Merry Christmas

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends!

Jen Lee

Christmas Card Class

Create 32 cards (4 each of 8 designs shown above) for $25. Click on the image for a larger, more detailed view.

All papers will be precut, ready to stamp, embellish, and assemble. There are several options for creating the cards:

Omaha/Council Bluffs:
Friday, December 2, 7:00 pm at my home or
Saturday, December 3, 1:00 pm at my home or
By appointment at your place any day/time*

Minneapolis/St. Paul:
Friday, November 25, any time/place*
Saturday, November 26, any time/place*

*Invite a few friends over to join in the fun. I will bring the class to you with a 4 kit minimum/8 person maximum. 

Deadline to register for class is Tuesday, November 15; so I have time to order product. To register contact me.

The cards are also available completed for $50 per 32 card kit including postage. Please allow a 2 week lead time prior to the cards being mailed to you. Contact me to order yours today!

Happy Scrapping!

Jen Lee

Sam's 2011 Cover Page

At Sam's school in Minnesota, they take regular school photos in the fall. Then they take them again in the spring as a fundraiser. They use a much cuter background for the spring photos. And what better to do with a formal single photo, than a 1st page for the year's scrapbook. Yes, I'm the crazy one creating a scrapbook for each year of my kids’ lives. But since we only have 2 kids, I'm not creating a family album. This way the kids can take their own books with them when I'm ready to give them up.

When scrapbooking I'm most inspired by color in photos. I pulled the main colors out of the photo to create this layout. Using the black color as the base, it helps to pop Sam out of the background. Since there is such a variety of greens and blues in the background, I thought the Miracle paper pack from Close To My Heart would be perfect. But it was a little too light and airy for a big 7-year old! So I brought the color down by using the darker green buttons and brads as embellishments.

A few of the products in this layout are retired, but I've got to use my stash sometime! You can do the same, simply pull 4 colors out of your photos and start playing with it.

Happy Scrapping!
Jen Lee


Materials List:
X7133B Miracle Level 2 Paper Packet - retired
C1452 Delight Stamp Set
B1362 Tag the Occasion Stamp Set
1386 Black 12x12 Cardstock
Topiary buttons & brads from my stash

October Stamp of the Month

Holiday Magic

Click on the image to view the Stamp of the Month Flyer

Get the Stamp of the Month set for just $5 when you place an order of $50 or more in products. Jump-start the fun by ordering the items in the Supply List below to create this beautiful artwork! You'll find helpful assembly tips at closetomyheart.com under Campaigns & Promotions.

X7141B Elemental Level 2 Paper Packet $9.95

X5812 Dark Neutral Cardstock Shade Pack $7.95

Z1482 Silver Glitz Glitter Gel $2.75

Z1489 Mini-Medley Accents Olive Collection $4.95

Z1096 Embroidery Floss Neutral Assortment $3.25

Fab Freebie for New Consultants

Sign up as a new consultant between October 1-31 and receive one New Consultant Kit add-on collection of your choice FREE! Add-on collections are priced at $40 each and have a retail value of up to $130, making this an incredible deal! Click on the image for the detailed flyer.

For just a $99 enrollment fee, you'll receive a New Consultant Kit packed with business essentials and new products valued at over $280, plus a FREE add-on collection to enhance your kit! Then you can choose to buy one or both of the other add-on collections for just $40 each. It's an incredible deal! Contact me for more information!


Happy Scrapping!
Jen Lee

Celebrate September!

To celebrate National Stamping Month in September (only a few days left for this special!), we are offering our first-ever double stamp set! You can get the exclusive My Acrylix® Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set FREE when you place an order of $75 from August 15 through September 30, 2011. 

You’ll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—which includes lots of clever phrases and coordinating images you’ll use in your handmade cards all year. And with a retail value of $35.90, this set drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase! Have double the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with our new Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set! Click on the image to see the detailed flyer:

To get your set shop online at www.ctmh.com/jenlee. Add $75 or more to your shopping cart and when you checkout you will be prompted to add this FREE SET! You can also add on the September stamp of the month for just $5! 

Happy Scrapping!
Jen Lee

Sam and Lucy's 1st Day of School

What a great start to the day! We woke up and got ready, had pancakes, and walked to school.

Darrin is on the phone Sam is holding, he wanted Daddy in the picture for their 1st day of school. Darrin had to go in to work early this morning.

  They are getting too big too fast!

 Lucy in front of her classroom door by the big "k". She's so excited to be a Kindergartner!

Sam was a little more leery, but I'm sure he'll have a great day too!

Now, what to do with the rest of the day ... I'm sure I'll think of something!

Have a wonderful day!

Jen

Scrappy Chic Newsletter - August 2011

Click here to view my latest newsletter. Have a great week! More MyScrappyChic to come next week!

We're in Omaha!

We closed Friday morning on our new home in Omaha, it is wonderful here! We already know several of the neighbors. Saturday the neighbors from 2 doors down came over, they have 6-yr old boy/girl twins who will turn 7 soon and join Sam in the 2nd grade class. So our kids have new playmates! They have spent every day together since! The boy and Sam are 2 peas in a pod, and Lucy and the girl are fabulous fashionistas. They are so happy! The twins even have an 11-yr old big sister who has taken babysitting class.

School starts here on August 10! Poor kids hardly get a Summer, but it will be great for them to meet more neighborhood kids. They can walk to school, really we're just across the street from the backyard of the school. All the kids do is cross the street, then follow the sidewalk up to the school. It's awesome! We saw the kids classrooms on Tuesday and finished our registration Wednesday.

My Mom, Aunt, and Grandma came down to stay for the weekend and help move us in. We also had help from friends who already live in the area. Thank you so much for your help! We couldn't have done it without you! Sunday evening we had a celebration dinner, and my dear friend Heather, who is a Pastor, blessed the house. It was such a nice evening. God even blessed us with a double rainbow while we were sitting on the patio relaxing after dinner.

I plan to work on each room a day at a time, and hopefully, before we know it, we'll be all moved in. The house in St. Francis will be listed this week for sale. Mom and Dad are finishing up getting that ready for us. I really do have the best parents in the world! I hope I can show as good of an example to my kids.

Hopefully I'll be in the craft room within 2 weeks. More Scrappy Chic to come soon!

Happy Scrapping!
Jen Lee

We're back in Minnesota!

After a week with my DH the kids and I are back in St Francis to finish up the packing and prep for sale/rent. We did find a house in Omaha! It's going to be a very busy couple of weeks for the Lee household. If you would like to join in the fun of packing and cleaning let me know! The more the merrier!

Omaha Update

The kids and I traveled down to see Darrin Monday. It's been 2 weeks without Daddy, he was sure missed. Yesterday, Tuesday, we looked at a few houses and found the one. Today, Wednesday, we wrote up an offer that was accepted! We are scheduled to close July 20 and move in July 22. YAY!!! The kids LOVE the house. They woke up this morning begging me to buy it for them. Well, they get their wish. We are very excited to start our new adventure in Omaha.

Anybody want to dog-sit for a couple of weeks in July? Rhett and Teddy need a place to stay while I'm in LA at convention. They can be split up. I don't want to put them in a kennel, they wouldn't like that very much, there are no humans to snuggle and watch TV with. ;-)

Take Care,
Jen Lee

Checking In

The baby robin's jumped out of the nest on Memorial Day. I was returning from running errands to find the second little one about to jump. Both parents were in the neighbor's yard waiting for me to get out of the way so they could teach their little ones the ropes. Well, I ran in to grab the camera:

It has been so much fun to watch these little ones appear from blue egg to fledgling. And what a wonderful educational experience for our kids. They have learned a lot about life from this glimpse of nature. Farewell little birdies, we wish you well!

Darrin has started his new job in Omaha and he is loving it. The kids and I will go visit him next week and hopefully find a house and establish a schedule for moving. We have been through a few different plans and to date we are still up in the air.

I've also been focused on completing my project demos to teach at the Close To My Heart Convention Extravaganza at Disneyland in July. It has been so much fun prepping my class, I can't wait to share all of this new with you!

Happy Scrapping!
Jen Lee

Wings Creative Basics Card Collection

A couple of weeks ago I made a set of 20 thank you cards and a gift box for a friend's wedding shower gift. Everyone can always use thank you cards, right? 

To create these cards, I used the Wishes "Just Because Card Workshop". This is a quick easy way to make 20 cards (2 each of 10 designs) using 2 background and texture papers, 4 sheets of cardstock, and a few embellishments.

Stamp sets used:
D1361 Thank You
D1470 Dreams Come True

Papers and Ribbon:
X5812 Creative Basics® Wings Collection

Embellishments and More:
Z1372 Buttons Green Assortment
Z1380 Spray Pen
Z1039 Create-A-Shade™ Pearl Paint
Z1377 Kraft Color-Ready Borders

Z1392 2" Scallop Circle Punch

Z1081 Colonial White Waxy Flax

Z1104 Clear Sparkles

Z1333 Opaques Mocha Adhesive Gems

Colors:

Vineyard Berry, Garden Green, Sweet Leaf, Cocoa, Juniper, Colonial White

Happy Scrapping!

Jen Lee

Baby Robin Update

The baby robins are growing by leaps and bounds. Pretty soon they'll be taking their first flight. The kids enjoy peeking in on them. Lucy wanted to give them some bird seed, but I assured her that their Mommy was feeding them very well. Lucy still wanted to help her take care of them. Hopefully she's convinced now. We put out a plate of water and a bucket of seed, just in case.

Hope you are enjoying all of the blooming trees. Isn't Spring wonderful!

There's only one week left to take advantage of the fabulous 1/2 price consultant kit. Even if you are only a kit-napper now is definitely the time to do it. The 1/2 price special is only good until next Tuesday, May 31. Click here to get the great deal - over $300 in CTMH products and the ultra fabulous "You & Me" kit for just $65!


Happy Scrapping!
Jen Lee

Baby Robins and an Update on the Family Relocation

We've been busy planning our move to Council Bluffs, Iowa and found our little robin babies had hatched today! Aren't they sweet! I'm so glad they'll have a chance to survive before we move and I'll be able to take my froggy welcome sign with us.

We're going to be really busy for the next few weeks. Here's how it's all laying out so far:
We'll be packing and cleaning forever, I mean for the next 2 weeks.
My package from Close To My Heart Corporate should arrive any day and I'll quickly create my demo boards for my class at Extravaganza during Convention at Disneyland before June 1.
May 27: Lucy's last day of Preschool
June 1: Darrin starts his job in Omaha
June 6: we're scheduled to close on our new house in Council Bluffs
June 7: Sam's last day of 1st Grade
June 9, 10, 12: Lucy's Dance Recital
June 13: the week we'll move into Council Bluffs
July 1-4: My family reunion at the cabin
July 8-10: Darrin's family reunion in Sioux Falls, SD
July 12-17: Close To My Heart Convention in Disneyland!
Hopefully our St Francis house will sell and we'll settle in down in Council Bluffs by the end of July. Then the kids will start school mid-August.
Sept 1-4: The Trails Retreat Weekend - boy am I going to need this!

If I survive that long, by mid-July I'll start blogging creative things again. At least news from Convention! I'll get my business going again in September. Thank goodness for the Product Credit I'll be earning by teaching at Convention!

There's still time to get the Consultant kit for 1/2 price! Click here for more information. I would love to have you join the Chic Scrappers Team!

Happy Scrapping!
Jen Lee

Spring Surprise

For the last couple of weeks when we enter or exit our house, a bird flits away. We noticed a nest being built but didn't make anything much of it, since we figured nobirdy would lay eggs there with all of the activity.

Well, the last couple of days, when we enter or exit the house, after the quick flit away, we get a mad reaming from this robin up high in the tree.

Today I took a look and found . . .

I hope we're here to see them hatch!

OK, I'll go back to packing now.

Take Care!
Jen Lee

We're Moving to Omaha

My husband has been looking for a full time/permanent position since he was laid off in March. He did find a contract job in the meantime, but benefits, continuity, and longevity are pretty important to us, so he continued looking. Or rather recruiters kept calling and asking if he would be willing to relocate to areas all over the US; with nothing permanent in MN. Well, he received a great offer in Omaha, so we accepted and will be making the transition over the summer.

I will be taking a break from blogging while we get the house ready for sale by June 1. If you know of anyone looking to buy/rent in St Francis, MN, please contact me! We have a 5 BR, 2 BA, split level, 3 car garage, privacy-fenced backyard, perennial low maintenance gardens, and wonderful neighbors.

My last 2 classes at Memories and More in Forest Lake will be Wednesday, May 11, Flower Techniques, and Monday, May 16, Waterfall Page Layout Class. Contact the store to sign up at 651-464-3424.

May 21 at the St Francis Community Center will be my last crop in MN. Please sign up by this Friday. To date there aren't any takers, so I may cancel. It's a busy month for everyone! Contact me for more info.

I will be teaching at Extravaganza at the Close To My Heart Convention 2011 in Disneyland in July. There is still time to sign up and get the 1/2 price consultant kit! Even if you're just a kit-napper, $65 is a fantastic deal for over $300 in product!

My Trails Retreat Labor Day weekend in St Croix Falls will go on as planned. Contact me for more info.

I may post here and there, but watch for artwork and fabulous things to come July 13-16 when I'm in Disneyland at Convention. After that I'll start posting all of my fabulous new artwork and my class information!

I will continue to send my monthly e-newsletter at the beginning of each month with the fabulous specials from Close To My Heart. I will also be offering a Mystery Hostess Online Gathering each month, where one lucky customer will receive the hostess rewards! Please sign up for my newsletter to make sure you don't miss out on the great deals!

Happy Scrapping!
Jen Lee

The Trails Retreat

September 1-4, 2011 (Labor Day Weekend)
Thursday Noon to Sunday Afternoon

This is a gorgeous fully featured retreat. Details and pictures can be found at www.thetrailsretreat.com.

Cost of $125 includes 4 days, 3 nights, your own: table, light, armed leather massage chair, twin bed, towels, and more! The price is per person for the entire weekend no matter when you arrive/depart.

$20 Deposit is due ASAP to reserve your space, payment in full is due by July 29.

When we have the full list of retreaters we will discuss food options.

I hope you can join us for a wonderful scrappy chic weekend retreat! Please contact me for more information or to reserve your spot.

Happy Scrapping!
Jen Lee

I Made The Top Ten at H2H!

I was blog stalking to relax this Mother's Day afternoon and to my amazement I found my Easter Blessings Tri-Shutter Album on H2H's Top Ten post! WOW! Thank you so much! That was my first entry on their blog and with this warm reception, I'll certainly enter again!


Have a Wonderful Mother's Day!
Jen Lee

God Bless Your Mother's Day

You Changed My Life by Max Lucado Want to see a miracle? Plant a word of love heartdeep in a person's life. Nurture it with a smile and a prayer, and watch what happens. A little rain can straighten a flower stem. A little love can change a life. Speak words that make people stronger. Believe them as God has believed in you. Praying every loving, patient moment you invest will someday return to you in blessings to fill your heart for a lifetime. God Bless Your Mother's Day Share this message from bestselling author Max Lucado as a FREE E-Card & Devotional Download, courtesy of Thomas Nelson and DaySpring. Choose from over 50 additional Mother's Day E-card designs!

This exerpt was taken from an e-newsletter that I receive called Dayspring Blessings. This e-mail gives me hope and encouragement throughout the year, plus really inspiring pictures and fabulous cards. If you would like to sign up to receive the Dayspring Blessings newsletter, click here. No this is not a paid advert, I truly like Dayspring and hope they will bless your day too!

Wishing you a Blessed Mother's Day!

Jen Lee

More With The You & Me Kit

Using the scraps that remained in my You & Me kit, after making the suggested layouts, I created a few cards! All I needed to add was some cardstock. There is still quite a bit left, so I'll be posting more soon.

Originals Pattern: A Heartfelt Classic

5 1/2 x 4 1/4 Card

Originals Pattern: Diamond Stack

6 x 6 Card

Originals Pattern: Fancy Five

7 x 5 Card

I LOVE and highly recommend Jeanette Lynton's How To Books: Originals and Wishes. They make creating beautiful cards a snap! If you don't have them in your library, you should. You can buy them here.

Happy Scrapping!

Jen Lee

You Are Invited to Crop 'til You Drop

When: Saturday, May 21, 2011 from 10 am to 10 pm
Where: St. Francis Community Center
Cost: $5

Please RSVP to reserve space for you and a friend today!

Bring your projects to work on, basic supplies and tools. My stamps, inks and tools will be available for use during the crop; including my Cricut & Carts, Big Shot & Dies. Come enjoy a day away to relax and catch up on some crafting! Please bring your own beverages and a snack to share. There will be coffee available. Those who want can pitch in to order take-out for dinner.

Become a Scrappy Chic VIP! Simply place an order each month at or before the crop, when your orders total $150 you'llreceive $25 Hostess Credit! You can earn the credit in one month or take up to six months to earn it.

I have booked Upcoming Crop Dates throughout 2011 at the St. Francis Community Center. Please mark your calendar so you don't miss out on the fun! June 18, July 23, Aug 20, Sept 17, Oct 15, Nov 19, and Dec17.

Happy Scrapping!
Jen Lee

Exciting Extravaganza News!

I am extremely honored to share that I have been chosen to teach at this year's Extravaganza at the Close To My Heart Convention in Disneyland in July - I am so excited!!!  I will be keeping a tight lid on the details until after the big event, but I just had to share the news!

I would love it if you could come with me! This is the perfect month to sign up, the Consultant Kit is 1/2 price and there are still spaces available for Convention, July 14-16. The experience is definitely worth more than the ticket price. Convention attendees receive new product, training and inspiration; we also have the opportunity to purchase 1/2 price bundles of new fall/winter product before it is available to the public!

Last year I attended Convention in Washington DC, and it was a fantastic experience. This year is even more exciting because it will be at the Disneyland Hotel & Convention Center where Wishes Come True!  Please contact me if you would like more information about becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant and joining me at Convention.

Happy Scrapping!
Jen Lee

Tres Elegant Waterfall Layout Class at Memories and More

Monday, May 16, 6:00 pm, $25
Memories and More in Forest Lake, MN

Using We R Memory Keepers new Tres Elegant paper line we will create a layout in class based on Jeanette Lynton's "On with the Show" pattern from her how to book Magic.  The magic of this layout is that the main photo on the left page opens to reveal additional pages for photos and journaling using the waterfall technique. Papers will be pre-cut and scored.

Please contact the store to sign up for class at 651.464.3424.

Tools/Supplies required for class: scissors, tape runner, score-pal or terrifically tacky tape, glue dots, liquid glue.

Suggested photo sizes: (height x width) 6x4 (2), 4x6 (2), 6x3.5 (2), 6x3 (2), 6x2.5 (2)

Happy Scrapping!

Jen Lee

Spring Flowers Technique Class at Memories and More

Wednesday, May 11 - 6 to 9 pm - $20

Please contact Julie at 651.464.3424 to sign up for class.

Join me at Memories and More in Forest Lake for a technique class and learn how to create 12 different blooms out of paper. These techniques will allow you to easily create adorable coordinating embellishments for any papercrafting project. They may look difficult, but don’t fear, they really are easier than you may think! Paper colors may vary and will be precut.

Please bring the following tools & supplies to class: micro-tip scissors, piercing tool, liquid glue, glue dots (mini & standard), bone folder, tweezers.

Happy Scrapping!

Jen Lee

CTMH Clearance

A plethora of discounted and retired products are available to you at phenomenal prices. Check back often to take advantage of these products that are offered while supplies last! Click here to start shopping.

Did You Catch That?

New consultants who sign up during May pay 1/2 price and get the You & Me Kit for FREE! That is a seriously FABULOUS DEAL! FOR ONLY $65, you’ll receive all the business essentials you need plus your choice of three “choose me” product collections that are sure to help you start a successful and creative business! 

With this starter deal, you can save up to $245 off the retail value of the three collections you choose. The savings only get bigger and better from there. If you can’t decide which “choose me” collections to purchase, get them all! Each additional collection is only $40 more. Start smart by saving big. Visit my MyCTMH website to complete the enrollment application today! Please contact me if you have any questions.

Happy Scrapping!

Jen Lee

Let's Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month!

During our May celebration, you can get the exclusive You & Me scrapbooking kit at a fabulous discount or even FREE*! When you place a minimum order of $50 in Close To My Heart products in May, you can get the exclusive You & Me scrapbooking kit for the discount price of just $15 - that's more than half off the retail value! You'll create two fully embellished two-page layouts, shown above, using the new cardstock-weight B&T Duos papers, D-size stamp set, accessories, and instructions. You can also purchase the kit at full retail for $34.95 with no minimum purchase required. Become a Close To My Heart Consultant during May and we'll include a You & Me kit for free* as part of your New Consultant Kit. Contact me today to get the celebration started.

Happy Scrapping!

Jen Lee

It's My Birthday You Can Shop If You Want To!

Contact me for an invite to my Online Mystery Hostess Party! One lucky shopper will win the Hostess Rewards!The party will be open until 5:00 pm, Wednesday, May 4.

May Stamp of the Month: Chairs To You

This is a 5x7 card that I created using the May Stamp of the Month. The black chairs were embossed in black and I used the blending pen and black stamp pad to color them in. Then I cut them out to attach to the card. The gold chair was embossed and colored using the vineyard berry marker, then cut out to attach to the card. Cutting out images that are colored with markers eliminates the color bleeding through the top of the card. I cut one of the glittler brads in half and attached to the card with glue dots. The patterned paper ruffle on the bottom is pleated, scored at 3/4" & 1/4" intervals.

Originals Pattern: Colors & Cubes
D1456 Chairs to You
X7135B Wings Level 2 Paper Packet
Z2157 Vineyard Berry Exclusive Inks Pad
Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks Pad
Z891 Versamark Ink Pad
Z1349 Designer Brads Shimmer
Z670 Black Embossing Powder
Z668 Gold Embossing Powder
3174 Blending Pen Z2357 Vineyard Berry Exclusive Inks Marker

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your Stamp of the Month set at a great discount or FREE! Click here for details.