Happy 50th Birthday!

I know I've been MIA for awhile. Things have been really hectic and I'm not sure whether I'm coming or going some days. I do have a few things to share this week, hopefully time will allow.




My husband asked if I had a birthday card for his sister. I told him I could probably come up with one. Well, we figured out it will be her 50th birthday, so I had to do something a little "extra" than a regular birthday card. Probably not exactly what he had in mind, but I think it turned out really well. I hope she will like it.

Pattern: Wishes - Medallion

Paper: Silhouette

Inks: Bamboo and Black

Stamps: Friendship Alpha Large (retired), Key To My Heart (retired), For Every Occasion (retired)

Accessories: Black Ribbon Rounds, Just Blooms Big Pinks, White Daisy Organdy Ribbon, Black Button (from stash)

Until next time...

Happy Fall!

About the only thing I like about Fall is the changing colors in the leaves. I'm not one for colder temperatures and damp/wet days, but I do love driving through the country and seeing all the gorgeous reds, yellows, oranges and greens on the trees and bushes.

I had fun creating this card trying to capture some of the Fall elements and colors. The Twitterpated papers and colors make it a little easier :) I inked the leaves from Many Thanks in Sweet Leaf ink then sponged on Sorbet ink around the edges. Using the sponging technique instead of the rock and roll technique allows some of the Sweet Leaf to still show through the Sorbet giving a more gradual color change.

Pattern - Wishes

Papers - Twitterpated Level 2 Paper Packet, Chocolate Textured Cardstock

Stamps - Many Thanks

Inks - Chocolate, Sorbet, Sweet Leaf

Accessories - Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon, Chocolate Ribbon Round, Natural Hemp, Bitty Brads, 3D dots

Techniques - Rock and Roll, Sponging

Here's a side view to show the dimension of the leaves and acorn. I used the 3D dots and just layered them together making sure each one popped off the other.

Here's a close up of the leaves and acorn. Hopefully you can see the Sorbet sponging on the edges of the leaves and the highlight that the rock and roll technique gives to the acorn. I tied the trio together using the natural hemp.

Until next time...

October Newsletter

Want to view the "pretty" version? Click here

Memories of the Heart
Debra A Van Patten
Independent Consultant

October 2009

In This Issue
Studio Splurge!
Enter to Win!
Stamp of the Month
Classes, Workshops & Events

Dear Blog Guest,

Welcome to the October edition of my newsletter. As usual, I am running behind this month. Fall is definitely a season of change. Not only are the temperatures turning colder and the leaves are changing to gorgeous colors, it seems that change is happening elsewhere as well. My husband, Carl, went back to work (finally) this week after being laid off and unable to find a job. The boys and I have gotten used to having him home, so we've had to adjust to him not being here again. For us, that means there are extra things to pitch in on as a family again that he has taken care of for awhile. I'm sure we'll adjust just fine - we always seem to, it just takes a little time.

I had a great time at the ScrapPink Crop yesterday at VU - despite the airconditioning. Thanks to everyone who took a few minutes to stop by and say hello. I hope everyone had a great time as well!

Close To My Heart is offering a special treat to everyone who becomes a consultant during October. New consultants will have the chance to earn 10 FREE Studio J layouts. As a consultant, you will also have access to Studio J before the general public. Check out Studio J and our promotion this month.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. As in years past, I will be donating 10% of my sales from October to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Last year, we raised $60 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. If you are a newsletter subscriber, you received a coupon for a special during October. CTMH policy does not allow me to advertise that here. If you would like to receive notice of specials I offer, please take a minute to subscribe to my newsletter using the Constant Contact link in the right sidebar.

Of course, we've also got a new Stamp of the Month this month - Holiday Warmth. This set is perfect to get you started on your Holiday cards or projects - or even caught up on your Holiday photos.

I've updated my website through November with workshops and a few open dates. I'll be adding a couple of things during the next week or so, so be sure to check back.

On another note, I have started a Facebook page directly related to my Close To My Heart business. If you're on Facebook, I welcome you to come check me out. I'd love to connect with you!

Studio Splurge

We are offering a special treat to everyone who signs up as a new consultant from October 1-31, 2009. When you successfully complete both levels in our exclusive program designed to kick-start your business, Straight To The Top (STTT), you'll receive even more than the STTT reward of $150 US in free select products. You'll receive 10 FREE Studio J scrapbook layouts!* When you add it all up, you can earn approximately $480 in free product!

For complete details, visit my calendar!

Now is a great time to become a Close To My Heart Consultant. Sign-up today

Enter to Win a My Legacy Album!
We've got a new and fun sweepstakes for you (and anyone else interested in Studio J) to enter! Simply sign up for email updates at Studio J.com (top left side of the screen) and you will automatically be entered into a weekly random drawing for a My Legacy® Dark Cocoa linen album. We will notify the winner via email. If you didn't get the album, don't worry-your name is still in the drawing for the next week!

October Stamp of the Month

D1376 Holiday Warmth
Set of 11

Fun, whimsical images ready to help you with all of your Holiday projects. Available October 1-31, 2009.

Recommended Blocks:1" × 3 1/2" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 1" × 6 1/2" (Y1005), 4" x 4" (Y1008)

If you need some inspiration, be sure to check out our Consultant Blog Hop. This month we've broken it down into 3 groups, be sure you take a few minutes to visit all 3 groups for some awesome artwork.

Don't forget, you can get your own Stamp of the Month for FREE! Ask me how!


Classes, Workshops, and Events

All classes and workshops are held at my home in Washington unless otherwise noted. If you cannot make my scheduled class/workshop, contact me to schedule one of your own with your friends. Minimum class size is 5 prepaid guests. Complete details and artwork can be viewed on my Calendar.

Card Workshop
Sunday, October 18th, 3pm
Hostess: Marcia M.
Jingle Level 2 Papers
Fee: $10
RSVP by October 16th

Workshop on the Go (pictured)
Sunday, October 25th, 2pm
Hostess: Lea L.
Jingle Level 2 Papers
Fee: Basic Workshop $35
Paper Only Workshop $17
RSVP by October 16th


Open Dates

Saturday, October 17th, 710pm ET
Saturday, October 24th, 702pm ET
Thursday, October 29th, 1015am ET
Thursday, October 29th, 706pm ET

Choose one of the dates above and get a FREE gift when you hold your Gathering. Contact me today to schedule your Gathering or Workshop (all workshops require 2 weeks notice and pre-payment for supplies).

Upcoming Events

Sunday, November 1st, 2pm, Card Workshop (Sweet Home)
Friday, November 6th, 5-8pm, Vendor Blender
Saturday, November 7th, 9am-3pm, Vendor Blender
Sunday, November 29th, 2pm, Workshop on the Go (Sweet Home)

As always, I am here to help you preserve your memories and celebrate your relationships. If you have any questions, need some inspiration, want to schedule a workshop, class or gathering, or would like more information on becoming a consultant, please feel free to contact me.

Until next time...

ScrapPink 09

I had a FABULOUS day today with the ladies from The Scrapbook Tree and about 30 croppers during the 2009 ScrapPink Crop at VU's Green Activities Center. It was great to see old friends again, as well as make new ones. I was also lucky enought to work with Marcia Marion from Creative Memories and Phyllis Richardson from Stampin' Up - two wonderful ladies!

I only managed to get 5 cards done - 2 of which were done during Phyllis' class, but I did have fun. I hope everyone else got more accomplished than I did.

I taught a scrapbooking class where we made a 2-page layout using the October Stamp of the Month - Holiday Warmth. You can see more details in my Blog Hop post. Thanks to the ladies who took the class - I had fun and hope you did too. At least you went home with one layout done and ready for pictures.

There were door prizes throughout the day. As well as contests for who wore the most pink and the pinkest croppin' space. It was fun to see everyone dress in pink and decorate their space. Local businesses and people donated prizes for a raffle. Thanks so much to all those who donated something to the event. I'm sure LaDonna will share how much we raised today.

Here's a few pictures from today:

Be sure to check out The Scrapbook Tree's blog in the next couple of days for their pictures and news!

Until next time...

World Card Making Day Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Close To My Heart 2009 World Card Making Day Blog Hop!

Join me and 16 other CTMH consultants as we share our card creations with you. If you've come from Tresa's blog then you're hopping right along. This is a "round robin" hop so just keep hopping.

I chose to use the new Jingle papers for my card as I need to be thinking about holiday cards. I stamped the tree in Juniper on Juniper cardstock for a tone on tone effect, then cut it out. I "decorated" the tree with our new Twinkle Brads - they are PERFECT for Christmas ornaments!

Pattern: Wishes - Roundabout 8" x 3 1/2"

Papers: Jingle My Reflections Level 2 Paper Packet

Stamps: Holiday Warmth (October's Stamp of the Month)

Inks: Tulip and Juniper

Accessories: Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon and Twinkle Brads

Now hop on over to Wendy's blog to see her wonderful card!

If you get lost along the way, or find a missing or broken link, the list of players are:

Haley Dyer
Jena DeVries
Antoinette Herrin
Tresa Black
Debra Van Patten {you are here}
Wendy Kessler
Kathleen Androlewicz
Shirley Ross
Teri Baxter
Camy Eisentrager
Jessica Booth
Jamia Bankhead
Kristina Baldwin
Debora Quigley
Laurie Flannery
Penny Kentosh
Deb Young


Until next time...

October SOTM Blog Hop!

WOW! Where did September go? Somehow, it's time for our wonderful Stamp of the Month Blog Hop again! We will be featuring October's SOTM, which is Holiday Warmth, a set of 11 stamps. This month, we broke our hop into three groups. You are currently "hopping" through Group 2! If you've come from Lori's Blog, you're on the right path. We have over 60 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

Pattern: Cherish - Visual Texture

Papers: Jingle My Reflections Level 2 Kit

Inks: Juniper, Creme Brulee, Tulip

Accessories: Colonial White Satin Edged Organdy Ribbon, Cranberry Brads, Sparkles

I stamped the little bird from the set in Creme Brulee on White Daisy, cut it out and popped it up with a 3D dot.

The present is stamped in Juniper ink on White Daisy, cut out and popped up.

The tree is stamped in Juniper on Juniper for a tone-on-tone effect. I decorated the tree with Cranberry brads and Sparkles.

Now "Hop" on over to Lori's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas!

The complete list of participants is here.

Remember, the September SOTM is only available until September 30th! Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Until next time...