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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Photo Organization!


Do you have stacks of photos like this one laying around at your house? If you are like me, the answer is YES! Below are some tips on how you can organize your "piles" and get them ready to scrapbook. My dear friend and fellow CTMH consultant, Karen Pederson, gave me permission to share these ideas with you (Thanks Karen!). I hope you will find them beneficial to your photo organization! If you woul d like me to email you a copy of the information below please feel free to send me an email and I will be happy to email it to you!
Photo Organization Handout created by Chris Green, with a few ideas added by Karen Pedersen (Ideas inspired by “Photo Freedom by Stacy Julian”)

Close To My Heart Product List (items that can be used to :
My Legacy Albums – various styles & colors - $27.95 to $49.954113 12x12 Six Pocket (10 pages) $8.95
Z4127 Label Holders $4.95Z1038 My Acrylix Organizer $12.95
Z334 Paper Organizer 12x12 $10.95
Z1049 Photo Marker $2.50

From Camera to PrintsDigital
1. Set up a folder by year – for example: “2009”
2. In each year folder, set up sub folders by each date and event and download photos into the folder after each event or on a regular basis (i.e.: weekly, monthly, quarterly). Here are some sub folder examples:12-25 – Christmas Day4-14 – Dawson’s 15th Birthday
3. Upload digital prints for printing on a regular basis (once a month, once a quarter, etc). Online places to order photos: www.costco.com (requires membership), www.winkflash.com, www.snapfish.com, www.shutterfly.com
Film
Label each roll of film with month/year – event with a permanent marker.
Have a regular place that you store your film waiting to be developed so you don’t misplace any.
Develop film on a regular basis (Each roll of film, each event – such as a vacation).

Create Organization Systems
Before you can begin organizing your printed photos, you need to create a couple of organization systems. Create the following:

Scrapbook NotebookAs you begin scrapbooking more frequently, this notebook will help be able to keep track of what you have scrapbooked and what photos have been used on a project or in a gift album. It will also be a great place to file ideas you have for project albums. * Create a yearly sheet you can record your photo events on to track what has been printed, what album, etc.* Create tabs in the notebook – yearly and tabs for each project album to organize your ideas for your album.
* Print Several project sheets that you store in your albums so you can fill them out as you get inspiration for your album or project.
My Legacy Album & Photo Storage Pages – 6 photoUse an album for each family member or theme album to store your photos to be scrapbooked. Load the six photo pocket pages (4113, 10 for $8.95) into the album. This will save you time when you are sorting. Use a Label Holder to label your album.Budget Option: Use one album or use the photo storage pages loosely until you can purchase an album.
My Acrylix OrganizerThis organizer (Z1038, $12.95) will be a filing box for all the “extra” photos when you sort your photos. Consider creating a filing box for the following:* Each family member* Each themed scrapbook (Vacations, Holidays, etc) you set upAdvantage of using the My Acrylix Organizers – they are portable and stackable!Create tabs in each album for the types of photos that will be filed in the box. Some tab ideas:* Personality* Friends* Sibling & Me* Hobbies
Paper Organizer – 12x12Use the paper organizer (Z334, $10.95 for 3) to store oversized photos (and miscellaneous memorabilia) - consider labeling the organizer with the event and date.

From Photo Envelopes to Organized - Sorting Your Photos
Sort your photos from one event into the following piles:
Discard (i.e. the garbage!)Place any blurred prints, misprints from print company, etc in this pile. As soon as you are finished sorting – these photos can be thrown away!
ScrapbookChoose 12-24 photos of the event to scrapbook. NOTE: Not all of these photos will be used on the scrapbook page – the ones that are not chosen will be filed or discarded after you create your layout. Place photos in a single 6 photo pocket page – layer like photos between the front photos of the pocket.

FileThese are photos that will be filed in your My Acrylix Organizer box(s). Use the Photo Marker (Z1049, $2.50), write pertinent information on photo – month, year, event and then file photos in the appropriate My Acrylix Organizer box under the appropriate divider tab.

Extra photosStore in your six photo pages in an album by year or if digital prints discard after scrapbook layout is complete. This is a hard concept for some people, but it really is OK to discard the photos of an event that are much the same as the one you have scrapbooked but not as good. Do you really need 6 photos of Sally blowing out her birthday candles? I think probably one or two is plenty. Let go of the need to keep every single photo.

NegativesStore in envelope by date or scan with a negative scanner into digital files. Service available online – for more information go to www.scancafe.com or Google “Negative Scanner”.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

New Artwork!




I have been busy preparing for my Mexican Fiesta New Idea Book Celebration which is this Saturday morning starting at 10:00. The artwork you see here was created with the NEW! Tinkerin' My Reflections Scrapbook Kit. Oh what fun this kit is! I had a wonderful time creating these pages using the Close To My Heart Workshop on the Go instruction brochure. My scrapbook clubs will be creating these 6 layouts in May. Again, this photo will not rotate for me (I am posting it anyway because I absolutely love the layout!) If you would like more information on my scrapbook clubs or would like to join a scrapbook club please feel free to contact me today. I would love to have you join in on the fun! My scrapbook clubs are for both local and long distance individuals!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Happy Earth Day!






Happy Earth Day Everyone!

I hope you were able to enjoy the out of doors for a least a little bit of time yesterday.

I had fun making these "dirt cups" for the kids. When they arrived home from school they got a real "kick out of them!" Payton kept asking, "Is that crushed Oreos or is it REALLY dirt, mom?" She was so afraid to take bite in fear that it really was dirt! Once she did take a bite, she loved her snack!

We had our dinner outside in the backyard-picnic style. These are the moments I want to have more of. It seems like life just keeps getting busier and busier and there is never time to be spontaneous and enjoy just hanging out as a family.

I am looking forward to summer vacation more and more as each day passes by. I love the carefree days, not having homework or worrying about getting to bed on time. When we were living in Ohio I created an album titled "The ABC's of Summer." I taught this class many, many times while in Ohio. Last night on our picnic Molly and Payton asked if they could create their own "ABC's of Summer" album this summer. We got so excited talking about the project and had fun looking at the album I created back in 2004.

I have decided to offer this class to all my South Carolina customers! It is the perfect little album to highlight the every day moments of summer, as well as, the extra-special mements! At the end of the summer you will have a wonderful keepsake of Summer 2009! All the details will be posted in about a week!

Please do not forget to r.s.v.p for my Mexican Fiesta Catalog Preview Party which is on Saturday, May 2nd! I will be ordeirng the supplies Friday night (TOMORROW) so it is important the your r.s.v.p and also SIGN UP for the discounted workshop. See below:


It’s A FIESTA- CTMH Style!
Please say you’ll come!
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2009
Time: 10-12:00 Gathering
12:00-2:00 Workshop (special price in honor of National Scrapbook Day!)
Place: Ashley River Fire Station on Dorchester Road (next to BOSH)
R.S.V.P: On/Before THURSDAY, April 23rd
I will be sharing the NEW SUMMER IDEA BOOK with you on this day.
Join me as we take a peek at some of the AWESOME new products in this “gotta have” Idea Book!
We will create a card from the NEW Card Program (“WISHES”) coming out in June!
Earn tickets towards the grand prize drawing (a $30 value) by:
*Bringing a friend I do not know (2 tickets)
*Placing a minimum $25 order (4 tickets)
*Placing a $60 stamp order (which will qualify you to earn the “Tickled Pink” Kit for FREE!) (10 tickets)
*Join a scrapbook or card club (10 tickets)
*Register for an upcoming class (8 tickets)
*Register for the special workshop immediately following the party on/before April 23rd (8 tickets)
*Schedule a party (20 tickets)
*Sign up to become a consultant (40 tickets)

R.S.V.P TODAY
Amy McGrew 843-207-8698, stamperamy@earthlink.net, http://www.amy.myctmh.com/



WORKSHOP*WORKSHOP* WORKSHOP
My Creations 3-Ring Binder: Date: May 2, 2009
Time: 12:00-2:00 (directly following the New Idea
The NEW! Idea book Celebration)
Place: Ashley River Fire Station
Cost: $15.00
This workshop is being offered at a $5.00 discount in honor of National Scrapbooking Day! All supplies are included in this registration fee). Please bring your own paper trimmer, adhesives and scissors to the class. It is important that you register on/before (preferably before) APRIL 23rd so that I have enough time to order the supplies.
Please join me as I guide you through creating a “My 10 Wishes” or “10 Things I Love” album using the new CTMH 3-Ring Binder. Innovative but familiar, this binder brings the comfort of a classic album and the creative flexibility of a blank canvas. A unique size and shape give this album a distinctive look and instant character. Five White Daisy inserts with tabs and a White Daisy cover beg to be customized.







Tuesday, April 21, 2009

You Are Invited!

It’s A FIESTA- CTMH Style!
Please say you’ll come!
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2009
Time: 10-12:00 Gathering
12:00-2:00 Workshop (special price in honor of National Scrapbook Day!)
Place: Ashley River Fire Station on Dorchester Road (next to BOSH)
R.S.V.P: On/Before THURSDAY, April 23rd
I will be sharing the NEW SUMMER IDEA BOOK with you on this day.
Join me as we take a peek at some of the AWESOME new products in this “gotta have” Idea Book!
We will create a card from the NEW Card Program (“WISHES”) coming out in June!
Earn tickets towards the grand prize drawing (a $30 value) by:
*Bringing a friend I do not know (2 tickets)
*Placing a minimum $25 order (4 tickets)
*Placing a $60 stamp order (which will qualify you to earn the “Tickled Pink” Kit for FREE!) (10 tickets)
*Join a scrapbook or card club (10 tickets)
*Register for an upcoming class (8 tickets)
*Register for the special workshop immediately following the party on/before April 23rd (8 tickets)
*Schedule a party (20 tickets)
*Sign up to become a consultant (40 tickets)

R.S.V.P TODAY
Amy McGrew 843-207-8698, stamperamy@earthlink.net, www.amy.myctmh.com



WORKSHOP*WORKSHOP* WORKSHOP
My Creations 3-Ring Binder: Date: May 2, 2009
Time: 12:00-2:00 (directly following the New Idea
The NEW! Idea book Celebration)
Place: Ashley River Fire Station
Cost: $15.00
This workshop is being offered at a $5.00 discount in honor of National Scrapbooking Day! All supplies are included in this registration fee). Please bring your own paper trimmer, adhesives and scissors to the class. It is important that you register on/before (preferably before) APRIL 23rd so that I have enough time to order the supplies.
Please join me as I guide you through creating a “My 10 Wishes” or “10 Things I Love” album using the new CTMH 3-Ring Binder. Innovative but familiar, this binder brings the comfort of a classic album and the creative flexibility of a blank canvas. A unique size and shape give this album a distinctive look and instant character. Five White Daisy inserts with tabs and a White Daisy cover beg to be customized.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

So Many Things To Get Excited About!


Hello!

What a week it was! Trying to get back in the swing of things after Spring Break has been a bit challenging! Anyway, it is the weekend and I have high hopes of spending time outside with my fmaily AND playing with some of the BRAND NEW PRODUCT that appears in the Close To My Heart SUMMER 2009 Idea Book!

Yep! You read correctly, the Summer Idea Book is coming out on May 1st and you are going to LOVE it! Here is what the cover looks like!

CTMH has created a Scrapbook and Share Artwork Contest! As another fun way to celebrate National Scrapbook Month (May), Close To My Heart created a website, www.scrapbookandshare.com, that you can visit to share your artwork and win Close To My Heart products. To participate in the Scrapbook and Share contest, simply send Close To My Heart a JPEG image of a two-page layout that highlights you in some way to scrapbookandshare@closetomyheart.com. You can begin entering now and all the way through May 31. Along with your submission, you’ll want to share why the layout highlights you. At the end of May, finalists will be selected from all of the entries, and you and your customers will be able to vote for your favorites. The winners in each category will receive $150 US retail in Close To My Heart products. To access the website and read all the details about the Scrapbook and Share contest, click on the link on the left side of my blog (cute pink flower) or visit http://www.scrapbookandshare.com/. To enter the contest, send your scrapbook layouts to scrapbookandshare@closetomyheart.com! Don't forget that the "Tickled Pink" special is in full swing. You can earn this kit for FREE by placing a minimum $60 stamp order or hosting your own party! It's too good to miss!

I would like to take this time to personally invite you to the Mexican Fiesta Party I will be hosting on SATURDAY, MAY 2nd at the Ashley River Fire House on Dorchester Road (next to BOSCH). We will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. I will be highlighting the SUMMER Idea Book. You will have the opportunity to create a card from the NEW Card Program Jeanette has published AND for those who would like to keep the fun going you are invited to register for a fun workshop using the very cool NEW 4 x 6 Binder to create a "My 10 Wishes" album! This workshop will take place immediately following the party! The workshop will be offered at a discount in honor of National Scrapbooking Day (which is actually on May 2nd!).

More Deatails will be coming very soon! Please be sure to r.s.v.p on time to guarentee your spot at the workshop! You can start registering TODAY!

Lastly, be sure to visit "CTMH TV" on my website (http://www.amy.myctmh.com/) and check out the show that we published this past Tuesday. You will see one of the 4 x 6 binders that we created at the Album Retreat in January. This will give you an idea of what the binder looks like. I love these little albums. They are perfect for gifts and even home decor (place a few in a fun container or basket and place on your coffee table!)! Check out Jeanette's Blog (you can click to it right from this blog-just look for it on the left side), as well, to get a sneak peek at the new Card Confidence Progam "Wishes." It is ALL GOOD and SO EXCITING!


Make it a great day!


Monday, April 13, 2009

"Tickled Pink" for National Scrapbook Month!

I am so very excited to share the AMAZING special Close To My Heart is hosting in honor of National Scrapbook Month.
Close To My Heart is starting the celebration EARLY! How cool is that?

Here are all the details. I am looking forward to tickling you all pink at my free workshop in June to all those who earn this fabulous kit for FREE! Just a little FYI-the papers are so much more pretty in real life than in this flyer!

CTMH is celebrating National Scrapbook Month a bit early this year! If you do not already know, May is National Scrapbook month. CTMH has put together a fabulous kit, “Tickled Pink,” in honor of this awesome celebration. I have attached a flyer with all the details. Do you have a stamp set wish list? Are there lots of stamp sets you have been wanting but just have not had the chance to order? Have you thought about hosting a CTMH gathering? Or would you like to make some additional income all while stamping and scrapbooking? If you said, “yes” to any of these questions then the “Tickled Pink” special is for YOU! There is something in this special for EVERYONE-the customer, the hostess and even the individual who wants to begin her own CTMH business!
I am adding to this special! All those who earn this kit for FREE will be invited to my house for a FREE create & take session! All you do is bring your “Tickled Pink” kit, along with your basic tool kit (trimmer, scissors and adhesives) and I will provide you a comfortable spot to create your layouts, use of my ink pads and blocks AND I will guide you in making a couple cards using your leftover papers! A small goodie bag will also be given to you upon your arrival! I want to make you feel “Tickled Pink” at this event! The dates (a morning and evening time will be scheduled) will be announced in mid-May. Both dates will be in early June.

Smiles,
Amy

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Girls Just Want To Have Fun!













Hello!
I hope you all are enjoying this Easter weekend! I have been out of town, thus the reason for me not posting. I really need to treat myself to a laptop computer so I can blog while I am out of town!
Anyway, we had quite a week! My daughter, Molly, turned 9 last Sunday. We had a fabulous celebration with her 6 closest friends from Ohio, their moms (who are also my closest friends) and Molly's God Mother (my sister). We drove to Ohio last Sunday and then everyone flew to Chicago where we had a lovely b-day party at American Girl Place. It was Molly and Payton's first time on a plane-talk about exciting!


Fun was had by all the girls-the mom's and the daughters! I was quite inmpressed with the birthday party package I purchased from American Girl. The food was fabulous, the goodie bags were stuffed with impressive treats that all girls love and the birthday cake was, not only gorgeous, but mouth watering delicious! I highly recommend the birthday package to all those who have young daughters!

We spent one night in a hotel in downtown Chicago and then toured the city the follwoing day prior to flying back to Ohio. We took the girls to the top of the John Hancock building where we took a children's tour. It was so informative and fun. The girls loved it!











I am so thankful for my wonderful friends who just happen to be the mothers of my daugther's closest friends. I have many, many photos to sort through now and I am excited to create a scrapbook of our wonderful time together!








Thank you Jody, Tonya, Tracy, Trina, Payton. Amy, Gabby, Hope and Brooke for being a part of Molly's celebration. We will treasure the memories we created until are next Girl's Weekend!


























Friday, April 3, 2009

What A Week!



Hello Everyone!

I am so sorry that I have not posted in almost a week. The past 5 days have just zoomed by!


My oldest child, Tucker James, turned 11 on Tuesday! Oh My! He will go to middle school next year. Tucker is almost as tall as I am! Where does the time go?! Tucker celebrated with 5 of his friends from school. We had an Amazing Race party and fun was had by all!

I have spent the rest of the week doing Close To My Heart gatherings and classes. I have met some wonderful ladies this week, new friends whom I look forward to getting to know even better in time! Thank you to all the lovely gals I have met throughout the week. You are all beautiful people!
I am so excited about all the things planned for the month! I hope you will see something that interests you and register today!
CTMH is celebrating National Scrapbook Month a bit early this year! If you do not already know, May is National Scrapbook month. CTMH has put together a fabulous kit, “Tickled Pink,” in honor of this awesome celebration. YOu can read all about it on my website (http://www.amy.myctmh.com/). Do you have a stamp set wish list? Are there lots of stamp sets you have been wanting but just have not had the chance to order? Have you thought about hosting a CTMH gathering? Or would you like to make some additional income all while stamping and scrapbooking? If you said, “yes” to any of these questions then the “Tickled Pink” special is for YOU! There is something in this special for EVERYONE-the customer, the hostess and even the individual who wants to begin her own CTMH business!
I am adding to this special! All those who earn this kit for FREE will be invited to my house for a FREE create & take session! All you do is bring your “Tickled Pink” kit, along with your basic tool kit (trimmer, scissors and adhesives) and I will provide you a comfortable spot to create your layouts, use of my ink pads and blocks AND I will guide you in making a couple cards using your leftover papers! A small goodie bag will also be given to you upon your arrival! I want to make you feel “Tickled Pink” at this event! The dates (a morning and evening time will be scheduled) will be announced in mid-May. Both dates will be in early June.
I have improved the way I do my gatherings and I look forward to providing you with an AMAZING PARTY EXPERIENCE! My presentation is short but FUN! I like to include your guests in with my presentation and all my parties now have a theme! During the month of April the theme will be CUP CAKES! Cup cakes are all the rage now and CTMH has the most adorable cup cake stamp set! Please phone or email me today so we can schedule your Cup Cake themed Gathering and plan your FREE CTMH shopping spree! You can host your gathering at your house or mine (for those who don’t like to cook and clean or don’t want to disrupt the family or feel they don’t have enough room to comfortably fit all their guests). I promise you that YOUR party will be like no other! Fun, Laughter and a very cool create & take project will occur at your Amazing Party! Don’t Delay-Schedule Today!
The deadline to register for the Monogram Tin and Note Card Class is fast approaching! Many of you have expressed an interest but have not yet officially registered. Please be sure to let me know on/before April 3rd. Payment is due when registering to confirm your spot. You can read all the details and see a photo of this class on my website http://www.amy.myctmh.com/ .
I have updated my website so please take a peek to see the April card club and scrapbook club kit descriptions and dates. Anyone can come to these classes. They are not exclusively for the club members. I encourage everyone to come take a class and see how you like it. I am always forming new clubs and you can join at any time. Card and Scrapbook Club are available as “kits to go” so even if you live long distance or cannot attend classes, you can still be in the club or take a class!
Calendar Club is going strong. I am excited about the new members who just recently joined! We will be meeting in April to do the February and possibly the March kits. You can join Calendar Club at any time. I have extras of all the kits. You can put these kits together at home or at a future class here at my home. Details for this club can be found on my website, as well.

*If for some reason you register for a class and cannot attend, you will receive all class materials and instructions. Due to the fact that I have to pre-order your supplies, I cannot hand out refunds.
Here is a photo of the cards (and information about the kit) my card club will be creating this month. You will create 2 or each design. There is still room if you would like to sign up. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Have a wonderful weekend!

SMiles,

Amy
APRIL CARD CLUB KIT
We will create 2 of each card design.
Kit contents:

Basic Kit: $36.00 +4.80 shipping=$34.80
#X7090B Silhouette Paper pack: $12.95
#Z1034 Black Ribbon Collection: $9.95
#X254 White Cards and Envelopes (1/2 a pack): $7.50
Buttons, spiral clips, white waxy flax: .88

Add-On Options
#E1002 Rustic Alphabet: $35.94
#D1221 Delightful Alphabet: $22.95
#D1258 Friendship Word Puzzle: $22.95
#Z2103 Bamboo Ink Pad
#Z2105 Black Ink Pad
April Stamp of the Month: World’s Best Dad: DISCOUNTED or FREE!