#10 Things I Loved & Learned - CTMH Convention -The Inspiration and Artwork

Well I hope you have enjoyed getting a glimpse into the Close To My Heart Convention through my top ten countdown. I loved every minute of it, even though I was exhausted when I got home. The friends, the company, the classes, the food, the awards, the new products, everything, but hecks what the core thing we're about...THE ART! Of course Close To My Heart had come up with some awesome projects for us to complete with the new products.

In afternoon sessions we were able to make beautiful cards and layouts designed by the awesome art department of CTMH. I hope you are inspired by them as much as I was.

If you're a consultant old or new, and have never been to convention, I challenge and encourage you to plan to attend next July in CA/ Disneyland. It will motivate your business, inspire your creative side and let you make new and lasting friendship with some of the most wonderful people in the world. Not a consultant yet, let me help you start one of the greatest journeys of your life, you'll never regret it!

# 9 Things I Loved & Learned - CTMH Convention -Directors Dinner Cruise

Close To My Heart goes all out for their Directors. Little perks that just make you feel so special during convention and I love all of it. Thursday evening Directors were treated to a special dinner cruise down the Potomac River and it was beautiful. It was so neat to see many of the monuments and landmarks from a river view. The only thing I missed was my husband as I know he would have loved taking pictures from that vantage point. I was in such great company for the evening with my dear friends Tina and Lynn , plus I met so many new friends that I'll look forward to seeing next time. I hope you enjoy the views from the boat as much as I did. Washington D.C. truly is stunning

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Isn't my friend Tina so pretty!

We were all so excited to get on that boat, what a treat!

# 8 Things I Loved & Learned - CTMH Convention -The Rewards and Awards

Ok, so who doesn't like to be recognized for their hard work? Friday night was the Gala Awards Session and it was great. There is such an excitement buzzing in the air and it's contagious. All consultants received a beautiful stamp set made by CTMH just for the event. It was also a evening to celebrate the accomplishments of some hard working consultants.

My dear friend Lynn was the top consultant in sales, WOW! how awesome is that. I also go to cheer on my friend Fancy Melissa for being a top 6th recruiter and also earning a regarded spot on the advisory board for CTMH, way to go girl. I also got tears in my eyes by the three new consultants who earned the Rising Star Award, one of them my bud Amy Muse. I was honored to receive that award last year and it's near and dear to my heart as I know it will be with this years recipients. I actually was the top 5 recruiter for the company and was #1 new consultant for most recruits during my first full year. I can't tell you how exciting it is to walk across that stage with thousands of people cheering you on.

Now the big reward for me was the very last evening at the Closing Banquet. There was a contest during the month of May, as a consultant you had to meet a minimum sales requirement and then you were entering into a drawing for a spa scrap booking getaway. There were to be eight winners...so the last night they were down to the last two winners, they called the names and we all we happy for the winners. But then Jeanette said how proud she was so many consultants had reached the goal so they had taken the top 10 sales consultants for the month and picked a name of one of them to be the NINTH spot....I jumped so high when she called my name. What an awesome reward. So come October, CTMH is going to fly me to Utah where I'll be pampered with spa service, food, lodging and of course scrap booking galore. I can't wait. It never would have been possible if I didn't have such great customers who help me be successful and also if I didn't work for such a giving company. Of course you know there will be lots of posts in October about that trip.

# 7 Things I Loved & Learned - CTMH Convention -New Colors

I'll be honest the corporate gals with Close To My Heart are the queens of teasing you with all the wonderful products they have coming out. During General Session they had the cutest spoofs on popular T.V. shows they had done that highlighted some of the new products. Eight new colors are part of the Fall/Winter idea book...yeap that's right 8 new rich colors that will be merged into the Celebration and the Carnival collections. So get ready for Oceania, Smoothie, Gypsy, Sky, Sunset, Lagoon, Pear and Cotton Candy to grace your artwork. They really are yummy. All consultants were given all eight of the new colors during the Extravaganza session of conference so I've taken a picture of mine just to wet your appetites. Come September 1st, you can add them to your collection.

# 6 Things I Loved & Learned - CTMH Convention - The Paper, the paper, the paper!

It's so exciting to be handed a new idea book and flip through the first few pages to see the new paper collections. I can guarantee you this one will not disappoint. I really love all four of the new collections but Olivia is just delicious. Yes, orange is my favorite color so this beautiful fall paper is right up my alley, but isn't it the most graceful paper you've ever seen. YUM. All leadership attendees were lucky enough to get to take home the kit of the month, OLIVIA. Don't worry you'll have your chance to get a hold of this kit / paper collection come September....think of all the beautiful fall layouts this collection will lend itself to. LOVE IT!!!

# 5 Things I Loved & Learned - CTMH Convention - My Peeps

Let's be honest...I dig spending time with some of the greatest women in the world. We are talking cream of the crop for creativity, business savvy , kind hearted and on the ball ladies. I think this is one of the biggest blessings for me with my Close To My Heart business...the friendships. So enjoy some photos of some of my CTMH friends and I truly love.

My sweet room mates Denise, Allison and Tina

My Guru, Lynn

The Fancy Melissa herself

My new friend and I think partner in crime, Briana