Celebrate National Papercrafting Month

This collection of papers is truely amazing! It has gorgeous color schemes, a "D" - size stamp set that includes flowers, flourishes, argyle patterns, birds (chicks) and an entire alphabet! These graceful images are just waiting for you to embellish!

Your papercrafting possibilities will be endless! There are three ways to get the Felicity collection:

• Purchase it at full retail price for $34.95.

• Place an order of $60 or more in full-retail priced stamp sets & receive 1 collection FREE!

• Place an order of $125 or more in full-retail priced CTMH products and receive one collection FREE!

In January, the campaign also has enticing opportunities for Hostesses and new Consultants. Hostesses get the collection FREE with a Home Gathering sales total of $400 or more, and New Consultants who join Close To My Heart between January 1–31 will receive the collection FREE in their New Consultant Kit. The pack is so versatile & beautiful. To find out more about Hosting a party, becoming a CTMH Consulant or our great Hobbyist program, email me at cre8withjolene@gmail.com

Hey Everyone

Yes, fellow blog hoppers I am still out there. Sorry that there has been no recent activity on my blog. I'm having technical difficulties. It seems that I have filled the memory of my computer & am having a hard time downloading photos. I will be working on cleaning up & deleting what isn't necessary & making room. Wish me luck because I really hate this part of doing my photos. I have more than 20,000 stored & about a 1/3 need to be organized. (My kids are not very happy with this either because their games are going very slow or not working at all due to the memory overload!)

New Spring 2010 Idea Book Sneak Peak

I can't believe it's time for a new catalog already! It just came a week ago & I LOVE IT!! The new Paper Kits & embellishments are to die for! The possibilities are limitless with our new "Veranda" Level 1 Paper pack. Indoor photos, Mother's Day, Easter, outdoor family shots, they will all work perfectly with this versatile paper. I can't wait to create with it.

One of my other favorite new items is the pewter "Filigree Charms." They are so beautiful. On the front cover of the catalog they are used with the new Just Blooms flowers in Spring Blossom colors (as well as the page being made with my favorite paper pack "Veranda").

Wait until you see the new "You Rock" paper kit & stamp sets that match. All I can say is... "Awesome!" It's perfect for teens & rock band pictures, skateboard & school photos, hangin' out with friends & so much more. The bold patterns & intensity of color is fun & irresistible.

Be one of the first to receive this Idea Book by setting up a Home Gathering in January. Our release date for the Spring Catalog is Jan. 1, but...if you book a party you can get yours right away for FREE! Call or email me soon to pick your date!

It's Stampaganza Time- November 3-30
Stamp lovers rejoice! Whether you're a long- time fan of stamps or are just venturing into this fun hobby, now is the perfect time to grab some My Acrylix decorative stamp sets. This is a great time to "Stock up!" Find your wish list & take advantage of this limited time offer. From November 3-30, 2009, when you make a purchase of any two stamps sets (sizes a, b, c, d or E) at full retail price, you will receive a third stamp set of your choice for FREE! (equal or lesser value- a savings up to $22.95). Choose from any stamp set offered in any of the 2009 Idea Books or current product review!

This is sooo bad

I need to appoligize...I'm Sorry My Blogging Friends! I have been so busy planning my Open House & Autumn Crop that I have not been posting as usual. It's been so long that I forgot my password to get into my site. That's just sad! I am not getting old & forgetful!! This site is linked with my old email address & I cannot figure out how to change it. (Any tech savy bloggers out there that could help me fix it?) So anyway I forgot that I needed my old email addy to get in. See there is a reason & it's not "old & forgetful"..Right??

I Promise that I will post pictures of the scrapbook pages that everyone had a chance to make at the crop! We used "Grace" & "Back Country" did a little stamping & a lot of distressing! You know I have to get my brushes out & add that extra color!

I shall return with more artwork! Until then enjoy the cute pumkin!

Jolene

November Scrapbook Retreat

Can you believe Summer is over. Maybe I say this every year but it sure did seam to go by fast.

I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at my November Scrapbooking Retreat. I am holding this event with two other CTMH consultants. We are filling up fast and it is already half booked. Please email or call me soon if you are interested in joining us. http://cre8withjolene@gmail.com Scroll down to the "Harvest a Crop of Memories" post for more info & the Hotel link.

We will at the Ramada Plaza on the corner of 28th & the Beltline. We were able to secure a larger conference room here. We now can hold up to 40 croppers. The hotel is also letting us use their extra kitchen for all of our food preparation. We'll have a walk in cooler & gas grille! Get ready for some yummy meals. I'll post a menu next week so everyone can pick a dish to pass.

Happy Scrappin'
Jolene

Our Sept. Stamp of the Month is beautiful. These graceful flowers will inspire your art to a new level. Make sure to call or email me before the end of the month to take advange of special pricing or get it FREE!

Soon to be retired paper kit.

I took these pictures one day at school while helping get photos for the yearbook. This is my son Nick & his friends at lunch. They are a great group of boys.

We had each grade go outside & get together for a group photo. How fun! It's hard to see but the first picture is his whhole 6th grade class. Click on the photo for a better view.

I used our Chipboard letters for the title. I love Close To My Heart's because they are "Color Ready." They come white & you can apply what ever medium to them that you would like. These are sponged with dutch blue ink & the paper pack is Free Spirit. Order it now if you like it. It is soon to be retired.

Harvest a Crop of Memories
At Our Close to My Heart
Autumn Weekend
Scrapbooking Retreat
November 6, 7 & 8, 2009
Preserve your memories with a crop of good friends!

The long Sizzlen’ Summer days are almost gone,
And the cozy Scrapbooking season has begun.
So bring an album of your loved one,
And join our Harvest Festival of fun!

Preserve your memories with a crop of good friends.
Our CTMH rich colors will uniquely blend.
Your husband and children will mingle and mend
Because a weekends stay is what we recommend!

Time saving tips is what you’ll learn,
So come out and play; now it’s your turn!
There’s new CTMH product to earn,
Mark your calendar for February you’ll want to return.

October 10 is the magical date,
So reserve your spot and don't be late!
Send a $25 deposit to your CTMH consultant, for goodness sake
There are tons of prizes & attendee gifts at stake!

You'll be able to spread out your memories and enjoy
You'll finish so many scrapbooking pages you'll be jumping for joy!
Reserve your scrapping spot today.
We only have room for 40 to play.

Close to My Heart
Fall Scrapbooking Retreat
Jolene McCormick (616) 608-2653
Close to my Heart Independent Consultant
Executive Manager of the Scrap Happy Hens Unit
cre8withjolene@gmail.com

Here are the Details:

Where: Ramada Plaza 3333 28th Street SE (corner of 28th & East Beltline)

the Kentwood Conference Room

When: Friday through Sunday Nov. 6, 7 & 8. Starts at 4:00pm on Friday (unless you have early entrance privileges)

What to Bring: Your Favorite cropping tools, a dish to pass and all your Scrappin' & Stampin' friends

Cost: $60.00 for a whole weekend of uninterrupted cropping or pick a day that works with your schedule. Crop includes: Snacks, Refreshments, Friday Dinner, Saturday Lunch and Dinner, Sunday lunch.

****Enjoy free use of CTMH Stamps, Inks & various tools.
A Chance to Win an Exciting Grand Prize Basket. And…
We'll also have random drawings to win fun & adorable gifts!****

$20 for Friday
$30 for Saturday
$15 for Sunday

Register and pay your deposit by Oct 10th or sooner and receive:
1) Early Entrance Privileges ---noon on Friday
2) Reserved seating with your group

How to Register: This fantastic cropping opportunity will be shared with two other CTMH consultants. Numerous scrapbookers have been invited and seating is limited to only 40 spaces. Your deposit of $25.00 will reserve your spot. When we receive your deposit, we will hold your table. Don't delay, send it today!

The deposit is what reserves your spot. (Cash or Check)
Mail deposit to:
Jolene McCormick, 12700 McPherson, Lowell, MI 49331
Please include; a deposit of $25.00, name, phone #, email address and who you want to be seated with.

The Ramada Plaza has many amentites from relaxing in our Jacuzzi Tiki Hut Spa or enjoying our 180’ giant indoor waterslide. It is a full-service hotel conveniently located in the heart of Grand Rapids shopping, entertainment, and restaurant district. Rain or Shine it is always a beautiful day in Castaway Bay! Their indoor pool area features Splash Tower, a 180 foot 3 story water slide! Enjoy our tropical indoor paradise by lounging by the pool or in our Tiki Hut Spa. Check for Slide schedule.
Additional Highlights and Excitement
**Weekend Wii Bowling and Golf Tournaments on a Jumbo Screen.
**Weekend Jam Session with Wii Guitar Hero/Rockband.
**Chicago Bar & Grill... Great Food and Fun.

Ramada Plaza has reserved a block of rooms under Close to My Heart with special pricing, $79.00 per night. Including 4 waterpark wristbands per room. The rooms have two full beds. We will have a fridge in our cropping room & use of an extra kitchen with walkin cooler. Call 616-949-9222 to book. http://www.ramadaplazagr.com/

***Come to our Close To My Heart Open House & Happy Hour!*** on Friday Oct. 16 from 5 - 9 At the Ramada Plaza and see the new Collection of Close To my Heart products. We will be serving wine & hors d'oeuvres for Happy Hour! There will be free make -n- takes & lots of prizes to win. Put your order in at the Open House & get it back in time for the crop! Cash & checks only Please. You'll be able to visit the Hotel & see us in the cropping room & view a sleeping room while your there. Bring a friend & we'll treat you to a evening of creativity & fun!

CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE!!
Jolene

Sweet Home Paper Pack

Coordinate your photos with this beautiful paper collection called "Sweet Home." I love the design on these versital B&T sheets. It's such a rich palette of colors, great for any theme or everyday moments.

Sweet Baby Boy

This card is for my friend Rose who just had a baby boy. Logan is so cute & growing so fast. The fun paper is from our "Animal Cookies" Kit featured in our Summer Catalog. The stamp set is "Sweet Baby." It's the same set that I designed the baby girl card with. I like the distressed font. Personality was added to this paper with a different colors of Stickles Glitter Glue on each animal. So easy to use & no messy glitter.

Introducing... Logan Jannenga

O.K. Everyone all at once...AAAWWWW isn't he cute!!

I better get the card in the mail!

Bling It Up

When I started this card my goal was to build on these incredibly cute rhinestones that you can earn FREE "Just ask me how!" I started out with the two rectangular stamped boxes and B&T paper from "Daydream" added some bling, flowers, pop dots & glitter. Here's the finished project. I love how it turned out. Click on the image to take a closer look.

p.s. My multi-talented sister made the crochet flowers!

My Favorite Scrapbooard Pages

Jarred's eyes are so expressive! He can turn those eyes on you & get whatever he wants especially when he adds a smile & turns his head slightly! He's such a little charmer. We were at a friends house & I happened to have my camera & he agreed to let me take his picture. I can't get over how I captured his striking eyes. He's got personality! Click on the photos for a close up.I love how vivid the colors are in this layout. Would you believe I got this paper at the Dollar Store! Yup... I did! The letters are chipboard & cardstock. I added color to the chipboard with ink & stamped the honeycomb appearance on them. If you look closely at the paper you will see the honeycomb design in it. I mixed it up a bit with different fonts & sizes of chipboard. I also placed the chipboard over the photo.

The round circle is (or was) a plain old coaster (as pictured below) I sponge on color & blended it together. Using cocoa ink I stamped on the edges of the coaster to give it the same trendy look as the paper. It says "What a wonderful world." The little tag completes the phrase...."With you in it." It also was a plain white tag.
BeforeAfter

So get your sponges out and add a little color to your pages or your journaling. It's easy, just make sure to put colors that will blend next to each other. Give it a try.

Sneak Peak...

Here's a look at our new Fall/Winter catalog. It has an awesome array of new products! Here's my top ten pick list:
1) Glitter rub-ons (can't wait to play with them!)
2) Jingle Holiday Paper Pack (Can't wait to cut apart the boarders on the B&T)
3) Grace Paper Pack (Yummy colors!)
4) Merry Monsters (the cutest Halloween monsters stamp set)
5) Glitter brads (Love them!)
6) Top Coats (Unique designed transparencies)
7) Flurry Dimensional Elements (Snowflake chipboard )
8) "Wonder" HeartFelt Die-Cuts (in new colors with new designs)
9) CTMH Bone Folder (finally)
10) Tweezers
OK... I can't do it with just ten.
11) Awesome New Shoulder Tote (with designer fabric) It's beautiful
12) Chocolate Embossing Powder
13) New "Snapease" Album system
14) Craft Buttons in browns
15) New brad assortments that come with 3 sizes in 4 colors

That's just the beginning of my wish list! I just got my preview order in yesterday & haven't had time to play! Waaaa! I'm making time this weekend!

The first 3 people to email me at cre8withjolene@gmail.com will win a New Fall Winter Catalog! We'll make arrangements for you to be able to pick it up or I can mail it to you.
Happy Scrappin!
Jolene

Where has the time went,,,

I think I fell off the blogging wagon! My friend Brenda was over yesterday & yelled at me to get some new art on my blog. Sorry I've been a slacker! I guess it has taken me some time to recover from my Scrapbooking Weekend Retreat ealier this month! I wasn't able to see my sister for her birthday on July 26 so we suprised her at the crop with a cake & presents!

Joanne was pretty surprised because earlier in the day we all were giving her a hard time (jokeingly (I think I made that word up!) & with love)because she didn't call me back & I had called her a million times & I that's not a typo! Make a wish Joanne!

I knew she would love the "Worlds Best Dad" stamp set. Right away she said she wanted to make cards for her son Matt & it would be perfect.

This crop was a lot of fun. I actually got 16 pages done! WooHoo! That's huge for me, because I'm usually helping everyone else. No one needed me (and I stayed up real late one night) so I got to play a little! Here's some pages for Jarred's album from our summer vacation last year to White Lake with my friend Cathy & her family. Her two boys are Jarreds age & the best of friends.

I used the "Moon Doggie" Level 1 & Level 2 paper packs. They worked perfect & the level 1 kit was a breeze to assemble. Remeber to click on the picture to get a close up if there is something you want to get a better veiw of.

Wow...I paper pieced again

My scissors & I are starting a new relationship! I might just like them more than I used too! Isn't the bird cute? He's from "Bird Basics." I traced the outline of the stamp onto the paper & cut it out. Yes...I used my scissors & cut again! That's 2 paper pieced cards in less then a week. Can you say "Woo Hoo!" I just had to add a little glitter to him. I followed the slight pattern of swirls on the paper. I also added it to the background paper & some of the flowers & vines. It's the perfect accent for the design. Click on the card to view a larger image & check out the details. When I have used this B&T before I've always added glitter to it. It's delightful paper w/out the glitter, but with it you get just the right amount of "flair!"

Don't laugh to hard

OK...promise not to laugh to hard! I have to tell you a funny story.

Our new catalog is going to be released on Sept. 1rst. We (as consultants) get to preview it a month in advance so we can order products to be able to show our customers during our Open Houses & New Release Shows. Anyhow...Our CTMH Leadership Convention is going on right now & they are introducing the new product to the 1500 or so consultants that are there. These kind consultants are nice enough to filter info through facebook, twitter, texting, email & our CTMH BB on to us eagerly awaiting consultants that didn't get to go, so...between the 4 open tabs on my computer yesterday I got so involved that an hour later I kept thinking "what is that popping noise I hear?" I turn around & looked..."Oh #$%*!" I forgot I had put water on the stove to boil macaroni for a summer salad! Good thing it was in a big pot. Half of the water had boiled away! Hey can you burn water??!!

p.s. Don't tell my Hubby!

It's a Beautiful Day

I have been wanting to play with this stamp set for a long time, I pulled it out & grabbed some paper to use a couple of days ago. I'll bet this stamp "True Happiness" has been sitting in my favorites box screaming "play with me" for at least 2 months! These unique trees have so much personality! The trees are stamped in brown first then on another piece of CS I stamped them in moonstruck, chrystal blue, & topiary ink. Once again I picked up my scissors (ha, ha) & cut out all the colored tree tops! Some are pop dotted on to add zing. The paper pack chosen is a delightful set called "Stardust." That paper is what gave me the inspiration for the non-traditional colors of the trees.

I think my box has gotten bigger

I have so been getting out of my color box lately! Maybe I've even expanded it! This owl set is so cute! I just love em'! I even paper pieced him (I don't like to cut) I stamped him in all the different colors & cut out the wings, eyes & piece over his eyes & glued them all on his yellow body. I pop dotted the eyes. He's so playful & fun in bright colors. The paper is from Tinkerin' in our Summer 09 Idea Book.
This little guy is from the same stamp set "You're a Hoot." The paper is from"Daydream." Both the paper & stamp set are whimsical & fun. I rolled the owl in blush & sweat leaf ink & punched out little dots in blue for his eyes. He's so cute!

I love this Mojo Monday Sketch

I really like this sketch. Check it out mojomonday.blogspot.com The flowers where made on my critcut. I stamped on them & stacked them using glue dots & pop dots. They are addicting to make...before you know it you'll be cutting all kinds of flowers & colors of them out! Make sure to look at my "Hostess Gift" artwork as some more examples of flowers are in there. If you host a Home Gathering you get to pick from the Gift Sets! At the party I'll teach you all how to create these beauties! Call or email me http://cre8withjolene@gmail.com is easy to Host & you can earn tons of FREE CTMH products. The paper shown is from"That's Amore" & the stamp set is one of my favorites"Buttoned Together" I like the sentaments in this set. The cardstock colors are Blush, Colonial White & Hollyhock. I stamped with Hollyhock ink.

Yes I used these bright colors...can you believe it

You guys that know me are probably laughing right now! I have a hard time using bright colors. I stepped out of my box for these cards. It's good to do that...right! The paper is from "Animal cookies" a paper pack that I thought I wouldn't like! But I'm really enjoying creating with it. The stamp set used is the SOTM for August "It's Your Day." It's fun & funky. These are 5 x 7 cards & the cake shown is from one of the "Hostess Gift" sets I made. Hope you like it.

Hostess Only Gifts

Check out my hand made creations, "Hostess Only" gifts! These have been a huge hit at my Home Gatherings. These are only a few of the themes. They are very special to me because they have my heart & soul in them. I've taken my time fashioning these fabulous gifts. They come in a variety of themes & include new techniques & lots of design effort to complete them to the best of my ability. I'm having so much fun making & giving them away! My hostesses are having a hard time picking which one they want! I do not sell them! They are only available as a "Hostess Gift" for booking a party. I have one party booked in August & am hoping for two more. It's a fun girls night! Lets get together & I'll teach you all a new technique with chipboard! (My favorite embellishment!) Call me at 616-608-2653 to pick your date. Or email me at cre8withjolene@gmail.com

Golf Anyone

A friend of mine ordered this stamp set to make thank you cards for a charity golf outing for her son Jared who has MS. He's a year younger than my Jared & is a sweetheart. Our families have known each other for a while as our kids all play soccer together. If you go back a few posts to the soccer slide show you will see Jareds dad doing a bellie flop into the pool at hotel at the Canton Cup soccer tournament. (He's my son Nicks soccer coach) I designed these cards with her family in mind.

I used my Cuttle bug to emboss a design into the white CS. Thinking of a "golf" theme I used my circle folder & dot folder. I also used the circle die from Nestabilities. At first I didn't like the "nesties" because of the noise they make when they go through your cuttlebug, but I watched some videos on you-tube & got over it! I colored the stamped images in with colored pencils & sponged over top of the thank you & attached it with pop dots. The stamp set is "Tee Time" & the sentaments is from "Thank You."

Oh What a talented Sister I have!

My Sister Joanne made this card. Applause, Applause! I really like it. She put bright & cheerful colors into it. It's hard to tell from the photo, but she also added glitter to it. Glittering the paisley made the design pop and added a touch beauty to the card. Love your artwork Joanne!

The Paisly is from our July Stamp of the Month "You've got Flair" and the sentament is one of my favorite from "Buttoned Together." The paper is one of the designs in Animal Cookies.