Christmas Card Crazy!

I love, love, love making my own cards, so when it comes to Christmas the excitement is doubled!  Yes, it's a crazy time of year, but it's relaxing to me to be in my workshop doing what I love.
The easiest way for me, is to create my card, then start an assembly line process so I can duplicate it over and over.  I cut all the papers needed, stamp them, ink & distress where needed, and start attaching the elements.  This works well for a busy mom.  I am constanly interrupted, but I can go back and start right back up where I had to leave it.
My Christmas gift to myself this year will be the Wishes Card Confidence Program Book.  I know it came out earlier in the year, but I am ready for it now, especially after seeing all of the beautiful cards created by other consultants, and Jeanette Lynton on her blog (jeanettelynton.com).  I can't wait to learn how to make the trendy circle cards.  It will be a great addition to my how-to library of wonderful Close To My Heart books!

Where to start?

   Today I'll be spending the majority of the day going through the new Spring Idea Book and creating my game plan for the next four months. 
   The new Idea Book will be available to order from starting January 1st!!!!!  With over 70 new products, I think you'll be pleased to get it in your hands.  Let me know if you'd like a copy & I'll drop one by or mail it.
   Now, back to my plan of attack for today. Here's what I'll be working on today for you!

• FREE Crop for Saturday Jan. 9th (time & details to follow)
• Upcoming Scrapbook Club layouts.
• Upcoming Terrific Tuesday Workshops. 
• Team Meeting ideas.

How exciting! Check back here and I'll keep you posted with dates & details.

2010 is going to be AWESOME!

Holiday Heyday Ends Soon!

Whew!  It's been busy, busy around here!  I had a couple of booths to promote my business during this wonderful season.  I made several Snowman Soup packets, picture frames, Santa's mailboxes, and a few altered clipboards and notebooks.  Busy, busy, but I love my job! 

Need a last-minute gift idea?  Close To My Heart has a clearance sale going on right now!  We're in the last few days, so if you're interested in getting some really great deals, you can visit my website at triciap.myctmh.com.  I snatched up 3 of the Magic Moments Kits for myself!  What better way to get caught up?!  These kits are like a year-in-review with 24 pre-printed layouts, and all the embellishments to go with it for only $10!!!!

Sale Ends Thursday December 17th!  Shop NOW!

Announcing December's Terrific Tuesday Workshop!

SIGN UP TODAY TO MAKE THIS LAYOUT!

Terrific Tuesday Workshop:
December 15th 9:30am or 8:00 pm (note evening time change, we've got a Christmas program to attend that night)
The Sweet Home scrapbooking workshop features the charming My Acrlix Enjoy The Journey stamp set available only through this workshop.
The crochect-like images paired with the Sweet Home Level 2 paper packet and coordinating accessories will wrap your memories in down-home warmth and beauty!

For December's Workshop you will receive a Basic Kit for $29.95
In your Basic Kit you will receive:

*A level 2-paper pack (12.95 retail value)
*An EXCLUSIVE B-size stamp set. You only can get this stamp in the Kit of the Month…not found in our catalog! ($13.95 retail value)
*Full Color Instruction Booklet and detailed instructions by me.
*A Full accessory package to add Pizzazz to your pages. Each month the accessory changes to match the artwork. (Dec. Mini-Medly White Daisy Collection)


PLUS you have the option to add on to your Kit to make it custom to your needs and artwork wishes.
Email me today at tpank@kdsi.net for the shopping list.


*You’ll have enough product leftover to create an additional 2 page layout and several greeting cards!


Locals- Register by emailing me at tpank@kdsi.net with your pmt. info.then simply come to my house on the 15th of December for the morning (9:30am) or evening session (8pm) and we will create together!!! How fun and simple is that?!?

*******Please Register by the 5th of December.******

Long Distance Customers- Sign up today by emailing me at tpank@kdsi.net .  Your complete kit will arrive on your doorstep around the 15th of the month.  Order several and have a get-together with your friends! (shipping & taxes apply)

Workshops Galore!!!!!

Introducing: Terrific Tuesday Workshops!
     Each month you can attend a workshop featuring Exclusive Close To My Heart products.  Are you a long-distance customer?  No worries!  Your monthly kit will arrive on your doorstep!
Workshop dates are listed below!

Each month you'll receive a Basic Kit for $29.95! (plus tax & s/h)
Your kit includes:
     ~One Level 2 Paper Pack (12.95 retail value)
    ~ An EXCLUSIVE B-size stamp set. (13.95 retail value). This stamp is not found in our catalog, it can only be found in these special monthly kits!
     ~Full-color instruction guide.
     ~A full size accessory package to add Dazzle to your pages.
     ~Plus, you have the option to add on to your Basic Kit to customize it to your needs and artwork.
     ~You'll also have enough product leftover to create an additional 2 page layout and several gretting cards!

Locals- Choose the workshops you'd like to attend, register & pay (check, cash or credit card), then simply come to my house on the Third Tuesday of every month for the morning (9:30am) or evening (7:30pm) session.  Pretty easy!
Please Register by the 5th of each month.

Long Distance- Choose the kits you'd like to receive and each month you will be emailed an invoice for the Basic Kit ($29.95 plus tax & s/h) and any additional items you choose.  Around the 15th of each month, your custom kit will arrive on your doorstep!

How does this work?
It's simple!  Each month you will receive a Shopping List from me via email.  Simply check the items you would like to add to your Basic Kit and your custom kit will be designed for you!
Here's October's Shopping List:
*You'll Be Twitterpated Basic Kit $29.95 ___
includes: My Reflections Twitterpated Level 2 paper packet
             Hello There stamp set
             Designer Ribbon Rounds Chocolate Collection
             Full-color Workshop Guide
*Twitterpated Best Option:
Order the Basic Kit, then add these accessories if you choose.
             Z1230 Dimensional Elements in Color- Organic $3.50 ___
             Z280 Natural Hemp $2.25 ___
             Z1218 Brads Basic Assortment $4.95 ___
*Other items you need to complete all of the projects on your own:
-X1410 Colonial White 50 pack of cards and envelopes $14.95 _____

-E1011 Headline Alphabet $34.95 _______
-Z2111 Chocolate Ink pad $5.25 _______
-Z2164 Sorbet Ink pad $5.25 _______
-Z2153 Sweet Leaf Ink pad $5.25 _______
-Z679 Liquid Glass $6.95 _______
-Z697 Sponge $1.25 _______
-Z1114 Piercing Tool Kit $5.95 _____
-Y1001 Block 1x1 ½ $4.50 ____
-Y1002 Block 1 x 3 ½ $5.95 ____
-Y1003 Block 2x2 $6.50 _____
-Y1010 Block 2 x 6 ½ $9.95 _____

You’ll Be Twitterpated….October 20th

With Grace & Elegance….November 17th

Home Sweet Home….December 15th

Morning or evening sessions available! 9:30am or 7:30pm

email me at tpank@kdsi.net for more info or to register.

October 20th

Nov. 17th

Dec. 15th

September Scrapbook Club Layout

Twitterpated......

I am in love with this new paper series from Close To My Heart. The warm, soft colors of Chocolate, Sorbet, Sweet Leaf & just a hint of Crystal Blue are so appealing for fall photos.  I've paired these papers with the adorable September Stamp of the Month: Treasures.  Hope you like it!

September Stamp Of the Month: Treasures

I thought I'd share some cards I made using this month's SOTM: Treasures.

I hope these beautiful dandelion puffs inspire you too!

This set is available September 1-30 only.

Supplies used:Olive card stock

                     Chocolate cardstock & ink

                                  Sorbet cardstock

Lots Going On In September!

Yea!  It's September 1st and that means it's officially

 National Stamping Month,

and the release of the

 NEW Autumn/Winter Idea Book!

The new Idea Book has over 70 NEW items, including adorable new papers and stamps sets, along with some real exciting new embellies!

If you need a book, let me know and I'll get one to you.  You can look at it online at my website http://www.triciap.myctmh.com/, but I know how satisfiying it can be to have the book in your hands to wander through as you please.  I'm the same way!

As you know from my previous post, my Everyday Celebration cardmaking kit arrived and I got to play with it off & on last weekend.  I love how detailed the instructions are. They are well written with lots of color pictures to guide you along, making it easy, even if you've never made a card. 
I am offering a chance to win the new Sweet Home Level 2 paper kit!  For each kit you order between Sept. 1-30, you'll be entered in to my personal drawing.  The more kits you order, the more chances you have to win!  Think g-i-f-t-s!  This would make a lovely present!

Since it's September 1st, I'd better get my club layout done so I can post it.  We'll be using the new Twitterpated papers and the beautiful September Stamp of the Month.  I love the color combo of chocolate, sorbet, crystal blue and sweet leaf.  Great for fall!  I'll post it here once I'm done. 

I'd better get down to my workshop and get busy!  Happy scrapping & shopping!
~Tricia

Guess what arrived on my doorstep?!!!  I'm so excited to dive into this adorable cardmaking kit from CTMH.  I always get their promotional packs because they are such a great deal.  The stamp set included in this set is a d-size, which means that if it was in the catalog, it would cost $22.95 alone!  It comes with this exclusive set along with the papers and everything else listed below for $39.95 or FREE. (see details below).  I plan to keep the instructions so I can make more cards in the future using other papers and stamp sets.  Maybe this will be the pattern for my Christmas cards.  Hmmmm...... :)
If you want the details for getting this kit, please stop by my website http://www.triciap.myctmh.com/.  If you order between Sept. 1 & 30, you'll be automatically entered into a daily drawing for a FREE card kit! 
~Happy Shopping & Creating!

Delight in the Everyday with this adorable Everyday Celebration campaign. You can purchase this kit outright for $39.95 or get a kit for FREE when you purchase a minimum of $60 in stamp sets between August 18th - September 30th. Septmeber hostesses who have a qualifying party of $400 or more will receive the kit for FREE! Sign up as a new consultant during September and receive the kit FREE with your consultant kit!







Everyday Celebration Card Kit includes:


1 - My Acrylix Everyday Celebration Stamp Set


(D size, Only available with this kit!)


16 - 41/4x5 1/2 Colonial White card bases


16 - 41/4x 51/2 Colonial White envelopes


1 - 12x12 Dutch Blue cardstock


1 - 12x12 Colonial White cardstock


4 - 12x12 B&T Duos paper


1 - Chocolate Distressing Ink


1 - Dutch Blue Distressing Ink


1 - Mini-Medley Accents Shades of Chocolate collection


5' - Chocolate Ribbon w/ Colonial White Stitch


50 - 3-D Foam Squares


Sponge


1 - Full color step-by-step Instructional Brochure

Back To School!

After a stalled start, Jared enjoyed his first day of school last week. Our son is now a first grader! He had to miss his first day because he had a fever. With the fear of the h1n1 virus looming, the school district is being very careful to teach the children and parents not to send kids to school if they have a fever, cough etc. After a quick trip to the doctor (and an influenza test) we learned that he just had a cold/sinus infection. His medication kicked in and he felt 100% better for the 2nd day of school, and has been feeling great ever since.

He really likes his new teacher and is expecially excited that each student has their own desk! He's already bringing homework home too! Whew! I didn't realize there was homework in first grade!

As for Miss Jordan, she will be attending a new preschool this year. Her first day is September 14th. She is looking forward to checking out the new school and seeing her friends. Especially since the house is pretty quite now that Jared's in school everyday. LOL!

Animal Cookies anyone?

This week for club everyone gets to play with this wildly popular scrapbooking paper, Animal Cookies.

The title was inspired by the t-shirts I've seen at Cabela's and Scheel's. Simple words to live by.

Life is good.

It's hard to see here, but the buttons around the left page are from the Be Happy stamp set (b1298). I like the positive statements on each one. "It's the Little Things", "Don't Worry Be Happy", "Believe in Yourself", etc.

The journaling area on the right side was made using the new Comments stamp set (d1359). This set comes with several sets of lines to jot notes on and, the cuteset little paper clip stamp. As you can see on here, I stamped the paper clip, then cut it out and attached it to the top of the note. It looks so real!

Summer Travels

The weekend after Memorial Weekend we were able to get away to spend some time with my parents in Casper. It was a long drive, but the kids did great. They've always been good in the car, even when they were tiny babies.

My brother and sister in law also live in Casper, but were away in Vegas. Their 3 adorable children were staying at Granny & Grandpa's too, so it was a full house! The kids had such a great time together. We even walked up to Green Meadows park where I spent many hours as a kid growing up in Valley Hills. The park has changed a bit with newer (safer) playground equipment, but it was still nostalgic for me.

My mom's garden was looking beautiful. I could fill this whole post just with pictures of her tulips! I'm so glad we were able to celebrate her birthday while we were there too. So special! I made an angel food cake so we could enjoy some of her garden fresh strawberries on top. YUM! The cake turned out rather funny looking, but it tasted delicious!

My dad has been working with rocks and creating some beautiful jewlery pieces. I finally got to see what he's been talking about and it was pretty amazing to see a plain old rock turn into a beautiful polished stone. I watched as he turned a piece of red jade into a shiny cabachon. I had no idea what it took to do something like that! He's got a lot of patience! He gave me the cabachon and we mounted it onto a bracelet. Can't wait to show off his handy work!

All in all it was a great weekend! I look forward to our camping trips and other get-a-ways this summer!

Just Tinkerin'

I was able to spend some time in my workshop this weekend and found myself cleaning up to get ready for Scrapbook Club (yay!) and my upcoming crop (double-yay!)

I usually have lots of scrap left over after prepping for club and the pile of Tinkerin' scraps just kept calling my name. What great colors to incorporate into some birthday cards! Here's a sample of the cards I made, plus a peek at this month's Club layout.

Lunch Bag Purse

I was inspired to create this cute Paper Bag Purse after seeing it posted to one of the groups I belong to. It was a fun way to use up some scraps, and I got to use the new May Stamp of the Month again!

Here are the directions if you'd like to make you own!

(This was shared by a fellow CTMH consultant, Pam Jarett)

1. Cut a lunch sack to 5 inches.

2. Cut pieces of cardstock 5 1/4 x 5 1/2 for the front and the back

3. Cut two pieces of B&T 4 3/4 x 5 and adhere to the cardstock.

4. Cut one piece of cardstock 1 x 5.

5 Cut coordinating B&T 3/4 x 5 and adhere it to the one inch strip.

6. Adhere the one inch strip to the front.

7. Cut two one inch squares of cardstock. Round the corners of two opposite sides. Cut diagonally to the corners that were not rounded. Adhere in the top corners of the front and back.

8. Handles--2 1/2 x 12 cardstock pieces. Cut two 1/4 x 12 inch pieces of B&T.Attach B&T to cardstock.

9. Glue front and back on to sack. Using a piercing tool attach handles with brads and decorate the front of your purse.

Under Attack?

One morning, in my basement workshop, I was working on getting some scrapping done when I heard a strange noise. My heart raced as I looked up to see a visitor in my window well! After I got over my initial surprise I grabbed the camera and took this shot. Each spring we have a cute Mama & Papa duck pair wander around our yard in the mornings. Every year I cross my fingers and hope they will nest here, but inevitably they get spooked by the kids excitement and nest elsewhere. I wonder if this will be the year?

Close To My Heart came out with an exclusive scrapbook kit called Tickled Pink to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month in May. I have been playing with my kit and love it! I still can't believe it was only $34.95 when the stamp set alone (included) would cost $22.95. What a deal!

Sure wish you could see the detail, a couple of the pages have glitter on them! If you'd like a kit for yourself, you can go to my website and order one that will be sent directly to your door! www.triciap.myctmh.com Order 3 stamp sets and you can order the Tickled Pink set for FREE!

Getting Started

Oh Boy! I can't believe it, but I've actually started blogging! Like I really need to add one more thing to my life.....ha! But, I have been following several blogs over the past year or so and decided I would finally go for it.
I am thrilled to be able to post my paper-crafting creations, and share with you the crazy things that happen with the kids, hubby and myself during the day.
Check back often!