Heart2Heart challenge

I have recently decided to commit to doing some challenges on an awesome blog called Heart2heart challenges.  Each week, a challenge is issued to create a card or project with certain requirements.  For example, last week was create a non-square or non-rectangular card.  This week, it is to create a "girly" card.  Here are my submissions:

It's hard to see in the picture, but there is Glitz glitter gel on the background paper, and Prisma glitter on the crown and wand.  Very sparkly!!  :-)

This one is a little more sophisticated.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this stamp set!! 

I used my Martha Stewart Scoring Board to create the vertical lines, and sanded them down.  Then I paper pieced her skirt with Smokey Plum cardstock, and glammed it up a bit using the Mocha Opaques.  Best new product of the winter catalogue!!!!    Here is a closer picture of her skirt:

Isn't she cute??

Products used in first card: (all products are CTMH, except where noted)
-Gypsy, Pear and Hollyhock cardstock
-Little Princess stamp set C1414
-Spot On Backgrounds D1280
-ribbon--???
-Martha Stewart border punch
-Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder
-Glitz glitter gel
-Prisma glitter

Products in second card:  (all products are CTMH, except where noted)

-Smokey Plum and Vanilla Cream cardstock
-Chocolate ink
-Mocha Opaques
-misc. ribbon
-Martha Stewart scoring board



A Special thanks to you!

Well, here we are almost halfway through November.  Who made the clock speed up???  Slow it back down, please.  :-)  Since it seems like the end of November will be here in the blink of an eye, I just wanted to to encourage everyone to take advantage of Close To My Heart's AWESOME customer special this month, before it's too late!  Called "A Little More Thanks", this incredible deal is to thank YOU, the customer, and let you know how much you are appreciated.  During November we're expressing our gratitude to you by helping you earn two fabulous My Acrylix® stamp sets for FREE! When you place a minimum order of $100, you will not only receive the November Stamp of the Month set, A Little Thanks, for FREE, you will also receive one stamp set of your choosing from the 2010 Autumn/Winter Idea Book for FREE*! This means you can increase the value of your purchase by up to $45.90—that’s almost 50 percent more in value! It’s just our way of imparting A Little MORE Thanks to you for being a great customer.
 
Here is a picture of November's Stamp of the Month, with some artwork:
 

Can't you think of a million things you can do with this stamp set??  Then you get to pick any A-D size stamp that you would like, for FREE!!  Wow!  Visit my website at http://www.michelleauten.myctmh.com/, shoot me an email at thepaperprincess2@comcast.net, or give me a buzz at home, 540-338-4110, if you'd like to take advantage of the incredible deal.  Hurry....November 30 will be here before you know it!

Some fun cards....

Just some fun birthday cards that I made recently.  I used this tutorial  to make the pinwheel flowers.  So easy, and super cute!! 

supplies used:
-Magnifique paper
-Lagoon cardstock
-Pacifica cardstock
-Colonial White ribbon
-A Perfect Day paper
-Juniper cardstock
-Colonial White cardstock
-Colonial white brads
-Martha Stewart border punch

You Rock kids class.....

OK, this is unprecedented.....TWO blog posts in one day! Woo hoo!! This one for the kiddos. We will make a paper bag mini-album using the oh-so-cool You Rock paper. Join us on Thursdays, from 3:30-4:45, beginning October 28, and ending November 18.  There will be one Thursday that we don't meet, pending a Girl Scout meeting.  Here is what your child will make: (click on the photo to enlarge it)

This class is suitable for both girls and boys.  Children do not need to bring anything but themselves.  :-)  Cost is $30, and your child's spot will be reserved when you register, and payment is received.  Please contact me at (540)-338-4110,  or by email: thepaperprincess2@comcast.net. 

Christmas Card workshop

Wow, the holiday season is coming FAST!!!  Only 65 days left until Christmas.  Time to get started on those cards......:-)

To help you get a jump start on those beautiful handmade cards, I will host a card-making workshop on November 7, from 2-6pm.  I have created templates for 4 different designs....take a look, decide how many you would like to make of each design, and pre-order the number of cards you need.  I will have everything cut for you, you will just need to assemble it all together (don't worry, I'll provide directions)!!  The cost will be $3 per card....make as many or as little as you'd like (well, there is a minimum order of 6 cards!).  Here are the designs:

The picture isn't so great, but Santa has glitter on his beard:

Liquid Glass makes the package oh, so pretty!!: 

The deadline for registering for this class is Wednesday, Oct. 27.  Your spot will be reserved once you contact me, and payment is made.  Contact me by phone (540-338-4110), or email (thepaperprincess2@comcast.net).  Hope to see you there!!

Dimensional Elements ornaments.....

I made some of these ornaments for a craft show I was at last week-end, using Mistletoe paper, and the Dimensional Elements chipboard ornaments.  The craft show was a bust, but I had a lot of fun making these beauties.  Look for a workshop coming soon......

October Stamp of the Month

Did you know that Christmas is only 79 days away.  Yikes!!  Time to start thinking about those gifts and cards.  October's SOTM, "Share the Magic"  is just perfect for whimsical Christmas cards and gift tags.  Click here to visit a fabulous blog hop with artwork using this stamp set.  So many creative ideas!!  Grab a cup of coffee, your laptop and a blanket, then sit back and take in the eye candy......



Share the Magic is only available until October 31.  Ask me how to get a set of your very own for a discount, or even FREE!!

Hooligans Mix-n-Mingle wall art

The new Mix-n-Mingle album has got to be one of my very favorite new Close To My Heart products in the current catalogue.  It has both chipboard and clear acrylic pages that provide unlimited possibilites!  I played around with this album this past week-end, and this is what I ended up with.  This adorable wall hanging will be the Off-the-Page class for October.  Let me know if you'd like to join us!!

So here are the details:



Date:  Sunday, Oct 10, 3-6pm
          Wednesday, Oct. 13, 6:30-9:30

Cost:  $30

Registration deadline:  OCT. 4

This class is going to be fun!!  Contact me to save your space now!

Awesome new promotion, and new catalogue launch party!

Wow, summer is just flying by, and August has been a crazy busy month!  But I'm so excited to share with you some of the new things CTMH has in store. . . .

New Catalogue Launch Party:
The new Idea Book goes live for customers on September 1st, and let me tell you, you don't want to miss it!!!  To celebrate, I am going to host a launch party at my house on two different dates. . . Sunday, August 29, 6-9 pm and Monday, August 30, 6-9pm.  Be one of the first to see the new products in person, and enter to win some fabulous door prizes!!  Everyone will get a ticket just for coming, but you can increase your chances of winning in the following ways:

-RSVP that you are coming (2 tickets)
-bring a friend who is not a current CTMH customer (5 tickets)
-earn a ticket for every $10 increment of product purchased that night
-book a workshop or party (15 tickets)
-sign up for a workshop or class (10 tickets)

Look for an Evite coming your way soon!!

 Triple Play Promotion!:
Did you know that September is National Stamping Month???  To celebrate, Close To My Heart has released a special edition mini album kit.  And you can get it two weeks early!!  Starting August 15, this adorable kit can be yours!.  The kit contains 4 Exclusive Inks® mini stamp pads, a versatile C-size stamp set, 3 mini albums, ribbon, an instructional brochure, and pre-cut accents for stamping.  So quick and easy, you'll complete all 3 albums in a snap!

At a retail price of $29.95, this kit is an absolute value.  But why pay full price, when you can get it at a discount, or even FREE?!  Want to know how?  Here are the different ways to purchase this kit at a reduced price:

1) Purchase the kit outright for $29.95

2) Place a minimum order of $25 in My Acrylix stamps (excluding Stamp of the Month sets, Workshops on the Go exclusive stamp sets, and K-size custom stamps) and purchase the kit for only $15.

3) Place a minimum order of $40 in My Acrylix stamps (excluding Stamp of the Month sets, Workshops on the Go exclusive stamp sets, and K-size custom stamps) and purchase the kit for only $5.

4.) Hostesses who hold a qualifying Home Gathering with minimum sales of $300/$350 will receive a Triple Play mini album kit FREE!!!!

5.)  New Consultants who enroll during the month of September will receive the Triple Play mini album kit FREE as part of their New Consultant Kit.

Visit my website for more details.  But hurry. . . this promotion ends Sept. 30, or until supplies run out!

Super-De-Duper Paper Sale starts TOMORROW!! Hints for making it easy. . .

OK, so I'm TOTALLY stealing this post from my Director, Melissa Laverty.  Thanks Mel!!!  :-)


We are shouting from the rooftops how much we love and appreciate you! It only makes sense to pass along our appreciation with amazing deals. So for 8 days, starting tomorrow August 4 through August 11 (while supplies last), you can purchase select My Stickease® Assortments for only $2 US, My Reflections® Level 1 kits for only $4, and My Reflections® Level 2 paper packets for only $6 at michelleauten.myctmh.com.


I want to make this shopping experience as smooth as possible for you. So, here’s a list of helpful hints:

1) If you have never ordered from Close to My Heart from MyCTMH website before, click here to set up your online account. This will save you time tomorrow.


2) Print out the list of items on sale: The Great Paper Sale    Highlight the products you are planning to order. To see an overview most of the paper packs that will be on sale, click here You can also check out a document created by my colleague Kristen Woodie with pictures of each of the kits on sale.  New kits from the Spring & Summer ‘10 Idea Books will not be included in the sale. Several of the kits that will be available through the sale are currently retired, so they are not pictured. You can either go through old Idea Books, or search for them with Google.


3) You will be able to add non-sale items to your cart. So, go through your Close to My Heart Wishlist. If you need some ideas, check out our Online Idea Book. Mark down the item numbers.


4) Remember, your order will qualify you to get the August Stamp of the Month for free or at a discount. If you’d like to see some awesome artwork created with this set,  click here to go to the start of a blog hop, featuring this set.

5) Okay, you are just about ready. After 9am MDT or 11am EST on Wednesday, August 4,  click here to start shopping online. To make things faster, I recommend that instead of searching for the items you want, you simply enter their order numbers on the lower left hand side of the page. AND, that you click on the box that reads: “Check box to load shopping pages more quickly without pictures. Uncheck box to load pictures“. Per #6 (see below) I expect that unless you are hoping to order paper that has long been retired and therefore in shorter supply, most of the items should be available for the duration of the sale. If you are not going to have access to a computer during the days of the sale due to vacation, etc. you are welcome to email your order to me at thepaperprincess2@comcast.net, or call me at 540-338-4110.


6) Finally, remember to try to be patient. This is a sale that many people will be trying to get into. But CTMH has told us this is about product availability: “We have specifically chosen the items available for sale because they are desirable, current and retired items for which we also have strong stock. Not all quantities in stock are equal and there will likely be some that we run out of. But the variety is wide and there is something for everyone’s taste and style. Although this is a “while supplies last” campaign and it’s important for us to position the items as such, our inventory varied and well stocked and ready to support you.”



Don’t feel like dealing with all of that mess and just want to browse around and see what’s what? It’s all good. I’m just so excited that so many of you are going to get some absolutely fantastic CTMH paper at such a great price!!!



Happy Shopping!

WOW!!!! Incredible Paper Sale. . . 8 days only!

Well, Close To My Heart has done it again!!  We want YOU to know how much you are appreciated as a customer, and so the company has decided to have a MAJOR blow-out sale on select paper packs and My Stickease assortments!  For 8 days only, starting on August 4 at 9 am (MDT) through August 11, while supplies last, you can purchase selected My Stickease® assortments for only $2, My Reflections® Level 1 kits for only $4, and My Reflections® Level 2 paper packets for only $6 on my website. 

Click here for the complete list of sale items!!

If you don't recognize any of the papers, you can look them up at my website: michelleauten.myctmh.com.

OK, so here are the deets:

Are these items available only on a MyCTMH site?
Yes! We will only be offering these items for sale on MyCTMH sites.

Can I purchase other items at full retail along with these discounted My Stickease, My Reflections Level 1 kits and Level 2 paper packets on the same MyCTMH order?
Yes! You will be able to mix and mingle the items for sale from the $2, $4, $6, for 8...It’s YOU We Appreciate campaign along with regularly priced items for sale on MyCTMH site.

Is this campaign a “while supplies last” campaign?
Yes. We have provided many, many items numbers for you to purchase from during the campaign. So there is ample supply on hand but each item is while supplies last.

Will the purchase of the discounted My Stickease, My Reflections Level 1 kits and Level 2 paper packets count toward my customer receiving the Stamp of the Month at a discount or even free?
Yes! Your purchases for the campaign count toward the Stamp of the Month incentive.

How much is shipping/handling for the $2, $4, $6, for 8...It’s YOU We Appreciate campaign deals?
Regular shipping and handling applies and will not change for this campaign. All MyCTMH shipping prices are based on the weight of items ordered, not the price of the items ordered. This means that shipping prices well reflect the costs of shipping even discounted products.

Is there a limit to the number of My Stickease, Level 1, and Level 2 paper packets a customer can purchase on one order?
Nope! There is no limit to the number of items you can purchase on one order.


So print off this list and highlight the paper you can’t live without. Then come back on Wednesday and get them ordered!!!

Oh, and here's a secret. . . many of these papers are already retired, and ALL of them will be retired as of Dec. 31, 2010.  So grab them while you can!!  Happy shopping!

New classes for July. . . .

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far!!  I know I have been LOVING the weather here in NoVA over the past few days!  Perfect temperatures, and low humidity.  Can it get any better???

I need to post some pix of the classes at the Paper Princess Studios this month.  All classes will feature one of CTMH's new paper lines:  Zippidee.  So cute!!  This first project is our Off-the-Page project for the month.  We'll learn how to take 4 sheets of 12 x 12 cardstock, and make this amazing little exploding box.  I know exploding boxes have been around for quite a while, but I think they are SO. MUCH. FUN.!!!

Class times for this class are Sunday, July 18, 2-6pm and Tuesday, July 20, 6:00-10pm.  The cost is $25.  Please call me or email me to reserve your space!!

Zippidee Level 3 Scrapbook Pages

Come join us and make 2 12x12 layouts, and leave with enough product to make 2 more layouts, and 12 cards.  Kit includes 22 pieces of paper (12 double-sided patterned paper, 10 coordinating cardstock pieces), an exclusive D-size stamp set, a set of Dimensional Elements Stars, and a full-color brochure showing how to put everything together.  Suggested add-ons for this class are Black Hemp ($2.25) and/or Holiday Craft Buttons ($7.95). 

Class time:  Wednesday, July 14, 6:30-9:30

 $29.95 (+tax/s&h) for the Basic Kit

Zippidee Level 3 Card class

Come join us as we make 6 cards (2 each of three designs), and leave with enough product to make 4 12x12 scrapbook layouts, and an additional 6 cards.  The Basic Kit includes 22 pieces of paper (12 double-sided patterned paper, 10 coordinating cardstock pieces), an exclusive D-size stamp set, a set of Dimensional Elements Stars, and a full-color brochure showing how to put everything together. Suggested add-ons for this class are Black Hemp ($2.25) and/or Holiday Craft Buttons ($7.95).

Class time:  Wednesday, July 21, 6:30-9:30pm 

$29.95 (+tax/s&h) for the Basic Kit

Call or email me today to reserve YOUR spot!!  Happy crafting!

Love white core paper!!

Today I want to show you just how awesome Close To My Heart's cardstock is.  The wonderful thing about this cardstock is that it is white core, which means that the middle of the paper is white.  While that may not make such a difference if you're using the entire sheet of cardstock, it gives you some options to do some really cool things with it.  Here is an example of a thank you card that I made for my customers, using a technique called dry embossing.  I embossed straight lines on the cardstock (using my ScorePal, or you can use a bone folder and ruler) and then sanded off the raised part, with our sanding block, removing the color of the cardstock, and revealing the white core of the paper.  Very cool effect, no????   If you look closely, you can see that the circle of Cocoa cardstock has also been distressed along the edges (using the Edge Distresser tool), again revealing the white core.  So much fun!! Have you tried a new technique today????   What are you waiting for??  :-)

Father's Day card

Just a quick post today.  This is a card I made for Mike for Father's Day, using the awesome June Stamp of the Month, Wonderful Friend.  This is the first year in probably 6 or 7 that he's actually been in town on Father's Day week-end.  So how will we spend it???  In the car, taking Josh to camp!  :-(  Oh well, as he said the other day, he'll spend Father's Day doing what fathers do. . . sacrificing for their children.  He's such a wonderful Daddy, and my kids are truly blessed to have him as a father.  I'm pretty lucky to have such an amazing guy!!

Oh, baby, baby. . . .

WARNING: Picture-heavy post ahead!!  Today I want to share a project that I made for Allie's 4th grade teacher.  Mrs. Ciancio is having a baby at the end of the summer, and I made a mini baby album for her for Teacher Appreciation Week.  I had a great time creating it, and I hope she enjoys it as much as I do. 

This mini album was inspired by a mini-book created by Tresa Black.  You can see her original here.  I've just recently discoverd Tresa's blog, and WOW!!  She does amazing work!  So, thank you, Tresa for the inspiration!

Like Tresa, I used Close To My Heart's 3-Ring Binder as the base of my book.  This little gem is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", and comes with 5 inserts with tabs.  By folding the inserts in different ways, I was able to make pockets to hold little tags.  I'm thinking that a mini-album similar to this would make a GREAT Off-the-Page class!  So here are the pictures of my album.  I used the More To Adore Level 1 paper pack, and a set of My Stickease.  I have to admit, a few of the embellishments are not CTMH. . . but hey, I'm a newbie consultant, and I have a LOT of stash in my craft room that needs to get used up!!  :-)  The pictures show the album pages first, and then I took pictures of the individual pages, so you can see details.  The last 2 pictures show the matching gift bag and thank you card I made as well.  Enjoy!