Happy April 1st!

Today it's snowy and cold and yucky here in Utah so I ran to Costco to bought a beautiful bunch of my favorite flowers...tulips! I had to "trick" myself into thinking it is spring! LOL! Seeing the pretty flowers made me think about the new April stamp of the month called Flower Pot...a beautiful collection of spring-like flowers with pots and planters. Perfect for all of us who are wishing it felt like spring was here! Here is a little card made with this pretty set and Caboodle papers. Enjoy!

Baby Shower Invitation

A friend of mine is soon to have a baby girl and I'm helping throw a baby shower for her. She is going to be the cutest mom! I was working on the invitations to the shower yesterday and thought I would share what I came up with. This is with the Caboodle paper...so stinkin' fun for baby cards, albums...anything!! Love this paper!

You Rock!

My children are involved in Ballroom dancing and really love it! At least one of them is dancing around my kitchen daily. :) And this week is the biggest competition of the year! So you can imagine the energy, excitement (and nerves!) at my house!!! To channel some of that energy, I decided to make some good luck cards for my kids and their partners to let them know that they rock! :) Of course the You Rock paper was perfect! Here are a couple of samples.

Here's to wishing my kids good luck this week! :)

Dare to Dream!

Join Close To My Heart in March and receive four exclusive new stamp sets FREE! Be your own boss with flexible hours and unlimited earning potential when you join Close To My Heart as a new Consultant this March. When you join, you will receive four new stamp sets free! The retail value of the free stamp sets total $91.80, which nearly covers the price of your New Consultant Kit*. When all is said and done, you will receive more than $400 in fabulous new products to get your dream business started.

Now is the time to make your stamping dreams come true! Ask me about joining our incredible team today!

* Purchase of the $99 New Consultant Kit is required. Tax and shipping/handling are required on the New Consultant Kit. There is no additional tax, shipping/handling for the free items. Free items are the May-August 2010 Stamp of the Month sets. Offer valid March 1-31, 2010

Piece of Cake!

This adorable card is made with the February stamp of the month set called "Piece of Cake." My friend Diana made it for me....thanks Diana! You are the best! And check out the sanded textured cardstock on the front of the card...what an awesome touch! Don't forget that our textured cardstock is buy one, get one free this month!! And with every pack you buy, Close to My Heart donates $2 to Operation Smile's Haitian Relief Fund! It's a wonderful cause!

Ghiradelli Treat Box

Supplies:

3 11/16 x 8 ½ piece of cardstock for box base
2 ½ x 2 ½ piece of cardstock (2 – 1 for lid and 1 for base)
2 5/16 x 2 5/16 piece of patterned paper
7 ½ x 5/8 strip of cardstock

Directions:

Score the cardstock box base on the long side at 2”, 4” and 8”. Turn 90 degrees and score the other way at 2” and 3”. Cut out the pieces marked with an X in the diagram. Cut along the 3 short score lines at the bottom (just until the next score line).

Now, fold along score lines. To assemble the box, glue the small tabs together. If desired, cut notches out of the corners of the 2 square base and lid pieces, plus the patterned paper. Attach the patterned paper to one lid piece. Now glue the lid to the top flap of the box. Glue the base piece to the bottom of the box.

For the strap that holds the box closed, score the long strip of cardstock at 1 ½”, 2 ½”, 5”, and 6”. Decorate strip as desired. Glue ends together and slide over box. I added a decorative flower to the top of the strip, but you can decorate it however you wish! This box will hold 3-4 Ghiradelli chocolate squares.

Relief for Haiti

My heart goes out to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti! It is so devastating! I feel an urgency to reach out and help, especially since I have two fabulous cousins who are over there right out helping to translate and rebuild orphanages and hospitals! They are a great example to me. And like so many of you, Close to My Heart is eager to help as well. And helping has never been easier! Throughout February, purchase a 12" x 12" textured cardstock combo pack and you’ll get one FREE— and with every offer purchased, Close To My Heart will donate $2 US to Operation Smile’s Haiti relief efforts. That means for only $14.95 US, you get two packs of our high-quality textured cardstock and you help this urgent, important cause.

Offer valid February 1–28, 2010. Tax and shipping/handling charges may apply. Donations to Haiti will be made by Close To My Heart on your behalf to Operation Smile’s relief efforts. To learn more about their efforts visit www.operationsmile.org/haiti.

January Stamp of the Month

I love January's stamp of the month! The rustic frames and sayings are so beautiful and go with any papers! It's my favorite!

Supplies:

True Friends (January stamp of the month)
Cocoa and Garden Green inks
Creme Brulee ribbon
Veranda paper packet

Have a Holiday Hey Day and Save 50-80%!

SIT BACK AND RELAX. It's OK to start your holiday shopping a little late this year, because the best deals start in December! You can buy everyone on your list a gift and stock up on much-needed supplies, leaving you time to enjoy the festivities! Beginning December 2*, you’ll want to get in on the amazing deals like My Acrylix® stamp sets from $2 and My Reflections®
paper packets from $5. But that’s not all—we have “grab bags” for $30, each filled with over $100 in retail products! Plus, great shipping deals on orders over $100. These products are only available while supplies last, so mark your calendar and be the first to fill your shopping cart!

*Sale continues through December 17 or while supplies last. Shipping/handling: $100+ have a flat rate shipping of $5. Orders $99.99 and under have weight-based shipping. Tax is charged based on discounted amount.

You're Invited to a Sweet Holiday Workshop!

Want to spend a day laughing with friends, munching on yummy food and creating sweet & luscious projects? Then join me for a Sweet Holiday Workshop!

The day includes:

· All the supplies for two fabulous projects! (see details below)

· A delicious lunch, along with delectable desserts

· A special surprise gift for everyone who attends

· Prize drawings

· 8 hours of fun…and more!

When: Saturday, November 21st from 10am until 6pm

Where: Party room at Four Chairs Furniture, at the corner of 2000 North & State Street, Orem

What to bring: scissors, adhesive, snacks, and any unfinished projects you may want to work on between projects!

RSVP: Space is limited to 20 people, so sign up right away! Your spot is reserved when you pay your $35.

Projects:

· a sugary memory keeper box filled with all of the supplies for a cooking making party (yes, the ALL the contents of the box are provided as well!). These boxes make great gifts!

· 12 beautiful holiday cards & envelopes that are just sweet!

There will be free time as well so you can bring unfinished layouts or projects to finish. Or if you missed a workshop like our Family album or scrapbook nights, kits for a variety of fabulous projects will be available that day on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Stampaganza Starts Today!!!

WOOHOO!!! My favorite special of the whole year starts today!! It's Stampaganza time! From November 3–30, 2009, when you purchase any two stamp sets (sizes A, B, C, D, and/or E only) at full retail price you will receive a third stamp set of your choice FREE (of equal or lesser value)— a savings of up to $22.95! Choose from any stamp set offered in any 2009 Idea Book or the current Product Review. To order, visit my online shopping site at: tracy.myctmh.com or email me your order at: tracy@myctmh.com.

Take advantage of this month’s great offer to add to your assortment of these beautiful stamps today!

Happy November!

I can't believe that it is November already! Where did October go? My daughter Janica informed me yesterday that there were only 55 days until Christmas! Eeek!

To celebrate the arrival of November, here are a couple of cards designed with the November stamp of the month set. They were created by my talented friend, Karen Pedersen. Isn't she talented? This stamp set is really darling. Enjoy!

Thank You for Your Thoughtfulness

I have a dear friend who is fabulous at always writing thank you notes. She is very observant of people around her and often thanks people for ways they have influenced her life. It is a real inspiration to me. There is never an inappropriate time to thank someone! And a heartfelt thank you card always makes someone day. I have tried to learn from my friend and take more opportunities to thank people. It feels good to be grateful! Here is one of my latest Thank you cards that I've made to keep on hand for those grateful moments.

Supplies:
Grace paper Packet
Card Chatter - Thank You stamp set
Cocoa ink pad
Sanding kit
Basic buttons
Waxy flax

Inspired by Nature

Last week our kids had fall break and we went to one of our favorite places in Utah...Zion National Park. It was positively beautiful! The leaves were changing colors in the canyon and it was beautiful. I love fall leaves! I made this card while thinking about the beautiful changing leaves. To make the leaf look like it was changing colors, I first inked the stamp in Sorbet ink and then rolled the edges in Chocolate ink. Presto! It looks like it is changing colors! And each time I make a leaf it looks unique...just like real leaves in nature. So even nature can inspire our cards and layouts! :)

Happy stamping!

Want to Win a Free Scrapbook Album?

Love digital scrapbooking? Check out Close to My Heart's new online design software called Studio J coming out in the Spring! Go to StudioJ.com for details. Sign up for email updates, and you will automatically be entered into a weekly random drawing for a My Legacy® Dark Cocoa linen album!!! Woohoo!! If you didn’t get the album that week, don’t worry—your name is still in the drawing for the next week. I have my fingers crossed that you will win!

Record Breaking Scrapping Weekend!

This was a record breaking scrapbooking weekend for me! In just 2 days I created 20 scrapbook pages! WOW! I was really on a roll. Usually, like most of us, I squeeze in the time to put together a page here and a page there. But this weekend I started going and kept going! It felt so good! One year ago today I was in the Mediterranean on a Close to My Heart cruise I earned free (I LOVE this company!) and it was those pictures I was scrapbooking. It was so fun to relive that great trip while creating the pages. I loved it! There are still more pictures and memories from that trip to scrapbook, but here are just a few of the pages I did. :)


Here's to more scrapping time for all of us! :)

Workshop Fun!

You’re Invited to the Family Album Workshop!

When: Saturday, October 10^th from 1-4pm or

Tuesday, October 20^th from 10am -1pm and 7-9pm

Where: Tracy Liu’s home (288 Gold River Circle, Orem – email for directions)

Cost: $17 All of the supplies will be cut and ready for you! All you need to bring is your favorite adhesive!

RSVP: Please RSVP by Saturday, October 3^rd specifying which date you would like to attend. Email me at: tracy@myctmh.com. If you are interested in attending the workshop, but these dates are not convenient, please let me know.

If you are interested in getting together a group of friends, I would be happy to come to your home to teach the workshop at a time convenient for you! And you receive fabulous hostess gifts as well! For more information email me at tracy@myctmh.com or call me at 801-224-6995.

For the Love of Chocolate!

I was telling a friend this weekend that chocolate should be part of the food pyramid with a daily recommended number of servings a day. She laughed and asked, "You mean it isn't?" Ha! Ha! I admit it...I love chocolate! And I love it even more that Close to My Heart has an ink color called "Chocolate!" And surprise, surprise....it's one of my favs. :) So, to celebrate everyone else who loves Chocolate (both the candy and the ink color!), here is a recipe for one of my favorite Chocolate Cakes! My friend Cindy made it for me and some friends one day when we got together to stamp. See...another reason why chocolate and stamping are a match made in heaven! Enjoy!

1 chocolate cake mix (I like fudge or milk chocolate)
1 egg
1 stick of butter

Preheat oven to 350. Combine ingredients. Pat into lightly greased 9x13 pan. Prepare filling (below).

8 oz soft cream cheese
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 stick of butter, melted
16 oz powdered sugar

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla. Add butter, then powdered sugar. Spread over cake mixture. Bake for 40-50 minutes. You want the center to be a little gooey, so do not overbake.

National Stamping Month Idea

Here is a little National Stamping Month idea that I thought you all might love! The fabulous kit we are offering this month is so stinkin' cute! And it makes 16 beautiful cards. Why not keep half the cards for yourself and give the other half as a special gift? Here is a little card keeper that will fit all 8 cards and envelopes inside and really makes a great presentation when you give to someone dear. It's so easy to make...all you use is an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of cardstock. Email me for directions and diagram. Enjoy National Stamping Month!

Twitterpated

I just wanted to share the fun and easy card we are making at the Women's Expo at UVU this weekend! Thank you card just have to be quick and easy because you are normally making more than one. :) Happy stamping!