bren yule

Fun at Rabbit Hill Ranch!

2012-02-04T14:39:00.001-08:00

10 team members and myself are at Tasha's amazing Rabbit Hill Ranch Retreat!

Here is the cute little treat I made for everyone using our NEW Lucy papers! (inspired by Debbie Fournier!)

I'm havin' a blast and am definately coming back SOON!
Thank you Tasha for a wonderful venue to come together!

Mr. Heart Nose

2011-12-14T07:33:00.001-08:00

I just had to share this picture I took of "Doosier". I met him yesterday and the first thing I noticed was his heart shaped nose! Isn't he a heARTifact! I love finding hidden hearts in nature!

CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy "JOY" banner

2011-11-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

My crafty friend, Joanne Walton designed this fun "JOY" banner using out Art Philosophy
Cricut Cartridge and our chipboard my creations banner! This was one of our creative projects from our crop at Leadershare, a CTMH sponcered event for consultants!

2011-11-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family! I am so excited to share this blessed day with my family. My ambitious Heather is making the spread! Check it out!

Cloth Paper Scissors Mixed Media Snowmen

2011-11-18T01:39:00.000-08:00

Here's a pic of my Mixed Snowmen inspired by the Dec. 08 Cloth Paper Scissors issue. I had so much fun making these with my mom and my sweet friend, Karen Morris. I just had to share them again!

CTMH Cricut "Art Philosophy" Thanksgiving Banner

2011-11-18T00:57:00.001-08:00

Here's a fun little banner workshop I created using our My Creations banner and my Art philosophy Cricut Cartridge and our fun Dreamin' paper collection!

CTMH Dec 2011 Promo-Rock the Block

2011-11-12T09:46:00.000-08:00

Join the craze! When you place a minimum order of $25 from the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book between December 19, 2011 and January 31, 2012, you can get two new products for just $15: the My Creations® Collage Cubes (a Spring/Summer 2012 sneak-peek product!) and the exclusive My Acrylix® Rock the Block E-size stamp set (available only during this promotion). That’s a retail savings of almost $30!

You’re going to love the way the collage cubes and the Rock the Block stamp set work together for interactive, 3-D fun. Watch this video to get more details from Kristine Widtfeldt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

November Blessings from Close To My Heart...Cherish The Day!

2011-11-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe it's already November! And Close To My Heart has a SWEET November Stamp of the Month…here it is! It's called "Cherish The Day!" AND, yes, it coordinates with our Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge! A MUST have!

But wait… there is more!!!!!! During the month of November you can order this darling stamp set "Holiday Wishes" for only $5.00 with a $25.00 STAMP purchase. This set is exclusive, not in the catalog, and only available through the END of November. I can't wait to play with this set! The retail value of this set is $17.95! That’s a big savings! And you guessed it… THE IMAGES COORDINATE WITH THE CRICUT ART PHILOSOPHY!

Soooooooo...
-If you spend $50 you get the November stamp of the month for $5.(retails price of $17.95)
-If you spend $25 in stamps, you get the Holiday Wishes Stamp Set for $5! (retail price $17.95)
-These two offers can be combined. For example, if you spend $25 in stamps and an additional $25 on anything else in the catalog you will get both stamp sets for a total of $10. That’s a SAVINGS of $25.90!
Now you can Christmas yourself early and get crafting for the Holly-daze!

CTMH Paper Cupcake Album

2011-10-30T00:20:00.001-07:00

I had a request to post this cupcake album I made awhile ago. I pleated paper and attached for the bottom and I used strips of decorative boarders, then a circle punch and I layered it and added glitter and paper sprinkles. A cherry with a heart and ribbon for the front.

Vintage Frame using CTMH's "Art Philosophy" Cricut Cartridge

2011-10-28T21:28:00.000-07:00

Wow! Today is my 20 year anniversary with Close To My Heart!!! I just Had a gathering tonight where the Hostess celebrated HER birthday! Here is the Vintage Frame we made! They loved it!

San Diego CTMH Leadershare

2011-10-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

I couldn't have said it any better! Our wonderful Kristine Widtfeldt (In the pink boa), Vice President of Marketing and Sales, posted an update about our San Diego Leadershare on our CEO and founder's blog, JeanetteLynton.com. Hop an over and take a looksie!
We sure had a wonderful non-stop day! I was runnin' from 7am to 11:30pm and loved every minute of it! Thank you, thank you Miss Jill Broadbent (little momma in the stripped shirt) for your hours of planning and for helping me put this all together! And a big thanks to Monica Wihongi, Kristine Widtfeldt and Brian Holman for your wonderful presentations! Thanks to my Rockin' teachers, Dawn Heuft (check out "the blog song"), Kay Pekin (Outstanding Achievement Winner), Mandy Leahy (Rocked her class, won 3 awards & had a dynamo donation), Denise Anderson-Turley (Rocked her layout class and an awesome donation too!) and my gratitude to Gail Vought, Linda Case, Heather Plotzke (Card Contest Winner!), Corina Mitchell (beautiful jewelry donations for Operation Smile!) and to all my ladies that helped out with the day!!! You all made it amazing!!!

Bren's Paper Cupcake using CTMH's "Art Philosophy" Cricut cartridge

2011-10-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

Here is the cute cupcake box I designed with my "Art Philosophy" Cricut cartridge for my Close To My Heart LeaderShare here in San Diego.

Cut 3 Pillow boxes at 4". Attach all three together and score one side 3/4 of an inch and cut off the other side 3/4" in.

Score across every 1/2" then snip the edge 3/4" in where you scored to create the bottom. Attach the whole thing together to form a circle. Cut a doilie piece at 4 1/2" from White Daisy CS using your Cricut!
Then add liquid glass (or hot glue or tacky glue)and hold into a circle as it dries. I sanded the score lines.

Then cut a 10" Petal box from your Cricut. I used Roxie Papers!

Score and cut apart the petals and add strong adhesive and attach to the insides of your cupcake base.

For the topper, I used our new foundry pin clips. I bent one at a 45 angle, I layered 1 1/2" Cricut flowers, a button and the two 1/2" Cricut circles glued to both sides of the pin to make the cherry (Glitter optional). Insert into the slits at the top like the picture in the beginning of this post!

Bren sings "The Stampin' Blues' for CTMH consultants

2011-10-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

Here I am bein' silly at our CLOSE TO MY HEART LeaderShare! I wrote this for our convention over 15 years ago! I hope it makes you smile!

Vintage Necklace Using Close To My Heart's Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge!

2011-10-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

I love the way this cute Necklace turned out!
Create your own!
Supplies:
Z1635 Heirloom Assortment
Z1104 Clear Sparkles
1 1/2" Washer (Home Depot)
Bail to attach chain
Ball Chain
Jewelry wire (light gauge)
2 - 1/1/2" circles (Cut for the Cricut)
D1477 Universal Backgrounds (Music print)
Z2118 Desert Sand Ink
Z679 Liquid Glass

I got my washers from Home Depot

Wire your crystal droplet to your washer

Cut two circles on your cricut

Stamp your image onto your CS and sponge the edges

Sponge your circle edge and glue onto Washer

Add your clear sparkles...then coat the top carefully around the sparkles and center piece with liquid glass and let dry
(Be careful not to coat it too thick)

Trace Bail shape and cut out a piece of the backing CS
Glue Bail piece in place

Glue backing and cover with liquid glass-Let dry

Nugget & Ghirardelli Box with Drawers

2011-10-06T23:35:00.000-07:00

We made this darling nugget box and Cindy's meeting, shared by Debbie Fournier. It is just so darn cute and I shared it at my team meeting tonight!
We used our new Believe papers

Here are the cutting instructions:

Cardstock –
Base – White c/s - 4 1/2 x 10 3/8
Score at 1 1/4, 4 1/4, 5 15/16 and 8 15/16
Top shelf – White c/s – 4 1/4 x 5 11/16
Score at 3/4” on all sides
Handle – Sweetleaf c/s- 1 x 6 1/2
Plaid B&T – 3/4 x 6 1/4
Drawer Boxes (2) – Holiday Red c/s 5 x 5 3/4
Score at 3/4” and 1 1/2” on all sides
Drawer Box wrappers (2) – Holiday Red c/s 2 3/4 x 6 9/16
Score at 3/4, 2 7/8, 3 11/16, 5 13/16
Sweetleaf accents:
2 3/4 x 4 1/4 top of box
2 3/4 x 4 1/4 inside top of box – do not adhere until brads are inserted into handle
3/4 x 4 1/4 front of box top portion
1 x 4 1/4 front of box
1 3/8 x 4 1/4 back of box
1 1/2 x 2 3/4 (2) sides of the box
B&T accents:
Stripe - 2 1/2 x 4 top of box
Stripe - 2 1/2 x 4 inside top of box – do not adhere until brads are inserted into handle
Plaid - 1/2 x 4 front of box top portion
Stripe - 3/4 x 4 front of box
*Stripe – (2) for drawer fronts 1/2 x 7/8
*Plaid – 1/2 x 4 top shelf
1 1/8 x 4 back of box
1 1/4 x 2 1/2 (2) sides of the box
B&T accents: Candy
8 pieces for nuggets 1 1/8 x 3 – wrap around each nugget and adhere, place 4 nuggets in each drawer.
4 pieces for Ghirardelli squares 1 3/4 x 4 1/2 - wrap around each square and adhere, place squares in top box.

Small piece of Velcro for closure
17” white ribbon (1” wide)
2 big brads for drawers
2 regular brads for handles
Decorate the front of the box as desired

OK, I guess ya had to kinda be there!

New CTMH Consultant Oct. Special!

2011-10-01T00:13:00.000-07:00

Sign up as a new Consultant between October 1–31 for just $99 and receive one New Consultant Kit add-on collection of your choice FREE! Add-on collections are priced at $40 (US&CAN) each and have a retail value of $80 US/$85 CAN – $130 US/$140 CAN, making this an incredible deal!

You'll receive a New Consultant Kit packed with business essentials and new products valued at over $280 US/$320 CAN, plus a FREE add-on collection to enhance your kit! Then you can choose to buy one or both of the other add-on collections for just $40 (US&CAN) each. Contact me today!!!

STUDIO J® ADD-ON

Includes a 12-month Studio J® membership and five Studio J® layouts (must redeem within first 3 months).

ELEMENTAL ADD-ON

Includes a Workshops on the Go™ Elemental Kit**, Dimensional Elements Banners, Décor Journaling Spots, My Acrylix® Love Life Stamp Set, My Acrylix® Happy Clusters Stamp Set, Olive Exclusive Inks® Pad, and a Desert Sand Exclusive Inks® Pad.

**Cricut® Art Philosophy cartridge required to complete workshop layouts and bonus project (not included).

ROXIE ADD-ON

Includes a Workshops on the Go™ Roxie Kit, Rhinestone Designer Brads, Foundry® Pin Clips, My Acrylix® Instant Memories Stamp Set, My Acrylix® Unscripted Stamp Set, Tulip Exclusive Inks® Pad, Cocoa Exclusive Inks® Pad, and a 2" × 6 1/2" My Acrylix® Block.

2011-09-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

Use our cricut "Art Philosophy" cartridge for all your basic needs. With over 700 images to choose from, including all the basics! Circles, squares, scalloped circles and so much more!

Order this CUTE set called "A Sip" A1109.
I LOVE it!!!

Sticky Boy (CTMH) & Jada Rose playing!

2011-09-16T12:58:00.000-07:00

Check this out! Sooo cute! Remember Sticky Boy?

Quote of the day

2011-09-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

You get what you get,
and you don't pitch a fit!

That's what I call a Happy Meal :)
(found this pic on flickr.com)

CTMH September Stamp of the Month

2011-09-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

I am SO in love with this Stamp of the Month, and now it is available for only $5 with your qualifying $50 purchase! Easy peasy! Let me know if you would like one!

CTMH National Stamping Month

2011-09-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

GET A FREE MY ACRYLIX® DOUBLE STAMP SET WITH YOUR QUALIFYING PURCHASE!

To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, we are offering our first-ever double stamp set! WOWER! You can get the exclusive My Acrylix® Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set FREE when you place an order of $75.00 US/$82.00 CAN from August 15 through September 30, 2011. You’ll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—which includes lots of clever phrases and coordinating images you’ll use in your handmade cards all year. And with a retail value of $35.90/$39.90, this set drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase! Have double the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with our new Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set!

the Vintage Marketplace

2011-09-06T09:37:00.001-07:00

See Cindy and I at the Vintage Marketplace this Friday and Saturday in Rainbow, CA.

New CTMH Close To My Heart Z1686 Cricut Cartridge! Art Philosophy!

2011-07-26T19:46:00.000-07:00

New Close To My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge!!!
BUY the bundle HERE for only $99!
This amazing new product will be available for you to purchase on August 1st!
If you would like to get it at a discount, you can host a Home Gathering and earn it as part of your 1/2 price hostess rewards, or sign up to become a Consultant and order it NOW! I can't wait to share with you all the cool deals in August! Stay tuned

FREE CTMH Studio J JPEG in June!

2011-06-03T00:19:00.000-07:00

Have you been curious about online scrapbooking? Did you know Close To My Heart has developed a very user friendly way to have beautiful scrapbook pages easily right from your computer????

I was one of the lucky first consultants to try out the software! I LOVE it!!!

And just recently returned from Studio J Boot Camp so I now consider myself an expert with the program!

It is always FREE to try our software, but for the month of JUNE only, you can create, click and have a JPEG of your 12 x 12 layout sent to your for FREE!!!! That's right, with no obligation to buy anything! That is how sure we are that YOU WILL LOVE IT ONCE YOU TRY IT!!!

Go to: bren.myctmh.com to create a FREE account and get started!

Please register from this link or they won't be able to associate you as my customer and I would appreciate it if you can do this for me. That way, if you DO decide to purchase later, then I get credit for your purchase, and it's a win win for both of us!

If you are convinced you will use it and want to become a member, and receive deep discounts, you can do that later! Wahoo! I love FREE!

question? email me at bren@myctmh.com

“You & Me: Stronger Together” Storm Survivor Benefit Campaign

2011-06-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

Many at Close To My Heart have asked us if there is something we could do to support those affected by recent severe weather in the US, and we’ve also had requests to extend the availability of the ADORABLE You & Me scrapbooking kit offered during the month of May. We’ve combined those two aims into a single campaign called You & Me: Stronger Together, to raise funds for the survivors of the severe storms that have pummeled the Midwest and Southern states.

During the month of June, order a You & Me kit for only $15 US/ $16.50 CAN (a retail value of $34.95/$38.95), and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross 2011 Floods and Tornadoes relief operations. Simply use item number CC1012B to place your order for this sensational kit and help those in need at the same time.

The You & Me: Stronger Together campaign will continue until June 30 at 11:59 pm (MDT) or while supplies last. Please note that supplies are very limited and we expect a quick sellout, so we will make every effort to keep the inventory availability gauge up-to-date.

Click Here to order yours today!
or
email to book a gathering or to turn in a book order to eard FREE products!

Home Decor Class CTMH May Stamp of the Month

2011-05-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a fun class I taught! I took silver trays and painted the outsides white and sanded them, then added chalkboard paint in the center and crop-a-diled holes for hanging the ribbon and adding the beaded crystal on the bottom.

I taught the girls how to make the paper roses and added other misc. flowers I had. We added lace and pearls to hang it by and embossed in white the cute new Chairs to You May stamp of the month!!! They all turned out SO cute!!!

The extra little flowers are magnets!!!

CTMH Online Specials!

2011-05-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

Get in on the bargains!
I love all the fun you can have with this felt! While supplies last!
Only $1.50 plus shipping for tons of die cut felt!
Click here to start shopping!

Just back from CTMH Studio J Boot Camp!

2011-05-05T10:19:00.001-07:00

Look what I made on Studio J!
Try our software for FREE! Nothing to buy to try it! Register on my site for FREE and get a FREE layout in June!!!!
Click here!

Update

2011-04-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

I will be posting fun stuff again soon!!!
I have been very quiet in cyber space lately-my camera stopped working and my computer stopped working-after sending it in twice, it seems to be working now but it still needs a tune up, I bought tech support at Office Depot where I bought it, what a pain.
So I am prepping for the San Diego Expo, moving again and packing for StudioJ Boot Camp. Gesh!
Yes, I said moving again. Renting a little house in Point Loma. A tight squeeze but a great location, and moments from my parents and my Jada Rose. I can walk to the water near Shelter Island! Send me happy thoughts!

Gingerbread Gift Basket with Cocoa Treats

2010-11-23T14:07:00.001-08:00

My own pattern, ask me how you can make one too!

Bren's CTMH Mistletoe Card Workshop

2010-11-18T23:22:00.001-08:00

2 cards, 2 gift card holders and 1 tag.

Local consultants and customers can sign up click HERE for details!
bren.myctmh.com

HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg

2010-11-18T11:17:00.000-08:00

Link for these cute pumpkins by Amber Hanson here!

Pumpkins in the cornfields
Gold among the brown
Leaves of rust and scarlet
Trembling slowly down
Birds that travel southward
Lovely time to play
Nothing is as pleasant
As an autumn day!
~unknown

Mistletoe "Sip" card

2010-11-16T22:24:00.000-08:00

Isn't this cute! This yummy card was made using our (X7130B) Mistletoe papers and (A1109) A Sip!
You could even add a little (Z308) White Liquid Applique for the foam!

Jada sponging CTMH style with Mimi!

2010-11-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

Oh...here is my sweet angel muffin in training!