December Newsletter!

   Welcome to the holiday season! I'm sorry I haven't been able to post much on my blog these days! I will be getting back at it again in 2016 once things settle down again (well at least settle a little more than these last couple months)!

   My monthly newsletter is now available and full of fun promotions and new products! If you haven't already received yours, you can view it by clicking on the link below!

Click here to see Candid Correspondence: December Newsletter

  
   I hope you all are doing well and enjoying the start of your holiday season! If I don't see or talk to you before then, have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

CTMH Updates and Free Prints!!!

   Hey everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! We didn't go anywhere because Ian had to work the weekend, but we had surprise guests stop in and stay with us on Sunday! It was really nice to see some old college friends and catch up a little bit!

   I do not have a Tuesday Tidbit for you today! Instead I wanted to let you know about some CTMH updates and photo print specials going on this week!

UNAVAILABLE ITEMS:

   First I have a couple updates on current products that are unavailable at the moment. If you are looking to order these products soon, let me know and I will put you on a list to update you as soon as they are available again. Here are some currently backordered products:

1.) Jackson Complements are on backorder until the end of May/beginning of June

2.) CTMH Rolling Tote is on backorder under mid-July sometime. There has been a huge demand for this awesome organizer, and if you are still looking to get your hands on one, let me know! I will put you on my waiting list!

 

LAST CHANCE ITEMS:

   Also keep in mind that there are only 5 days left to order your Exclusive Taste of Summer paper pack and stamp set! This new collection is only available during the month of May, and is selling very quickly! It sounds like quantities are limited this last week for ordering. So if you want this collection for yourself, I would suggest ordering sooner rather than later to ensure you can get your own!

Exclusive Taste of Summer Paper Pack

Exclusive Taste of Summer stamp set

   You only have 5 days left in the month to take advantage of my Mystery Hostess drawing, too! When you place an order with me this month, you can earn tickets into the mystery hostess drawing! It's really simple, and you get to choose your CTMH freebies if you're the winner!

   Want to earn extra tickets into the drawing??? Then take advantage of these special items when ordering:

Place a $50 order = 1 Ticket

Place a $100 order = 2 Tickets

Purchase the Jackson Paper Pack = 2 Tickets

Purchase the Jackson WOTG = 4 Tickets

Purchase the May SOTM: Just Sayin' = 1 Ticket

Purchase the Taste of Summer Exclusive Paper Pack = 2 Tickets

Purchase the Taste of Summer Exclusive Stamp Set = 3 Tickets

Place an order totaling $150 or more and you automatically receive hostess rewards of your choice, and a special gift from me (valued at $20)!!!!

   I love showing my appreciation for all of you, my customers, and I am so excited to be sharing this very special deal with you!! If you have any questions or need help planning your order, please let me know! Otherwise, have fun shopping and celebrating National Scrapbooking Month! 

 

 

FREE/DISCOUNTED PHOTO PRINTS:

   This week you have the opportunity to take advantage of some amazing photo offers, too! You don't want to miss out on these steals, and now's the time to start printing those photos you took of your Memorial Day festivities! Here's the deals for the week:

Snapfish.com: There are two amazing deals going on right now! You can get 99 photos for only 99 cents if you order by midnight tonight! You can use the code PENNYMAY on as many different orders as you want (remember S&H and tax are added, though)!

   You can also get a FREE 8x8 canvas print when you order $39 or more on the Snapfish site! This deal also ends tonight at midnight, though! So make sure and get your prints and photo gifts ordered this afternoon!

Shutterfly.com: This site is offering 101 free photo prints when you use the code MEMORIALDAY at checkout! I have heard it is cheaper to order 99 prints because S&H is cheaper, but you can decide for yourself when you order! You have under midnight tomorrow, May 27th, to get your free prints ordered, though! So don't delay!

 

CTMH Creative Challenge:

   On Friday, CTMH posted the next weekely creative challenge early (since Monday was a holiday)! They wanted to give everyone a little extra time over the weekend to plan their projects, and they also included an awesome giveaway! Here's all the details for this week's Creative Challenge if you missed it:

   Jeanette’s next creative challenge is for you to get creative with the My Crush His and Her line from the Seasonal Expressions II Idea Book! This is the official announcement, so pay attention: your challenge is to create artwork using the papers you tear from one or both of the My Crush For Her and For Him books.
We know it’s a few days early, but no one ever complained about a little extra time to make a masterpiece, did they?

   The deadline is midnight on May 31, and we can’t wait to see what you come up with—so hop to it! The winner will receive TWO My Crush For Her books with which to make even more great artwork.
We’re just so excited to see the artwork you make with the papers from these books. The challenge is on!

   To get you pumped for this unique challenge, we’re also giving away 20 For Her books to 10 winners with this announcement. That means 10 lucky souls will get two books apiece with which to make the finest layouts and cards out there. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on the CTMH blog post telling us about your favorite way to use the For Him and For Her books: as mini books, on cards, or on scrapbook pages. We’ll announce the winners of the giveaway on Tuesday, May 26th, right here on the CTMH blog. THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED AND WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON THE CTMH BLOG!


   That's it, friends! That's all the information you need to know this week! I will be sending out the June newsletter later this week as well! So keep on the look out for that! I hope you all are enjoying this short week! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Happy May Day!!

   It's already the first day of May! Goodness where is the time going! I'm loving this nice weather we're having this week, though!

   Did you know that today kick starts National Scrapbooking Month?? Yep, and CTMH is celebrating with some amazing steals and deals for you this month!

   I also have an exclusive deal for you to take advantage of during this month of celebration! How does FREE CTMH product sound?

   You can get all the details and information in my monthly newsletter today! You can check it out by clicking the link below:

Candid Correspondence: May Newsletter

What do you think? Pretty awesome month, right?? You can start shopping and taking advantage of these deals now on my Online Site! I also hope that you'll join me May 16th for my "Scrap Your Stash" all day crop! I will have special prizes and projects available to continue the celebrations for National Scrapbooking Month! 

   Have a great start to your month, everyone, and I hope you have a great weekend as well! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Tuesday Tidbit: Spring Cleaning Part IV

   Happy Tuesday, everyone! I hope you all had a great Easter weekend, and was able to enjoy some relaxation and family time!

   How's everyone doing on their big organization project for 2015??? This last week has been another crazy one in our house. So that means I didn't get to tackle more of my craft cleaning project, but I was able to finish up some projects and kit up some future workshops! I'll take that as partial organization!

   Moving along with our theme this month, though, I wanted to talk about organizing photos! Without photos we really don't have a story to tell or pages to scrapbook. The hardest part, though, is these days we have photos of EVERYTHING! So how do you organize everyday photos, event photos, printed photos, digital photos....phew....it gets to be exhausting!

   It doesn't have to be, though. Once you have a system in place, organizing photos becomes easier and easier, and you'll be able to find that perfect photo that you want to scrap or display in your home!

   I don't have the perfect photo organization system, but what I do use works well for me! The biggest thing with organizing all our photos is making sure you have a reliable back-up system!

   Not all back up systems are going to stick around in the next 5-10 years either! So making sure that you keep on top of your photo storage is important. I'm "old school" and use an external hard drive to store all my photos, documents, etc. It's always attached to my laptop, too, so I can access anything I need whenever I need it! I use Seagate's Backup Plus Portable Drive, and still have a ton of room left on there for more storage (and believe me...it's got a lot on there already).

    My digital photos are organized in a pictures folder on my hard drive. When I open my pictures folder I have multiple other folders that are all labeled and dated (if need be). Especially if I have multiple folders that are similar; like Christmas. My folders are labeled "McMullin Christmas 2014....2015....etc" for example. I also sub-organize my folders. Again sounds like a lot, but it really doesn't take that long! I don't have every photo named or labeled, just placed in the right folder. For example, I have a folder named "Ian and Karina" in that folder I have multiple other folders of trips, events, everyday photos, etc. that are just my husband and I together!

Here you can see some of my folders when I open "My Pictures". Each Folder is labeled, and some folders have sub-folders.

   This system works for me, and I am able to find what I need quickly and efficiently, too! If you have questions or want more examples of my digital organization, please let me know! I would love to help you with this!

   I also print photos pretty regularly. Printed photos are important to me because the idea is to get my favorites in scrapbooks and albums! I want to show them off not store them on my computer or in a box on my shelf (although that's where a lot of them are right now because I have so many printed). I usually print photos on a monthly basis, so I need a good storage system to keep all these prints organized until I am ready to scrap them or put them in pocket protectors!

   I have a couple things that I use to organize printed photos! My absolute favorite storage container that I use is from any local crafting store (JoAnn Fabrics, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.). They are called Iris Photo Boxes, and they come with 16 individual photo carriers that fit 4x6 photos perfectly! I have 3 of these boxes full of printed photos! I love that they are see through, portable, and easy to organize. Each individual photo carrier is labeled with a notecard to tell me what photos are in it, the dates, and main points to remember about those particular photos (funny details, quotes, etc). I also keep my photos organized in chronological order so I can find events and trip photos more easily.

   I also love this system because if I'm going away to a crop weekend or scrapping with the friend, I can pull just the individual photo carriers of pictures that I want to work with for that particular project! It's very handy, and I have a lot of people ask me about them when I take them with me to crops.

Iris Box with 16 photo carriers full of photos (roughly 100 photos can fit in 1 carrier)

Iris photo carrier with notecard labeling photos inside, details to remember, etc.

   These boxes can be a little pricey, though, and I would wait until I could use a coupon or get them on sale to purchase them. However, CTMH has a very similar system that you could modify to make your own organized photo box! The medium organizer will fit 4x6 photos easily, and you can fit the individual photo carriers from Isis in the organizer as well! The individual photo carriers can be purchased separately, and are very reasonable! I have a few extras that I put into my medium organizer when I am traveling to events and weekend crops!

Medium Organizer by CTMH with PML journaling boxes on the left, extra 3x4 PML cards on the front right, and 3 Isis photo carriers on the back right! These photo carriers also will store 4x6 PML cards perfectly, too!

   The medium organizer is a fraction of the cost, and you can get as many or as little photo carriers are you want! Plus the organizer will fit other products as well (like PML cards, embellishments, ink pads, adhesives, etc.). It's perfect for being organized on the go!! I love system as well, and have used it a lot more when traveling than taking all my Isis boxes!

   Well I hope this has you thinking about organizing and tackling those photos! If you have any questions or need to get your hands on one of the medium organizers to help you get started, please let me know!

   Also, if you need to print photos, there are a couple great deals going on right now!! Shutterfly has 101 FREE 4x6 photos that you can take advantage of when you use the code CARROT at checkout! Act quickly for this deal, though, because you only have until midnight to get your FREE print order in!

   Snapfish is also still running their FREE prints for a year campaign when you download and order prints using their mobile app! I did it this last year, and it was awesome! 1200 free prints is nothing to frown upon at all!

   So get those photos ordered, and start organizing them today! I hope you're having a great start to your week, and make sure to spend time on your organizing project! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

P.S. Sneak over to the CTMH blog for an exclusive giveaway today! Make sure and comment to enter so you can try and win awesome prizes!!

Creative Challenge

   Did you see this week's Creative Challenge by Close to My Heart?? Well in case you missed it you still have time to participate! So here it is:

This week’s challenge went to Senior Executive Director, Joanne Walton. Joanne is constantly creating and I knew she’d have a perfect project idea for the upcoming Easter holiday. I love the adorable banner she created. 

   This week, show us your Spring or Easter projects. We’d love to see how you celebrate! Be sure to tag your post on CTMH's Facebook and/or Instagram accounts using the hashtag ‪#‎jrlcreativechallenge‬ by midnight on Sunday, April 5th, to be entered to win a fabulous prize!

   The prizes have been amazing that CTMH gives away each week! So don't miss out! It's a great reason to get creative this week! Have fun, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Creative Challenge: February #1

   Hello from Florida! I hope you all are doing well and enjoying your week so far! For those of you that are up north and full of snow, are you making time getting creative this week instead of going outside?

   Well if you need some creative inspiration, CTMH's weekly challenge is perfect for getting you started! Here's the post from CTMH this week:

   For the week of February 2, my challenge to all of you is to journal on this topic: What is the reason you were given your name? Include your journaling on a page with a self-portrait.

   I first gave the challenge to Chief Communications Officer Monica Wihongi, who created this fun page.

   Be sure to post a picture of your finished page and tag it with the hashtag #jrlcreativechallenge on CTMH's Instagram or Facebook for a chance to win. The deadline for this week’s submissions is Sunday, February 8 at midnight.

   Remember you can win awesome prizes when you submit your artwork to the weekly challenges! Have fun playing this week, and happy creating, everyone! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Creative Challenge: January #3

    Happy Monday, everyone! CTMH was a little late in posting their challenge today, so I'm sorry this is a little late getting to you!

   This week is super exciting, and I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! Here's the new weekly challenge:

This week, I gave the challenge to Events Manager, Tiffany Young to show a creative use of the Designer Creations paper bags. Last month, at our company holiday party, we used the Designer Creations bag to hold the utensils and napkins at each place setting. I can think of SO many uses for these fun, pre-printed products. 

Post your most clever creations from the Designer Creations line this week. Be sure to use the hashtag ‪#‎jrlcreativechallenge‬ to be entered to win! Also, to give everyone more time to submit, we are changing the deadline to Sunday at midnight. We’ll choose the winner first thing Monday morning. Have a creative week!

   This is an awesome challenge, friends, and I hope you all get a chance to play along! Especially because the deadline was extended through the weekend! Woo hooo!

   Make sure and post your projects to CTMH's Facebook and/or Instagram pages with the hashtag #jrlcreativechallenge by Sunday (2/1) for your chance to win another amazing prize! 

   Last week's winner won the "Flakey Friends" stamp set for her interpretation of the card challenge! So the awesome prizes keep coming (I'm predicting some awesome Designer Creations line for this week's prize)!

    There are so many options to choose from! You could do a mini album like the Kraft Mini Album I posted about last week or you could use the fun colorful bags and make a super fun project! Whatever you want! So definitely check this one out! Have a great week, and happy crafting! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Creative Challenge: January #2

   It's that time again!! CTMH released their second creative challenge yesterday on their Facebook and Instagram pages. They also released a creative Bingo board to help kick start your creativity this week!

   I love creative challenges! They help me get focused and give me a goal toward completion! That's why I highly encourage you to participate in these weekly challenges! Even if you don't share them with CTMH....it will at least help you make time getting crafty each week while also working on your own projects!

   Here is this week's CTMH post for the creative challenge:

This week, I asked our talented Marketing Manager, Carlie Robertson, to create a card to reflect the weather. Although we have been without snow lately in Utah, we are wishing for some white sometime soon! Carlie used “Flakey Friends” to create this adorable card. 

Your challenge is to create a card that reflects your weather and let us know what products you use. Post your creations to Instagram or Facebook by midnight on Friday and be sure to use the hashtag ‪#‎jrlcreativechallenge‬
Happy crafting! 

   Make sure and post your projects to CTMH's Facebook and/or Instagram pages with the hashtag #jrlcreativechallenge by Friday (1/23) for your chance to win another amazing prize! 

   Last week's winner won the "Charming Chevrons" stamp set for her interpretation of the layout challenge! So there are definitely awesome prizes to be had!

   The second creative challenge this week is CTMH's Bingo Board! I love playing creative Bingo! It's very inspiring, and makes you think outside the box! 

   Here’s how to play: Close your eyes and spin your finger around the board until you feel the draw to put it down. Open your eyes. Which box did your finger land on? Survey your position and then choose to follow either the vertical or horizontal row of the space you landed on. Now heed the guidelines of each box in the row and get crafting!

   You can post your project(s) to CTMH's Facebook page if you feel like sharing, but this is just a bonus challenge. There are no prizes for participating in this one! It's simply to jump start your creativity this week!

   You can download your own Bingo Board to print at home and play along by clicking on the picture and downloading the document to your computer! Let me know if you have any issues with this, and I can always help you out and email you a copy instead!   

   I hope this has inspired you all to get crafty this week and start making some amazing artwork! Have fun with these challenges, and enjoy your week! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Creative Challenge: January #1

   Happy Tuesday, everyone! Instead of my usual Tuesday Tidbit today, I wanted to share with you CTMH's very first weekly challenge! Did you get a chance to see the challenge on Facebook or Instagram yesterday?

   This week the challenge is about reflecting on your goals for 2015! All you have to do is create a layout that will help you keep your resolutions all year long. It can be a traditional 12x12, PML layout, or Studio J layout! Whichever you prefer!

   Make sure and post your project to Instagram and/or the CTMH Facebook page with the hashtag ‪#‎jrlcreativechallenge‬ by Friday (1/16) to be entered to win a terrific prize!

   Creative Communications Manager, Jill Broadbent, put her New Year's resolution on a layout as an example for this week!! This is her interpretation of the challenge:

   I love the colors Jill chose to use for her layout! Have fun with this challenge, friends, and I hope that one of you wins this week's prize! Happy Crafting, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Creative Challenge Kick-off

   Yesterday, CTMH posted on their blog a fun, exciting, and new series that they are starting for 2015! I'm super excited to share this with you all because each week, CTMH will be posting Creative Challenges for everyone to participate in! Here's how it'll work:

1. Tune in to CTMH's Facebook and Instagram pages each Monday to learn what Jeanette’s Creative Challenge will be. Follow Close To My Heart on Facebook and Instagram so you can get the details pronto! When they announce the challenge, you’ll see a sample project as your inspiration and it will then be up to you to create and share your own creations.

2. You have until the following Friday to post a photo of your own interpretation of the challenge to either CTMH's Facebook page or your own Instagram feed. Be sure to use the hashtag #jrlcreativechallenge when you post. You can search this hashtag at any time to see what others have posted!

3. What’s in it for you? This series is designed to inspire creative time and provide a place for unity and idea sharing each week. The challenge will give you a reason to get into your supplies on a regular basis for the sole purpose of having fun through crafting!

4. Oh, and did I mention there will be prizes? CTMH will choose one random winner each week to receive a prize for participating. They'll announce the previous week’s winners every Monday on Facebook and Instagram, just before the new challenge announcement.

5. Spread the word about this opportunity to anyone and everyone you know who loves creating, winning prizes, and a good challenge! The more people that get involved, the more fun it will be.

    Doesn't this sound awesome!?!??! Plus there's prizes!!! Score!!! I hope you'll join me in following CTMH on Facebook and Instagram, and participating in these exciting new challenges each week! Plus it's a great way to use up your stash and a great reason to make time getting creative!

   So gear up, friends, because the first challenge will be posted on Monday, January 12th!!! I hope you all are having a great week, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving

   Happy Belated Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope this finds you all enjoying your long weekend! I am still in Southern Wisconsin this weekend, and enjoying all the family time this week! It has been a really wonderful visit!

   Can you believe that it's the last day of November already? I cannot! I feel like we just had Halloween, and now we're fully in the Christmas holiday season! Yikes!

   Well being that today is the last day of the month, it is also the last day to take advantage of all the wonderful CTMH deals going on this month!

   The biggest deal you still have time to take advantage of today is the Studio J $5 layout special! You do not want to miss out on this amazing deal! You have until 11:59pm (MST) to get all your layouts finished and submitted for only $5 each!

   I worked on a few Studio J layouts this month! I made 3 layouts of my newest nephew, Jaz, using the "Wishes and Fishes-Boy" collection! I love how these pictures from July worked perfectly with this paper collection! Here are the 3 layouts I made using Studio J pre-designed layouts and sketches:

   I have some little boy embellishments that I bought when we found out my sister was having a boy, so I will add those here and there on a couple of these layouts for added dimension and texture. I love that I can make these digital layouts as detailed or simple as I want! It's so much fun to play with!

   I also printed a bunch of photos from my phone in Studio J! Phone cameras are getting really nice, but they still do not "blow-up" to a good 4x6 size without distortion. So I printed a bunch of my nephew and niece in the perfect 3x4 size! These will be perfect to use on Christmas brag books, 2015 calendars, and so much more! Here's an example of what it looks like when it prints from Studio J:

   The last project I worked on this month was my Christmas cards! I used the Snowhaven paper collection, a couple photos of Ian and I and our dog, Boji, from this year, and some simple embellishments to make a really nice 5x7 Christmas photo collage! In the blank space I had left, I added extra Snowhaven embellishments that I can cut out and use on gifts, tags, and other Christmas decor! Here's how it turned out:

    My Christmas cards end up being less than $0.80 when I print them like this! It's the perfect deal! Plus I love that I am getting all the extra embellishments, too! When I design invitations or Christmas cards in Studio J, I use the "No Limits" collection that I talked about last week! It's perfect for making your 12x12 layout look however you would like, and with as many layers and details as you would like! It's awesome!

   Make sure and finish those layouts today, friends, and get your awesome digital layouts processed before midnight! Also, remember that all orders placed have a chance of winning a brand new CTMH Canvas-coated album! Plus if you post your jpegs (free with your order) to CTMH's Facebook and/or Instagram accounts using the #ctmhlucky5 tag, you also have a chance to win a new album, too! So get those orders in, and good luck scoring a new album!

   The other deals to take advantage of include the super cute November SOTM: It's the Little Things for only $5 with any $50 purchase, and the new items in the "While Supplies Last" section of the Online Shop!

Mini card made using the November SOTM! This card was scraplifted from Vicki Wizniuk.

While Supplies Last items in my Online Shop! These are limited time only so get them while you can!

   I think that's everything for today! Make sure and check your email later today to get all the details on tomorrow's new specials and an exclusive Cyber Monday steal! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Tuesday Tidbit: Personalize Studio J

   Welcome back to Tuesday Tidbit! Have you had a chance to play with Studio J yet this month?? Last week's Basics video helped you get started with designing beautiful completed layouts, but what about all the extra features Studio J has to offer to make each page your own??

   Well this week I want to share another Studio J video with you about how to personalize each layout by using all the amazing Studio J editing tools!

   I love our digital scrapbooking program! It's so easy to use and makes catching up on memory keeping so much easier! So get those photos off your computer and phone and start designing fun layouts today!

   Don't forget....with every Studio J order you have the chance of winning free embellishments and new canvas covered albums! If you need help placing your Studio J orders or have any questions, please let me know! Make time to get crafty this week, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Brrrr....November's Here

   I hope you all are staying warm on the 1st day of November! Brrr brr brr! We haven't had any snow like some of you, but I know it's coming.....and all too soon!

   Last night's trick-or-treating went really well! We were told our house was the "best" in the neighborhood, and second best in Hastings (although we didn't get to see the "spook house" to see which one some kids were calling the best)! It was cold, but most of the kids came out early and went home before 8pm. We definitely didn't have as many kids as we usually do , but we still had a decent turn out (maybe a little less than 100 kids)!

 

   We had the outdoor speakers set up, too, and played spooky music during the trick-or-treating! It was super fun! I didn't get all the little things done that I wanted to for decorating, but it still turned out pretty awesome! 

   Well with a new month upon us I have a ton of amazing things to share with you: new specials, new products, giveaways, and so much more! Let's jump right in, shall we?

  

November Stamp-of-the-Month: It's the Little Things!

   A new month means a new SOTM! This month's SOTM is called "It's the Little Things", and it features perfect images to layer, fussy cut, and create backgrounds on all your projects! I love how versatile this stamp set is and how simple and beautiful the handwritten phrases are on this set!

   This stamp set is only $5 with any $50 purchase this month! Check out some of the SOTM artwork to get inspired:

Card scraplifted from Vicki Wizniuk of Wizard's Hangout.

Studio J Anniversary Sale!!!

 
   November marks the five-year anniversary of Studio J, CTMH's digital memory keeping program, and that means it’s your lucky month! There are five amazing ways to win through Studio J and Close To My Heart social media this month!
 

5 LUCKY WAYS TO WIN BIG:  

1.) Throughout the month of November, all layouts purchased in Studio J are only $5! That's over 25% off!

2.) Your second chance to win big must come by sheer luck: every fifth order placed in Studio J during November receives a FREE surprise Close To My Heart accessory in its shipping box! The accessory has a retail value of $5 or more!

Could be any accessory! Surprises are so fun aren't they???

 

3.) If luck doesn’t smile on you in that way, you might stumble upon it by finding a little extra something in your Studio J box. Five “golden tickets” will be sent out during the month of November with randomly selected Studio J print orders! This “golden ticket” is redeemable for one of Close To My Heart’s new D-ring albums* loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors. 

4.) For a fourth way to win, simply create new, gorgeous layouts in Studio J, select your favorites, and then post pictures of them on Close To My Heart’s Facebook page using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. After November 30, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries based on their artistry and creativity. Each of these winners will receive their own D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!

 

5.) The last way to win is to take your new Studio J artwork and post a picture of it on Instagram using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. Just as it is with Facebook, after November 30, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries to receive their own D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!

    And to make things even more exciting, starting November 1, five brand new kits from the Annual Inspirations Idea book will be made available in Studio J, so you can create new artwork using the latest papers and embellishments from Close To My Heart. With so many ways to win, five may be your new lucky number! Log in to Studio J and start creating today!!!

*Offer valid November 1–30, 2014. Pattern and color of new D-ring album to be given to winners will be at Close To My Heart’s discretion based upon availability. New kits available in Studio J® on November 1 include Confetti Wishes, Snowhaven, Seaside, Pathfinding, and Scaredy Cat. No tax or shipping will be charged on the free item(s). Studio J layouts ship in a protected box that can hold 4 to 50 two-page layouts.

Close to My Heart 's Clearance Items now Updated: 

CTMH just released new products in their While Supplies Last section! Shop early and shop fast for the best selection because these new items will not last long!

Shop these items and more in my Online Store!!!

 

New Products in November: 

   This month is jam packed with so many awesome new things! Not only are there new Steals and Deals this month, but there are also new products! Starting this month you can take advantage of being one of the first to get these newly released products:

 

Picture My Life A la Carte:

      
   Starting November 1st you can now get any of the Picture My Life kits a la carte style! This means you can purchase just the pack of 4x6 and 3x4 cards without having to get the page protectors and cover page, too!

   The new a la carte option includes 122 pre-printed, beautiful cards in both 4x6 and 3x4 sizes, and is only $14.95!!! Check out all the Picture My Life kits and cards on Candid Crafter's Online Shopping Site today! 

New Albums in D-ring and Post Bound Styles:

   They are finally approved and being shipped for availability as we speak! The brand new CTMH albums are gorgeous and the perfect addition to the memory keeping family! I think you all are going to love these! There are 3 new designs to choose from: Lagoon Chevron, Ruby Floral, and Black! They are all canvas covered, 1 1/2" non-expandable, durable albums that are sure to excite any memory keeper's style! 

   I do not have an official release date yet, but CTMH has assured us that they will be available for purchase this month! So keep your eyes open and check back here often for updates!

 

 

Organizational Must-Haves:

 

   Starting in mid-November, CTMH is releasing a brand-new rolling tote and matching shoulder bag for all your organizational needs! I cannot wait to get my hands on these awesome new additions!

   The rolling tote is designed to store the CTMH Organizers in the center, 12x12 products in the front pocket, and other small tools, adhesives, and products in the side pockets! However, the possibilities are endless! It's durable material and functional storage make it the perfect addition for crafting on the go!

 

   The shoulder bag complements the rolling tote perfectly! It has the same style and durable material, but in a shoulder bag option! It's big enough to fit all your 12x12 projects, kits, and books, but also has room to store your embellishments, tools, and so much more! This super cute bag will be available at the same time the rolling tote is available, and believe me.....you're going to want both!

 

Upcoming Workshops, Classes, & Crops:

 

Christmas Card Buffet Part II

    
   Back by popular demand....the Christmas Card Buffet is here and with new cards added! Come create as many Christmas cards (fall, everyday, and spring ones, too) as you can in 2 hours for only $12!!!

    This awesome workshop will be on November 5th from 12-2pm or 6-8pm! You can sign up for whichever works with your schedule!

    I am suggesting that each regular attendee bring their own "Basic Workshop Kit" with them since I have limited supplies. A list of the "Basic Workshop Kit" can be found on my blog and on the event page (or you can contact me with questions)!

   Please RSVP NOW for the return of this fun and exciting workshop! Feel free to invite friends and family, but please make sure they RSVP, too! This is a popular workshop, and will fill up fast!

 

Regina Craft Fair: 

   I will have a booth at the Regina Craft Fair the weekend of November 13-15th! I will be there from 7AM-4PM on Thursday and Friday, and from 9AM-4PM on Saturday!

   I will be selling homemade paper crafts like Christmas cards, home decor, mini albums, and lots of other fun goodies! I will also have some of most recent projects on display to show off upcoming workshops and classes!

   The Craft Fair is located in the Chapel Lobby at 1175 Nininger Road in Hastings, MN, and is FREE to attend! So come stop by and see me and check out all the fun projects I have!

Crafting with Cricut

   The next Crafting with Cricut Class will be November 14th from 6:30-8:30pm at my house in Hastings, MN! We will be exploring and combining Artbooking and Artfully Sent in this exciting new workshop!

   Please bring your Cricut Expression, laptop, cords and plug-ins, Cricut mat, Cricut spatula, adhesive of your choice, and a pair of scissors! A complete supply list will be updated on the Facebook page closer to the class!

   This class will fill up quickly so please RSVP by November 7th to save your seat! I can't wait to see you there!

Seasonal Expressions I Preview Party:

   It's almost here! The Seasonal Expressions Idea Book is set to release December 1st, but here's your chance to get a glimpse at this amazing new supplemental book before it goes live to the public!

   This book has 40 pages packed with all new products, tools, and fun new collections! You're going to LOVE all the new items this book has to offer!

   The Seasonal Expressions Preview Party will be November 19th from 12-2pm and again from 6-8pm at my house in Hastings, MN! This event is FREE and will showcase the new products, show off fun new artwork, and will have a FREE make-n-take featuring the new products from the book!

   You definitely do not want to miss this special event! Invite your friends and family along, too! Tis the season to be sharing! I can't wait to see you all there!

   Please RSVP by November 12th to get your preview spot set!!

   Whew!!! I think that's everything! November is an awesome month, and you definitely do not want to miss out on any of the amazing things going on this month! Let me know if you have any questions or need assistance placing your CTMH orders this month!

   Have a great weekend, everyone, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!