September Card Club

Septmeber Card Club

September 8th at 9am-11am

September 11th at 6:30pm

Make 12 cards $12 or spend $20.00 out of the new catalog and get the class free!

Generations

This weekend I was able to see my family at a reunion. It was happy and sad all at the same time. Although, I tend to make this blog about business and art. Behind each artist there is a story...the funny thing about life is everyone has a unique story. In each story there is triumph and tragedy. My story is no different.

So why share it with the world, maybe because it easier to type it then to say it. I am blessed in so many ways yet there are many people I love who need healing. So I am asking you out there who pray...to pray for healing in my family.

My family and I lost my dad to cancer over 15 years ago. Along time ago, but for anyone who has lost a loved one you understand the pain never goes away. There is always that filling of something missing...I felt that yesterday at the reunion. This tragedy still haunts my family and has reared its head in their lives in many different ways. This is why I ask that you pray for healing.

One thing I have learned is that out of all tragedies can come triumph. I am where I am because of the things in my past. I am blessed with a beautiful child, handsome husband, wonderful friends and family and a job that I love. But everyone needs a little pray and everyone and I think my family needs a lot right now so thank you for your support.

Own It - Top 5 Leadership - The Power to Transform

After

Before

Before

At our Leadership Convention I was in the own it layout contest. My own it was the power to transform.

You may be thinking I am crazy for posting these pictures but I know that I will never be that miserable person in the photo again because I own who I am both physically and mentally. I made the choice to change.

Before I became a personal trainer there was along and amazing journey or should I say battle to loose the weight I had put on.

When I was in HS I was always thin never had to think about diet or exercise at all. I went to college and ate....lots of cheese, pizza, mashed potatoes and Lucky Charms because I was lonely an isolating myself. For about two years I blamed everyone mostly my husband for me being fat. I ended up 40lbs over weight and miserable. I even went to the DR.'s to see if I had a slow thyoid ( some of you have thought you had low thyroid so don't laugh) The Dr. told me basically no you just need to exercise and eat right....I thought stupid doctor I do eat good :) Then I hit my rock bottom....my grandma said " Honey, you are just going to be FLUFFY like Grandma." I thought HELL NO!

That was it I made the choice...the choice to transform. I worked hard for about 9months to a year lost the weight got down to 127!!! Then I got pregnant went right back up to 172! As soon as I had that baby I was back working to get down again. I had a wedding dress to fit into. I was able to get to 130 in 6 months. I fit into a size 6 wedding dress. But my story wasn't over.

I had been helping friends and family loose weight and I came up with an idea a weight loss boot camp. The Body Camp Challenge was born. My idea...but Katie the owner of the gym designed the plan that is changing so many lives. Now as a trainer I help others lose weight and feel good about who they are.

Why, am I blabbing on and on because I want you to know that you have the power to transform not only your body but your mind. It is a simply a choice you choose to transform. Then you make a plan to succeed!

First sleep over and burnt cookies

So, last night Carter had his first sleepover. My friend's son 4 and daughter 8 stayed over. Carter did not understand the idea of sleeping...it took a lot of my going in and out of the room to make the three finally sleep....mine of course was mostly the issue.

We also attempted to bake cookies...as most of you know I am a personal trainer and that job keeps me from a lot of baking! Well, I have never burnt cookies so black in my life I actually had to through the cookie sheet away. I made the mistake of using sugar instead of flour...just so you know sugar burns much faster then flour!

Fall Reveal Party

Come Create something with three free projects from the new fall catalog.

Septmeber 12th at 1:00pm

My Home

Plus earn tickets for prizes, discounts and a GIANT BASKET GIVEAWAY!

Check out my website for details!

Grace

Here is a page I did for my Best friends wedding. I love the color combination of the new line grace! This is the first layout of the workshop. Enjoy!

Boo

I love to make cards for Halloween it is one of my favorate Holidays. This card uses some of my older stuff...but I love the little monster. I used watercolor pencils and a blending pen! This is one of muy cards for my upcoming card club look for the card club! Check my website for upcoming dates!

Fun New Felts

Fun New Felts in new colors! The new catalog introduces new felts that are great for all your Fall needs! I hope to have some new artwork to get you excited for the upcoming holidays!

Girl Time

Finally, got some much need girl time last night after my party. That was nice. Now I need some much needed husband time. He wants to go camping this weekend the three of us! I want to go me and him to a nice hotel relax and get a massage. Will see who wins!

Hope you have been enjoying the artwork I have been enjoying making it! This new paperline is called Grace. It is very pretty great for the Fall.

Not time to write but here is some ART!

Love it...copied right out of the new catalog and WISHES of course my fav book!

Happy Monday! I am excited to share artwork with you! I have been plugging away enjoying all my new toys from the Fall Catalog! Here is a simple card using the September STOM and some felt!

On another note, if you are free tomorrow night I am teaching a free class at the Federal Way WineStyles from 6-8 thats tomorrow 8/18! Hope to see you there!

This week look for my Own it layout that placed top 5 at the CTMH Leadership convention!

Jingle

Another little Christmas card! I know early...but this summer is funny .... either really cold or really hot no in between! Wishes pattern...if you don't have the book you need it. Every card I make turns out cute!

Yard Bunnies

This card is dedicated to to the two yard bunnies we have. If you have ever been to my house you will realize that I live in the woods. Bunnies are not the only thing that live in my yard. The other night as we were going to bed I heard a dog right outside our window...only you can guess it was not a dog but a pack of coyotes. They were howling at something and walking right outside our house. I thought I am never walking from my car to my house at night again.

I have seen them and heard them before but never right on the rocks outside. We also have tons of elk who Carter thinks are Cow! We have seen some Bobcats as well....not so cute.

So this card is dedicated to the Yard Bunnies as they are not scary at all. Do you love the new paper line Twitterpatted...do you know what movie the name is from?

All is Bright!

Christmas already! I know a little early but, I thought I would sneak peak the new Christmas line line too you! I love it because it is a different color palette then traditional Christmas. Plus notice the brads...pretty aren't they. The pattern is from our new book Wishes. If you are a card maker or scrapbooker you must have it. It is great for card makers because the templates are new and fresh. As a scrapbooker I love it because it is feels like scrapbooking on a card.

Stay tuned...I will be sneak peaking all week long!

Card Club this Tuesday and Friday

Come join me this Tuesday at 10am or Friday at 7:00pm and make 12 cards for $12.00 or spend $20.00 and get the class for free. Order the kit for $20.00 and have it mailed to you. We will be making 4 of each one of these cards! Email me for details heartofcharla@myctmh.com

Do what you love, love what you do

I know it is not artwork. But it is a picture of my life! What my Close To My Heart business allows me to do. To be able to take the time to go outside and watch my son and his friends enjoy the simplicities of bouncing. Just another day!

My upline gave me a coffee mug and it said, Do what you love, love what you do. I am so blessed to have that ability.

Push Ups with the big dogs!

For all of you who don't know my other job is I am a personal trainer. My journey to that was long and hard. I gained about 40lbs and had to re-think my lifestyle. At the leadership convention there was a contest for OWN IT. My layout was The Power to Transform ( which I forgot to get a picture of :() Anyways, I asked Kristine the VP of Sales and Marketing to do a BURPEE with me. She was such a good sport!

SMILE

The new catalog is making me smile. I will sneak peak artwork all during the month of August! I am so excited to share it with you! The hedgehog is one of my must haves!

Sneak Peak of what's to come!

I am so excited for the new things coming this Fall! I can barely keep myself from buying them all! It always a lot of fun to prepare for the upcoming fall catalog, because I get to be creative for the whole month of August so that September is Spectacular!

Here is one card we made at Leadership and this paper pack and stamp set is a must have! I will be showing you little bits and piece's to get you excited too.

My September and October dates go fast so get your class with me scheduled soon!

Sunny California - CTMH Leadership

I am back and so excited to hit the ground running! For those of you that our my customers, friends, downline, and uplines. I just want to thank you in supporting my dream. It is because of you that I have got to travel to beautiful places like this.

I am so excited to start sharing with you about the new things CTMH has to offer! You are going to be so inspired to create in new and different ways.

If you have ever, ever thought of joining my team, now is the time! I can't say much but I can say this company is moving in a direction that I am so proud of. Don't miss the ship sailing, because it is a ship that is built strong from the foundation up and I am so proud to be on board.

Sneak peak on my website: www.heartofcharla.myctmh.com and click on Studio J.