Who we are

Each of the designers in our Technique Challenge Hop are Independent Consultants with Close To My Heart.  We are all a part of one great big team and are spread out across the nation.  Please take a moment to visit our blogs and see what we have to offer you.

2012Spring/Summer Design Team:

Debi Barber

I am a single mom of two adult daughters. I began scrapbooking after my divorce as a way to meet new people and quickly became addicted. Working on my 7th year as a Close To My Heart consultant my passion is experimenting with the many uses of our products and teaching everyone how to do the ones that work out. I am excited to be a part of this challenge hop and hope to teach you tons of new things to use in your scrapbooking and paper crafting projects.


Joy McHargue

Studiowow is my place to share artwork which could make you exclaim, "Wow, did you make that?" In gradeschool, I was given demerits for crafting as well as "entertaining" during class. Showing people how to play with paper while sharing good laughs is what I love best about my job. Warning: you also might wonder at times, "Wow, did she say that?" when you visit Studiowow!
   

Judy Faye Garner

I am a very young retiree and have been blessed with a wonderful husband, 2 grown children who have given me the 4 best "grand"kids in the world. I'm a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant & I love , love paper crafting which I create in my studio barn. I'm very active in my church and a variety of other community organizations, I like call myself a professional volunteer.


Kimberly Sharp

I started scrapbooking in 1996 when my sister got a scrapbook for graduation. I thought that was the best gift ever. Ever since then I have been addicted. I started going to a meetup with Xellina and Amanda. I went for 2 years before I was convinced to sign up to be a consultant. I love being a Close To My Heart consultant. I am a much better scrapper and crafter since becoming involved with Close To My Heart.
    

Lisa Saldivar

I am a proud mother of 2 teenagers and happily married for 18 years. I have been scrapbooking for about 6 years thanks to my sister. I love to make layouts and card and just hang out with the girls in my scrapbook room. I am a full time student and a full time dental assistant so my time is very limited but I do set Saturdays aside to scrap! So if you like to scrap come by on Sunday to see what I have done.
     

Melissa Robinson

A high school math teacher by day and a papercrafter by night, I love creating with Close To My Heart products! I was initially turned onto CTMH because of the ability to make beautiful, personalized and affordable gifts for friends and loved ones. I am honored to be entering my 14th year as a CTMH Consultant (since 1998) and have enjoyed working with our exclusive and high-quality products while meeting others who share the same love of this craft. I am blessed to be married to a wonderful man who supports my addiction.
   

Michelle Battitori

I am a mother to 3 beautiful children and a wife to a very supportive husband. I have always had a passion for scrapbooking but it wasn't until my first child was born that I became a true addict! I attended my first CTMH event several years ago and was hooked on their faster, simpler, easier motto. It totally changed my view of the papercrafting world and I'm so glad I found it! I've been a CTMH consultant since January 2010 and love sharing my passion for all things paper with others. I have met some fabulous, creative women you inspire and teach me each and every day. I hope my creations will inspire you to make something from your heart!
     

Michelle West

It all started with a trip to England & France. Since then, I've not stopped creating scrapbooks, cards for every occasion, and discovering new items to alter. Whether it be a box, a domino, or a cd, I'll give it shot... but only with my Close To My Heart products. In May 2011, I made the best decision to become a consultant with this amazing company and I haven't regretted it for a moment. My days & evenings are full with teachng special education and going to graduate school. But nothing will stop me from creating - it is truly a form of therapy that relaxes me and keeps me just sane enough to start a new day. Not only have I enjoyed working with the best products on the market, but I've made some wonderful friends. Come on & join us - you won't regret it ~ you gotta start somewhere & sometime, why not get in touch with me today?
  

Rachel Ventura

I am a US Navy wife and mother of identical twin girls. My heart, hobby, and career all roll together in my joy as a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant. I am a cruise earner and the Rising Star award recipient for 2011. I’ve been a scrapbooker for fifteen years, completed over 30 albums, and have been making handmade cards for every occasion and holiday for years. I don’t claim to know everything, but I am a self-diagnosed “addict” and would like to provide ideas and help with your creative projects.




Rhonda Horstman

I am married to the Love of my Life, the mother of two fantastic kids, two Jack Russell Terriers, and a pot belly pig! I love to spend my free time scrapping, stamping, and card making! I have been a Close to my Heart consultant since 2006.

     

Shirley Ross

I am a daughter and now caregiver to my Mom, a mother and a grandmother. I found scrapbooking totally by accident in 2000, and fell in love. In 2005, I was introduced to Close To My Heart products and thus began my most amazing career. And now my mission is sharing everything paper, inky, crafty with everyone. I love guiding people into the realm of their creativity.

   Bethany Harlan

I am a former K-4 Preschool teacher(25 years) and wife of a retired Navy Submariner(26 years). I am Mama to 3 children and love my son in law and daughter in law as my own too. I have 5 young grandchildren which are the joy of my life. I have been a CTMH Consultant since May 2011 and am so excited to be attending my first CTMH Convention in July. I enjoy sharing CTMH products and techniques with others as I help them record their memories in fun and beautiful ways.
  

Tabbi Fritz

I am a mother of two great boys, and a wife to a great husband. Other than being a stay at home mom I am a student finishing up my B.A. Psychology. As can be seen my love for arts n crafts, I currently sell Close To My Heart products for 2years and counting and loving every minute of it.
 

Tonya W

I am first of all, a Christian and thankful everyday for my salvation! I am a middle school assistant principal and have been in education for 18 years. I am the wife to a wonderful man and mother to 4 awesome children, a wonderful son-in-law and an amazing daughter-in-law. I also have the most precious granddaughter ever and I absolutely love being a Gigi!!!! Oh and I am a youth leader at my church so you can see I have lots of memories that I need to preserve with very little time and Close to My Heart helps me do that --- Faster, Simpler, Easier!!! I never considered myself creative or crafty at all, then I hosted a CTMH gathering for a very dear friend of mine and realized that CTMH makes people like me look super creative! I was hooked from that moment and became an Independent Consultant one month later in May 2008 and have never regretted that decision for a minute. From traditional scrappin' to altered projects to card-making to digital pages -- - CTMH has it all!!!!
  

Wendy Kessler 

I have been married for 13 years and am a SAHM to 3 daughters (1, 10, 13). I am in my 5th year as a Close to My Heart consultant and have enjoyed every minute of it. It is my hobby and my creative escape. I have collected a large amount of supplies over the years and I am looking forward to using them up through these challenges and inspiring others to do the same. I focus on scrapbook layouts the most but also make cards and lately a lot of 3D projects.