Hobbies for Healing...

Alright....I have some major fessing up to do. The past fifteen months have been by far some of my hardest months to get through. During my life I have been through heartache, and loss, and change....but nothing has felt the way these months have. It put me in a very dark place where I have had to face some very dark corners of myself to survive. 

All of that aside, this past weekend I went to a craft retreat with my mother and 8 other lovely women who have unconditionally loved me for the past 8 years. These creative and amazing women reminded me that unconditional love and compassion is the best love one can be showered with, and it was exactly the weekend I needed to remind me of it. I met many of these women over several years working for a scrapbook store in Reno. Paper crafts brought us together and have kept us together over the many years.

I love the way we come together to work on our projects and share our memories. I love the mental release that paper crafting provides me. Being at the retreat and with these women, I felt a spark I haven’t felt in a long time, and I’ve decided to rekindle my hobby. With it, I’ve rekindled my consultant status with Close To My Heart and I am hoping to form some new bonds with this new Bay Area community that I have moved to. 


Join me again, and let’s get crafty!! 

Deck the Halls....

That time of year is upon us! Are you ready for it? I wish I could say I was!

It's been a while since I posted...again...haha! My gosh things have just been INSANE in my life, I swear I need a slow down button! Since my last post, my brother eloped up in Oregon, my boyfriend and I moved into a house (still renting but we love it!), we have traveled to Arizona for a wedding, Oregon for halloween, the bay area of California to see family, and even down to Vegas for a holiday vacation with my guy's family. I am exhausted and we haven't even had Christmas and New Years yet!

Thanks to such a busy life these past months, I have to say I have very sadly not kept up on my crafting nor my CTMH blog/business. To be honest, though I am enjoying the business portion of being a consultant for this amazing company, I think I love even more that my business is what I make of it. I can spend all my time, some of my time, or none of my time on it. I am hoping now that things are settling down, I can start to focus a little more on it, so bare with me!

If you've kept tabs on the company, you know that the current catalog brought us a lot of really great products for the holidays. Have you gotten everything on your wish list for it?! Keep in mind that we have a brand new one rolling out in just a few weeks, and the current lines will only be available till the end of December.

As 2017 comes to a close, you can be ready for 2018 by creating a beautiful photo calendar! The Through the Year calendar kit includes everything you need to create a 12-month photo calendar for the year ahead. It can be a great gift for a loved one, or even just something to hang in your home or office! Save 20% on this exclusive bundle of products, which includes custom gold glitter die-cuts, glitter gems, complements, papers, and of course a blank calendar. If you managed to get your hands on the November Stamp of the Month, it makes a great companion to this kit! Click HERE for more details, and see a sample of the products included below!

Get this exclusive calendar kit FREE this month if you sign up to become a Consultant in December, or when you host a qualifying party!

Stay tuned for what comes next from Close to my Heart, and of course more from the life of Sara! 

July is here!

Happy Fourth of July, but not just that, Happy STAMPAGANZA!! 

This month is going to be so much fun, full of barbecues and fun time in the sun...and hopefully some super fun crafting time too! As we are making all of those wonderful memories with our loved ones, we have to remember to take photos so that we can look back on them in the years to come. It is SO important to WRITE YOUR STORY!! I know I am guilty of not always recording all of the good times I have with friends, but it is never too late! 

I am so excited after looking at the newest items coming to us in the upcoming Annual Catalog release this August. There are new stamps, new storage compartments, new papers, new inks...and so much more! One thing I really have come to love about the Close to my Heart products is that I never get bored. Every month there is another paper pack you can focus on, there are exclusive stamps to fall in love with, and there are special campaigns with great deals to take advantage of. Lost some of your creativity? Don't worry!! There are card kits and layout kits, endless ideas and designs to try out. Of course then there is also the sheer quality of their products, and more importantly of their customer service. 

So let's talk about what they have brought us for July! 

The Stamp of the Month for July is one you are really sure to love....a fabulous Alphabet Stamp set!! Not to mention, you can get it for just $5 with any purchase of $50 or more! See more details on my Product Spotlight page, or directly on my shop website.

The other fantastic thing they have brought us this month is STAMPAGANZA!! This is a fabulous time to load up on your stamp collection! For only this month of July, when you buy any two My Acrylix® stamp sets at full retail price you will get a third stamp set of equal or lesser value FREE!

Choose from any stamp set in the current idea book, PLUS a collection of popular sets brought back just this month for Stampaganza! Check out more details and the stamps they have brought back here! 

Wrapping things up....

So now that you have seen some of the few things we can enjoy this month, take a look and see if there are things you would love to play with. I am so excited about the exclusive stamps brought back, the alphabet stamp of the month, and the upcoming catalog! I can hardly contain myself, I wish there was more time in the day so that I could spend it crafting....

Speaking of, I am finally getting some traction on hosting some crops! Keep your calendar open if you live in the Reno/Tahoe area, so far I am looking at August 19th and 20th for my first event!! It will be so much fun and I would love to share that time with you! 

Want to do more?? Join my team and reap the amazing benefits that I am enjoying as a consultant! You can join and just do it for your own hobby not as a business, or if you want to try out the business side and see how this company can help pay for your hobby and love of paper crafts you can do that too! Click here to check out all that the Close to my Heart company has to offer, and then message me for even more details so that I can share with you why you should join with me! 

Not feeling like the Consultant life is for you?? Be a hostess!! You can host a party for you and your friends either online or in person, and earn free rewards as well as fantastic discounts on all of your favorite products that we carry!! It's a great opportunity for a closer look at what we have and what you can do with it. Check out more details here! 

Till next time, cheers and happy crafting!! 

-Sara

Sorry for the silence! Let's Catch up! 

It's been a while since I posted, so let me catch you up on what's been going on with me!

It's crazy to think how much can happen in just a couple of weeks. The end of last month was so much fun, we loaded up the cars and went down to spend some time with my dad as well as visit the fish in Monterey. I can't wait to make some scrapbook pages of our time that weekend, it was so nice to see my little niece finally meet her grandfather, and her great grandmother. Along with that, it was equally as wonderful for them getting to meet the most important person in my life -my Shawn. I already have so many pages in mind for the love of that weekend, and the joy of my niece's first trip to the aquarium. It's going to be such a fun time to put down in my albums! 

The following weekend, which seemed to have come and gone so quickly, Shawn took me with him up to Oregon to spend time with his family as we watched his younger brother graduate from high school. The time spent with his family was such a great experience, they were so welcoming and fun to be around. This was the longest time I had spent with his family, particularly with his mother and step father. Needless to say I look forward to many more memorable times with them in the future. 

After some not so smart moves on my part, with attempting to jump into golfing and play softball as well as rearranging all of the furniture in my living room...I have managed to throw out my back in a pretty bad way. Let me tell you, but not being able to move or pick up more than 20lbs or so at the aged of 27 isn't exactly what I would consider fun! With this lovely injury, I have been put on a medical leave from work 😖😒 and so here I am finally updating my blog, and pulling out some paper therapy. 

The good news is, the Close to my Heart family has so many things to keep me busy while I heal. We had an awesome Flash Sale for 24 hours on the 2nd of the month, hopefully you follow my instagram and/or Facebook and were able to catch it! Got myself some great goodies from it, including a set of shimmer trim complete with a storage case! This month has been so full of great deals I can't personally get enough of them. We have an album campaign, with a BOGO 1/2 OFF special, which has been doing extremely well so far! Thanks to that high demand, they have given us another campaign called the Cardstock Carnival where you get 25% OFF ALL CARDSTOCK PACKS! Such a great combination of specials for anyone who needs to re-up their stash, I know I am going to take advantage of it!!  

For some small projects this month I have set myself up with big pillows and my fold out table to have some paper therapy as I work on getting my strength back. I finished the basic design of a mini album that I have been planning to do, which is available for purchase as a kit with instructions on how to create it from scratch. The great thing about this album is it can be used with any papers you desire, you can simply purchase the instructions or get it with all the fixings! I chose to use the No Worries Workshop Your Way kit, and had a ton of supplies left over! Any Workshop Your Way kit would go great with the album design, so feel free to change it up and choose your favorite line! Check out the base design in this video clip on my instagram account 😆

Stay tuned with me as I keep creating, and let me know what you have been up to in the comment section below! 

As always, Cheers and Happy Crafting everyone 💖 

The New Annual Catalog Approaches, and the Retiring List has been released!

Just like with every great new Seasonal Expressions catalog, we go through the same sadness and we have to say goodbye to some items that we have come to love in the Annual catalogs. 

It is always exciting to make room for the new products that our Home Office has come up with for the next catalogs, but of course we fall so in love with certain items we are always biting nails as we approach the changes....Don't worry though, they have already given us a heads up for what will be retiring with this year's Annual items and we can stock up while the supplies still last!! 

Here are some of the items I am so sad to see leaving us, followed by a complete list of what we have to say sayonara to this year!! 

Whimsy Fundamental Paper Pack

and Ribbon Pack 

Adventure Fundamental Paper Pack and Ribbon Pack

    

Enchantment Fundamental Paper Pack and Ribbon Pack

Picture My Life Overlays

Gold and Silver

and 

White

Both the Accessory Roll-Up

and 

the Marker Roll-Up

(the devastation!!!)

Shoulder Tote

and 

Sanding Kit

All four of the amazing Idea Guide books (Magic, Reflections, Imagine and Cherish)...so sad, I use these ALL the time!! Even the Wishes Card Idea Guide book! 

Enamel & Glitter Duos

Purple Hearts, Blue Dots, and Green Triangles

Foil Tapes in Rose Gold, Gold and also Silver

Other Items to waive goodbye to include the entire Base and Bling Jewelry line, various Compliment embellishment packs, Sequins, Gems, #Life cards from the Picture My Life line, Thin Cuts, the State and Province mini stamps and more....Check out the entire list below, and place your orders before the items are sold out, as the new catalog will be coming to us the first of July 2017!!

Ready to order? Email me today at craftwithsara@gmail.com or head to the shop now and have it shipped straight to you!

Item # Description Z3116 Memory Protectors™ Mini 4" × 4" Z3117 Memory Protectors™ Mini 2" × 2" Z3255 Whimsy Fundamentals Z3272 Baby Girl Complements Z3273 Baby Boy Complements Z3287 Whimsy Ribbon Pack Z3253 Adventure Fundamentals Z3264 Good Life Complements Z3286 Adventure Ribbon Pack Z3254 Enchantment Fundamentals Z3265 School K–6 Complements Z3266 School 7–12 Complements Z3288 Enchantment Ribbon Pack Z3262 Rustic Home Fundamentals Z3267 All Together Complements Z3292 Rustic Home Ribbon Pack Z3294 Memo Fundamentals Z3246 All About the Gold Fundamentals Z3263 Uptown Fundamentals Z3269 You & Me Complements Z3289 Uptown Ribbon Pack Z3144 Picture My Life™ Overlays—Gold & Silver Z3193 Picture My Life™ Overlays—White Z3306 My Boy Complements Z3308 My Girl Complements Z3307 Springtime Complements Z3309 Snapshot Complements Z3096 Circle Diffuser Z3097 Square Diffuser Z3118 Confetti Embossing Folder Z3119 Confetti Stars Embossing Folder Z3247 Simple Chevron Embossing Folder Z3248 Wood Slats Embossing Folder Z3249 Happy Thoughts Embossing Folder Z3250 Word Search Embossing Folder Z3256 Thin Cuts—Celebrate Z3257 Thin Cuts—Love Z3258 Thin Cuts—Happy Z3259 Thin Cuts—Hello & Thanks Z3260 Thin Cuts—Hearts Z3261 Thin Cuts—Stars Z3270 Instalife™ Album—Blush Z3282 Instalife™ Album—Blue Jean Z3275 #Life™ Cards—Hello Gorgeous Z3279 #Life™ Overlays—Gold Z3284 #Life™ Overlays—Black Z3291 #Life™ Cards—Enjoy Z9978 My Crush® Adventure Calls Z1966 Base & Bling Circle Glass Covers Z1967 Base & Bling Square Glass Covers Z2011 Base & Bling Oval Glass Covers Z2030 Base & Bling Rectangle Glass Covers Z3151 Base & Bling Square Pendant—Faux Silver Z3152 Base & Bling Square Pendant—Faux Gold Z3153 Base & Bling Circle Pendant—Faux Silver Z3154 Base & Bling Circle Pendant—Faux Gold Z3155 Base & Bling Rectangle Pendant—Faux Silver Z3156 Base & Bling Rectangle Pendant—Faux Gold Z3157 Base & Bling Oval Pendant—Faux Silver Z3158 Base & Bling Oval Pendant—Faux Gold Z3159 Base & Bling Chain—Faux Gold Z3160 Base & Bling Chain—Faux Silver Z3196 Base & Bling Necklace Cards Z3276 Base & Bling Royalty Style Sheet Z3277 Base & Bling Mad for Plaid Style Sheet Z3280 Base & Bling Watercolor Sheet—Gold Z3281 Base & Bling Watercolor Sheet—Clear Z3107 Base & Bling Bow Charm—Faux Gold Z3108 Base & Bling Ribbon Charm—Faux Gold Z3109 Base & Bling Heart Charm—Faux Gold Z3110 Base & Bling Heart Charm—Faux Silver Z3133 Base & Bling Bow Charm—Faux Silver Z3134 Base & Bling Ribbon Charm—Faux Silver Z3140 Base & Bling Black Bead Charm—Faux Gold Z3141 Base & Bling Black Bead Charm—Faux Silver Z3142 Base & Bling Teal Bead Charm—Faux Gold Z3143 Base & Bling Teal Bead Charm—Faux Silver Z3161 Base & Bling Rhinestones—Faux Silver Z3162 Base & Bling Rhinestones—Faux Gold Z3031 Shoulder Tote Z3120 Marker Roll-Up Z3121 Accessory Roll-Up X5789 Sea Glass Cardstock Z2507 Sea Glass Mini Pigment Pad Z2713 Sea Glass Reinker Z3240 Sea Glass Glitter Paper Z2012 Sequins Gold Assortment Z2013 Sequins Silver Assortment Z3091 Pink Enamel Gems Z3122 Enamel & Glitter Duos Blue Dots Z3123 Enamel & Glitter Duos Green Triangles Z3124 Enamel & Glitter Duos Purple Hearts Z3086 Aqua Shimmer Trim Z3087 Green Shimmer Trim Z3088 Coral Shimmer Trim Z3093 Fern Thick Twine Z3094 Poppy Thick Twine Z3129 Gold Foil Tape Z3130 Silver Foil Tape Z3218 Rose Gold Foil Tape 3174 Blending Pen Z1294 Sanding Kit Z1471 Ruler Z1852 Stitch Guide Z1859 Foam Mat Z1999 1" Circle Punch Z3022 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive Z3023 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive Refill Z3131 Thumb Notch Punch 9036 Originals Card Confidence Program 9037 Reflections Scrapbook Program 9038 Cherish Scrapbook Program 9039 Imagine Scrapbook Program 9040 Magic Scrapbook Program 9041 Wishes Card Confidence Program C1662 Wise Guy Birthday C1662F Wise Guy Birthday C1662S Wise Guy Birthday C1631 Birthday Princess B1531 Racecar Birthday C1612 Shower Flowers B1547 Wedding Wishes C1668 Baby Bundle D1667 Balloon Wishes B1480 Diploma Day C1660 Happy For You C1660F Happy For You C1660S Happy For You A1198 Hi Friend A1198F Hi Friend A1198S Hi Friend C1619 So Many Smiles D1646 Finding the Words D1646F Finding the Words D1646S Finding the Words C1605 Happy to Be Friends C1605F Happy to Be Friends C1605S Happy to Be Friends B1541 Love Your Face B1543 Get Better A1180 Safari Ballet B1533 Circus Birthday M1064 British Columbia M1069 Florida M1071 Hawaii M1093 New York M1114 Utah D1701 Plan On It D1702 Capture This D1702F Capture This D1702S Capture This D1707 Let's Go A1195 Lovely Leaves C1664 Swirly Seashells B1535 Hooked on You C1666 Homegrown D1668 Charming Cascades A1193 Wreath M1151 Dandy D1700 Way To Go D1660 Ink Blot C1608 Brushstrokes A1185 Friendly Wishes D1711 True Love M1057 Alabama M1058 Alaska M1059 Alberta M1060 Arizona M1061 Arkansas M1062 Australia M1065 California M1066 Colorado M1067 Connecticut M1068 Delaware M1070 Georgia M1072 Idaho M1073 Illinois M1074 Indiana M1075 Iowa M1076 Kansas M1077 Kentucky M1078 Louisiana M1079 Maine M1080 Manitoba M1081 Maryland M1082 Massachusetts M1083 Michigan M1084 Mississippi M1085 Missouri M1086 Montana M1087 Nebraska M1088 Nevada M1089 New Brunswick M1090 New Hampshire M1091 New Jersey M1092 New Mexico M1094 New Zealand M1095 Newfoundland & Labrador M1096 North Carolina M1097 North Dakota M1098 Northwest Territories M1099 Nova Scotia M1100 Nunavut M1101 Ohio M1102 Oklahoma M1103 Ontario M1104 Oregon M1105 Pennsylvania M1106 Prince Edward Island M1107 Quebec M1108 Rhode Island M1109 Saskatchewan M1110 South Carolina M1111 South Dakota M1112 Tennessee M1113 Texas M1115 Vermont M1116 Virginia M1117 Washington M1118 West Virginia M1119 Wisconsin M1120 Wyoming M1121 Yukon M1133 Minnesota