Convention 2014 recap…

Disneyland, California…what a wonderful place to hold our annual Close To My Heart (CTMH) Convention!!!

Come join me as I share a brief recap (with lots of pictures) of what a CTMH Convention is all about…. J

Disneyland, Disney World…Disney - just amazes me!!  You are treated so special by the staff (cast members) around the resort!! They make your stay extra special!

We had an amazing greeting as we entered the resort on Tuesday afternoon!  We were greeted by Chip or Dale, Alice (in wonderland), Cinderella, Baloo & Goofy!!  What fun!!!

AND…EVERYTHING around the resort spoke….Mickey Mouse!!  If you looked closely at most places (carpets, wall color, tiles, etc) you would find a Mickey head & ears somewhere!!  What FUN!!

Convention is a Thurs-Sat night, but Leadership Day starts on Wed & was free to attend this year!!

I was asked to be a speaker on “Marketing my Niche, working in a small community” and was honored to be asked to share. While I didn’t have a voice, or very little of it…it did go quite well!!

When we register for Convention, we always receive a name badge and this was my name badge for this year….

I ALWAYS look forward to getting together with my “Spa Girls” at CTMH events. 

This time there were only 5 out of the 9 in attendance at Convention.  While we missed the other girls, we did enjoy our lunch together on Wed to catch up with what is happening in our lives!  I’m so thankful for these friends!!

Thursday’s General Session started at 9am! As Directors, we didn’t have to scramble to find a seat…but had seats reserved for us directly in front of the stage!   When I arrived at my Director Chair I found a special blanket, all packaged up for me!!  CTMH gives such special treatment to their leaders, and I feel very blessed to be apart of that this Convention!!

Our day began with Disney performers sharing a little bit about how you fly CTMH style…

and then our VP’s - Brian, Kristine & Monica- along with some Disney actors, helped share NEW PRODUCTS with us!!  They were on the CTMH “Amazing Race” & tried to locate & find New products along the way!!

And the BIG, EXCITING event we look forward to each Thursday at Convention - the NEW Annual Inspirations REVEAL!!!

Elizabeth & I with our NEW books!!  Wahoo!!!

Thursday evening was as special treat for us as Directors!! 

 CTMH has a special dinner & evening planned for us each Convention!!!

We started out with meeting Mickey Mouse & having our photo taken with him…and then onto the Rose Garden to have a FABULOUS dinner!!

Here’s a picture of some of the desserts we could choose from - SCRUMPTIOUS!!

This is the group of ladies that I enjoyed my dinner with…

Then CTMH gave us special entrance into one of the Disney parks - we chose California Adventure to see the World of Color laser, light, water show!! 

But FIRST…we had 1 1/2 hrs in the park before the show started…so as per Monicas recommendation - I headed over to the Radiator Springs, Cars ride.

Oh WHAT FUN!!!  I wish we would have had time to ride this ride more than once! 

We waited 45 min in line…for the SINGLE RIDER line.  The regular line was a 190 minute wait!!! Yikes!!!  Thanks to Monica for her recommendation!! 

As you can see in the picture below…I was definitely enjoying myself, even as a single rider!! My fellow consultant, Roz, is sitting directly in front of me as a single rider too! J

We then headed over to find our Disney Cast Members, with the lit up torch. 

This was a special seating section where we would watch the World of Color display…beautiful & amazing how they pull off this production!! 

Friday was another grand day of Convention….lots of presentations - business & artwork & we learned so much!

Friday evening is our annual Awards Dinner! 

  

We all enjoy getting dressed up, and enjoy a fabulous meal with 10 of my friends!!

Awards & recognitions were given to many consultants & we celebrate with them on their great accomplishments!!

We finished our evening (actually each night) with a display of fireworks!  They took place in Disneyland at 9:30 every evening.

Saturday - The last day of Convention - sniffle, sniffle….

We started the morning at 6am with the 1st Rise & Shine 5k run/jog/walk event! 

I walked with my dear friends and  we were excited to also have this be a Fundraiser event!!  

Our registration fee for this 5k event helped support 20+ SMILES for children with cleft palette’s at Operation Smile!

After our 5k event, we got started with our last convention day. 

There was Extravaganza ( I won’t share these photos because of all the new products shown) & business classes…wonderful helpful information for us to soon share with you!!!

Then in the afternoon we had our final General Session. 

I always enjoy the Q&A time that takes place with Monica & our founder, Jeanette Lynton.  Jeanette always talks to us from her heart & shares so much!  We are so thankful for her & her dream to start this company & the care that she gives to each one of us!!

I was part of a large group that went on stage for recognition of our Costa Rica trip that we earned with CTMH last year.

There were many other recognitions as well…we’ll see what the next 3 months hold for me as a CTMH Consultant & if I am able to earn the upcoming Disney Hawaii incentive trip!  I know that it’s Jesus & His blessings that allow me to earn these trips!  He is the one who has given me my creative talents & so whatever the outcome, I am thankful for the opportunities that he has given me through CTMH!!  

There wasn’t a dry eye at this session - but it was a great way to end our time together. 

The rest of the evening…was play time! J 

We had a magnificent dinner,

(butternut squash soup was our 1st course - amazing!)...

 

created away (I chose to talk instead of create - imagine that J)....

& then walked through Downtown Disney to purchase the last of our souvenirs before heading home!!

Oh- and we CAN’T forget…I got a Sticky Boy!! If you don’t know about Sticky Boy….oh my you are missing out!!! 

Sticky Boy is our mascot - and ONLY makes an appearance at Convention each year!!! 


The staff of CTMH hide Sticky Boy stamps around our meeting halls & they have to be found!  My dear teammate - Nickie - found a Sticky Boy, hid it on my laptop in my room &  I found it there!!!  Thanks Nickie for adding a special touch to my Convention experience!!

(Click HERE to view the original Sticky Boy video…this video was made 10 years ago when CTMH first introduced clear stamps.  This video shows you had DURABLE our Clear stamps REALLY are!!)

4 am came rather quickly on Sunday morning as we headed out to catch our shuttle to the airport!!

I was so excited to get home & see my family again!!  I’m so thankful that I can take part in this event each year, but it’s definitely a long time to be away!! I missed them greatly!!

I hope you enjoyed this brief (very brief) re-cap of what a CTMH Convention is all about!! 

Would you like to join me next year???  

Contact me & I’d love to share how YOU can join me in at Disneyland, CA CTMH Convention next year!!  Stay tuned for pictures of all the GOODIES we received from our time at Convention!!!  Wahoo!!

Blessings to EACH of you!!

Krista Hershberger J

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant

PHONE/TEXT: 610-587-9116

EMAIL:fun2stampnscrap@dejazzd.com

WEB: www.kristah.ctmh.com

BLOG:www.kristascraftycorner.blogspot.com

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/kristahershberger.craftycorner

PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/kristascrafty/

Annual Fall/Winter Open House!!

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Thurs, August 7^th from 6-9:30pm

Fri, August 8^th from 12-5pm

***You can “attend” my Open House & take advantage of my personal specials even if you can’t be here in person!!***

Stay tuned to my blog for more details to come!! J

I’m so EXCITED!!!!!

What am I excited about??? 

The news that I received on Monday from the Close To My Heart office!!!

I have been accepted as a teacher at this year’s Convention!! J

While this isn’t the first time I was accepted to teach (what a PRIVILEGE & BLESSING !) - I knew when I submitted my application that I was not guaranteed to be chosen as a teacher again.  

AND it’s even a BIGGER deal that I was chosen this year… they only chose 18 teachers instead of 32 teachers this year!!! I have all sorts of emotions going through me at the moment (excited, anxious, humbled, nervous, etc)…but the one that is shining through the most is EXCITEMENT!!! 

Over the next couple of days, I thought I’d share with you the items I submitted for the application of teaching at Convention.

We had to submit 1 layout, 1 3D item and 3 other items of our choice….

Today I will share with you the 3D item I created J

I LOVE the bracket frame that we carry at CTMH.  It’s SO EASY to use, AND it makes a BEAUTIFUL gift!! (Don't tell my Dad & Mom...their anniversary is coming up soon! J) 

It was even EASIER to create, because the frame shape can be cut out with our CRICUT Cartridge - Art Philosophy!

I cut the frame at 10.8” (change size to 10ths instead of inches on your settings key) and cut Square 4 on page 53 of Art Philosophy booklet. 

The designer paper that I chose to use on this frame is another favorite of mine, the Claire Paper Pack.

  

Next, I took out my FAVORITE stamp set - Girls Rock- and started cutting flower shapes from my Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  I LOVE the flower images in this stamp set (see above) BUT another reason I like this stamp set SO MUCH - is because it is a CRICUT Compatible stamp set!  

I cut out the flower shapes with my Cricut machine, and stamp the flower design directly on top of the pre-cut shape - TA-DA!!! 

By sponging the edges of the flowers, and adding a bit of "curl" to make the flowers life like, I've created some EASY - yet BEAUTIFUL flowers! 

For the stamped flowers I stamped them with our inks (sunset, hollyhock, outdoor denim).  The yellow flower that is on top of the stamped flower is from our Paradise paper flowers collection…then I added some stardust glitz glitter gel to some of the flower middles, butterfly body, etc.   

If you look closely you will see I stamped the Claire diamond-like paper that covers the entire frame with script wording!  I also used that same stamp set to stamp my butterfly with script.  

The stamp set that I used - Universal Backgrounds - a MUST HAVE in your collection of stamps! J

I thought I needed a bit more of Outdoor Denim color…and I LOVE how the Chevron ribbon ties so well with this paper pack.

Here is a look at the bracket on it’s side…I did cover the edges to “finish off” the bracket.

Here are a few more flowers.  I was thrilled to realize how neat it was to stamp a flower image on a Cricut cut flower from “Girls Rock” and THEN add a 3D rose on top of the stamped flower! These 3D flowers can be found on BOTH of Close To My Heart's Cricut Cartridges...the Art Philosophy & Artiste cartridges! 

 Our new Pink Glitter Gems added just the right touch to many of the flower centers.

One last tip...I also used this glitz glitter gel to trace the edge of my picture…I LOVE our glitz glitter gels - they had so much sparkle and shimmer to WHATEVER you are creating...and they now come in SEVEN different colors!!!

I hope you are inspired, and ready to create your OWN 3-D creation!!! J

If you would like to create a similar project, feel free to CLICK HERE to head over to my website to purchase those items you will need!

If you REALLY love CTMH, and would love to get an even better price on CTMH’s quality crafting items - April is the PERFECT month to do that!!

When you join my CTMH family in April…you will receive an extra $71.80 in stamp sets for FREE!!!!

RECEIVE the STAMP sets pictured above (EXCLUSIVE Stamp of the Month stamps - April, May, June & July) 

 PLUS the basic Essentials kit  pictured below…

for ONLY $49!!!

(value of $255!!!!)

OR RECEIVE ALL of the items above PLUS these items (below)….

and pay ONLY $99 to join my CTMH family!!!

(value of $405!!!!)

******I’d LOVE to share with you how CTMH can work for you!  When you become a CTMH consultant, YOU get to CHOOSE how you would like to share and sell CTMH!***

CLICK HERE for more information regarding becoming a consultant

OR

PLEASE contact me directly and I will answer all of your questions! J

Blessings to you for a BEAUTIFUL day!!

Krista J

April Stamp of the Month(SOTM)

Purchase this EXCLUSIVE stamp set for just $17.95(this stamp set is ONLY available until April 30th!)

OR

Place a $50 CTMH order(prior to shipping & tax) and

 Pay ONLY $5.00 for this ADORABLE stamp set!!

****To see the card I created using this set CLICK HERE…