Close To My Heart Scrapbooking and Stamping (CTMH) with Katie Orse

Altered Close To My Heart card box

2010-03-10T12:37:13-06:00

Hey there! I am slowly coming out of my creative hibernation. Busy creating some new projects and this one is so cute! It's a card box I altered using Close To My Heart's My Acrylix Organizer. Inside there are tabs to organize a few sections with.

Here's a closer look.

What do you think? You can also use it to store your processed photos. Just change out the "cards" and replace it with a "photos" title on the outside. You can create tabs for the month and year the photos were taken. This would be cute to take along to your next scrapbook event. No excuse to not work on your photos, even if it is just organizing them.

I also created this handmade birthday card as well. I was inspired by the same birthday card I received from Close To My Heart!

The paper packet collection is Close To My Heart's "Veranda" Level 2 packet. Colors are Juniper, Cocoa, Creme Brulee, and Garden Green. If you would like to purchase these supplies, visit my corporate sponsored web store here.

Also, this is the same project my local class will be completing. Class fee is $30. If you are in my local area and would like to participate, contact me today.

Let me know what you think of the project!

XOXO,

Katie

: I'm still here :

2010-03-04T09:00:00-06:00

Well, I'm still here. I've been busy working on several Close To My Heart artwork projects that I have for upcoming classes. It's never really work for me. I can't wait to share with you my art!

Until then, here's a photo of me that I took. I played around with my new editing software (Adobe Photoshop). Still learning the ins and outs of this program. My problem: I want my photo to look sharp and it's not doing it for me. I'd love to hear any tips you might have. Before Photoshop I used a free photo editing software and it worked so much better! I always got compliments on my photos, but now it looks fuzzy. Yikes! One VERY good thing about Photoshop...I can now easily erase my freckles LOL! Well, at least for now. Okay, back to art play and photo editing...

: Happy Thoughts:

2010-03-01T07:38:00-06:00

Have you ever been in a sticky situation and exclaimed to yourself, "Happy thoughts...happy thoughts..." just to help motivate yourself through the situation? I have. Am I alone? Probably not. The last few days I have been piling on way too much onto my plate.

When things get sticky and I find myself overcommitted, I need to step back and re-evaluate. I need to say, "No" more. Not only to people, but to ideas. I tend to have so many ideas bursting all at the same time. Don't think that I am complaining, especially when I have days without my mojo. Having lots of ideas is a wonderful thing, but not so great when you have 10 other ideas ahead of the other 10.

So to combat that fatigue, I have been knitting. My grandmother first taught me how to knit and crochet. But she used bamboo skewers because we didn't have needles. She was in her late 70's at the time and I was almost 12. Sadly, this was one of the last few things I learned from my grandmother before she passed away. It's the simple gestures in life that we remember right?

Fast forward 10 years later, I re-taught myself how to knit. Went to the library and checked out several books on the subject. Then, I bought inexpensive yarn and metal knitting needles. (Yes, they made that loud annoying clacking sound when you knit too fast.) Now I have Japanese wooden needles. I am soaking in delight with them!

But here's the real surprise I found. A few days ago, I discovered this cute little basket at my local TJMaxx store. I was drawn to the hand painted design and the adorable hanging tassels.

Ah...it spoke to me, "May your days be filled with laughter, friendship and love." I knew that it would be a perfect addition to my craft storage and house my yarn for my current knitting project. And what a bargain price it was too! I only paid $6.99 for this handcrafted gem.

Like I mentioned, I now store my current yarn inside. A fuzzy furry lime green skein. I love the color and the feel is so soft! I don't know what I'm making with it, but it's very therapeutic just to have my hands jabber away. And you can get a glimpse of my lovely Japanese knitting needles.

So share with me. What do you do to relax when things get too crazy?

Join my team and receive 4 FREE stamp sets!

2010-02-26T13:29:59-06:00

Download March10_CCflyer_US.pdf (802.1K)" />Open Flyer

I'm so excited to share this wonderful news with you! Close To My Heart is having a special for new consultants in March. Become a consultant and you will receive 4 FREE stamp sets! Check out my flyer to see what the stamp sets look like. You'll absolutely love them!

If you are looking for extra income, why not join my Close To My Heart team today? Be your own boss, create your own flexible work schedule, and bring in extra income for your family! Now is a great time to jump at this opportunity. Our consultant starter kit is $99.00.

Retail value of the free stamp sets total $91.80. This offer is valid beginning March 1-31, 2010. Contact me for information about my team.

Fill out online application to join my team here.

View our Online Spring Catalog

2010-02-23T17:01:27-06:00

Before you know it, Spring will soon be here! I am looking forward to the warmer weather and more opportunities to create with my friends. It seems the cold weather keeps us all inside.

So have you seen the latest Close To My Heart catalog yet? You can click to view the Close To My Heart Catalog here and get a glimpse of what we offer.

Then, if you prefer to receive a hand copy of the catalog, just click on my sidebar link to purchase one.

You will absolutely love our new products! If you are in my local area, join me for my monthly creative sessions. You will have fun creating and enjoying time with friends, or making new ones too!

Hugs,

Katie

Inspiration Friday

2010-02-19T15:49:22-06:00

It's Friday! Kicking off the weekend with some of my favorite Etsy Finds.( I am absolutely in love with fabric finds. Well, actually handbags in general, but most recently fabric handmade bags.) These are some of my current loves on Etsy.

From Nancy

Bagel Creations

And then there's Anthropologie. Again, more handbags. I love the last bag that features a ruffled look.

So finally the weekend arrives and that means time to relax. This week I have been busy working on my online course for my team and mentoring a few of my Close To My Heart downline. I am really excited to get to know these girls! My waiting list has grown and the next training session will begin in mid-April/May. If you are interested in finding out more about my training, shoot me an email! I'd love to help you get started as a Close To My Heart consultant. Here I am in my office taking a break. I promised a photo of my new hairstyle and cut. I did cut 4 inches off. It's still long and I love it! I'm looking forward to Spring!

Is it Spring Cleaning yet?

2010-02-17T11:15:47-06:00

I'm at home unpacking and doing all the laundry from our Orlando trip. It was fun and also a learning experience for me in the packing department. I rarely get to travel and when I do, it's very tempting for me not to take everything AND the kitchen sink LOL! I hate buying things on the road, especially for things that I may have forgotten to pack. Like I said, a learning experience.

Now that I am settled and at home, I have this need to clean out things and also to clean myself up. I made an appt. at my Aveda salon for a much needed hair cut and style. At the last minute I asked for a new hair color. I think I'm going to go lighter and brighter. I'm anxious to see what the results will be. I've lightened and brightened my hair before, but it's always nice to anticipate the final results.

One thing for sure...my hair is looooonnnnnggggg. Long as in below my midback. I'm thinking about getting at least 4 inches off. My husband says no way! We'll see about that. In the meantime, I have some blog candy to share with you. While in Orlando, I made a stop to Ikea.

I love the color of this chair. I think it would be fun to sit on this while I work!

Love the wall color- very light and airy feel to this room. Just a simple small office in the corner. That's what I love about Ikea. It's simple, beautiful designs for small indoor living spaces.

Comfy bed with lots of closet storage! Holy cow! I could store all my handbags, and clothes just on one side of the wall with this entire unit. My husband on the other hand will just have to take a dresser :)

Love the color they used on the wall! This was a daybed that was very comfy. I almost wanted to take a nap there for awhile! If you ever get a chance to visit an Ikea store near you, don't forget to bring your camera! I used my iphone to take some pictures of products, and design rooms I liked. If you have a short memory like me, a camera like my iphone always comes in handy.

Organize your Close To My Heart business

2010-02-10T07:30:00-06:00

I'm always asked how I organize my Close To My Heart business. So, I decided to share some of my tips. I included a file download if you're interested. It's a small sample of what I do.

Above is a picture of my altered My Creations display album from Close to My Heart. You can purchase one here . I have important information available at my fingertips when I need it because of this display album. There are important numbers and keynotes that I need to pass along to my team. I absolutely love mine!

One last tip before I go. I recently purchased a carry file box from SeeJaneWork and I use this as my business office on the road. It's pretty, functional, and I get a lot of work done. I also have my business binder. My business binder is my office -on-the-go! I can sit in different areas of my home and get work done or I can bring it along with me on road trips, school games, and activities where I'm waiting for a long period of time. You can download my file supply list and see how I put it all together.

Business Binder (Office on the Go!)

Download Organizeyourbusiness

My inspiration list

2010-02-09T08:00:00-06:00

Where do you find inspiration? Ask any artist and they will probably tell you that they find inspiration everywhere! True. But I want to know specifics. (This need for detail must be from my accounting background). So, when I ask the simple question, "Where do you find inspiration?" I expect to receive a specific answer; as in location of places, website, books, you name it. List them all out for me. I love to learn from others.

With the advancement in technology, I'm finding that most people find inspiration online. It's very simple to "Google it" and find your information now with a touch of the keyboard. It's coming up with the right keywords, and combination of phrases to put into that search box that can be difficult. Most often websites and blogs offer so much these days, the list can become endless.

So where do I like to find inspiration? Besides at the main Close To My Heart and scrapbooking/cardmaking website, I enjoy visiting other craft/design sites. My list is only partial and hopefully I will be able to add more in future blog entries.

Amy Butler

Her beautiful site is very inspiring! Take a peek at her Lifestyle photos inspiration section. I absolutely love her fabric designs. These are not your Vera Bradley fabrics. And I'm not the Vera Bradley type, but Amy Butler handbags and totes I would gladly wear. Her fabric just seems to speak to me more. Whether it is her color combination and/or a mixture of design elements, either way, it is very well thought out. Most of her designs resemble what I see and use in the scrapbook industry. Very inspiring.

This is a bag that I would love to carry off into a weekend excursion. Once again, beautiful color combination and design of the fabric.

This is an amazing idea for a project using Amy Butler's fabrics. I am inspired by the adorable tassels that hang off on the side. I could see myself doing this same thing on a card or scrapbook layout. Again, color combination works very well.

This is a photo of yumminess! Pink and green have always been my two favorite, but coordinating the right shade is always a challenge.

Design Sponge

I visit this site often. There is always something interesting to find here. I especially love the Mini trends section. A little glimpse of what is trending.

Decor 8

Lovely site for decor. It's the details that are often shared at this site that I love.

Hostess with the Mostess

One of my favorite site to find visually appealing art. I love anything that has to do with candy! Don't you?

For Business:

White Hot Truth

Business inspiration. This is not like your average business site powered from a woman. I really like this website because of the honesty it displays. She inspires to help visionary people with their business. Search out her various posts for business ideas. They may not speak to you outright, but it's there. I really believe business and creativity go hand in hand. You need to think creatively to enhance and fire up your business.

These are just a few of my favorite sites. If you have any that you'd like to suggest for me to visit, drop me a note and let me know.