Spring Retreat is coming soon….

Today was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day!  I think it actually hit 70 degrees… here in Nebraska… in January… unheard of!  Usually we would be a foot under snow and chilled at a negative number.  This weather is strange, and is giving me a little bit of spring fever.  Which made me start really thinking about the Spring Retreat.

We have such a great time at our simi-annual Create! Escape! Scrapbooking Retreat.  We are located about halfway between Omaha and Lincoln, south of Gretna off I-80.  We are nesteled in the beautiful wilderness in a secluded retreat center.

We have tons of space to scrapbook and the on-site chef is fantastic. We are spoiled by the wonderful food Chef Tom prepares for us.

The retreat is coming up in only 10 weeks,  on April 13 – 15 , so make plans to attend.  Registration is currently open, but will close on March 15, so register soon. 

I am very excited about this retreat, and I hope you will join me.  I am working on some great workshops, better giveaways, bigger door prizes, and other fun stuff.  The retreat is going to be here before you know it, so make plans to attend.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at jessiebrophy110@gmail.com.

See you all soon,
Jessie

Heading South for the Winter | A Few of My Favorite Things

…ok, maybe not the winter…. just the next three days…
… and, maybe not THAT far south… really just to Kansas City.
I’m heading on a work-related trip until Thursday night, and I am looking forward to some good bbq.
In the mean time, here is a list of a few of my favorite things from CTMH right now. Some of these items are things I have used and loved, and some are things that I cannot wait to use on my next project.

Mini Medley Accents Pewter Collection
I specifically love the washers. I love how they give a hip, industrial, cool vibe look to a project. For example, look at the mini album posted below. I love how they used the washers as part of the binding for this album. Love it! 

Decor Journaling Spots
And speaking of that little mini album… I am going to have to make that. I love how quick and easy it looks. I have used these journaling tags on many thinsgs, and I love them. There are a must have since the colors are great, they are pretty neutral, and will work with so many things!

Typeset Paper Packet
I must admit I was not a big fan when this kit first came out, but now it is one of my favs. I love the entire kit, but especially the dark brown piece of pattern paper. If you look at it closely, you will see the words “memories,” “family,” and “cherish.”  It is super versitile, it could go with most anything.

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Creme Brulee Cardstock
Truly, I have never considered myself a yollow-sorta-gal but I must admit, this is my current favorite colors. I feel like it is this years Chocolate. It could go with almost anything… Pinks, blues, greens, brown, the possibilities are unlimited. I love how it neutralizes a palette. I am not sure how this works, but it just seems to.

My Creation Memory Game
I love this and cannot wait to start creating with it. I just have not come up with a fab idea yet, so if anyone can help me out, that would be awesome. >

And finally, I love this months Stamp-of-the-Month.  I love how it is extremely versitile, and works with so many projects. I love the days of the week, and feel like we have not had those words represented in a stamp set for a long time… but, correct me if I am wrong. Love it! Definite must have!

So, there it is… Just a few of my current favorite things.  What do you love right now?

Have a great week,
Jessie

New Album | Weekend’s Events

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are having a fantastic weekend. It’s been great around here.  This is my last weekend for a while that we have had NOTHING scheduled.  My calendar was completely BLANK!  NOTHING to do!  That rarely happens, so I took full advantage. Even having an empty schedule, it ended up being a crazy weekend.

Went for sushi and Japanese food Friday night with the family.

My nine-year-old had a last minute sleep-over Friday night after dinner.

Went to Omaha and bought new dining room furniture on Saturday!  SUPER EXCITED!

My 19-year-old, who currently lives in Omaha, made a surprise visit last night (this morning) and crashed here.

Had drinks and dinner with our good friends, Peggy and Marc, tonight while watching the game.

Life is good.

However, the reason for this post is to say that it’s been a while since I have posted any new artwork, so I thought I would share an album I have been working on. This is a TALL mini album, measuring 5 1/4″ x 10 1/2″ and can easily hold AT LEAST 36 photos. I love how it turned out using the Roxie Paper Packet from CTMH.  However, I need a clever name for this album, so if anyone wants to help me, that would be fantastic!

I will be selling the kit for this album coming up on March, so look forward to getting more information about making this great album. For those in my Project 12 Club, this WILL be our March project!

I hope you enjoy!
Jessie

Journaling | Week in Review Album

Hi Everyone and Happy Friday!

Sticking with our January theme, “Fresh Perspectives” and cultivating your best year yet… let’s talk about journaling. If my goal this year is to have my best year yet, I will what to memorialize it! That is what this club is all about. Making great memories, and preserving them. In just a few weeks, I am turning 40. And, surprisingly enough, I am pretty excited about it! In fact, I want to remember this year. So, I am taking this month’s project and making it into a “The Weekly Review” Album. After all, I will want to chronicle my “best year yet”, right???

Regardless of what happens in the next 12 months, I will journal about it. All of the highs and lows. It will capture the essence of my life when I’m 40. Honestly, I wish I could go back and do this when I turned 20 and when I turned 30. How awesome would that be? So, I am going to do it now.

This is the journal we made during our Project 12 Club this week.  I can’t wait to begin this journey.

These journals are one of the many CTMH products that will be retiring in just a few days!  (For a complete list of retiring products, click here)  If you want to get a journal, order it now, because soon, they will be gone!   If you would like to order the January Project 12 Kit, I do have a couple of kits left over.  Email me and let me know that you would like to order one.  The kit comes with everything you need to make the project, PLUS step-by-step instructions!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Jessie

Sneak Peek at New Idea Book

It’s almost here! February 1 will be the first day we can order out of the new idea books! There are awesome new kits, stamps, embellishments, and accessories! I can’t wait, so I thought I would give you a sneak peek at what is to come!

In February we not only get a brand new catalog to shop from, we also have another reason to celebrate. I will be celebrating my 8 year anniversary with Close To My Heart. It’s hard to believe I have been with this company for 8 years. To celebrate, I will be have specials all month long! Stay tuned for details…

Until then, don’t forget to check out the retired list for all of the never-to-be-seen-again products you don’t want to miss out on.

Happy shopping,
Jessie

Goal Setting | Japanese Stab Bound Book

Happy Monday Everyone,

In my previous post, I wrote about my January theme for my new club, Project 12, “Fresh Perspectives”. Part of the theme “Fresh Perspectives,” new beginnings, and cultivating your best year yet is setting goals.

How can you have your best year if you do not set some goals for this year of what will make it the best year yet?!? For those who know me at all, know that I am a goal setter. Setting goals is an important part of life, and I try to live by the philosophy of “starting with the end in mind” which is a Covey philosophy from “Seven Habits”.

I just have ONE goal for 2012 and here it is… to have the BEST year yet! Of course, I have many smaller steps, side-goals, and measurable, tangible processes which will get me to my end result, that is my #1 goals this year!

What are your goals?
How do you measure your goals?
Do you write them down?

Need some inspiration?

Here is an example of a Goals Journal I created in 2008. What I love about this project is that it captured the ESSENCE of who I was in 2008; my values, what I thought was important, what has changed in my life, what was stayed the same, what goals I have conquered, what goals I am STILL challenged by four years later. I love that I took time to write down my goals that year. Here’s your challenge…. what are your goals for 2012? Come up with some, and write them down. You don’t have to create an entire scrapbook… just write them on a post-it note!

If you would like to make the Japanese Stab Bound journal as shown in this post, let me know. I have taught this workshop at past retreats and workshops, so I am pretty sure I can find the instructions. Otherwise, just google “Japanese Stab Binding” and you will find a lot of instructions (both on google and youtube) on how to make these great journals. They are super quick and simple, with fabulous results!

Have a wonderful day!
Jessie

Get them while you can | Close To My Heart is retiring TONS of NEW items

I want everyone to know that CTMH is retiring TONS of new products on January 31.  There are a lot of great products that were only introduced in the fall, and will be retiring in a matter of days.   Be sure to grab your favorites on my website while you still can.

I’ve tried to make seeing these items and shopping for them as convenient for you as I could. You can click on each item to view and/or add it to your shopping cart. While shopping, don’t forget to check out the “While Supplies Last” section for great deals on already retired items. Many of them are as much as 81% off their regular price. AWESOME DEALS!

If this was not enough exciting enough, I have more news for you: Close To My Heart has now added “Smart Post Shipping” for orders on my website for only $4.95. If your order and weight qualify, you will see that option available as you ready to check out.

January 31, 2012 Retiring List

Paper Collections
Typeset Workshop on the Go (WOTG) Kit – G1024 – $29.95
Roxie WOTG Kit – G1025 – $29.95
Elemental WOTG Kit – G1026 – $29.95
Dreamin’ L2 Paper – X7142B - $9.95
Dreamin’ My Stickease – X7142C - $4.95
Dreamin’ WOTG Kit – G1027 - $29.95
Sonoma WOTG Kit – G1028 – $29.95
Mischief L2 Paper – X7144B - $9.95
Mischief Compliments Rubons – X7144C - $4.95
Mischief WOTG Kit – G1029 - $29.95
Believe L2 Paper – X7145B - $9.95
Believe MyStickease – X7145C - $4.95
Believe WOTG Kit – G1030 - $29.95
Wonderland L2 Paper – X7146B - $9.95
Wonderland MyStickease – GX7146C - $4.95
Wonderland WOTG Kit – G0131 - $29.95
Sophia L2 Paper – X7131B - $12.95
Sophia MyStickease – X7131C - $4.95
Lucky L2 Paper – X7137B – $12.95
Lucky MyStickease – X7137C - $4.95
Fanfare L2 Paper – X7138B - $12.95
Fanfare MyStickease – X7138C - $4.95

Stamp Sets
A Hop – A1112 - $6.95
A Little Buzz – B1353 – $9.95
A Little Everything – D1408 - $17.95
A Love – A1103 - $6.95
A Paisley – A1105 - $6.95
A Posey – A1102 - $6.95
Adoption – A1098 - $6.95
Adorning Corners – D1322 - $17.95
Always in my Heart – A1101 - $6.95
Ambiance – C1349 - $13.95
Around the Block – D1377 - $17.95
Baby Love – B1368 - $9.95
Backgrounds and Borders – D1463 - $17.95
Beary Best – C1363 - $13.95
Beary Busy – C1409 – $13.95
Beautiful Butterflies – B1373 – $9.95
Beautiful Things – D1298 – $17.95
Believe in Your Dreams – B1322 – $9.95
Beloved – B1343 – $9.95
Birthday Blast – C1436 - $13.95
Birthday Boy – C1411 - $13.95
Bless this Nest – C1445 – $13.95
Blooming Layers – C1449 – $13.95
Bon Appetit – D1367 – $17.95
Boom! – B1354 - $9.95
Bunny Love – B1324 - $9.95
Campin’ Fever – D1353 - $17.95
Carefree – C1447 - $13.95
Catching Waves – D1466 – $17.95
Charmed – C1385 - $13.95
Cherished Flourishes – D1413 - $17.95
Ciao – D1461 - $17.95
Circle Around – D1300 - $17.95
Circle of Love – D1438 - $17.95
Circle Together – B1372 - $9.95
Connections – D1330 - $17.95
Cruisin’ – D1471 - $17.95
Cupcake Sprinkles – D1336 - $17.95
Daydream – D1297 - $17.95
Down By The Sea – C1451 – $13.95
Dream Big – D1399 - $17.95
Dreams Come True – D1470 - $17.95
Enjoy Every Moment – C1395 - $13.95
Extreme Happiness – C1356 - $13.95
Family – C1305 – $13.95
Family Ties – Adult – C1346 - $13.95
Family Ties – Children – C1345 - $13.95
Family Ties – Pet – B1350 - $9.95
Fill in the Blank – D1465 - $17.95
Flower Pot – D1409 - $17.95
For Every Occasion – D1187 - $17.95
Friendship Blessings – D1191 - $17.95
From My Heart – C1443 - $13.95
Fun Times – B1309 - $9.95
Happy Holidays – D1431 - $17.95
Happy Moments – C1437 - $13.95
Hero – D1474 - $17.95
His and Hers – C1460 - $13.95
Horizon – C1454 - $13.95
Hot Diggity – C1407 - $13.95
Howdy – D1435 - $17.95
In the Month of February – C1403 - $13.95
In the Month of March – C1404 - $13.95
In the Month of April – C1405 - $13.95
In the Month of May – C1415 - $13.95
In the Month of June – C14016 - $13.95
In the Month of July – C1417 - $13.95
It’s a Zoo – C1360 - $13.95
Just For Boys – C1338 - $13.95
Just For Girls – C1337 - $13.95
Just The Ticket – B1323 - $9.95
Kanji Phrases – C1339 - $13.95
Let’s Go Camping – C1355 - $13.95
Little Princess – C1414 – $13.95
Love Always – D1337 - $17.95
Love Birds – C1396 - $13.95
Love Ya – D1460 - $17.95
Magic Tabs – C1448 – $13.95
Makin’ Waves – C1365 - $13.95
Ms. Chillin’ – D1404 - $17.95
Ms. Scrapbook -B1352 - $9.95
Notice the Details – D1378 - $17.95
On the Edge – C1399 - $13.95
On This Day – D1468 - $17.95
One of a Kind – D1410 - $17.95
Over The Rainbow – D1426 - $17.95
Paisley Praise – D1414 - $17.95
Piece of Cake – D1407 - $17.95
Play Day – D1360 – $17.95
Post Card – Travel Series – D1357 - $17.95
Precious Love – C1444 - $13.95
Priceless Love Word Puzzle – D1348 – $17.95
Recipe Box – D1364 – $17.95
Retro Tech – C1446 - $13.95
Royal Birth – D1441 – $17.95
Salutation Seals – C1461 – $13.95
Shining Star – D1320 - $17.95
Smiles – C1397 – $13.95
So Lucky – C1390 - $13.95
Soul Mates – D1354 – $17.95
Springtime – D1415 – $17.95
Star Power – D1403 – $17.95
Summer Breeze – C1453 – $13.95
Summer Days – B1375 - $9.95
Sweet Baby – C1359 - $13.95
Take Luck – B1364 - $9.95
Tasty Treats – D1427 - $17.95
Tea Time – C1438 - $13.95
Thank You – D361 - $17.95
Thrill Ride – D1425 - $17.95
TLC – C1364 - $13.95
Togetherness – D1402 - $17.95
Treetops – C1368 – $13.95
Trellis – D1451 - $17.95
True Happiness – D1365 - $17.95
Two-Step Backgrounds – D1473 - $17.95
Unity – C1422 - $113.95
X-Treme – D1432 - $17.95
You Did It – C1351 – $13.95
You Rock – D1346 – $17.95
You’re Great – D1434 - $17.95
You’re Sweet – B1351 - $9.95

Ribbon
Colonial White Ribbon Collection – Z1126 - $7.95
Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon – Z1103 - $6.95
Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon – Z1100 - $6.95
Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon – Z1102 - $6.95
White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon – Z270 - $6.95
Wings Level 2 Assortment – Z1398 - $4.95

Floss
Embroidery Floss – Red/Pink – Z1092 - $3.25
Embroidery Floss – Green – Z1094 - $3.25
Embroidery Floss – Blue/Purple – Z1093 - $3.25

Waxy Flax
Cranberry – Z1086 - $3.95
Sorbet – Z1249 - $3.95
Juniper – Z1248 - $3.95
Crystal Blue – Z1247 - $3.95

Brads
Designer Brads – Colonial White – Z1274 - $3.95
Decorative Brads – Pewter – Z1146 - $3.95

Mini-Medley and Eyelets
Mini-Medley – Antiqued Copper – Z1275 - $4.95
Mini-Medley – Colonial White – Z1276 - $4.95
Foundry Metal – Bookplates – Z1147 - $3.50
Soft Set Eyelet Tool – Z1208 - $14.95
Soft Set Eyelets – Black and White Daisy – Z1228 - $3.95
Soft Set Eyelets – Chocolate and Colonial White – Z1229 – $3.95

Coordinating Collection Embellishments
Midnight Felt Shapes – Z1462 - $3.95
Harvest Charms – Z1633 - $4.95
Holiday Pockets – Z1486 - $4.95
Lucky Level 2 Assortment – Z1356 - $4.95
Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots – Z1359 - $3.95
Bliss Level 2 Assortment – Z1355 - $5.95
Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment – Z1386- $4.95
Fanfare Level 2 Assortment – Z1400 - $4.95
Just Blooms Spring Blossom – Z1266 - $7.95
Just Blooms White Daisy Variety Pack – Z1300 - $5.95

Color Ready Alphabets
Color Ready Alphabets – Oxford – X5749 - $3.95
Color Ready Alphabets – Hodge Podge – X1406 - $3.95

My Creations Items
My Creations – Board Book – Z1310 - $6.95
My Creations – Journal – Z1268 - $7.95
My Creations – Memory Showcase 9×9 – Z1198 - $5.95

Misc.
Rubber Brayer – Z616 – $12.95
Eyelet Tool Replacement Punches – Z1245 - $2.95

If you have any questions, please let me know!

Happy shopping!
Jessie

What’s up????

HAPPY 2012!!!!

 I have been a horrible blogger lately, and it seems like at the end of the day, I just run out of time.  Too many projects, not enough time.  Between work, being a wife and mother, taking care of personal obligations, plus trying to find time to scrapbook is challenging.  Part of what is taking a considerable about of time is my new club, Project 12.  We are off to a great start, and I want to share the premise of this club, and my ideology about scrapbooking, life, and creativity with everyone.

When I started to think about this project, I had no idea how excited I would be.  I have people from two states and seven cities partaking in Project12 and I am thrilled, yet at the same time overwhelmed and scared.  What if… what if… what if… filled my head.  And, then I remembered what this is all about!  This year I want to focus on more creative scrapbooking, more inspirational topics, more completed projects…  Scrapbook albums and projects that will be more meaningful….  Topics I will scrapbook about which will add value and fulfillment to my life…..  Projects I can, and will want to complete, show off, and hold onto for life!

The first month’s theme is “Fresh Perspectives.”  I want to start the year talking about fresh perspectives, new ideas, fresh beginnings, and how to cultivate the BEST YEAR yet!  For me, I am going to spend a little more time capturing memories in the moment.  Recently, when I was looking through past projects (since I’ve been scrapbooking for 13 years, I have a lot of past projects), the ones I love the most are the projects where I was able to capture (and be creative with) the memories in the moment, when it was happening!  I love the projects where I ”scrapbooked on the road” during a vacation:

where I journaled on a daily bases

or captured a “month-in-my-life”.

I love the projects where I let go of my inhibitions … forgot about “I don’t do that” or “I can’t do this”.  I hear this all the time, “I don’t use stickers” or “I don’t like the color pink” or “I can’t hand-write on my pages.”  Truth be told, I’ve said a few of these myself.  But, then I started to ask myself ‘why?”.  Let go of those ideas and JUST CREATE in the moment!  Doodle, draw, write, paint, color, stamp, and enjoy incorporating some creativity into your life!

So, here is your challenge this week…. take something you USED to create with… paints, crayons, pencils, yarn, embroidery floss, even something you used as a child, and make a project with it.  It could just be coloring at a restaurant, or doodling on your notepad at work, or finger painting with your kids… how did that feel…. did it bring back good memories…. can you get some fresh new ideas using those mediums?  This month, and this year, we will be about taking time to create!  I believe EVERYONE is creative, just don’t let your own inhibitions take over.  Go create!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic start to 2012.

Happy Crafting,
Jessie

January Events and Close To My Heart Specials

Happy 2012!  It’s a brand new year, brand new month, and brand new opportunity to take advantage of some awesome Close To My Heart January specials.  Keep reading.  Trust me…you WANT to!

1.  A Perfect 10 for Studio J Members:

 
January is FREE layout month for Studio J members.  For every 9 custom-printed Studio J layouts you buy, you’ll receive the 10th layout free. To receive the discount, just add 10 or more layouts to your card. You’ll see a discount reflected in your order total. And you can totally take advantage of this promotion by ordering multiples of 10.  Buy 9, get 1 free. Buy 18, get 2 free.  Buy 27 and get 3 free. And so on!  If you’re not a member yet, NOW is a GREAT time to join!  To access your account, or to set up a new one and purchase a membership, just go to my website (www.jessie.myctmh.com), click on “Studio J” and go from there.  SUPER EASY! 

2. Rock the Block:

As you know (because I already told you!), this special began on December 19 and goes through January 31. It’s a GREAT way to get something wonderful for very little $.

Here’s how it works:
When you place a $25 minimum order from the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book, you get TWO valuable new products for just $15: the My Creations Collage Cubes (this is a sneak product from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book, will retail for approx. $15 then) and the EXCLUSIVE “Rock the Block” E-size stamp set (available only during this promotion and a $29.95 value). That’s over a $45 value for only $15!

Not sure what to purchase for that $25? Well, here are some great suggestions:

• a Level 2 Paper Pack of your choice ($9.95). A great one this time of year would be “Wonderland”
• two coordinating stamp pads ($5.25 each).  If you chose “Wonderland” for your paper pack, then I suggest Twilight and Chocolate as your inks.
• an Acrylic Block to go with the “Rock the Block” stamp set (I suggest the 4″ x 5″ block if you don’t already have any blocks)
• OR, if you already have Acrylic Blocks, substitute that item with the matching Complements or My Stickease to match the kit you’ve chosen (if you chose “Wonderland”, then I suggest the “Wonderland” My Stickease to match!)

If you are ordering on my website, you’ll be prompted to add this wonderful “Rock the Block” kit before you check out.

Oh, and if you want to watch a short little video on how to use this awesome “Rock the Block” kit, just go to this video.  It’s a 3 minute video, but it’s worth the watch.

3.  January Stamp of the Month:

I love this set and have had so much fun playing with it (actual size of the carrier sheet you see above is 6″ x 6″).   This set is yours for only $5 ($17.95) with a $50 purchase. If you are already taking advantage of the Rockin’ “Rock the Block” special, you will have spent $25 and then an additional $15 on the kit. That means you only have $10 more to spend to get this set for $5.  AWESOME!  If you are ordering on my website, you’ll be prompted to add this before you check out.

4.  Crop to Stop MS:

Don’t forget to register for the January 14, Crop to Stop MS.  For more information about how you can participate, check out this post. 

I hope you are having a wonderful start to this new year! 

Happy Crafting!
Jessie
 

Unit Meeting project

I want to share some amazing artwork created by some very talented members of my team.  We had a craft exchange at our meeting last night to celebrate the ending of another year.

This beautiful handmade glass ornament, by Shirley H., was decorated on the inside with another hand crafted ornament cut using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  I love how she filled it with”snow” and made it glisten.  Very beautiful!  This will look gorgeous on my tree.

The “ducky” Christmas cards were hand drawn, one-of-a-kind creations by Chris B.  Chris is known for her hand drawn ducks and they are a team favorite.  They are such a special treat and, I hate to admit being this selfish, but I won’t be able to part with these.  These cards will not be sent out.

The calendar idea came from Thea S. and she walked us through the instructions of creating our own 2012 calendar.  I love how mine turned out, even though it is still missing pictures.  The calendar has a little dimension to it, and you pull the different months out from the top and slide them back in.  Great idea, Thea.

Thanks so much, ladies, for all the laughs, smiles, tears, and joy these past several years.  I am looking forward to another great year of friendship and comradery ahead.

With great respect,
Jessie