Card Samples

Here is one of our cards that we made for Christmas.  We also make cards for birthdays, thank you, thinking of you and any other occassion.  If you would like to order something, just let us know.  They are $2 each.  If you would like to order announcements, invitations or other bulk items, we can give a discount for multiple items.  When you ask for a price, let us know your zip code so we can include shipping.  Thanks!

Hello New Friends

We are hoping that some of our new friends will stop by and say hello!  We had fun writing cards this weekend to service members in Iraq and new penpal friends around the world.  This is a busy week for us.  Of course we have school work to do and our chores, but so much more.  This afternoon friends are coming over to play for a while, then we are going tonight to be evaluated for a basketball program at our church.  Tomorrow and Thursday nights we have church stuff, Wednesday we are going to try to get over to the local 4H meeting.  We have never been, but we love animals and think this might be a fun thing to try.  On Friday, we get a daddy/daughter night while Mom goes to a ladies thing and Saturday is a big Christmas dinner with our extended family.  Whew!  I'm tired just thinking about it.  Hopefully we will be able to put up our Christmas decorations sometime in there too!  Oh, and send Christmas cards.

Scrap Friday

My husband and I got up at 3 am yesterday and hit Wal*Mart and Target for their great Black Friday deals.  By 8:30 am, I was back home and ready to start my day again, this time with my girls.  We spent the morning making lots of cards.  We mailed nine Christmas cards to other homeschooled children around the world.  We subscribe to a penpal list of homeschool kids and the moderator of this group randomly selected groups to mail cards to each other.  One of the families lives with an hour of our old home!  What a small world!

Later in the afternoon, we recieved a letter from my daughter's Sunday School teacher reminding her that they were collecting items for a soldier in Iraq whose family attends our church.  On the list of items to send was stationary and blank cards.  We made some more cards to send to him also. 

After eating leftovers for dinner, we went to a nearby town for their Christmas lights parade.  What a wonderful Black Friday we had!

Scrap Friday or Black Friday?

What are your plans this Friday?  My family has never been big into the whole Black Friday thing.  In the past, we would go to a cabin in the mountains Thanksgiving weekend.  On Black Friday we would eat a leisurely breakfast and then head to the local KMart for whatever sales they offered.    This year, I will be at home and my husband will have to work.  Since Wal*Mart, Target, and Kohl's are on his way to work, we have a crazy plan.  We will both drive to Wal*Mart (they have the most on sale that we want) and shop there when they open.  Then he will go to work and I will head to Kohl's and possibly Target to finish my shopping.  Then I will head home to spend the rest of the day scrapbooking with my girls.  They always want to scrapbook with my but I am usually prepping something for a Close to my Heart party and either can't pay attention to helping them or don't want them in the middle of my project.  I will also make all of my Christmas cards so I can get them in the mail early.  I think this is a perfect compromise for my budget and my family.

Cookie Exchange Invites

Last week the girls and I had fun making invitations for a cookie exchange.  The invitations are created to look like a recipe card, complete with ingredients and preparation instructions.  They are adorned with Gingerbread men stickers and candy cane brads.  I will have to replicate it because I mailed them before taking pictures.  If you got one, would you mind emailing me a pic?

Custom made invitations and cards are available.  Just let me know what you'd like to order!

My Favorite Day

This is one of my favorite days!  I LOVE it when the UPS truck pulls into my driveway, especially when I know that the delivery is coming from Close to my Heart!  The excitement and anticipation are sometimes overwhelming when I see that big white box on my steps.  The girls and I gather aroud the box as I cut the tape holding all of the wonderful surprises inside.  Even though much of the contents are not for me, I get a rush just by pulling each item out of the box and looking it over.  I am caught up in the ideas that flow through my mind as I handle each paper pack and stamp set.  We all rush downstairs to our craft table to begin experimenting with my new goodies.  Rest assured, I do not practice with your new goodies!  Before we begin, we sort the order and set everyone elses items aside.  Then we let the creative juices flow!  Oh, I just can't wait!

Stampaganza

I wanted to let you know that this month is Stampaganza at Close to my Heart.  All stamp sets are buy 2 get the 3rd FREE!  This sale is good through November 30th, but supplies are limited on some stamp sets so shop early.  I'd love to see your cards and pages using your new stamps.  I'm using this opportunity to stock up on my stamps and also buy some early Christmas gifts.  Happy shopping, stamping and scrapping!

A Card Making Day

Today the girls and I worked on their cards.  I have not yet organized my workspace since setting up in our new house.  My table is used for school, scrapbooking, and many other purposes.  First on our agenda was to clear a space for the kids' cards.  I am in the midst of making sample cards for my workshop next month.  After clearing a space for them, we pulled out a box of supplies left over from last year's Christmas cards.  By card four, we developed a system.  On ewould work with me one making her card while the other planned her next card's colors, layout and embellishments.  Then we would swap.  It went quite well.  I am impressed with the girls' abilities.

A Day Full of Blessings

Today has been a wonderful day.  My Close to my Heart order has shipped, I found a document that I had been searching for since last week, my daughter finished her school work early (a wonderful thing in itself), and we received our first payment for this season's holiday card order.  A skeptic may say these are all happy coincidences, but I am ever so thankful to my Father for the gifts He has given me. 

Now, I am off to make a delicious dinner for my family.

Shopping Spree!

Scrapping Cottage is trying to reach 500 followers on their blog. Once they have 500 they are going to give away a $250 shopping spree!

This is what you need to do...
1) Become a follower of the CottageBLOG. (If you are already a follower you met the first step).
2) Post a link to this contest on your blog. If you don't have a blog you can start one at blogspot.com.
3. Leave a comment on your favorite CottageCutz die with a link to your blog so we may visit you.

Freebies

It's so simple!

Make any purchase at http://www.rejoice.myctmh.com/.
Come back here and tell me how you used your product. 
Include your email address so I can get back to you.
I will send you a Close To My Heart goody!

It doesn't get much easier!

Christmas Cards by the Nourse Sisters

It's that time of year again!  Annie and Cecilia are taking orders now for handmade Christmas cards.  The prices are $12 for 10 cards or $22 for 20 cards.  Shipping is $4.95 for any order.  You can email me at rejoice.myctmh.com for more information or to place your order.  Please include your shipping address and the quantity you would like to order.  Cards are also available for other occassions.  Let us know what you want!

Scrapbooking Convention

I am so excited to be going to the CKC Scrapbook Convention this weekend!  My husband is on a guy's bike trip and the timing is perfect.  My oldest daughter doesn't know, but she will be going with me, making it even more fun.  I want to know from you what should I be prepared for?  Have you been to a convention?  What should I take?  Share your favorite memories with me for a little blog candy...

Bargain shopping!

My youngest daughter needed a dresser.  Hers was sacrificed in our move and we promised we would get one for her when we got to our new home.  My mom and I took a trip to the local thrift store to see what they had and we were pleasantly surprised.  We found the usual treasures, a beautiful pair of red satin ballet slippers for me and some play clothes for the kids.  My mom came across a couple of sweaters and jeans that she just had to have.  In the furniture section, a headboard caught my attention.  It was solid oak and had cabinets on each side.  For $20 it was a good deal, but nothing I had to have.  Just past the headboard, I came across a platform for a bed, the kind with drawers in it.  Seeing no tag, I inquired as to the price.  The guy from the back came out and informed me that it was a complete king set with the headboard I already found.  Even better, it was for a king bed, the size I had at home on a metal frame.  With that in my mind, I continued to search for a dresser for my daughter.  They did not have a dresser, but what we found was much better.  We discoverred an old vanity table in excellent condition.  Although it wasn't what we had in mind, it has seven drawers, enough for her clothes, and she can play dress up at it.  What more could a young princess want?  I left the store with the bed frame, vanity table, miscellaneous items, and a bonus.  The clerk asked the manager if they could throw in the chair that was displayed with the table for free and she said yes!  Total price tag:  $60!

Site Recommendation for Homeschoolers

Happy Monday!  It is the last day of summer and I am ready to see the changing of the leaves in my new neighborhood.  I have to say that I have found a site that I truly love!  Often I come across a site that I visit once in a while, but http://www.learningtreasures.com/ is a site that I go to all the time because I just can't wait to see what they have next!  Their newest additions are dragon and candy corn themed papers!  They have lots of ideas and printables for you to use with your children.  Take a look and I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

Please don't forget to let them know that I sent you!

Back to Work

We have now lived in our new home for two months and are finally settling in.  That means it's time to get back to my scrapbooking!  Over the weekend I went to a local festival to show off my work and find some new customers.  You are all invited to celebrate my new start with me.  Here's how you can celebrate:

• Get FREE product when you order on my website - rejoice.myctmh.com
• Host a gathering and receive FREE product (any order with 2 or more customers and over $150 in sales qualifies as a gathering)
• Order directly from me and get 10% off your entire order (not available on the website)

Start shopping today!

Fall Festival

I am good at taking on more than I can handle and this week is no exception.  After my husband's first week at his new job, my family was looking forward to a relaxing holiday weekend that included church and a BBQ with friends.  Not much more than that. 

Then things started happening, like they always do.  While perusing the newspaper last week, I discovered an ad for a fall festival in a nearby city.  My first thought: that would be a fun, inexpensive family outing.  Second thought: I could be a vendor and get my scrapbooking/stamping business off the ground!  Before I knew what was happening, I had a booth lined up and was ready to roll.  Except that I had no product ready for display or purchase.

My family has been very patient with me all weekend while I have been cutting, stamping, and assembling while dinner is cooking, during movies, after everyone else goes to bed and every other chance I get.  Don't worry, no one has felt neglected.  My husband is happy that I sat through his movies with him and the kids cant wait to go sell some cards.  Often things don't have to work out the way we plan for them to work out perfectly.

An Early Start

Last year the girls and I made and sold Christmas cards so they could earn a little spending money.  This year, we will be starting early because the orders are already coming in!  Ou youngest daughter wants to buy a bicycle with her earnings and the older two want to buy a Wii with the Wii Fit accessories.  I will get pics posted shortly of some creations.  The pricing will be $1.50 per card or $10 for 10 cards.  We can also do an all-occasion package for the $10 price.  Shipping will be an additional fee to be determined. 

Autumn/Winter Idea Books Are Here!

I finally have my copies of the Close to my Heart Autumn/Winter Idea Books!  I will be labeling them with the usual information on how to order.  There is a bonus attached to each this time - a 10% coupon for any order!  Email me if you are not ocal but would like to receive your 10% discount coupon.  In the meantime, you can browse at rejoice.myctmh.com.  Have a great weekend!

Close to my Heart Blog Candy

Post a comment to any of my posts and enter to win "blog candy" from Close to my Heart! If a friend posts and mentions your name, both of you are entered to win. One entry per comment! Drawing to be held September 1st. Winner's name will be posted on my blog, so check back to see if you win!

1st Day of School

This is one of my favorite times of year. I love getting ready for the first day of school. The crisp paper, freshly sharpened pencils, squeaky clean tool boxes, and shine notebooks inspire me. Every year is a fresh start offering a multitude of opportunities. This year is especially exciting starting a new curriculum in a new place with all three of my children. We will include the typical reading and writing, math, science, and history, but we are adding in lots of fun extras. We will also make time for Bible, sewing, cooking, music, Spanish, art, and card-making.

What are your plans for the upcoming school year?

Priorities in Unpacking

My daughters and I recently moved halfway across the country in search of a simpler life. While my husband finishes his tour in Iraq, I am left to sort and unpack thousands (OK, maybe a few less than that) boxes of stuff. We started out very organized when unloading the truck, putting boxes in appropriate areas and stacking them so the list of contents could be seen. As I began unpacking however, boxes were moved and shuffled around to get to other boxes. My goal is to create a home or something close to it for my husband to come back to next week. So what are my priorities? The beds are assembled and welcome anyone to climb up for a nap. The TV, satellite box, and DVD player are hooked up. All of our clothes are unpacked and put away. Because our temporary home is my mom's basement, all of the kitchen boxes are set aside for now. My scrapbooking things are out so I can send lots of thank you cards to my friends who helped us accomplish this undertaking. Next up, school books and supplies so we can be ready for school to start in a couple of weeks. Yippee!