Kat Papercrafts

Fabric options

2011-12-08T09:32:00.001-05:00

Exciting News!!

2011-12-07T08:19:00.000-05:00

I have kind of fallen off the face of Blog Land lately and there is good reason! I have been working my little butt off making hair bows and pillow case dresses for a store in Irwin, Pa. Thats right! MY STUFF IS IN A STORE!!
I'm so excited to have this oppertunity to work with the owner, Jodi from New 2 You. The store is at 231 Main Street, Irwin Pa (ph # 724-864-2650)

Here are some of the items that I have been working on lately. The dresses will be at New 2 You as of Friday morning. I also do custom orders via email!

This was my set up for the Avonworth Highschool Craft Show! It was an awesome show and i'm excited to attend again next year!

Steelers, Pitt and Penn State Pillowcase Dresses- $18 each

Christmas Pillowcase Dresses- $15 each

Sorry the lighting isn't fantastic. I took these at 10pm in my hall way because I wanted to get pictures up ASAP!

I can do these dresses in sizes 3months all the way up to a girls size 10! Any fabric patterns! (Including Disney Prints! -Upcharge may apply). Also you can do a fabric tie or a ribbon tie, the choice is yours. As as standard I include a fabric tie.

Matching Hair Bows are available too- $5 each!!

Stationery card

2011-11-30T12:59:00.001-05:00

Getting Hitched Save The Date

Shutterfly has personalized save the date cards"

View the entire collection of cards.

Update! Shutterfly Winners!

2011-11-14T12:35:00.002-05:00

There were 2 blog winners from my shutterfly giveaway!
Suzie B. and Erica75!!

I have contacted you both hope you enjoy your cards!!

A Round of Thank Yous!

2011-11-07T13:04:00.001-05:00

Wow, craft show season seems to be flying by! Its already November 7th. 10 months til the wedding exactly!

I wanted to say hello and a big THANK YOU to everyone that i met at the Syria Shrine and St. Teresa's Church the past few weekends! You all have been inspiring some great creations coming up this week! I'll try to post my new items here before i head off to Linton Middle School in Penn Hills on the 19th, but feel free to visit my booth that day!
An etsy store will be opening after December 5th!
Have a creative day!

November Update!

2011-10-30T09:59:00.000-04:00

November is fast approaching so I wanted to get some updpates out about what i'm doing!
First: CTMH stuff....
Our "sale" for November is this:

Spend $25 on MyAcrylix stamps and recieve the Holiday Wishes stamp set for $5. You can purchase all your stamping and scrapbooking goodies HERE

Craft Show Stuff:
There are still 3 craft shows left this year!! I will have the following items for sale:
Tutus, Cute Onesies, Baby and Toddler PJ pants, Hair Accessories, Baby Blankets, Cupcake onesie shower favors, and Flower Pins. Come Check Me Out!!

November 5th @ St. Teresa of Avila in Pittsburgh. Its 9a-3p and its in TWO buildings, the school and the church. I am in the church

November 19th @ Linton Middle School in Penn Hills. Its 8a-3p and i'm usually in the hallway named Sleigh Ride by the cafeteria. If that changes i'll post on Twitter and Facebook that morning.

December 5th @ Avonworth High School. Its 9a-3p (I think) and i believe its in the gym!

Some Personal Stuff:
Follow me on twitter @katrovato
and i'm on facebook too! (in the message say you came from my blog so I add you!)

Today begins my Couch to 5K workout. You can follow my progress on Twitter or Facebook and i'll try to post here each time I run with how i'm doing! Keep me motivated and accountable!

November 1st begins my "Weight Watchers Challenge". I'm trying to lose at least 20 pounds before the wedding. I've totally made up this challenge myself in order to motivate me to lose weight and stick to it. I CAN DO IT!!!

Also i've been so busy with craft shows and prepping for them that I haven't gotten my fingers all inky or done any scrapbooking. I need to get on that this winter so expect more stuff!

Shutterfly Photo Cards: I'm in Heaven!

2011-10-28T08:16:00.002-04:00

If you read my blog alot, or if you know me personally you know I take a TON of pictures. I've gone to a wedding and taken over 950 photos in one evening. I scrapbook like crazy and I happen to think there is no better type of Christmas card to get is one with photos especially if I haven't been able to set my eyes on those people in a long time. One of my favorite websites for photo cards is Shutterfly! I have been a member there for as long as I can remember and have even given their gift certificates as gifts to my mom who is as much as a photo bug as i am.
I'm really excited to be chosen to review Shutterfly's photo cards because its a product I LOVE! I'm especially excited about the 2011 holiday designs. They feature fresh designs that right on target with whats popular in fashion and design as well as TONS of conventional and non conventional color schemes.
My favorite this year is:

Chevron is SO in right now. You see it everywhere! Clothes, home designs, its all over Target! This is certain to be my Christmas card choice this year once we recieve our engagement pictures!

If you don't celebrate "Christmas" per se thats ok too because they offer many different Holiday Cards.
Cards aren't your thing? You need GIFTS? They have those too!! I see some really cute things that my family members will be getting this year like these:

You can also make calendars, stationary, and home decor items!

Now for the giveaway, Shutterfly is giving me the chance to give out 25 free cards to 3 of my readers! To enter, just leave a comment below telling me what design you'd pick and a winner will be chosen at random on November 5th!

Memories....

2011-10-21T19:45:00.000-04:00

I've been in a sappy lovey reminiscing type of mood. So I thought i'd post some Hilton Head pictures. This ugly weather makes me miss the beach.

10 Months, 2 Weeks and 5 Days

2011-10-19T17:58:00.000-04:00

Those words are scary. 10 months, 2 weeks and 5 days until my wedding. I'm excited for tomorrow because we will meet with our photographer for our engagement session. I hate getting my picture taken, but i feel this has a whole new spin on it. Someone who actually KNOWS how to take pictures will be taking pictures of ME and D!! I hope they look great despite the calls for rain and wind. Wish us luck!

On other fronts there has been a lull in the wedding planning happenings and that will probably continue until Christmas is over. We have the major parts:
A place to get married and have the reception
My dress is bought and over half way paid for
Our photographer is booked
We have someone to marry us
We have a color scheme
We know what bridesmaid dresses we'll choose
A date for the bachelorette party and bridal shower are picked out
We begun a wedding registry
DIY mothers corsages are 3/4 of the way done
And the bridesmaid/flower girl bouquets are 3/4 of the way assembled.

This makes me feel productive.

Then i get to my list of crap that i still need to do and i panic.
We've been breaking it into months.
Purchasing save the dates
Engagement Pics
Finalizing a guest list with the parents
and getting through craft show season.

Those are my goals. For now.

Fall Craft Show Season

2011-09-30T10:25:00.002-04:00

Well its two weeks into fall craft show season and im busy busy busy! The past two evenings I've spent 4+ hours after my full time job creating new items for a show this weekend to replenish my store. Im exhausted! I've got some cute new items and can't wait to sell them to make room for the other hundred ideas in my head!!

Sunday. Oct 2: St.Michaels Church Elizabeth, Pa. 9a-3p

Saturday. Oct 22: Syria Shrine. Cheswick, Pa. 9a-4p

Saturday. Nov 5. St. Teresa of Avilla

Saturday Nov 19. Linton elementary. Penn Hills, Pa 9a-4p

Saturday Dec 5. Avonworth HS.

Wedding sneak peak: floral

2011-09-18T17:53:00.001-04:00

Busy Bee...

2011-08-08T08:29:00.001-04:00

I was incredibly busy this weekend in my craft studio. I got to play with the new cricut cartridge and a bunch of new workshops! Here's a peek!

Simple scrapbook page

2011-07-31T00:13:00.001-04:00

This is one of the three projects I worked on tonight....

5 Question Friday

2011-07-27T13:50:00.001-04:00

So im a little late on this, but I only had 4 questions. Today is wedding themed.
1. When are you getting married? The big day is September 7, 2012. Im excited and can't wait!
2. Who is your photographer?
She is the amazing and talanted Amanda Wilson (www.photosbyaw.com) her style is exactly what I would take if I could photograph my own wedding!
3. How did you find a venue?
Google, recommendations from friends and family, research, and viewing in person. Also I made alot of spreadsheets to compare pros/ cons prices.
4. How are youbstaying on budget?
one word. COUPONS! ok two... and SALES! I don't pay full price for anything!
5. Will you plan my wedding for me?
Sure! Im definatly for hire! I love weddings, I love planning, and I love being creative! (And I can always use another second job!)

5 Question Friday!

2011-07-15T12:03:00.001-04:00

Trying to start a new weekly post. After this week I encourage me to send me your questions!

1. Why did I become a CTMH consultant?
Well, I was tired of looking thru Stampin up products, found a great CTMH consultant names Dana, and fell in love with the products immediately! After that it just kind of happened.

2. What is my favorite CTMH product that I cannot live without?
Up until yesterday is was our B&T Duos (double sides paper) and as of today its our fabulous NEW cricut cartridge bundle! Its amazing!

3. How do I find time to be so creative?
Heh. I don't. I force myself to schedule time to just sit and play. If something great comes out of it I just go with it.

4. Who is your inspiration?
Mostly right now its been a blog called SWF (stylish white female) I love her clothes. And im pretty much addicted to Pinterest.com

5. How many photos do you take?
A zillion? Is that really something I can count? Id say between 500-700 per event. I delete the bad ones when I get home, and weed out the duplicates. Sometimes I take more if im on continuous shot mode.

Thanks for joining me today! Email your 5 Question Friday questions to katpapercrafts@gmail.com

Lots of Stamp Sets for Sale!!! Summer Clearance!

2011-06-19T21:16:00.002-04:00

I have the following stamps sets for sale. I’m cleaning out and paring down as I do WAY more scrapbooking than stamping…. Most of the envelopes have my last name on them but I’m sure it can be removed or covered.
New Stamps- A $6 B $9 C $13 D $15
Used Stamps- A $5 B $8 C $12 D $14
Stained with Stazon- A $4 B $6 C $10 D $12

Shipping is $5 no matter how many you buy anywhere in the US. They will ship priority mail. I take pay pal or check.

PLEASE EMAIL ME AT katpapercrafts@gmail.com with what you'd like. If you'd like a bunch we can work out a bulk price!!

New-
A1080 Amore Numbers
A1113 A Game
B1334 Journey ? (not sure of the name was a WOG stamp)
B1315 Code It
C1396 Love Birds
C1222 Seasonal Thoughts
D1424 Something Splendid
D1376 Holiday Warmth
D1422 Wonderful Friend
D1400 Celebrate the everyday Card kit Stamp
D1452 Find Your Style
D1342 World’s Best Dad
D1350 Tender Tags
D1409 Flower Pot
D1140 Miracle
D1307 Annotations
D1351 You’ve Got Flair
D1341 Butterfly Wings

Used-
A1084 Sweet Flowers
A1090 Summers Wave
B1349 Summer Wishes
B1322 Believe in Your Dreams
B1321 Reach for the Stars
B1033 Blossom Blocks
B1323 Just the Ticket
B1204 Life is So Good
B 1203 Dainty
B1339 Love is in the Air
B1337 Sept 2009 WOG Stamp (Twitterpatted)
B1279 Life is a Party
B1277 Hello Friend
B1305 Yeehaw
B1316 Coffee Stain
B1306 Cattage Floral
B1348 Bowl of Cherries
B1338 Follow your Heart
C1306 Genuine Country
C1342 Damask Tiles
C1298 Party Inviatation
D1426 Over the Rainbow
D1424 Something Splendid
D1309 Heartthrob
D1260 Endless Love
D1110 Give Thanks
D1227 Legendary Moments
D1261 Simple Beauty

Stained-
C 1301 Thing of Beauty
D1322 Adorning Corners
D14223 Happy Forever
D1369 Delightful Things

Unveiling a surprise soon!

2011-06-17T07:26:00.001-04:00

I finally have a logo for Kat Papercrafts!! I will be updating the look of the blog this weekend. I also have been working on a merchandising display so I can enter several juried shows with my tutus. Exciting things are coming. :) look for an update by saturday night!!

Just a little peek

2011-06-14T10:38:00.001-04:00

Into what I've been investing my free crafting time into lately....
Tutus... lots and lots of tutus.
With matching onesies, belts, wands, hair clips, and handmade flower pins.
I've been a busy girl.

Redinger Hartnett Wedding October 23, 2010

2011-04-04T20:43:00.003-04:00

At the request of several people here are some more photos from the Redinger Hartnett Wedding. I wasn't the official photographer for the event but i did get to play around with my new Nikon D3000. This makes me want to be a professional wedding photographer.

Click on the slide show to begin.

From Movies

Favorite Photos

2011-04-01T14:23:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share of few of my favorite photos that i have taken over the past several years and a little detail about them. Some were taken with a fancy camera, some not so much. :) Here they are!

1. Triple B Farms 2009: This is my future niece (who already calls me Aunt Karyn) checking out our giant wheel barrow full of pumpkins! Her pig tails were just the cutest!!

2. This is her again during a princess photoshoot that we did. We set up her pop up castle in my side yard next to my block garage wall and inside the castle turned everything pink. Yes, even Aunt Karyn had to get in the castle to play!

3. This is Mr. Yamber. One of D's prof's from school the night her graduated. He looked like a cross between Gandolf and Gimley from Lord of the Rings.

4. I took this shot with my Nikon D3000 from a moving car. I'm awesome. (off the turnpike on the way to Bedford)

5. Another shot with the D3000 from a moving car. I loved these trees.

6. While family shots at the Hartnett Wedding were being taken i was lurking....

7. Sylar was the cutest ring bearer i've ever seen. He was eating the gourd that carried the rings.

8. Carrie being given away by her dad.. It was such a sweet moment and i love the close up shots.

9. I love DETAILS! While a reading was being given Bob and Carrie held hands. I'm pretty sure he was squeezing her pretty tightly right here.

10. Carrie had on BEAUTIFUL earrings. And she was laughing the entire time. I was sneaky and snapping away while she wasn't paying attention.

11. They were going for that European type shot where everyone is milling around and the photographer for the wedding was too close to them all. I was at the top of the hill while they were all down by the lake and i managed to get the shot they were going for. Thats what happens when you spend years dreaming about your wedding!

12. This is on my list because someone pointed out how amazing all these angles were and the more i look at it the more and more i find. Its beautiful in Hilton Head and i want to live there someday.

13. On our last vacation i made D get a little artsy with me. Cheesy but the sun was in such a perfect spot for this picture that i couldn't resist.

14. One of the coolest things i think i have ever seen. This was taken in the Zion Cemetery in HHI. The headstones are so old that the trees are growing up around them.

15. This was taken at about 8am. There were about 10 bikes like these all with different colored wheels. The wheels are about 6 foot tall (huge water bikes!) I love the composition.

16. I'm a sucker for anything old, worn, weathered and beaten down. This window was perfect.

17. I also love bridges. Its a good thing i live in a city with 3 major rivers, a lot of minor rivers and pretty much the most bridges EVER!

18. More bridges.

19. Back in 2005 there was a fire in one of the buildings across the street from my ghetto apartment. Turns out it was a meth lab that caught on fire. I couldn't go to work because the hoses blocked my drive way and i couldn't get my car out to leave. So i walked around taking pictures instead.

20. Another picture from the fire. This is the Bettis truck spraying a chemical retardant on the building after it burnt for about 2 and a half hours.

Wedding Progess Update!!

2011-04-01T13:32:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone!! I wanted to share some wedding progress with you all!
We have set an official date!! September 7, 2012!
We have booked a ceremony/reception cite!! Stratigos Banquet Hall in Irwin, Pa
We have set up a photographer!! The amazingly talented Amanda Wilson! (I'm giving her a little shout out here because i LOVE her photos, and she is the most down to earth, easy going, laid back person i've ever met and i'm so excited for her to take my picture! That says alot because i'm used to being behind the lens and hate having my picture taken!
We have a DJ! M*, a friend of D's is going to take care of it all! He's the man! (and he's cheap!!)
I have a prototype for the boutonnieres made up and i've made 10 paper flowers for them already. (photos to come soon!)
I have a huge list of silly items that i have to buy. They are ridiculously priced things ranging from $2.49 to $39.99 but fear not because i am a craft coupon queen!! Nothing will be purchased at full price! From card boxes to aisle runners i have 50% off JoAnn's coupons to make my purchases cheap! GO ME!

April 9th is bridesmaids day. Well the Trovato-Pope Wedding Bridesmaid day.
What does this extravaganza consist of?
Heh. I'm making my girls get up for 10 am (theres a good reason i promise- i'm not crazy i swear!) and we are trying on dresses at Alfred Angelo. Andrea the wonderful manager of the Monroeville store is our helper. She knows her stuff and i prefer her to the other store associates (one was mean to me and i complained- eek!) And she only had 10 am or 1pm available. We are also going to have lunch and tasty adult beverages after dresses (10am appt because if we did 1pm we'd have to do lunch first as not to be hungry and cranky and getting drunk at 11am didn't seem too appropriate).
So there will be big girls day out, and a chance for some of my girls to get to know the ones they have only met a few times!
I'm excited!! Its a much needed break from work and real life and its one of the more fun parts of planning a wedding.

OH! And i have also picked a dress!! I can tell you that its a Maggie Soterra and its GORGEOUS!!! I look at the picture pretty much every single day and imagine D's face when he sees me in it for the first time.
Man i love that man. <3

Update: 101 Things in 101 Days

2011-03-31T09:35:00.000-04:00

Begins: September 20, 2010
Ends: June 19, 2013

Career and Education
1. Finish Bachelors Degree in Business Management
2. Meet 5 new CTMH customers [3/5] Sherri, Mimi, Erica/Kim
3. Get 3 new CTMH team members [1/3] Added JoAnn Petty to my team!
4. Make $1000 profit with CTMH (without spending it) [$0/$1000]
5. Do 4 craft shows in 2011 [2/4] March 12, March 26
6. Do 4 craft shows in 2012 [o/4]

Financial7. Be debt free except for mortgage
8. Put $5 in Savings account for each item I cross off [0/101]
9. Put $10 in savings account for each item not crossed off on June 19, 2013
10. Increase my 401K contribution to 8%
11. Increase my 401K contribution to 9%
12. Increase my 401K contribution to 10%
13. Stick to a budget of $80 a month for CTMH [0/33]
14. Have $15,000 in my savings account
15. Increase savings account to $50 per pay
16. Increase savings account to $75 per pay
17. Increase savings account to $100 per pay
Health and Wellness
18. Work out 3 times a week [0/429]
19. Lose 5 pounds [5/5] March 30, 201120. Lose 10 additional pounds [1/10]
21. Lose 15 additional pounds [0/15]
22. Lose 50 total pounds [0/50]
23. Rejoin the gym
24. Take a Yoga or Zumba class

Travel
25. Visit 5 states I haven’t been to yet [0/5]
26. Go on a cruise
27. Visit Italy
28. Drive somewhere random by only making left turns
29. Go to Washington DC
30. Go to a CTMH Convention
31. Visit the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame
32. See the Grand Canyon

Adventure
33. Let someone else plan my day from start to end having no control over what happens
34. Learn to ski
35. Learn to snowboard
36. Ride all the roller coasters in Cedar Point
37. Ride in an airplane

Leisure
38. Visit the Carnegie Science Center
39. Visit the Warhol Museum
40. Visit the Carnegie Museum
41. Visit the Aviary
42. Visit Sports Works
43. Read a new book every month [8/33]
44. Go ice skating at PPG Place
45. Play mini golf46. Learn to cook 12 new meals [4/12] Meatloaf, Herb Roasted Turkey and Smashed Potatoes, Montreal Steak, Penzeys Pot Roast
47. See a Musical
48. See a Play
49. Go to a concert
50. Go to a Steelers Game
51. Go to a Pens Game February 2, 2011
52. Subscribe to a magazine Better Homes and Gardens
53. Clip Coupons once a week54. Go to Kennywood Fright Nights
55. Go to Triple B Farms
56. Take a photography class
57. Take a cooking class
58. Take a baking class
59. Go out to eat once a month
60. Bake Christmas cookies from scratch
61. Make homemade salsa

Creative
62. Make an Etsy site and list 15 items [23/15] http://etsy.com/shop/katrovato
63. Take a photo for each letter of the alphabet and scrapbook it [0/26]
64. Get a photo published
65. Complete a scrapbook layout each week [12/143]
66. Submit old poetry for publication
67. Write a short story
68.Post in blog once a week [6/143]
69. Purchase a new camera (Nikon D3000) Got this in October! LOVE it!
Home Projects
70. Paint basement
71. Convert attic to bedroom
72. Remodel upstairs bathroom
73. Remodel downstairs bathroom
74. Finish basement
75. Replace front porch stairs
76. Paint garage trim
77. New garage door
78. New outside lights (post, front porch, back porch, garage motion light)
79. Redo sidewalk
80. New stove
81. New fridge
82. New washer
83. New dryer
84. Finish kitchen cabinet organization
85. Insulate attic86. Resolve Water in basement
87. Organize Derricks basement stuff88. Fence in side yard
89. Build Patio
90. Electric outlet on front porch
91. Start a garden

Personal
92. Get engaged93. Get Married
94. Have a child
95. Make 5 new friends [2/5] Carrie! Jayme!
96. Learn to make pizzelles
97. Learn to make lady locks
98. Donate something to charity Donated Approximately $375 worth of Mary Kay to various fundraisers99. Buy a bike
100. Show Derrick I appreciate him more
101. Start a new 101 things list when this is completed (add the ones not done to the new list

I hadn't paid much attention to this and ran across my old post today, so i decided to update it. I did way more than i thought i did! Its encouraging to keep at it!

Letter to the 16 year old me:

2011-03-15T18:05:00.000-04:00

I've been inspired by a new website called Off Our Chests. Because frankly, sometimes being a girl sucks. And I wish this was around when I was younger. And i know this theme is a little cliche, but oh well.

Dear 16 Year Old ME:
You're Good Enough. You're Smart Enough. And Gosh Darn It People Like You!

So maybe only 2/3 of those qualities are true right now. People may not be danging down your door to be your friend. You're going to date some awful guys. You're going to get in a fight with you best friend. You're going to find that life isn't nearly as great as it looks in movies and and on TV.
Sounds fantastic doesn't it?
Well it gets better, I promise. College is a blast. You make wonderful friends that love you for the great caring person you are. They know you better than you know yourself sometimes, and they are always there. You're going to get a bad grade or two and its not the end of the world. There will be world tragedies, and wars. There will be heartache and pain.
But don't worry. Because that part about you being good enough and smart enough? Its true. Its what makes you the friend you are. The creative soul you are often awed for. And the soulmate of a boy you used to hate. (That tall blonde drummer guy, yeah, him. He's the one.)
You're going to marry your best friend. You're going to have an amazing home. A great relationship with your parents, and even your brother.
You're going to grow up and all of the things that seem to suck while you are 16 are going to seem petty and small in comparison to the rest of the world.

Love,
The 30 Year Old ME

Exciting news!

2011-02-17T09:00:00.001-05:00

On Friday February 11th my boyfriend of 4 years proposed! There will be many posts of our hand made wedding details to come for our wedding in fall of 2012!

Craft-A-Palooza!!

2011-01-18T18:59:00.012-05:00

WELCOME!!

My weekend "Craft-A-Palooza" was very successful. This is the new My Creations Banner. I was inspired by a posted on the CTMH bulletin board (I can't remember her name though!)

I used my Spray Pen to splatter paint the banner, added some pleated flowers and used the new Bohemian Alphabet and the Wings Level 2 Paper Pack

Here is a close up of my pleated flower. (tutorial coming soon!)

There have been alot of different memo board projects out there and this was my take on the cookie sheet memo board. My dollar store was all out of cookie sheets in the side and shape i wanted, so a pizza pan was my next idea!

This is a retired paper pack of the Creative Basics Silhouette paper. (i'm using up my stock of paper to prepare for "Consume It, Don't Collect It!")

I stamped my flowers on textured cardstock, distressed them, cut them out, added Pewter Brads and used Liquid Glass to attach some magnets (I used heavy duty ones so they hold pictures and cards and heavier weight papers)

Close up of the flower magnet

My next two projects were some wall hanging.

I used the Mix and Mingle Album, the Wings Level 2 Paper Pack, Blue and Green Sparkles, and the January Stamp of The Month.

I stamped right on to the chipboard and distressed it with ink and a sponge.

These are some quilled flowers (tutorial coming soon)

The second wall hanging (I LOVE THIS ONE!!)

I used the chip board and acrylic pages of the Mix and Mingle Album

I used Black Staz-On to stamp on the plastic sheets

I cut out my butterflies, folded up the wings and only attached the center of the body, so they look like they are fluttering. The center is enhanced with Licorice Opaques

And those were the rest of my adventures from this past weekend! I hope you enjoyed your visit!

My Creative Space

2011-01-15T20:58:00.003-05:00

This is my creative space....

I got the letters off of a General Motors Training Center that was closed years and years ago. I took the letters i wanted (they are aluminum) and then repainted them a matte silver.

You can see the over the door shoe rack that i have on the closet door. It holds wrapping paper, and all my freebies and give aways for my business as well as any workshop supplies i have in bulk.

You can't really see my "island" because its covered in craft supplies but its made from Jet Max Storage cubes and a melamine table top.

This is my supply corner. It houses all my ink, my magazines and all my "everyday" supplies like sanding supplies, adhesives, etc.) I also have slots for my How To programs and my finished and in process scrapbooks

This is the opposite wall from the "create" wall. These are all my stamps, my favorite books, my cd player and on the bottom shelf are all my embellishment containers.

This is my jewelry making/ sewing station. Usually the desktop is clear of stuff and i can pull out a jewelry project or set my sewing machine up. Up on the wall are my CTMH certificates (Supervisor and PhD) and my college diploma. on the shelf are all my jewelry projects that are items for sale. (i keep the jewelry i make for me separate). I have the words Dream, Wish, Live under the shelf.

You can also see my really messy closet. Its such a weird little closet because there is a heat duct coming thru the floor (we have sort of an old house and they added this for the adjacent bedroom). Its also very shallow (like many old closets) so you can't really hang anything from it. So i added shelves and thats where i store all my not so pretty containers and extra stuff that i just toss in there when i'm cleaning up.

My "island" that is pictured above there are slots for paper all on one side, and drawers on the other side. Most of the drawers are empty right now, because the "island" was a Black Friday purchase when the cubes where on a super doorbuster sale.

It needs a good cleaning after my whirlwind craft session today, but its my favorite space now that its mostly finished. I can be creative and relax here. I need some comfy desk chairs still though.

My kitties have a little space in here too but right now that section was a super mess! I'll post more pics once its all cleaned up.

New Artwork!

2011-01-15T20:26:00.008-05:00

I have a TON of great stuff to post. I'm going to split this into two posts. One right now, and one tomorrow.

This is the Sweetheart Workshop On The Go.

I am in LOVE with this paper! I ADORE it!

Left Page

Right Page

Detail of Top Right Page. (White Daisy Brads and Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment)

Detail of Bottom Left Page

Lucky Workshop On The Go.

This is a pretty manly looking kit. It features a bicycle theme.

Left Page

Right Page

Detail Top Right Page

I made these little guys out of our mini kraft 3x3 albums and the Splendor paper pack.

(Hot Diggity Stamp Set)

This is the Sophia Workshop On The Go

Detail of bottom left

Left Page

Right Page

Sweetheart, Lucky and Sophia are three of the new kits that will be released on February 1st!

I have been a busy little bee and can't wait to post the rest of the projects i worked on today! I'll be crafting all weekend and will have alot more great things to show you all soon!

Desk Calendar

2010-12-30T09:52:00.006-05:00

Last night i started a four day weekend, and I thought i'd kick it off right! I had a different version of this calendar on my desk at work for the past two years. I was tired of looking at it, so I did a re-vamp!

Here are my supplies:

Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack, Exclusive Inks (Pacifica, Lagoon, Chocolate), Opaques (Mocha), Bitty Sparkles (Blues), Chocolate Mini Medley (this is available only in a WOG kit), Chocolate Grossgrain Ribbon, My Creations Display Album, Paper Flowers

I'm really excited about the new papers that are coming out on Febuary 1st, but I have a large selection of paper that i need to use up before I can get more. So there will be many, many more projects to come!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-17T08:15:00.006-05:00

Christmas is fast approaching. Close To My Heart has some great deals going on now (and lots of exciting stuff coming up in January!) Right now we are offering the Plenty For Twenty

When you spend $20 on my website (http://karyn.myctmh.com/) you will receive a FREE stamp set! The stamp set will be randomly selected by corporate headquarters. Feel free to place multiple $20 orders for as many FREE stamp sets as you would like!

Also right now you have a chance to purchase the December Stamp of The Month.
It is pictured below. You have 5 options.
You can purchase the stamp set outright for $22.95 (do it on the website and get the Plenty for Twenty too!)
You can spend $25 and get the stamp set for 25 % off
You can spend $50 and get it for 50% off
You can spend $75 and get it for 75% off
OR you can spend $100 and get it for FREE! (all of these options will get you the Plenty for Twenty deal too!)

Coming up in January we will be releasing the Inspirations Brochure

To kick off this FABULOUS new mini catalog I will be hosting a 2011 Kick Off Party at my home on January 8th. Contact me for more details: katrovato@gmail.com

A New Year’s Resolution: I’m early.

2010-11-12T08:17:00.001-05:00

First off, I do not blog regularly enough. I’m aware. Go ahead and stone me.
Done yet? Good.

I plan on blogging a lot more regularly, I really do. That’s one of my goals for this upcoming year. I need to keep my customers updated. I need to preserve some memories and I need to get my creative juices flowing again.

The end of 2010 holds some spectacular things with Close To My Heart.
Here is the run down:

November- Anyone who orders $100 or more not only gets the Stamp of the Month for FREE, but you get to pick an additional A, B, C or D size stamp set for FREE as well! (sorry no E size stamp sets for free!)
I’m also collecting addresses of individuals who would like the new January Inspiration Brochure.

December- Purchase $20 or more from my retail site (http://karyn.myctmh.com) and receive a stamp set (randomly selected by headquarters) for FREE! This means you can spend $20-25 on an order and get a free stamp set, then place another order of $20-25 and get ANOTHER stamp set FREE! A clever way to get a lot of stuff for free. Keep those free items, and give the other stuff away as Christmas gifts, or vice versa.

January- THIS IS A BIG MONTH!! There will be an Inspiration Brochure available January 1st. This brochure is a filler because a new system of catalogs will be released in February. Inspiration will feature 5 discounted stamp sets that normally wouldn’t be released until February. They are:
A Fun Now $5 Was $7.95
Rosy Regards Now $10 Was $13.95
Take A Picture Now $15 Was $18.95
Dreams Come True Now $18 Was $22.95
Bohemian Alphabet Now $25 Was $34.95

There are some additional promotions as well. They are:
Purchase the “Wing” Workshop on the Go:
· And 1 item from the Inspiration Brochure and receive the January Stamp of The Month at 25% off
· And 2 different items from the Inspiration Brochure and receive the January Stamp of The Month at 50% off
· And 3 different items from the Inspiration Brochure and receive the January Stamp of The Month at 75% off
· And 4 or more different items from the Inspiration Brochure and receive the January Stamp of The Month for FREE

2. Purchase the My Creations Banner, the Bohemian Alphabet, and the “Wings”
Workshop on the Go and receive bonus instructions to create a banner with the
extra workshop supplies

The “Wings” Workshop on the Go contains the following: instruction booklet, an exclusive stamp set, a mini medley black collection, a level 2 paper pack and a Spray Pen (*Spray pen is only available with this select workshop!)

To debut these great deals I am holding a 2011 Kick Off Party on January 8th from 2-4pm. There will be drinks, snacks, games and prizes! Contact me for details.

February- A new catalog format will be released. It will run 6 months at a time. This means that the items in the current catalog will mostly be retired, and they are only available during the time they are featured in the catalog. This helps us keep everything fresh and trendy.

So with all the great things coming up I hope that you all will follow along, invite your friends to start reading and scrapbooking, and that you enjoy preserving your memories!

101 Things in 1001 Days

2010-09-20T10:55:00.002-04:00

So i decided that i would start this over from scratch because i was kind of slacking. So here is the new list! (Red items are complete)

Begins: September 20, 2010
Ends: June 19, 2013

Career and Education
1. Finish Bachelors Degree in Business Management
2. Meet 5 new CTMH customers [0/5]
3. Get 3 new CTMH team members [0/3]
4. Make $1000 profit with CTMH (without spending it) [$0/$1000]
5. Do 4 craft shows in 2011 [0/4]
6. Do 4 craft shows in 2012 [o/4]

Financial
7. Be debt free except for mortgage
8. Put $5 in Savings account for each item I cross off [0/101]
9. Put $10 in savings account for each item not crossed off on June 19, 2013
10. Increase my 401K contribution to 8%
11. Increase my 401K contribution to 9%
12. Increase my 401K contribution to 10%
13. Stick to a budget of $80 a month for CTMH [0/33]
14. Have $15,000 in my savings account
15. Increase savings account to $50 per pay
16. Increase savings account to $75 per pay
17. Increase savings account to $100 per pay

Health and Wellness
18. Work out 3 times a week [0/429]
19. Lose 5 pounds [0/5]
20. Lose 10 additional pounds [0/10]
21. Lose 15 additional pounds [0/15]
22. Lose 50 total pounds [0/50]
23. Rejoin the gym
24. Take a Yoga or Zumba class

Travel
25. Visit 5 states I haven’t been to yet [0/5]
26. Go on a cruise
27. Visit Italy
28. Drive somewhere random by only making left turns
29. Go to Washington DC
30. Go to a CTMH Convention
31. Visit the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame
32. See the Grand Canyon

Adventure
33. Let someone else plan my day from start to end having no control over what happens
34. Learn to ski
35. Learn to snowboard
36. Ride all the roller coasters in Cedar Point
37. Ride in an airplane

Leisure
38. Visit the Carnegie Science Center
39. Visit the Warhol Museum
40. Visit the Carnegie Museum
41. Visit the Aviary
42. Visit Sports Works
43. Read a new book every month [0/33]
44. Go ice skating at PPG Place
45. Play mini golf
46. Learn to cook 12 new meals [0/12]
47. See a Musical
48. See a Play
49. Go to a concert
50. Go to a Steelers Game
51. Go to a Pens Game
52. Subscribe to a magazine
53. Clip Coupons once a week
54. Go to Kennywood Fright Nights
55. Go to Triple B Farms
56. Take a photography class
57. Take a cooking class
58. Take a baking class
59. Go out to eat once a month
60. Bake Christmas cookies from scratch
61. Make homemade salsa

Creative
62. Make an Etsy site and list 15 items [0/15]
63. Take a photo for each letter of the alphabet and scrapbook it [0/26]
64. Get a photo published
65. Complete a scrapbook layout each week [0/143]
66. Submit old poetry for publication
67. Write a short story
68.Post in blog once a week [0/143]
69. Purchase a new camera (Nikon D3000)

Home Projects
70. Paint basement
71. Convert attic to bedroom
72. Remodel upstairs bathroom
73. Remodel downstairs bathroom
74. Finish basement
75. Sand and stain front porch stairs
76. Paint garage trim
77. New garage door
78. New outside lights (post, front porch, back porch, garage motion light)
79. Redo sidewalk
80. New stove
81. New fridge
82. New washer
83. New dryer
84. Finish kitchen cabinet organization
85. Insulate attic
86. Resolve Water in basement
87. Organize Derricks basement stuff
88. Fence in side yard
89. Build Patio
90. Electric outlet on front porch
91. Start a garden

Personal
92. Get engaged
93. Get Married
94. Have a child
95. Make 5 new friends [0/5]
96. Learn to make pizzelles
97. Learn to make lady locks
98. Donate something to charity
99. Buy a bike
100. Show Derrick I appreciate him more
101. Start a new 101 things list when this is completed (add the ones not done to the new list

September I love you.

2010-09-01T08:05:00.002-04:00

While i'm anxiously awaiting vacation i thought i'd fill you in abit on some things. Upon my return i will be blogging regularly. (At least once a week). I will be posting contests, challanges, etc. It's going to be fun! I don't want my blogging to feel like a chore any longer.

I have a new downline (my very first one) and her name is Joann. We went to highschool together and reconnected through Twitter! (this social media stuff is pretty cool!) She's already off to a great start creating some awesome stuff!

Don't forget the September workshop is September 26th at 3pm, and to participate you need to order your kit before September 15th for it to be delivered in time! Its item # G1013. It's called Olivia. She's beautiful. Just so you know. I'll post some vacation pictures through out the week next week, and then its all crafting all the time! Well mostly!

September is around the corner

2010-08-27T08:20:00.002-04:00

Here is it, August 27th. Its hard to believe that the summer is nearly over. But with the arrival of September 1st there are great things happening with Close To My Heart! Where to even start!
A new idea book is being revealed. It will be available on September 1st. There are some amazing new products and reduced prices on select items!
There is a new HOW TO book called MAGIC and it will help you make some interactive scrapbooking layouts. I've done a few already and i'm in LOVE!
There is also a new hostess rewards program. Basically you can earn FREE PRODUCT even FASTER!

On October 1st you'll be able to hold an ONLINE gathering. Have your friends from far away make a purchase and it will count towards your gathering, without having anyone come to your house! AWESOME!

Also, my WORKSHOPS ON THE GO! are back!!
I'm sooooo excited! The first one will be September 26th at 3pm. To sign up, go to my website (use the shop with me link to the right) and order ITEM# G1013 Between September 1-15th. It will ship right to your home! All you have to do is show up on the 26th with adhesive and a paper trimmer and i'll show you how to assemble a great fall layout!!
You'll also be able to see the next October workshop as well! Its super cute and just in time for Halloween!! Ooooo! Spooky!

RETIRED LIST FOR 2011!!!!!

2010-07-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Retiring List The following items are available while supplies last.
Approved to retire at end of 2010

Accessories
Z1214	Brads Summer Carnival
Z1216	Brads Winter Cozy
Z1212	Brads Spring Harmony
Z1220	Twinkle Brads Jolly
Z1218	Brads Basic
Z1213	Brads Spring Blossom
Z1217	Brads Metal
Z1219	Brads Essential
Z1215	Brads Autumn Harvest
Z1317	Designer Brads Splendor
Z1036	Clear Inspirations Clear Buttons
Z1155	Craft Buttons Clear
Z1282	Craft Buttons Summer
Z1283	Craft Buttons Autumn
Z1281	Craft Buttons Spring
Z1206	Craft Buttons Basics
Z1284	Craft Buttons Winter
Z1285	Craft Buttons Holiday
X5750	Color-Ready Alphabets Bold
Z1115	Dimensional Elements Simple Numbers
Z1019	Dimensional Elements Fresh Shapes
Z1139	Dimensional Elements Perennials
Z1047	Dimensional Elements Simple Alphabets Upper
Z1048	Dimensional Elements Simple Alphabets Lower
Z1230	Dimensional Elements In Color Organic Buttons
Z1145	HeartFelt Die-Cuts Whimsy
Z1162	Foam Die-Cuts Numbers
Z1158	Dimensional Elements In Color Adventure
Z1159	Badge Buttons
Z1150	Stardust Flexi Labels
Z1148	Pretty Pins
Z1210	HeartFelt Wonder
Z1053	Clear Inspirations Tags
Z1270	Soft Suede Pin Wheels
Z1272	Top Coats Rockin
Z1033	Just Blooms Big Pinks
Z822	Just Blooms Summer Posies
X1407	Journaling Spots Love Always
X1409	Journaling Spots Journey
Z1315	Fancy Fuzz Zippidee
Z1318	Marks Passages
Z1319	Opaques Cherry-O
Z1287	Edge Anchors Rustic
Z1286	Edge Anchors Vintage
Z1161	FoundryTabs
Z293	Photo Hangers
X285	Metal Rimmed Tags Circles
Z291	Hinge Pack
Z1032	Metal Rimmed Tags Flowers
Z1288	Edge Anchors Heritage
Z1035	Edge Anchors Cottage
Z1271	Tiny Tabs
Z1136	Mini Medley White Daisy
Z1121	Mini Medley Holiday
Z1119	Mini Medley Autumn Garden
Z1118	Mini Medley Spring Blossom
Z1120	Mini Medley Winter Cozy
X1408	Fancy Cuts Borders
Z1041	Expressives Font CD Volume II
X1405	Fancy Cuts Botanicals
X301	Weekly Calendar
Z1165	Mini Album Kraft with Jute
Z1117	My Creations Acrylic Mini Album
Z1132	My Pages Talk Voice Recorder
Z1291	My Creations Artboard
Z1052	Designer Ribbon Ricrac
Z1095	Embroidery Floss Yellow & Orange Assortment
Z1034	Designer Ribbon Black
Z1099	Bulk Twill 3/8
Z1122	Designer Ribbon Hollyhock
Z1138	Designer Ribbon Blush
Z1127	Designer Ribbon Chocolate
Z100	Organdy White Daisy 5/8
Z1123	Designer Ribbon Sorbet
Z1124	Designer Ribbon Heavenly Blue
Z209	OrgandyWhiteDaisy3/8
Z1131	Designer Ribbon Crème Brulee
Z1129	Designer Ribbon Outdoor Denim
Z1101	Bulk Black Grosgrain 3/8
Z1128	Waxy Flax Blush
Z1087	Waxy Flax Sunflower
Z1222	Glitter Rub-Ons Winter Cheer
Z1098	Rub-Ons Love Letters
Z1153	Rub-Ons All-Out Adventure
Z1135	Rub-Ons Love Story
Z1097	Rub-Ons Nature's Ambiance
Z1221	Glitter Rub-ons Remarks
Albums
Z4108	Snapease Album System 6x6
Z4109	Snapease Album System 9x9
Z4125	My Legacy Album Protectors 6x6
Z4124	My Legacy Album Protectors 9x9
Z4117	12x12 Four Pocket Photo Storage Pages (10)
Z4116	Memory Protector Value Pack Matte 12x12 (50)
Z4123	My Legacy Album Protectors 12x12
Z4118	Memory Protector Clear 9x9 (10)
4112	Memory Protectors Clear 6x6 (10)
Z4130	Spine Expanders 9x9 (10)
Z1251	My Legacy Linen Album Black 6x6
Z1197	My Legacy Linen Album Dark Cocoa 9x9
Z1200	My Legacy Linen Album Dark Cocoa 6x6
1154	My Legacy Album Leather English Tan 12X12
1155	My Legacy Album Simulated Dark Blue 12X12
1159	My Legacy Album Simulated Black 12X12
Z1250	My Legacy Linen Album Black 9x9
1153	My Legacy Album Leather Black 12X12
Z1201	My Legacy Linen Album Hollyhock 12x12
Z1188	My Legacy Linen Album Black 12x12
Z1184	My Legacy Linen Album Outdoor Denim 12x12
Z1196	My Legacy Linen Album Dark Cocoa 12x12
Z1183	My Legacy Linen Album Garden Green 12X12
Z1182	My Legacy Linen Album Cranberry 12x12
1151	My Legacy Album Leather Burgundy 12X12
Coloring
Z902	Soft Chalks Spring
Z903	Soft Chalks Summer
Z904	Soft Chalks Autumn
Z905	Soft Chalks Winter
Z650	Embossing Powder Clover Meadow
Z651	Embossing Powder Star Spangled Blue
Z653	Embossing Powder Sunny Yellow
Z2309	Marker Bubblegum
Z2338	Marker Orange
Z2313	Marker Clover Meadow
Z2329	Marker Hydrangea
Z2312	Marker Citrus Leaf
Z2336	Marker Ocean
Z2358	Marker Watermelon
Z2349	Marker Star Spangled Blue
Z1556	Marker Set Summer Celebration
Z1551	Marker Set Summer Carnival
Z2249	Reinker Star Spangled Blue
Z2209	Reinker Bubblegum
Z2229	Reinker Hydrangea
Z2236	Reinker Ocean
Z2238	Reinker Orange
Z2258	Reinker Watermelon
Z2212	Reinker Citrus Leaf
Z2213	Reinker Clover Meadow
Z2112	Stamp Pad Citrus Leaf
Z2138	Stamp Pad Orange
Z2109	Stamp Pad Bubblegum
Z2158	Stamp Pad Watermelon
Z2136	Stamp Pad Ocean
Z2113	StampPadCloverMeadow
Z2129	Stamp Pad Hydrangea
Z2149	Stamp Pad Star Spangled Blue
Z1566	Stamp Pad Set Summer Celebration
Z1561	Stamp Pad Set Summer Carnival
Organization
Z801	Ribbon Round Organizer
Z4202	Rolling Carryall
Z183	My Accents Organizer
Paper Product
X5671	Textured Cardstock White Daisy
1228	Cardstock 12x12 Citrus Leaf
1281	Cardstock 12x12 Orange
X5681	Textured Cardstock Spring Harmony
X5702	Cardstock Combo 8.5x11 Summer Celebration
X5665	Cardstock 9x9 White Daisy (24)
1229	Cardstock 12x12 Clover Meadow
X5745	Textured Cardstock Summer Celebration
X1412	Cardstock 8.5x11 Black
1231	Cardstock 12x12 Bubblegum
X5688	Cardstock Combo 8.5x11 Summer Carnival
1226	Cardstock 12x12 Watermelon
X5683	Cardstock Combo 12X12 Summer Carnival
1233	Cardstock 12x12 Star Spangled Blue
X1411	Cardstock 8.5x11 Colonial White
X5697	Cardstock Combo 12x12 Summer Celebration
X5807	Creative Basics Animal Cookies
X5808	Creative Basics Jingle
X5806	Creative Basics Emporium
X5810	Creative Basics Cherry-O
X5809	Creative Basics Vernada
X8623	Around The Holidays My Originals Card Kit
X8624	Bits & Pieces My Originals Card Kit
X8622	Its Your Day My Originals Card Kit
X8621	Hello Birdie My Originals Card Kit
X8616	Lets Get Together My Originals Card Kit
X8619	Happy Everything My Originals Card Kit
X8618	Cute As A Button My Originals Card Kit
X8625	Sugar & Spice My Originals Card Kit
X7100A	My Reflections Perfect Day Level 1
X7100B	My Reflections Perfect Day Paper Packet
X7100C	Perfect Day My Stickease
X7103A	My Reflections Aspen Level 1
X7103C	Aspen My Stickease
X7103B	My Reflections Aspen Paper Packet
X7097C	Game On My Stickease
X7097A	My Reflections Game On Level 1 Kit
X7097B	My Reflections Game On Paper Packet
X7101A	My Reflections Magic Moments Level 1
X7101B	My Reflections Magic Moments Paper Packet
X7101C	Magic Moments My Stickease
X7104A	My Reflections Evensong Level 1
X7104B	My Reflections Evensong Paper Packet
X7104C	Evensong My Stickease
X7081C	Majestic Blue My Stickease
X7081A	My Reflections Majestic Blue Level 1
X7081B	My Reflections Majestic Blue Paper Packet
X7102A	My Reflections Notebook Level 1
X7102C	Notebook My Stickease
X7102B	My Reflections Notebook Paper Packet
X7116C	Sweet Home My Stickease
X7116B	My Reflections Sweet Home Paper Packet
X7116A	My Reflections Sweet Home Level 1
X7070A	My Reflections Simple Pleasures Level 1
X7070B	My Reflections Simple Pleasures Paper Packet
X7070C	Simple Pleasures My Stickease
X7075A	My Reflections More To Adore Level 1
X7075C	More To Adore My Stickease
X7075B	My Reflections More To Adore Paper Packet
X7095A	My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Level 1 Kit
X7095C	Boom-Di-Ada MyStickease
X7095B	My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Paper Packet
X7117C	Grace My Stickease
X7117A	My Reflections Grace Level 1
X7117B	My Reflections Grace Paper Packet
X7110C	Back Country My Stickease
X7110A	My Reflections Back Country Level 1
X7110B	My Reflections Back Country Paper Packet
X7115A	My Reflections Jingle Level 1
X7115B	My Reflections Jingle Paper Packet
X7115C	Jingle My Stickease
X7118C	Twitterpated My Stickease
X7118B	My Reflections Twitterpated Paper Packet
X7118A	My Reflections Twitterpated Level 1
X7098C	Sarsaparilla My Stickease
X7098A	My Reflections Sarsaparilla Level 1 Kit
X7098B	My Reflections Sarsaparilla Paper Packet
X7092B	My Reflections Good Times Paper Packet
X7092C	Good Times My Stickease
X7092A	My Reflections Good Times Level 1
X7106A	My Reflections Unforgettable Level 1
X7106C	Unforgettable My Stickease
X7106B	My Reflections Unforgettable Paper Packet
X7096A	My Reflections Blue Ribbon Level 1 Kit
X7096B	My Reflections Blue Ribbon Paper Packet
X7096C	Blue Ribbon My Stickease
X7114C	Bella My Stickease
X7114A	My Reflections Bella Level 1
X7114B	My Reflections Bella Paper Packet
X7107C	That's Amore My Stickease
X7107A	My Reflections That's Amore Level 1
X7107B	My Reflections That’s Amore Paper Packet
X7091A	My Reflections It’s a Guy Thing Level 1
X7091B	My Reflections It’s a Guy Thing Paper Packet
X7091C	It's A Guy Thing My Stickease
X7111A	My Reflections Moon Doggie Level 1
X7111B	My Reflections Moon Doggie Paper Packet
X7111C	Moon Doggie My Stickease
X7112C	Animal Cookies My Stickease
X7112A	My Reflections Animal Cookies Level 1
X7112B	My Reflections Animal Cookies Paper Packet
X7105A	My Reflections Emporium Level 1
X7105B	My Reflections Emporium Paper Packet
X7105C	Emporium My Stickease
X7119A	My Reflections Veranda Level 1
X7119C	Veranda My Stickease
X7119B	My Reflections Veranda Paper Packet
X7113A	My Reflections Tinkerin Level 1
X7113C	Tinkerin My Stickease
X7113B	My Reflections Tinkerin Paper Packet
X7090A	My Reflections Silhouette Level 1
X7090C	Silhouette My Stickease
X7090B	My Reflections Silhouette Paper Packet
X7109C	Stardust My Stickease
X7109B	My Reflections Stardust Paper Packet
X7109A	My Reflections Stardust Level 1
X7108A	My Reflections Daydream Level 1
X7108B	My Reflections Daydream Paper Packet
X7108C	Daydream My Stickease
X7122C	You Rock My Stickease
X7122A	My Reflections You Rock Level 1
X7122B	My Reflections You Rock Paper Packet
X7125C	My Stickease Zippidee
X7125B	My Reflections Zippidee Paper Packet
X7125A	My Reflections Zippidee Level 1 Kit
X7123A	My Reflections Cherry-O Level 1 Kit
X7123C	My Stickease Cherry-O
X7123B	My Reflections Cherry-O Paper Packet
X7120C	Topstitch My Stickease
X7120B	My Reflections Topstitch Paper Product
X7120A	My Reflections Topstitch Level 1
X7126B	My Reflections Passages Paper Product
X7126C	My Stickease Passages
X7126A	My Reflections Passages Level 1 Kit
X7124A	My Reflections Splendor Level 1 Kit
X7124C	My Stickease Splendor
X7124B	My Reflections Splendor Paper Packet
X7121C	Caboodle My Stickease
X7121B	My Reflections Caboodle Paper Product
X7121A	My Reflections Caboodle Level 1
X5748	My Stickease Journaling Prompts Seasons
X5746	My Stickease Journaling Prompts About Me
X8535	Simply Snapshots Grace
X8536	Simply Snapshots You Rock
X8534	Simply Snapshots Moon Doggie
X8533	Simply Snapshots That's Amore
Tools
Z727	EZ Chalk Applicators
Z728	Soft Chalk Eraser
Z1205	Tweezers
Stamps
B1212	LITTLE TREASURES
B1225	SOLOS A
B1226	SOLOS B
B1227	SOLOS C
B1228	SOLOS D
B1229	SOLOS E
B1230	SOLOS F
B1231	SOLOS G
B1232	SOLOS H
B1233	SOLOS I
B1234	SOLOS J
B1235	SOLOS K
B1236	SOLOS L
B1237	SOLOS M
B1238	SOLOS N
B1239	SOLOS O
B1240	SOLOS P
B1241	SOLOS Q
B1242	SOLOS R
B1243	SOLOS S
B1244	SOLOS T
B1245	SOLOS U
B1246	SOLOS V
B1247	SOLOS W
B1248	SOLOS X
B1249	SOLOS Y
B1250	SOLOS Z
B1269	JOURNALING JOTS
B1286	SOLOS 1
B1287	SOLOS 2
B1288	SOLOS 3
B1289	SOLOS 4
B1290	SOLOS 5
B1291	SOLOS 6
B1292	SOLOS 7
B1293	SOLOS 8
B1294	SOLOS 9
B1295	SOLOS ZERO
B1296	JOY FOREVER
B1297	HEARTFELT
B1298	BE HAPPY
B1305	Yeehaw
B1306	Cottage Floral
B1307	Whimsical Wings
B1308	Remember this
B1311	Summer Sweetness
B1314	Inspiration
B1315	Code It
B1316	Coffee Stain
B1318	MAGIC MOMENTS
B1320	Adoration
B1321	Reach for the Stars
B1326	He Is Risen
B1327	Struck by Love
B1328	Backwoods
B1329	Shore is Fun
B1330	Surprise
B1331	Ocean Treasure
B1334	Enjoy the Journey
B1342	In the Game - Wrestling
B1344	In the Game - Lacrosse
B1345	Forever in Love
C1220	YOU'RE SPECIAL
C1234	SIMPLE STITCHES
C1257	HAPPY BIRTHDAY
C1277	CATCH OF THE DAY
C1278	LIBRARY CARDS
C1288	PLAYFUL PETALS
C1291	GIFT OF LOVE
C1293	WONDERFUL SEASON
C1297	Lovely Lace
C1299	BUTTERFLY KISS
C1300	JUST LIKE YOU
C1304	SANS ALPHABET
C1307	Western Flourishes
C1308	Be True
C1310	Happiness
C1311	Lucky Stars
C1313	Celebration Bouquet
C1315	Hero's Pride
C1316	Dog's Life
C1317	Paw Print
C1322	Gratitude
C1323	Whooo Loves You
C1326	Frosty Borders
C1336	You're Adored
C1341	Motherhood
C1343	Happy Endings
C1344	Peace, Joy, and Harmony
C1347	Ms. on the Go
C1348	Ravishing Roses
C1352	You Are Beautiful
C1357	Botanical Borders
C1358	Surf's Up
C1367	Lights, Camera, Action
C1388	Rock Star
C1389	So Sweet
C1392	In the Game - Soccer
C1393	In the Game - Play Ball
C1400	Encore
C1410	Fruitful Delight
C1412	Freedom
C1413	Go Green
D1011	IN THE WILD
D1128	HOLIDAY JUBILEE
D1194	ALL MY LOVE
D1200	ADORABLE BACKGROUNDS
D1201	FRAME OF MIND
D1204	DELIGHT IN EVERYTHING
D1207	VINTAGE POSTCARD
D1208	TICKET TAGS
D1212	PLAYFUL FLOURISHES
D1214	SPICE OF LIFE
D1217	FREE SPIRIT
D1221	DELIGHTFUL ALPHABET
D1227	LEGENDARY MOMENTS
D1237	STAR STRUCK
D1248	FLOWER CHILD
D1249	BABY MIRACLES
D1250	EXTREME CAPS
D1251	BRILLIANT BACKGROUNDS
D1252	CHECKLIST
D1255	THOUGHTS OF YOU
D1259	EASTERTIME
D1260	ENDLESS LOVE
D1261	SIMPLE BEAUTY
D1262	EXPRESS POSTAGE
D1263	BLOOMING FLOURISHES
D1276	Vintage USA
D1281	Footprints
D1284	With Love
D1285	Life's A Jungle
D1286	Today's Date
D1292	Home of the Free
D1293	Enjoy Your Journey
D1294	Play Time
D1302	Winter Memories
D1304	Life's Creation
D1316	Bon Voyage
D1329	Noteworthy
D1331	Dream Wishes
D1334	Reminisce
D1338	Bird Basics
D1343	Love Language
D1344	Ms. Gardener
D1345	Ms. Sweetheart
D1351	You've Got Flair
D1358	Childhood
D1362	Happy Healing
D1389	Ornate Ornaments - English
D1390	Ornate Ornaments - French
D1391	Ornate Ornaments - Spanish
D1405	Leave Your Mark
D1412	Noted Backgrounds
D1429	Vegetable Garden
D1430	Theme Park
E1008	STITCH ALPHABET
E1009	Building Block Alphabet

May Stamp of the Month!

2010-05-06T13:45:00.005-04:00

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your Stamp of the Month set at a great discount or FREE!

When you spend: $25 -you pay only $17.21. You save 25%
When you spend: $50 -you pay only $11.48 You save 50%
When you spend: $75 -you pay only $5.74 You save 75%
When you spend: $100 -you recieve this FREE You save 100%

Recommended My Acrylix Blocks
2 1/2" x 2 1/2" (Y1004), 2" x 3 1/2" (Y1009)

Summer 2010 Idea Book!

2010-05-06T13:27:00.004-04:00

Great News!! The NEW Summer 2010 Idea Book is now available!

Check out the great new art and products at http://karyn.myctmh.com/

Also be sure to check out the STUDIO J link when you get there!!

Updated: 101 things in 1001 days!!

2010-04-04T20:54:00.001-04:00

I updated!!

Happy Birthday to me!!

2010-03-11T12:06:00.001-05:00

Oh not my real life birthday, thats not for another 6 months!
Its my Close to My Heart Birthday!
I have been with Close to My Heart for 2 years now! Its an awesome company and has great products!
I think i own 85% of whats in the catalog.

I love what i do, and you can too. Let me show you how!

March Stamp of the Month

2010-03-02T17:17:00.002-05:00

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your Stamp of the Month set at a great discount or FREE!
US Pricing

When you spend:$25.00 You pay only:$17.21 You save: 25% off
When you spend:$50.00 You pay only:$11.48 You save: 50% off
When you spend:$75.00 You pay only:$5.74 You save: 75% off
When you spend:$100.00 You pay only:FREE! You save: 100% off

Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:
1” × 1 1/2" (Y1001), 1" × 6 1/2" (Y1005), 2" × 3 1/2" (Y1009)

Rest assured...

2010-03-02T17:12:00.002-05:00

i am still here.... still working on things. I have a ton of stuff to upload and sort through before posting more photos though.

So here is this for right now....

March Constant Campaign
For New Consultants (DARE TO DREAM):
Receive all four of the Stamps of the Month (May-August) found in the Summer 2010 Idea Book when you enroll anytime during March 1-31.

If you join my team you will get a lovely little something from me as well!

Email me or comment here for details!!

SNOWMAGEDDON 2010

2010-02-06T11:10:00.004-05:00

It's been snowing since 1o am Friday.... this is what it looks like now.... a good 20+ inches.

February Stamp of the Month

2010-02-04T09:53:00.006-05:00

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your Stamp of the Month set at a great discount or FREE!
US Pricing

When you spend:$25.00 You pay only:$17.21 You save: 25% off
When you spend:$50.00 You pay only:$11.48 You save: 50% off
When you spend:$75.00 You pay only:$5.74 You save: 75% off
When you spend:$100.00 You pay only:FREE! You save: 100% off

Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:1” × 1 1/2" (Y1001), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 2" × 3 1/2" (Y1009)

Order today at http://karyn.myctmh.com/

House 2.0

2010-02-03T21:07:00.006-05:00

This is the house when we moved in.... big improvement with the siding and windows....

A HUGE front porch...

And giant yard with lots of room between houses...

This is the house when we moved in.... big improvement with the siding and windows....

Home Buying

2010-02-03T07:27:00.005-05:00

I was inspired a little bit by Burgh Baby to write a little bit about my house. (I'll have to add the pictures later) We started looking for a home early in 2009. I think i looked at 20 houses. Maybe more. My price range wasn't very high, and i didn't mind a fixer-upper. But the houses i was seeing were terrible. There was one i really loved, and there happened to be no exit from the basement, so if you were trapped by a fire, you would die. Grr. The second one, my dad came to see with me. The pictures were beautiful. The actual house was beautiful. Newly remodeled, nice layout, a spacious 2 bedroom ranch. Huge deck, small backyard, nice finished basement, 2 baths, laundry room, garage. AWESOME! There was a bidding war, and i couldn't offer more than asking price, so i lost the house. Bummer. There were other houses in between, and my dad assured me that when i found the perfect one i would know it and it would happen. I looked at houses where things were falling apart, where fake brick facades were drooping but hidden by plants, i looked at homes where there were shrines to a dead wife built in the living room. Houses on flat land, houses on hills, houses with a distinct smell of dog or cat, houses that as soon as you walked in you wanted to walk right back out, houses that were beautiful but there were crack houses next door. My real estate agent was a woman i worked with at my regular job. She was amazing and knew those terrible houses and carried hand sanitizer in her car, and upon opening the front door, if it was bad, immediately read my face and whispered "we can just leave if you want". She was great. And i never would have kept looking if it weren't for her. I was ready to quit. To throw in the towel and wait a few months before i found anything else that was terrible, or found something i would love but then lose. Then there was the last day of looking at houses. Two new houses on the market. Both looked promising. But i quit getting my hopes up, and became more and more picky. This day i took my brother with me. He's my go to fix it guy, and would be the one doing any potential repairs. We looked at the first house and it was ok. Not perfect, but workable. But it was on a hill. One thing i didn't want, because when it snows i'd be stuck. The second house was it. THE HOUSE. The original pictures didn't do it justice at all. I walked in and was in love before i even made it across the living room. There was beautiful original woodwork, large spacious rooms, a gas fireplace. And that was just the beginning. It was BEYOND AMAZING! My brother said to me, buy this house right now Karyn! We looked at the rest of the house and i immediately called my dad (he has the final go ahead because he knows what he is talking about). Two days later my dad went with me to look at the house again. A two car detached garage, two large bedrooms, a small room with access to the attic, an attic you could walk up into, two and a half baths, large dining room, the house sat on 3 lots! THREE LOTS! My dad told everyone he talked to about this house THREE LOTS! (in Liberty Boro this is very rare. Houses are usually so close to one another you can see into your neighbors bathroom from your house- ok thats a little bit of an exaggeration). So we put in an offer. A little lower than asking, because the kitchen was HIDEOUS and yellow. But i was in love. The seller came back and said they had another offer and wanted our best and final offer. There was no second offer, straight to the final? OH NO! But looking at this house was already stretching my budget, we raised the looking price once, what now? I talked to my dad, the real estate agent, everyone. I made my co workers sick hearing about this everyday. So we put in an offer and on a previous house my realator had me write a note to the seller. I asked if i could do that again. OF COURSE! she said. So i did. IT WORKED! The final offers were identical! IDENTICAL!! What did it was the letter. Pearl was an older woman, 96, who was going to live with her son in Maryland. The neighbors took care of her and helped her out. I met them when i looked at the house. She was a school nurse where i went to highschool. I remembered her from when i was in 7th grade. She retired the next year. I wrote to her how i grew up in Liberty Boro, not 4 or 5 blocks away. How i really loved the little town, wanted to be close to family. I was napping the day i got the call. I was being impatient and figured if i fell asleep, time would go faster, and when i woke up i'd know if i had this house. If i lost it i wasn't looking anymore. She called, it was Saturday afternoon. The real estate agent sounded sad, she said "Karyn, i got a call about the house" I'm not sure what else she said, except it ended in "because you own a home now!" And i think i screamed right in her ear! So now i have this house. The day of closing my car was loaded with necessities: paint, cleaning supplies, plates and napkins. My brother and i started right away painting, replacing light fixtures and outlets, and my entire family and group of friends came over for a painting party. We finished that in one night! WOW! We took up the carpets and exposed gorgeous hard wood floors in the whole house the second day, and on the third day we moved in. It went way too smoothly. The only casualty was a tear in the semi-new couch. (and my mom yelling about my house keeping skills in the old apartment) I'm a home owner now. I love it. Its a rollercoaster when the toilet leaks and ruins the kitchen. Or when there is water in the basement. But i have a home. I have an amazing man to share it with. It's perfect. And definately worth every penny. This is what it looked like before the owners remodeled the outside.

It's February!!

2010-02-01T11:16:00.000-05:00

And what better way to start February with a SALE!!

Details HERE

Updated: 101 Things in 101 Days

2010-01-30T21:43:00.000-05:00

Check it out!

Grandmother, Mother, Father

2010-01-30T20:50:00.009-05:00

This weekend was the anniversary of my grandfathers death one year ago, and my grandmothers death 4 years ago.
So in honor of them i started a "Family" Scrapbook Series.

I have finished "Mother" "Father" and "Grandmother"

Here they are!

"MOM" Materials:
CTMH Cardstock (chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Pansy Purple)
CTMH Ink: Pansy Purple
CTMH Edge Distresser
CTMH Sanding Kit
Ribbon (Blush)
Copper Brads
My Acrylix Stamp Set: Delightful Things
Soft Spoken Sticker Accents

"Grandmother" Materials:
CTMH Cardstock (Crystal Blue, Cranberry, Buttercup, SweetLeaf)
CTMH Ink Crystal Blue
My Acrylix Stamp Set Damask Tiles
CTMH Edge Distresser and Sanding Kit
Pretty Pins
Ribbon
Soft Spoken Accent Stickers
Cricut Cartridge: Opposites Attract
Blue Hemp
Photo Hangers
Plaid Ribbon

**This is an actual handkerchief from my grandmother

"DAD" Materials:
CTMH Cardstock (Moonstruck, Ocean, Desert Sand, Colonial White, Honey)
CTMH Ink Moonstruck and Ocean
My Acrylix Stamp Set Argyle Backgrounds
Soft Spoken Accent Stickers
CTMH Edge Distresser
CTMH Sanding Kit
3D Tape

Princess Layout

2010-01-30T20:35:00.003-05:00

I've been quite busy with scrapbooking. Today Jayne and i scrapbooked for about 3 1/2 hours! It was a fun time. This is what i worked on!

Materials:
CTMH Cardstock (Blus, Petal, White Daisy, Sweet Leaf, Grey Wool)
My Arcylix Stamp Set: Princess
CTMH Edge Distresser
CTMH Sanding Kit

February Constant Campaign: 12x12 Textured Card Stock BOGO!

2010-01-29T10:38:00.004-05:00

This is a GREAT deal! For 14.95 (plus tax and shipping) you will get TWO packages of 12x12 Textured Cardstock Combo Packs! On top of that for every pair of packages that you buy, $2 will be donated for "Hearts For Haiti". Close to My Heart will donate $2 for every offer purchased to Pperation Smile's Haiti Relief Efforts. Operation Smile is always a fantastic charitable pertner- offering free facial reconstruction surgeries to needy children throughout the world. The've currently marshaled thier medical teams and resources to provide emergency relief in Haiti, and the donations given as part of Hearts For Haiti will be used exclusively for Operation Smile's efforts in Haiti. For more information on thier on-the-ground response go to www..operationsmile.org/haiti
Five different color combinations are available:

Summer Celebration (Bubblegum, Citrus Leaf, Watermelon, Topiary, Ocean, Dutch Blue)

Basic (Bamboo, Black, Chocolate, Colonial White, Desert Sand, Cocoa)

Spring Harmony (Amethyst, Baby Pink, Heavenly Blue, Taffy, Key Lime, Sunkiss Yellow)

Winter Cozy (Blush, Petal, Honey, Twilight, Sweet Leaf, Crystal Blue)

Autumn Harvest (Outdoor Demin, Sunflower, Autumn Terracotta, Barn Red, New England Ivy, Pansy Purple)

This works out to be approximately 30 cents per sheet!!
24 sheets per package, 4 each of 6 different colors

Paper Distressing

2010-01-29T08:34:00.004-05:00

There are a few products that i have been very into lately and i want to share them with you....

1. Edge Distresser- Good for roughing up the edges of your paper to give it a worn and tattered feel. Safer than scissors.

2. Distressing Ink- Swipe across your paper, or just the edges, use tones of browns and blacks to created an aged effect.

3. Sanding Tools- Perfect for your textured Cardstock with white core, to take away some of the color! (February Special with Textured Paper Coming SOON!!)

4. Finishing Files- Perfect for those small spaces, and refining your chipboard and smoothing edges.

A week? No way!

2010-01-28T07:26:00.002-05:00

I have been scrapping every day for the most part since my scrapbook day with my BFF Sara. Yet i have only posted that one layout. Why? Well, my battery in my camera is dead, and i have no idea where i left my charger. Yes.... the irresponsible blogger that i am, is also irresponsible at taking care of photo equipment.

But i do have a little story (which i have uploaded pictures for- just gotta post em!)
On New Years Day, D, Sara and her hubby Thom and i went to Phipps Conservatory, in Pittsburgh. I grabbed two cameras. I have my Casio Exilim that i absolutely LOVE, but is doesn't have the greatest SLR features. And i also have a digital Cannon of some sort, that i too LOVE. The cannon is nothing fancy, but it goes between Manual and Automatic, and with my photography background, its perfect.
So i have my trusty cameras, and in the car i decide to turn on the Cannon. Nothing (on the screen at least). It has fresh batteries (its older and takes 4 double A's). It's "on". But you really can't tell. So i snap a picture and there are lines and blurryness and you can't make anything out. I take out the batteries, the memory card, i blow out the dust (since getting the exilim i only use this for photo excursions and i guess its been a while) and i try again. Nothing.

My Cannon that i love dearly is broken. I guess maybe its time to get a fancy digitall SLR... Ugh. They cost too much.

New Layouts!

2010-01-21T22:18:00.003-05:00

I was quite creative today after finishing the wedding scrapbook (pictures to come).

Here is a layout i did with Close To My Heart paper and ink
Materials:
Ocean Ink
Honey Ink
Black Ink
Cranberry Ink
Honey, Ocean, and Black paper
It's You Day Stamp Set
Finishing Files
Microtip Scissors
Liquid Glass
Edge Distresser and
Acrylic Blocks

Awesomeness to come

2010-01-19T12:13:00.000-05:00

I will have great things in the next few days.... I will have finished Sara's Wedding Scrapbook by tonight, and there will be many many pictures! My frist creative spurt in the coming months!

GO READ THIS NOW!!!

2010-01-14T13:43:00.001-05:00

Do whatever you can to help the people of Haiti...

http://thatschurch.com/

101 Things in 1001 Days

2010-01-12T07:31:00.004-05:00

“101 Things in 1001 Days”
*Red= Item Completed*
Begins January 1, 2010
Ends September 28, 2012

Career and Education
1. Finish Bachelors Degree in Business Management
2. Take CPA Exam
3. Bid and receive a Labor Grade 3 job
4. Make $2,000 in one month with Mary Kay
5. Get three Mary Kay team members
6. Meet 5 new CTMH Customers [2/5]
7. Meet 5 new Mary Kay Customers[3/5]
8. Attend 6 MK Meetings in a row
9. Finish all 6 MK Training Calls
10. Finish the CTMH Training Academy

Financial
11. Be debt free (except for mortgage)
12. Put $5 in a savings account for each item I cross off my list
13. Put $10 in a savings account for each item not crossed off on September 29, 2012
14. Increase the percentage that goes into my 401 k to 8%
15. Increase the percentage that goes into my 401 K to 9%
16. Increase the percentage that goes into my 401 K to 10%
17. Pay for a $300 item (or total bill) in cash
18. Stick to a budget of $65 a month for CTMH
19. Stick to a budget of $35 a month for Mary Kay
20. Have $15,000 in my savings account

Health and Wellness
21. Work out 3 times a week [4/142]
22. Lose 10 pounds
23. Lose 15 additional pounds
24. Lose 15 additional pounds
25. Lose 45 total pounds [0/45]
26. Be able to stop taking Prozac
27. Start a diet and health journal
28. Do Body For Life for 4 weeks
29. Eat by the food pyramid for 2 weeks

Travel
30. Visit 5 states that I haven’t been to yet [0/5]
21. Go on a cruise
32. Visit Italy
33. Drive somewhere random by only making left turns
34. Go to Washington DC for CTMH
35. Go to Washington DC for Fun
36. Go to Hilton Head, SC
37. Go to Key West, FL
38. Visit the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame
39. See the Grand Canyon

Adventure
40. Ride all the roller coasters at Cedar Point
41. Get in the car and just start driving with no plan
42. Ride in an airplane
43. Go Parasailing
44. Learn to snowboard
45. Go Kayaking
46. Go Deep sea fishing
47. Let someone else plan my day from start to end having no control over what happens
48. Learn to Ski

Leisure
49. Visit Phipps Conservatory
50. Visit the Carnegie Science Center
51. Visit the Warhol Museum
52. Visit the Carnegie Museum
53. Visit the Aviary
54. Visit Sports Works
55. Watch one show a week with Derrick from start to end that HE enjoys [0/33]
56. Read a new book every month [1/33]
57. Once a month have a going out night with Derrick [0/33]
58. See 12 new movies [2/12]
59. Go ice skating at PPG Place
60. Learn to make homemade ravioli
61. Go on a hike
62. Play mini golf
63. Learn to cook 12 new meals [1/12] *Pot Roast*
64. See a musical
65. See a play
66. Go to a concert
67. Go to a Steelers Game
68. Go to a Pens Game
69. Play the Wii more often-- sold my wii to my mom beacuse she loved it so much.

Creative
70. Make an Etsy website for crafts and post 15 items
71. Take a photo for each letter of the alphabet and scrapbook it
72. Finish Sara’s wedding album
73. Get a photo published
74. Complete a scrapbook layout a week [6/142]
75. Submit old poetry for publication
76. Write a short story
77. Revive my blog

Home Projects
78. Paint Basement
79. Remodel Downstairs Bathroom
80. Remodel Upstairs Bathroom
81. Resolve Water in Basement
82. Finish laundry Room
83. Finish Basement
84. Build Patio
85. Enclose Back Porch
86. Redo Sidewalk
87. New lights for front porch/back porch/ and light post
88. New stove
89. New Fridge
90. Finish Kitchen Cabinet Organization
91. Make Cold Cellar an Exercise Room
92. Make Attic an additional bedroom
93. Insulate Attic

Personal
94. Get married
95. Have a child
96. Make 5 new friends
97. Learn to make Pizzelles
98. Learn to make Lady Locks
99. Donate something to charity
100. Buy a Bike
101. Start a new 101 Things list when this is completed (add the ones not done to the new list)

Welcome Back!

2010-01-10T21:32:00.003-05:00

I decided that i am going to start blogging again as part of my 101 Things in 1001 Days. (go ahead i'll wait.)

So i have my list all typed up, and i'll be posting it here tomorrow. I already have a couple things crossed off my list, and i'm really motivated.

Since i last wrote, alot has happened. I'll fill you in....

Still with Close to My Heart doing the acrylic stamp/scrapbooking/cardmaking stuff
Was maid of honor in my best friends wedding and have started her scrapbook
Started selling Mary Kay
Joined a gym, and got into Zumba workouts.
Bought a house (and have already remodeled a kitchen)
Celebrated my first Day After Christmas/Boxing Day in the new house

So a NEW YEAR, NEW YOU! (or me).
I will post alot more frequently (i promise for real this time)

So to remind you all
Close To My Heart
Mary Kay Cosmetics
Etsy (there is nothing listed yet...but soon)

<3 K

Long Time No See.... or Write.

2009-06-27T10:12:00.003-04:00

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

2009-04-27T12:23:00.000-04:00

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.

2009-02-01T22:28:00.002-05:00

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!!!

2009-01-24T13:46:00.003-05:00

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!!

2008-12-21T11:48:00.002-05:00

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

2008-12-12T20:37:00.002-05:00

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!"

2008-11-29T13:55:00.002-05:00

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

2008-11-16T10:39:00.006-05:00

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!!

2008-11-15T17:05:00.002-05:00

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!!

2008-10-23T22:07:00.002-04:00

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. :)

2008-10-19T14:59:00.001-04:00

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!!!

2008-10-16T18:43:00.002-04:00

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.....

2008-10-08T20:18:00.002-04:00

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.

2008-09-21T19:01:00.001-04:00

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!!

2008-08-11T16:55:00.002-04:00

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

Hellooooooooooo!!!

2008-08-03T18:08:00.003-04:00

Ok so i'm back from vacation. It was amazing. I have been back for about a week now, but i had to get settled with work, and of course start scrapbooking!! I don't have pics yet as i just finished up my 5th page last night. But i'll put them up soon i swear!!
I also caught up on ALL the blog posts that i read. However, i didnt leave comments because there were SO many.
There is news!! I have a website for Close to My Heart now....
its: http://karyn.myctmh.com

Go shop!!
haha....
i'll post some trip pictures too as soon as i get them all together.

take care!!

2008-07-25T13:47:00.002-04:00

I forgot to tell y'all that i have been on vacation this week (that's why i have been absent, and also why i'm saying y'all.....)

The Hilton Head Island vacation is nearing an end, but that just means that DC awaits us tomorrow!!

BLOG CANDY!!!

2008-07-06T10:47:00.002-04:00

Over at Ila's blog, she has a wonderful set of the New High Hopes rubber stamp release

Card Kits For Sale

2008-06-29T14:55:00.004-04:00

I am offering card making kits.
In these kits you will get everything you need to make the following 3 cards. (card bases, envelopes, pre cut paper, stamped images and sentiments, brads, flowers, etc.) All you need is adhesive!! (you will even get small pictures of the card as a reference!!
Card kits will be $6 each. (this includes shipping) There are 6 available for purchase.
Email me: katrovato@gmail.com for payment options!
Here are the cards:

stuff i've been working on for the last month

2008-06-27T17:37:00.007-04:00

CTMH Ink Share

2008-06-03T18:35:00.001-04:00

Want a great way to build up your supply of CTMH inks so you can have all of the colors and not spend a ton of cash all at once?
As well as June's Stampaganza promo (B2G1 Free) i am starting an Ink Club.
How does it work? Every month your fee will be $9.00. Included in this price will be 2 Ink Pads as well as a delivery/shipping fee (a savings of $2.50 plus tax and shipping). In 3 months time you will have collected a whole set, and in 6 months a whole color family.
For the first 6 months we will collect the color family "Winter" in preparation for the colder months, this way when the new catalog comes out you will be all set!
YOU MUST MAKE THE COMMITMENT FOR ALL 6 MONTHS. Payment will be due by the 10th of each month starting with June 10th.
You will have the option of paying in advance if that works better for you. (By cash, check, money order, or PayPal)
There will be 6 spaces open so sign up NOW!! (the list of participants will be listed on my blog: http://katpapercrafts.blogspot.com/)
If you miss a months payment your ink pads will be offered up to other members of the group first, then to other CTMH customers.

There will also be a Full Set Club with unlimited spaces. You will sign up for a 10 month period. You will pay only $29 for a whole set of 6 inks. This includes shipping. Same rules apply, although we will begin with the Autumn color sets.

Productive, in a non craft way

2008-06-01T12:42:00.002-04:00

This weekend, D and i almost finished our gardening. We did shrubs and solar lights and mulch. I'll take pictures later when its complete (we ran out of mulch and the store i went to didn't have the same kind i started with). It looks really nice though and i'm super proud.

I also scrubbed the kitchen and moved around the microwave and toaster oven to make more room. And organized the pots and pans under the sink.

Then just a little while ago i cleaned out my car!! Yay! It really needed it. i also got two baskets for the trunk to keep the jumper cables and tool box and extra windshield fluid in. So much better than the box that was back there.

I have been scrapbooking, and cleaning the craft area to make it Kitty Proof. Although we decided to wait until after our vacation to get the kitten because we don't want to have to have someone watch it while we are away and disrupt its routine.

My camera is ok, i think, it just needs batteries and then i can get caught up on all the photos of my creations. Hopefully this week.... I just have to find a good time when D isn't sleeping for work.

Tagged

2008-05-29T18:04:00.002-04:00

- Post the rules on your blog
- Write six random things about yourself in a blog post
- Tag six people in your post
- Let each person know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog
- Let the tagger know your entry is up

1. I hate people who slick thier hair back... mainly Derrick because he looks like the blonde version of Eddie Munster.

2. I'm always tired. Even if i wake up and feel refreshed, 2 hours later i'm still ready for a nap.

3. I'm really insecure.

4. I'm a crafting addict. I love paper and embellishments.

5. I hate driving. I dont know what i'm going to do when we go to the beach. i will have to be a passenger so i can sleep.

6. I'm tired of posting this.... haha

I tag -
whoever wont get bored with this.....

2008-05-25T22:11:00.002-04:00

Hi All!! I apologize for the lack of photo-filled entries. My camera is acting up and i have yet to see whats wrong with is.
Anyways, i have been doing a TON of scrapbooking lately. Mainly working on my cousins graduation album, and my boyfriends nieces b-day pics.
I have also started on some personal pages, pics and me and the boyfriend, as well as a few layouts for when we go away on vacation.

On the new job front things are good. I'd say great but i'm still being shuffled around between buildings. I started off at ET and then ended up at Irvin, and there is still a possibility that i will move again, either to Clairton, or back to ET. Its drama filled and i will go into more depth when everything is sorted out.
I love it at ET though, and i'm sad that i had to leave. After only 4 days i was doing work on my own (and getting it right!), and it was overall better atmosphere. Plus i was working 7am-3pm, and even though thats really early in the morning for me, it was really nice to be home and have a lunch for the next day packed by 3:30. Now it's 8am- 4:30 and i'm forced to take an actual lunch instead of eating at my desk in my free time.
Eh.... we'll see what happens. Maybe i'm just used to the people i started working with, and need to re-adjust. Keep your fingers crossed that i go back to ET, cause thats where i want to be.

FOR SALE!!!

2008-05-25T13:13:00.002-04:00

So today i decided to clean (in an effort to kitty proof the craft area) and i have somethings to sell!

Ink It Up! Ink Pads: Gold, SIlver, Copper, White, Green, Clear, Brown, Pink, Purple, and Yellow ($15 as a lot or $2 each +shipping)

2 Embellishment Storage Containers- These are clear acrylic containers that are about 4"x6" and inside hold 24 small tictac like containers- 25 pcs total each ($10 for both or $6 each)

Memories in The Making date Stamper- this is a changeable date stamper- 1996-2007. ($1)

Various Punches- Mini punches- swirl, circle, snowflake, sun, 6 petal flower, 8 petal flower, star, square, music note ($15 for all, or $2 each)
1" punches- circle, heart ($3 each)
1/2" punch- circle ($2.50)
Border Punch- 2 inches long, scalloped floral pattern

Paper- Most are DCWV, i have almost everything they have ever made (3/$1) I have it broken down into categories, you can ask for a category, and then a color (if you have a preference)
12x12-- Christmas/winter, Flowers, Dots, Stripes, Plaids, Text, Stripes, Fall/ Halloween.
4x6-- Fall, Teen, Summer, Color Block, Text, Geometrics (5/$1)
6x6-- Adhesive Paper- Prints (4/$1)

i can email you photos if you want.....
Pay Pal only.

Flower Share....Delayed....

2008-05-20T22:28:00.002-04:00

The flower share will take place for JUNE.... that way people can still sign up.... however, pay me as soon as you can when you sign up.
*catherine- as long as you pay by the 10th of June that will be fine....
I wills till do the share even if its just you...that just means you will get a little more than usual because packages will only be split between two of us. I will get as large of a variety as i can though!

but please!! everyone else sign up!!

Ink Storage

2008-05-17T09:26:00.003-04:00

This Cropper Hopper 4x6 Photo Storage case is perfect for storing your ink pads (especially your CTMH pads). Not only does it make storage easy, its great for transporting your inks to crops and gatherings. I will be going shopping today, with my 40% off coupon to get this!

EDIT!! Here it is all filled up!!

Flower Share!!!

2008-05-13T08:02:00.001-04:00

FLOWER SHARE!!!
I am back, and ready for another share!!This one is sure to be awesome! It will be $15 per person, this includes shipping. You will recieve a variety of flowers. They will be paper, fabric, acrylic plastic, felt, etc. There will be a wide variety of sizes shapes and colors, even some with brads in the middle (if the store still has 'em). I have found a great bargain at my LSS, so hurry and sing up so i can start shopping!There will be an unlimited amount of slots open. The more the better right? Payments are due thru paypal by the 18th of May. They will be shipped by the 30th if not sooner!Leave a comment to sign up!
1. Karyn
2. Catherine
3.
4.

Announcement

2008-05-07T16:44:00.000-04:00

I will be starting a new job on May 19th!
I'm so excited! And yet sorta sad to be leaving my current job.

Also...people....sign up for the flower share!!!

and i will be posting my latest scrapbooking pages as soon as my camera batteries charge.... i swear you will see crafty goodness soon!

and the CTMH thing is going well... i have my first workshop on Saturday!
WHOO!

FLOWER SHARE!!!

2008-05-03T08:30:00.003-04:00

I am back, and ready for another share!!
This one is sure to be awesome! It will be $15 per person, this includes shipping. You will recieve a variety of flowers. They will be paper, fabric, acrylic plastic, felt, etc. There will be a wide variety of sizes shapes and colors, even some with brads in the middle (if the store still has 'em). I have found a great bargain at my LSS, so hurry and sing up so i can start shopping!
There will be an unlimited amount of slots open. The more the better right? Payments are due thru paypal by the 18th of May. They will be shipped by the 30th if not sooner!
Leave a comment to sign up!
1. Karyn
2.
3.
4.

FOR SALE!!!

2008-04-08T18:20:00.002-04:00

I have some items for sale:

Chipboard alphabets- 2 different Font styles available. One is more a blocky type and the other a Serif font. ($2 for one whole set +shipping)
Chipboard Flowers ($.25 each +shipping)
Chipboard Shapes- circles, squares, rectangles, leaf, bird, butterfly, dragonfly ($.25 each +shipping)
Chipboard Numbers- 0-9 ($.25 each +shipping)
Chipboard Punctuations- ( { ? } ) . ($.10 each +shipping)
Chipboard Tags- variety of shapes and sizes ($.25 each +shipping)

These are all grey heavy weight chipboard

If you are interested leave a comment or email me!

BLING SHARE!!

2008-04-05T10:01:00.002-04:00

Yes thats right!! Another Share!!

This one includes anything that sparkles, shines, etc!!

And there will even be a discount!! It will be $10 a person as long as 6 people sign up. Otherwise its $15!! (so get your friends in on this!!)
This is by NO MEANS for SBS2 gals only! Everyone is welcome!!
One thing i do ask is that if you are not in the US please let me know when you sign up! (just so i have all my postal forms filled out!)

Here we go!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Updates!!

2008-03-31T18:09:00.002-04:00

Well i'm sorry if i have been MIA. I had a craft day with my mom and aunt that went well. We worked on my cousins scrapbook to show off at his graduation in June. We got 7 pages done. 5 mine and 2 of my moms.

Anyways,
Ribbon Share has been shipped! I emailed you gals the other night to let you know i was on my way to the post office today. Mean postmen aside, it went off without a hitch!

On to other business:
I am LOVING my Close To My Heart stuff!! It is soooo great!! And Inexpensive! (and by no means cheap!)

Also, April will be a BLING SHARE!!
Yes thats right.... And there will even be a discount!! It will be $10 a person as long as 6 people sign up. Otherwise its $15!! (so get your friends in on this!!)
This is by NO MEANS for SBS2 gals only! Everyone is welcome!!
One thing i do ask is that if you are not in the US please let me know when you sign up!
There will be a separate post for this tomorrow!!

Share Information

2008-03-25T17:47:00.002-04:00

Ribbon Share- The Ribbon Share will be shipped by Friday at 4pm

New Shares!!
There will now be a share every month. Sign ups for each begin as soon as you are ready! (katrovato@gmail.com).
deadlines to sign up are the 10th of each month.
payments due by the 15th of each month.
Packages will be shipped by the end of that month.

APRIL SHARE- $15- Bling- as requested by Tracy! This means gems and baubles, glitter, and the like!
MAY SHARE- $15- Flowers- everything from paper, epoxy, fabric, etc.
JUNE SHARE- $15- Chipboard- letters, shapes, etc. (you will be able to specify the letters you would like to a certain extent!)

You will also have the option of buying additional "bonus bags" of the materials that month incase its not enough for you! The "bonus bags" will $3 each in you are in the share at the regular price. If you want just the "bonus bag" and not the whole share, it will be $5.
In your email to sign up please include what you would like. (example- Bling share- Ged gems, blue glitter, clear baubles) I will do my best to meet your needs!