Anything is Possible, the Power is Already Inside You.

Our felt die-cut butterfly adds just the right amount of flair to this card. The paper is from "Grace" & the saying in this card is from "Be True." I had to buy this stamp set because I love this quote.

Sweet Home Card

I enjoyed working with the subtle backgrounds in the "Sweet Home" paper pack. The Nestabilities dies from Spellbinders work so well with our white core paper, they add dimension & texture when using them to cut & dry emboss paper as I did with the scallop circle. Just sand the outside edges of your white core paper & Tada...you get instant character. The blue & brown polka dot flower started as one of our white daisy flowers. I sponged it with Crystal Blue ink & used Chocolate ink with the dot background stamp from "Spot on Backgrounds." I love playing around with flowers. Ink them, layer them, add pop dots inbetween the layers. Use jeweled brads for a center or try glitter or beads. Flowers make a great accent on cards or scrapbook pages.

February Stamp of the Month

Feb. SOTM is so cute! Add whatever colors you may & make these cakes look whimsical, sophisticated or cute. Personally I'm not much for coloring but... I love these cakes! Yes, I will get out my markers & blending pens for this set! They are so much fun & each cake is so different & unique.

There are several ways to earn a discount or get this $22.95 stamp set FREE!

• Receive it FREE when you spend $100. (before tax & shipping)
• Earn 75% off the retail price when you spend $75. (before tax & shipping)
• Take 50% off the retail price of this set when you spend $50. (before tax & shipping)
• Earn 25% off off when you spend $25. (before tax & shipping)

Fun with "Grace"

Graceful colors & beautiful images enhance these pages. The colors are rich & eyepleasing. I can't wait to use old photos of my Mom or Dad in this layout. Or maybe new photos printed in sepia.

These flowers are so much fun to make! Lots of sizes & layers. Bend or curl them with your fingers or a tool. Use jewels, pearls or buttons for the centers . Rub the edges in ink & layer with pop dots. Create your own with any cardstock or pattern papers.

Close to My Heart
Scrapbooking Retreat

Feb. 19, 20 & 21, 2010

Don’t let the Winter Blues get you down.
Close to My Heart’s got the cure for your frown.
A Scrapbooking weekend away is overdue!
Your creative spirit you can renew.
Join our CTMH Crop for a Break-through.
Don’t drag your feet…
Come to our Winter Scrapbooking Retreat!

Jolene McCormick 616-608-2653
Close to My Heart
Executive Manager & Independent Consultant
Email) cre8withjolene@gmail.com

Website) cre8withjolene.myctmh.com

Here are the Details!
Crop Includes;
*Your own 6’ table to use.
*Snacks, Drinks, 2 Lunches & 2 Dinners.
*FREE use of CTMH Stamps & Inks, Tools & More.
*Hourly prizes
*A chance to win the Grand Prize Basket
*Free Technique Demonstrations

What to Bring: You’re favorite cropping tools, a dish to pass & all your Scrappin’ & Stampin’ Friends!

Where: Springhill Suites 5250 28th Street, Grand Rapids (Behind Target)

When: Fri.—Sun. Feb. 19, 20 & 21 starts at 4:00 Friday through 4:00 Sunday. Registering with your deposit
by Feb. 5, 2010 will earn Early entrance. Join us as
early as Noon on Friday!

Cost: $60.00 for a whole weekend of uninterrupted cropping or pick a day that works w/your schedule. Crop includes Dinner Fri. & Sat. Lunch Sat. & Sun.
An awesome Breakfast Buffet is included if you stay at the Hotel.

*$20.00 for Friday
*$30.00 for Saturday

*$15.00 for Sunday
Reserve a spot with extra table room for an additional
$15 for the weekend. This extra space is on a first come basis. Please add $15.00 to your deposit amount & remember it is your deposit that will hold this space.

Register & pay your deposit by Feb. 5th or sooner & receive;
*Early Entrance Privileges…Start at Noon on Friday
*Reserved seating with your group
*An opportunity for “Extra Table Room”
** Regrettably, this is a non-refundable event. Space is limited. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

How to Registor: We only have room for 25 croppers. Registration is open on a first come basis to the first deposits received. Confirmation of your registration will be sent via email. I am holding this event with two other consultants so… call or email me ASAP to sign up, but remember that your deposit is what reserves your spot. (Cash or check please) Mail minimum non-refundable deposit of $25.00 to Jolene McCormick, 12700 McPherson, Lowell, MI 49331. ***Please include name, phone #, email address & who you want to be seated with. (Seating will be arranged in order of date of deposits received)

***The sleeping rooms are beautiful at the SpringHill Suites. I have reserved a block of Rooms with special pricing (A savings of $20.00 per night) under CTMH. Call the Springhill hotel at
616-464-1130 to book your suite.

Chase those lonely winter blues away.
Come to our Close to My Heart Crop and play.
Sign up for a weekend stay or maybe just a day,
Get all your albums done to display.

Join us and you won’t be blue.
We’re always a fun crew!
You won’t just have to make due,
A six foot space to use & helpers to teach you.

If you’re new & never have come before,
When the weekends done you’ll cry for more!
Our cropping room is large with tables galore,
So scrapbooking will not be a chore.

Wonderful meals have been planned,
With everyone’s dish to pass the menu will expand.
We’ll have lots of snacks & drinks on hand.
They’ll be nothing left for you to demand.

The rooms are lovely, the hotels so chic.
“I get to stay the weekend!” you’ll shriek!
At the crop your creative juices will peak.
As we teach you a new scrapbooking technique.

Call your CTMH Consultant and save your space.
Your $25.00 deposit we will embrace.
When we fill up you’ll have a dedicated space.
Now you can start to pack your scrapbooking case.

Don’t sit home and pout.
Enjoy a ladies weekend out!
Come join us and have some fun.
You’ll be shocked at what you’ll get done!

Register soon, space is limited!

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