Such A Slacker!

I am horrible about update my blog! Why can't I remember to do this? I'm much more efficient on Facebook and my blog seems to always get stuck on the back burner. Poor neglected blog.

Anyway - I had to update and share with you some AMAZING stuff!!!

Why? 

I don't want you to miss it! And please share with your friends, cause this is just too AWESOME!

FIRST: 

The Details: 

Today is the day!!! So stinkin' excited for all the NEW consultants signing up this month! How SWEET a deal to be receiving a FREE Cricut Cartridge with 700 images on it! NO STRINGS ATTACHED! 

You realize the price of ONE Cricut Cartridge is $99...same price as the Consultant Kit! So you get over $300 in product with your kit + the Cricut Cartridge of YOUR choice ALL for $99!!! 

Oh and wait! That's not all! If you reach the "Straight to the Top" sales goals during the first 3 months CTMH will give you your $99 back! 

And if that's not incentive enough think of the commission and select product credit you'll be earning!!! Simply AMAZING!!!

Won't you PLEASE join my team? I'd LOVE to have you on board to share the fun & excitement with! The "Creation Cafe" is open for Team Building!!! :) 

More details can be found HERE on my Facebook page, please LIKE & SHARE! I'm trying to grow my page as well as my team and I appreciate ALL the help I can get! 

NEXT:

April Stamp of the Month! So stinkin' cute!!! I just LOVE it!!! Oh and something I just recently figured out (call me slow, it's okay). If you look on page 13 of the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book you will see the April Stamp of the Month...along with a list of supplies needed to create the projects shown in the above photo! But since I'm such a nice person, I'll share that list with you here too (including product number, page number and price): 

• Lollydoodle Paper Packet X7183B pg. 55 $9.95
• Honey Triangles Washi Tape Z1931 pg. 125 $4.95
• Purple Shimmer Trim Z1919 pg. 125 $4.95
• Purple Glitter Gems Z1936 pg. 123 $3.95
• Flamingo Dots Z1934 pg. 123 $3.95
• Base & Bling Craft Queen Charms Z1958 pg. 81 $3.95

and ALL of that equals $50! So guess what that means? You qualify to get the April Stamp of the Month for ONLY $5!!! Yeppie!!! I do NOT like paying full price when I don't have to :) Do you???

Other suggested products: Cricut Artiste Collection Z1790 pg. 64 $99

Okay...I think that's it for today or I might overwhelm you. I'm just so stinkin' excited!!! April is going to be an AWESOME month...not only that my birthday is this month! Whoo hoo! :) 

I really like April...oh and I almost forgot because I was so busy sharing the GREAT Close to my Heart info with you but this is the month we find out what assignments are avialable to us!!! One step closer to knowing where in the USA I will be moving this summer!!! YEPPIE!!!

I hope to see some of your beautiful faces joining the "Creation Cafe" team this month! Visit my website to sign up HERE. 

Much Love!

Goodbye to February!

Yep, I'm still counting down months! :) I'll be moving to some where within the USA soon!!! I'm happy to see these colder months coming to a close and bringing warmer weather our way! The closer I get to warmer weather...the closer I am to being back in the USA! How exciting!!! 6 years is a long, long time to be away. I'm so excited for our next adventure in life.

As February comes to a close and March opens we await the news of promotion results. So if you could join me in continuing to pray for my husband I would appreciate that. He has worked really hard and he has deserved this promotion long before now. Join me in praying that he got it. We will know by March 7th. Then I believe the state-side listing of assignments comes out end of March/first of April...so we will be seeing the options of where we might get to go soon! My patience are dwindling but I will make it.

I'll be running my first 1/2 marathon of 2014 on March 2nd...yes, this Sunday!!! The Reading Mizuno 1/2 Marathon. I am ready and looking forward to it. My goal is to stay under the 2:30 time....my dream time would be to match the number on my race bib. 2:22:02 - I'd have to really push it to reach that I'm afraid...but nothing is impossible! The stadium finish was awesome last year and I really enjoyed the race...minus the rain. It was the first time I'd run a 1/2 in the pouring rain & I'm praying strongly that the weather will be much nicer than last year. However, I believe England is bipolar so who knows. Yesterday was absolutely beautiful, today...is gray, cold, wet and rainy! Blah!

Adventure...Adventure...Adventure...

Yep, that's what my life is all about. One adventure after another. It makes for a very interesting journey. I've been enjoying my adventure with Close to my Heart so far. I've met some great people, had some pretty good sales and have some great parties planned for March. I'm really looking forward to them! One is in celebration of Mothering Sunday. We're going to make a 2-page layout, 1 card, and a treat bag. The other party is a Celebrate Life type party for a very kinda lady who has had a rough year & wants to celebrate surviving it with her family & friends. I think these two parties are going to be amazing! And I'll have so much NEW product on hand to show them all! So excited!!!

Also, I just want to say THANK YOU!!! To all of you who have ordered, booked gatherings with me and helped spread the word about my Close to my Heart adventure. You've truly helped me start off on the right foot and I thank you!!!

Lastly...looks like I'll be having an adventure with Close to my Heart's Studio J - digital scrap-booking. I'm not much of a digital scrapper. I like the hands on stuff, however, I may have customers that prefer digital so I need to learn this. Not only that Studio J will be on SALE in March!

REMINDERS:  

If you have not gotten your Stamp of the Month yet...you can still get it for ONLY $5 with any $50 order. Otherwise it is $17.95 and these little foxes are so cute!!!

Get your Legacy Albums while you still can!!!

Embossing Folders 

One FREE with each 2 packages of card-stock ordered!

Offer ends: February 28th!

...and finally...

Adventure on my friends...adventure on!

Kick-Off Party!!!

Virtual Kick-Off Party!

Date: Friday, February 21st, 2014

Times: These time frames were chosen to try and encompass all customers.

I do not expect you to sit at your computer for 5 hours, but please be sure to check in 
throughout the party to see if you have won a prize!

England - 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Missouri - 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Ohio – 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

This party is by INVITATION ONLY! So you need to INVITE your friends! For every friend you invite...you get a point. You will need points, trust me  

I can't tell you why yet as it would ruin the surprise!

Make sure your friend tells me WHO sent them so you get your points! 

When you JOIN you will be given a LUCKY number - that will be your number for prize drawings so DO NOT lose it! 

It's kinda like a Pre-Party up in this office!!! We have craft supplies strung every where! We keep having to stop, clean it up and then do it all over again ;) We have been playing with the new IVY LANE Workshop on the Go and it is GORGEOUS!!! We just LOVE it! 

Ashlynn & I have been working hard on these projects and artwork so that we can show them to you through out the party...prepare to be BLOWN AWAY! We can't wait to show you some of the things we've made!!! We've been having so much fun planning and creating things for this party! This party is gonna ROCK your socks off! So grab your favorite snacks, drinks and BE HERE!

Speaking of socks...Ash & I were discussing dress code, since this is an ONLINE VIRTUAL party...nobody really has to worry about dress code!!! However, Ash thinks we should look appropriate in case we decide to take photos or make silly videos...you could be in for something crazy there! So we decided we'd fix our hair & wear our PJ's! :) Perfect, uh?! :)

Now, remember there are points being given out for specific things...and you DO want to earn points! I can't wait to tell you why!!! This is so exciting!!! Be sure to invite as many friends as you can. For each friend you invite that JOINS, you will get ONE point. So keep that guest list GROWING!

Also, there has been a little confusion on how this will work, so let me explain...

I've had a few people tell me they can not attend the KICK OFF PARTY because they will not be here. So let me clarify this. The KICK OFF PARTY is this FRIDAY, February 21st. Details are listed above on times. The Party is ONLINE! Meaning it doesn't matter where in the world you live! You can still JOIN & participate in the fun.

Why the specific times? Because it is a VIRTUAL party. Meaning Ashlynn & I will be awake; partying like rock-stars, posting things on the event, chatting with you through the event, possibly sharing silly photos/videos, sharing projects & artwork we've created, playing games and doing prize drawings. It will be LIVE and INTERACTIVE through Facebook. 

It is held over a 5 hour time span in order to accommodate all customers that we currently have in different time zones. We DO NOT expect YOU to be there for the entire 5 hours...unless you want to be - then GREAT! However, you will want to check in often to make sure you do not miss anything important...like your lucky number being drawn for a PRIZE!

I hope this has been helpful, but PLEASE if you have any questions contact ME!

Lastly, I've a couple of SPECIAL offers going on...

 ***Ink Pad price is actually $5.25**

***These specials are ONLY good until February 23, 2014!*** 

On top of that, Close to my Heart's current promotion is: 

The packs of bulk single or combo colored card-stock are priced at $14.50 each. 

Now, if you are like me you'd be interested in ALL the colors. So what I would recommend is 

ordering the Combo packages. There are 4 different combo packs. If you were to order 

all 4 this is the breakdown of how it would go...

4 x 14.50 = $58 - that qualifies you for the $5 Stamp of the Month

$58 + $5 = $63 - that gets you 4 packages of card-stock (2 of every color), 2 Embossing 

Folders FREE, 1 Stamp of the Month & I would throw in ONE $9.95 paper pack FREE!

So you would be receiving over a $100 in product for $63!!! (plus shipping & handling) 

That is an amazing deal!!!

So hurry and JOIN the KICK OFF PARTY TODAY!!! You don't want to miss it! 

***if you do not JOIN, I cannot give you a drawing number...

saying "maybe" won't get you the chance at the prizes!***

Hello February!

Can you believe it is already February?! I'm going to be moving in no time at this rate! Come on August!!! I still have NO idea where we are going, but I am ready and excited! Almost as excited as I am about Close to my Heart!!! My first gathering was a real success and I'm so pleased! I can not wait until the box of goodies arrives for everyone! Me included!!! Because the show was so successful I was able to get the Artbooking & Artiste Cricut Cartridges and my daughter got her Unicorn Stamp set! We are so very excited and can not wait to play with our new toys!

Speaking of NEW...the NEW 2014 SPRING/SUMMER IDEA BOOK is LIVE!!! You can now view it ONLINE....right HERE! It is full of so many fun and adorable products! I want them ALL! :)

Now then...I've been learning and I've a few things to TELL you and a few things going on that you might be interested in!

First, I've received questions on how to go about ordering online - especially from my Mom. So I created a photo to show you where to go...

First JOIN a gathering...

Then go to SHOP. Not Products. Also, notice the 2 arrows to the right of the bottom photo...

CTMH TV - great location for videos and inspiration! If you are struggling with a project or just looking to be inspired make that one of your stops! Close to my Heart offers GREAT videos that teach you how to use your Cricut Cartridges!

PROMOTIONS - I would not want you to miss out on any great deals! I will do my very best to make sure you know about them, but this is where you can see current promotions. When you are shopping through my website if you qualify for any of the current promotions it will send you a prompt letting you know and giving you the choice to add it to your cart. It makes it so easy! You won't miss out!!!

Speaking of promotions...

...AND...these embossing folders are, ready for it??? 7" x 5"!!! So exciting!!!

Of course there is also the STAMP OF THE MONTH (SOTM)

I want to point out a couple of things here. See the yellow arrows??? 2 are pointing to a RED outline around the Stamped image. WHY? Because that means there is a coordinating Cricut Cartridge for that image!!! Which cartridge goes with this stamp set??? See the 3rd yellow arrow? That is telling you that it is the ART PHILOSOPHY cartridge. 

Throughout the catalog you will notice those RED outlines and right below the NAME of the stamp set it will tell you exactly which cartridge coordinates with it! Close to my Heart makes things such a breeze! They show you, they tell you and they take a lot of the guess work out of things for you! 

Now then...I've ONE more thing to share with you that I am so very excited about doing! I had such GREAT success at my first Close to my Heart gathering that I am just SHY of reaching a sales goal that will give me $75 FREE product! That helps me build my business and share with you more NEW products! 

In order to help me reach that goal I am looking for a MYSTERY HOSTESS!!! 

Love Close to my Heart? 

Want to earn FREE products for yourself? 

Then this is another way to do it!  

Simple as that! I will select ONE random winner on February 21st! So get those $15 orders in and earn yourself as many tickets as you can to increase your chances of winning and earning some AMAZING FREE products from the NEW Idea Book!!!

Where is my Facebook page? Right HERE! Be sure to LIKE & SHARE it! 

Help me grow & I'll show you how to earn FREE AMAZING products! 

I'm so EXCITED!!! I can't wait to see who the Mystery Hostess is!!! 

Could it be YOU???

Cloud Nine Ends Jan. 31st!!!

YOU do not want to miss out on this amazing kit! It is ADORABLE and so much fun and you get so much product! I've created even more cards than what the kit supplies just from left over product! It's AMAZING!!!

** Cloud 9 Inventories are listed at 16%! Be sure to get yours before they are gone forever! <---- It would be TRAGIC! :(

What do I have to do to qualify for the Cloud Nine card-making kit?

Simply place a qualifying order of $35 during January.

What products count toward a qualifying purchase? Are there any items that do not count?

Qualifying products include:

Products from the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book.
Stamp of the Month (both full retail and discount price)

What is included in the Cloud Nine card-making kit?

You can create 10 adorable cards (2 each of 5 designs) using the materials in this exclusive card-making kit and some basic supplies. The Cloud Nine card-making kit offers you a sneak peek at 3 new Spring/Summer2014 Idea Book products: gold polka-dot washi tape, teal Shimmer trim, and Durables triangle studs! It also includes a new, exclusive D-size stamp set and an instructional guide for creating 10 cards. The full kit includes:

1 – My Acrylix™ Cloud Nine Stamp Set (D-size)
1 – Cloud Nine B&T Duos™ Paper
1 – Lagoon Card-stock Sheet
1 – Honey Card-stock Sheet
1 – 9" × 9½" White Daisy Die-Cuts Sheet
1 Roll – Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape
1 Roll – Teal Shimmer Trim
1 Package – Durables Triangle Studs
10 – Card Bases & Envelopes
1 – Instructional Brochure

Featured colors: Lagoon, Sunset, Honey, White Daisy.

What are the recommended block sizes for the Cloud Nine stamp set?

The recommended My Acrylix™ block sizes are 2" × 6½" (Y1010) and 3" × 3" (Y1006).

What are the recommended Exclusive Inks Colors for the Cloud Nine card kit?

The recommended Close to My Heart Exclusive Ink colors are Sunset (Z2191) and Lagoon (Z2195).

*Be sure you have these products (or similar products) already on hand so you will be ready to begin creating with your Cloud 9 kit the minute it arrives! If you do not already have these or similar products please consider adding them to your qualifying order!

Cloud 9 Inventory is listed at 16% available so be sure to get yours ordered before they are gone!

This is also your LAST chance to get the January stamp of the month! $5 with any $50 order!!!

And the Laughing Lola Workshop on the Go is on the Retirement List...so if you want it, better grab it now!

If you have ANY questions about ordering PLEASE contact ME and I will guide you through it!

To SHOP now: CLICK HERE!

Thank you so much & have a GREAT day!

Always Running Behind...

How many of you feel the same way? Always running behind with something, projects, training, cleaning... I know it's not just me! I am constantly fooling myself by thinking "one of these days I'll get all caught up" ...yeah, bout that...

Here's the deal: ALL you really CAN do is get up every day and TRY again. Unless you just quit...and then what would you do? Lay in bed all day every day? That's not good or healthy! And I will fuss at you about it! So even though it is so easy to get behind, stressed out and feeling overwhelmed...I want you to know it's not just YOU and WE can keep on keeping on. Just one day at a time and one step at a time.

Now, take a DEEP breath and relax! I'm telling YOU that as much as I am myself :) Hang in there!

Thanks to a few days off due to MLK Day & sickness, I've managed to get a little bit done and I want to share it with you! So pour that nice hot cup of coffee and check this out while you practice your deep breathing and relaxation skills. :) You'll have plenty of time...this is a long one. :)

As a new Consultant for Close to my Heart I'm still learning the ropes and with New Year's there is always changes being made, whether they are personal or business. Therefore, I'm thinking I joined at the right time.

One of the things I've found that is completely AWESOME is the amount of LEFT OVER PRODUCT you get with the kits be it a card kit or workshop on the go.  Let's start with Laughing Lola - Workshop on the Go (WOTG).

Each kit comes with a color cutting & assembly guide and the great thing is you CAN use the 'guides' over and over with products/papers you have at home and create even more layouts, quickly! That alone makes WOTG a great investment! The guides make it so fast & easy as it takes a lot of the 'work' out of the equation and you just get to PLAY!

Each kit also includes:

• A Full Level 2 Paper Pack (cardstock weighted Patterned Paper & Cardstock)
• Additional Cardstock sheets (enough to complete multiple projects)
• Usually 2 coordinating accessories
• An EXCLUSIVE "D" sized stamp set that can ONLY be purchased with the Workshop Kit!

Each of the 6 Scrap-booking WOTG Kits are priced at only $29.95! (most with values of well over $40!) There are also 2 Card-making Workshop Kits available for a heavily discounted price of $24.95!

You will have to get a few additional tools (if you do not already have them) such as:

• Specific color ink
• Acrylic blocks
• Optional Cricut Cartridge

Now, why would there be an OPTIONAL Cricut Cartridge???

Close To My Heart has 3 AMAZING Cricut Cartridges with over 700 images on each! You know you want the details on that baby! So here there are: 

• Each Cartridge collection comes with: 1 cartridge, 3 - My Acrylix D-size stamp sets and 3 - 12x9 dimensional elements in coordinating shapes! 
• Each collection is priced at $99 with a retail value of nearly $125!!!

Personally, I believe that is a STEAL! 700 images, 3 stamps sets and coordinating shapes for $99! I think that is one GREAT investment! Can you imagine how much you could do with 700 images?!! 

Really want it, but don't have $99? ...Host a gathering in your home or online. If your gathering reaches $250 or more YOU will be able to get ONE of the collections at 1/2 price + $40 in FREE product! Now that...that you can't beat! :)

One last little thing about the Cartridges...they go great with CTMH stamp sets! In the Idea Book you will notice some images outlined in red...that means that stamp has a coordinating image with one of the cartridges and it will tell you below WHICH cartridge it goes with. AWESOME!!!

Now, back to Laughing Lola WOTG - the time it takes to create this is so quick! I was very impressed...heck, I'm still impressed! What I have learned so far is Close to my Heart likes to "Show you how" and they DO! Which is great since I'm actually from the "SHOW ME" state! hahaha

Below is the 2 pages spread I created with the Laughing Lola WOTG - I'm waiting on a few more photos to finish it off.

I am LOVING CTMH cardstock & paper! It is soooooooo NICE! 

Now, I have plenty of product left to create another 2 page spread and MORE! Can you believe that? CRAZY! I know, but still AWESOME! Below is ALL my left over product, full sheets of card-stock and patterned paper! And big enough scraps from the others to still create with! Following the cutting guide helps you cut the papers to where you get the MOST use of them!

And here is the stamp set it comes with! AMAZING is the perfect word for Laughing Lola.
You'll just LOVE it!

How's that deep breathing going?
Need a fresh cup of coffee?
Alright, go get it...we aren't done yet honey! I got more awesomeness to show & share! :)

Did you know that JANUARY (yes, I'm behind...remember all we can do is try again) is NATIONAL PAPER CRAFTING MONTH??? CTMH has a GREAT promotion going on right now because of National Paper crafting Month. Let me show you!

Now, how do YOU get your hands on this FAB kit?

1. Sign up as a NEW consultant and reach your qualifying sales.
2. Order $35 worth of product from the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book - then it's your's for $15!!!

How do you order??? Let me show you that too...

1. Go to my website: Tonya VanWinkle
2. On the left hand side click "SHOP"
3. Have FUN!

You know how I had all that left over product from the Laughing Lola WOTG? Check this out...

ALL left over product (minus the running stickers - I'll explain). I cannot believe the AMOUNT of washi tape and teal shimmer trim that is left! And I have almost FULL sheets of honey & lagoon colored card-stock! I am so very impressed, I can't even tell you enough! After making 10 cards! 

The running stickers??? No, I didn't forget and have to come back and add this bit...okay, okay, so maybe just a little forgetful. :) My best friend Jenny sent me those & I think they match the Cloud 9 kit perfectly! So yes...I'm currently cooking up a running project...check back soon to see it! 

I LOVE this! And the colors! Yellow is one my FAV colors and this honey card-stock just hits the spot!

Now, I will tell you at first I did not like the sunset ink! It looked very dark and I almost thought I had the wrong color. After you stamp your image, "Happy Birthday, Thanks or Just because" put it aside, walk away, let it dry - when you come back - then you will like it. Trust me :)

There, I think I've covered it all...WAIT .... ONE more thing! STAMP OF THE MONTH!!! 

Can't believe I almost forgot it! When you order $35 worth of product PLUS your $15 Cloud 9 Card Kit...YOU qualify for the SOTM for ONLY $5! Total: $55 + shipping/tax.

What's it look like? 

Oh, I'm so glad you asked!!!

So cute! I do not have any artwork created with it yet, as it is currently on it's way to me...but soon as I do I'll share. However, if you want it...you MUST order before the end of January! So don't wait on me!!

Okay...I think I got it all covered this time...feel free to email me or contact me via Facebook if you've ANY questions at all! I'll be glad to help in any way I can. 

Are ya feeling better? How's that breathing? Nice and relaxed? Good! Now, I'm sure you are probably hyped up on caffeine by now so here are my suggestions as to how to further unwind...you can't sneak by me! Don't even try it! hahaha

1. Put those running shoes on and go log some miles...YOU won't regret it!
2. Visit my website and have a little retail therapy!
3. Create some awesome layouts or cards!

Thanks for stopping by today. I do hope you have enjoyed your visit. I'll talk to you again soon, keep that coffee pot nearby. 

Probably the last...

During our time here in England friends of friends and family members have asked us to send postcards to students for school projects over and over. I have enjoyed sending this postcards and writing little notes to the student receiving them. I am probably writing my last batch of postcards during our time here now. Only this time they go along with a special little bear named Rosey. 

Rosey was sent to me by my cousin's daughter, Destiney in hopes that Rosey might get to go on one of my long races with me. I am sad to report that Rosey will have to return to America before I run my marathon the end of May, but she will be here to for my 1/2 marathon in March. 

The other day I took Rosey to the gym with me. That was kind of comical - walking around the gym with a little teddy bear. I'm on a mission to find this bear some workout clothes...clothes of any kind really! She's running around the British country side naked! Yes, yes...I know she has fur, but she needs cute clothes and a smaller jump rope :) 

Anyway, if you see some post that include talk about Rosey or photos of a little bear...that will be why. Rosey & I are helping Destiney with her school project and hoping that she enjoys hearing about our adventures together. 

Thank you Destiney for letting me be a part of your project and to all the other students who have asked for postcards from England. It has been FUN!