It's the end!

Yes...what a subject line! But for me it’s the end of an era...I’m no longer going to be selling any home businesses. Partylite, Uppercase Living and Close to My Heart. It’s taken me awhile to actually come to this conclusion, but I don’t have the time to create even for myself, nor do I have the client base to keep up with my monthly commitments anymore, everyone has everything!

I will be having a giant open house in November to celebrate my many many years of selling home businesses! I’ll have food, prizes and free shipping on all orders.

Thank you for your support in the past years! For my monthly scrapbooking ladies, I will still have one more scrapbook night as well as a card making night, that I will commit to!

I will be in contact with you in a few more weeks with the date of my open house, if you’d like to see any of the catalogues in the meantime, please let me know and I can get one to you! I’ll also have the November monthly specials for you to see.

Again I thank you for many years of fun and hope to see you at my final open house coming soon!
Shari

August-September Constant Campaign

To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, we are offering our first-ever double stamp set! You can get the exclusive My Acrylix® Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set FREE when you place an order of $82 CAN from August 15 through September 30, 2011. You'll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—which includes lots of clever phrases and coordinating images you'll use in your handmade cards all year long. The double set has a retail value of $39.90, which drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase! Have double the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with our new Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set!

UL is very excited to announce it's new jewelery line, stay tuned!

New catalogue is out!

Happy summer! And very exciting news, CTMH has a great new catalogue for fall/winter, it is available now!

Close To My Heart has teamed up with the makers of the Cricut machine and we now have our own exclusive cartridge! It is called Art Philosophy and it is paired up with 3 of our My Acrylix Stamp Sets and 3 Dimensional Elements Sheets to make some awesome artwork. On top of that, numerous other My Acrylix Stamp Sets in the Idea Book pair wonderfully with images on the cricut Cartridge. There are 700 different shapes on the Cricut cartridge, ranging from elegant rosettes and lace to trendy gift boxes and banners. Oh, and there is an alphabet too!

And the best news is that you get the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection for only $109.95. It includes:1 Cartridge (700 images, font, Shapes and 3-D items)3 Coordinating My Acrylix D Size Stamp Sets3 Coordinating 9x12" Dimensional Elements Sheets (tags, mixed shapes, banners)This collection along with all the other NEW Close To My Heart items unveiled in our New Fall/Winter 2011 Idea Book starts on Monday, August 1st.

Click HERE to see all the current idea books.

The August stamp of the month is called "Wicked" and it's a fabulous Halloween set...yes...already thinking of the upcoming holidays!

My Anniversary!!!

I totally forgot that it was my CTMH anniversary! I’ve been with CTMH now for 6 years! Holy smokes time flies!!! Although my stamp collections shows 6 years lol!

Check out my blog for different CTMH videos all the time, I’m trying to change them up when I think of it lol! They are right at the top of my blog you can’t miss it!
And don’t forget the SOM it’s a must have for every season!

This month I’m going to be placing an order by June 20th...if you’d like to order anything I’d like to offer you free shipping, as well as every order will get a little or big surprise from me! If you’d like to order anything please let me know b/f the 20th.

Have a great week everyone!

June is for digital!

This month’s constant campaign is a little different! It’s a FREE for all!
During our Studio J® Free-for-All in June, we're giving everyone a FREE Studio J® JPG file—no purchase required! Simply log on to Studio J, create a layout, then order one JPG file of your layout during the checkout process. It's as easy as that! We're offering one free JPG file per customer account during June, so customers who already have a Studio J or a MyCTMH® account are ready to log on and start creating. If a customer doesn't have an account, no worries—they can log on and create an account and then order their free JPG file with no strings attached. (remember a JPG file is not a print out of your layout, it’s just the file) Go ahead and try out some digital scrapbooking this month! Click HERE to go to Studio J.

Dates: Offer valid June 1, 12:01 am (MDT) – June 30, 11:59 pm (MDT)

May layout

I love this layout! I love this story from Robert Munsch...it's pretty hard to get through it without shedding a tear...my kids think i'm nuts! They'll get it someday...This is what I used for this layout...sorry my photos aren't more "professional"!

Magic layout lovely assistant 9034
sophia level 2 paper X7131B
desert sand 12X12 Z2153

Stamp sets:
magic tabs C1448
on the edge C1399
love you forever C1398
tiny typewriter alphabet D1222
rustic alphabet E1002

Ink pads:
cocoa Z2114
hollyhock Z2128
blush Z2106
sunkiss yellow Z2151
desert sand Z2118
sweet leaf Z2153

accessories etc:
pink collection ribbon Z1384
clear buttons Z1391
pink assortment buttons Z1370
colonial white ribbon collection Z1126
water brush 1771

Thanks so much for looking and stopping by!

Shari :O)

Scrapbook pages

It's been AGES since I've posted some artwork! Mind you, I've only had 2 scrapbook classes so far this year...it's been busy...and an unusual year for me! lol! So I have no excuses but that...

So this layout was from the book "Magic" called Hocus Pocus, from CTMH item #9034

Here's what I used:

Fanfar L2 paper X7138B

Stamp sets:
thrill ride D1425

pennant alphabet E1018

magic tabs C1448

waxy flax
buttons z1369-red z1371-blue

Thanks for looking!

Free acrylic block!

Throughout March, when you buy your favorite My Acrylix® stamps, we’ll give you a free My Acrylix block. Not only will you have the best stamps on the block, you’ll have the best block, too! Just purchase $30 CAN in stamps and you can choose from two of our most versatile block sizes: 3" × 3" (Y1006) or 2" × 6 1/2" (Y1010).

The Original Scrapbox...a dream come true!

Check this out!

"Canada Workbox Giveaway" click HERE to win this! Wouldn't it be amazing!

Go to "The Original Scrapbox" HERE to see what it is...you'll be stunned!

Go to THIS BLOG, to enter! Sorry...it's for Canada only!

Sad songs...

When all hope is gone,
Sad songs say so much.

Andrea Bocelli...

One of my all time favorite songs...I first heard this and ran out and bought the CD...played it...played it and played it...I can't get sick of it! I'd love to see him live...also Sarah Brightman...she's truely one of the most talented singers out there! And animated...she's always in character!

Downtown...

When your alone and life is making you lonely you can always go...downtown...

A year already?

It's been a year since we've been glued to the TV watching the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, they were amazing! I love the Olympics, I hate that it's only every 4 years...but then we get to enjoy them even more! I loved this song, the silence in the crowd, it's amazing!

the countdown is on!

30 days and counting to my vacation...I can't wait!

Happy Valentine's day...???

Going Classical

I have a secret...I love classical music! I became to love it more when I lived in Germany with my second host family, Familie Bohm...my favorite family =) My host father's name is Wolfgang and he loved classical music, and he ended up buying me a whole set of cd's! sigh...I miss them!

Storybook Love...

I LOVE this movie, and I LOVE this song! I've loved it for years, and everytime I hear this song I get goose bumps! I have no clue what about it I love so much...but I do! I actually prefer the origional version on the movie "The Princess Bride", it's played at the end during the credits, there's more arrangements with the guitar...but this will do! There's a bit of his chatter at the beginning if you can get through that...you'll enjoy the song!

Time to laugh

Tear jerker yesterday...today, let's laugh! Love the video more than the song i have to say...

Amazing concert...

I went to see Reba McIntire in about 1994 I think...when I lived in Calgary. I should rephrase that...I went to see John Michael Montgomery who was opening for Reba lol! I wasn't really a fan of Reba at the time, but LOVED John! I had 10th row tickets on the floor. John actually wasn't the best live...but REBA! OMG! I can't believe I had such great seats! Everyone of her songs she performed...I mean she performed! Like she was doing a music video to each song! It wasn't a concert, it was a broadway show! Amazing lady! Immediately...I became a fan!

I didn't know this song when I went to the concert. The crowd was silent through the whole song...I cried, I'm sure everyone cried...it was amazing...maybe you haven't heard it before...you need to read the lyrics...I still tear up when I hear this song!! Imagine, 1000's of people, silent...listening to this song...

Everyone has someone in their life that they regret not telling them you love them enough, for me, Papa Joe...I hope he knew...

The greatest man I never knew
Lived just down the hall
And everyday we said hello
But never touched at all
He was in his paper
I was in my room
How was I to know he thought I hung the moon

The greatest man I never knew
Came home late every night
He never had too much to say
Too much was on his mind
I never really knew him
And now it seems so sad
Everything he gave to us took all he had

Then the days turned into years
And the memories to black and white
He grew cold like an old winter wind
Blowing across my life

The greatest words I never heard
I guess I`ll never hear
The man I thought could never die
S`been dead almost a year
He was good at business
But there was business left to do
He never said he loved me
Guess he thought I knew

This goes back...

This song takes you back a few years...classic!

Manic Monday

Yes...Monday is manic in this house! Thank goodness for friends and family that help out! Happy Monday everyone!

Let them eat cake!

It's been SO long since I've done anything creative lately...just have lost my groove. So the opportunity came up to make a cake for my friend's 40th birthday, I decided to try something I have yet to venture...#1 using fondant...#2 a topsy turvy cake!

After a few hours of researding online, thank goodness for youtube...I decided topsy turvy it would be...but only venturing on 2 layers...didn't have enough pans for more! I KNOW you should do things in odd numbers, and it would have been way better with 3 layers...but it turned out pretty good for my first try! AND it tasted fabulous! Marshmallow fondant is the WAY to go! Nummy! The balls around the bottom were last minute...I didn't have enough buttercream to make a nice border and it needed something...kinda reminds me of a Flintstone cake lol! The dots were brown and pink...not sure why they are turning up funky colors!

Now...what will I try next time...

So...how was your Saturday?

Celebrated a friend's 40th birthday...need I say more? Happy Birthday Hillary!

Girls...

I'm planning a night out tonight and of course...what better song to start out the day!

Let them be little

Sometimes we want them to do things to make them more grown up...what's the rush?

This song says is ALL! I love my kids....(tear)

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
You felt so good in it; no bigger than a minute.
How it amazes me you're changin' with every blink.
Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon.

So let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give 'em hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

I never felt so much in one little tender touch.
I live for those kisses, your prayers an' your wishes.
An' now you're teachin' me how only a child can see.
Tonight, while we're on our knees, all I ask is:

Please, let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

The so innocent, precious soul:
You turn around, an' it's time to let them go.

So let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give 'em praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let them sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

Let them be little

Carribean Dreaming...

I leave in 43 days for a Carribean cruise and it can't be going slower!!! Today here though in Northern Canada the snow is melting! It's a beautiful day, my windows are open...probably next week will be back to -40...BUT in the meantime...one can dream...enjoy!

Need a laugh...

Sometimes you just need to laugh...and who is to say that the "King" was any different? Imagine singing the same songs over and over and over...well every once and awhile Elvis would change the lyrics...for this one he said "Do you gaze at your bald head and wish you had hair". Then he noticed a bald guy in the audience...not only that...listen to the background singer...she just kept going and going.

I love listening to this song and hear his UNCONTROLLABLE laughter! Hope it puts a smile on your face too!

Everyday a constant battle just to stay between the shore...

Just a spark of the great lyrics to this song. Some days are just too hard to swim and let the water move us where it wants.

Here's the lyrics:

You know a dream is like a river
Ever changin' as it flows
And a dreamer's just a vessel
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores...and

I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry

Too many times we stand aside
And let the waters slip away
'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow
Has now become today
So don't you sit upon the shoreline
And say you're satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids

There's bound to be rough waters
And I know I'll take some falls
But with the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all...yes

I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry

Love this very sad song...

You know, I love Elvis. This song has brought tears to my eyes over many years of hearing it. You can hear the truth and pain in his words, there's no denying it. Funny how things you feel years before, become quite ironic in your own life...enjoy this song...

Walking down memory lane...

This was a staple 8-track in our car in the early 80's that I remember...and I'm pretty sure we only had two others lol! So we got to know this pretty well!

Wow! It's a snow day!

It snowed...and snowed...and snowed! I just shovelled for 1/2 hour and I'm not even 1/4 done...going to buy a bigger shovel this afternoon!!! I thought this song was appropriate to those who are working hard today where I live...shovelling!

Opps...missed yesterday!

I'm not used to this working stuff and organizing my life around it yet...but here I am today! I really love Adam Lambert, have since American Idol,and I'm glad he didn't win b/c now he's nobody's puppet, he can do what he wants with his music. I love the lyrics in this song...you know sometimes you just like the song...sometimes you like the message...

Hey, slow it down whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Yeah I'm afraid whataya want from me
Whataya want from me

There might have been a time
When I would give myself away
Oooh once upon a time I didn't give a damn
But now, here we are so whataya want from me

Just don't give up I'm workin it out
Please don't give in, I won't let you down
It messed me up, need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around
Hey, whataya want from me
Yeah, it's plain to see (plain to see)
that baby you're beautiful

And there's nothing wrong with you
(nothing wrong with you)
It's me, I'm a freak (yeah)
but thanks for lovin' me
Cause you're doing it perfectly
(it perfectly)

There might have been a time
When I would let you slip away
I wouldn't even try
But I think you could save my life

Just don't give up on me
I won't let you down
No, I won't let you down

(So hey) just don't give up
I'm workin it out
Please don't give in,
I won't let you down
It messed me up Need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around
Hey, whataya want from me

A German pop song for you!

For those of you that do not know...18 years ago I was a Rotary Exchange student and I was given East Germany to live in! Yes...the was was down 2 years b/f I went...but no...changes were barely made! Every house looked the same, drab, dreary, old, grey and falling apart. BUT it was the best time...once I learnt German, and that was thanks to a girl from England that came over to do her German practicum! After almost 3 months of me being cooped up ( I couldn't buy a train ticket, couldn't ask directions...nothing) She taught me German and life was good!

This song reminds me of my time, it's the only cassette...yes I said cassette...that I bought from over there, and I still remember the lyrics to this song lol! I hope you enjoy it!

Working 9 to 5...

Okay...so it wasn't 9 to 5 but it was sure nice going to work today! Most of you are saying...are you serious? But I've been looking for work and patiently waiting...I now have a term position...yes it'll end..but in the meantime I"m SO happy to be going to work!!!

Enjoy your Monday!

Song of the day...for you my Rivier!

I am not one of those yell out to the world religious people. Yes I am catholic, graduated from a private catholic all girls school and in all honestly, was the best thing I did. I truely hope I can give my children the education I received from this school. It wasn't just math and science, it was you! Small classes with teachers who WANT to be there, they WANT you to succeed, they WANT their school to look good! I made the best friends there, we had the best times locked up for 6 out of 7 days of the week! No one tried to scale the 20 foot chain link fence lol! We did almost burn down the home ec room...but certainly not on purpose!
Such great memories there that I would not have had, had I stayed at high school here.

This song is a great song for Sunday, we often played this in prayer in the morning or at night. Michael W Smith and Amy Grant were like our staple songs! Love them both still to this day. This song makes me smile b/c it reminds me of you girls from Rivier as well as all the Sisters that put up with us!

This song has good memories...I hope you enjoy it as well!

Shari

Song of the day...

Dido...I don't own the CD...I don't even know any other songs...but this one I really like! Thank you...what more can you say to someone to make their day brighter? Everyone should say thank you...thank you for making supper, thank you for being nice to your brother, thank you for opening the door for me, I even say thank you to the ladies that take my blood...so thank you to you for visiting my blog and enjoying my songs of the day!

Video not so great...song...love it!

This song just makes me want to dance...despite what it's called! The video on the other hand, is much to be desired...if I were you...I'd just listen to the good song! It has no real meaning for me...except that it makes me happy!

Song of the day

Ah...I used to listen to this song EVERY night before I went to sleep. Most often b/c my friend Ryan worked at the radio station and would play it for me =) I love love loved Glass Tiger growing up...which most of you know! And thanks to a local singer Jen Hanson who ended up being a back up singer for the group, I got to meet my idols when I was I think 16? Sigh...dreams do come true! Those were the days...

It's my party...

I'm having an un-birthday this year, I really don't care that I'm getting a year older, nor do I care to celebrate...I'm not exactly where I thought I'd be or who I thought I'd be when I was 37 years old...but I guess I have to take that and make it into who I'm going to be and where I will be IN my 37th year don't I...hmmm...easier said...

Anyways, I have decided to take time every day and find a song that matches me, or someone in my life at this time...or this time years ago. Music has always played a very important role for me...probably b/c it's the only thing I can remember! I can't remember what I did yesterday, or two weeks ago...but I bet I can sing most Poison or Glass Tiger songs from the 80's! I ROCK!

So...today is my birthday...what song shall I start my 37th year...this is a long and thoughtful process...should I start it sad...emotional...happy...silly...hmmm...WELL...if you know me, you know I don't stay unhappy for too long...you know I like to have fun, and I am usually the loudest in the crowd and doing the stupidest things...SO...I found this song...I remember my Dad singing this around the house when it was popular....ahh...see I do remember things!

and really...it's kinda fitting for the beginning of my 37th year lol!! Enjoy my song of the day...turn up the volume!

Sorry I'm late!

I'm so sorry! With this being the last week of Christmas break and kids going back to school I forgot to make my draw! There were only two entries, so I had Miss Cherity make the lucky draw this time (she felt left out) and the winner of a $25 Marni Luhu gift certificate is...


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BookGirlB! Brandy is that you? Congrats! Thanks everyone for entering and I hope you have a wonderful 2011 and that I helped make it a good start for you!

Shari

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and that 2011 will be a great, great year for everyone!

To start the year, I still have one giveaway left for a $25 Marni Luhu gift certificate! Check out her website at www.marniluhu.com and come back here and let me know what your favorite is! Refer someone else to the contest and get your name entered twice! Start off the new year with something special for YOU!

Happy New Year!

Shari

ps...contest ends on Wednesday January 5th, good luck!