Goodie Box Day!

Today's (June 26th) Deal-A-Day is a $25 Goodie Box! The perfect price to compliment your collection! Order as many as you want, however, you can only order 1 per transaction. To order, your own surprise box (after all, it will be a Christmas in July when you open it! lol!), click here.

Tomorrow is the day!

I am so excited! Tomorrow is my Cropping for Change Crop for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! It will be a day filled with fun, friendship, food, and of course Scrapbooking! I can't think of a better way to spend the day!

I just received my Goodie Box, and put the list of Raffle items up on my website! They are as follows:

My Accents Organizer ($22.95 value)
Cherish How-To-Idea Book ($21.95 value)
Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad Set (winner's choice of Palette) ($29.95 value)
Autumn Garden Ribbon Rounds ($9.95 value)
Just Chillin' Power Pack: Includes Just Chillin' Level 1 Pack (with My Stickease, Page Protectors, B&T Paper, Coordinating Cardstock, & More), and Bonus B&T Paper & Accents! ($20 value)
My Acrylix Stamp Set Combo: Good Times & Flower Fairies ($27.90 value).

The raffle will be at 7PM. Tickets are: $1 each of 6/$5. Need not be present to win. If you would like to purchase raffle tickets, e-mail me at: inallsassiness@juno.com.

Animal Cookie Challenge #4

Try the Faux Technique! This technique is featured on CTMH's Webisode this month! Watch the informative lesson, and try it for yourself. This is the original design:

And, this is my take on the card:

I used the June Word Puzzle Stamp, Say it In Style Stamp Set, & the Childhood Stamp Set. I also used: Sunflower Brads, & Tulip, Clover Meadow, Tulip, and Dutch Blue Exclusive Inks, and the Rubber Brayer.

Click here to view the Webisode: Art & Soul.

Deal-a-Day! Love Story Rub-ons!

My favorite of CTMH's rub-ons! Three sheets of these adorable, and multi-use rub-ons--one of each color: Chocolate, White Daisy, and Colonial White. Retails at $9.95 but yours FREE with the purchase of any My Acrylix Stamp set! Order as many sets as you like, just remember they have to be ordered in separate transactions to receive the free item and shipping discount! (Shipping is just $3!!) Yes, I want this great set!

This is a card set that I created with the Chocolate Love Story Rub-ons!

Switching gears...

from scrapbooking to cake decorating!

Today, we had Abby's 2nd birthday party and this is the cake I made for her. She was definitely not interested in posing for pictures...but WAS interested in eating "my cake"!

Deal-A-Day continues with beautiful ribbon!

CTMH's Deal-a-day marches forward with a great freebie today: The Heavenly Blue Ribbon Rounds! One of my favorites! These light colors are perfect for anything Baby, Spring, or just fun! They look great with chocolate too! Until 10am Eastern Time, receive a tube of these ribbons free with the purchase of any My Acrylix Stamp Set.

Here is a layout that I recently created where I incorporated the Heavenly Blue Ribbon.

Yet another Good Day! Or "Goodie" day that is!

CTMH posted yet another Goodie Box this morning!

This one is a $60 box which means it is filled with $120 in awesome product! To add one to your collection, order it here! The box is available until 10am Eastern Time tomorrow morning(Sat), or while supplies last! These boxes have been awesome and filled with a great selection!

2 Cute for Words...

But you know I will share some with you anyway! I took this picture of Abby and Gabriel on Abby's birthday! It was in one of their more "loving" moments where they were being silly! They were rocking together and Gabriel was singing Happy Birthday to Abby for at least the millionth time that day! They have such an awesome relationship! I love watching the two interact together!

Happy Birthday Abby!

I have been looking at this picture for the last hour in complete amazement...Abby looks so "toddler" here, so grown up. And, I am wondering to myself, "When did this happen?". My little baby girl is no longer a baby...she is a little girl! And with such a cute little personality! A little girl who corrects me when I call her Abigail: "No, Mommy, Abby", who insists on being on my lap when I work on the computer, who tries to drink water from the dog's bowl on all fours, and who has stolen my heart totally, and completely. She might indeed be Abigail, but she will forever be my little Abby! Happy 2nd birthday little one! Love, Mommy.

CTMH Deal-a-day Out does it self!

Many have asked, so I decided to post the contents my Goodie Box #1 - $60. Each box may vary a little in contents, but has the same dollar value!

Magic Moments Scrapbooking Kit! 24 Pre-printed 12x12 layouts (with instructions), 12 Memory Protectors, 8 6x12" My Stickease Sheets, 1 roll of bulk Cocoa Ribbon, 50 Cocoa Brads and 2 12x12 pieces of Colonial White Cardstock.

Three My Acrylix Stamp Sets: B1208 Birthday Script, C1224 Fluttering Frames,

and D1196 Floral Elements.

Accessories: a bulk roll of Twilight Squared print ribbon, A tube of Cranberry My Accents,

and a package of Clear Acrylic Tags.

Some of the gals on the west coast have already received their Goodie Box #2 ($40). Here is what they found inside!

Mystery Goodies Box #2
-Life Delights Mini Album Kit (9x9) chipboard album with paper, stickease, ribbon and accessories to make a beautiful gift album). Retail value $12.95 (just reduced from $17.95).
-Dimensional Elements Numbers: Retail value $4.95
- Heartfelt Ribbon Collection: $9.95 (4 feet of ribbon on each of the 5 spools)
- Booking Set with 1x1 Block: Retail Value $15
- Clear Inspirations Ribbon Slides Precious: Retail Value $3.95
- Clear Inspirations Ribbon Slides Thank you: Retail Value $3.95
- D Size Stamp Set (Because of You): $22.95
-Jar of Chocolate and Bamboo Brads (both regular and Bigger size): Retail Value $4.50
- 9x9 Memory Protectors Matte (set of 15): $5.50
- Mini Scallop Scissors: $2.00
- Level 2 Paper Pack (Abundance): $12.95
Retail Value: $98.65
Shipping at 7.95%: $7.84
Tax (mine is 8.6%): $9.16
Grand Total to purchase these separately: $115.65
What I Paid: $40.00
Shipping: $6.00
Tax: $3.96
Grand Total: $49.96
Total Savings: $65.69!
**note, the tax is hger than ours, but it gives you a general idea!! What fun!!

Did you miss out on box one or two? If so, don't fret, there are still 4 more Goodie Boxes available in the month of June! If you are afraid you will forget to check my website daily, and would like a daily e-mail sent to you with the deal of the day for the rest of the month, let me know and I am more than happy to add you to my "daily notification" list! Just e-mail me at: inallsassiness@juno.com.

Animal Cookie Challenge #3

Create a piece of altered art with your scraps!

Great for the environment. Great for your pocketbook. Great results.

For this challenge, I used a Wilton Candy box, and decorated it with my scraps from the Animal Cookie collection! What a fun way to add that extra WOW factor! And perfect for a homemade gift! What's inside my candy box?? Buckeyes of course! For non-Ohioians (Go Bucks!) those would be a chocolate-peanut butter confection!

I created several variations of these fun little gift boxes in no time at all! (Especially compared to the time that it takes to make the Buckeyes! lol!) These are for a Team in Training fundraiser, but I can invision using them for all sorts of gifts! Want to see my other candy boxes? Visit MYCTMH Website.

I run in memory of one more...

As most of you know, I am in the middle of training for a 1/2 marathon to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I began this journey because a dear friend of mine had survived Lymphoma. But as I talk to more people, and share what I am doing, and why, I am touched more and more by the stories that others have shared with me. Just this evening, I was talking with one of my colleagues at work, who I think the world of, and she shared with me that her husband had lived with Leukemia for 7 years before losing his fight. I asked her to write a few words about her husband that I could put it on my Team in Training Fundraising Page. This is what she wrote:

N ice
A lways Loving
T rustworthy
H My Hero
A lways there for me
N ever Negative

B rave through sickness
O ther people first
L ots of fun
T houghtful
O utgoing
N ever far from my mind

I was touched by Margaret's thoughts. She is a remarkable woman. And her husband was a remarkable man. A Christian. A man who gave of himself effortlessly. Who taught Sunday School each week. And a man who never once complained about the pain, or the treatments.

I am running for Nathan. And all of those who cannot run for themselves.

Animal Cookie Challenge #2

Use Liquid Glass on a stamped image to accent the negative space!

If you look closely, you will see that there is a gloss on the spots of the giraffe. This was achieved by applying Liquid Glass to the white spots. This is a fun technique that really adds that perfect finishing touch to any project!

Tip: Always store the Liquid Glass upside down so that the tip does not clog. The CTMH accent & flower tubes are perfect for this storage--complete with a lid. If you need a tube, let me know...I always have extras!

The "Awesomeness" of the Workshops To Go!

Close To My Heart has an awesome (can you sense my excitement??) program that they introduced in the fall called "Workshops To Go". The workshops are designed with a budget in mind, and to help you get the most out of your purchasing experiences! There are several tiers to the workshops--a Basic which includes a full pack of paper, the coordinating My Stickeases, and a few bulk embellishments. The next step, the Better is a little bit higher in price, and adds some additional embellishments. The Best then adds a coordinating stamp set. A level for everyone! Part of the magic of this program is that each level comes with an Exclusive Workshop Guide. This guide takes you step-by-step through the creating of your layout--complete with cutting measurements. You can tweak wherever you see fit! And you can even change the paper collection as I have done below! PLUS, there are two additional layouts, and several card ideas, included that you can make with your leftovers (and by using the specified How-To-Book as a reference. I love them! and keep going back!

To show you how it works, this is the Daydream WTG as presented from the company.

This is the layout that I created with the Daydream Workshop To Go! It is the same paper collection, just variant B&T papers. I eliminated the Sweet Leaf for a softer look and replaced the "candies" with buttons as the embellishments.

Using the same Daydream Workshop To Go Guide, I changed the paper pack to Free Spirit. I used the same concepts, measurements, etc. but the different paper made it look like a completely different layout.

(Click here for more detailed images of both of my layouts.)

Want to experience the "awesomeness" for yourself?
The next Workshop To Go, Animal Cookie, is scheduled for Thursday, June 18th. There are still spaces available.
For more information, click here.

If you would like to join us, contact me as soon as possible to reserve your seat!

The July Workshop To Go, is featuring the Moon Doggie Collection! Perfect for summer pictures, beach pictures, and so many other options! The date for this WTG is July 16th from 6-8:30. Click here for details.

Or, if you would like to do a either of these WTG's, or even a previous one, with your friends, you can host one and reap the benefits! I still have summer opening left! Ask me how!

Here are a few other WTG's you might like:
Tinkerin', Stardust, Aspen, Magic Moments, That's Amore

Blending the old with the new...

Have I mentioned that I can't get enough of the "awesomeness" of scrapbooking? What other craft can you blend new "hot-off-the-press" supplies with well-loved retired ones, and still have a finished project that makes you say WOW?? That is just what I did when I created this layout for the Just Me Series. The colors I chose (Heavenly Blue & Chocolate) were inspired by a fellow CTMH colleague almost a year ago, as with the concept of using accents as bullet points in the journaling. I built the layout from there, adding my own touches where desired. I love how the now-retired Heavenly Blue & Colonial White My Accents blended so well with the newer Chocolate Mini-Medley and the new Heavenly Blue & Chocolate Ribbon Rounds! The alphabet I choose was our Large Chocolate alphabet.

Tip: To create the flowers, simply add a Circle Window Charm to a piece of Heavenly Blue (or choice color) cardstock. Trim off excess cardstock. Then, using 3-d Foam Squares, attach to the center of the Just Blooms Big Pinks Flower. Adhere the flower to the page with Glue Dots for a tight hold.

Other supplies used: Corner Rounder, SpongeDaubers, Chocolate Exclusive Ink.

To see the detailed views of this layout, click here.

Why am I posting this layout now? All of the buzz with the mystery "Goodie" boxes that CTMH is promoting this month has reminded me that the oldies are definitely still goodies!! And many of the items in the boxes are retired! So, what better time to stock up?

For those of you who are following my month long (although now it is two months long--lol!) Nat'l Scrapbook Challenge, I completed the following challenges with this layout:

#5 Hand Stamped a Title.

#16 Use an arrow photo clip.

Stay tuned!!

June CTMH Deal-a-Day Day 10

It's here! The second Goodie Box is now available through 10am Eastern time tomorrow! This one is only $40 with a $80.00 retail value!! And just $6 shipping! Very exciting!! The first goodie boxes have started to appear all of the country, and were filled with an amazing assortment! Including multiple stamp sets, papers, and embellishments! What will be in this one? You will have to order one and see! A great deal for sharing! To order yours, simply go to my website! Remember, since this is an exclusive deal, the box must be purchased seperately from other purchases.

Animal Cookie Challenge #1

Today is the first challenge for My Animal Cookie Challenge! A challenge designed to inspire you with CTMH's fun new Animal Cookie Paper Collection, My Stickease, and adorable stamp sets! So without further delay, here we go:

Animal Challenge #1: Button, Button, who has the button?

Find creative ways to add buttons to your projects!

This card was designed to be a fun interactive card for children! The little tag can slide out of the pocket for reading/hiding fun!

Supplies used: Animal Cookie Level 2 Paper Pack, Craft buttons, Glue Dots, Say It In Style Stamp set & Clover Meadow Exclusive Ink.

I will donate $1 for each Animal Cookie, or Animal Cookie supporting product, purchased in the month of June to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Luau-ing for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

I am in the process of organizing a "Luau" fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and I thought I would post the link for the event blog:

http://luauforleukemiaandlymphoma.blogspot.com

I am exited about this event! It will be held at the Plains District Community Center in Timberville, Va on Sunday, July 12th from 2-5PM.

Independent Consultants from some of the most loved Direct Sales Companies will be in attendance showing off their fun summer lines.

There will also be fantastic raffles, doorprizes, baked goods and carry-out dinners (my mom's signature bbq!!) available all to beneift this great cause!

If you are unable to attend, but would like to pre-purchase raffle tickets ($1 each of 6 for $5), pre-order the bbq dinners, or make a donation, please e-mail me at: inallsassiness@juno.com.

I am also still looking for vendors so if you know anyone who might be interested, please give them my contact information!

Event has a $1 entry fee.

Truly Honored!

I have been fighting a horrible cold/cough/sore throat and just not feeling the best. After many efforts at restless sleep (due to the coughing), I gave up and decided to resolve to working on the computer for a little while. When I logged in to my blog, I discovered that CTMH posted it's Scrapbook and Share Finalists just a few minutes before (I was expecting the finalists to be announced when they opened for business today--which is 11am our time)! However, the finalists are posted...and I was selected as a finalist in the Photography category! I am truly honored--there were so many awesome entries! To see all of the finalists, or to vote for your favorite, click here : CTMH Scrapbook & Share Contest.

This is my entry that was selected!

To read my 50 Things I Love list, click here.

Cookies & Card!

Cookies & a Card!

I created this fun gift for a dear family friend who is graduating from High School next weekend. The box is a Wilton treat box that I found at Michael's. I simply disassembled, and measured one box to get a template for this one! The paper collection I used was the "It's A Guy Thing"--which is the perfect masculine collection in my opinion!! The colors featured are: Cocoa, New England Ivy and Barn Red. Other supplies used were: Say It In Style My Acrylix Stamp Set, pewter brads, the Colluzle Cutting system, Cocoa ribbon, and the coordination Exclusive Inks!

June CTMH Grab -a-deal-a day Day 4

Yeah! Today is the first "goodie box" day!! How exciting! Especially since it is such a blah day out!!!! Now, I have to just wait until mine comes!! Wonder what will be inside??

What a deal! For just $60 US/$75 CAN you get approximately $120/$149.95 worth of popular product! And what's more, you get discounted shipping/handling of just $8 continental US, $12 APO, $15 PR, AK, HI, others / $16 Canada. (Shipping/handling discount applies to orders of one goodie box only.)

Remember, for each on-line order this month, your name will go in a drawing for a $25 Gift Certificate!

And, if you end up with duplicates that you can't use, you can always trade them at the July Crop!

Order my goodie box now!

Woohooo! Team in Training Update!!

I have to call out a large Woohoo!! for TWO major reasons! First, I ran 6 miles this am! (and whew, am I exhausted!!!) and second, with many, many thanks to friends and family, I have reached my first goal of $500.00! I am so blessed to have such wonderful supporters! The personal messages of encouragement have meant the world to me!

Along this journey, I have also met several individuals who have honored me by sharing their own stores. My heart has been touched even more. So today, I re-commit to running this 1/2 marathon not only for Karen, but also for "Judy" & "Geri's Sister".

Here is the link if you would like to follow my progress!

June CTMH Grab -a - Deal: Day 3

Well, it is day three! And Today, the deal is Color Ready Alphabets: Oxford Font! I LOVE these!! I use them very regularly! Remember, you can get these free when you purchase any size stamp set on my website! Shipping is only $3.00!! Order now! Remember, the offer is only good for 23 hours!

Here are some of the layouts that I have created using the Oxford Letters!
Click on the images to see the full details!

"Santa Baby"

"Gabey, It's Cold Outside"

Congrats to John H.

John is a super star!! Check out his Scrapbook and Share entry...

Leave a comment for John about his awesome entry on the Scrapbook and Share website!

This layout was inspired by the Stardust Workshop To Go. To see the original workshop design, another scrapper-Lynn's-design, or my take on it, click on the John's layout above.

Spicing up the Deal!

Okay, so with the announcement of CTMH's new Grab-a-deal-a-day event, my thoughts were spinnning! So I have a few ways of spicing up the deal!

First, for every purchase made on my website during the month of June, your name will be entered into a drawing on July 1st for a $25 CTMH Gift Certificate! Make 20 purchases, and your name will be entered 20 times! You do the math!

Second, to me the Mystery Boxes are enticing! What fun...not knowing what surprises will be inside?? It's like Christmas!! Order as many as you like (but you can only purchase 1 per transaction). So, if you order a Mystery Box, I challenge you to create a project using only items that are in your box! Can you do it?

And, if you get something you already have a surplus of, or is something that is not quite your style, we will have a "swap" hour at the beginning of the July Crop that you can swap with someone else! After all, one person's discard could be another's treasure!!

Have fun!!!

Congrats to Nicholas!

It's hard to believe that my little boy has finished his first year of Preschool! Yesterday, we went to his graduation, and I was so touched with the performance that they gave! The kids all worked so hard!! It has been an honor to see each of the children grow over the past year! My brother Mike was the savior of the day as he took Gabey and Abby downstairs so Mommy could see the entire performance! Tomorrow is their farewell cookout and I guarantee there will be some tears shed--but what a celebration and rite of passage for Nicholas and his friends!

Nicholas and his partner doing the Mexican Hat Dance! Ole'

The Front door to the Preschool...the door I walked you through so many times! You were always so excited!! No reservations. It was I who was wiping the tears. It was I who had a hard time letting go...but in truth, seeing you happy, and surrounded by friends and teachers that you loved, and they loved you, made this door so much more than a door!

What memories were made!

Nicholas and his "Miss Debbie"! She, and "Miss Kari" will never know the difference they have made in Nick's life! Nick talks about them all the time! And if you know Nicholas, you know that I truly mean ALL THE TIME!

If either of you are reading this, I am so thankful that you both, and Pastor Bernie, are the ones I entrusted with Nicholas for his first Preschool experience. You have definitely been God-sent!

Gotta Love June!

I LOVE the month of June! When I was little, I loved it because it meant Field Days, the end of school, summer vacation, my birthday, Father's Day, and warm weather to stay!

But now that I have grown up, things have changed...it means more time spent with family, longer days, random baseball games, (Still) Father's Day, and just less "routine"! Crazy huh!

Well, this June, Close to My Heart has given me yet another reason to love June! They are having a Grab-A Deal Month! Look at these fun details:

Grab Incredible Deal-a-Day Specials in June
In June you and your customers can take advantage of a different deal each day on MyCTMH websites-a product special available only that day and only while supplies last. Specials include Great Goodies boxes priced 50% or more below retail and popular products for free with a My Acrylix® stamp set purchase (size A, B, C, D, or E; excludes K-size and Stamp of the Month) PLUS irresistible shipping discounts.Check my MyCTMH website every day from June 1-30 for that day's deal and add to your scrapbooking and cardmaking supplies while saving a bundle. Remember, each special is good only for that day, only while supplies last, and only on MyCTMH websites.

Each special will run for just one day-23 hours to be exact, from 9 a.m. (MT) to 8 a.m. (MT) the following day. The hour between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. will be used to finalize all pending transactions, clear the queue, and launch the next "deal."

To qualify for "deals" the fantastic shipping prices, nothing except the "deal" can be shipped together.

The fine print...There are some things you can do to improve your shopping experience and ensure a smooth transaction: Unlike our clearance sales (which may have very low quantities per item on hand), the Deal-a-Day items were specifically chosen because they are desirable, current items that we also have strong stock of. This means there is no need to "rush the doors" to shop each day when a new deal is released. We encourage shoppers to visit at off-peak times for best connection performance and the best shopping experience. Although this is a "while supplies last" campaign and it's important for us to position the items as such, our inventory is well stocked and ready to support your shoppers.

I can't wait! There are some "oldies, but goodies" still on my list!! So I am sure I will be checking every morning!! 11:00am can't come early enough!

Shop Now!