Salt Lake City, UT - June 27, 2002 - Close To My Heart, a pioneer direct-sales company in the decorative stamping and scrapbooking industry, announced today the plans for a multi-faceted, aggressive growth plan designed increase Close To My Heart's market share in the $2.4 billion scrapbooking and stamping industry. The announcement was made today by Spencer H. Clawson, newly appointed CEO of Close To My Heart, at the 11th annual Close To My Heart conference taking place at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, June 26 - June 29, 2002 and held for their direct sales force of over 1,300 consultants from across the country in Salt Lake City.

Founded in 1990 by industry veteran and visionary Jeanette Lynton, Close To My Heart, enhances personal expression through the extensive offerings of high quality, award winning, exclusive stamping and scrapbooking materials and accessories as well as proprietary instructional guides. Through the continued introduction of new products, techniques, templates and programs, Close To My Heart is continually revolutionizing the industry. In keeping with the company's cutting edge approach to growth, Clawson was hired in February to take Close To My Heart to the next level, and today he announced his plans for achieving that goal.

"We are very proud of Close To My Heart's rich history as the pioneer in this industry and it is that solid foundation that allows us to implement all the exciting new programs we have announced today," said Clawson. "These initiatives will all serve to help us achieve our ultimate goals of increased sales though an increased sales force."

Close To My Heart's Growth Plan Initiatives include:

The new marketing initiatives include plans to reposition Close To My Heart from a craft and hobby provider to a creative resource; a move Clawson feels will broaden the reach to include a new generation of potential consumers. To demonstrate this change to both Close To My Heart consultants as well as consumers, Close To My Heart announced the firsts phase of the repositioning campaign which include a new logo and a redesigned catalogue as well as new products and programs

New Consumer Products & Programs:

• " Card Program: Close To My Heart introduces a card design program called "Originals," which includes instructional guides to creating distinctive and personalized cards utilizing Close To My Heart's unique paper, colors and accessories.
• " Stamps: Close To My Heart increases their exclusive stamp design portfolio with the introduction of over 100 new stamp sets.
• " Scrapbooking: Close To My Heart launched an expanded version of their successful scrapbooking instructional program under the new name "Reflections".

New Tools for Consultants (Sales Force):

• " Close To My Heart Art Academy: Close to My Heart announces plans for the Close To My Heart Art Academy, which will offer training courses and curriculum certificate programs in latest stamping and scrapbooking techniques, as well as provide a gallery showcase of consultants' art creations.
• " Magalogue: Close To My Heart introduces a bi-monthly "magalogue," called "Expressions…Close To My Heart" which will be a sales-tool catalogue highlighting new products along with editorial supplements emphasizing creative ideas, tips to increase business and local consultant success stories.

Close To My Heart, founded in 1990, is a pioneer in the $2.4 billion stamping and scrapbooking industry through its founder who formed the first direct sales stamp company in 1984. Close To My Heart is the first direct sales company to combine the arts of stamping and scrapbooking and has introduced innovative programs and products such as design templates, training programs, guides and seminars for their teams of sales consultants throughout the United States. Close To My Heart is a privately held direct sales company, located in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

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