Do you know what an epiphany is?

I remember the first time I finally understood what the word, "epiphany" was.  I had heard it so many times in my life but had never looked up the word.  Once I got it, I remember thinking of all the times I'd had one.   Since then, I've had many.  I remember watching an Oprah interview one time and she was talking about how Maya Angelou had said that your face should always light up when your child walked into the room.  At the time my kids were still young and I was struck by that statement.  Was my face lighting up when my kids came in the room?  I knew the answer wasn't always yes, I know a lot of times I was brushing them off because I was "busy."  I changed that day and made up my mind that when my kids were talking to me that I would give them my attention. I still do even though they are adults. I wasn't always perfect but I definitely had become a better mother due to that one statement. Recently I've had another epiphany.  One of my uplines was talking about the letters MMFS and what they mean.  The letters stand for "Make Me Feel Special."  She said to picture those letters stamped on every person's forehead.   The truth is, they are figuratively stamped on all of our foreheads. Everyone wants to feel special, feel seen, feel heard.  My new mission is to make them feel that way. As a Close to my Heart consultant I have learned so many lessons that I believe have made me a better person.  This is just another example.  I will now walk around "seeing" MMFS stamped on everyone's forehead from the clerk at the store to every one of my customers and team members.   I know that people have a big mental block about signing up for a direct sales team like Close to my Heart but let me tell you that what I have gained from being in this company goes so far beyond cash or a free trip.  I have made friendships with some of the best people there are. I have become a person who listens (a big deal for me). I have become a leader and learned so much from my team. I have found my heart is much more open than it was before. I have learned how to write essays! I have received great joy from helping others. And so much more (I could really fill a page)! Close to my Heart is an adventure that's worth taking.   If you are still nervous about it, please realize that there is no downside, you don't like it, you leave.   That's it. But. If you do like it, it is going to enrich your life in ways you can't even imagine.   So if you've ever thought about it, even a little bit, sign up for my team today. Here.

10 ways to get more done at your next crop!

1.  Pre-plan - Don't be the person who decides what to pack on the day before a crop.  A few weeks before the crop, start making a list.  That list will be your guide and you'll find yourself updating it often if you put it in a place you see every day.  Ideas will come to you and you'll be able to add them easily. 

2.  Pair down -  Do not take every supply you own.  Get that idea out of your head that you "might need it".  Let's be real, if you forgot something, about 20 people in the room will have it and be happy to share.  Unless it's your photos, most other things can be found among friends.

3.  Set a goal -  As a former teacher, I'm all about objectives.  What is your main goal for the crop?  If it's a certain album finished or 100 new cards made, write it down.  Post it next to your "to do and to take" list to help yourself stay focused on what you really want to get done.  When you get to the crop, feel free to share your goal with your friends.  It will make it easier if they know why you are busy and will help keep you on task if you have accountability buddies.

4.  Ease up - Once you are at the crop, let go of some of those perfectionist tendencies.  Remember that layouts and cards are about love, not about each detail being perfect.  Go easy on yourself and just choose to do a little less than perfect.

5.  Take breaks - You will not be at your best if your back is aching or your eyes are struggling to stay open.  Sleep when you need to for as long as you want, take a nap in the middle of the day when you need a break.  Can't sleep, find a comfy couch and just chill for awhile, read a book, listen to music.  You will return to your crafting refreshed.

6.  Eat good stuff - I understand that eating junk food at crops is the norm but if you really want to feel energetic, you will want to avoid those foods that are full of fat and sugar (yeah, I know it's hard).  Fat especially requires a ton of energy to digest so you will feel sluggish while that's happening.  Eat lighter, eat healthier and you will be amazed at the energy you'll have at the crop.

7.  Keep it simple - Complicated cards and layouts are for a place where you aren't distracted by music, conversations and noise.  Save those for another time, bring your easier pages and cards to the crop.  Think of techniques that are mindless, like fussy cutting or coloring.

8.  Stay hydrated -  Drink lots of water.  Dehydration makes you tired, hydration does the opposite.  Pop, alcohol and tea dehydrate you so if you are drinking them, drink a glass of water in between.

9.  Be comfortable -  Let yourself be comfortable at crops, no makeup, sweats, and ponytails are all appropriate here.  

10.  Have fun - Even if you blow one through nine, it's okay if you have had a great time with your friends.  It's really what crops are about anyway!!

10 Things to Absolutely Take to a Crop!

1.  Photos!  There are so many times I've been at a crop and someone has actually forgot her photos, yikes!  Help yourself out by keeping photos on a service like Google photos.  It's good for more reasons than just if you forget your photos.  They are precious, make sure you always have backup. 2.  Adhesive!  And not just a little adhesive, take a lot, it's the one thing you are most likely to run out of.  Make sure you have your tape runner, pop dots, glue dots, a glue pen and maybe even a Xyron. 3.  Paper Trimmer!  Don't forget spare blades too.  You aren't going to get very far if you don't have your trimmer with you. 4.  Scissors!  Bring both a small sharp pair (non-stick) and long scissors.  It's very hard to cut straight with small scissors and difficult to cut intricate projects with the large ones.  You need both. 5.  A Good Black Pen!  Even if you aren't big into journaling, outlining, marking sizes, and just taking notes are all reasons you need a good pen. 6.  Ruler!  Okay, maybe you are not obsessive about things being straight but a good ruler will help you line up photos and mats, help you cut just the right size, and give you the perfectly drawn straight line. 7.  Hand Lotion!  I recommend the Udderly Smooth brand.  When you are handling paper the moisture in your hands gets sapped away.  Also, most venues for crops have very little humidity in the rooms which further dehydrates you.  You'll need lotion and this type absorbs quickly and doesn't stain your paper. 8.  Cup Holder!  For one thing it helps with space if you hook your cup on the side of the table instead of taking up precious room on top.  Also, spills happen, don't let them happen to you.  If it contains a garbage bag too, even better. 9.  Snacks!  I know this sounds simple but the truth is, even if people bring snacks to share, YOU know what snacks work best for you, whether it's your favorite candy or if you like to stick to healthy snacks.  Unless there is a sign up where you can see what snacks are being brought, make sure you have what you need. 10.  Realistic Expectations!  Before you goal, decide what you want to get out of the weekend.  Is it to finish pages or is it more about socializing.  Do you want to organize or take classes.  Once you've decided your objective, pack accordingly and take it easy on yourself. If you don't get 50 cards done, it's okay!  It's more important that you had fun!

Do you have a vision?

This is my vision board!  I absolutely love it!  It hangs in my bedroom where I can see it every day.  

It was very easy to make.  I bought a bulletin board and some see through tacks.  I then went to Pinterest and searched for vision board ideas. Up popped tons of vision board ideas, not only for the vision board set up itself, but actual ideas for what to put on a vision board.  I was amazed that nearly all of my dreams were already pictures, labeled in really fantastically artistic ways.  I took screen shots of all of the ones that pertained to me then uploaded them to print out at my local drugstore.  

Once they were developed I set at a table with my paper trimmer, the tacks, and the bulletin board.  Just like when making a layout, I trimmed the photos that needed trimming and then just started tacking the photos down. Since they already were so nicely labeled on Pinterest, I was able to attach them keeping the actual descriptions of my dreams showing and overlapping the photos where needed to make the pictures fit together neatly.  I did make up just a couple of my wishes on my own computer using a free website called PicMonkey, printed them out on photo paper on my own printer so I could attach them too.  Putting together the board took about two hours.  

Why is it important to have a vision board?  

A vision board is a tool used to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on a specific life goals.  Goals that you have vaguely running around in your head are unlikely to come to fruition.  Goals that you can see, be constantly reminded of, and attach emotions to have a much better chance at becoming real!  

Your vision board doesn't need to be made like mine.  It could be in a mini album or even in a decorated box but it needs to be looked at often, every day, which makes a board on the wall so much better.   I know your dreams are important to you like mine are to me so why not put them up so you can make them come true?

Reason Number Seventeen!

Why you should be a Close to my Heart consultant!

Do you like cold hard cash? I do! We have a brand new leadership promotion bonus campaign and let me tell you what that means.

As you build a team of friends who love to scrapbook and stamp, you promote in the company. The cash starts flowing with just three people signed up under you. It increases quickly the more people you sign up into the great company. That's more people who gain all the advantages I've been telling you about for the last 17 days! Are you convinced yet?  Sign up here when you are ready!

Reason Number Fifteen!

You should sign up to be a Close to my Heart consultant on the Can't Stop Dreaming Team!

Sign up here!

Reason Number Fourteen!

You should sign up to be a Close to my Heart Consultant, this is a good one!

Click here!

Reason Number Thirteen!

You should sign up to be a Close to my Heart consultant with the Can't Stop Dreaming Team!

Sign up here!

Reason Number Twelve!

Reason number twelve you should sign up to be a Close to my Heart consultant!!  Sign up here when you're ready!

Reason Number Eleven!

Why you should be a Close to my Heart consultant!  

It's just 72 days until the next Close to my Heart convention.  At convention we get training, lots of artwork to make, prizes, giveaways, free products and tons of time with our friends doing what we all love!  We also get to rub shoulders with the people who run Close to my Heart.  I'm always amazed at how many of our names they remember.  There's an awards banquet, Extravaganza where we see artwork from the most talented consultants in the company.  It's amazing, exciting and you wouldn't believe how just a new ink color can make thousands of consultants scream!!!  Below is the video from last year's convention.  Enjoy!

Reason Number Ten!

Did you miss reason number ten?  No worries.   It's Right Here!

Reason Number Nine!

You should sign up to be a Close to my Heart consultant on the Can't Stop Dreaming Team.  Sign up at this link right here!

Reason Number Eight!

You should sign up to be a Close to my Heart consultant on the Can't Stop Dreaming Team!  Here's where you want to sign up to find your joy too!

My Site

Reason Number Seven!

Reason number seven why you should sign up to be a Close to my Heart consultant with the Can't Stop Dreaming Team.  Sign up here!

Reason Number Five!

You should sign up to be a Close to my Heart consultant.  

Reason number five is the help you get from Close to my Heart itself.  They could be this big corporate entity with no real concern for the people that work as consultants but that's not the way they are.  

Over the past eight years I've gotten to know the people who run the company and they truly care about their consultants.  In fact, consultants get paid before anyone in the corporate offices.  

They try to help us in many different ways including this one below.  Starting tonight at 9 p.m. EST, there will be four live webinars telling you about what a great opportunity it is to be a Close to my Heart consultant.  I'm sending out this newsletter early today so you'll have time to arrange your schedule to get on the webinar.  The information on how to do that is below.  Please join us!

Opportunity Webinars

During the webinar, Kristina Livingstone will walk through the contents of the New Consultant Kit, talk about the Consultant discount, explain how new Consultants can earn free products, and answer the most frequently asked questions. Those who join the webinar will come away understanding what an incredible opportunity it is to join Close To My Heart.

So mark your calendar and join in!

Evening Events

Tuesday, April 5, 7:00 pm MDT 8:00 CST 9:00 EST

Thursday, April 14, 7:00 pm MDT 8:00 CST 9:00 EST

Morning Events

Saturday, April 23, 9:00 am MDT 10:00 CST 11:00 EST

Evening Event

Wednesday, April 27, 7:00 pm MDT 8:00 CST 9:00 EST

Join the Opportunity calls via phone by calling 1-201-479-4595. To join online, go to http://fuze.me/32464058 a few minutes before the scheduled webinar time. You can also simply go towww.fuze.com or open the Fuze app and enter the meeting ID: 32464058. If you wish to participate online, we encourage you to download the Fuze application beforehand so you can be all set up to enjoy the webinar when it’s time to join.

Simply Fundamental Scrapbooking Special!!

It's a new month and we have a new special. Here's the deal!

Experience the beautiful Simply Fundamental Scrapbooking workshop—available only during November! This workshop has been created using all the items featured in our campaign exclusive My Legacy™ album bundles, available during November for $71.80 each! When you purchase the album bundle, you will also qualify to receive a value pack of side load or top load Memory Protectors™ FREE—a savings of $19.95! Along with the album style and design of your choice, each bundle includes one Paper Fundamentals Enchantment pack, one Fundamental stickers Enchantment pack, one Peacock Fundamental assortment, and three sheets of White Daisy cardstock.

NOW HERE'S THE IMPORTANT PART: You will then be set to turn these beautiful products into fabulous layouts using the new Simply Fundamental Scrapbooking workshop featuring FIVE 2- page layouts you can make using all the supplies in your bundle.

Now what if you want to do these beautiful layouts but either don't need the album and page protectors or can't quite afford the whole enchilada? That's okay, you can make these FIVE beautiful 2-page layouts by just buying the Paper Fundamentals Enchantment Pack, one Fundamental stickers Enchantment pack, one Peacock Fundamental assortment and then just use 3 pieces of white daisy cardstock you probably have at home. This would cost about $42.00 instead (that includes shipping and tax).

So, what you need to do if you want to make the layouts that I'm going to post below, is to go to my websitehttp://barbraotten.ctmh.com and buy those three items above (or the whole album deal which is really the best value). Here are the directions for the layouts. 

Crop in Dayton, Ohio!!

My team member, Shannon Reed, has an awesome crop coming up.  Here's the information!

Attention Close to My Heart fans within a few hours drive of Dayton, OH...are you looking for some uninterrupted time to catch up on your scrapbooking/card making projects? If so, I am hosting a 4 day retreat at the Drury Inn in Dayton from November 12-15. If you have never stayed at a Drury Inn, they are fantastic (and come with 2 adult beverages per person per night). Rates (for double occupancy) are $240 for 3 days and $320 for 4 days. This price includes all your food, snacks, drinks, prizes, goodie bag and a few more surprises! I have day rates if you want to commute and you can also put 3 or 4 to a room if you want to save some money. This was a blast last year - you don't want to miss it! Sign up form in the comments below. There will also be a CTMH store on site in case you forget anything!   Click on the form to make it full size.  

Virtual Christmas Card Workshop

My team has put together a Virtual Christmas Card Workshop on Facebook. Whenever anyone places a $25 order with me or any member of my team, they are given access to the Christmas Card page where they can find MANY Christmas cards with tutorials all made with:

Pear and Partridge Picture My Life Cards
Enchantment Cardstock Combo Pack
Sparkles
Card Bases

Most of the cards were made by me but my team has been contributing too, all using the above items. If you need to get started on your Christmas cards early, these are super easy and pretty! Place and order of $25 or more on my website and I will get you right on the Facebook page.

http://barbraotten.ctmh.com

A Card A Day - Day Thirty

Thank you for sticking with me for 30 days of cards!  

Pear and Partridge A La Carte Picture My Life 

Olive Cardstock 

Cashmere Cardstock

Colonial White Cardstock 

Sparkles Clear Assortment 

3 D Foam Tape 

Sponge 

New England Ivy Ink  

To You and Yours Stamp Set

Surecut Deluxe Paper Craft Trimmer 

Duck Easy Stick Adhesive 

We will be having a FREE Christmas Card Workshop (available online and also in person) in Battle Creek on July 26th that you can attend when you spend $25 with any consultant on the Can't Stop Dreaming team.

A Card A Day - Day Twenty Nine

Each day throughout the month of June, I will be posting a card with products used.  The next few cards will all be made with the Pear and Partridge Picture My Life cards.  As I've mentioned, these are the most fun and easiest cards to make!

Pear and Partridge A La Carte Picture My Life 

New England Ivy Cardstock 

Kraft Cardstock 

New England Ivy Cardstock 

Cranberry Cardstock

Sanding Kit 

Colonial White Cardstock 

Sparkles Clear Assortment 

Piercing and Embossing Tool 

3 D Foam Tape 

Sponge 

New England Ivy Ink 

Perfect Fit Holidays Stamp Set

Surecut Deluxe Paper Craft Trimmer 

Duck Easy Stick Adhesive 

We will be having a FREE Christmas Card Workshop (available online and also in person) in Battle Creek on July 26th that you can attend when you spend $25 with any consultant on the Can't Stop Dreaming team.