Close To My Heart Extravaganza Artwork - "Party"

Board Images Removed

(submitting for a couple of contests)

Detail Images

(you can click on the images to see them larger) 

Create custom glitter dimensional elements by first coloring them (using re-inker and a sponge dauber provides an intense color, while sponging will create softer colors), ink dimensional element with Versamark, sprinkle with a mixture of clear embossing powder and Prisma Glitter and then heat emboss. Watch for cool color variations based on how long heat is applied.

Enhance regular brads with Liquid Glass and Prisma Glitter. Cover each brad with Liquid Glass, sprinkle with Prisma Glitter, allow to dry before attaching to your project.

Close To My Heart Extravaganza Artwork - Olivia

Detail Images 

(you can click on the images to see them larger) 

Paint stamped letters and images with Liquid Glass, sprinkle with Prisma Glitter, allow to dry and add to your project for custom glittery accents.

Add dots of Glitz Glue to create faux sparkly brads.

Outline images with Glitz Glue to make them stand out and shine.

Add spice to brads by layering them with Liquid Glass, Glitz Glue, Brads, Pearls, Opaques, etc.

Close To My Heart Extravaganza Artwork - You Rock

Over the next week I'll be sharing artwork from my Convention Extravaganza class "All That Glitters." As always I am honored to be selected to teach and honestly a little shocked. This year only 32 were selected and ladies let me tell you, I am in awe of all the other artists and humbled to be among this select group. Back in May I was sent a box of unreleased product to create inspiring artwork. Then at Convention teach fellow Consultants new techniques and show off the exciting new products. As Extravaganza approaches I become a bundle of nerves and wonder why I do this to myself. After the first session is over, I am already looking forward to the next Extravaganza and crossing my fingers that I'll be selected to teach once again!

Detail Images

(you can click on the images to see them larger)

Add Sparkles to Background & Texture paper to enhance the design and add shimmer. Create your own designs, by using the sparkles to create shapes such as circles, hearts, starbursts, etc.

Highlight Background and Texture paper designs with Liquid Glass to add dimension and shine.

Make focal points pop by outlining them with Glitz Glue.

Add dots of Glitz Glue to create faux sparkly brads.

Close To My Heart Convention - Saturday, July 10, 2010

I have to admit I was a little hesitant about general session on Saturday morning. Not because I didn't want to hear what was coming up, but simply because I forgot my kleenex. I knew that first up was a special Operation Smile keynote speaker.  At our last event there was not a dry eye in the room as we learned more about Operation Smile and how each and everyone of us who purchase from Close To My Heart help to fix the smile of thousands of children.  How rewarding it is to work with a company that gives so much to such a worthy cause!

Convention would not be complete without a game show hosted by our hilarious Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Kristine Widtfeldt. Having Ginni up on stage made it even more fun - this woman can make and entire room laugh when she does. 

Time for a little more creativity! Look close and you can see a good selection of upcoming product :)

At our closing banquet were wowed by a phenomenal artist who painted Jeanette in under 5 minutes and then entertained by the hilarious Anita Renfroe.

Convention was coming to and end. To finish it off Monica announced the location of Convention 2011 and the next incentive trip in 2012. We'll be heading to the Happiest Place on Earth Disneyland for Convention and then Hawaii for the incentive trip! I'd love to have you join us visit my website to sign up or contact me at CreatewithChristine@msn.com or (425) 413-4280 for more information.

*All photos taken by Close To My Heart's photographer.

9:00–11:00 am	General Session
11:00 am–1:00 pm	Lunch - Buttercup Bistro
11:15 am–12:45 pm	Display Room/Internet Café
11:30 am–12:30 pm	Spirit of Close To My Heart Alumni Luncheon (by invitation only)
1:00–5:30 pm	Business Classes/Create & Take
7:30–10:30 pm	Closing Banquet (dinner included)

Close To My Heart Convention - Friday, July 9, 2010

Our morning started off with general session where our keynote speaker was Mary Christensen. She has the cutest accent that I found fun to listen to.

After lunch it was time for business classes (that I ALWAYS love) and then to get creative with the first session of Create & Takes.

Our day ended with our Awards Gala complete with marvelous entertainment. I am always in awe of the many women (and men, hi Phil) who walk across the stage. Congratulations to each and everyone of your for all your hard work.  I'd like to especially congratulate my friends Melissa, Dana and Joanne for being selected as our next Advisory Board members (these ladies are our voice at Corporate for the next year)!

*All photos taken by Close To My Heart's photographer.

8:00–9:00 am	Album Contest Voting
9:00–11:00 am	General Session
11:00 am–1:00 pm	Lunch - Buttercup Bistro
11:30 am –12:30 pm	Advisory Board Alumni Luncheon (by invitation only)
11:00 am –12:45 pm	Display Room/Internet Café
11:15 am–12:45 pm	Silent Auction
11:15 am–12:45 pm	Album Contest Voting (voting ends at 12:45 pm)
1:00–5:30 pm	Business Classes/Create & Take
5:30–7:00 pm	Display Room/Internet Café
5:30–6:30 pm	Silent Auction (bidding closes at 6:30 pm)
5:30–7:30 pm	Dinner (on own)
7:30–9:30 pm	Awards Gala
9:30–10:00 pm	Award Recipients Reception

Convention Opening Day (7/8/10) LOTS OF PHOTOS

So best of intentions - I really thought that I would manage to snap photos and have them up every night for a scheduled blog posting. As you can see the schedule postings happened without daily updates from Convention. I always seem to forget just how busy we are while here. However, tonight I have finally uploaded some photos (hence the repost).

Before we get to the photos from Thursday, I have a few photos left over from Weds. to show. These ladies are just too much fun! This was a rare moment of downtime before Team Meetings.

Tracey Mason, Nona Davenport, Donna Smith & Yulanda

*Tracey won the Album Contest! Congratulations!!

Opening day of Close To My Heart Convention blew our socks off as always. We always wonder if they'll be able to top previous years and without a doubt they did! The schedule at the bottom shows our fun for the day.  Today was my big day to teach Extravaganza (new product demonstrations to approximately 400 Consultants in 8 20 minute sessions). I was so nervous, probably more so than the firs time I did it. The night before I was still up at 2:30am running through my class over and over again in my head.Once the first session was complete the nerves subsided and I am already ready to sign up again next year.I'll be posting my artwork shortly after I return.

Nona Davenport and I

Immediatlely after Extravaganza I had to run back to my room to change for our Director's Dinner. With only 14 minutes to go before being whisked off to a cruise on the Potomac, it was certainly a quick change. While enjoying our meals we were treated to the sights of DC and a chance to mingle with Jeanette, the Corporate staff and other Directors. What a treat!

Myself, Melissa Laverty & Lisa Stenz

Lisa Stenz & Jeanette Lynton (Founder, CEO of CTMH)

Jeanette Lynton (Founder, CEO of CTMH) & Myself

7:00–9:00 am	Convention Registration
9:00–11:00 am	General Session
11:00 am–1:00 pm	Lunch - Buttercup Bistro
11:15 am –12:45 pm	Display Room/Internet Café
11:15 am –12:45 pm	Silent Auction Begins
11:15 am –12:45 pm	Album Contest Voting Begins
1:00–5:00 pm	Extravaganza
5:00–10:00 pm	Display Room/Internet Café
5:00–10:00 pm	Album Contest Voting
5:00–10:00 pm	Silent Auction
5:00–7:30 pm	Dinner (on own)
6:00–10:30 pm	Directors Dinner
7:30–9:00 pm	Mix & Mingle

Alright it is time to hit the sack so I am rested and ready for another smashing day (it is already 1am here, who said we get to sleep at Convention?).

Close To My Heart Convention - Leadership Day

Tell me doesn't this room look devine?! Nona and I are sharing a room (one of the many things I look forward to at Convention - spending time with great friends).

Today was Leadership day, which is a day planned especially for those building a team with Close To My Heart.  The day started off with the always exciting general session where they shared a few peaks into what they have in store for us. Let's talk about a Studio J app for IPhones - now you can take your complete layouts with you in your purse to show off. A new credit card processing company which eliminates fees on websites and customer transactions - which means we'll keep more of the money we make while offering our customers payment options. Oh and let's not forget the big change to the catalogs... we'll be going to a semi annual catalog. More product to choose from while still being able to adjust quickly to the trends, offering you what is hot while it is still hot!  Wahoo! What an incredible day! Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

8:00–9:00 am	Leadership Registration
9:00–11:00 am	General Session
11:00 am–1:00 pm	Lunch
11:30 am–12:30 pm	Presidential Luncheon (by invitation only - someday I'll enjoy this!)
1:00–5:00 pm	Business Classes
5:00 pm	Dinner (on own)
4:00–8:00 pm	Convention Registration
6:00–10:00 pm	Team Meetings

We ended the day with a massive Dream Team meeting.  The Dream Team is the largest and oldest (these Consultants have been a part of CTMH forever - our leader Karen Morris is celebrating 20 years). I am in awe of so many of the women that make up this team. Imagine my surprise when they announce the Top 10 for personal sales, team sales and recruiting AND MY NAME shows up on the screen. I am #5 overal recruiter for the Dream Team and Connected Hearts.  Unbelievable!  Thank you to each any everyone of you who joined my team!

If this looks like too much fun to miss next year, checked out my website at http://www.createwithchristine.com/ to find out more about joining my team (and coming with me to Convention in 2011). Even though I am gone, I am still checking email at least once daily, so if you have any questions send them to me at CreatewithChristine@msn.com.  

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I am so excited, when you read this I'll be on a plane flying (first class - paid for with miles I earned through selling CTMH) to Close To My Heart Convention in Washington, DC.

In the last 5+ years, I have only missed one event. That was the first Convention right after I signed up. My upline (Katie) called me each day from the Convention floor, surrounded by all the excitement, to share updates which I would pass along to our team. While I looked forward to each call, it was bittersweet because it made me want to be there even more as I realized the fun I was missing.

I've scheduled posts for each day that I am at Convention and I'll try to add highlight photos for each day. If after reading these posts and seeing the fun we are having you decide that you'd love to join me at the next event, visit my website at www.CreatewithChristine.com for more information and join our team.