pretty

{totally unrelated to scrapbooking}

I've done a very dangerous thing. I joined Pinterest. I love looking at pretty things, and I love having a place to save pretty things and clever ideas without having a million unsorted bookmarks, and I love being able to share pictures of pretty things without spamming my friends on facebook.

In the words of the friend who sent me the invite, Pinterest is computer crack.

Browsing through my own pins has been enlightening. I know what I like when I see it, but I have never really thought about my style. I think that defining my style and thinking about my wardrobe as a whole will be really helpful in evaluating what I have and figuring out what I want. If I can do this perhaps I can be more focused when I am shopping (or looking through hand-me-downs). I usually get distracted (hey, this is my size and on clearance! sold!) and end up with a few cute things that are cute but go with anything else that I own and/or are almost exactly the same as what I already have and/or aren't practical for everyday.

So, to that end I have created the following work-in-progress fashion goals and wish lists. I will probably change and update this daily, and will probably never have the time or money for half these things, but you gotta start somewhere.

goals

(in no particular order)

1. Embrace neutrals. On the rack they look boring, but on people, including me, they are wonderful. 
2. Play with textures and patterns. 
3. Accessorize! And accessorize with color! Scarves! Hats! Belts! Just do it.
4. Stop worrying about the shoes. I have boring shoes and bad feet and can't change either. So what? Doesn't mean I need to stick to boring outfits because they won't "go" with the shoes.
5. Stop shopping clearance racks. Think price per wear.
6. Wear more skirts and dresses.

wish list

(in no particular order)

• soft slouchy flowy sweater that goes with everything
• killer tall boots (that won't kill my feet)
• colorful scarves for summer and winter
• shorts
• linen pants
• skirts for everyday
• necklaces (toddler friendly)
• camisoles/tanks for layering (that fit properly!)
• stripes and polka dots (tops, scarves, sweaters - everything!)
• fall/winter hat
• broad brimmed striped sun hat
• bracelets (again, toddler friendly)
• purple tops and accessories (my favorite color, yet I only have one purple thing in my closet!

Stamp of the Month

So here we are, August already! The new Idea Book is now live to customers. There are some lovely new papers and stamps, along with some great tips and tricks for your projects. I wasn't mentally prepared to start thinking about Halloween and Christmas, but now that I've had a few days to let it sink in I'm looking forward to crafting for the holidays.

"Wicked" - August SOTM

The big buzz in the Close to my Heart world is all about the new Cricut cartridge, which you can find on pages 12-13 of the catalog. And of course there are a lot of happy scrappers out there who are happy about lower prices on all stamp sets. Oh, and did I mention that the B&T Duos printed papers are now printed on heavy card stock? And that the paper sets are now only $9.95? Oh yes, lots of happy scrappers!

Personally, I am perhaps most excited about the changes to the Stamp of the Month program. Previously you received a discount on the stamp based on your total purchase (25% off with $25 purchase, 50% off with $50 purchase, etc.). The new program is very simple, and, I think, a better deal -- with a purchase of $50 or more you can get the SOTM for only $5! It is also still available to purchase at full price, which is now only $17.95.

They are kicking off this new program with not only one of the cutest stamps in the whole Idea Book, but in the month of August when you purchase the stamp of the month you will receive a FREE alphabet set! 

Retiring Products

The new Close To My Heart idea book will be live to customers on August 1. I can't wait to share it with all of you! There are some really exciting changes and beautiful new papers that I'm sure all you paper crafters are going to love.

However, as always with the release of a new catalog, many of the old products are retiring. Another CTMH consultant has compiled a list here. You will especially want to take note of the My Reflections paper packs that are retiring. Level 1 kits will no longer be available, as they are making Studio J their sole Level 1 product. We also must say good-bye to some of the beautiful Spring/Summer papers, including the Miracle papers that I used to make these adorable favor boxes:

Stay tuned, a tutorial on these little cuties is in the works.

To order any of these items just pop on over to my website before August 1. While you are there be sure to check out the "While Supplies Last" section. There are some items 60-70% off!

Welcome!

Close To My Heart is their consultant sites and online ordering system. The one downside to this new system is that consultants will no longer be able to share their own artwork on their CTMH websites. I have been considering starting a business blog for quite awhile, and these changes were the incentive I needed.

My main goal here is to share my current projects and ideas, and to provide myself (and maybe even you) some motivation to make time for scrapbooking. I will probably end up frequently posting all sorts of randomness only loosely related to scrapbooking, but hopefully that stuff will be interesting, too.


I'm new at this, so please don't scorn me for my blogging faux pas, shoddy photographs, and lame web design. Feel free to laugh though. Or tease. I can take it, and if you don't point out my foibles how am I supposed to fix them?

Hey, look! I figured out how to upload a picture!