Long Time No See.... or Write.

So i have been absent from the blog for quite a while. So long infact that some of my SBS2 girls have moved, gotten pregnant, had babies and other mojor events.
SO CONGRATS TO YOU ALL!!

So What's new with me? I bought my very first house!! We moved in on May 14th. We had our first family even on Fathers Day, and the house is mostly put together. The craft room is coming along, and is almost finished thanks to some hard work yesterday installing shelves (*note: never buy a house with lathe and plaster walls- seriously- not good for hanging shelving!)

After some prodding for my Dear BoyFriend (DBF) (of 2 1/2 years this month i might add) i have been told he is sad that i haven't been crafting so much anymore. It's been since about April.
So what better way to get back into it than to jump in HEAD FIRST! I have been looking up craft shows to attend for October and Novemeber. I have been arranging a workshop for July 15th. I have decided that Tuesdays and Fridays are blogging days (i share the laptop with DBF when he is at school and working night shift). Things have been moving along, and going great so far! While today is not Friday, this will count as Friday and you can see my craft room and its fabulousness on Tuesday!

OH! Check out http://karyn.myctmh.com June is Deal a Day, and you only have a few more days left of FREE items and Discounted Mystery Boxes!!

quick update

crafting is on hold. I'm packing up my house so that i can move into a house that i bought! In 17 days i will have a new address and anyone who wants it should email me. And if you want to send presents i will happily accept! Haha.

Every time i get back up something knocks me down.

I lose my motivation with this site way too often. I get ready to start again, and it seems something gets in my way. The next three days are going to be some of the hardest i've faced in my life. But i will be back. Probably with more passion for this than i can imagine.

Go steelers! This one was for you pap.

Close to My Heart SALE!!!

Starts on MONDAY JANUARY 26th at 10am *(Pennsylvania Time)
where: http://karyn.myctmh.com
What: on sale will be items up to 40% off.... mostly stuff that retired at the beginning of the year. Shop til its gone, so get there early.
All sales are greatly appreciated!!

January Constant Campaign!!

Close to My Heart's January Constant Campaign is a special for National Paper Crafting Month!
Email me to find out how to get your kit today!

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Found this on one of my message boards. Enjoy!


Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.
Could it be cardstock or chipboard or lace?
Or a Cricut, I said, with a smile on my face.
And that's when I heard him,

"Hi Santa, " I said
"You know....good little girls
should be in their beds."
"I know I should Santa,
and now I've got caught.
But I was just so excited
To see what you brought."
"Well, let's take a look
in this room where you work.
He shook his head quickly,
And left with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim
as he put it in gear.
"You've got enough crap,
I'll see you next year!"

My last craft show was a HUGE success! I'm definately doing that one again next year!!

However, i am hesitant and want to hear some feedback on this.
A woman approached me at this craft show, acting all interested in what i do. Then blatantly told me she was stealing my ideas for the same show next year!!!
Then she had the nerve to ask if she could take pictures!! I told her no obviously.
What do i do? It makes me not want to post things here, because i give out my card with the web address sometimes. ususally i give out my CTMH link. very rarely did i give out my blog, but i dont want people that are going to sell the things IN MY AREA to steal from me, and be so obvious about it that they would take pictures. i've never copied anything exactly off of someone, and i hope they wouldnt off of me. Yes, i save templates, but thats when people put them out there for that purpose. However i make alot of my own template (tic tac holders, chapstick holders, calendars, ect) and alot of work goes into it. this has put me off a bit, and i'm sure i will get over it sooner or later. i just dont want to post just yet. i did make about $225, after all my costs though! GO ME!

Fall Craft Show- Early November

Here are the photos from my Fall Craft Show at Elizabeth Twp. Central Fire Hall. It was small but i sold a decent amount of stuff to make a profit. Here are the pics and some info on the projects as well (since i can tell you now!)
* This is my table with the Close To My Heart Display: There are Level 1 and 2 Paper Packs, Sanding Possibilities, A mini Acrylic Album, and a sample of stamps, as well as spritz cleaner, bonding memories, and a double scrubber.

* This is the 2nd part of the display: it has the Imagine and Cherish books, as well as some awesome crafts!!

* A set of my most FAVE projects, a clipboard, a 3D wooden letter, and a post it note holder. (All with Perfect Day Paper and My Stickease.) The postit holder is made with chipboard coasters.

*Another FAVE and a great gift idea are these cute tear a way calendars. This is one is on a plate stand, so you can diplay it on a table or desk. I also have a few with magnets on the back, so you can put them on the fridge.

* A note pad holder made with Good Times paper, a star shaped Post it, chocolate grossgrain ribbon, and the Friendship Alphabet. (another great gift idea!)


* Spa Basket- Lotions, washcloth, and body spray. Silhouette Paper Pack, CTMH Rub Ons, and My Stickease.
* Made from a paper CD Sleeve, using Winter Craft Buttons, Olive Grossgrain Ribbon, And Evensong Creative Basics.
*Two projects here- a tin, made with Chocolate Organdy Ribbon, Another choco. patterned ribbon, and paper that i made with the Decorative Danties Stamp set.
*Also Paper Pinecone Ornament.


Hope you gals (and guys) enjoy!! I worked really hard on all these things. And i tortured D with having to look at them all once i had finished them too!
I will also post again after my next show (November 22 @ Linton Middle School in Penn Hills) Its going to be huge, and i have a TON of stuff made!! I will be updating here much more often, and trying to get you some templates for the things i have created on my own!!

I have exciting news!!! I can finally talk about what i love here!! That's right! I can talk about Close To My Heart. I can tell you that i am a consultant and have been since March of 08. I absolutely LOVE their products! I will be able to post the projects i make and have more of an internet presence. I can tell you about CTMH sales and promotions, and recipies for my projects! That is what has hindered alot of my blogging lately. So as soon as i copyright watermark my stuff it will be here.

While you are waiting you can check out my Store at http://karyn.myctmh.com
Novembers Constant Campaign is Dazzling Die Cuts. With every order of $50 you can purchase up to one of each of 6 different packages of our Dazzling Die Cuts for $6 each. (available in the following fabulous palettes: Spring Harmony, Summer Celebration, Autumn Harvest, Winter Cozy, Basic, and White Daisy) Each combo pack includes darling die-cuts in stars, hearts, flowers, alphabet letters, and more.
This is available until November 30th, 2008. The website accepts Credit and Debit cards, and if you want to go directly through me i accept checks (takes 5-7 days to clear the bank).

Also, if you would like to added to my mailing list email me and let me know!! I can keep you updated on some of my personal specials, and gatherings, as well as how you can earn FREE merch. (Even if you live far away!- I offer a "Party in a Bag") So i hope you all will love the new format that my blog will be taking!!

I swear everytime i am ready to post things, or take photos, or write here something thwarts this effort. Right now its a killer cold and sinus headache. I have been sick since Monday, and while i'm starting to feel better, i'm still exhausted, and stuffed up, and blah! At least its not next weekend for the craft show right?!
I have made my pine cone ornaments, my display board, my clear acrylic album, some journals, lots of cards, coaster holders, etc.
i still have a little to do, but its the weekend (almost) and i'm ready to craft! The craft area is even clean and ready to go! (I KNOW! this is unbelievable!!)
I will post pictures here this weekend. I will make Derrick force me if need be. :)

i have been working on a 2nd craft show, but i swear i'm still alive!!! haha.

i sent around an email for an awesome kit that i'm doing.... details are there... can't post a pic yet because of CTMH rules.... silly... but anyways...

i HAVE been reading everyones blogs!!
There is some great stuff going on there girls!! i've been tremendously inspired the past few weeks. I'm working on display boards and alot of other great marketing things that have just consumed my internet time. As well as not having internet at work any longer.

I am around, even though i'm not posting. I swear!!

Stuff For Sale!!!

Ok, so i have been cleaning out my stash of stuff....
Things i have for sale:
Lots of brads, and eyelets, pretty much every color.... want some? tell me what you want and we'll make a deal
patterned paper....lots.... tell me what you want and see if i have it....
fibers, i have a lot of hemp, pink, purple, brown, black, natural, white, light blue, and yellow. these are single colors in 4 foot sections. (i have lots of them)
Mineral spirits (2 oz. bottles) i have several of these ($4 each)
i also have a lot of other embellishments that i may be willing to part with (most like will) just ask if there is something you are looking for (*ie: wedding, baby girl, baby boy, fall, winter, etc).
I take paypal, and i also accept credit cards for an additional $1 charge through ProPay, my secure credit processing service.
Email me: katrovato@gmail.com if i can get this together and get payment by Sunday night i can have everything out to you on Monday!!

My kitty.... and Derricks too i suppose.....

So i don't think that i have posted a picture of Hendrix here at all..... and infact my computer crashed last weekend i lost all but the one on my phone from when he was much littler....
so here you go.
This is Hendrix. we have had him since the beginning of July.

I apologize for the lack of posts. i am not doing the bling share right now because not enough people were interested.
Also i have been busy getting ready for a craft show in the beginning of October, and things have been a little upsidedown on the personal side.
I will begin blogging again after the 6th of October!!

BLING SHARE!!

For those of you who haven't gotten in on any shares lately here is one for you!!!!!!

BLING SHARE is BACK!!!

$15 will get you more bling than you know what to do with!! This includes Shipping to the US. (international shipping is $2 more because of the customs forms that need filled out.)
I will be taking check, pay pal, and i'll even take credit if you really need to do it that way through my ProPay account with CTMH.

Get ready for some amazing stuff!!!

email me to sign up: katrovato@gmail.com