Scrappy Chic Workshop" when I'm "working". I love my job!!!


The Crop is free, really, no strings. I just do this as an excuse to get the family out of the house so I can scrapbook! If you want you can place orders and receive free product with the Flexible Hostess Club, but that is not required.

Please e-mail me to RSVP for the Crop or for more information. Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Washington DC - Here I come!

I'm off to the National Close To My Heart Convention in Washington DC in the morning.  I'll post updates with exciting new products, tips, and ideas as I learn them.

We are having a team meeting tomorrow evening.  In order to attend they've asked each of us to create a 9x9 layout about us.  Here is my layout:


The hardest part was finding the right picture.  But I gave up vanity and chose the most recent with my whole family all smiling!  This is from Lucy's gymnastics recital.  It was so cute!  Imagine a couple dozen 3-4 year olds, some with parents, doing a mini-routine to "Home On The Range".

The layout went together very quickly.  I used Close To My Heart's "Splendor" papers and stickease and the "Hot Diggity" stamp set.  For embellishments I used Dimensional Elements On Target, Irrisistables Pizzazz Chipboard Die-Cuts, Autumn Harvest Brads Assortment, Liquid Glass, and the Glitz Stardust Glitter Glue.

To make the butterfly appear to be flying and the bird appear to have ruffled feathers, I stamped and cut out the image twice and layered them on top of each other adhering only the body.  Then I curled the wings and feathers of the top image to give it the 3D effect.

Watch for updates in the next few days from Convention!