2013 Close To My Heart Year in Review!!

2013 has been an AWESOME year, 

and I have YOU to thank for MUCH of it!!

Without YOU, my wonderful customers, I would not have been able to earn the Close To My Heart 2013 Southern Caribbean Cruise Incentive Trip!!  

My husband and I loved every minute of it.  

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our trip in February!!

In March I was able to fly to Salt Lake City, Utah for the Close To My Heart Spring Album Retreat!!  

This was my first Album Retreat, and I loved every minute of it!!

Here are some of my favorite layouts created there!!

.

In April I was able to attend the Close To My Heart Regionals in Chicago, Illinois with my sister Shana Becker and a few of my downline Chrys Kamps, Dawn Love and Debbie Mann.

I was very honored to be asked to teach a class on "How to Successfully Run an Online Virtual Club".  

I was sooooo nervous to stand up in front of 200 of my peers and Corporate Staff and speak!!

  

BUT...it went GREAT!!  More CTMH Memories Made!!

Next on my awesome 2013 Close To My Heart ride was 

Convention in Disneyworld!!  

How can you not have fun at the Happiest Place on Earth?!?!

This was my fourth CTMH Convention, and they always seem to get better and better!!

Everyone loved our bright tie-dyed shirts this year!!  It made it super easy to spot each other that day!!

I had a wonderful and memorable trip with my 

From the Heart Embellisher's Team:

Nancy Stephan, Simmie Bois, Stephanie Kitsemble, Amber LaMons, Kelley Sral, Dawn Love and Jen Patrick (my upline)

and my Honorary Team:

Denise Elliot and Jodi.

I can't wait to see what CTMH Convention Disneyland 2014 has in store for us!!

My last flight of 2013 took me back to Salt Lake City, Utah for the Fall Album Retreat.

I had such an AWESOME time in the Spring, that I knew as soon as the Fall one was announced I was going to be there!!  WHY?!?!  Because it was going to be using the NEW ARTBOOKING Cricut Cartridge to make ALL of our layouts!!

This Album Retreat was AMAZING!!  Not only did we create every layout using the Artbooking Cartridge but I FINISHED the WHOLE thing COMPLETE with PHOTOS!!

At the Spring Retreat I completed all the layouts, but I did not have any photos on them.  This time Corporate gave us 5 Studio J Layouts worth of photo wells to insert our photos in so when we got to the retreat we just had to cut them out and add them to the layouts.  GENIUS!!

I would totally go back to another CTMH Album Retreat in a heartbeat...unfortunately they won't be doing any in 2014.  It takes a TON of work to get 20+ layouts done for 300 ladies!!  That's a lot of Cricuts Chirp, Chirp, CHIRPING!!

Well I hope you enjoyed a quick tour of all my 

2013 Close To My Heart Adventures!!

There was a lot of traveling this year with CTMH...but that is just another reason why I LOVE this job!!  I'm getting to go places and experience things I never would have if I had not joined!!

I also am involved with my local customers through monthly crops (10 times a year) and 2 weekend retreats!!  I love my time hanging out with all of you!!  It is really the only time I get to craft and get inky as I don't have the time when I am at home.  My 2014 goal is to make sure that I am not doing paperwork at my crops and physically creating!!  

I want to MAKE things...THAT makes me HAPPY!!

I want to end this post with one last THANK YOU to you ALL!!

Again...without YOU, Sean and I would not be heading to Close To My Heart's 2014 Costa Rica Land Tour in March!!

We are SUPER excited because we have never been there before.  The hotel is all inclusive so will be a nice change of pace.  We are planning on going white water rafting for the first time too!!  WooHoo!!

I look forward to seeing what 2014 brings us ALL!!

If you are interested in doing what I do please send me an email at keeleyskreations@gmail.com or check out the following links to help you decide if the CTMH Family is for YOU!!

Join My Close To My Heart Team!!

The Close To My Heart Opportunity Is For YOU!!

FAQ's About Joining Close To My Heart!!

My Close To My Heart Resume!!

The Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter 2013 Consultant Kit!!

Ready to give Close To My Heart and Our From the Heart Embellishers Team A Whirl??

JOIN US NOW!!

Close To My Heart's Washi Wonderland

Create your own washi wonderland by mixing, layering, and mounting washi tape strips on Dimensional Elements album pages for a fresh look. 

Cover the Dimensional Elements shapes directly or layer the washi tape on cardstock then cut coordinating album pages using the Artiste cartridge and Cricut^® machine for uniquely patterned designs.

Products Used in the Washi Wonderland Video:

Party Washi Tape 3-Pack (Z1908)

Only Available Thru December 31!!!!!
3 rolls of washi tape: 1" Cotton Candy polka-dot, ½" Honey triangles, ½" Chocolate wood grain; 

15 yards each.

Sparkle & Shine Washi Tape 3-Pack (Z1907)

Only Available Thru December 31!!!!!

3 rolls of washi tape: 1" Juniper, ½" Ruby, ½" metallic silver; 15 yards each.

(Retail Price -- $15.00)

**********

Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape (Z1817)

Adhesive-backed paper tape. 15 yards, ½" wide.

Lagoon Houdstooth Washi Tape (Z1850)

Adhesive-backed paper tape. 15 yards, ½" wide.

(Retail Price -- $5.00)

Cricut® Artiste Collection (Z1790)

With just the touch of one Cricut® Artiste key you can take your creativity over the top with wonderful 3-D projects, party favors, interactive cards, awards, and more! 

From robots and spooks to weddings and Valentines, your cupcake wrappers, invitations, and party essentials will coordinate and come together for any celebration! 

Includes a step-by-step assembly booklet for the 3-D projects.

Collection includes:

• 1 – Cartridge (700 images: themed projects, cards, fonts, shapes, and 3-D items)
• 3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets
• 3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)

Creative Feature Keys: 

Accent 1, Accent 2, Accent 3, Accent 4, Card, 3D Object.

Recommended blocks for included stamp sets: 

3" × 3" (Y1006), 2" × 3½" (Y1009), 2" x 6½" (Y1010).

Sanding Kit (Z1294)

Sanding gives items a worn, broken-in appearance. 

Create instant character for your projects with our handy and practical Sanding Kit. 

Four-sided sanding block features three popular grits: 

one rough 60 grit, two regular 100 grit, and one fine 220 grit. 

The emery board offers 100 grit on one side and 200 grit on the other. 

Three pieces of sandpaper (4"" × 4") come in rough, regular, and fine grits.

To Purchase Any of These Products...

Click on the Shopping Cart!!

Happy Birthday to My Boys!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN and NATHAN!!

8 years ago today Nathan James was born.

I can't believe how quickly the time has gone.  It's been so fun to watch him grow into the little man he is.  I love watching him play flag football, wrestle, build Lego creations, play Skylanders and so many more things.  With each day he is getting smarter, stronger and taller...LOL!!  I miss my little baby boy, but I have loved watching him grow in to the little man he is today!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I LOVE YOU NATHAN JAMES!!

36 years ago today Sean James was born.

I made this great discovery just now that we have now been together half of his life!!  LOL!!

I can't imagine spending it with anyone else!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
I LOVE YOU SEAN JAMES!!

Come Crop 'Til Ya Drop with Me Close To My Heart Style!!

Come Start Your New Year Out on the Right Crafty Foot!!

CROP ‘Til Ya Drop!!

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Noon to Midnight (or later)

 ALSO BE SURE TO MARK YOU CALENDARS 

FOR ALL of 2014's EVENTS 

LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST!!

WHO: You and your friends
WHEN: From Noon to Midnight (or later) - 

Saturday, January 18, 2014
WHERE: Comfort Suites - 1253 John Q. Hammons Dr., 

Madison, WI, 53717 - (608) 836-3033
COST: $10.00 per person to cover the room rental
RSVP: keeleyskreations@gmail.com - (608) 320-9801

** BINGO FOR A BUCK **

Want a chance to earn FREE product from the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book!!  Bring your singles and play some Bingo!!  Purchase 2 Bingo Boards for $1 or 4 Bingo Boards for $2. The first person to call Bingo will win the cash and be able to put that towards purchasing new products!! We will play 3 times (3pm, 7pm and 11pm) so plan accordingly for some fun!!

** GIVEAWAYS & GRAND PRIZE **

There will be giveaways that you must be in attendance to win.
I also am giving away a Grand Prize at midnight in which you do not need to be present to win.

** TOOLS **

I will provide the following:

Cricut Expression as well as cartridges - including the EXCLUSIVE CTMH Cartridges Art Philosophy, Artiste and Artbooking (and about 50 other cartridges - both fonts and images) 

**Everyone is welcome to use my Cricut, but if you own Cutting Mats please bring your own.** 
Sizzix Big Shot with Cuddlebug, Tim Holtz and Sizzix Embossing Folders
Punches - Close To My Heart, Fiskars, Martha Stewart, EK Success and Stampin' Up Punches
CTMH Stamp Sets - Alpha Stamp Sets and Sentiment Stamp Sets
CTMH Ink Pads & Coordinating Cardstock - All 42 Colors
CTMH Acrylic Blocks
CTMH How-To Programs (4 for Scrapbooking, 2 for Cardmaking and 2 for both)

** ORDERING **

You are not required to purchase any CTMH products. This is strictly to get together and have some fun so bring whatever you want to work on. I will have FREE Close To My Heart Idea Books for you, and orders are always more than welcome. In addition there will also be CTMH products available (all 42 colors of current cardstock for $0.50 each).

** FOOD & DRINK **

If you want to leave for lunch and/or dinner or shopping and come back you are more than welcome to. If you would like something to drink throughout the day you will need to bring your own beverages as well as any snack type foods.

2014's CROP & RETREAT DATES:

February 1 -- New Spring/Summer Idea Book Extravaganza (10am to Noon) & Crop (Noon to Midnight)

March 1

April 25-27 -- Craft-A-Palooza Weekend Retreat (Begins Friday at 8am / Ends Sunday at 8pm)

May 3

June 7

July -- NO CROP!!

August 2 -- New Autumn/Winter Idea Book Extravaganza (10am to Noon) & Crop (Noon to Midnight)

September 6

October 4

November 14-16 -- Craft-A-Palooza Weekend Retreat (Begins Friday at 8am / Ends Sunday at 8pm)

December 13

Can't make it all day...no problem...come for a couple hours and PLAY!!  

We still have room so walk-ins are welcome!!

Close To My Heart's Mini-Medley Accents Ruby Collection (Z1861)

What could be better than experiencing vibrant shades?

Capturing those shades to keep forever!

The Mini-Medley Accents Ruby Collection (Z1861) of embellishments adds the perfect flair to your projects with its varying shades of red and conventional nature shapes.

Three yards of metallic baker's twine give projects a fun twist, and the 8 glitter buttons, the 3 wooden clothespins, and the 3 corduroy badge buttons from the collection add variety to your creations.

Mix and match them with one another, and with other great embellishments from Close To My Heart, for festive blends on all your layouts and cards.

To Purchase Your 

Mini-Medley Accents Ruby Collection...

Click on the Shopping Cart Below!!

Close To My Heart's Clearly The Best Season 2 -- Episode 12: Party Favor Flavor

If you’re in the market for some new party favor ideas, 

look no further!! 

With the kraft ring box and some eclectic embellishments, you have exactly what you need to make great party favors with flavor. 

See the ideas presented in this video, then go create your own!!

My Creations® Kraft Ring Box (Z1868)

Heavy-duty 2½" box with lid.

Baker's Twine Neutral Assortment (Z1701)

Thick twine. 10 yards each of 4 colors: 

Black, Chocolate, Grey Wool, White Daisy.

Cricut® Artbooking Collection (Z1906)

Take your scrapbooking to never-before-seen levels with the new Cricut® Artbooking collection! With oodles of images in each of 15 layout themes, you can create several coordinating pages for each theme using just two keys and one dial size. Images include accents, borders, titles, overlays, photo mats—in standard photo sizes!—and more. The Cricut® keys are optimized for creating 12" × 12" pages in a jiffy. You'll also love creating 10 themed mini books, also optimized for several different sizes using just two keys and one dial size. When you're finished cutting, use the coordinating stamp sets and Dimensional Elements shapes to add even more pizzazz!

Collection includes:

1 – Cartridge (700 images: Font, Mini Books, Layouts)

3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets

3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)

Creative Feature Keys: 

Title, Photo Mat 1, Photo Mat 2, Icon, Border, Overlay.

Recommended blocks for included stamp sets: 

1" × 1" (Y1000), 1" × 3½" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006), 2" x 3½" (Y1009), 4" × 5" (Y1012).

Slate Striped Twist Ties (Z1864)

20 twist ties, 7" each, Slate.

Aqua Dots (Z1853)

108 adhesive-backed enamel dots: 

7mm, 5mm, 4mm; 3 aqua shades.

To Purchase Any of the Products 

Seen in This Episode
Click on the Shopping Cart!!

Merry Christmas!!

I wanted to take this time to wish you ALL a 

VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your families!!

Close To My Heart's National Papercrafting Promo -- Cloud 9!!

It's Christmas Eve and time for a little sneak peek of the 

National Papercrafting Promo -- Cloud 9 coming January 1!! 

More details to follow in the coming days!! 

HO!! HO!! HO!!

12 Days of Close To My Heart Christmas Deals & Steals -- Day 12!!

** EMAIL ME FOR THE DEAL!! **

-- keeleyskreations@gmail.com --

WE ARE AT 11 HOSTESSES EARNING $20 EACH!!

HOW MANY MORE WILL THERE BE?!?!?!

On the Twelth Day of Christmas 

(well actually December 15...LOL)

 my CTMH Consultant, Keeley, Gave to Me...

MY ACRYLIX® STAMP SETS

See the possibilities of creating with these wonderful stamps, where expression is made easy and everyone’s an expert.

Our premium-quality decorative stamps are offered at a fraction of the cost of rubber, yet deliver all the benefits and beauty of every Close To My Heart product you’ve come to know and love. They’re easy to use, simple to store, and most importantly, offer creative control and artistic precision every time you use them.

Our exclusive clear blocks allow you to see exactly where the stamp is placed and whether there is even coverage of the ink.  You can choose a block that perfectly fits an individual image, or design your own “scenes” by placing multiple images on a larger-size block.  You can also manipulate the stamp images on the block to create curves or waves.  Stamps have a “memory,” and will always go back to their original shape.

My Acrylix® stamps are made of a softer substance than rubber and don’t require as much pressure when in use.  My Acrylix stamps provide the same results when used with embossing products, markers, watercolors, and more.

If you're just beginning your My Acrylix stamp set collection, remember to purchase the recommended My Acrylix block that goes with your stamps.  A great money-saving option is our My Acrylix Block Starter Kit featuring three of our most versatile block sizes.  If you're unsure about which block size to purchase, contact me for assistance!!

All My Acrylix Stamp Sets

Holidays

Seasons & Nature

Flair

Everyday Life

Occassions

Alphabets

Cricut Compatible

Jeanette's Archive

Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide Stamp Sets

Retail Prices:
A-Size -- $6.95
B-Size -- $9.95
C-Size -- $13.95
D-Size -- $17.95
E-Size -- $29.95
M-Size -- $2.95

DON'T FORGET!!

** Check out the “While Supplies Last” section of my website as well.  You will find a wide variety of embellishments, all with a substantial markdown. 

** Check out the "Retiring Items" section of my website too!!  All items shown here are also available While Supplies Last.  It's time to start making room for all the new Spring/Summer products that are coming in!!  Once these items are gone...they are gone for good so get them while you still can!! 

EMAIL ME with ANY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST or RETIRING ITEMS you want added to your 12 Days of Christmas Order!!

Previous Days' Deals & Steals:

Day 1 -- Frosted & Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kits

Day 2 -- Make It From Your Heart & How-To Books

Day 3 -- Exclusive Color Pallette
Day 4 -- My Crush

Day 5 -- Designed Decor

Day 6 -- Organization

Day 7 -- Cricut Collections

Day 8 -- Paper Packets, My Stickease & Complements and Assortments

Day 9 -- Base & Bling and Textiles

Day 10 -- Washi Tape & Glitter Tape

Day 11 - Workshop on the Go Scrapbooking Kits

Close To My Heart's Artbooking Made Easy -- Episode 13: Friendship Layouts

Here’s a friendly suggestion: try the friendship-themed keys of the Cricut^® Artbooking cartridge, found on pages 78 and 79 of your booklet. 

Your layouts will shout in celebration of your cherished relationships! 

With your own ingenuity, you can use these cuts over and over again in creative ways so no two layouts look alike. 

For more friendly inspiration on how to use these keys, watch the video!

Previous Artbooking Made Easy Episodes:
Episode 1: Getting Started with Cricut Artbooking
Episode 2: A+ School Layouts
Episode 3: Summer Mini-Albums
Episode 4: Spooky Halloween Layouts
Episode 5: Halloween Mini-Layouts
Episode 6: Designed Decor Flip Stand Album
Episode 7: Fall Into Artbooking
Episode 8: Everyday Layout
Episode 9: Festive Mini-Albums
Episode 10: Freedom Layouts
Episode 11: Cross-Cartridge Collaboration
Episode 12: Christmas Layouts
Episode 13: Friendship Layouts
Episode 14: Wintertime Layouts
Episode 15: Elegant Mini-Albums
Episode 16: Celebration Layouts

Episode 17: Inspiration Mini Albums

Episode 18: Love Is in the Air

Episode 19: Love, Love, Love

Episode 20: Crush on Artbooking

Episode 21: Sugar & Spice

Episode 22: Sweet Smiles

Episode 23: Nursery Rhymes

Episode 24: Top Secret
Episode 25: Happy Springtime

Take your scrapbooking to never-before-seen levels with the new Cricut® Artbooking collection! 

With oodles of images in each of 15 layout themes, you can create several coordinating pages for each theme using just two keys and one dial size. 

Images include accents, borders, titles, overlays, photo mats—in standard photo sizes!—and more. 

The Cricut® keys are optimized for creating 12" × 12" pages in a jiffy. 

You'll also love creating 10 themed mini books, also optimized for several different sizes using just two keys and one dial size. 

When you're finished cutting, use the coordinating stamp sets and Dimensional Elements shapes to add even more pizzazz!

Collection includes:

1 – Cartridge (700 images: Font, Mini Books, Layouts)

3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets

3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)

Creative Feature Keys: 

Title, Photo Mat 1, Photo Mat 2, Icon, Border, Overlay.

Recommended blocks for included stamp sets: 

1" × 1" (Y1000), 1" × 3½" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006), 2" x 3½" (Y1009), 4" × 5" (Y1012).

To Purchase Your Artbooking Collection

Click on the Shopping Cart!!