Post Op Ramblings

Made it through my rotator cuff repair 12/21 and had an extra bonus.....the Mayans apparently were not good at math.  For the next 12-16 weeks I will be a one arm wonder. Should be interesting. Creative rehab right?  disclaimer- may see misspellings, poor grammar, lack of punctuation etc. - blame the Percocet. don't judge me

Pain is not horrible....Percocet help. My new best friends: continuos ice machine,iPad, iPhone, Pandora and my iPhone speakers.  Technology will get me through this.

I am sporting the ginormous shoulder pad look from the 80's, well at east on the left side. Perhaps I look more like IGOR in young Frankenstein. My hair does not look too bad.....from the front.  I can feel that I have a serious case of bed head in the back. All I do is medicate, ice,  sleep. I am trying to move around more though, or I will need dynamite soon. You know what I mean. Ugly business. 

My girlfriends are coming over this morning and I am hoping to get hair washed and blown out.  Maybe I will feel human again.  On a positive note- got my Studio J jpegs back for several projects so will post those soon. Well, wrapping this up so I can take advantage of the Percocet high. 

The challenge ahead

This Friday I have rotator cuff surgery. I have mixed feelings about it, kind of like finding out your are pregnant for the first time then being terrified at the prospect of giving birth.

 I have watched my husband go through having both his shoulders done so I understand the intense pain post op and during the following 12-16 weeks of rehab. I know there can be a depression as you recover and you wonder if your arm will ever be the same. I understand this. I want to think I will be strong and push through this but part of mind wonders, am I tough enough to get through this and do the rehab even when it hurts like hell?

 I just turned 60, will it be a factor......even though I am going into this in the best shape that I have been in since my 20's. I am a triathlete. I became a triathlete just this summer, in my 60th yr. that in itself has had repeated challenges and fears to overcome, as well as numerous injuries as I push my older body to run, cycle and swim faster and better. Did I give up? No. Was it hard? Yes was it demoralizing at times? Yes ......I am thinking perhaps this first season has hardened me and prepared me for the challenge and limitations of this surgery. That's what I think  most of the time. It will be difficult not to be able to run this winter.....I love cold weather running. I am post menopausal so I carry my own internal heat source and it works for me.  I will miss that.....and the multisports community. I worry how I will cope with seeing posts and watching friends begin training for the season when I cannot. I am trying to make peace with the loss of a tri season. It is hard. I am driven to train and I enjoy it. I get cranky without it. I have set up my bike trainer so I can cycle when permitted and I have a "dreadmill" to walk on. If I can't race then I will volunteer. My goal was to run my first half marathon in Sept. I am going to try to make that goal. Trying to be positive. This is also prime scrapbooking time but not sure I can do much with one hand.......perhaps I can really get a lot of digital Studio J scrapping done..... I can mouse and click just fine! 

Say a prayer for an uneventful surgery and recovery. I will post but probably not til after Christmas since I will be drugged up quite nicely......at least that's the plan! 

New Studio J Artwork

I did my first Express Collection in Studio J and I love them! Quick, easy, and simple. I was able to complete 30 pages in one evening! This is the first set I did, titled Art Chicks. To see the entire collection go to my artwork tab. 

Studio J Expression Collection layout 1- That FACE! 

I will post new layouts to the artwork once I get my jpegs. 

Studio J will be primary scrapping mode for the few months. I am having rotator cuff surgery in a week so will not have full use of that arm for 12 weeks. I am going to become intimately familiar with Studio J functionality and will host classes in my studio once I am able to put myself together so I don't frighten anyone. This surgery is really jamming up my half marathon and triathlon training for 2013. I am bringing my bike in and putting it on the trainer so I can cycle in my sling. I am lucky enough to have a treadmill so I can walk. No running for 12 weeks- dang it. I plan to hit my shoulder rehab like training- beast mode. I will be able to start training again late March if all goes well. I will be stronger once healed. Let's just git er done!

Holiday sale!

Yippee! HUGE  discounts on paper packs and embellishments! These items are going fast and are while supplies last. Great buys for Christmas gifts! Click here to start shopping the sale! Happy holidays! 

Framed Rolled Christmas Tree

Don't you just love this tree? I made for our GottaStamp Crew holiday party gift exchange and it was stolen several times in the exchange before it found its very happy owner. This is a great use of your holiday paper scraps. I take no credit for the idea. I saw it at convention and it's on Pinterest  & other crafting sites, so this is my take on it. You can use any frame size you want and just adapt the lengths of the rolls. See below for instructions:

 Framed rolled paper Christmas tree

To make this tree I turned my frame sideways and cut my longest base roll at 8" x 3", then 7 1/2 x 3, 7x3, etc., all the way to 1 x 3. 

• Use a pencil to roll the paper and use CTMH Bonding Memories glue to adhere the edge. It dries fast so I like that. I used all CTMH holiday paper. 
• I used the Cricut Artiste cartridge and found a shape I could use for the brown base. There are several to chose from and I sliced part of this off to get a potted base look. I used chocolate cardstock.
• Sponge the edges of the pot with chocolate ink and random stamp some scroll designs in chocolate. I was going to emboss them but I got lazy. It may have been the cold I am battling.
• I used CTMH glitter gel to place scalloped lines and dots on the rolls. I used red, green, almond and clear. I had some scrap chipboard dots so I glitter gelled them as ornaments but buttons or anything you have would look good. 
• The star is one of our corrugated cardboard stars that glittered with almond glitter gel. I used one of our antiqued brass buttons and cranberry bakers twine.
• Select a neutral print for your background and glue it your frame base. Discard or repurpose the glass as you won't need it. 
• Use 3D tape to pop up and adhere the pot.
• Hot glue the paper rolls to the fame base. Hot glue your star and voila! Merry Christmas! 

Supply list:
Various holiday scrapbook papers
Cricut Artiste 
CTMH Glitter Gels- red, green, almond and snowflake.
CTMH brass buttons
CTMH cranberry bakers twine.
Chipboard or corrugated star
Frame of your preference 
One last thing, I prefer to display on a easel stand but you could hang it also. Happy creating!

Alert- ONLINE EZ Invite order OPEN

It's time to get your Christmas cards made so what could be easier than using one these kits! Each kit will make 5 each of these 3 cards:

Handmade Christmas Cards- CTMH Ccard workshop

To order, click on the shopping cart then click on Card workshop EZ Invite link in the lower right corner and order the Pear and Partridge CARD workshop on the go (item G1043).  You will need your own adhesive and paper trimmer to prepare these. They are available in online ordering too. You will aslo use the followiing ink pads: cocoa, olive, cranberry. You need those colors to use with the inluded stamp set. You will also need acrilyx blocks to place your stamps on. The are in the online shopping as well. If you schedule a workshop with me.....you can use my stamp pads, blocks and cleaner so you wont have to order them.

These cards are so much fun and I will teach you the following techniques in a workshop: 
Random stamping
Second generation stamping
Masking for a two color stamp
Sponge distressing

Now is also the time to put your wish list together for your hubby, family and friends. Let me know you need a catalog by messaging me in an email. I will wrap and create a hand made tag for all holiday orders! Sweet!

In closing, I just want to say that I am so grateful to such wonderful customers and friends that I have met through CTMH. I wish you all a blessed Thankgiving. Enjoy the fall!

Harvest Banner

I made the Harvest Banner that is shown in the Fall/Winter idea book using the Cricut Artiste cartridge. I love this cartridge! How did I EVER craft without my Cricut? 

I cut the banner at 4 inches, the zigzag border at 1/4" and the letters at 2 inches. I did hand cut the leaves stamped from my favorite stamp set .......I love the little acorns! I colored them using our new alcohol markers. I tied it together with natural hemp and a little burlap ribbon on the ends. It found the perfect home on my mantle. 

All products used are CTMH. Enjoy!

Harvest Banner using the CTMH  Cricut Artiste cartridge

Bucket list goal met!

I wanted to take a moment and share my excitement about meeting another big goal....cycling 25 miles! The first half was cake but the return was into 18mph headwinds and was  BRUTAL. As I sit here this afternoon sipping a celebratory glass of wine, I reflect back on my first athletic season in 40 years.....my 60th year. I have completed 3 sprint triathlons, Warrior Dash, Color me Rad 5k, Dirty Girl mud run, Trek 25 mile breast cancer ride, Corporate cup 5k and scheduled for Goat and Gobbler 10 mile run in November. Despite battling multiple injuries, my age and my weight- I DID IT! That is amazing to me.....hope my next season in 2013 will be even better as I lose weight and get stronger. We can accomplish more than we imagine if we just put our mind to it and keep moving forward, no matter how slow! I have also met some of the most inspirational and supportive people in Team Nebraska Triathlon, Women Who Tri and Omaha Endurance Group. I could not have done this without them!

October EZ invite order closes 10/14

Hi all! I have a group order going in Sunday evening. If you need any supplies or holiday gifts and want to order anything now........go to my shopping cart and in the lower right side of the page it will have a link to online shopping. Anything you order on the EZ invite will ship directly to you! I love that since so many of us are all over the country. This would be a great time to get your holiday cards done using the Pear and Partridge Card workshop....it contains pretty much everything you need to create beautiful cards, envelopes included. All you need outside of the kit is your preferred color of ink pad, a block for your stamps, adhesive of your choice and your paper trimmer. If you need any of these items, just order them at the same time. New to stamping? You will also want a stamp spritz cleaner and scrubber to cleanse your stamps.  Any questions......just comment below or shoot me an email. I am going to be making the Avonlea Card workshop Sunday and making some Halloween items with the new Cricut Artiste cartridge....also available for order. YES I AM SHAMELESS!
Don't judge me. :) 

Follow me

First of all a huge thank you for stopping by my blog and checking it out. If you stop by and like what you see, could you help me grow my stalkers, er followers?  Just click on the blue JOIN THIS SITE icon by the followers section on the right. I will not email or contact you with updates. If you do want email updates then just sign up under the follow by email section instead.  My goal is to hit 50 stalkers/followers by January 1st  but I need your help to get there. If you have a blog, comment me and leave your blog URL and I will follow you too! 

As followers, what would you like see regularly? Studio J digital layouts? Cards? Scrapbook layouts?  Random crafts? Little bit o everything? What do enjoy in a blog? More info on techniques or artwork for inspiration? Now is your chance to tell me what you like and want. Would you like to win some blog candy? Leave a comment or or email me......I value your feedback! Thanks! 

Let's see if anyone notices this. Blog candy to some lucky follower once I hit 25 followers! It could be you! 

DIY iPhone Bling!

Here's a use for your extra paper and flatter type embellies .........individualize your iPhone! These are paper inserts that fit inside a clear phone case. Change it out for each holiday, your mood, great for sports fans, school colors, your imagination is the limit! Here is a fun insert I made for Halloween.....out of scraps no less! What a great way to easily ID your phone from all the billions out there and put your own stamp on uniqueness on it. I make these on request and personalize. Just email me or leave me your contact info in the comments if you would like one for yourself or for gifts.  Making something useful AND fun........win win!

Cute IPhone Cover Inserts! Yes! 

Halloween!

I LOVE Halloween and decorating for it and the fall. Here is my latest adventure in creativity- POLKA DOT white pumpkins and glittery spider web pumpkins!  I created a stencil using my Close To My Heart circle punch then I stenciled dots using black metallic acrylic paint. I wanted black glitter but this looks great. I used black glitter glue to freehand the spider webs on the small pumpkins then used a dowel to skewer the two pumpkins on top of each other and girlified them with pretty bows and ribbons. Eek! Watch out for those purple glittery spiders.....love them! So this is what I created today and I am pretty full of myself right now. 

My spotted, monogrammed and webbed pumpkin towers. 

Here is a shot of my front porch.....well, just the entry. More pics on my Facebook page.

Happy Octoberrrrrrrrr!

FREE Studio J layout Special!

Yippee! If you have not dipped your toes into the digital scrapbooking pond (Studio J) then now is the time to dive in!  Now I love traditional scrapping and a few years ago I would never have considered digital BUT  with Studio J, I have found comfort and happiness in both traditional and digital scrapping worlds. I love the SPEED that I can create layouts in Studio J and have been doing all my sporting events and race photos digitally while my memories and journaling are fresh. Now with Express Layouts it's even easier....simply drag my uploaded pics into the photo wells and add journaling...BAM! DONE! No mess, no scraps, no inky fingers......because sometimes I like to roll that way! 
Here's the details.....just click on the Studio J icon or tab to get started. Be warned........you will get sucked in! I have 4 layouts done already!

Dates: October 1, 2012 – October 31, 2012

Featured Product: Custom-printed Studio J^® layouts

Who can participate: Everyone!

Details: Buy 9 custom-printed Studio J layouts, get the 10th free. (Limit of 4 free layouts per order.)

• What is the item number for the free layout?   No special item numbers are required. Just add 10 or more layouts to your cart and you’ll automatically receive every 10th layout free!
• What is included with the free layout?  Your custom-printed two-page layout as well as the accompanying free JPG file are included with your free layout
• Are JPG files included in this campaign? Purchasing stand-alone JPG files will not help you qualify for this campaign as the campaign only includes custom-printed layouts. You do receive free JPG files of your free, custom-printed layout.
• Will tax be charged on this promotion? No tax is assessed on the free layout.
• Will shipping/handling be charged on this promotion? Shipping/handling rates will not change with this promotion. One box will hold 50 layouts. Shipping will be charged per box regardless if the box contains free layouts or not.
• How many promotional layouts can each Studio J user receive? You can receive up to 4 free layouts per order (with 36 paid layouts).
• How do I order the free layout?  It’s all automatic. Just add 10 or more layouts to your cart and you’ll automatically receive the 10th layout free!

Let me know if you have questions or need any help with using Studio J. Have fun!

Quick Card- Shell

I was down in the studio tonight working on a couple projects and sipping some wine when I decided to make a quick card with my scraps. Those who know me understand I do not waste anything! I stamped the quick card shell stamp on 3x3 white daisy, matted it on desert sand and used a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 card base with bamboo. Yes, I am using my scraps from the last card I made and  my other projects. The ink on the stamp is our pigment inks: Indian corn blue, slate and champagne. I popped the matted image up on 3d foam tape and used our brown striped ribbon for an extra touch. Very simple.....honestly, I think it took 10 minutes to make. It's the first time I have used the quick card stamps and I am hooked now! I hope you enjoy!

Adventures in Cycling

No artwork to post today. Today I chose to enjoy this beautiful fall Nebraska day outside. I am lucky enough to live near a fantastic bike trail and the trees are changing colors, there was no wind and temperature was perfect! How could I not cycle? Besides I just put a better seat on the bike to better protect my lady bits on longer rides. My bike computer was acting hincky so not sure of exact mileage but I estimate around 16 miles. Did some hill work and then explored the trail for the longer ride. It felt like being 12 again without a care in the world. Loving my new Trek! I have a 25 miler in 2 weeks so need to work on longer distances. Would have gone further today but not taking any chances with a new saddle.....why push my luck? Lol

Oh Happy Day card

Ok, so here is the final card. It needed some love so I gave it some bling:  grey pearl opaques, grey bakers twine and a little liquid glass with prisma glitter in the medallion. The liquid glass is hard to see in the photo but I did like the dimension it added. All products used are Close To My Heart. thanks for visiting and hope you enjoy the card!  On another note, I bit the bullet and registered for the Goats & Gobblers 10 mile run Nov. 17th. It is exciting and terrifying all at the same time!

Using New Mini Pigment Ink Pads

I got the chance to play around with the new CTMH mini pigment ink pads this week. I feel that I have just touched the tip of the iceberg with what these little babies can do. I used both the dye and pigment based pads to create some cards so I could compare the two.  The colors I used: Smokey Plum and Olive. The 4 x 4 card is a base of Desert Sand, using the Avonlea bulk paper and bamboo pennants. All stamping with pigment inks was done on white daisy, as recommended for best color intensity. I used the dye based s. plum to stamp the background script on the white daisy using the second generation technique. I then stamped another dye based s. plum medallion over the script. I stamped the same medallion with the pigment ink, cut it out and popped it up with foam tape over the first image. I did the the same script on the text piece but used olive pigment for the text. I shaded all pieces in smokey plum. The card is not quite done in this photo- it looked a bit plain so I added pearl opaques and am trying to decide if I should use some liquid glass over the top medallion- I am leaning that way. I wanted to use clear embossing powder on the pigment ink but it dried too quickly on this piece for some reason. I will post a final photo when I decide.

Card Design by De Bahr; using new CTMH pigment ink

Supplies used:
Smokey Plum & Olive Pigment ink pads and dye based ink Exclusive ink pads
Desert Sand card stock
Bamboo card stock
White Daisy card stock
Avonlea Bulk Paper
Stamp Set: Avonlea Card Workshop stamp set

What I discovered while playing with the new inks:

• I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new stamp scrubber- who knew? I must have another.
• I like the smaller pad- easy to mask images by ink placement.
• My images dried faster than anticipated so I would recommend having that embossing powder and heat gun at the ready to use immediately.
• The colors of the pigment ink ARE the same just richer and they do cover text you stamp over, where the dye based does not.
• You need to stamp with a lighter touch and not press too hard or your stamp will slide with the pigments and blur your image.
• The black pigment is great for stamping images to be colored in with alcohol markers- no bleeding as long as your make sure the black is DRY.

General impression of the new Pigment inks: GREAT product and I like the fact they are more sun resistant so you can use them for your home decor projects with fading! I am in love with new inks!

I would LOVE to see what you all have created using the new inks and hear your comments on your experiences with them; the good, the bad and the ugly. Email me your artwork and I will post some of it showing how you used the new inks on the board.

Have a wonderful week.

  

Clearance sale!

New "while supplies last"  clearance items on my website! Click HERE to grab up bargains.

Adventures in Fitness

This post has absolutely NOTHING to do with scrapping, stamping or crafting BUT  it does have much to do with my other love: triathlon training. This was my first season and I have completed 3 sprint triathlons, Warrior Dash, Color Me Rad, and will do the Dirty Girl mud run and Corporate Cup run this weekend. This season has been peppered with one injury after another: chronic back pain, shin splints, having glass cut out my foot, biceps tendinitis and recently a herniated disc.   

I have not let these stop my training, I just modify my training and keep moving forward, although not at a fast speed! Tonight, just one week after a herniated disc I returned to running  on the track with my running group. I ran 1.75 miles. This was a big hurdle and I am so happy that it went well. Did I mention I am 59 and 40 lbs overweight.....yeah, I am. But I see women out there heavier and older than me that inspire me to keep going. I will never give up. I just wanted to share that piece of my life with you all. Trying to balance my full time job, family, scrapbooking, friends, training and racing is a huge balancing act. Somedays I do better at balancing it all than others. Feel free to share a little of yourself if you like. Happy scrapping !   

Harvest Banner

At our Gotta Stamp Crew Unit Meeting last night we made the Harvest Banner on page 86 of the Fall/Winter Idea Book. The banner, letters and zig zag pieces were cut using Cricut Artiste cartridge and the stamps were stamped in cocoa on colonial white cardstock then colored in with our new alcohol markers (honey, autumn terracotta, cranberry and you could use any fall colors you prefer). We tied it together with hemp and used a burlap ribbon knotted accent on the ends. I have to say it is GORGEOUS. The photo does not do it justice. I had so much fun coloring the stamped images with the new markers and using our alcohol blending pen to soften edges and remove color for some cool shaing effects. This would make an EASY class. Contact me if you are interested and we can set it up. I have the stamp set so the cost will just be that of the cardstock and your markers, hemp and burlap. we can probably all split cost of the hemp and burlap since not that much is needed. Thansk to Shari Froemming for cutting all the pieces for us ahead of time which made assembly a SNAP!

 You can also make this on your own by folowing the instructions in the video link on page 86. Need an Idea Book? contact me and I will get one to you!

Never forget

Taking a moment to recall the tragic events of 9/11 and remembering the bravery and selflessness of those who sacrificed themselves so others may live. A truly remarkable event in our history in which we witnessed the entire country stand together. My respects to all suffering losses that day and those continuing to suffer as a result of the events that day. Never forget. I am so proud to be an American and blessed to live in this great country.

Clearly the Best

FUN FRIDAY!!!!!

I always get jazzed up when I watch Kristine and Monica in a tutorial.....their energy is infectious! This is a great video that illustrates fun and CREATIVE stamping ideas using CTMH clear stamps. I have never used anything but these clear stamps and cannot even IMAGINE using a wood stamp or rubber stamp- how on earth would I know where I was stamping? Yikes! Check out these girls doing what they're are so good at!

15 Card Workshop

I am offereing a 15 card workshop using the Avonlea paper. Please refer to the EVENTS tab for details. Contact me if you would like me to teach a workshop for you and your friends/family in October or November. There is no charge for the workshop, only the supplies. If you cannot attend a workshop, I can send the kit and all instructions to you.

I think this my favorite paper kit I have ever used. I love the muted colors. It will be hard for me to give these cards away because they are so gorgeous!

Hey Girl

I could not resist posting this. I am crazy for the "Hey Girl" posters with Ryan Gosling and this one is perfect for us CTMH girls! It's Friday and I am looking forward to the weekend.
Enjoy........you know he really IS talking directly to YOU.

Scroll Album

Finally I have had time to post some creations. It has been so busy with work, training, famiy and friends. I love the new wooden spool album! I have antique wooden spools on my mantle so this will compliment the look. Putting this together was relatively easy- I just followed the directions in the kit and voila! I love that everything was in the kit- I just needed adhesive. I STRONGLY recommend using the CTMH Bonding Memories glue stick to adhere photos. You will roll the album up sometime and when you unroll it you want your photos to remain in place.  I also used dabs of liquid glass to adhere some of the canvas stickers that worked loose after rolling up for transport. I made mine and let it sit flat for several hours before I rolled it up again. When I unrolled it, it wanted to curve to much for my liking so I spread it out and placed heavy books on it for a day to reflatten so it would display better. Very cute! I stampled a border on the blank side because it looked too plain. Here are pics of it rolled up and open.

If you woud like attend a workshop in Omaha and make your own- contact me for details. This is a project that could easily be done on your own also and I would happy to order you the supplies or you can purchase it direct from my shopping cart. Stinkin' CUTE! Hope you get some crafting and scrapping in this weekend!

As a footnote- I have got feedback from some customers who have taken this to the next level....Instead of displaying it as shown, they are hanging it on the wall on a rod so the photos hang vertically instead of horizontally. Clever- I had not thought of that!

A Productive Crop

This past weekend I cropped for 2 days and finished 15  2 page layouts, complete with photos, AND the new Scroll Album! I love those days when everything just clicks when I follow my How To Books recipes and slam it out! I wil post artwork this week so look for that. Much of it will be using the new fall/winter papers and products. It was so much fun to PLAY!  Have not posted for a few days due to router issues but looks like that is corrected now. I have to tell you, I LOVE our new How To Book (Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 1, Item 9035)!!! I was nervous when they discontinued the old ones and worried at what we would get.......it is fantastic! Cheaper at $7.95 but what I really like, in addition to the 16 different 2 page scrapbook layouts and 12 card patterns, is the fact  it is super light and travels to crops without weighing me down! It also lies flat when opened.  It is my favorite product of the week .......although I do really like the new slate satin polka dot ribbon too. It is just stunning and goes with so many colors.

Hope you are all having a great week!  Look for artwork in a couple days........  

Pin It!



Paper cake using CTMH AP Cricut



Design by themysticgypsy, inspired by Tracy Mason



Being a hopeless Pinterest junkie, I had to figure out a way how to add a Pin It button to my blog images. I may be a whiz at papercrafting but I am a moron in blog design and functionality so I searched the web for a tutorial that could walk me through the process.  Thank the lord I found the Code It Pretty blog and Marie. Marie laid it all out step by step and when I encountered problems (remember- I am a blog moron) she responded to me within 24 hours! Holy cow- you do not see much of that these days. I am so pleased with my lovely Pin It button that I wanted to take a minute and publicly thank my new techy friend Marie and her wonderful blog! If you blog and need a tutorial- she is your girl.  Now I need a little something to offer as a potential pin......  hope these photos work. 

This is a 2 foot tall paper cake I made out of paper mache hatboxes, CTMH colonial white card stock, CTMH bonding memories glue, CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, CTMH liquid glass, pearl floral pins, CTMH pearl paint, Juniper and Crystal Blue card stock and ink, satin ribbon and pearl embellishments. A no calorie treat! It looks difficult but it was pretty easy thanks to the cricut cuts for the flowers.  I auctioned it off this spring at a fundraiser for Operation Smile......that made me smile because it went for around $100, about half of the cost to repair a cleft palate for a child in a third world country. 

I am cropping this weekend so hope to have some current projects to post next week. I am using all the goodies from the NEW FALL and WINTER Idea Book.........cannot wait to show you all. You can also view by clicking the shopping link and viewing the new book online.  Contact me if you want your own copy to fondle and drool over!    

National Stamping Month

September 2012 Constant Campaign

To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, we are bringing back our popular double stamp set promotion! 

You can get the exclusive, new My Acrylix^® It’s Your Day double stamp set for just $5 when you place a minimum order of $35 in full retail products from August 15 through September 30, 2012. You’ll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—which includes nearly 50 trendy images that makes it easy to capture the everyday moments in your life. The double set has a retail value of $35.90, which drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase! Have twice the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with our new, exclusive It’s Your Day double stamp set!  

Click on the shopping cart icon

Dates: Offer valid August 15 (9:00 am MDT) – September 30, 2012 (11:59 pm MDT)

CLEARANCE SALE: While Supplies Last

There is a big sale on my website going on NOW!  12 x 12 albums for only $2.00, Paper Packs, Accessories, Stamp Pads, Chipboard and TONS more all for CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP!  The sale is WHILE SUPPLIES LAST and must be ordered on my website.  I am unable to place the order for you.  Instructions on how to shop the sale:

• Click here or on the shopping cart in the left column 
• From that screen click SHOP. Then hit WHILE SUPPLIES LAST (near the bottom).  That will lead you to the sale items so you can view them.  Great deals!
• For best selection- SHOP EARLY!  Once they run out, the items will be gone forever.
• If it asks you if you want to join a gathering, please hit the link that says Deb Bahr.  
• You can order from the new catalog on that site too.  Combine your order if you like!

ENJOY! Here's a chance to get a little early holiday shopping done for the papercrafters in your life- they will love you for it! 

Creative Eating

Good morning sunshine! 

 In my journey to eat healthier and become more fit and less flabby, I have discovered that I CAN have my grains and eat them too! Quite a revelation for a carb junkie like myself who is trying to reduce/eliminate unrefined "white" starches from diet. Enjoy!  

Breakfast Quinoa 

•  2 cups whole or low-fat milk, plus more for serving (I used skim) 
•  1 cup quinoa, rinsed 3 tablespoons light-brown sugar, plus more for serving (Splenda brown sugar works well) 
•  1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for serving 
•  1 cup (1/2 pint) fresh blueberries, plus more for serving 

 Directions- Bring milk to a boil in a small saucepan. Add quinoa, and return to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered, until three-quarters of the milk has been absorbed, about 15 minutes. Stir in sugar and cinnamon. Cook, covered, until almost all the milk has been absorbed, about 8 minutes. Stir in blueberries, and cook for 30 seconds. Serve with additional milk, sugar, cinnamon, and blueberries. Makes 2 cups of heaven. Recipe from Martha Stewart Living

Essentials Consultant Kit now only $49!

Look at what you get as a new member of the Mystic Gypsy team! (Plus the FREE Damask Tote!) 

Becoming a member of the CTMH family has never been easier. What do you get as a member of my team? Well all these cool products, a tote and a great discount on CTMH products, access to our online training, as well as one on one training with me, the opportunity to learn from other consultants from both a business or hobbyist perspective. Learn new creative techniques to share with others and so much more! 

August Special

Joining in August Is in the Bag!
Join Close To My Heart in August and get a darling 
Damask Tote Bag free!


When you become a new Consultant in August, you will 
receive a FREE Damask Tote Bag (retail value $50), while supplies last. This handy, attractive tote with the 
Close To My Heart logo lets everyone know you are a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant—with class and style! 
Choose the $49 New Consultant Essentials Kit or the 
$99 Master Kit which includes more supplies and tools, and we will send you a tote bag free—only in August and only while supplies last. Contact me for details.

Damask Tote Bag Features

• 17"x17"x 6"
  
• Large exterior pocket for 12"x 12" paper packets
  
• Huge interior can hol da12"x 12" album and more
  
• Small, zippered interior pocket
  
• Fabric is coated-canvas for durability and easy cleaning
  
• 2 water bottle side pockets
  
• Wear on the shoulder, across the chest, or as a backpack
  
• Large flap snaps closed 

Offer available August 1–31, 2012, while supplies last. No tax
or shipping/handling is charged on the Damask Tote Bag. Tax and shipping/handling is charged based on the price of the New Consultant Kit that is purchased ($49 or $99). 

I just got this bag and it is my favorite tote!!!  Perfect for scrapbook and crafting supplies but cute enough to take anywhere. Would be a fantastic carry-on for air travel!