Grateful for All of You

I'm working today. Many of you are heading out to shop, or maybe you're just getting back from catching all those black Friday deals. Today's my day to stock up my shelves with stable supplies.

While I'm out doing that, what kind of business woman would I be not to offer you a special offer in the shop today.

I've got two for you:


All orders over $50 get free shipping. (US Residents only)
Just use coupon code FREESHIP50

All orders over $25 will receive a free pack of Christmas gift tags to assist you in your holiday shopping.

And... From now till Christmas, when you order from the shop, your name will be put into a drawing to win a free guest book album or gift certificate for up to $20 from my shop.

Don't forget, if you haven't already, hop over here and sign up for my newsletter. You'll receive a 15% off coupon code when you do.


Happy Shopping! May you find some awesome deals today. Feel free to share what deals you got and where here or on the facebook page.

Supendous CTMH Sale - Don't Miss Out!

Black Friday Sale! Great deals starting today - Monday 11/28  For all of you Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday shoppers, I'm having a sale that lasts more than just one day! Be sure to tell your friends! The deals you see below are good through Monday, 11/28. So you have 3 more days to shop and save! Have you been thinking about getting a Studio J Membership? Have you been eyeing the Art Philosophy Cricut Bundle? Whatever is on your Christmas list this year, now is the time to get it! Check out all of the great deals below and email me your order no later than 11:59pm Monday 11/28 to take advantage of these great offers! Place an order of $25 - $50 Receive a free Dye Ink Padof your choice ($5.25 value.) This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Monthfor $5! If this order is $25 worth of stamps you will receive the Holiday Wishes stamp set for $5 as well! Place an order of $51 - $75 Receive an A size stamp set of your choice, or a cardstock shade pack of your choice (up to a $7.95 value.) This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Monthfor $5! If this order includes $25 worth of stamps you will receive the Holiday Wishes stamp set for $5 as well! Place an order of $76 - $100 Receive a free B size stamp set or Level 2 Paper Pack of your choice (up to $9.95 value.) This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Monthfor $5! If this order includes $25 worth of stamps you will receive the Holiday Wishes stamp set for $5 as well! Place an order of $101 - $149 Receive a free Cardstock combo pack or size C stamp set of your choice (up to $13.95 value). You will also get a Cherish the Day Stamp of the Monthfor FREE! If this order includes $25 worth of stamps you will receive the Holiday Wishesstamp set for $5 as well!(This is a total value of $49.85!) Place an order of $150 or more Receive $25 in free products of your choice, PLUS either a free Level 2 Paper Pack or B size stamp set of your choice (valued at $9.95.)  You will also get a Cherish the Day Stamp of the Month for FREE! If this order includes $25 worth of stamps you will receive the Holiday Wishesstamp set for $5 as well! (This is a total value of up to $70.85!)

PLUS, everyone who places an order during these sale days will be entered into a drawing for your choice of a FREE Workshop on the Go Kitor a Magic Scrapbooking How-To Book!(Winner will be notified on Tuesday 11/29.) Be sure to email me your order by clicking here. (If you place the order online, you will not be able to get your free goodies.) HERE IS HOW IT WORKS: 1. Email me your order. Please include CYBER MONDAY ORDER in the subject line. 2. Along with your order, be sure to specifiy your free product choice(s) 3. I will send you a invoice for your complete order total including shipping ($7.95 or .0795  - whichever is greater - of product total). 4. Your order will be delivered via CTMH Corporate Office in time to wrap up for Christmas, and your name will go into the drawing for the FREE Magic How-To Scrapbooking book or WOTG to be announced Tuesday 11/29. *Note: these are my own personal specials and will not be honored by the Close to my Heart Corporate office.  SHOP NOW

How To Make The Holidays More Affordable and Enjoyable for All

 Black Friday... Cyber Monday...

The spending adds up quickly.

Did you make your list and check it twice? Or did you splurge on all those deals and now are sitting on a pile of stuff you didn't really need to buy.

It's hard to resist all those great bargains the weekend after Thanksgiving. However, they can put a big dent in your wallet and sky rocket your anxiety when the bills start coming due.

Christmas is a season all about giving. It is told that three wise men came and bestowed gifts upon Jesus. Three wise men. Three gifts.

Are you getting what I'm saying?

You don't have to spend your last dime and borrow a few dollars to make this holiday season seem more special or even enjoyable than the last.

Here are a few tips we've learned over the years.

1. Vintage is vogue. It doesn't have to come new in the package for someone to appreciate the reception of a gift. If it's like new, hard to find, or out dated, there are collectors, apprectators, and those whom it doesn't make a difference what store it came from. It's the thought that counts. Places you may find great items like these are thrift stores, eBay, and craigslist.

2. Custom by Hand. Handmade gifts are an affordable and personal way of creating a gift that will long be out cherished then a store bought gift. You too, may find an elevated appreciation of receiving gifts after taking the time to create one for someone else. You can find great patterns and ideas online at places like freepatterns.com, craftbits.com, and crafting blogs.

Don't like to make the gifts your self, no problem. You can find affordable gifts at etsy.com made by crafters and artist that will even personalize the gift for you.

3. Baked not Fried. Around the holiday season, we pull out our cookie presses, dump in the chocolate chips, add the sugar sprinkles on top and exchange cookies with varies groups of people. It's easy to get fried, tired out, from all that baking. However, if you love to bake, add a few dozen to your baking list and give them away to family members as gifts instead of the traditional store bought packages. Don't like to bake, join a cookie exchange of a few people to have a small variety available to your family over the holidays. This way you won't get fried.

4. Book It. One of our favorite gifts to get and receive are books! They honestly never go outdated. When they are no longer contemporary, they'll historical. Fantasy, Sci-fi and non-fiction all have their place. No one ever minds getting a used book. You can swap books at paperbackswap.com, buy used books at places like half.com, and ebay.com.

5. Swap It. There are many sites where you can swap and trade for cd's, dvd's, and books. Try these sites paperbackswap.com, swapadvd.com, swapacd.com.

It's fun to exchange gifts and spend time with family. Don't let the stress of your wallet to cause your holiday season to be un-merry this year.

Trip Around the Kitchen

One of the best things I love about family gatherings is the ability to take anything from the kitchen and prepare a feast for any number of people who have come in one house to be together and socialize .

The day after Thanksgiving is filled with long hours of traffic, crowds, shopping malls, and discount outlet stores. Yet, when the day is all over, everyone gets back together for a trip around the kitchen.

The evening is spent with women talking about bargains from stores, the men playing Euchre, and the children playing. The hours fly by, and before everyone knows it - it's time to leave and go back home.

I'm told this tradition, of my husband's family, began one evening when people were spread out into different groups, playing cards, socializing, and teenagers where hanging out in the kitchen wanting some snacks.

So my husband pulled left overs from the refrigerator, cheeses, meats, snacks from the cupboard like Frito's, pretzels, and crackers, and fruits from the counter. This was put together on plates, bowls, and platters on the kitchen counter. It has ever since become known as "Trip Around the Kitchen".

What do you have in your kitchen who is coming over?

What traditions will your family uphold this holiday season?