Announcing Tanner's Arrival!

Tanner is finally here! He arrived this morning at 7:13 am. Weighing in at over 9 pounds, he has very chubby arms and legs!

Bryce is excited

It was fun to watch Bryce meet his new baby brother. He was sweet and adorable! See for yourself!

Tanner 10 hours old!

A little more CPS inspiration!

Here are two more cards based on last week's Card Positioning Systems sketch, created by some of the CPS designers. Don't forget about the great deal, being offered through the month of August . . .

Save 25% off any CTMH order you place through me, Susan Tomaino, through August 31, 2009. To take advantage of this special please email me at JoeSusan@aol.com with your list and mention CPS. Visit my website for the complete line of CTMH products!

This first card is by Melissa Phillips. Be sure to visit her blog . . .it is always full of AMAZING inspiration, and super sweet projects! Melissa always makes amazing use of little embellishments and bits of this and that, and puts them together in such a lovely way!
The second card is by Lea Lawson. I am always inspired by Lea's use of color - her cards just make me HAPPY to look at! Be sure to stop by her blog! She is working on some amazing photography, and has lots of bright happy cards to share as well!

I am the CPS Sponsor - August 9

I am the CPS sponsor for the week of August 9, and I wanted to share a card I created using the design for my week. The stamp set is the August Stamp of the Month special, D1352 It's Your Day. The ink pad colors are Moonstruck and Dutch Blue. The paper pack came from X7109B Stardust.

Visit the CPS blog and check out all the other creations using this design and Close To My Heart products.

http://www.cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/

Creative Idea

My sister Nancy came to Fort Myers for a visit and I locked her in my "Art Room" (that's what my 4 year old grandson calls it) and made her create some cards! Although this picture isn't the greatest, I loved the card. Actually I loved everything Nancy designed, so watch for more ideas in the new few days.
The colors used are Twighlight, Sweetleaf, and Colonial White.

Animal Cookies & Backwoods

Sometimes you have to think outside the box. Traditionally we stamp our trees and leaves in shades of autumn, but I thought I would go primary with my color choices. The paper pack is from Animal Cookies and the stamp set is Backwoods.

New Layouts

The Workshops on the Go for the new Summer Idea Book are GREAT! Here's something to get you excited!

Using our new Tinkerin' paper pack and "Gear Up" stamp set, these layouts were really fast! Colors: Clover Meadow, Sunflower, Sunny Yellow and Twighlight.

Simple Scrapbook Magazine May/June

Hi Everyone,
I'm so excited and proud to share with you my daughter, Laura Williams, is published in Simple Scrapbooks Magazine. Check out Page 46 & 47 to see the cute layouts. Isn't Bryce adorable?!

Enjoy!

Susan

Liquid Glass Idea

This cute car is part of a scrapbook page created by my daughter, Laura Williams. I love the way she used Liquid Glass on the wheels and also as the glass on the window. Laura put Liquid Glass right over the photograph of Bryce and directly on the stamped image for the wheels. Great idea! Liquid Glass is a super product with many uses! It's also a fantastic adhesive for those big, bulky, or heavy items.

New Summer Idea Book Coming Soon!

I'm so excited about the new Summer Idea Book. Lots of new stamp sets and papers that I can't wait to play with! Watch for some new samples and ideas soon.

Ravishing Roses C1348

Ravishing Roses is just one of our beautiful new stamp sets.

Combined here with our new paper pack, That's Amore X7107B, our Pretty Pins Z1148, and D1331 Dream Wishes - this card can handle many different sentiments and purposes.

Spring Project

Fancy Cuts Botanicals

Have you seen the new Close To My Heart Fancy Cuts Botanicals (X1405)? The card above was created using some of the flower and center fancy cuts. The right flower is a paper flower that has been stamped with D1335 Intrinsic Backgrounds. The ribbon is our new Sorbet Ribbon Round, and the brads are from the Spring Collection.

The base card is Creme Brulee, my new favorite, and the sentiment is stamped in Tulip ink.

January PaperCrafting Special

NATIONAL PAPER CRAFTING MONTH - SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

Close to My Heart is proud to announce National Papercrafting Month—a January sensation that celebrates all the amazing things you can create with paper and a little creativity. And to make it even more fun, we're offering a fantastic kit that will enhance every one of your projects.

The gorgeous new Key to My Heart Level 2 paper packet features all of our luscious new exclusive colors: Tulip, Juniper, Sorbet, and Creme Brulee. The packet is accompanied by the awesome new E-size My Acrylix(R) Key to My Heart stamp set brimming with elegant, charming designs.

This beautiful combo is available through January 31 OR while supplies last. It can be yours at a substantial savings, or even FREE! You may purchase this gorgeous kit for $47.90; or when you order $75 you may purchase it for just $20; or purchase $130 and you will receive it FREE! To order, visit http://www.susan.myctmh.com/, email me JoeSusan@aol.com or give me a call (239) 433-2269.

What's more, if you join Close To My Heart between January 1–31, you'll receive the kit FREE in your New Consultant Kit. Enjoy National Paper Crafting Month!

Tampa Scrapbook Expo

A great big thank you to everyone who visited our booth at the Tampa Scrapbook Expo December 5 & 6. We had a great time!

Our next big event is Stamp Fest by the Bay in Clearwater on Valentine's Day and then in May at the Orlando Scrapbook Expo at the Gaylord Palms. Need details? Email me!

Below Adeline Brill is teaching a two-page layout during our Create & Take. It was FUN!

Snow in North Carolina

During our recent trip to our place in Sylva, North Carolina, we had some incredible weather. I was able to play in the creek with my grandson, Bryce. We had a blast. At (almost) 4 years old, Bryce really enjoyed the water. It was cold, but we laughed, played, explored, and never fell completely in the water!

A few days before we headed home, this is what we woke up to!!! It was a winter wonderland! It was still snowing when we got up, and it was so fun to watch. By afternoon it had all melted away! Good thing, I guess, since we had to get in the car and head back to Florida!

Creating Cards with My Stickease & Stamps

With the Notebook Paper Pack, the Notebook MyStickease, this card is super quick and easy. The ribbon is Cocoa, and the Photo Clips is Pewter. You can stamp any sentiment either on the front or inside the card!

Supplies from Notebook My Stickease and PP

The stamp used (bottom right corner) is from "Coffee Stain" (B1316). The paper is from Notebook (X7102b). The center is created from the Notebook My Stickease (X7102c).

Chicken Chili

One of the most popular meals I've served at my CTMH Unit Meetings or my all day Create & Crop is Chicken Chili. I thought I'd post the recipe here for anyone looking for a healthy, easy, yummy main dish!

Chicken Chili

1 can (16 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (16 oz) white beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (28 ounce) diced tomatoes (entire contents) you can use flavored like Italian
1 cup barbeque sauce (I use lite original, but any flavor is good)
Cooked cut up chicken OR cooked hamburger
Optional 1 can (16 oz) kidney beans rinsed and drained
Heat together. I crock pot it for 3 hours
Serve with sour cream, cornbread, and or shredded cheddar cheese.

You can keep all the canned goods on hand and have cooked cut up chicken in your freezer ready to go! I've also put all the ingredients together the night before in the frig, and then I just gave myself a little more time to heat since it's starting out cold.

new stamps!!!!

its the first new set that i've gotten my inky little fingers on! (thank you mommy!) here are two cards I whipped up using . . ..ummm, what's that stamp set called, mom??? tee hee!!!

Do You Love SALES?

If you love a good sale, be sure to check out my website for the "MyCTMH" sale that begins on August 5. The sale items won't last long, and the sale begins at 10 AM EST (8 AM MST).

The sale items can only be purchased from the website. The sale is "while supplies last", and with the deeply discounted product - they will sell out FAST. Mark your calendar!!!

www.susan.myctmh.com

CTMH CONVENTION BOUND

Next week is the long anticipated Close To My Heart convention for consultants. This year our event is in Orlando. I'm thrilled to have it so close! Over the last couple of months I've been plotting and planning to make my convention team meeting the best ever! With about $3,000 worth of awards, gifts, and prizes, I think the gals will enjoy the team meeting!

There will be 45 Tomaino Patch team members at the convention, and we are going to have a great time! Learning, creating, laughing, and sharing - that's what it's all about. We'll also receive the new Winter Idea Book, and our create & take projects will use NEW PRODUCT! OHHHHHHH BOY!!!! Watch for some pictures!

Want to be one of the first to receive the new Winter Idea Book? Pop me and email and let me know.

New Artwork

If you are looking for some ideas, I've posted a couple of new items on my website at:
www.susan.myctmh.com

Check it out!

My Creations Display Album

You will love this incredible Display Album! It's really versatile and can be used in lots of ways. I've posted a few ideas for you. You might want to make a calendar, themed book, recipe book, or inspirational book.

The Display Album includes 12 spiral-bound 6X6 page protectors, and the covers are a sturdy chipboard. The current Summer Idea Book has tips on how to completely cover the album!

Enjoy the following ideas for your Display Album.

Create a personal Display Album

Your Display Album is a great Calendar!

Make a Recipe Book with your Display Album

Photo Display

Use your Display Book to show off your favorite photographs, create a themed book, or celebrate a special occasion.

Another Display Book Idea

The Day Bryce Was Born

With this display album, I filled the pages with pictures from the day my first grandson, Bryce, was born. The book begins with Laura heading inside the hospital. Reliving that day is really special for me since I was there!!!

101 words

FREE STAMPS in June

Bryce says "get on the ball" because Close To My Heart has their best special of the year - Buy 2 stamp sets, get one FREE. This special runs from June 2 to the 31. Don't miss out. My Acrylix stamps by CTMH are the best you can buy!

View my website for more information on the special: http://www.susan.myctmh.com/.

Email me for additional specials. You don't want to miss this fantastic opportunity to purchase new stamps at an incredible savings!!

Be Careful with a Power Saw!

While in NC Joe had an accident with a power saw and fortunately he'll be fine! He's stuck in this splint for 12 weeks, and that really limits his activities. Of course being in NC and relaxing has it's benefits. I am stuck in Florida!

We have lots to be thankful for -

Joe didn't cut his arm off or permanently disable his arm/hand.

Our friend, Don Shepson, came to the rescue and took Joe to the hospital.

Joe was referred to a GREAT specialist in Asheville.

Don and Marge have been taking good care of Joe and helping him out!

Team Exchange Update

Hi Everyone,
I realized last night that I was missing one of our cards from the exchange! The picture didn't come out on my camera, and since I'm out of town I couldn't retake the picture....so watch for the card by Debi Squires tomorrow!
Susan

Winning Art Work

Below this post are the cards in a recent team exchange/art work contest. Our guest judge this time was my daughter, Laura Williams. Laura is on several company design teams and has numerous cards published in magazines (see May 2008 CARDS Magazine for 3 recently published cards.)

You can view more of Laura's work on her blog at http://www.loloschpadora.blogspot.com/

All of the cards below have been created using new stamps and papers from our Summer Idea Book. We all have our own style, and this is really a great selection of our creative styles! Enjoy and be inspired!

A Winning Card by Liane Donovan

Can you tell Liane is a dog lover? These new stamps are perfect for any pet lover! Putting the stamps together with the new Sarsaparilla paper is a great combination. Liane also used our new decorative scissors, distressing ink, Edge Anchors, and ribbon.

Winning Card Created by Monica Julien

This is one of the two winning cards - a pocket card created by Monica Julien. Monica' s creative use of the stamps really impressed our guest judge, Laura Williams. When I took the picture of the card, I wanted you to see a portion of the pull out card. Monica also used Clear Buttons, Bigger Brads, Bitty Brads, Prisma Glitter, and distressing inks.

Created by Gayle Krisher

Gayle's card is 5 X 7 pinwheel card using the new Whoops-A-Daisy paper pack. The creative folding for the pinewheels is really pretty with the paper designs. Gayle also used stamps, Sassy Strands, Bigger Brads, and our Prisma Glittler.

Created by Leah Crist

Hopefully you can see the creative fold of this card created by Leah.

The right panel folds over the front of the card. Leah used a lot of great embellishments on her card - paper flowers, bigger brads, rick rack, sparkles, and eyelets. The Boom-Di-Ada paper pack is one of the most popular designs!

Created by Penny Duke

Bigger Brads have been one of my favorite embellishments, and Penny used them to secure her horizonal blue band. Stamping a background is a great way to create a "patterned paper" look while using your stamps! What a great friendship card!

Created by Therese Pierro

Therese created this card with a unique front opening. I hope you can tell from the photograph. The flower image stamped on the front using the White Daisy ink (you know how much I love that!) overlaps in closing the front. Therese also used glitter and white flock!

Created by Venia Joray

With the bright Whoops-A-Daisy paper pack, Venia created this pretty card. I love that she used the White Daisy ink on the top section of the card, and I'm totally in love with the new bitty brads! This card could be used with many different sentiments.

Created by Jamie Burton

There are a lot of techniques shown in this card. Jamie used Liquid Glass, Wire, Foam Squares, sanding, distressing, sponging, and stamping tone on tone.

Created by Sue Waters

Sue Waters created this card using the new Sarsaparilla Paper Pack and Yeehaw (B1305) Stamp Set. I love the way she used the waxy flax to create her lasso, and the White Daisy Ink pad was perfect for her white cross design down the front of the card!

Created by Teresa Pander

This card has lots of cool touches. Not sure you can see them all, but look closely at the frog and the sentiment square. I just love the Boom-Di-Ada Creative Basics. It includes this paper and the Hollyhock Rick Rac!



More artwork from our recent Team Exchange/Art contest, so keep checking back!

Team Artwork Contest & Exchange!

Hi Ladies,


I am going to begin posting the cards in our recent exchange and art contest. You can also view two cards I created on my website at http://www.susan.myctmh/.



Keep checking back for more great cards/ideas!




Here we go!

Hello card

I love these square shaped background stamps . . . and they are really much more vesatile than you might think! For this background, I stamped the image twice, and cut them in half (so, yes, i had one half leftover.) The flower and vase set is the June Stamp of the Month. You know you want it!!!

:)

Playing with Bryce

Hi Everyone,
My 3 1/2 year old grandson, Bryce, is here with his mommy. To say he is cute would be an understatement! He's funny, he's fun, he's adorable, and he's imaginative.

Watch for some pictures this week.

Do you know what else this means? Laura is here too. I told her she had to create create create while here. Last night she made a great card with an upcoming Stamp of the Month. I'll get that posted too!

Back to playing!

Birthday Celebration!

If Susan and Nancy were together today they would be celebrating Laura's 30th birthday with a little cake like this maybe...Happy Birthday Laura!

The big day is here!!

HAppy HaPpy haPPy HAppy HaPpy haPPy HAppy HaPpy haPPy HAppy HaPpy haPPy

Tomorrow is the big day for......

Laura!

Here is today's peek at something for a soon to be 30 year old!

Sneak Peek!

Someone is turning 30!
Someone likes cupcakes!
Wonder what this is from.......
Check back everyday until the 29th to see more sneak peek teasers!

New goodies to taunt you with!!!

Hop on over to my blog (because I am too lazy to post the pics twice) to see THE cutest little stamps you have ever seen!!! It's the July Stamp of the Month . . . .but don't worry, July will be here before you know it!!! Go check it out!!!!

Who's that cashier!!??

Will that be cash or credit, ma'am? (Are you really sure its a good idea trusting a three year old to the cash register???????) More photos from the booth on Laura's blog, HERE

A great big THANKS

We had a fantastic time at the Orlando Scrapbook Expo! The create & take projects my team offered were popular and in big demand. Way to go Deb, Debra, Amy, Christy, and Marla. You guys rock!

It was fun showing our new product, especially the Texture tools. I know everyone who purchased that set is going to love using them on their projects.

Our next new Idea Book has shipped to consultants and goes live May 1. Want one? Email me for details at JoeSusan@aol.com