Sign up today for my team and get this amazing gift

As of 9am MST August 1st when you join my team for only $49 (plus S/H) you're going to also receive this amazing (trust me I have one) scrapbooking back-pack FREE with your kit.  This back-packs offer is while supplies last, so hurry to get yours NOW before they're gone!

TONIGHT! July 31st 6:30p Get Your Glitter On Free Openhouse

Tonight is the night!!!!!!!!! It's finally here after months of anticipation come out and see the brand NEW IDEA BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  6:30-8:30 at Oceanside Community Church.  This event is FREE!

Come join us to see my latest samples, do a make-n-take, and prizes galore!  We will be trying to raise enough money for our group to pay for an entire surgery for a child through Operation Smile!

Samples from Cricut Artiste and our new papers

Last Day to Order Footloose and tons of other retiring products 7-31-12

 I wanted to make sure you don't miss out on those papers that have been on your wish list that are now retiring.  Like this fun Footloose!  Here is a fun layout I made (designed by Kay Pekin), showing up my cute little swimmers.

Stamp of the Month and retiring items must be ordered by July 31st

Hi wanted to remind everyone to make sure you get your July stamp of the month orders in. 

This super cute set will be gone July 31st along with hundreds of retiring items.  If you have been waiting to get your wish list items you need to hurry!  Retiring items are now while supplies last and are selling out fast!

Sneak Peak of 2 New Home Decor Workshops On The Go Videoproducts video

You are going to want to get your own kits for these projects! Available August 1st!

Heritage Layout using Studio J and Mischief papers

I am totally in love this Studio J layout I made for my sister using Mischief paper pack which was designed as Halloween. To me these patterned papers make classic heritage feel.

I wanted to show you what the layout looked like when I started.  so here is a screen shot of where it started when all I had done is picked the paper pack and layout format. 

So tips to note:

• The left page has been rotated onto its side
• The ribbon has had stitch marks placed onto it.
• The pattern paper on the left-top side of the right page  is actually the same gray wool cardstock used on the both pages.  Here's how I did it" I placed the My Stickease (yup same one on the left page just bigger) and increased/reduced the images and placed them randomly including off the edges.  Next I dragged a journal box and totally covered the full pieced of cardstock, removed wording and left box "vellum"
• Last tip, for those super cool black and white photos from 50-70's that were square and always had the date on edge.  When you scan and use those photos whether Studio J online style or in classic scrapbooking, LEAVE those edges on your photos.  They keep apart of the timeless-ness and history of the photos there.  Note above how my Mom used to write directly on those edges I wanted to keep her writing/journalling intact.

Retiring stamps and Accessories

So come July 31st, some of those items you have on your wish list will be retiring:  Make sure you check the lists and then head to my site to get yours while they are still available heatherplotzke.ctmh.com Below are some of those items (thanks to my girlfriend Dana for making such a detailed list).  Papers that will be going are Footloose, Superhero, Cruisin', and Lucy.  Make sure you get your items before they are gone, as of now they are all listed while supplies last

Upcoming Events you need to be at!

July 31st is my New Idea Book Kick off party! 6:30p - 8:30p at Oceanside Community Church

Its totally free and you'll want to be there to get the newest, most innovative book the scrapbooking world has seen in years.  Come out for the fun, FREE event to get your fall Idea Book FREE from Close To My Heart!  You'll be able to see fun samples, have chances to win some fun prizes, and donate to a great charity, Operation Smiles.

August 7th - 6:30p at Oceanside Community Church is my first workshop in the fall lineup.  You need to reserve your spot now.  Prepayment for registration is due no later than July 31st so I can get enough supplies ordered/prepped for you.

RSVP for both events now at 760-712-7033,  I can't wait to see you!!!!!!!!!!!

Close To My Heart Convention 2012 highlight photos

So I am 100%, totally full out exhausted!  I just spent 7 glorious days, with some of the most warm, loving, talented and crazy women I know. From massive craft annoucements (give it up for our new Cricuit set and new easier than ever Studio J) to wild and wacky antics, with truly touching and loved filled moments; Convention 2012 blew away expectations.  Over the next few weeks I will be sharing some of the crafting treasures I traded with/and for, room mate treasures, amazing artwork, along with just some of the funniest pictures from the best friends in the world.  So I hope you enjoy browsing our memories enough to want to join us next year in DISNEYWORLD as a part of my team!

Swap cards from CTMH Convention 2012

Okay with NO teens at home this week, I'm very proud of myself for this video from my phone (didn't know it did that wish the kids would show me these things lol). The footage doesn't blow up to full screen well....guess I need a phone younger than my Kindergartner.  I promise to work on my tech skills -- the Cricut Artiste is my 1st step to the new world!

The following video are all the cards I received in my card swapping this past week at convention in Dallas.  I have to say that was my 4th time and these are the best ever!  Great Job Ladies!!!!!  If I traded for yours, watch for yours in the short clip.

Try to sing your way through journalling for a twist

Sometimes journalling just seems silly and almost obvious like at home birthdays.  You can clearly see the what, why, and who here.  So for journalling I decided to "sing" to my daughter in the layout by adding song lyrics for journalling.

This page went quickly together by simply layering  My Stickease and changing the colors of the papers to monochromatic colors to match her outfit and birthday hat.   I love the freedom and ease Studio J gives me.

My Swap Cards

So this year I made 70 cards for swapping at convention.  20 for my best friend and downline Donna to Swap and 50 for me to share.  Here are mine, and over the next few weeks I'll be sharing what I got in return for my labor of love.

This card was made using my passion Studio J.   I bought the $3 jpg version of my layout, had it printed for about $.09 ea on 4x6 paper at 3.75 in sq photo size. and mounted it on 4 x 12 cardstock scored at 4 in.  Wham its that easy with Studio J and I LOVE the results.  Its hand made, designed by me and yet has a professional look to it.

What's coming your way in the Autumn Idea Book from Close To My Heart

Okay people....BIG things coming our way.  Now I want to give you some tidbits on what's coming your way after August 1st.

• Starting with 62, yeah 62 brand new stamp sets in our new book.  With that will be a total of 19 stamp sets that are designed to go along with your Cricut Art Philosophy set. 
• Oh how 13 brand new Workshop On The Go's...including wait for it HOME DECOR, CARDS, AND CRICUT SPECIFIC W.O.T.G. kits!
• New Alcohol based, dual tip Markers; 6 major new colors (Loving me some Ruby Red!), and Pigment Mini pad collections.
• Studio J is now even easier to use with 10 Pre-made collections ready for you just drop and drag your photos and journalling into.  All the work is done for you.  
• NO more membership fees for Studio J....all content is available and free for everyone including free jpg images with all layout purchases.  Detailed info on this one will be coming soon directly to you from our Corporate office is you are current member and I know a lot of you are.
• AND WAIT FOR,  wait for it............ a new massive Cricut Artiste Cartridge bundle with even more amazing features on it.  This new set will feature a total of 698 original designed and coordinating images (plus a circle and a square).  15 of the brand new stamp sets were designed especially to coordinate with shapes.  

Leadership Day and Team Mtgs Night at CTMH Convention 2012

So today was the Leadership Training, It was amazing!!!!!!!!!  Learned lots and lots.  Got a few sneak peaks LOVING our Vintage School Papers all I'm saying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some awesome Studio J things coming our way....Stay tuned more info coming in the next few weeks on that.

So mega-card swapping going to be happening in a few hours, room mate giftys a plenty already underway.  I love, love, love my friends and team-mates.  AND I can't wait for you to be on my team, coming soon that will even be easier for you to do.  We'll know Saturday where we will be headed next year so you should start saving now to join us.

Here we go Convention 2012

Here I am sitting in Dallas...Leadership Day upon me tomorrow.  All the goodies in store for us this fall will be known in just a few hours....looking forward to sharing as it comes along.  Yee-Haw!!!!!!!!

Sticky boy here we come!!

My hunt will start come Thursday for STICKY BOY!!!!  I'm coming my friend, wait for me!

Ready or no Dallas here we are!

 My trusty side-kick Donna and I arrived this afternoon and relaxed at the hotel.  The grounds here at the Hilton Anatole are stunning.  They have a beautiful Asian gardens, amazing atrium, and a huge Asian art gallery.  As you can see from my second photo they also have yummy restaurants.  The homemade Bleu Cheese chips were to die for!  We just chilled and wandered the sights and watched a thunderstorm from the glass ceiling-ed pool and hot tub (breathe taking).  Tomorrow we take on town, and I know for sure at some point I will be swimming in the outdoor pool with the swim up bar.

 

Cowboys and Margaritas

Convention is coming ladies and Dallas so am I!  My husband called me today and said that Dallas better look out because he knows the power and craze of 2,000 women who are focused on Scrapbooking, Cowboys, and Margaritas!!!!!!!!!!!!  Gotta love a husband who truly understands you!

Watch for updates on my Scrapbook Adventures on My Road to the Fall Idea Book. 

July Stamp of the Month

July is coming in with a bang.  I can't believe I'm already showing you July's Stamp of the Month.  Be sure to get yours this month and take advantage of the Perfect Pair special at the same time.

Happy July 4th!!!

Today is one of my favorite holidays and not just because I'm a proud Marine wife (which I am!).  Some of my most cherished childhood memories were of  BBQ's with baseball games, sparklers and fireworks.

  

So as a reminder...charge those cameras.  Backyard grilling and playing in the sprinkler are the moments your kids will remember years to come so be sure to capture them for years to come.

 Happy Independence Day from my family to yours!!!!!!!!

LuWow Table Decor

Add some quick, fun art to your table this summer.  For about $2 worth of supplies I recycled this empty wine bottle into some cute decor.  I spray painted the bottle black (right over the label and all).  After misting with water I crumbled a 4 x 12 piece of Kraft Cardstock.  When dry I hand cut into fringe leaving about 3/4 of an inch solid at the top. 

The rest was super fast.  With liquid glue I applied the skirt and CTMH's paper Just Bloom flower and mini pearls.  Bam, I was done.  That easy.  This would be just as cute on a full bottle to give as a hostess gift for any summer occasion.

Just Blooms Paradise Flowers (68 in a pkg) $5.95