Why Join Close to My Heart?

Don't forget! The 'Artbooking Made Easy' Video Series can be conveniently viewed under the 'Artbooking Made Easy Video Series' Page tab at the top of my blog! :) Episode #3 has just been posted! :)

New Video Tabs!

I am SO APPRECIATIVE of my readers and today  I've just made it easier for you LOVELIES to stay up to date with Close to My Heart Video Releases! 

You will now find convenient page tabs right here on my Blog showcasing CTMH Product Videos & Tutorials as well as a 2nd tab for the Exciting (32 Episode) 'Artbooking Made Easy' Video series that we've just kicked off! 

I am going to continue to load older CTMH videos every few days to build the library! This feature will make it EASY AS CAN BE to reference your favorite videos without ever having to leave my Blog! 

A Little Stamping 101...Come see what we're CLEARLY THE BEST!

Technique Inspiration - A little Ombre if you will.....

Close to my Heart Summer Party Contest!

The past several Months Close to My Heart has been giving opportunity after opportunity to win FREE Product! WHOOT! :)

Post your comments on the Close to My Heart Facebook Page, under the original You tube video, or on Jeanette Lynton's Blog for your entry to win!  

It's truly THAT easy! :)  More and More reasons to  Love this Company! :)

Blessings, Sus 

Still Lovin' Chantilly!

Today I wanted to share with you one of my very Favorite layout Kits...I think I say that about all of them but really, this one is near the top! :) 

I don't feel like the Close to My Heart Idea book quite does the Chantilly product line the justice it deserves! The colors look a little muted on the pages...but oh my word! Get that beautiful paper in your hot little hands and you'll see what I'm talkin' about! Wowza! It is GORGEOUS!! It's so bright it just pops off the page! 

Here is my spin on the artwork located on page 19 of the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book!

I LOVE this layout! It includes some of my favorite embellishments! Would you look at that zipper lace trim!! and that Fabric!?

ECK! Do not be nervous about incorporating Fabric into your paper crafting!  Below is a video that speaks a bit about this very subject. :) I have also uploaded a picture tutorial on how to easily work with our Textiles here on my blog.

I Love all the elements that make this layout an eye catcher...the Chantilly assortment (they are the Coolest adhesive backed fabric covered badge buttons), the 

Pink glitter gems, pink buttons, bakers twine...Loooove it all! 

If you love this layout as much as I do and would like to see it in one of your albums be sure to visit my Ebay shop or my Facebook Business Page to purchase yours! I created 7 different Chantilly Layout Kits back in February and March.  They have been so popular I'm on restocking rounds 2 and 3 for most of them! I just created another 15 of this particular kit and it is ready for shipment immediately! :)

If you should have any questions regarding my Pre-Cut Layout kits please don't hesitate to contact me, It will be my pleasure to assist you! :)

Blessings, Sus

Close to My Heart is SUCH A TREAT!

One of my very favorite things to create with my Close to My Heart Products are what I like to call 'Treat Treasures'! Do you give hand crafted treasures to your loved ones? As a Christian Mom it is my desire to raise our son to be a servant to others.  At the age of 9 and having Autism it is sometimes a struggle for Cody to learn as well as his daddy and I to demonstrate.  I enjoy-more than anything-having him join me in my craft studio to create treat treasures for our family, Sunday school classes, or friends.  He enjoys getting messy with mom's things and I enjoy spending quiet time with him doing something that I love!  

An experience that we had last fall (and one that I enjoy re-telling) will remain in my heart forever...My husband and I, our son Cody, along with my Sister & Brother-in-law as well as their two children Koel and Riley created a project that we plan to make a yearly tradition for our families.  It was such a small gesture yet received BIG response...I am getting goosebumps thinking of that day all over again...I really have no idea where the idea came from and truth be told it was a pretty silly idea.  The response was very humbling for us all.  We baked all kinds of cookies, popped popcorn, and sorted candies into small plastic baggies and  added a special touch...

We filled our baskets and headed to our nearest Wal-mart, about 45  minutes away, on Thanksgiving day! We thought, "when better to show appreciation to others than during one of the most hurried, busiest, and Thankless days of the year?!"...Preparing for Black Friday! So, we and our kiddos headed inside and every employee we saw working that morning received a baggie, and more importantly a Smile and our appreciation.  I would have NEVER believed how it touched some of them.  Some accepted our small gift with a bit of a "dumb founded" look on their faces later to walk away, turn back around and shout "Hey, Thanks!!" and others light up right away in such a way that my heart skips a beat just thinking about it.  Most we left smiling, some wanted to take our kiddos' picture, and ALL were extremely thankful.  I think the Cashiers in the front of the store were most effected, I can assume they had already had a rough day of disrespectful customers thus were the most appreciative and shocked.  We heard the most delightful things from them, "Your children are precious little servants", "This is the sweetest thing I've ever heard of", and one young lady was especially effected as she went to hug me I saw tears streaming down her face and she said "No one has ever shown me love as your family has today".  It was such a humbling experience for us, I remember the moment when I turned around to look at my husband and brother-in-law and noticing they had lumps in their throats and mist in their eyes thinking that I have NEVER experienced a "High" as I had at that very moment.  We passed out well over 100 baggies that morning, we gave one to EVERY single employee working that day, and I feel certain that even with our smallest of gifts we BLESSED over 100 people as well.  It was an incredible day for us! We are already planning on doing it again Thanksgiving 2013, this time Bigger and Blessing even more.  Have you ever seen a bunch of PROUDER kiddos? :)  

I would LOVE to see some of your 'Treat Treasures'! better than that I'd love to hear a story of how you have Blessed others!....post a link for me please (I'm new at the Blogging-obviously-so I'm sure there is a better way to share our photos & information but I'd love to see and hear them!)  

I am so Thankful that Close to My Heart makes creating our 'Treat Treasures' Faster, Simpler, Easier! 

Blessings, Friends! :)