Celebrate Cardstock!

My favorite Close To My Heart product has always been our exclusive cardstock. With 40 colors to choose from along with our Paper Fundamentals line, Kraft Cardstock, and Glitter Papers, I have a huge selection for any project I take on!

I featured our cardstock at the Convention Creativity Showcase last month with this layout:

I used Cranberry, Kraft, White Daisy, and Outdoor Denim cardstocks to create an Americana look  for these 4th of July photos.

The title and stars were cut using the Artbooking cartridge.

I used our Scoreboard and Sanding Kit to create texture and dimension.

I used coordinating inks to sponge the stars for that vintage-y look.

I guess my whole love of cardstock is this:

You don't always need "themed" papers to create a themed layout.

With the right cardstock and a few techniques you can let your imagination run wild!

Speaking of cardstock, our Enchantment Color Palette is getting a make-over on Sept 1st. We have 7 current colors going into retirement on Aug 31st with 7 new colors being introduced on Sept 1st! This is an exciting change and I'm looking forward to working with our updated palette!

In the meantime, check out a complete list of RETIRING CLOSE TO MY HEART PRODUCTS today! They are only available while supplies last!

Shop and Be Inspired 24/7

margvp.ctmh.com

Jackson From the Bungalow

I participated in a Secret Sister gift exchange at Convention last month and came away with a stunning swag bag of Jackson goodness from my friend and fellow team mate Lynn Darda. Let's take a look:

Good things come in small bags. I just don't know how she managed to get all this and more into one bag!{I never did get all of it back into the bag}

The bag all by itself is a beauty!

How could Raisenettes be any better?

Answer;  Wrapped in Jackson!

Not only are these four cards perfectly amazing, but they came packaged in that coordinating gift box.

Again, you see an awesome example of how to use that Jackson Paper Collection!

And it gets EVEN better! .... Check out what Lynn did with the Jackson papers, PML cards, and our Lagoon Paper Bags!

Yep ... that's a mini album and you can bet I'll be using this for "Camp Nana" photos!

And if all those creations were gift-enough from a very talented Secret Sister, there were two Honey Paper Bags adorned with Jackson tags and filled plump full with Bit 'o Honey!

What's that you say? The bags look rather flat and empty?

Well .... the Bit 'o Honey DID make it home with me and I used it to fuel me through the "unpacking after convention" process. I also blame those sweet laden little bags for putting my checked luggage overweight ....  {not really ... it was probably all those Disney Souvenir Pins!}

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MANY the products you see featured in Lynn's artwork are due to retire on August 31st.

 You can see a complete listing of retiring Close To My Heart products HERE.

Gifts From the Heart

I was thrilled to be able to attend the Annual Close To My Heart Convention last month and came home with a whirlwind of fond memories, accomplishments, and inspiration.

Now that ALL my bags and boxes are unpacked, new product swag sorted, artwork completed, and photos edited, I'm going to share some of my favs from my days in Anaheim.

I roomed with friend, and team leader Brenda Rose who had this gorgeous 6x6 canvas artwork piece waiting for me when I arrived on Wednesday morning.

Despite her very busy convention schedule, she took the time to create this gift from the heart that now graces my craft room as a reminder to cherish friendship, kindness, and memories made.

Isn't this cluster amazing?

 Brenda mixed her floral flair with one of my all-time favorite paper packs, Jackson. 

But that's not all! .... There was a pair of Mickey Mouse PJ's and a box of Bit o' Honey too! Turns out we had matching pj's and neither one of us thought to get a photo! Go figure! We're scrapbookers for heavens sake! As for the Bit o' Honey .... delightful, and all gone!

FYI .... JACKSON is one ELEVEN Paper Collections due to RETIRE on AUGUST 31st.  So if you have a project to complete, or know this is a perfect fit for your future projects, visit my website today and place your order before Jackson is gone .... like my Bit 'o Honey!

Convention 2013 Card Swap

While I'm busy cutting new papers, inking new stamps, and experimenting with fabric I'd like to recap some of my Orlando Convention favorites.

Card swapping is not organized by corp but is a voluntary, self-organizing activity and one that I look forward to. Here are just some of the lovely cards I had the pleasure of bringing home:

**Note: I've included the Consultant's name on each photo if the card included a business card or signature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My thanks to the fellow consultants who took the time to create these beauties.

It was wonderful meeting you and I hope to swap with you all again at 

Convention 2014 in Anaheim, CA next June!

Convention Swap Card

Today kicked off the official start to Close To My Heart's Annual Convention! My day began bright and early with a Zumba Class and a walk around Lake Buena Vista here at Coronado Springs Resort.

Then, it was off to the 9AM start of our first General Session where we were some of the newest products were unveiled and the Fall-Winter Idea Book was opened for the first time.

While I cannot reveal specific new product right now, I can tell you that you are all in for fresh, trendy new art, an amazing Cricut cartridge, and much more!

After having left my bag of swap cards behind in my room (not once, but twice) today, I finally got around to exchanging cards at Creative Session.  I will photograph and share some of the amazing gems I swapped for, but for now, here's the card  I created to pass around:

Stamp Set: "Focus on the Little Things"
Cardstock: Variety from retired "Summer"
Art Philosophy Cartridge
Washi Tape
Assorted bling

Tomorrow is another round of sessions, both business and creative. I'm looking forward to sharing what I can direct from Orlando ... the rest, well, that will have to wait until August 1st!

Thanks for stopping by the Tator Patch

(temporarily located in sunny Florida!)