Close To My Heart Scrapbooking and Stamping (CTMH) with Katie Orse

{ My Work }

Do you have one too?

This little boy is the baby of our family. Gets what he wants and is sometimes a handful. Look at that grin on his face. I think he knows it too. But we dearly love him so. He had a difficult time coming into this world. He was tied up in the umbilical cord, plus an infection called Petchiae (which no one had heard of in 20 years), and I was in labor with a 104 fever. All this didn't help him at the time, but look at him now. All smiles and loads of surprises. His preschool teachers will share with me tidbits about his day and we all end up with a good laugh. It is THAT hilarious!

Like one morning, they were going to practice writing their letter "C". He said he couldn't do it today because he didn't have his superpowers. They didn't work. Huh? It also didn't matter that a letter "C" was just a circle with a small opening, as he explained to me later. 

I'm sure I will retell this story and among others to him when he is older.They grow up so fast don't they?

 

Exploring

I made a visit to the local craft store in town and found this from 7Gypsies! So cute and I love the details with the glass knob. Also found the latest Studio magazine. Have you seen it? Elsie Flannigan's studio is featured inside. Love it! She is so talented! What are you exploring these days? I am planning to go thrifting on Thursday for an antique desk and maybe some other cute finds. Wish me luck!

Look what just came in!

 

I don't want to admit this but I go crazy any time I receive a package. I jump and squeal at the top of my lungs, and if there are people inside the house with me, then I squeal quietly (on the inside). 

Okay, now you know what I will be doing for the next few days then...crafting with my new supplies! Be back soon :)

Hugs,

Katie

Friendship Card

Here's a simple Friendship card using Close To My Heart's Notebook paper collection. This one was very quick to create. I pulled the colors from the background paper and placed brads to balance the side a little. The edge of the card was distressed. It was so fun to create!

 

Recipe:

- 12" x 12" NOTEBOOK LEVEL 2 PAPER PACKET Item# X7102B  $12.95 

- Just Blooms™ White Daisy Variety Pack Item# Z1300 $7.95   

- WINTER CRAFT BUTTONS Item# Z1284 $7.95    

- Endless Friendship Item# D1354 $22.95    

 

Become a Close To My Heart Consultant

From the Desk of Katie Orse...

Did you get my memo? Close To My Heart is having a new consultant special this month only!

If you enjoy scrapbooking or stamping, or both, then you'll want to take advantage of this special.

Join my team and get 4 FREE Close To My Heart stamp sets for free. 

If you are looking for extra income or just want an extra discount on scrapbook supplies that you purchase anyways, then this deal is for you.

Contact me for any questions. I'm here to help.

If you are ready to begin the online application, sign up here. 

Benefits of joining my team:

*Membership in the Stampin' Bees Ning Network (team mtgs. photos,training videos, and more!)

* Team manual

* Exclusive team welcome gift when you join my team (contact me about this)

* Business training for those who really want to kick up their business

and more! I look forward to helping you get started if you're ready!

 

XOXO,

Katie :)

Close To My Heart Business Card Holder

My Inspiration artwork for today is this cute gem I created for my business. It's a business card holder/wall hanging. All my supplies used are from Close To My Heart. Paper packet collection is from Sweet Home. The great thing about this artwork is that I can actively use it in my daily business. Love that! It hangs on my wall in my scrap office and when I'm mailing out catalogs, I often grab one of my cards and send it off. No more hunting down for my business card box or container.

I hope this inspires you to create one for your business if you have one. Do it this weekend!

Hugs,

XOXO Katie

 

Altered Close To My Heart card box

Hey there! I am slowly coming out of my creative hibernation. Busy creating some new projects and this one is so cute! It's a card box I altered using Close To My Heart's My Acrylix Organizer. Inside there are tabs to organize a few sections with. 

Here's a closer look. 

What do you think? You can also use it to store your processed photos. Just change out the "cards" and replace it with a "photos" title on the outside. You can create tabs for the month and year the photos were taken. This would be cute to take along to your next scrapbook event. No excuse to not work on your photos, even if it is just organizing them. 

I also created this handmade birthday card as well. I was inspired by the same birthday card I received from Close To My Heart! 

The paper packet collection is Close To My Heart's "Veranda" Level 2 packet. Colors are Juniper, Cocoa, Creme Brulee, and Garden Green. If you would like to purchase these supplies, visit my corporate sponsored web store here. 

Also, this is the same project my local class will be completing. Class fee is $30. If you are in my local area and would like to participate, contact me today.

Let me know what you think of the project! 

XOXO,

Katie

: I'm still here :

Well, I'm still here. I've been busy working on several Close To My Heart artwork projects that I have for upcoming classes. It's never really work for me. I can't wait to share with you my art! 

Until then, here's a photo of me that I took. I played around with my new editing software (Adobe Photoshop). Still learning the ins and outs of this program. My problem: I want my photo to look sharp and it's not doing it for me. I'd love to hear any tips you might have. Before Photoshop I used a free photo editing software and it worked so much better! I always got compliments on my photos, but now it looks fuzzy. Yikes! One VERY good thing about Photoshop...I can now easily erase my freckles LOL! Well, at least for now. Okay, back to art play and photo editing...

 

: Happy Thoughts:

Have you ever been in a sticky situation and exclaimed to yourself, "Happy thoughts...happy thoughts..." just to help motivate yourself through the situation? I have. Am I alone? Probably not. The last few days I have been piling on way too much onto my plate.

When things get sticky and I find myself overcommitted, I need to step back and re-evaluate. I need to say, "No" more. Not only to people, but to ideas. I tend to have so many ideas bursting all at the same time. Don't think that I am complaining, especially when I have days without my mojo. Having lots of ideas is a wonderful thing, but not so great when you have 10 other ideas ahead of the other 10.

So to combat that fatigue, I have been knitting. My grandmother first taught me how to knit and crochet. But she used bamboo skewers because we didn't have needles. She was in her late 70's at the time and I was almost 12. Sadly, this was one of the last few things I learned from my grandmother before she passed away. It's the simple gestures in life that we remember right? 

Fast forward 10 years later, I re-taught myself how to knit. Went to the library and checked out several books on the subject. Then, I bought inexpensive yarn and metal knitting needles. (Yes, they made that loud annoying clacking sound when you knit too fast.) Now I have Japanese wooden needles. I am soaking in delight with them!

But here's the real surprise I found. A few days ago, I discovered this cute little basket at my local TJMaxx store. I was drawn to the hand painted design and the adorable hanging tassels.

 

Ah...it spoke to me, "May your days be filled with laughter, friendship and love." I knew that it would be a perfect addition to my craft storage and house my yarn for my current knitting project. And what a bargain price it was too! I only paid $6.99 for this handcrafted gem.

Like I mentioned, I now store my current yarn inside. A fuzzy furry lime green skein. I love the color and the feel is so soft! I don't know what I'm making with it, but it's very therapeutic just to have my hands jabber away. And you can get a glimpse of my lovely Japanese knitting needles. 

So share with me. What do you do to relax when things get too crazy?

 

Join my team and receive 4 FREE stamp sets!

Open Flyer

I'm so excited to share this wonderful news with you! Close To My Heart is having a special for new consultants in March. Become a consultant and you will receive 4 FREE stamp sets! Check out my flyer to see what the stamp sets look like. You'll absolutely love them!

If you are looking for extra income, why not join my Close To My Heart team today? Be your own boss, create your own flexible work schedule, and bring in extra income for your family! Now is a great time to jump at this opportunity. Our consultant starter kit is $99.00.

Retail value of the free stamp sets total $91.80. This offer is valid beginning March 1-31, 2010. Contact me for information about my team.

Fill out online application to join my team here.

View our Online Spring Catalog

Before you know it, Spring will soon be here! I am looking forward to the warmer weather and more opportunities to create with my friends. It seems the cold weather keeps us all inside.

So have you seen the latest Close To My Heart catalog yet? You can click to view the Close To My Heart Catalog here  and get a glimpse of what we offer.

Then, if you prefer to receive a hand copy of the catalog, just click on my sidebar link to purchase one. 

You will absolutely love our new products! If you are in my local area, join me for my monthly creative sessions. You will have fun creating and enjoying time with friends, or making new ones too!

Hugs,

Katie 

Inspiration Friday

It's Friday! Kicking off the weekend with some of my favorite Etsy Finds.( I am absolutely in love with fabric finds. Well, actually handbags in general, but most recently fabric handmade bags.) These are some of my current loves on Etsy.

 

From Nancy

Bagel Creations 

And then there's Anthropologie. Again, more handbags. I love the last bag that features a ruffled look.

 
 

So finally the weekend arrives and that means time to relax. This week I have been busy working on my online course for my team and mentoring a few of my Close To My Heart downline. I am really excited to get to know these girls! My waiting list has grown and the next training session will begin in mid-April/May. If you are interested in finding out more about my training, shoot me an email! I'd love to help you get started as a Close To My Heart consultant. Here I am in my office taking a break. I promised a photo of my new hairstyle and cut. I did cut 4 inches off. It's still long and I love it! I'm looking forward to Spring!

 

Is it Spring Cleaning yet?

I'm at home unpacking and doing all the laundry from our Orlando trip. It was fun and also a learning experience for me in the packing department. I rarely get to travel and when I do, it's very tempting for me not to take everything AND the kitchen sink LOL! I hate buying things on the road, especially for things that I may have forgotten to pack. Like I said, a learning experience.

Now that I am settled and at home, I have this need to clean out things and also to clean myself up. I made an appt. at my Aveda salon for a much needed hair cut and style. At the last minute I asked for a new hair color. I think I'm going to go lighter and brighter. I'm anxious to see what the results will be. I've lightened and brightened my hair before, but it's always nice to anticipate the final results. 

One thing for sure...my hair is looooonnnnnggggg. Long as in below my midback. I'm thinking about getting at least 4 inches off. My husband says no way! We'll see about that. In the meantime, I have some blog candy to share with you. While in Orlando, I made a stop to Ikea.

I love the color of this chair. I think it would be fun to sit on this while I work!

Love the wall color- very light and airy feel to this room. Just a simple small office in the corner. That's what I love about Ikea. It's simple, beautiful designs for small indoor living spaces.

Comfy bed with lots of closet storage! Holy cow! I could store all my handbags, and clothes just on one side of the wall with this entire unit. My husband on the other hand will just have to take a dresser :)

Love the color they used on the wall! This was a daybed that was very comfy. I almost wanted to take a nap there for awhile! If you ever get a chance to visit an Ikea store near you, don't forget to bring your camera! I used my iphone to take some pictures of products, and design rooms I liked. If you have a short memory like me, a camera like my iphone always comes in handy.