CTMH Continues To Amaze Me! Welcome to the Cruise

I have to admit, I really, really looked forward to my cruise that I earned with Close To My Heart. Heck it was a vacation away from the kiddos...just my hubbie and me, who wouldn't look forward to it, but it was so much more than I expected and I want to share just a snippet with you all.

We arrived in beautiful Miami Saturday afternoon...of course Close to My Heart picked up the tab for our airfare. We stayed at the Embassy Suites with lots of other fabulous Close To My Heart families and awaited Sunday morning when we loaded up on the boat.

When my husband (Greg) and I walked into our balcony room there on the table was our first little gift of a bottle of champagne...and let me tell you that certainly kicked our vacation off with a bang. Every night when we arrived back to our room, Close To My Heart spoiled us just a bit more with little thank you gifts ( beach bag, beach towel, hats, truffles, even jewelry). It really was fun retiring every night to find another little trinket, heck who doesn't look little gifts. The picture above is of the drill you have to take prior to ships departure...yes we made even that FUN!

Monday was a day a sea and we had a company meeting...where let me just tell you I got to catch glimpses of the Summer Idea book ...and you are all in such big trouble. So just start saving your money now as we are all going to go crazy over this one.....one hint...how adorable are cherries? Yeap! adorable so a collection featuring cherries sure would be fresh, don't you think? I was also lucky enough to receive one of the MIRACLE kits that will be available to customers starting mid April, so stayed tuned for more details about that one. I will say, any picture you have, will absolutely be perfect for this MIRACLE KIT and will coordinate no problem. Above I'm with my sweet dear friend Tina and also my new Canadian friend Brandy....They both are the sweetest gals you would ever want to meet.

Tuesday was GRAND CAYMANS where we got to spend some fun times with Close To My Heart corporate and also other top sellers in the company. We made a brief tour of the island and then headed out on a boat to swim with some sting rays....it's was wonderful and yes... my husband and I both kiss Sting Rays.

On Wednesday my good friend Fancy Melissa and her hubbie, Mike accompanied us to a five star resort for the day to take in some rays, with a little food and drink. It was just what the doctor ordered...relax, relax, relax. The best part was I had a few minutes in the market before getting back on the ship to do a little shopping. Yes, I actually bought one of those crazy wrestler masks that looks like spiderman for my little four year old...he now thinks he is a true superhero.

Thursday was another day at sea with some group basketball, spa relaxation and of course...FOOD! We got back into Miami Friday and Greg and I stayed over one more night. I'm so happy we did as there were tons of flights that were getting cancelled but it also gave us one more day of alone time. The hotel where we were staying had a movie theater on one side, where we got to see Alice In Wonderland (good but strange...what did I expect) and then on the other side was this perfect restaurant where we had dinner....CATCH OF THE DAY. I have to tell you this was the best meal I have had in years. It was so Miami and just delicious.

Saturday was a day of traveling and we got back to NC around 8pm. My sweet Daddy came to the airport to get us with our children in tow and I swear, my four year old grew a year while I was gone for only a week.

To top my vacation on to perfection, my wonderful husband Greg continued the habit of leaving a gift on the bed at the end of the day and I went in to find a beautiful pair of earring and a towel folded into a heart.

Some very important things I learned and was reminded of on this cruise.

Close To My Heart only goes first class and they are the best company in the world to work for.

My husband is for sure the clown of the party and loves to get a laugh (with or without his shirt on)

I have found some of the most wonderful friends through CTMH...real, geniue, sweet friends

and I love my husband more today than I did yesterday...and tomorrow it will grow some more.

I still feel like it was a dream...it was just so perfect and to think, I earned this by doing something that I love to do. I get to share my passion for papercrafting with others and in turn, I'm creative and earn a cruise...are you serious?

Remember there is an out of this world special that is going on this month when you sign up to be a new consultant with the company and team PINKCLOUDSCRAPPERS so don't you miss next year's cruise on the EPIC...sign up today and let's Cruise together. Click Here for More Information on becoming a consultant.

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The News Is Out!!!!

Well I can finally share my BIG secret with everyone. I was asked to be on the Design Team for DZ Doodles! I'm so excited! Today is the big reveal for the new team and new blog. I'm thrilled and can't wait to share with you some awesome challenges and digi designs. My sister Gini is on the Design Team also...so watch out world, here comes trouble. We will be having challenges every week... and we hadn't really planned to do one this week, but we were all just so excited we couldn't wait. I'd like to introduce you to some other talented ladies who will also be on this exciting Design Team.

Valerie Urtiaga (DT Coordinator) http://pixiedreamdesigns.blogspot.com/

Gini Cagle (that's my big sister) http://ginicagle.blogspot.com/

Glee Cloninger http://gleefullydone.blogspot.com/

Lori Leng ( yours truly) http://pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com/

Patricia Stewart http://pattyandcharlie.blogspot.com/

Rosalien Zwackhalen http://rosalien-cardfun.blogspot.com/

Susan Killam http://killamcreative.blogspot.com/

Now here's the sketch for this weeks challenge, it's so simple and cute...and hey you could also win some prizes, so be sure to help us kick off our new team/blog with a band and enter your project today on the main blog.

Here is my design using the above sketch and I can't wait to see what you come up with....remember to use your adorable DZ Doodles digi!

Now go create and inspire!!!!!!!!

Paper Flowers Make a Statement

My sweet friend Denise is very creative and really does inspiring artwork. The other day I was cruising on her blog ( Click here to go to her blog ) and came across her adorable video showing how to make these beautiful paper flowers. Now you have to understand I haven't seen her since July, so it was such a welcome site just to see her smiling face and her that southern accent of her, but she also taught me something that is just wonderful. How to make these flowers. They are addictive and now I'm wanting to make them and put them on all my projects....OHHHHH NELLIE...I won't go that far, but they are really fun. I used the Key To My Heart Paper Pack which has a lot of the same colors in it that the current paper pack CaBoodle has in it. That was it...there really isn't a ton more embellishing as the flowers speak for themselves. The quote that I used is from next month's stamp of the month (April) ...so stay tuned for that one. Please go over and check out Denise video and her blog...she truly is talented and does such lovely work.

Karen's Doodles First Challenge

I was so excited to be able to participate in this week's challenge with Karen's Doodles. How cute is this poor little sick turtle...but don't worry he'll be OK with his dear friend, Bigsby mouse by his side. Be sure to head on over to Karen's Doodles and see the other beautiful artwork by their new design team.....they really rock.

Veranda's Kit of the Month Scrapbook Layout

As you know, I love the Veranda collection from Close To My Heart. It's our featured kit of the month this month G1007 and I wanted to show you how lovely the scrapbook layout comes out finished. The kit includes the full size Veranda Paper Pack, Filigree Charms, an exclusive Stamp Set that only comes with this kit and a color guide showing you step by step instructions for this layout and also cards...so it's a really a kit that works for everyone. You can also get the Copper Mini Medley Accents and Just Blooms to add to your projects and I did use both of those in this example.

It's hard when I look at this layout seeing my now four year old so little..he was so adorable. Yes, he's still adorable they just grow up way to quick. I can say being a mother is certainly the greatest bliss I've yet to experience. It's wonderful and I'm so happy I work with a company that allows me to capture those precious moments.

Have Your Really Considered The CTMH Possibilities?

This month is just such a wonderful opportunity to really change your life. Yes, I know that sounds a bit dramatic but I'm only telling you exactly what happened to me. Just over a year ago I signed up to be a consultant with CTMH and boy, my journey has really taken off. Close To My Heart has provided me extra income, which in this economy is always good. I've been able to go to Long Beach, California, Minneapolis, MN, will be going to Washington DC this summer and currently I'm on an all expense paid cruise to the Caribbean thanks to CTMH. I have the chance to participate every month in artwork contests, where I've won free product. I get wonderful discounts on my own personal crafting supplies and even get a good bit of free product from various goals I've reached and contests the company has done. I have a group of wonderful women who come to my house every month for workshops, which is such a welcome social activity for me being home with two little boys all day. Really Close To My Heart has helped round me out so much and make me have a better life and be a better person. I'm truly thankful to them for the chance I have been giving.

The wonderful part is, you have that chance to change your life also. It may not be that you want to have a business, that's OK. Close To My Heart can be a hobby for you, get a discount and meet some out of this world women...plus get a screaming good deal on your consultants kit. This month is really out of the world for the kit....during the month of March you get all four of the up and coming stamp of the months for free with your kit...so that is over $400 in product for only $99...HOW CAN YOU LOOSE? Here is a picture of what all you get in just the basic kit. WOW!

There really is so much I would love to share with you and my growing team gives you that chance to really soak up everything that is out there for you. Please CLICK HERE to go online now and sign up...or at least read the contract. Really you have nothing to loose...get a great deal on a kit and possibly change your life for the better.

I have more information I would love to share so please contact me and I'll be happy to send that out to you. lorileng@bellsouth.net .

Want to see what the additional free stamp set look like Click Here

Now go create and inspire your world.

I JUST LOVE CTMH's VERANDA PAPER

I just adore Close To My Heart's Veranda Paper Pack...it truly is my new favorite. I did this card using the Confidential Layout from the Wishes Card Confidence Book and I just adore the finished result. I used several stamp sets for this project, SO SWEET C1389 was used for the drooping floral blooms on the front of the pocket and March's Stamp of the Month A LITTLE EVERYTHING D1408 created the sweet pull tag and also the scalloped edge on the pocket. Finally one of our beautiful new FILIGREE CHARMS Z1269 finished up the top of the pull tag perfectly. If you would like to learn more about creating beautiful cards like this please feel free to contact me or go to my website get your supplies today.

Top Stitch Kit of the Month Layout

This adorable layout was created using the Top Stitch workshop G1005. I love the color combos in this pack and really thought it would need to be for a girl layout more...but BOY was I wrong. How darn cute did this turn out and yes, my little man was the star of the layout. He is such a ham...wonder where he gets it from.

Remember these kits are only available through April and then they will be gone forever so be sure to go to my website and get your today. Kit includes paper pack, color guide, colonial white my accents, and an exclusive stamp set. You can also choose to add on clear sparkles, embroidery floss and dimensional hearts. Be sure to order yours before they're gone.

Another Cutie from Karen's Doodles

Here are a couple more cards I created using Karen's Doodles Images. I've really been working on my skills using the copics and have taken a class through My Creative Classroom and I do think that has really helped me in my coloring. My favorite is the little angel...I just think her colors came out perfect. I used the Unforgettable CTMH paper pack and of course ...STITCHED...my new favorite technique.

The Teddy Bear card used the Bella CTMH Paper pack and there are three layers of the little bear on the front of the card so he really pops. Yes, I colored three of those little guys, but it does make a difference when you see the card in person.

Loving Karen's Doodles...How about you?

I created this card using Karen's Doodles Digi...how cute is this little turtle. I airbrushed the background with my copic's airbrush system...that was fun then of course, colored him in with copics. Once again there are many layers on this card, stitching , ribbon and embellishments...I wish photography showed how much detail there is, but it just doesn't do it justice. I just love how sweet and adorable all of Karen's images are and I know you'll love them too!