Zoo Inspiration

Yes, we can keep him if he follows us home!

Well known fact: Elaine adores animals and it isn't just animals, she would pet or save or bring home critters of all shapes and sizes, breeds and colors. So when I was trying to think of something to do with Chris that was fun and didn't cost a fortune and would be close, the zoo popped into my mind and I wondered if a teenager, about to turn 15, would think the zoo was cool or dumb. When I announced my desire to go to the zoo I was met with more enthusiasm than I ever though possible. Or maybe I thought it was enthusiasm, maybe he was thinking about his next meal and that was the expression, but needless to say, I started plotting, er I mean planning our visit to the zoo. I even downloaded the map of the zoo and checked out the collection of critters at the zoo.

No stress from this tall guy!

I picked the Oakland one, only because it's closer, and San Francisco traffic can make me crazy and stressed and I didn't want the animals to be stressed by me being stressed. You see I had a plan. And it wasn't just to have fun with the animals, I wanted to take a bunch of pictures . . .

Pictures that would inspire me to get scrapbooking again. I imagine if your photo collection is like my photo collection of unscrapped pictures, you are probably thinking why would she need to go and take MORE pictures when so many are in the boxes and on the hard drive of her computer? Simple: inspiration is sometimes the pictures that are the most recent or something that tickles your fancy and a day at the zoo with 2 teenage boys will do just that!

Look, the elephant is right by me!

And truthfully? I have zoo paper and stickers to use and just needed some zoo pictures. Yes, I have lots of zoo pictures from when the kids were little, this is true, but it seemed easier to go back to the zoo, than to try and find the old pictures. I know, I admit, I need professional organizing help . . . but one thing's for sure! I bet Chris and his friend, Cory, will remember this day and how I appeared to enjoy talking to the critters and snapping photos more than any other mom at the zoo that day in the summer of 2011!

Last Few Days . . . .

Card made by Lori Scott.

The last day to order some of the paper kits from the Summer Catalog is Sunday, July 31st! I posted the list below of what is changing. Also, we have the More Bang For Your Buck where you can get a CTMH product for just $1 (there are 5 to pick from . . . info below).

Any orders emailed to me from now until July 31st will go into one order (a hostess party if it's over $150) and I will enter names in a drawing for the hostess prizing. You could earn lots of free gifts if your name is drawn!

Happy Shopping and Good Luck!

Here is the current retiring list for July 31st.  Order what you need before midnight on the 31st.

Call me or email me. Here's the link from my website in case you can't find your Summer Catalog: stampedbyme.myCTMH.com

My Relections Kits, Papers & My Stickease
All Level One Scrapbook Kits
Bliss Level 2 Paper Packet and My Stickease
Miracle Level 2 Paper Packet and My Stickease
Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Packet and My Stickease
Wings Level 2 Paper Packet and My Stickease
Magnifique Level 2 Paper Packet and My Stickease
Olivia Level 2 Paper Packet and My Stickease
Hooligans Level 2 Paper Packet and My Stickease
Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Packet and My Stickease

Acrylic Blocks
1" x 1 ½" block   (Y1001)
1" x 6 ½" block   (Y1005)
2" x 11" block (Y1007)
2 ½" x 2 ½" block  (Y1004)
4 ½" x 6 ½" block (Y1011)
My Acrylix block starter kit (Y1500)

Embellishments & Tools
Designer ribbon - Cranberry  (Z1209)
Designer ribbon - Buttercup (Z1154)
Designer ribbon - Sweet Leaf  (Z1125)
Sophia Level 2 Journaling Spots  (Z1357)
Mini Medley Accents - Pear (Z1339)
Mini Medley Accents - Lagoon (Z1340)
Mini Medley Accents - Outdoor Denim (Z1277)
Top Coats - Framed In (Z1211)
Rub Ons - Across the Board (Z1231)
Rub Ons - Primavera (Z1265)
Kraft Color Ready Borders  (Z1377)
Red Eye Pen (3501)
Embossing Powders - Clear (Z671)
Embossing Powders - Heavenly Blue (Z647)
Embossing Powders - Pansy Purple  (Z664)
Embossing Powders - Silver Pearl (Z678)
Block Buddy Set  Z1289  121 Pivot Point Stapler (Z1009)
Texture Tools - Foam Tools (Z1090)
Fun Flock (Z263)
My Accents Block Organizer (Z185)

Cardstock
24 pks of Cardstock will only be offered in these colors after July 31st: Kraft,   
   Black, White Daisy, Colonial White, Vanilla Cream, Chocolate, Cocoa, Desert   
   Sand, Bamboo, Sweet Leaf, Pacifica, Smoothie, Creme Brulee, Olive, 
   Cranberry, and Outdoor Denim
Textured Cardstock - White Daisy
We are not retiring any colors and you will be able to purchase the other colors in combo packs.

Inks and Markers
After July 31st, you will be able to purchase our stamp pads and markers individually.  We will no longer offer them in sets of color families.  Order before July 31st so that you can receive the Color Family Set discounted price.

Dimensional Elements
Dimensional Elements - Villa (Z1390)
Dimensional Elements - Miracle (Z1354)
Dimensional Elements - Booksmart  (Z1223)
Dimensional Elements - Borders (Z1156)
Dimensional Elements - Framed Fun (Z1140)
Dimensional Elements - Plain Chipboard (Z1164)
Dimensional Elements - Stars (Z1312)
All Dimensional Elements Monograms - A - Z

Other Items
All Envelope flats - Pg 114
3" x 3" Mini Album (Z1166) - Pg 120
My Creations 3 ring binder (Z1141) - Pg 120

A cutie card

Okay, so our family didn't get a family camping trip in yet this summer, but there's still hope so maybe that's why I had such fun creating this cute 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" little gift card with the Happy Camper C1457 stamp set.

Look at that cute racoon and I used the licorice colored opaques for his eyes! I just want to kiss him, which I do not advise, if you should see a real one on your next camping trip.

This set would be so fun to use on some camping scrapbook pictures, which is exactly why I am calling Mr. Elaine at work right now to tell him we have to go camping. I have the stamps, duh!!!

Happy Creating!

Cricuts aren't just little bugs!

I can't believe this . . . as usual, I find this new catalog amazing, but the best new product of all time is our new Cricut cartridge. It's called Art Philosophy and it's not just the cartridge!!! For just $99 you receive the cartridge, 3 D Size stamp sets and 3 dimensional element sheets. Did I mention that the cartridge has 700 images and that the catalog denotes which stamp sets that can be used with the Cricut cartridge? Oh my! I am imagining all the fun this will be.

Not only that . . . the cartridge includes 3D items, like little boxes, bags, and special cut cards. Wahoo!

Stay tuned for more news! I can't wait for the cartridge to arrive so I can start Cricutting away!

Gadgets and Gizmos A-Plenty!

The California Dreamin' Team . . . ready to learn all about the treasure island of New Products and Programs.

Kristine Widdtfelldt is telling us all about all the REALLY cool new things that CTMH has unveiled! Cricut stuff, new prices on our stamps (lower, that is!) and all new designed Workshops on the Go and bling and zing to add to your pages, cards, and projects! I can't wait!!!!


This is the project we made yesterday:

Lori Scott made this layout and I'm adding it here because she even added pictures! It's BEAUTIFUL!

 

 

 

 

More Create and Takes this afternoon AND a crop tonight to make even more projects. I can't wait!!!

Now to find out more about the specials and freebies coming our way and to customers to you. Can't wait to share that too! :-)

Convention News!

Convention Disney style! The excitement is in the air this morning . . . everyone has been pouring through the new catalog, getting lots of ideas from Extravaganza teachers, and dreaming of going home to play with all the new tools, stamps, and papers.

Yesterday we learned that the Cricut company has made a cartridge specially designed to make die cuts that you can stamp directly onto . . . die cuts and chipboard designs. And you'll love the price $99 . . . which includes 3 stamp sets, 3 sets of coordinating dimensional elements, and the cartridge! Oh wow! Amazing. The cartridge has 700 images, including an exclusive font set. I can't wait to get that puppy in my hands! Oh yeah, baby!

Today includes some really great business classes and a make a take class where we will be playing with the paper packs and accessories. It will be great to learn more about how to use our tools and the new designed paper pack, which has been lowered in price ($9.95) AND get this, the stamp prices have gone down as well. Love it when that happens!

Stay tuned for more news! Gotta go! We have an awesome speaker this morning!

Convention 2011 -- Off to Anaheim!!!

Young or old . . . everyone loves a day at Disneyland. I'm starting off my Convention Week with a trip to the Magic Kingdom! I have my Mouseketeer ears all packed . . . with my camera for that special moment when I find Mickey Mouse and I am set for a fun week!

Wednesday the fun really begins with the Leaders of CTMH and some fun Leadership training. I have been absent from the world of Close To My Heart as I recover from some health issues, but never fear, my love of this company has not changed one bit and I'm SO excited to be back at the Stamp Studio table in record time. So get set, all those in my California Dreamin' Team . . . I'm going to plan us some FUN!

And for those that love to purchase the CTMH stamps and papers . . . you are in for a treat too! I will post some of the upcoming things coming our way, but there will be surprises too! Look forward to a date soon where you can come and preview the fun stuff coming our way with the new catalog.

More details to follow! For now, I'm heading out to the 5 south and will singing the Mickey Mouse song, some Jason Mraz and maybe even some Old McDonald songs. You never know what will inspire me on that long stretch of boring highway! More blog updates coming your way, Mouseketeers! Wahoo!