Showing posts with label Close to My Heart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Close to My Heart. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Spray Pen Unplugged!

Love glimmer mists? I do too! Beginning Feburary 1st, Close to My Heart will be offering spray pens, which are perfect for making and spraying homemade glimmer mists. And the best part is 3 spray pens retail for just $3.95! You can make glimmer mists in any color you want for a fraction of what you'd purchase the for in the stores.

Here's a little video by Close to My Heart telling you all about the process in case you are interested. It's quick and easy to understand and I think you'll all enjoy it.



'Til later!
Tanya

Monday, April 19, 2010

Confessions of a new Digital Scrapbooker . . .

OK, so I tried it. And I liked it. And I'll probably do it again. And I can't wait to get the FIFTEEN layouts I ordered. Oh, my world is in total chaos!!!

Some of you out there in scrapbook blog world may be like me . . . every layout you do you create one for each child. So every time I need to preserve a day's memories, I need to do it three times. And sometimes I don't really even want to do it once. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to push a "duplicate" button and have it done for you?



This layout here, Baby Cousin, was my first attempt at going digital. I spied this cute little Studio J exclusive paper, Hippity Hop, and I really wanted it for the pictures that I have of my kids meeting their new little cousin last month. I uploaded all the pictures I wanted on all three of the kids layouts, inserted Anna's into the layout first, typed in special journalling personalized for her into the journalling box, and I set the page up exactly as I wanted. It was SOOOOO easy. Seriously, almost insulting. At first it bothered me that it was difficult to personalize with different stamps and title styles like I'm used to doing with paper but then it dawned on me . . . these layouts and papers have been designed by professionals to be perfect. They were beautiful and it didn't take me 7 hours to come up with it. All I did was change a few background colors to taste, add some digital distressing, pick the My Stickease that I liked, change the ribbon and brad colors, copy twice, and insert the other kids' pictures (which you can can soooooo easily crop and zoom in and center at will) and journalling on their duplicate layouts, and DONE! And then is when it hit me . . . all those pictures of events from years past that I've been avoiding - I could get layouts done for all three kids in under an hour. And so I did. And before you knew it, I had four more layouts designed - Camping 2008, Camping 2009, Memorial Day 2008, and Pumpkin Carving 2009. And one for each child for, yes, a total of FIFTEEN layouts. And I'm proud of myself for everything I accomplished in such a short amount of time.

And so what about the cost? Honestly, I was kind of worked up about the cost when Studio J was announced. But after reflection, I've obviously decided it's worth it. On nine of my pages I had 8 x 10 photos. At a minimum, those photos cost between $2-$5 to develop. Add in the photo processing you would need for the other complementary pictures and I've probably got about $3 of photo development costs that I didn't pay (although I'm a chronic overdeveloper so I probably saved much more than the average person). Factor in a Level 2 Paper Packet for $12.95 for each set of layouts. Plus three sets of Stickease or a new stamp set (let's say between $15 and $22). Then there are the ink pad colors for the distressing that I have but you may not. No stylus, sanding paper, trimmer and refill blades, liquid glass, craft knife, corner rounder, punches - none of that extra cost. There is the journalling that you don't have to carefully measure in Word, print, trim, and adhere to your page. Consider all the ribbons, brads, photo clips, and other accents that I didn't have to purchase. I didn't have to spend any time cutting out a title or trying to crop my photos to fit to perfection. All of my paper lines are straight, all of my edges perfectly distressed for me. I didn't have to pay shipping as I ordered more than 10 layouts and I received free page protectors for ordering more than 5 layouts. And NO ADHESIVE COSTS - no tape runners, liquid glues, or even glue dots. But best of all, if time is truly money, I got a real bargain at $12.95 per layout.

So for about $200, I am COMPLETELY finished with 15 layouts. Paper, embellishments, photos, journalling, title, and page protectors - ready to add to my albums when they arrive. No mess, no scraps, no leftovers I won't use. Hey, we all know scrapbooking is expensive. And even more convincingly, we probably don't REALIZE that we are spending $200 on 15 traditional layouts but I'd bet we spend more than that more often that we think.

So, if you've made it through my musings then you've witnessed the birth of a sometimes-digitial scrapper of the future. There is no way I can give up traditional scrapbooking - EVER. But, man . . . this sure was a nice way to play a little catch up.

And so, it is on that note that I'm finally ready to announce and endorse the launching of CTMH's Studio J digital scrapbooking software for public use on Monday, April 26th. This new program is completely free and you don't have to install it on your computer. You can play around and design until your heart's content and only make a purchase if you decide you want the layouts printed and shipped to you. To get to this free software, simply go to my website at www.tanya.myctmh.com and check it out next Monday.

I hope you all enjoy it too! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Tanya

Monday, March 1, 2010

Dare to Dream

I know this isn't all that fun . . . two non-artwork posts in a row. But, I do have another little something I want to share with all of you. Those of you who know me know that I'm not a consultant opportunity "pusher". I've always been happy and content to do all the work and let my customers sit back and reap the benefits. But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention this opportunity every once in a while - and this seems like a good time to remind you that Close to My Heart would love to have you too!

Before I tell you what the incentive is, let me just say that being a consultant is a different experience for everyone. Many people sign up and do it just for a discount on the products. Others sign up with the intent to be a super seller and make some money. Some do it to gain friendships and some do it for ideas and inspiration. There are the people who become a fabulous upline and run a whole troup of people underneath them. There are those who want the opportunity to travel to conventions and events or perhaps even earn a cruise or a trip. If you decide to sign up as a consultant, all these opportunities and more are yours for the taking, if they fit into your perfect scenario. Being a consultant can fit any budget, any amount of free time you have, and can fulfill many purposes. And be aware that there is much training available if you'd like it and much support in our very active unit here in the Fox Valley.

With that in mind, Close to My Heart has unveiled it's new March customer campaign, "Dare to Dream". For this month only, anyone who signs up will receive all the upcoming SUMMER stamps of the month - a $91.80 value! The consultant kit costs just $99 and comes with about $300 in business and creative supplies. There are also additional add-on kits available if you'd like.
If you think you might be interested, let me know!

Happy March, everyone!
Tanya

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Look what I got!!!!!

I'll admit that I'm not a fan of grab bags or surprise deals but I decided to take a chance with CTMH's Clearance Sale Grab Bag this time around. After all, I figured that if they didn't have enough of an item left to make it a regular clearance item, then they were probably the more popular items. Well, I have to say that I'm so glad I took a chance!

Have a look . . .

Included were:

Not one but TWO D-size stamp sets (valued at $22.95 each!). And one is a very useful alphabet!
A Level 2 Paper Packet (that just happens to be an old favorite of mine, Sonata)
A package of base pages (probably the only thing in this box I don't see myself using)
A small pack of textured cardstock (lucky me, it's in one of my favorite color palattes, Winter Cozy)
A pack of Elegant Bouquet stickease
A tube of My Accents
A tube of Designer Ribbon Rounds
2 packs of Sassy Strands
and a jar of Bamboo eyelets

Well over $100 of awesome product for just $30! I feel like I won the CTMH lottery!

There is still great stuff available online at the clearance sale, including more grab bags. But hurry . . . the sale is over on December 17th or while supplies last ! If you'd like to place an order but don't want to pay $7.95 for shipping, get together with a friend or send me your order and I'll combine it with another customer's to save you money. To order, simply go to my website at www.tanya.myctmh.com and click on online shopping.
Happy Shopping,
Tanya

Friday, October 23, 2009

Stampaganza is back!

I'm SOOOOO excited to announce to you all that CTMH has declared November to be a Stampaganza! This is truly one of the best sales that CTMH puts on and I know MANY people look forward to it. The last sale was about 1 1/2 years ago so it doesn't come around often.

Here are the details . . . during the month of November, purchase two stamp sets and get the third of equal of lesser value FREE. (This discludes "E" size stamps and custom stamps.) Really, that's it! Almost every stamp set that CTMH makes is fair game so start picking out your stamps! And don't forget about the stamp of the month in November . . . this is an ADORABLE little set and will be so easy to earn free or at a discount with stamp purchases this month.

Hostess Club members can, of course, purchase their sets through Hostess Club. For others reading this blog, you can either e-mail me your order or submit your own order through my website at www.tanya.myctmh.com. There is also a full product catalog on my website.

Happy shopping!
Tanya

Sunday, October 4, 2009

And so it begins . . .

It was inevitable that I would start a blog. I've known it for many months. And yet I held off hoping that the desire would be squashed and I'd have avoided one more tempting time waster. But when you're a business gal like me you've got to put yourself out there and share what you've got . . . and hope someone likes what you have to offer.

This blog is meant to mostly chronicle my work as a Close to My Heart consultant. To show and share my artwork, classes, and services. To admit to you all that I'm stepping out of my box and working to earn a cruise for my work this year . . . and hope you'll all keep me accountable. It's going to be a long, hard road and I'll need the encouragement! Along the way I hope to make many new friends and perhaps inspire a few scrappers, cardmakers, and paper crafters. And here's to hoping I don't talk your ear off along the way. I hope you enjoy my blog!

Tanya