{CTMH} Studio J Online Scrapbooking ~ NEW photo well changes ~ Easy Peasy!

View the latest changes to altering your photo wells in our user friendly Studio J Layouts!!!
Give it a try-You'll fall in love! 

Here is a peek at one of my layouts...

After you create and purchase your layout-you also get the PDF file!  I LOVE this!

{Click here to try it for FREE}

Thinking about owning your own business?  Get started now for only $49!

Close To my Heart is here for the long haul!

Hard times for many in this economy, but Close To My Heart papercrafts is here for the long haul! 

"...preserving our memories is not a fad."

Jeanette Lynton, CTMH’s founder and CEO, addresses the hard times in our economy on her blog and I want to pass on her heartfelt message.  

Creativity Now and Always

by Jeanette Lynton

Within the past month, paper crafters have heard and seen some hard news—well-known industry names have announced bankruptcy or removed their scrapbooking lines. It may leave many wondering what the future is for our beloved pursuit of memory keeping and creativity. As the CEO and Founder of Close To My Heart, I have many thoughts on the topic and wanted to share a few with you. 

First off, preserving our memories is NOT a fad. It's one of the most important things we do in our journey here on earth, and it's as key as breathing and as sustainable as family. In the past few years, we have seen scrapbooking come into the spotlight and many flocked to set up shop and design products to capitalize on it. While we at Close To My Heart have welcomed the focus on scrapbooking over the past few years, we know that even when the hubbub fades, the core and relevance underneath the hype remains. I have been in the industry for nearly 30 years—LONG before it was "trendy"—and plan to be in this essential industry for decades to come. 

Because Close To My Heart will be here for the long-term, we have run our business differently than many others. We are not leveraged to the hilt or financed by outside investors. I have always believed in organic, cash-based growth, and the simple provident rule of spending less than I earn. It's a principle I've applied to business and it's ensured that Close To My Heart operates profitably. We have been profitable month after month, year after year. Our credit rating is excellent, and this protects our commitment to delivering a wealth of diverse, beautiful products at competitive prices while providing secure commission checks for our Consultants, employees, and vendors. 

Second, yes, the industry is changing. I welcome and embrace that! In my 30 years in business, I have seen many changes and they almost always yield fresh directions, new products, and a new crop of crafters. Change always brings opportunity! I have long said that as long as little girls are born with hands, they will want to create. I am grateful to be a part of such an important contribution to society and know that this will continue. 

Ultimately, I invite everyone—whether you are an existing Consultant or customer, a past purchaser, or even if you have never purchased a Close To My Heart product—to get to know us again for the first time. Close To My Heart is strong. Papercrafting, memory keeping, and creativity are more important than ever before and we provide unique, diverse products for every style and ability of crafter.  Close To My Heart is committed to scrapbooking, and if it's a passion you share, then YOU ARE WELCOME HERE. 

Jeanette Lynton-My Hero...

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy,
they are the charming gardeners
who make our souls blossom.
- Marcel Proust

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Family roots...

     I remember taking dancing lessons as a little girl.  I did traditional mexican folk songs and flamingo.
I still have my castanets!  My grandmother made homemade tortillas and delicious tamales from scratch.
Even though she was fluent in Spanish, she never taught me.  She wanted us to all speak English.  It is a shame that I am not bi-lingual.  My Mom's side of the family goes way back.  I'm a 5th generation San Diegan!
     My other grandmother was from Norway and spoke Norwegian. I only remember her teaching me to count to 10 and to say I love you, which I can still recall.  I am quite the combo of an American girl. I often think about my heritage and yearn to know more.  Something I need to journal more about!  All this thinking has been brought on because of tomorrow, Cinco de Mayo, and all it's festivities.
     I still have my daughter, Heather's report about our family she wrote in the 80's!

Take time to scrapbook your memories and tell your story! 

Let me show you how!  Faster, simpler, easier with our exclusive Close To my Heart products!

A happy Pico de Gallo too!

May 2013 {CTMH} Stamp of the Month "Pinwheel" for only $5* PLUS a great $10 special! "DREAM POP"

It's not only Mother's Day month, it's National Scrapbooking Month!  

Celebrate with this cute stamp set for only $5 *with your qualifying purchase!  

May 2013 Stamp of the Month "Pinwheel"

Available May 1-31, 2013 only.

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your D-size Stamp of the Month set for just $5.00 US / $5.50 CAN! Add the stamp set to your cart on this page at full retail price or, with your qualifying order, add it at checkout for the promotional price.

Spend:	$50.00	No purchase required
You pay only:	$5.00	$17.95 (full retail)

Set of 10
Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:
1" × 3½" (Y1002) 2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006)

Click here to order your own Stamp of the Month. 

AND don't forget about the NEW DREAM POP special!  {CLICK HERE} to see my post about it!
Watch to learn more!

Frito heARTifacts

A teeny tiny heart shaped Frito escaped and tried to make a run for it...it was too cute to eat, so I put it in my locket!

Chantilly Heart Card using our exclusive CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge!

Here is my Chantilly swap card from our last card exchange.  This one was Pinspired!
I used my must have Art Philosophy CTMH cartridge for the hearts!  Many hearts to choose from!

National Scrapbooking Month Special with Close To my heart {CTMH} May 2013 only $10*

Another Close To My Heart exclusive special!!!

Dream Pop

May 2013 National Scrapbooking Month Constant Campaign

Get the exclusive paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35!

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.

*Shipping/handling and tax apply. Not available for purchase at full retail. Offer valid May 1–31, 2013, while supplies last. Qualifying purchases must be current, retail-priced product.

Dates: Offer valid May 1–31, 2013.

Here is a great close up of the yummy embossed textured shiny solid papers!

Just hop on over to my OBA to order yours!  bren.CTMH.com