Create with Chris

Project 365: Photo a Day 2012

2012-01-22T20:16:00.001-08:00

Wow it has been too long! So playing catch up and then will go to a weekly post!

Day 13
Ah the scale...my goal in 2012 is to get in better shape and lose 15 lbs. I will do it through making better food choices and getting involved more physically involved in exercise. I started Zumba and LOVE it! I figure if I can make small changes in each day they will over time make a difference.

Day 14
Rick and I went to the beach for the weekend. Our first weekend being dog less (we put our 13 year old lab down the weekend before Christmas). We saw an amazing sunset! With my "real" camera I took some amazing sunset pictures! So incredible was he sun. A huge ball in the sky! God is so amazing in what he created!

Day 15
Breakfast at one of our favorite places in Newport. Love eating out for breakfast. One of my favorite meals. Had a yummy omelet!

Day 16
The beach and snow...a first for Rick and I both. We have collectively been to the beach hundreds of times but we had never seen snow at the beach in person. This weekend we did! It was so so beautiful!

Day 17
While it was amazing to see the snow driving home in it was a little stressful. We got home safe and sound!

Day 18
Picnic backpack!!! Rick And I have a goal to go hiking more this year and one of the things we want to do is go for a picnic at the top of a local hiking spot. This back pack will be perfect!

Day 19
Missing our chevy...this is our welcome outside of our house! The back is the cutest - little puppy bottoms!

Day 20
Coffee...I love coffee the kind with all the yummy creamers in it!

Day 21
While we are in the midst of winter signs of spring are coming up in our yard. Last summer Rick spent WEEKS redoing our yard. He pulled everything out but one rhodie. We spent this fall replanting daffodils and planting new bulbs - tulips, crocus and a few others. We have spring blooms coming up in our yard. So excited to see what it will look like! I am not a big gardener - I love being clean. Rick is such a sweetie that he does the hard stuff...digging, weeding, pruning. I get to do what I love designing and planning. I have spent hours drawing out our yard and plotting what to plant where and hours looking at flowers at the nursery and online. It is like a BIG card or scrapbook page!

Day 22
My weakness...I LOVE candy! While I am on a weight loss journey I know that I can't do without it. I will totally fail so I just limit what I eat! And Hot Tomales are one (of my many) weaknesses!

See you next Sunday with my new weekly post of my photos of the week!

Project 365: Photo A Day 2012 - Days 9-10

2012-01-11T13:03:00.001-08:00

Made a decision...rather than feeling guilty about not posting each day...going to post every few days! I DO take the picture every day!

Day 9
On my lunch hour I made my menu for the next few weeks and my grocery list. Thank god I am blessed with organization. I am not blessed with a good memory.

Day 10
My morning starts with coffee every day. Sometimes at home some times at work but always in the morning!

Day 11 - Today
Mirror, mirror in the wall who is the fairest of them all! This is my mirror in my bathroom where I start my day! I am not a girlie girl at all...no makeup and I fuss with my hair only when necessary!

What will tomorrow bring? Come back and find out!

Project 365: Photo a Day 2012

2012-01-04T22:40:00.001-08:00

Some people who work on a computer all will come home from work and not want to touch a computer. Not me...I am usually on our laptop! I LOVE technology and am a very busy person. In addition to my full time day job, i have two businesses. I teach stamping and scrapbooking with a home based business company Close To My Heart. I am also on a journey to becoming a professional photographer! I know busy! So on my laptop I am surfing the corporate bulletin board (on the screen in my photo), Pinterst or writing blog posts, instructions for a project, searching for pose ideas, photogrphy techniques or about a million other things!

"See" you tomorrow!

Project 365: Photo a Day 2012

2012-01-03T23:19:00.001-08:00

After almost three weeks away from my day job...it was welcome back day today! Was sick right before Christmas, then put our dog Chevy down...but ended happy with a scheduled vacation between Christmas and New Years! This was my desk when I returned! Thankfully it is a quieter time in my job because had this been the fall the work waiting for me would be much worse!

See you tomorrow!

Project 365: Photo A Day 2012

2012-01-02T14:10:00.001-08:00

Today is Rose Bowl day! Our family is a split family between Oregon State Beavers and University of Oregon Ducks. Our oldest son goes to OSU so he and I are Beaver fans. Rick and our youngest are Duck fans. We also have two nieces who go to U of O.

Personally, I watch and cheer for them both as long as they are not playing each other! When both teams do well it is good for the state I love! I watch almost every football game for each of them. Probably more than the boys but I enjoy it! Still learning about the game but super fun to watch and I can almost keep up with the guy talk at my day job office! Not bad for a girl!

See you tomorrow!

Project 365: Photo A Day 2012

2012-01-01T22:42:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! My husband and I went off on an adventure today - hiking in McDonald Forest at Oakcreek - absolutely had a blast! Truly this is us on the trail (Rick learned how to turn the camera around on his Iphone!) but we look photoshopped into the photo! While on the hike, we decided a few things - one that every New Year's Day we will go on a hike, two that we will start hiking more often (several times a month) and three we would take a photo (or two) a day and document a year in our life.

I NEVER thought I would venture into this project - but with life circumstances around us this last year I have grown to appreciate living for every moment. In scrapbooking, you tend to scrapbook the big life events - but the every day moments - some that really take your breath away get lost in the minutes, hours and days because they are just those...moments. I want to live every day for every moment and take in the beauty of God's creation around me and appreciate the little things that make life - well LIFE!

And I am super excited to share this scrapbook adventure with my husband, Rick - he has always been 100% supportive of my love of scrapbooking and even more with my photography but this is the first project we will do together. We both have IPhones and plan to take an Iphonography class at a photography school (yes there really is a class for learning to use your Iphone and be an Iphonographer!). So our photos will come from our Iphones and be a part of our journey into becoming IPhonographers!

Our Project 365 will be a glimpse into our lives - seeing the things that make us happy, laugh, cry, LIVE and LOVE! From our house and yard to our cars and bikes to my creative projects - you will get a photographic view into our lives! Join us...we would love to share our every day moments with you!

Welcome Little One

2011-12-30T00:21:00.000-08:00

I LOVE to create - especially when I am SO inspired by an idea! This card was inspired by a card posted in Pinterest (my new addiction!). It was a baby card using the boat as the focal point and I kept thinking that it was a really cute baby card. I saved it to my folder and then kept looking at ideas. All of the sudden it dawned on me - it would be PERFECT for the January Stamp of the Month. I stopped searching for more ideas and went to my creative desk and created this card! I LOVE how it turned out!

To create this card you will need the following products:

X7146B Wonderland Paper Packet $9.95
Z1617 Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon $6.95
Z1392 2” Scallop Punch $14.95
January Stamp of the Month

To order these products - click here! Simply add the item number in the search box, add to your cart and viola - you can order the products you need to create this card (and much more!).

Card dimensions (starting at bottom layer of card working to top layer of card):

A. 5 ½ x 4 ¼ = Polka Dot B&T
B. 5 ¼ x 4 = Plaid B&T
C. 2 ¾ x 3 ¾ = Heavenly Blue CS
D. 2 ½ x 3 ½ = White Daisy CS
E. 2 ½ x ¾ = Chocolate CS
F. 2 ½ x 5/8 = White Daisy CS
G. 2” scallop circle = Chocolate CS
H. 1x1 square = White Daisy CS
I. 1 ½ x 1 rectangle = White Daisy CS

Instructions:
1. Cut 2” scallop circle in half (cut in the middle of the scallop).
2. Stamp numbers from the January SOTM on one half of the scallop circle to make the boat base.
3. Sponge edges of boat base with chocolate ink.
4. Stamp stitched border using second generation Twilight ink. Stamp first line in center. Stamp second line in between center line and cardstock edge. Repeat on other side.
5. Stamp stitched border using second generation Chocolate ink. Stamp a line between Twilight stamped lines.
6. Cut 1x1 square in half from corner to corner to create small sail.
7. Sponge edges in chocolate.
8. Cut 1 ½ x 1 rectangle in half from corner to corner to create large sail.
9. Sponge edge with Twilight ink.
10. Stamp solid line border in Chocolate ink on long edge 1/8” from edge.
11. Stamp “Welcome Little One” in chocolate ink in center of lines.
12. Stamp solid line border in Twilight ink on top and bottom edge of 2 ½ x 5/8 cardstock.
13. Sponge edge distress remaining B&T and CS edges with Chocolate.
14. Assemble card.
15. Tie ribbon bow.
16. Attach to completed card to the card base.

Join Close To My Heart!

2011-10-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

There are just 7 days left to take advantage of the October special! Sign up as a consultant with Close To My Heart and get a FREE Add-On Collection - value up to $130! For as little as $99 - you can get over $400 in product AND join the BEST company! What do you get for $99 (plus shipping)? Check it out!

When you sign up and purchase your new consultant kit - you can also choose Add-On Collections - this month you get one collection FREE! Check out these options...

Roxie Collection - Retail Value $80.00

Elemental Add-On Collection - Retail value $80.00

Studio J Add-On Collection - Retail Value $130.00

There are MANY reasons to join Close To My Heart as a consultant - to see the many reasons why - Click here!

Questions? Call or text me - 541-990-8009 or send me an e-mail ScrpnChris@comcast.net or message me on Facebook (Create with Chris)

Ready to sign up? Click here!

Join me on Facebook!

2011-10-19T22:16:00.000-07:00

My identity crisis is officially over! I have one name and have joined the world of Facebook! Come check out my new Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/createwithchris#!/pages/Create-with-Chris-Close-To-My-Heart-Independent-Consultant/159845897415247?sk=wall - like my page and share it with your friends!

New blog design - New blogsite!

2011-10-08T21:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new blogsite! In the last few months, I have struggled with my online presence - I had different names for my website, blog and was beginning to decide what name to call my to be released Facebook page. With the upcoming change with the corporate website becoming a shopping only site (releasing in late Fall 2011/Winter 2012), I needed to make changes and I felt I was having an online identity crisis! To simplify, I decided to find one name that was available as a domain (web address) and available on Facebook and my new blogsite was born! You may be asking - what is a blogsite? It is a website domain redirected to a blog hosting service!

Over the last few days, I have been working on a COMPLETE updated design and I am really excited to share this with you! When you come to the blogsite you will land on the home page - the home page will be where you will see my blog posts!

Across the top you will find tabs that will direct you to everything you need! Here is your blogsite map:

* Shop - Click on the idea book photo and shop online! (Also linked on the bottom of the home page!)
* Idea Book - Click on the idea book photo and see the idea book online
(you can also find this on the bottom of the home page!)
* Classes - Find out dates and details of the monthly classes - Papercrafting, Studio J and Crop, Create & Shop details will be listed in this link!
* Workshops - Find out the dates and details of the Art from the Heart workshops.
* Special - Find out all the details about the special of the month
* SOTM - See the stamp of the month (SOTM) stamp set available during the current month & artwork to inspire you!
* Studio J - See the latest video from Close To My Heart and learn more about Studio J
* Host a Class - Find out all the amazing reasons to host a gathering class! The best reason...FREE products and half price items - great way to get the new Art Philosophy cartridge!
* Join CTMH - Find out all the latest details about the new consultant kit and why I LOVE being a consultant!
* About Chris - If you don't know me - get to know me by finding out more about me!

While I have not been very active with my blog in the past six months, having everything in one place will help me post more often as I won't be updating two different sites! I look forward to sharing my love of creating, my photography journey, my family and friends and even some of favorite recipes along the way!

See you very soon!

May Stamp of the Month Artwork

2011-05-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

While this stamp set was initially a challenge to work with - I had a great time when I was done creating! I LOVE being challenged with a stamp set that does not initially give me ideas (okay I love being challenged when I am done being challenged and I have successfully created beautiful cards!).

Here is a close up of each card and a little about each one!

Notice on this card that I combined the B&T of two paper packets - Sweetheart with Sophia! DARLING! Love this about the paper in this idea book - they really go together more than ever before!

This card and paper is so "homey" to me - reminds me of my grandparents - not sure why - maybe it is because of the name - Mayberry - reminds me of the tv show that my grandparents watched where the town is named Mayberry! Notice the Mocha Opaques on the chair sooo cute!

This card - combined two of the sentiments by only inking up the "Be" and put it with the "One of a Kind" - loved how it turned out! And those Kraft Borders - LOVE them!

Sweetheart is probably my favorite paper packet in this idea book - I LOVE black and white and REALLY love pink (although you would not know it if you saw my wardrobe - used to wear it a lot but don't wear it as much anymore - may have to work on that one!)

Enjoy the May Stamp of the Month - hopefully I have inspired your creativity! If you would like to purchase this stamp set - click here!

A Surprise for me....a Blog Award!

2011-04-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Imagine my surprise when I posted after MONTHS of not posting and received a nice comment from Dena about my blog with this blog award! I am humbled and honored! I LOVE to blog but sometimes being consistent is very hard with the million things that go on in my life. BUT you have inspired me...why? I do not know you but your kind words made me realize that I can impact people without even knowing it. My walk in my Christian life right now is all about Faith - having the faith to know that the Lord's plans are much better than mine and that to see the glory of the Lord sometimes you have to go on a long journey! I will take you with me on this journey - I will take this opportunity on my blog to not only inspire you with my artwork (which is my gift from the Lord!) but to inspire you with words of truth. Dena..thank you from the bottom of my heart - your comment and blog award were in the Lord's perfect timing for my life!

Now about this award you have blessed my life with - this award is one that goes forward. Here are the rules:

* Thank the person who presented you with the award.
* Write seven things about yourself.
* Pass the award on to seven other bloggers.
* Tell those bloggers about their award.

Seven things about me:
1. I am a Christian and I LOVE my Lord and Savior!
2. I am BLESSED every day with a life I love even when it is difficult!
3. I am a wife to Rick and a mother to Joshua (22) and Brandon (18)
4. I LOVE to create with paper!
5. I LOVE photography and am on a journey to become a professional photographer - follow my new blogsite (still under construction) at http://www.christyrayphotography.com/
6. I am gifted at organization
7. I cannot draw to save my life - that is why I LOVE stamps!

Now for the seven bloggers that I have chosen:
1. Karen Morris - http://awesomescrapbooks.blogspot.com/
Karen inspires me with her leadership and grace!
2. Naomi Smith - http://www.naomisconnectedhearts.blogspot.com/
Naomi inspires me to be the best I can be in the things that are important to me!
3. Karen Pedersen - http://www.karenpedersen.blogspot.com/
Inspires me with her family and her amazing creativity!
4. Laurie Warta - http://www.lauriewartaphotography.com/blog/
Inspires me with her friendship (LOVED Yellowstone together with our families!) and her amazing photography!
5. Pamela O'Connor - http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
Inspires me with her walk with the Lord - being a light for all to see and her INCREDIBLE creativity!
6. Lynette Kankamp - http://stampinscrapexpress.blogspot.com/
Inspires me with her walk with the plan the Lord has for her life in the most difficult time you could have in walking with your spouse through cancer!
7. Lisa Stenz - http://lisascreativecorner.blogspot.com/ - She is an inspiration to me with her artwork! LOVE her style - similar to mine - simple but detailed - it is the little things that make a great card or layout and she does this beautifully!

Thanks everyone - for all your inspiration - now pass on the blog award to seven people who inspire you!

April Stamp of the Month

2011-04-03T08:48:00.000-07:00

Have you missed me? I have missed sharing so I am BACK! While I am not sure about a schedule - I will post as often as I can - if you miss me in between - e-mail me that you do and it will encourage me to post more often! (ScrpnChris@comcast.net).

Now off to share - artwork using the April Stamp of the Month! This stamp set was SO fun to create with even though I had to get over the fact that it was not a solid stamp set and I had to "color". As soon as I started creating I remembered that I LOVE to color and over the years of solid stamp sets I had simply forgotten! Hopefully, you are inspired! If you would like to purchase this stamp set - complete details are available on my website - click here!

If you have any questions about the artwork - e-mail me at ScrpnChris@comcast.net! See you soon!

Up, Up and Away

2010-09-26T19:49:00.000-07:00

Do you have a list of things you want to do before you go to heaven? I do...it is called my bucket list. I don't physically have an actual list - it is a mental list of things I want to do and places I want to go before I go to heaven. It grows and changes all the time but one thing that has remained on this list is riding in a hot air balloon. Living where there is a hot air balloon festival each year, I see these amazing balloons every year flying over my house. Every year I think the same thing - it would be so amazing to ride in one.

This year - I got to take it off my bucket list! My husband called me one day and asked if I had plans for the Saturday of the event. Amazingly (because my schedule is BUSY - I have to PLAN days to play!) I had no plans - but God did! My husband had a friend at work who had balloon ride passes for him and his wife. They were not going to be able to attend because of a wedding they needed to go to - so he had left a message to see if we wanted the passes. Rick asked me and I think before he even got it all out I was saying YES! After a few days of playing phone tag with his friend, we found out the tickets were ours.

On Friday, I watched the balloons fly over our house and they were really low - my anticipation made me even more excited. It was REALLY hard to sleep Friday night - felt like a kid at Christmas. We had to wake up REALLY early 5 am (and trust me THAT is early in my book!) and head to the park where the balloons were launching.

We arrived and met our pilot - who is a 25 year old young man who has been flying for 5 years. We watch the balloon preparations with the crew and are amazed at all the work to make one fly for just a short period of time. All along I am thinking - is all this work really worth it?

The crew worked really hard and what is really amazing is they do it all for the sake of the pilot and the riders...most of them when we had talked to them had only been up in the balloon 1 or 2 times. They "crew" because they love getting the balloon ready for someone else to ride.

Was it worth it? Oh my goodness - YES! We had the PERFECT weather day - calm winds and they were blowing to the northeast - took us in the direction of Jefferson and right over a river! More on the river in a moment...

This is the view right as we were going up - it was absolutely the most beautiful and serene feeling to be up in the air. I don't like heights and was quite concerned about being in the air in just a basket. Everyone I talked with said - look out don't look down. At first that is exactly what I did - but my curiousity got the best of me and I looked down - it was purely amazing! I can see why balloonists love ballooning - we were ready to buy a balloon by the end of the ride.

So are you wondering about the water, well THAT is a funny story. On the way up, the pilot mentioned that it was a perfect day and the winds were going right towards the river. He even said "Balloons are addicted to water" - I am thinking yeah right - PILOTS are addicted to water. So we are heading toward the river and he is going to get us on the river and "dip" the basket in the water. FUN I am thinking! Once we get close to the river he let us know that we were going to "brush" across the top of the trees to help slow the balloon down and then he can drop the balloon down to the river. I am thinking drop the balloon - how on earth do you drop a balloon but happily content - I wait. We start to brush over the tops of the trees when all the sudden we got stuck and the basket starts to tip. I know that I SHOULD have been nervous about this time but I wasn't - my husband on the other hand was already trying to figure out how to save me and reflecting back on the look on the pilots face - I saw a little fear for a moment. Just about the time I started to worry, the branch let us go and we swayed and then got level again. PHEW - that could have been the end to my bucket list.

What happens next is nothing but AMAZING - see what you think...balloons "playing" in the water! (I really think it is the pilots who are addicted to the water :-)...)

Is this not the most amazing sight? There were campers along the river who really had a treat this day with balloons going up and down in the water. And seriously a balloon pilot has SO much more control than you think they do and going straight up and down to "dip" the basket in the water - not a problem - we did it three times - dipping the basket twice!

Here is our balloon basket getting wet - LOVE this shot with the reflection of the basket in the water - amazing!

And here we are when we landed - a 2 hour GLORIOUS flight. Looking back at these photos make me want to do it all over again and can't wait for the next time!

See you soon!

Triple Play...1, 2, 3 is more fun!

2010-09-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

I LOVE specials...and I love to create and make myself think outside the box. So when this National Stamping Month special was announced I decided to be "different" and make cards instead of the mini albums of the kit! So I reached for my how-to card design pattern book - Wishes and choose two patterns that would work with the size of the mini album pieces. The max I could go was 4" - so I chose two patterns. Created those and thought I wonder how many cards I could get with these three mini albums? Guess what? 20+...that is right! Just adding card bases and viola - 20+ cards!

Now the other stamp set is the amazing stamp of the month for November - A Little Thanks. After creating with the two patterns, I had a lot of miscellaneous pieces left over so I created 2 card patterns on my own and called them my "Bits & Pieces" cards - they literally were the bits and pieces of the kits.

This amazing kit is available until September 30 or while supplies last! Click the photo on the right hand side to see all the details or click here to go to my website to place your order!

$2, $4, $6 in 8...We Appreciate YOU!

2010-08-07T09:24:00.000-07:00

$2, $4, $6, for 8...It’s You We Appreciate! Amazing deals at more than 50% off to show our thanks to you!

We are shouting from the rooftops how much we love and appreciate you! It only makes sense to pass along our appreciation with amazing deals. So for 8 days, August 4 through August 11 (while supplies last), you can purchase select My Stickease® Assortments for only $2 US/CAN, My Reflections® Level 1 kits for only $4, and My Reflections® Level 2 paper packets for only $6 online. Click on the “$2, $4, $6, for 8 Sale” link to the left to shop these amazing deals for yourself. You’ll want to shout for joy, too!

Click here to start shopping! Hurry...before you miss out on the incredible savings!

June Jackpot - Each day a new special!

2010-06-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

Jackpot June: 50% off Products and FREE Goodies!
Hit the jackpot and win FREE products with Jackpot June.

This Close To My Heart special, starting June 1, provides you with a different deal each day. Be sure to check out my website each day for each new and exciting offer! Once you have landed on my home page, just click "Shop Online" and then the "June Jackpot" link to begin seeing the Jackpot June deal for the day. Be sure to bookmark this to make it faster, simpler and easier for you to see it each day! Enjoy shipping of just .99 per June Jackpot item!*

•Some days you can grab loaded Goodie Boxes at 50% or more off retail value.

•Other days are Jackpot Days. These days give you a list of 5 products offered at special discounted prices--one of which will trigger the Jackpot (a surprise product you'll receive FREE!). Take a chance and hope that you buy the right item that gets you the free product, or play it safe and buy one of each, guaranteeing that you will hit the Jackpot!

Either way you will save money on favorite scrapbooking and stamping supplies by grabbing a different bargain each day in June. Deals include discounted shipping/handling costs too! These special offers are available only online so be ready every day to check out my website and get your deal! New deals are posted each day at 8 am!

* June Jackpot items must be ordered without any other online order for the reduced shipping rate to apply!

Happy shopping!

May Stamp of the Month

2010-05-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Don't you just LOVE these cards, the stamp set, the paper? Oh...I am in LOVE with Clear Cards and the Cherry-O Creative Basics paper! It is SOOOO yummy! And the May Stamp of the Month - too fun!

Be sure to get your May Stamp of the Month before the end of the month! Click here to order yours today!

Summer 2010 - My Reflections Kit

2010-05-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Splendor
This kit is full of the feel of summer. Using colors across several color families - Heavenly Blue, Goldrush, Topiary and Moonstruck - this kit is fun and flowery and perfect for picnics, playing in the park and so much more of your summer scrapbooking. Create fun and whimsical cards with the stamp sets that coordinate to this paper packet!

Create with this kit at the Creative Classes on the following dates:

Wednesday, June 16 or Thursday, June 24 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

Zippidee

This paper packet makes me think of one thing - Disneyland, Six Flags, Seaworld and any other theme park! It also reminds me of birthdays! Fun colors - Cranberry, Desert Sand, Honey and Indian Corn Blue - combine to create a fun color pallette. Perfect for your summer layouts and cards for celebrating! Create with this paper packet in the Creative Classes in the month of July. Choose the date that works for you and sign up!

Creative Class Dates:
Monday, July 26 or Thursday, July 29 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

Cherry-O
This delightful paper packet is full of fun and reminds me of summer. Yummy summer colors - Chocolate, Crystal Blue, Sweet Leaf and Tulip create a pallette perfect for summer! This kit will be perfect for one of my summer vacation spots - I am traveling to Washington DC in July and will create my layouts using this paper. Isn't that just so Washingtonish? Cherry's and DC - they just go together! We will use this kit in the month of August in my Creative Classes. Here are the dates:

Wednesday, August 18 or Friday, August 27 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

Passages

I LOVE the feel of this paper packet - as soon as I saw it - I thought of my other trip planned for this summer. The colors in this paper packet - Barn Red, Brown Bag, Cocoa and Garden Green are perfect to showcase Yellowstone! My husband and our youngest son who is 17 will be traveling to Yellowstone on our first really long road trip. We are SO excited and I cannot wait to showcase our trip in these papers. And the stamp sets that coordinate will make awesome cards to celebrate life's journeys.

Create with this kit in the month of September at Creative Class (dates to be determined).

See these paper packets and all the amazing new products of the Summer Idea book on my website - click here to see it all and place your order!

Studio J - It's HERE!

2010-04-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Today is THE day! The day YOU get to try Studio J! I have been able to play in Studio J for months now - as a consultant I was in the first group of consultants who were able to test

this amazing new program we call Studio J. Consultants who attended Leadership Conference last year were the first group to start using
Studio J.

After years of hard work from the corporate staff and months of beta testing with all the consultants - now it's YOUR turn! Truly you are going to fall in love with Studio J. While Studio J will never replace my LOVE of paper and the connnection I have to classic scrapbooking (classic = paper scrapbooking), there is definitely a place for Studio J in my scrapbook world. I like to think of Studio J as another "medium" in my scrapbooking. Perfect for catching up and the layouts blend perfectly with classic layouts. Perfect for multiple layout pages - when you need more than one layout for several books (kids books, give books, etc) or when you have a large event you want to scrapbook and "just get er done" - like a vacation (my vacation to Yellowstone this summer is going to be scrapbooked studio style!). I invite you to TRY Studio J - be ready though - you may just FALL IN LOVE with scrapbooking all over again (or for the first time!). The pages below are done in Studio J - enjoy! (Yes, it is Caleb back in November!). Check it out yourself - click here and find the Studio J link!

Yummy...Peanut Butter Cookies

2010-04-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

My absolute favorite dessert - COOKIES! Love them - any kind without raisins - love raisins just not cooked raisins. Texture issue for this girl! My all time favorites - Snickerdoodles, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal and Molasses! YUMMY! This recipe was a new one for me - did not have a Peanut Butter Cookie recipe so went to my cookbooks and picked one of the many Peanut Butter recipes in the book - from a gal at a church I used to attend - have tried other recipes by her so thought it was a pretty safe bet to get a good cookie! Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos - and the cookies are well...the cookie monster ate them! Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Cookies
Recipe by: Cindy Adam - A Taste of Heaven Cookbook (Jefferson Baptist Church 2007)

2 1/2 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 c. margarine
1 c. peanut butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla

Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl at medium speed, beat margarine and peanut butter until smooth. Beat in sugars until blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture and beat well. Shape into 1 inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Flatten with floured fork. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Makes 6 dozen.

Technique Workshops!

2010-04-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Technique Workshops – April through June

During the months of May and June, you can learn how to use re-inkers in ways you never thought possible with these technique workshops "Beyond Bathroom Basics – Re-inker Magic". Using re-inkers with basic supplies found in your bathroom to create fun techniques. These technique workshops will make you think outside the box of everyday supplies you have to create amazing artwork!

Each month, a different technique will be shared using Exclusive Ink Re-inkers with something from your bathroom and the Stamp of the Month for that month! You will create a card using the technique and receive a technique sheet complete with artwork samples from the class.

Here is what you will learn:

May - Cotton balls go beyond your face for this fun technique - learn to create multi colored sponged style backgrounds!

June - Q-tips are not just for cleaning your ears - learn to create your own stripes with the re-inkers during this month!

Host a Technique Workshop and you can earn FREE products by simply inviting guests for a few hours of fun and creating! See my Calendar for “Gathering Workshop” dates to host your Technique Workshop at your home!

Don’t want to host but want to learn? Sign up for the Technique Workshop at my house!

Dates:
Thursday, May 6 – Cotton Ball
Tuesday, June 15 – Q-tip

Cost:
Host a Technique Workshop – FREE
Attend Technique Workshop at my house - $5 or FREE with order

To sign up – e-mail me with the Technique Workshop date(s) you would like to attend. Minimum of 3 workshop attendees required for workshop to be held as scheduled.

A reminder e-mail will be sent a few days before class – please check your e-mail for final workshop details.

Artwork samples for May and June will be available Monday, April 26 on my website!

Sign up today – you won’t want to miss out on the fun!

Art & Soul - Live Your Dream

2010-04-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Air Date: April 13, 2010

This super fun Art & Soul will teach you another idea to use your re-inkers - creating Puddle Pads! Another great idea for using your Exclusive Inks Re-inkers that creates a multi color look to your stamped image. See even more ideas using the You Rock My Reflections Paper Packet - the kit we will be using in the May Creative Classes. Be sure to check out this episode for some rockin' ideas!

Miracle - More Cards!

2010-04-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Aren't these cards beautiful? Beckie L did a FABULOUS job with her artwork and was so kind to share her photos for you to enjoy! That is one thing that I LOVE about being a consultant - the sharing spirit of so many of the consultants! Miracle is the National Scrapbooking Month Special that started April 15 - to learn how to get your collection - click here to find out how to get yours! Click here to order it!

Miracle - National Scrapbooking Month Special - Starts TODAY!

2010-04-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here is what is included in this
Spring Themed Kit:

5 sheets Colonial White Cardstock
1 sheet Bamboo Cardstock
1 Floral B&T Duos Paper
1 Stripe B&T Duos Paper
1 Crystal Blue B&T Duos Die Cut
1 Sweet Leaf B&T Duos Die Cut
1 - 6" x 12" My Stickease Assortment
1 6" x 9" Irresistibles Chipboards Die-Cuts
1 package of Mini- Medley Accents Colonial White Collection
12" Colonial White Waxy Flax
3 - 4" x 6" Memory Protectors Flip Flaps
2 sponge wedges
1 Color Brochure with instructions

There are several ways to snatch this fashionable Miracle kit at a great discount or even FREE*:

• Purchase the kit outright for $19.95*
• Place a minimum order of $40 and purchase the kit for only $10*

• Place a minimum order of $60 and purchase the kit for only $5*

• Host a Home Gathering between April 15–May 31 with minimum sales of $300 and receive a kit FREE!

• Sign up as a new Consultant between May 1–31 and receive a kit FREE!

Amaze yourself and your friends during National Scrapbooking Month in May with gorgeous layouts you create using our Miracle Kit.

*Tax and shipping apply.

Contact me to place your order or visit my website at http://www.stampingandscrapbooking.myctmh.com/ starting TODAY!

Caleb - Nine Months!

2010-04-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

What is joy in your life? I have one little boy who brings an amazing amount of joy in mine - my best friend's baby - Caleb. It is hard to believe this photo was taken when he was 9 months old - next weekend - I will take his 10 month photos! He truly is joy - when I am having a stressful day with my beloved almost 17 year old son - I go to see Caleb - I mean my BFF Joan! Caleb has given my life more joy than I ever could have imagined. If you have read my postings about Caleb, you will know that I was not so excited to hear my BFF was pregnant. But God has amazing plans to heal you in ways you never could anticipate. So when you are not sure whether something should be in your life - trust me - God knows SO much better than you and if you open your heart - he will bless you will joy that never ends! Some other really cute shots....

Mmmmm mmmmm - SOUP's on!

2010-04-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here it is - April and we should be having sunshine and SPRING...well the weather feels like January! So while the weather still permits - I made one of my family's favorites - CHEESE soup! This yummy recipe was given to me by my sister. Not really sure where she got it from but it is super easy to make from scratch! Better yet - make a double batch and freeze half for another meal. Works great to freeze in smaller lunch size containers too!

Enjoy!

Cheese Soup
Place the following ingredients in together in one pot:
1 c. ham
2 c. water
2 c. diced potato - 1/4" to 1/2" sized cubed pieces
1/4 c. sliced carrots (note: I don't put this in mine - more for color than anything!)
1/4 c. chopped onion

Boil together for 8-10 minutes until potatoes are soft.

In seperate pan make white sauce with the following ingredients:
2 c. milk
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. flour

When thickened, removed from heat and add 2 cups grated Tillamook medium cheddar cheese.

Combine cheese sauce with other ingredients. Serve with rolls (dip them in the soup - YUMMY) and enjoy!

Makes 4-6 soup bowls (regular size not large bowls)

These cards are sure to make you "SMILE"

2010-04-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but this color combination is simply so full of SPRING - I LOVE it! I love the contrast between the Pansy Purple and Petal - add in the softness of the Baby Pink and Sweet Leaf - a truly delightful color combo! Throw in the simply ADORABLE stamp set "SMILES" and you have SUPER CUTE and fun cards! If the card pattern looks familiar - it is the card pattern we will learn to create at this month's Creative Class using the Caboodle Basic Kit (Click here to see the kit). While I would LOVE to take credit for creating this combination, the credit belongs to the AMAZING Jeanette Lynton - who? The amazing woman who gave me one of the JOY's of my life - Close To My Heart. Jeanette is the CEO of Close To My Heart. See a new color combination on her website every Monday with Color Me Monday combinations and be inspired! Click here to go to Jeanette's website!

April Stamp of the Month

2010-04-06T21:34:00.000-07:00

Create with an adorable stamp set this month with the Stamp of the Month for April "Flower Pot". When I was creating this stamp set screamed paper piecing to me...so my artwork samples were created stamping the flower pot on background and texture papers and cutting and layering "pieces of paper" to create the final looks! The card on the left is created with My Reflections That's Amore - the flowers are stamped - colored with Exclusive Inks Markers, cut out with adorable brads in the centers and layered to give that extra dimension. The card on the right uses My Reflections Jingle paper packet - a paper packet that many think for Christmas - this card shows the versatility of this paper packet. The April Stamp of the Month is available April 1 - April 30. Click here to see how to get yours FREE or discounted with an order!

Here is an adorable card created by my downline, Tera B - she is SUPER creative and she always inspires me! Get your "Flower Pot" stamp set today!

Creative Class - Layout with Veranda!

2010-03-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

This month at Creative Class - we are using the Veranda Workshop on the Go Basic Kit to create a double page layout (and 3 cards - featured in a different post). This elegant paper has a wide range of potential - from family celebrations to weddings, anniversaries or celebrating the mom in your life - Veranda will fit the occasion.

In each basic kit, there is a workshop guide. In each workshop guide there is a new card and layout pattern that is not featured in any of our current how to programs. Creating with Veranda is just the beginning of this pattern. See what this pattern looks like using Giggles & Grins! This now retired paper packet was PERFECT for my photos of the tulip fields this last spring. Vibrant primary colors were just what set these photos off and the layout was perfect to go with the photos!

Each month, you will see the pattern at Creative Class in the featured kit AND one other kit - all complete with photos and most of the time journaling! For me as a consultant, I get two things done at the same time when I am creating for my monthly classes - I am also working on my personal scrapbooking!

See these layouts side by side. Here is the left layout:

Here is the right hand layout:

So the next time you are considering a basic kit purchase - think beyond just the featured My Reflections Kit - think of all the photos you have that you can scrapbook using the pattern!

Happy Scrapbooking!

Recycle and Reuse - From soup to sweet thank you!

2010-03-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Getting creative around your house, can be as simple as looking at the items you recycle! Cans with pull tops make AWESOME gift cans - simply use the contents for a meal (these cans were used for my YUMMY recipe Vegetable Beef Soup - see Recipe labels). The key - find the cans with the flat bottoms - not the rounded bottoms. At the time I took these photos, Hunt's used the cans with the flat bottom - the next time I went to the store - they had rounded bottoms. Not sure which is the current style but it is important. The other thing you will need is the can opener that opens the can without a sharp edge. The one I have is from Pampered Chef - love my Pampered Chef! (As a side note, if I was not a CTMH consultant I would be a PC consultant! :-)! How is that for an acronym mouthful!). To use the contents of the can, open the can from the bottom.

After you open the bottom of the can and use the contents, take off the label and wash. Keep the can and the lid. I washed my can right in the dishwasher. Keep the label because it makes a great template for you to know how to cut your background and texture paper.

After it washes - fill the can! This is the fun part - for these cans - they were thank you gifts for my two co-workers at my day job. I was out sick for 7 days - and it was a BUSY 7 days that they had to cover duties in my job. So I thought a thank you was appropriate. They both love Dutch Brothers so got them gift cards. Put in the gift card and then using shredded B&T paper, fill the can to the top edge. (Note: To shredd the B&T simply use your document shredder - use 2 sheets will fill 2 cans - I used my "least" favorite textures of this kit).

Using Liquid Glass, place a bead of liquid glass around edge of the can and then place the bottom lid back on the can. I held the lid until the liquid glass could set (couple minutes) and then let it dry. You could put something heavy on top of it for 5-10 minutes.

After the liquid glass sets - you are ready to decorate. The fastest way to determine what the dimension of your can cover is to put the label on the Versamat and get the dimensions. Then choose your B&T paper, cut to size. Place generous adhesive on all edges and end edges and through the center of the B&T label. Adhere to can. Decorate top! VIOLA!

The ribbon - that will be a creative post for another date! Maybe it will even be my first video!

Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas

2010-03-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

2 16 oz cans black beans
2 20 oz cans red enchilada sauce
2 boxes Mexican Rice (not in photo) - cooked
1 8 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozerella cheese
4 cups shredded chicken (3-4 medium chicken breasts - see chicken cooking instructions below)
12 tortillas cut into strips

Yields: 9x13 casserole plus small casserole or two 9x9 casserole dishes. I always make this size and freeze one casserole for another night. Freezes awesome - you can cook from frozen (1 1/2 to 2 hrs on 325) or defrost in refridgerator and then cook 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

NOTE: You can make as enchiladas by putting ingredients inside tortilla but by the time it is cooked and cut - it was no longer worth it for me so I made it into a casserole! If you do the tortilla dip tortilla into the enchilada sauce before filling. (Yeap that is why I turned it into a casserole!)

1. Heat enchilada sauce and cream cheese until cream cheese brick has disolved into VERY small chunks of cream cheese (1/4 in size).
2. Layer sauce, tortillas, chicken, sauce, rice, cheese, tortilla strips and remaining sauce.
3. Cook at 350 until hot - 45-1 hour depending on oven.

Chicken cooking instructions:
1. Place 3-4 chicken breasts in deep pan - cover with water.
2. Add 1 to 2 T. chicken boullion.
3. Bring to boil.
4. Cover (vent lid) and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until chicken falls off of the bone.
5. Cool for 1/2 hour in pan with water. Covered.
6. Debone chicken and shred.
7. Add 4-6 T chicken broth into shredded chicken.

Dare to Dream

2010-03-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought about joining Close To My Heart? I can tell you that the decision that I made in August of 1996 was the BEST decision I have EVER made (okay other than marrying my husband and having my children!). This month is the BEST month to join - why? The amazing special through the month of March includes the new consultant kit AND all FOUR Stamp of the Month's but the best part - they are for the Summer Idea Book - YET TO BE RELEASED! Click here to see the Stamp of the Month's for the months of May, June, July and August 2010! This is an amazing retail value of $91.80! For just $99 plus shipping - you will get a WHOPPING $500 in products!

In addition, test drive Studio J BEFORE it goes live to our customer world! Scrapbooking digital style with Close To My Heart - Studio J is being test driven RIGHT now by consultants! YOU could be one too...

Your only commitment is to order the kit - there is nothing else to lose EXCEPT the MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCE you will ever be a part of...come on...what are you waiting for? Join me and my heARTS4Him team of consultants TODAY! Click here to see the new consultant kit!

March Stamp of the Month

2010-02-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

This stamp set is a great add to your sentiment stamp sets! Full of sentiments in a great font style that is versatile for use with cards of all occasions and a great title set for your scrapbook pages!

Check out the cards in the photo above - these cards are created with the My Reflections That's Amore and My Reflections Jingle.

This stamp is available only during the month of March. Click here to order yours!

Happy stamping!

Recipe - Apple Pie Bars!

2010-02-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Apple Pie Bars
Recipe by: Chris Green

2 boxes Pillsbury Pie Crust
6 cups thinly sliced apples
(5 lg or 10 sm Granny Smith apples)
1 c sugar
1/2 c flour
1/2 t nutmeg
1/2 t cinnamon
Dash of salt
3 T. butter
1 T. melted butter
1/4 c. sugar with 1 t. cinnamon
(or desired amount to sprinkle on top)
1/4 c. powdered sugar
Milk

1. Mix apples, sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon and dash of salt. Set aside to let the apples get juicy while you create crust. (Note: Do not put in crust unless juicy as the Apple Pie mixture will be dry and thick when baked)
2. Using 1 box Pillsbury Pie Crust (or you can make your own - I just CANNOT make pie crust - tried DOZENS of recipes and just CANNOT do it!) create bottom crust by rolling 2 crusts together to shape of cookie sheet. Place crust in standard sized cookie sheet type pan. I personally use the Pampered Chef stoneware - bakes evenly EVERY time!
3. Spread apple mix onto crust.
4. Repeat step 2 to create top crust.
5. Place butter slices on top of apple mix across the pan until 3 T. butter has been added to top.
6. Place crust on top of apple mix. Seal edges.
7. Brush top with melted butter. Sprinkle top with cinnamon/sugar mixture.
8. Bake at 425 for 40 to 50 minutes until crust is brown. (Note: If crust starts to brown too soon, cover with tin foil until end of baking time).
9. Cool Apple Pie Bars.
10. Mix powdered sugar and milk to desired consistency. Drizzle on top of cooled Apple Pie Bars. (Note: Topping is not shown in photo)
11. Cut and enjoy!

Veranda Layout Patterns - Using other My Reflections Paper Packets!

2010-02-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

In March at Creative Class we will be using the Veranda Workshop on the Go Basic Kit to create 3 fun card! But these cards are just a start of the fun you can have with this kit!

I believe that one of the most valuable parts of the basic kit is the Workshop Guide in each kit. In the Workshop Guide are two BRAND new patterns - one for making cards and one for creating a scrapbooking layout!
What happens when you use the pattern in the kit with other paper packets? A lot more fun and creativity in a SNAP! Once you have created the pattern it is a lot easier to recreate it again and again!

To the left is the card pattern featured in the Veranda Workshop on the Go Basic Kit...check out the fun cards in the photos below!

Get your Basic Kit today - click here!

Art & Soul - Check it out!

2010-02-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

This month's Art & Soul features numerous products and a fun technique! Here are the products that are featured:

1. My Creations Cube - Z1152
2. Irresistibles - Lots of Dots - Z1261
3. My Reflections Kit - Topstitch

The fun technique - Emboss Resist! Check it out for a great new technique idea!

Studio J - Digital Scrapbooking Close To My Heart style!

2010-02-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

If you LOVE the products and programs of Close To My Heart and you would like "digital" scrapbooking - you will LOVE Studio J! Currently available to consultants, Studio J is scrapbooking "studio" style! Create amazing layouts using the products you love - My Reflections Paper Packets and the programs that make it all Faster, Simpler and Easier than ever before - you will fall in love with Studio J!

While studio scrapbooking will not replace my love of feeling the paper in my hands and being creative with accessories, studio scrapbooking will definitely have a place in my scrapbooking! These two layouts were created in literally 20 minutes each! From start to finish - you will LOVE Studio J. To find out more about Studio J - click here! Sign up for e-mail updates announcing the release of Studio J to YOU!

Studio J will release in March or April to you...can't wait? JOIN as a consultant and enjoy the amazing benefits of being a consultant! For just $99-$210 you can join as a consultant with amazing kits that have a retail value of over $300-500! Click on the following photos to see your kit options...

1. Basic new consultant kit

Bonus Kit - Card

Bonus Kit - Scrapbooking

Creative Class - Veranda

2010-02-17T11:58:00.000-08:00

Create 3 cards using fun new products - Mini Medley Antiqued Copper accents and Spring Blossom paper flowers and create a fun 2 page layout to Celebrate - perfect for your birthday, Mother's Day, anniversary and any occasion you want to celebrate!

To see the dates available to create with friends - click here! To create on your own - order your kit today by clicking here!

G1005 Basic Kit $29.95 (Value $31.85)

Basic Kit Includes:
My Acrylix Follow Your Heart Stamp Set
My Reflections Veranda Level 2
Filigree Charms
Workshop Guide

Best Kit Add On's:
Z1275 Mini Medley Accents - Antiqued Copper (Cards) $4.95
Z1266 Just Blooms Spring Blossom Paper Flowers $7.95

Three times a charm...

2010-02-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Aren't these bows just stinkin adorable? I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the mini! I was creating these bow for the top of the box for the Heartfelt Hostess workshop (click here for details!) and I felt like goldie locks! The pattern was given to me by a consultant friend and I tried the dimensions on the pattern - and I got the large bow. Too big for the box - so I thought cut the dimensions in half and it should be perfect...too small (the bitty bow). So I figured out the in between dimensions of the large and small bow and VIOLA - JUST right! TWO HOURS later with dimensions/pattern for all three sizes - I had the perfect size for the card box!

Isn't this project just super cute? You can create this card box (inside are four adorable cards and envelopes!) along with a mini album FREE! How? Host a gathering workshop in the month of February or March! See my calendar on my website for my open gathering dates!

Recipe Fun - Vegetable Beef Soup

2010-02-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Vegetable Beef Soup

Shared by: Karen L

1 - 1 lb hamburger

1-2 cups pasta (macaroni, mini pastas work great)

1 - 12 oz bag frozen vegetables

1 - 16 oz can Tomato Sauce

1 - 16 oz cn Diced Tomatoes

2 - 16 oz cans Beef Broth (1 can shown in photo)

Brown hamburger, drain fat. Add frozen vegetables, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and beef broth. Simmer until vegetables are soft - 30 to 45 minutes. Add pasta and let pasta cook until done. VIOLA! Super easy and YUMMY! My family LOVES this soup!

BTW - Hunt's cans have the pull top lids and the bottoms that can be opened from the bottom using the Pampered Chef can opener (you know the one that creates edges that are smooth). Use the food and then save the can - post coming soon to show you what to do with it!

Hearts for Haiti Special - Textured Cardstock Artwork

2010-02-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Everyone's hearts are with Haiti since the devastating earthquake and Close To My Heart is no exception. This incredible special not only helps Haiti but also is a fabulous stock up special on textured cardstock. This month - buy 1 package of textured cardstock and receive 1 package FREE! Totally awesome! Textured cardstock has two colors on each cardstock - the full color on one side and a percentage of the color on the other side - which basically means it is a lighter shade of the same color!

Textured cardstock is available in FIVE color combination packages - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and Basic! Click here to see the different packages available. My absolute favorite is Autumn - but those of you who know me know that that is no surprise - that is my happy place for creating! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Autumn pallette!

Here is some artwork to get you inspired...the artwork is using the 2008 December Stamp of the Month - Heart Throb that is no longer available but at least you will "see" some art using the cardstock!

Color Me Monday - Good Enough to Eat!

2010-02-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Don't you LOVE Chocolate? I LOVE it...Milk Chocolate is by far my favorite! While I ALMOST got this color combination right (should have Hollyhock rather than Tulip) - I still love it!

These fun cards are made with the That's Amore My Reflections Kit using the REALLY FUN card pattern in the Topstitch Workshop on the Go basic kit!

The stamps from card on the left to right: February Stamp of the Month - Piece of Cake; March Stamp of the Month - A Little Everything; April Stamp of the Month - Flower Pots!

You simply will not want to miss any of these stamp sets! Order yours beginning this month and you can have your "Piece of Cake" too!

Cute cards...are a "Piece of Cake"

2010-02-04T17:52:00.000-08:00

Aren't these cards just so YUMMY! I have to admit when I first saw this stamp set I was a little idea challenged UNTIL I started playing with it! Oh my...I could have kept going on and on with this stamp set! Whether you love to color, paper piece or emboss - this is a super fun stamp set!

This adorable stamp set is yours during the month of February - you can earn it free, get it at a discount OR buy it for $22.95. To place your order, see the stamp set and how you can earn it - click here!

Do you recognize the card patterns? The card on the left uses the card featured in the Topstitch Kit of the Month with the That's Amore My Reflections Kit. The card on the right uses the pattern in the Veranda Kit of the Month with the Jingle My Reflections kit!

Get your stamp set today!

Spring Idea Book - NEW My Reflections Kits

2010-01-30T22:20:00.000-08:00

Just in case you think you are a little behind in seeing the new My Refections Kits from the Spring 2010 Idea book, thought I would let you know YOU ARE NOT! You are right on time! Why? There is never a better time than NOW to see what is new and my Creative Classes are one month behind in teaching with the kits...what the heck does that mean? Well...instead of teaching January - April with the kits featured in the new idea book - I teach will teach them February - May. This gives me some prep time to create ahead of schedule so you can "see" what you will be creating in Creative Class or what you will be able to create on your own when you purchase the Workshop on the Go Kit of the Month!

Now onto the good stuff!

February - Topstitch

This has to be my favorite kit in this idea book! I LOVE it so much that I am going to use it to decorate my business office wall! Will use the colors to paint my walls and will find a fabric to create a valance for my window. My notebooks (that desperately need to be updated) will be decorated in this kit! WHEN I get this project done - I will be sure to post!

Back to the kit...for little girls or boys alike - this kit has a lot of options for your papercrafting, card making or scrapbooking! The colors are soft and fun with the color pallette of Heavenly Blue, Baby Pink, Chocolate, White Daisy.

Enjoy the fun new accessories for this kit:
Z1278 Dimensional Elements Hearts $3.25

Z1104 Clear Sparkles $2.95

Check out this workshop on the go kit of the month kit here!
See the new paper packet here!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March - Veranda

This elegant kit is perfect for so many special occasions - baptism, anniversary, wedding, wedding showers and so much more! This beautiful color pallette features Creme Brulee, Cocoa, Juniper and Garden Green.

The new coordinating accessories for this kit:

Z1275 Mini-Medley Accents Antiqued Copper Collection $4.95

Z1266 Just Blooms® Spring Blossom Paper Flowers $7.95

Check out this workshop on the go kit of the month kit here!

See the new paper packet here!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

April - Caboodle

This kit reminds me so much of SPRING! GREAT for layouts of your favorite springtime memories from boys to girls from the beach to the fields of flowers!

This kit is PERFECT for just about anything spring! This kit uses a soft and spring feeling YUMMY color pallette of Buttercup, Crystal Blue, Sorbet, Sweet Leaf and Vanilla Cream.

The fun new accessory to this kit:
Z1271 Tiny Tabs $3.95

Check out this workshop on the go kit of the month kit here!

See the new paper packet here!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

May - You Rock

This rockin' kit SCREAMS teenager - as soon as I saw this kit - I immediately thought of my 16 year old son! Perfect for those in your life who live life LOUD and BOLD! (And does that not just describe a teenager...okay well it DOES describe MINE!)

This bright and bold kit has super fabulous colors using Goldrush, Indian Corn Blue, Olive, Outdoor Denim and Sunflower.

This kit has fun new accessories:
Z1272 Top Coats™ Rockin’ $4.95

Z1263 Bitty Sparkles $2.95

Check out this workshop on the go kit of the month kit here!

See the new paper packet here!

Whatever kit you use...Make it from YOUR heart!

Organization Tip - Organizing Your Embellishments!

2010-01-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

Do you have lots of embellishments?
If you are like most stampers, scrapbookers or papercrafters, you have TONS of them but you don't necessarily know what colors you have or what kind of embellishments you have in each color!

This organization tip is PERFECT for you! Thanks to my downline, Jaime Clemens for sharing this wonderful tip with me!

Organize your embellishements by using Craft Jars and the Accent Organizer from Close To My Heart. Simply put the embellishements in a craft jar and then put in the Accent Organizer by color. Initially, you may be able to use one organizer - eventually, you may need to expand how many organizers you have by color groups.

Being a consultant, I have a LOT of embellishments and so I have 6 organizers - one for each color family! I store the organizers right above my creative desk space where I can reach them easily when creating!

Click on the link below to see these products:
Accent Organizer - $22.95

Craft Jars - $3.50

Heartfelt Hostess Special

2010-01-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

Host a Gathering Workshop in February and you can attend this workshop FREE*!

Enjoy a day of creating these adorable projects and being pampered!

What will you learn?

Set eyelets QUIETLY with the Soft Set Eyelet Tool
Make your own paper bows
Fun patterns to create on your own!

What will you get at the workshop?

Basic kit for workshop (Includes all paper, 6x6 My Creations Memory Showcase, Cards and Envelopes, all paper to complete projects)
Patterns for each project!
YUMMY morning snack, delicious lunch and a fabulous dessert!
Girl’s day full of fun and creating!

How do you schedule your Gathering Workshop?

Go to my website – http://www.stampingandscrapbooking.myctmh.com/

Click on “Calendar” – and see my Open Gathering Workshop dates – e-mail me to reserve the date of your choice!

Workshop Info:

Saturday, March 6, 2010 - 10 am to 4 pm

*Details: Free workshop includes all materials to make basic projects. Recommended workshop add on’s can be ordered with your Gathering Workshop order – increasing your FREE Hostess Rewards! Gathering workshop must be in your home or mine with gathering sales of $350 or 1 Workshop Gathering booking!

** Unable to attend this date? Basic workshop kit will be available with complete patterns to create projects. Kit can be mailed or picked up after the workshop date!

Heartfelt Hostess Special available only through Chris Green, Independent Consultant

http://www.stampingandscrapbooking.myctmh.com/ – www.createwithchris.blogspot.com

Celebrate National Papercrafting Month with Felicity!

2010-01-21T08:00:00.001-08:00

Did you know there is a CELEBRATION going on this month? There is and it is a Close To My Heart month long celebration of papercrafting! Celebrate from January 1 to January 31 with Felicity (While supplies last!). This amazing collection includes a stamp set, 12x12 Background and Texture papers and adorable decorative die-cuts! This is simply a collection you won't want to miss out! See the details of this amazing special by clicking here! Here is some of my artwork using Felicity. In Tuesday's post, I shared with you using the pattern in the Topstich Basic Kit to create 4 cards. Using Felicity, I did the same thing only in this collection, I rotated the pattern elements to create a different look! The pattern for these cards is from the Basic Kit from Grace - see the Workshop on the Go Basic Kits - here!

Don't miss out on this amazing special order yours today by clicking here!

One pattern - 4 paper packets!

2010-01-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

Each month with the Workshop on the Go (WOTG) for the month, you can purchase the "Basic Kit" for a low price of $29.95 (Retail value is $32-38). In the Basic Kit, you receive a Level 2 paper packet, B sized stamp set, accessory and the part I LOVE - a new card and layout pattern! Yeap - each kit contains a new pattern for a card or for a scrapbook layout. This brochure includes the pattern with a cutting diagram for 6 cards as well as individual size pieces to make one card at a time! To inspire you, I decided to use the pattern in the new Topstitch WOTG Basic Kit and share with you artwork using other paper packets in addition to the Topstitch kit!

This month in my Creative Classes, we will use the Topstitch Basic Kit to create the layout on the right (see the slideshow) and the card on the top left of the photo below! To see the Topstitch Basic Kit...click here!

Top left: Topstitch Level 2 paper packet - Click here to see paper packet!
Bottom left: Bella Level 2 paper packet - Click here to see paper packet!
Top right: Veranda Level 2 paper packet - Click here to see paper packet!
Bottom right: Animal Cookies Level 2 paper packet - Click here to see paper packet!

Each card used the same pattern and the same stamp set - I LOVE them all but I think my favorite is Veranda! BUT I do have to say I LOVE the stitching on the Topstich - using the super fun Embroidery Floss in the Basic color combination! Too super cute!

Art & Soul - Happy Happenings!

2010-01-17T20:21:00.000-08:00

Do you love to be inspired with mini classes sitting by your computer or with your laptop in your pj's? If you do - you will LOVE Art and Soul! Art and Soul mini classes are taught by our amazing corporate team including Jeanette Lynton herself! A new mini class airs the first Tuesday of each month. To see the mini classes - simply go to my website and click on "CTMH TV" or click here to take you right to the page on my website! Be sure to book mark it and mark your calendar to watch each episode. Each mini class features tips and techniques on the products and programs of Close To My Heart! These mini classes are 10-15 minutes in length and are available 24/7 from the comfort of your home! Not to mention, if you have not seen each mini class webisode - not a problem - catch up and watch all the classes!

The week after the airing of the Art and Soul - come back to my blog and check out my 2 cents on the product feature! The December mini class features several products - Top Coats, Dimensional Elements and the amazing Posterboard stamp set! Each mini class there is a special for a limited time - the special from this class is the stamp set - regularly $34.95 - this set is on sale until January 31, 2010 for just $28.00. If you are interested - click here to purchase this stamp set! (To receive the discounted price - you must order the stamp set on my website!)

I absolutely LOVE this stamp set! Perfect for titles on scrapbook pages or to use as letter accents or short words on cards! Here is a layout I created with Jingle for a play my son was in one Christmas at our church. This is a super fun stamp set and a must have for any papercrafter!

Saying goodbye...

2010-01-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

How do you say goodbye to a member of your family who has loved you without condition for the last 12 years? One second at a time...

Saturday, January 9th was one of the hardest days of my life. My husband and I's "little girl" was put down. Lexus Michaela Green - born September 1997 left our lives. I honestly don't know which was harder, saying goodbye to her or watching my boys say goodbye to their childhood pet. Lexus or "Lexi" as we called her was my 21 and 16 year old's first dog...and she was the most amazing girl. She was half Yellow Lab and half Golden Retriever and a whole part of our hearts from the moment she picked us - 12 years, 3 months and 9 days before...

With the best disposition for two boys who were at the time 4 and 9, she was a perfect addition to our family. Her name...Lexus - my husband LOVES cars, trucks and anything with 2 or 4 wheels. Michaela - well that would have been the name our daughter would have had had we had a little girl. Blessed with two boys - and no girls with 4 miscarriages (2 between each child) - we decided to give Lexus the middle name! She was my girl...

But as with all things in life..there is a beginning and an ending and on Saturday...it was Lexi's ending...after watching her for months declining with a whole range of medical issues (enlarged heart, arthritis, cancer) it was time for her to be put down. After a few bad days, my husband got up that morning and decided it was time. We called my oldest son, Josh to come over to say his goodbyes. In the meantime, Rick called the vet and they worked her in...initially we had thought to just take her in to see if there was something else going on but as the morning progressed we decided. It was time to say goodbye.

Being the scrapbooker and photographer, I could not imagine having her gone without getting a last photo of her. So with camera in hand, I took her outside to take her last photos. Probably one of the hardest things I have done in quite some time. I am a very patient photographer, to get the good shots, you have to be but this day I was worried I would not get a good shot of her. And of course, there would be no next time. My husband was patient as I stayed with her outside to get the last shot. I was getting a little nervous, she was not looking my way - she kept doing what she usually does - layed by our back sliding door and faced the house. Worried I prayed...please Lord give me one more face shot. At that same time, the neighbor dog barked and I got the shot.

As I write this, tears are streaming down my face - just seeing this photo reminds me all over again but life is the journey. We live we love and we leave...she will be waiting in heaven for us someday. In the meantime, my heart is comforted by imagining my 4 babies greeting her in heaven and playing all day!

While our hearts are broken, we are taking one minute at a time and loving our other dog, Chevy. If you have pets and have ever lost one - you know what this feels like. Pray for us if you don't mind. Our hearts will heal...with time...

Join my team & the BEST company to work for EVER!

2010-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Do you love stamping and scrapbooking?
Do you love sharing your ideas with your friends and family?
Do you love to teach?
Do you want like getting a discount on your favorite products?
Do you need time that is just for YOU?
Would your family budget appreciate extra income?
Would YOU like to change your life?
Would YOU like to be recognized for your accomplishments?

If you said yes to any of these questions, you should consider becoming a consultant for Close To My Heart! Some reasons I LOVE being a consultant:

1. BEST products and programs for stamping and scrapbooking!
2. AMAZING support for consultants - from online training 24/7 to incredible events to attend
3. INCREDIBLE opportunities - from earning additional income to earning a trip of a lifetime
4. UNBELIEVABLE relationships - with women (and a few men) across the country that share your passion!
5. LIFE CHANGING!

The new consultant kit - all yours for JUST $99 (plus shipping) - kit value over $300

When you sign up as a consultant you can purchase two additional optional kits! This cardmaking kit is just $50!

This Scrapbooking Bonus kit is just $60!

For more information, e-mail me at ScrpnChris@comcast.net!

To sign up right now - click here!

Creative Classes for February! Sign up by January 23rd to attend!

2010-01-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Creative Class

Tuesday, February 16 OR
Thursday, February 18 OR
Tuesday, February 23

6:30-9:30 - My House

To attend class: Buy your kit and register to attend by Saturday, January 23rd!

Create this fun layout and 3 adorable cards at this month's Creative Class with lots of paper and supplies to create an additional layout and/or 6-9 cards on your own! Unable to attend one of these dates? Purchase the kit and create on your own! Each kit contains a brochure with patterns, cutting diagrams and ideas for additional artwork!

Basic Kit Includes:

G1005 Retail Value: $32.85 / You Pay: $29.95
My Acrylix® Love Is in the Air Stamp Set
My Refl ections® Topstitch Level 2 Paper Packet
Mini-Medley Accents Colonial White Collection
Workshop Guide

Best Kit Add On's:
Z1278 Dimensional Elements Hearts $3.25
Z1104 Clear Sparkles $2.95
Z1096 Embroidery Floss Neutral Assortment $3.25

To see the Topstitch Basic kit - click here!

To see additional Topstitch products - click here!

To sign up for your date of choice - see my website for complete details!

It's A....NEW Idea Book! Announcing the Spring 2010 Idea Book!

2010-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Do you love when you see a debit from your checking account? There is exactly THREE times a year that I LOVE when this happens! Call me crazy but each time the autoship $$$ comes out of my account, I just LIVE for the moment it is released and I can see it!

Now...as a consultant I get to see the Idea Book a full month ahead of the live to you date!
As soon as I see it - I simply cannot wait until it is live so I can share it with you! As I turn the pages, I think of specific people who love certain things and can't wait to share them.

The three times a year for our Idea books are January 1st, May 1st and September 1st! Three of the best days of the year - well almost - really it is December 1st, April 1st and August 1st for me. It could be for you too. If you have ever thought about being a consultant - see my post on Saturday, December 9th for some great information. Can't wait - send me an e-mail!

If you are in my local area, be sure to attend the New Idea Book Celebration - details are on my website - http://www.stampingandscrapbooking.myctmh.com/!

Want to see the idea book? Click here to see the Spring 2010 Idea Book online!

Gathering Workshop's - NEW for 2010!

2009-12-28T21:34:00.000-08:00

Looking to get together with your family and friends, learn new ideas and be inspired? New for 2010 - Gathering Workshops! Gathering Workshops will be available for a limited time so schedule yours as soon as the information is released to get your choice of dates!

The Gathering Workshop for January & February 2010 - Create-A-Shade Paint

During the months of January or February, you and/or your guests will learn how to use the Create-A-Shade paint (page 98 - Spring 2010 Idea Book) to create flowers that sparkle in ANY color! Guests attending the Gathering Workshop can choose to create a card (with envelope) or 6x6 mini layout FREE!

To learn this fun technique…

Schedule a Gathering Workshop in January or February* OR
Attend a Gathering Workshop Night
Saturday, February 20 – 7-9 pm
Thursday, February 25 – 7-9 pm

For more artwork samples & complete details…

Go to http://www.stampingandscrapbooking.myctmh.com/

Click on “My Art” or “Calendar”

To schedule a Gathering Workshop…

Go to www.stampingandscrapbooking.myctmh.com

Click on “Calendar” to see my open Gathering Workshop dates!

* Host a Gathering Workshop in January or February OR you can attend a FREE workshop!

(See Heartfelt Hostess Special post on Friday for complete details or see my website now if you can't wait!)

Stampaganza...just 3 more days (including today)! These are a few of my favorite...

2009-11-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

stamp sets! Gotcha didn't I? Did you start singing the song from "The Sound of Music"?

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
Brown paper packages tied up with strings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Just wanted to share a few of my favorite umm stamp sets with you so you can get in on the Stampaganza Buy 2 Get 1 FREE special before it is over on Monday, November 30! Close To My Heart doesn't offer this special very often and NOW is the time to take advantage of it! For the flyer with the details click here . To shop on my website, click here.

Today, I thought I would share some of my personal can't live with out stamp sets and some personal favorites (thanks Karen P for this idea)! Don't forget to look at the retiring stamp sets - click here for stamp sets that are still available that will be retired at the end of 2009 (or while supplies last!)...
Maybe you need a particular stamp set that is not listed in my favorite/can't live without stamp sets. If so - just send me an e-mail (scrpnchris@comcast.net) and I would be happy to assist you!

Alphabets

1/4"-1/2" letters:
* C1304 Sans Alphabet, set of 143 - $18.95
I love this set because of its multiple letters and the simplicity of the font - is very gender neutral!

1/2" - 1" letters:
* D1301 Hodge Podge Alphabet, set of 109 (letters - no numbers) - $22.95
Love this one for the variety in alphabet font styles!

1 1/2" - 2" letters:
* E1014 Posterboard Alphabet, set of 31 including symbols - $34.95
My all time favorite alphabet of this size - you can stamp it on cardstock, background and texture paper and SOOOO much more! FUN!
* E1009 Building Block Alphabet, set of 27 - $34.95
Love this one for it's slenderness...tall and skinny!

Baby
* C1360 It's A Zoo, set of 8 - $18.95
This adorable stamp set is designed to go perfectly with Animal Cookies My Reflections kits - animals fit for any nursery!

* C1359 Sweet Baby, set of 24 - $18.95
This set is perfect for making baby announcements, shower invitations or makes adorable floral cards as well!

Background Stamps

* D1325 Argyle Backgrounds, set of 4 - $22.95
My absolute personal favorite for backgrounds - you can do SOOO much with this stamp set - but hurry and get it before it is gone - it is retiring at the end of the year!

* D1335 Intrinsic Backgrounds, set of 4 - $22.95
My second favorite background - especially with flowers!

Borders

* C1357 Botanical Borders, set of 6 - $18.95
Perfect borders for floral stamps!

* D1332 Boutique Borders, set of 11
This stamp set has a variety of border styles to go with just about any stamp set! From simple to elegant - you will find it with this stamp set!

Floral

* B1306 Cottage Floral, set 0f 10, $13.95
This is a really fun set to use because of the variety in flower sizes and styles. Very versatile and looks amazing in so many different color combinations!

* D1354 Endless Friendship, set of 15, $22.95
Love the style of this set and the variety in stamp images - from flowers to borders - this stamp set has it all!

Sentiments
* C1381 Card Chatter - Thank You, set of 15 - $18.95
Love the sentiments beyond the Thank You in this set!

* C1257 Happy Birthday, set of 15 - $18.95
This stamp set is all about birthday - with Happy Birthday in different font styles and sizes - definitely a must stamp set for birthday cards!

* D1187 For Every Occasion, set of 28 - $22.95
This is a great stamp set with greetings for many different themes - from congratulations to happy birthday to thinking of you - this stamp set has it all - in different font choices!

* D1265 Gracious Greetings, set of 11 - $22.95
I love the font style of this stamp set - elegant and beautiful and another all occasion stamp set!

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially during Stampaganza.

Sweet Baby Caleb!

2009-11-20T07:57:00.000-08:00

So much for being back! Boy does life's busyness get in the way of my social life :-)...It has been awhile since I posted photos of my best friend's little guy - Caleb. This little boy as his mama says is a "joy giver". He is the happiest baby I have ever seen with a smile that will melt your heart!

There are many things to be thankful for this season but this little guy is definitely in my top 10. He has brought with him many lessons for me - one being his mama's pregnancy. See when my best friend, Caleb's mama got pregnant with him - this was NOT my idea! We were both at the place with our kids where they were getting older and we were finally able to have girl weekends and a different chapter in our life was unfolding. Then she found out she was pregnant. Honestly, the first few months were very challenging for me - I struggled with many personal issues of how her pregnancy would affect our friendship and surprising to me brought up some unresolved feelings I had since having 4 miscarriages - I was jealous!

Oh the lessons that the Lord will teach you if you are just willing to learn. Over the months of her pregnancy, my heart opened and I began to "love" Caleb. I even guessed he was a boy - I knew it - everytime I envisioned her baby - I saw a boy. By the time Caleb was born - I felt like he was part my baby. I know that the Lord has used this little guy to heal my heart and provide a joy in my life that I truly never expected. So I ask you this season of Thanksgiving...what are you grateful for and what will you allow in your life from the Lord that will be the blessing you never knew you needed? As we approach the busyiness of the next week, let's not remember the reason for Thanksgiving - to be grateful for our Lord and Savior for everything in our lives. Blessings to you!

Photography in the Wild!

2009-10-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

After a month of not posting, I am back and have so much to share with you! Yesterday, my 16 year old son and I took a Canon photography class at the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. I had finally - after 7+ years of using a SLR camera - decided to learn how to shoot out the automatic mode. Brandon is taking a photography class in high school and is learning a TON and really inspired me with the fun things he was learning SO...when learning of this class I signed us up. We loaded up in my new to me car (another story) that was had for ONE day and headed down to Winston at 6:30 (gulp) in the morning to our new adventure.

For those of you who don't know, Wildlife Safari is a drive through type experience to see animals in a more wildlife setting. I had NEVER been there - lived way too long in Oregon to have not been there BUT hadn't and it was another reason that I wanted to do this class. The cost of the class included admission to the park and a private photo shoot.

Let me tell you - IT WAS AWESOME! Yes I am really yelling. I LOVE photography but this was absolutely the most amazing experience to be SOOO close to the animals. We had four staging areas for the photos - Giraffes, Bears, Elephants and Lions. I LOVE Giraffes - have always thought them to be pretty adorable from a distance. Did you know they really are not that graceful nor are they that attractive when you are up close to them? Let me share a few photos....

See what I mean, they are really VERY clumsy and well let's just say they are so ugly they are cute! I still love to watch them.

Back to the class, all the photos I took were off auto and using my lack luster skills in playing with the settings. I really got better as the day went by and actually managed to get some really good shots. Part of the class was to create little 3x3 photo books Canon makes - oh my let me tell you they were FUN. I am so much a classic scrapbooker with paper and creating but to have these little books to share photos was really fun to do.

A couple of things I was a little unprepared for was the rain - need a rain cover for my camera - when we got to the elephants - it POURED! So much so that we all got back on the bus! The second thing is being a scrapbook photographer and being a "real" photographer are very different! So I kept switching back and forth in my photo taking. I think I was one of the few that were taking photos of people! I took several of Brandon and my friends son who came along for the class and the other people in the class were looking at me funny!

I learned yesterday that being off auto mode is not nearly as scary or hard as I thought it would be and that watch out because this class UNLEASHED a new photographer side in me! Check back these next few weeks as I will post more on this trip and you will see the bears, elephants and lions in upcoming posts!

Celebrate YOUR Everyday!

2009-09-02T19:12:00.000-07:00

This is my FAVORITE month...why? Many reasons really...Fall is beginning and I LOVE Fall....but my most favorite reason...it is my birthday month! I LOVE birthdays! Some people really do not like birthdays but I love them every year.

Think I am crazy? A wise lady gave me some incredible advice years ago about birthdays which has changed the way I viewed them. She told me "Every year I have a birthday is another year I have lived and how can you not celebrate that?". How can you argue with that? And this year is EXTRA special - National Stamping Day during National Stamping Month is September 12th - on my birthday!

What is National Stamping Month? A whole month to celebrate stamping and one day to REALLY celebrate stamping! For you? This means a great month to receive a MOST amazing card kit! Celebrate YOUR everyday with this fun and playful kit!

What do you get in this incredible kit?

The Everyday Celebration card kit, designed exclusively for National Stamping Month in September, includes:
1 – My Acrylix® Everyday Celebration Stamp Set (D-size) (Only available with this kit!)
16 – 4 1/4” x 5 1/2” Colonial White Card Bases
1 – 12” x 12” Dutch Blue Cardstock
1 – 12” x 12” Colonial White Cardstock
4 – 12” x 12” B&T Duos® Paper
1 - Chocolate Distressing Ink
1 –Dutch Blue Distressing Ink
1 –Mini-Medley Accents Shades of Chocolate Collection
1– 5’ Chocolate Ribbon with Colonial White Stitch
1– Foam Squares
1– Sponge
16 – 4 1/4” x 5 1/2” Colonial White Envelopes
1– Full Color Step-by-Step Instructional Brochure
Featured Colors: Chocolate, Colonial White, Dutch Blue, Sweet Leaf

You say you are not a cardmaker? No problem - I converted this kit to create a fun layout - perfect for celebrating birthdays or any special "everyday" occasion! This layout is of my son's 14th birthday. He just turned 16 so I am a little behind but it was PERFECT for this special day!

How do you get your kit?
1. Get it in your new consultant kit when you become a consultant during the month of September!
2. Get it FREE by hosting a gathering in September with $400 in gathering orders.
3. Get it FREE by ordering $60 in stamp sets!
4. Or if you so desire - purchase it for $39.95!

Go to my website http://www.stampingandscrapbooking.com/ to see my open gathering dates to schedule your gathering in September or to shop online!

Being part of community history!

2009-08-09T10:35:00.001-07:00

There are few times in your life that you can actually be a part of a project from the very beginning - this is one of those times! In my day job - I am a secretary at the district office of our school district. My job is ordering textbooks for the district level textbook adoptions and making arrangements for the staff development. I have also been able to be a part of something very special. The building of a new school. Our community passed a bond measure to build our first school in over 25 years. This school will be grades 3-8 and the first school like it in our district. Not only have I had the absolute thrill of being a part of the project from designing the school and naming the school - I also have been blessed to be able to create a scrapbook of the new school.

For the next month - I will put the scrapbook together - from the beginning of the process to ribbon cutting ceremony (which is tomorrow!) - it will all be scrapbooked by yours truly! So for the next few weeks - my personal scrapbook journey will be put on hold while I work on the scrapbook for Timber Ridge! I will post the pages as the scrapbook comes to life!

Being part of a scrapbook can be very daunting BUT there is one thing you can do to make a project album go smoother...create a page by page outline. This helps you figure out what pages you want to include and gives you a visual of what it will look like as well as how big the scrapbook will be...here is my outline for the scrapbook:

Cover Page
Photo of property before and photo of school built

Pages 1 & 2Timeline of a school
Bond
Principal selection
Boundary Process

Page 3&4
Leadership, Committees and Partnerships
School Board District Leadership Team
DEFAC Committee
EdSpec Committee
New School Design Committee
Building partners
DOWA Project Manager
ABGC partnership

Pages 5 & 6
Ground Breaking Ceremony

Page 7 & 8
Construction – Month 1

Page 9 & 10
Construction – Month 2

Page 11 & 12
Construction – Month 3

Page 13 & 14
Construction – Month 4

Page 15 & 16
Construction – Month 5

Page 17 & 18
Construction – Month 6

Page 19 & 20
Construction – Month 7

Page 21 & 22
Construction – Month 8

Page 23 & 24
Construction – Month 9

Page 25 & 26
Construction – Month 10

Pages 27 & 28
Construction – Month 11

Pages 29 & 30
Construction – Month 12

Pages 31 & 32
Construction – Month 13

Pages 33 & 34
Construction – Month 14

Pages 35 & 36
Construction – Month 15

Pages 37 & 38 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Yesterday, I created a base layout for the month to month pages - these pages to provide continuity of the album will be the same layout will use alternating background and texture paper patterns as the base of the layout and then layered pieces for the photos. After I created the base layout - I cut all the paper all at once for the layout and stamped all the titles - Month will be followed by the month number (one, two, three) and then the date range - May 15, 2008 to June 15, 2008 etc. This will let you know several things - how many months it took as well as the historical information about what happened in each month.

Next weekend, my hubby will be going on a weekend road trip with his friend and I will be working on this scrapbook! The date to be done - September 1 - in time to unveil at the Back-To-School rally that will be held at Timber Ridge!

August 2009 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

2009-08-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring the August SOTM - It's Your Day a stamp set available during the month of August. If you have come here from Deb's Blog, you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to go back to Jena's Blog and start from the beginning! This month we have 63 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 after the artwork on each blog to move to the next one!

Wishes card design: Top Band (Page 100)

Card 1

Supplies:

August Stamp of the Month
X7110B My Reflections Back Country
Z1043 Dimensional Elements - Bookplates
Z1129 Outdoor Denim Designer Ribbon Rounds

Z1112 Autumn Harvest Brad Assortment

Supplies:
August Stamp of the Month

X5807 Creative Basics Animal Cookies

Inside of card reveals the invitation!

Supplies:

X7105B Emporium Level 2

Supplies:August Stamp of the Month
X5807 Creative Basics Animal Cookies

Now "Hop" on over to Nancy's Blog http://www.ballisticdesign.blogspot.com/ to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the SOTM is only available through the last day of the month! Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free and place your order!

Enjoy the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

Jena DeVries
http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Kristie Horness-Herdener
http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Carla Ironside
http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com/
Deb Young
http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
Alanna Moses
http://www.damoses.blogspot.com/
Paige Dolecki
http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/
Wendy Kessler
http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
Heather Painchaud
http://www.twindragonflydesigns.blogspot.com/
Helen Onulak
http://www.hookedonstamping.com/
Barbra Otten
http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
Haley Dyer
http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Nona Davenport
http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/
Michelle Robinson
http://www.amaizenbluelady.typepad.com/
Cindy Leek
http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
Melissa Laverty
http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
Katy Donaldson
http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
Amy McVey
http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
Tammy Lea Pinchard
http://www.creativeimpressions-pinchme.blogspot.com/
Leslie Markland
http://pandascrapper.blogspot.com/
Judy Burger
http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
Laurie R Newton
http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Kami Welter
http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
Tracy Oleksak
http://www.mamaolie.blogspot.com/
Karen Norman
http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/
Chris Shouse
http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/
Cibele Glazer
http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/
Debra Van Patten
http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
Terrie Dodd
http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
Jamia Bankhead
http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/
Anne Beck
http://www.anniemuses.blogspot.com

Jennifer Patrick
http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
Laurie Levnik
http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/
Lori Miller
http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
Brae Montgomery
http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
Dawn Ross
http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
Dawn Slipcevic
http://dawnscrapsalot.blogspot.com/
Barbara Harris
http://www.paper-creations117.blogspot.com/
Carol Taggio
http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com/
Jill Lucas
http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
Chris Green
http://www.createwithchris.blogspot.com/
Nancy Ball
http://www.ballisticdesign.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft
http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
Kelly Triggs
http://www.stampinallday.blogspot.com/
Beth Naumann
http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com/
Antoinette Herrin
http://www.godblessyourart.blogspot.com/
Jessica Booth
http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
Jen Rubio
http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
Misty Jackson
http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/
Adeline E. Brill
http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Lori Leng
http://www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com/
Pam Klassen
http://eimmap.blogspot.com/
Pamela OConnor
http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Royal
http://www.craftroyalty.blogspot.com/
Caren Goldsein
http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/
Shannon Pelletier
http://www.shannonmvt.blogspot.com/
Sherry Thompson
http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com/
Maricar Harris
http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com/
Traci Godbee
http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/
Laura Dame
http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com/
Miranda Kurz
http://www.scrampinwithmiranda.com/
Leisa Hubley
http://www.bigredscraps.blogspot.com/
Julia Menssen
http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com/
Jan Moxey
http://scrapandstamp4ever.blogspot.com/

Scrapbook Journey - Week 11

2009-07-30T07:53:00.001-07:00

Supplies:
X7114B Bella My Reflections Paper Packet

I just LOVE this paper packet! I knew when I saw it that I would love it and I was so right! Such beautiful patterns and the color combination is simply stunning together! The really fun part of me doing my own personal scrapbooking - I am USING my paper rather than collecting it - I have enough paper to do another double page layout. I LOVE to layer cardstock colors so I tend to use more of the packet with my layering. But it is the perfect way to add color to your layout.

Now about the layouts - the layout on the left is Mother's Day 2009 - yep you heard me right - this year! In the past I have not scrapbooked about myself much but after my layout done with the May National Scrapbooking month special I decided I need to - people in future generations need to know about ME! So - this is about my day - from my perspective - what I did and how my Scrapbook Jouney began. One of the many good things about this day - my future daughter in law took the photo of me and the boys! She is an awesome photographer and a complete joy in our lives - perfect for my oldest Josh!

The second layout is about my very best friend - Joan. She and I have been friends for about 8 years and I love her to pieces! She is also Caleb's biological mama - he has two mama's - me and her but she is his birth mama. That really is a joke but I love that little guy so much! He is a joy in my heart for many reasons - sometime I will share more about that with you!

Now a few tips on Journaling..I am a computer journaler - love my journaling nice and neat and tidy. With these layouts - they had four different shapes of journaling rectangles. On one layout they had the same size journaling area. So I created rectangle templates - created them in Word and saved the document with the file name "Rectangle - 4x6" so whenever I need that size joural area - I just have to pull it up and the rectangle is ready for my new journaling. With the five layouts - I did create the templates and then copied them into a new document so all my journaling was on one page to print. For the journaling, I use the Expressives Font CD's for the font style and use the RGB color codes to coordinate the ink to my layout. How cool is that?

Check out the Expressives Font CD's here:

https://stampingandscrapbooking.myctmh.com/Retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=1243

For a list of the RGB codes for your printer - send me an e-mail (ScrpnChris@comcast.net) and I would be happy to share them with you!

Make it a creative day and have a great Thursday! I am off to Leadership Conference for Close To My Heart - and am SOOO excited I can hardly stand it!

Scrapbook Journey - Week 11

2009-07-26T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Crop & Create - a day to spend scrapbooking or creating with the members in the club! It ended up being me and a club member, Shelley! We had a REALLY fun day! In my journey, I scheduled day long crop days to spend working on my personal scrapbooking. I was determined to 5 layouts scrapbooked. So I went to my newly organized photos and chose 5 layouts - three that went with the Game On My Reflections paper packet and 2 others that went with Bella! I am happy to report that I completed all 5 layouts! If you have read my blog at the beginning you will know that a completed layout is only considered complete when there is journaling on the layout. I am happy to report that I completed them! Here are the 3 layouts for Game On...

All layouts are from Cherish, Imagine or Reflections except the OSU baseball game - I sort of combined elements from other layouts to fit the photos I had on the left hand side and used the right hand side of a layout in one of the programs. Amazingly this layout has 14 photos on it! I will post the Bella layouts later this week! To see the Game On paper packet - visit my website at this link:

https://stampingandscrapbooking.myctmh.com/Retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=1363

To see all other My Reflections Paper packets -click this link:

https://stampingandscrapbooking.myctmh.com/Retail/Category.aspx?CatalogID=9

Have a wonderful week!

Scrapbooking on the Go - RESULTS!

2009-07-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

Arrived home this afternoon and am happy to report - I read 5.5 books! YEAP - read the series I took and then had my hubby bring over the other books for me. For the .5 - it was the rest of a book I was reading before I left. Okay...back to the scrapbooking....

I am very pleased to report that I sorted into 6 photo pages all of my 2008 and 2009 photos AND I created 3 of the 10 layouts. It was much harder on my little table to put together the scrapbook pages so I decided to wait to do these when I got home. BUT was happy that I got my photos sorted!

Will post more later! Have a wonderful week this week - here's to your journey!

Scrapbook Journey - Week 10 - Scrapbooking on the Go!

2009-07-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

If you read my last post you will know that I am camping - well actually if you want to be technical - yurting this week! My husband's family is camping on the coast of Oregon for their yearly camping trip. Most of his family are in trailers or in a tent - we got a yurt this year! So excited!

Even though my husband will be joining us on Thursday evening (he is still working due to a last minute schedule change at his work) - Brandon (who is 16) and I will together for the first few days! The great thing about older kids - you have more time for yourself! Having a few days by myself will be a nice break. In deciding what to pack to do in the evening hours (I am a late night person) I decided to take a book series by Bonnie Leon - can't wait to spend hours reading - one of my favorite things to do while camping! There is nothing like sitting in front of a campfire with a good book - of course during the day or with a flashlight. Usually I start my mornings with a cup of coffee curled up next to the campfire!

The other things I am taking - SCRAPBOOKING! Yes - I am taking some scrapbooking to work on to continue my journey! In one of the photos above you see a bunch of paper pieces in packets...these are layouts ready to assemble. There are 10 double page layouts. Six of them were layouts sent by the corporate office as part of the cruise gifts - I received them in September prior to leaving for the cruise. The other four were from convention last year - I was a helper during the create and take and got all the projects ahead of time and then at convention got them again. So guess where those layouts will be going - that is right in my Med scrapbook! All of the layouts are using the same kit - Perfect Day which was released in the Autumn/Winter 2008 idea book! Now that I am starting to work on this album - thought it would be a good time to put them together and then I can pull them out and use them as photos allow. Easy to pack and something creative to work on! I have to create during a week - my week is not complete without working on my scrapbooking/creative projects!

The other photo - is my 2008 and 2009 photos through the 4th of July to sort into 6 photo page protectors - ready to create scrapbook pages! In my side bar tracking of week to week I shared that I had selected photos for 2008 and 2009 and put them in a folder to print when there was a print special. Well...low and behold Costco had a .09 print special! With shipping on other sites and the convenience of being able to pick them up - off they went! I picked them up yesterday while running my last minute errands for camping. Funny when I picked them up the guy could not find them - he looked several places - then I remembered to tell him there were enlargements and 300 photos - he looked at me and smiled and said "oh well that explains it - you have a BOX of photos!". Anyway...

My original goal of creating 52 layouts by the end of 2009 - guess what - I have about 36 events>layouts between 2008 and 2009 to scrapbook AND I am going to do my Mediterranean album which mapped out is over 30 layouts right now....Initially when I set my goal - it was just a number of layouts to create thinking how many I could create in a week with some power Saturdays and a couple power weekends in there through the end of the year. NOW I have my
plan - I think you will find as you work with organizing your photos -the rest will come along - just GET STARTED!

Baby Caleb - 4 weeks!

2009-07-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

Babies are SO Fun to photograph - especially this one! Caleb was one month old the day these photos were taken. While in the hospital one evening with my best friend Joan, she asked me to go with Caleb to his hearing test. On the wall was a calendar with photos of babies - this idea was taken from this calendar. I thought it was adorable and showed the strength of a big brother who will carry his brother on his shoulders for many years! I knew at once this would be a photo for Caleb and Eric. Eric is an awesome brother to Caleb and will be his strength for many years. I will take this photo each month of Eric and Caleb together in different settings so over the months you will see the relationship build between brothers!

Now for a little detail for you budding photographers! I by no stretch of the imagination consider myself professional but I do have a natural eye for photography - I love taking photos! These photos were taken on a couch with my black Close To My Heart tablecloth! Yeap - turned it over with the logo on the back and covered the couch. I like the effect it gives - makes the subjects of the photo the focus and you don't have to worry about distracting color combinations in the photo. I took a series of photos with Eric, Sarah and Caleb in about 15 minutes. Eric and Sarah wore jeans and a while t-shirt a perfect compliment to Caleb's outfit!

Here is a few more photos with sister Sarah (8 years) and then the three of them together...

I am off to the beach for a week - I have scheduled a post for you to enjoy while I am camping in a yurt for 7 days! Walking on the beach, smores, reading, scrapbooking (yes - I am scrapbooking - see my post later this week)...

Find J.O.Y. in all things!

Photo Organizing - Working with your digital prints

2009-07-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share a few photos of how I work with my photos. Now - let me tell you - we are computer geeks at our house - my main computer (my son is on it right now as I am writing this post) has two screens - LOVE IT! I have to say for sorting photos in files - this is THE way to go - if you have room on your computer desk - I highly recommend it. If not - just work between windows - it is all good!

This past Sunday, I spent a few hours working on my photos - I know - not my favorite part of scrapbooking BUT it does have to be done - especially when you are behind in this part of your scrapbooking. AND it is ALL part of scrapbooking and part of the journey. Believe it or not - once I am doing it - I actually enjoy it - you relive the events all over again!

I am happy to report that I now have all of 2008 and 2009 photos picked by event, copied into a folder for me to print as soon as I see a sale on prints - there are about 250 prints over about 40 events over the two years! Not bad and the best part - I have them ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE 4TH OF JULY! Not only do I have the photos in a folder but I have my notebook all caught up with all events! It feels SO good to get this done! As soon as there is a special - I will have them printed! While Costco's .13 cents a print is not bad - .06 a print would be better if I don't have to pay a ton on shipping!

A few tips for you:

1. After each event download your photos. I have a yearly folder and then within the year - I have a folder by event date and name. For example - 2009 (year folder name), 7-4 - 4th of July (event folder name). Use the number system for the folder because when you open your yearly folder - all the 7's will stay together. Making it MUCH easier for you to find your events! The first year I did this - I put folders by event names - NOT a good idea - you can't get a good look chronologically of your photos plus it is another way to remember the date of the event!

2. After you download the photos into your event folder - rename your photo files to indicate the year folder and then event folder name - like this "2009 - 7-4-09 4th of July". Why? When you have your photos printed - guess what is on the back! That is right - the date - event AND if you need a reprint - you will know EXACTLY what folder to go to select the photo! Works like a charm!

If you are new to following my scrapbooking journey - go to the side bar to the links and click on the link that says "Photo Organization" or "Photo Scrapbook Notebook" to learn more about my system!

My great ideas - sometimes get me in trouble!

2009-07-06T20:19:00.001-07:00

You know there are times you have really great ideas that are quick and easy to do when you organize and then you have ideas like well...this one! It WILL be AWESOME when it is done BUT in the meantime - it is taking me forever! LOL! My idea came from when I was scrapbooking some layouts and was trying to remember what paper packet a B&T pattern was in - I thought it would be nice to have a sampler of paper that you could look through easily without looking through each packet. Umm yeah, nice

in concept. BUT let's just say it has taken me a LOT longer than I thought it would to accomplish.

If you are interested in doing the same, know that it will take you awhile BUT you will love the results! Here is what you do - take a 6x6 base piece of cardstock and layer 1 1/2 x 2" cardstock samples for the kit. Next the textures - these are 1" x 2" pieces - for each side of the texture. You will get three textures (front side and back side) across. For Creative Basics paper packets - I cut 3x3 squares - 2 of each pattern for each side of the pattern. See the photo below! After you cut all these pieces - adhere them to the base piece of cardstock and VIOLA - you have an at a glance paper sampler!

Last night I figured out the paper packets I needed to finish - wrote on the 6x6 base and then took the finished 6x6 bases with the kits on them and then alphabetized them. Created labels with the name of the kit - the ordering number (or retired if it is no longer available) and the cardstock colors and ink colors and placed the label on the cardstock section of the paper sampler. (Learned this part AFTER I had put them in the protector - um duh - if you put the label on the protector - when you get new kits you will have to move the label and the paper sampler - putting it on the paper sampler eliminates that and the label will stay on the paper sampler!) Then I put the base pieces into 6x6 protectors and then loaded the pages in the album. This was when I finally went - OHH this is going to be nice! At a glance you can see all your paper! When the new idea book comes out - I will ask my swap girls (waving to Jaime and Tera) to give me an extra sampler of 2x2 papers for my paper sampler project!

Enjoy!

Part of the reason it is taking me some time is in addition to making the 6x6 paper sampler - I am also taking the kit and putting it into a 12x12 paper organizer! I am reorganizing the paper within the package - pulling out extra cardstock and filing it back with my cardstock.

For those of you who know me - you know that I am a "if it is not current - I don't use it" consultant - well guess what I did - I pulled back some of my retired favorites to use in my personal scrapbooking! So all in all - I have about 52 pages!

If you are interested in doing your own 6x6 paper sampler - I do have the labels and would love to share - just send me an e-mail and I will send em your way. It has 95% of the active kits (I don't own all of them) and some of the retired ones but it will keep you from having to do most of the typing! Next time I will share the work I am doing with the 12x12 Paper Organizers for my kits! Pretty soon - I will be all organized!

The BEST way to have a baby!

2009-06-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

The best way to have a baby - is for your best friend to have one! You can go visit any time - hold and hug and go home and sleep through the night!

I have been a little distracted from my blogging and my scrapbook journey - with Caleb - isn't he just precious? Over the last few weeks I have spent lots of time with her and her family, from coordinating meals for the next few weeks to making her announcements - been a busy girl!

Things will settle down a little after this week and I will get back on my journey...

For your creative inspiration - here is his announcement...straight from Originals page 21 - Greet Insert with a variation in the size of the announcement. This is a postcard style announcement on a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 base piece of cardstock. Super fun and super easy! The birth information is printed on vellum using our fun fonts from one of the font CD's.

Products used:

Animal Cookies Creative Basics

Vellum

White Daisy Brads

White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon

Dutch Blue and Desert Sand Cardstock

Here is Caleb today - he is two weeks and one day old! Precious isn't he? Brings back so many memories - my boys are 21 (tomorrow) and 16 - while they are a lot of fun - this little guy is a BLAST!

I promise - will get back to my journey soon!

Scrapbook Journey - Week 4

2009-06-07T07:15:00.000-07:00

This week has been a long road of traveling on my new journey - did not get to spend nearly the time I wanted on creating BUT did manage to get one layout done (that is also the August Creative Class layout) with our photos from Silver Creek Falls -I LOVED how it turned out. Today after church, I will be finishing sorting my Mediterranean photos! How fun is that! Here is the layout...

What a fun new product - these are definitely going to become regulars in my scrapbooking. I have a total of 15 photos on this layout using these Flip Flaps (Z4114 - package of 15 for $3.95)- best part it is not any more bulky then using embellishments!

I did manage to get my embellishments organized. Bought 4 more My Accent Organizers (Z183 $22.95) along with some Craft Jars (Z188) and now have my embellies all organized by color group and then by color in each organizer. Works awesome! You can find exactly what you are looking for when you need it! Now I just need to label the outside of the organizers so I know which one is which season!

I also continued working on my paper organization - will post a photo in the next few weeks when I have that task complete. As I started scrapbooking, I needed a way to "see" all the textures in kits - so I came up with this brilliant idea of putting paper samples on a 6x6 piece of cardstock. It is really a great idea - just taking some time to do! With 40 active kits, Creative Basics, special paper packets and some retired favorites - I am about half way in my 50 kits to do. Here is what I am doing - cutting 1x2 B&T samples for each side of the B&T - then 1 1/2 x 2 of the cardstock. Three B&T fit in one row - showing the "front" of the B&T (main texture with lots of color to me that is the "main" texture) and then another sample showing the other side of the texture. I have a little 6x6 album from a corporate event at my desk that I am putting these into - to have right at my desk! Works like a charm!

June Stamp of the Month - Blog Hop

2009-05-31T23:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring June's SOTM, which is Tender Tags, a set of 15 stamps. If you have come here from Deb's Blog, you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to go back to Jena's Blog and start from the beginning! This month we have 42 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!

Products Used:

Originals

Upper Level Focus Pg 42 (Layout/Dimension Variation)
X7107 That’s Amore Level 2 Paper Packet
Z1037 Mini Medley – Shades of Chocolate

Wishes – City Scape (Size Variation)
X7105B Emporium Level 2 Paper Packet
D1350 Tender Tags
Z1033 Just Blooms
Z1146 Pewter Designer Brads

Now "Hop" on over to Jennifer's Blog
http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/ to see her work!

Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the June SOTM is only available until June 30th! Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free and place your order!

Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

Jena Devries
http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/

Adeline E. Brill
http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/

Deb Young
http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/

Chris Green
http://www.createwithchris.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Patrick
http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/

Chris Shouse
http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/

Alanna Moses
http://www.damoses.blogspot.com/

Haley Dyer
http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/

Jen Rubio
http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/

Kami Welter
http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/

Caren Goldsein
http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/

Laurie R Newton
http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/

Reba Poquette
http://www.thedirtyscramper.blogspot.com/

Nona Davenport
http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/

Misty Jackson
http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/

Julia Menssen
http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com/

Anne Beck
http://www.anniemuses.blogspot.com/

Jamia Bankhead
http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/

Dawn Ross
http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/

Sherry Thompson
http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com/

Laura Dame
http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com/

Lucia Grabb
http://www.luciasscrappinandstampin.blogspot.com/

Nancy Ball
http://www.ballisticdesign.blogspot.com/

Shannon Laux
http://www.rockinstamps.blogspot.com/

Melissa Laverty
http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/

Terrie Dodd
http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/

Mindy Eggen
http://www.creativevalleycreations.blogspot.com/

Helen Onulak
http://www.hookedonstamping.com/

Ronnie Crowley
http://www.ronniecreates.blogspot.com/

Karen Strous
http://karensctmh.blogspot.com/

Jaime Benavides
http://www.scrapcrazydiva.blogspot.com/

Kelly Triggs
http://www.stampinallday.blogspot.com/

Lori Miller
http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/

Brae Montgomery
http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/

Shannon Pelletier
http://www.shannonmvt.blogspot.com/

Wendy Kessler
http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/

Paige Dolecki
http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/

Pamela OConnor
http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/

Shari Odut
http://stampinshari.blogspot.com/

Tammy Lea Pinchard
http://www.creativeimpressions-pinchme.blogspot.com/

Dawn Heuft
http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/

Cibele Glazer
http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/

Sarita Schraeder
http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com/

Scrapbook Journey - Week 3

2009-05-25T22:20:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you combine a 3 day weekend and a Scrapbook Journey? THREE completed layouts! (And remember my definition of completed layouts is with journaling so my layouts do not count in my 55 until I have the journaling on the layout!)...

To share with you, I used the new paper packet - Animal Cookies and the Workshop on the Go brochure (with some "minor" changes to the layouts) and created 3 REALLY fun layouts! I am so excited with this accomplishment! My scrapbook journey in the last three weeks has been rewarding and fulfilling - I encourage you to start yours! If you have been inspired to start your own journey - please share with me - I would love to hear yours!

Back to the layouts....My first layout (above)- was creating the layout in the brochure that is not currently featured in any program (Cherish, Imagine, Reflections) and I knew as soon as I saw the layout that I wanted to use these photos. The layout was tweeked a little but I love how it turned out! The second layout (left) was photos of my baby brother's little girl Mason - she was 11 months old in these photos and was

discovering the difference between the sidewalk and the bark dust in front of our house. I LOVE her expressions! The third layout - another one I KNEW exactly what photos to use - My son with his new car (new to him) - the circle says it all "I never knew love at first sight until I met you". When you first see this paper - you think kids but the hearts in this pattern and the colors were perfect! Who would have thought that Tulip could be used for a guy page!

Stay tuned for my next organization project - how to organize your paper packets! With all this scrapbooking, I have discovered a way to organize my paper packets and have a visual at-a-glance 6x6 album of the textures and cs of each paper packet! Hopefully I can post it this week completed or at least started....

Make it a blessed Tuesday!

God's Country

2009-05-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

I truly LOVE Oregon - living in the Willamette Valley - we are about an hour and a half away from the mountains, the beach and about an hour drive to AMAZING waterfalls at Silver Creek Falls. Yesterday after church, we (Rick, Josh, Jen, Brandon and I) set off for our first outdoor outing of the summer. It was supposed to be a picnic but after church we just decided to eat sandwiches at home and then take off for the hour drive and then hike. We got there and it was PACKED - luckily - we found a parking spot and started off on our 3 mile hike. This is a photo of one of the falls. It is just breathtakingly beautiful! Jen has lived here for many years and had not seen this park - she even goes to school within about 30 minutes of the park and had not been - it was really fun to take her somewhere new!

We unfortunately forgot to stop and get water so we hiked all the way around without water and a map (won't do that again!) but along the way had the most amazing time with the boys! It was really our first time spending a lot of time with Josh and Jen together - they come over to the house all the time for a few hours and we have eaten dinner together quite a few times but we had yet to spend this many hours with them. I have to say it was really fun to watch them. They certainly have a great relationship with eachother! Brandon had a really fun time taking photos, shooting video of him yo-yo'ing - he even brought his tri pod to film and entertained some trailmates! By the end we were very tired and a little warm without water but it was a BLAST and I cannot wait to do a full day picnic and take the even longer loop around the other falls - we only saw two of the falls!

Scrapbook Journey - Week 2 Progress Update

2009-05-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

It is all about organization...at least for me! One of the tools I created for my scrapbooking is a tracking system. Of course I had to put this tracking system into a notebook - and would any old notebook do? Heck no, I am a creative artist - so it had to be "cute"! This notebook sits on my scrapbook desk area and is my reference for when I create layouts! See the photo of the 2008 photos to see the set up - if you would like to have the copy of this document - just send me an e-mail (ScrpnChris@comcast.net) and I would be happy to share it with you!

Here is how the tracking system works! Each event is written in (or typed if you are catching up) by date and event name - then I indicate whether the photos have been printed and an x will go in each album the photos have been put in to either be scrapbooked or have been scrapbooked. Notice there is a gift column - that is to keep track of what photos I have used on gift projects! I just put this system in place this year and so far I am loving it! It really helps keep me organized. Now the other thing that keeps me organized is how I save my digi photos on my computer!

When I download my photos - I have a folder by year. Within the year folder - I create subfolders by event and label them with the month and day with the event name. Label them using the numbers for the month and the day so that all the January's organize together - keeps the folders chronological by month/date! (I discovered this the hard way!) My suggestion is to download after each event or on a very regular basis. How regular will depend on how many events you have to save onto your computer.

My other suggestion - rename your photos to put the event name and date as the photo name. Why? When you have the images printed - it will be on the back of the photo - you will never have to guess what the event/date is for the photo - it will be there - if you need to reprint the photo - you will know where to go immediately! If you use the name of the folder - you will be able to find it immediately - just make sure to include the year (as you don't put the year when you save it into the folder - just the month/day!) I discovered this little trick with my Med cruise - it works BEAUTIFULLY and now as I upload I rename! You can rename your photos all together very easily - simply highlight the photos and then right click and click on "rename". VIOLA! That easy!

Once you have saved them on your computer - UPLOAD the event to have the images printed. There are MANY online photo companies - find one you like and use it. You can upload and then print periodically with a sale on prints or print them right away.

I am VERY happy to report that my once blank 2008 sheet above as well as 2009 photos are all typed up and ready or me to order prints - my next stop in my Scrapbook Journey - order all the prints that I have not printed and then put them in 6 photo pages. Once that step is completed - I will have from September 2004 (the year I went digi) to present all printed, sorted and ready to scrapbook!

Hopefully you have a restful and relaxing weekend - take some time to scrapbook! Monday I will be scrapbooking all day! I will post some of my creations next week!

Have a blessed weekend!

The PERFECT girl!

2009-05-21T21:19:00.001-07:00

Being a mom of an almost 21 year old has been challenging at times but always a learning and rewarding experience (I have learned to be really patient!). With your first child, everything is new the first time you go through it - girls are no exception. The first time a girl breaks your son's heart - it breaks yours. But the first time a girl captures your heart - she captures yours too!

Josh and Jen are absolutely perfect together - this picture shows the love and happiness they have found in each other. In just a few shorts months, Josh has found his perfect girl. I have never seen him more happy, content and truly in love. Watching him with her is JUST how I would want him to be - it is just perfect! He treats her like a princess and with a caring heart!

As your children start getting older and when they move out you start thinking about the next step of their lives, marriage and families. At the same time as a mom with boys, you fight the feelings of being replaced with another woman. I know that sounds a little weird if you don't have boys but I have great relationships with my sons. While the role of a mother versus a wife are very different the importance is equal. I have always wanted a wife for my son who will honor and cherish my son - most of all - I wanted a wife who loves the Lord. From the moment I met Jen - I have felt she was part of our familyand that she was that girl. Watching their relationship grow has been a blessing beyond all blessings! I love you J.A.K. (both of their names have the same initials - how cool is that!)

Scrapbook Journey - Week 2 - Organzing the photo drawer

2009-05-18T21:52:00.001-07:00

Last week - I organized all my completed layouts into albums. This week - I am spending my time organizing photos in my photo drawer of my desk into 6 photo pocket pages. In this drawer - I had photos that were printed from 2004-2007 - they were crosshatched into "pages" and completely unavailable to look at - not anymore! I put each of these page sections into a 6 photo pocket page and made notes on what I needed to print or remember - anything that was jogged in my memory while I was going through the photos. I used 12-24 photos of an event - when you put them in the protector - put the best photos for viewing - put accent, duplicate type photo types in the middle of the 6 that show on one side and the 6 that show on the other side. I will not use all 18-24 photos after my layout is complete - I will resort into my new to be developed system of using My Acrylix Stamp Organizer by divider to be used on future layouts.

After I finished the drawer, I decided I really needed to know what I had and what I did not have printed and layouts completed - who's album they were in - etc. A few months ago - I created a Photo Organization class for my business to teach my customers/friends/fellow consultants how to use CTMH products to organize your photos. Ideas were from the amazing Stacey Julian's book "Photo Freedom" I read and reread to absorb. I incorporated many of her ideas into the products Close To My Heart carries. One of the things that I needed that she did not cover was a way to track my scrapbooking - I am a VERY visual person - very black and white and a very organized (sometimes WAY too organized) person. This was something I had to have to keep my sanity with my scrapbooking. So I created this notebook....and of course it could not stay a plain notebook - so it is decorated with Silhouette Creative Basics (unfortunately, no longer available!)

It has tabs - Year to Year, Mediterranean, School Days and Timber Ridge. The year to year section has a tracking of my photos I have taken by year and then by date. I indicate whether the photos have been printed, what album they are in and whether I used them in a gift album. One thing I discovered once I started scrapbooking gifts you forget whether you have put photos on a gift! This is what the page looks like....

So my next step this evening was to go through each year since I went digi (2004) and update the sheets - what I have printed - what needs printed - what layouts were done (which really helped that I had organized those FIRST). The sheet you see is my 2004 photos - I got my first Canon Rebel! Since then I have had two other Rebels and now am a proud owner of the XSI - LOVE that camera AND LOVE the lense I bought for the cruise...but that is a whole nother post!

Here are some interesting facts for you to consider...year by year my photo are:

2004 - 8 events digital - 2 need to be printed - 6 layouts done

2005 - 22 events - 12 need to be printed - 10 layouts done

2006 - 33 events - 15 need to be printed - 18 layouts done

2007 - 20 events - 10 need to be printed - 10 layouts done

2008 - 23 events - 23 need to be printed - 0 layouts done

2009 - 7 events - 7 need to be printed - 0 layouts done

I share these "stats" with you for a couple reasons - one so you know where I am at in my journey - two so you can see something that really hit me hard - if you scrapbook just one layout a week - you would have a year and a half or more of scrapbooking done. Throw in a couple of power scrapbooking sessions (crops, all day Saturdays, etc) and you could complete 2-3 years in one year. Sometimes we just need to break it down into baby steps - just like I have done and START! What an AMAZING trip down memory lane!

In the drawer there was 29 layouts waiting to be created and memories that were in a drawer. This makes me incredibly sad that I have locked away my families memories for so long but more determined than ever to take this journey! I would love for you to come along - comment on your journey to scrapbook - I would love to hear your stories!

My Happy Place

2009-05-16T14:38:00.000-07:00

Several of you have commented on my scrapbook desk - so I thought I would share a little bit about it! This is my desk in the previous location - on the other side of my front room...
Yes - you read right - my front room. We have a 3 bedroom house - at the time this was built my oldest son lived at home. The bottom base of the desk was custom built - I designed it specifically for our products. It was meant to go in three different places in my oldest son's room when he moved out.

Of the scrapbook space of the desk (the largest part) the small drawers were created for our reinkers - the medium drawers were tall and wide enough for two rows of stamp sets and the big drawers have hanging file folders - the two on the left have all my paper packets - the two on the right -cardstock and B&T. I am about ready to redo my folders though - after 5 years they are falling apart. I will share my new system as soon as I have it ready - I am going to put the paper packets in the 12x12 Z334 Paper Organizer (see page 104 in the Summer 2009 idea book) by kit and label them. This part of the desk is about 8 1/2 feet long.

Interestingly, my oldest son moved out last July - his room was meant to become my office/scrapbook room however - we all - my husband included LOVE the desk out here SO it has stayed - and the extra room - well - let's just say it needs some organization - if I am brave enough I will share that photo another day! Many times I will be at my scrapbook desk and my husband or my son will be on the computer - it works - my front room is one large room that is open to the kitchen - most of our day hours are in this room area so it works well for us!

It truly is my happy place!

The BEST Mother's Day - EVER!

2009-05-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

This day started with the best gift my oldest son could give me - Josh came with me to church! It has been several years (and lots of reasons) since he last attended my church. It was his best gift to me ever. He has recently returned to attending church and I LOVE that his heart is returning to the Lord. My day was perfect...went to church - then to lunch (one of my favorite Mexican restaraunts - shrimp fahitas) and came home with a slight headache so decided to go take a nap - while I was sleeping my youngest, Brandon put together this blog for me. I have wanted to start one for a long time - just with working full time and my CTMH business -there is not a lot of extra hours to do the set up. He spent most of the afternoon and the evening putting my blog together. It is the BEST gift he could give me - a gift of his time and talents!

My day continued with eating Chinese food when Rick (my hubby of almost 18 years) came home from working all day (he works a rotating shift SO there are a LOT of holidays he is not around - having worked this schedule for years - I have grown used to it and we celebrate early/late!). That evening - I decided to begin - really begin my scrapbook journey by organizing my layouts that were finished and ALL over the place - various teaching albums - in drawers. I put them all in one place - on my scrapbook desk (my happy place) and set out to organize them!

Once I had them all organized by album, my boys started looking through the layouts with my son's girlfriend (and I SOOOO hope my future daughter) and they were remembering so many things as they looked from one layout to the next. Oh I remember that - those were my favorite shoes. I realized then (once again) the importance of scrapbooking! It is their memories in photos - priceless!

Once I had them in album piles, I put the layouts into protectors and put them into the albums adding extra protectors. I can then add additional layouts as I complete them.

I invite you to share my Scrapbook Journey and start your own. While I have been scrapbooking for 12 years but I am WAY behind - this is the year - for the remainder of 2009 - my goal is at least 1 layout a week - in a full year that is 52 layouts - if I add weeks that I do more than one layout and a few power scrapbook days in there - I think I could do 75 layouts in a year! My goal from now until December 31, 2009 55 layouts - I have a little bit of a head start as a I have a few to complete - I think they should count and beings I am making my own rules - they do! Each week - I will share one of my layouts with you! Join me - would love to have a friend (or two) along the journey!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!

2009-05-10T15:03:00.000-07:00

Mom,
I love you so much! You do so much for me, and ask for so little back! I know i can be a pain in the butt sometimes but hey; at least im your pain in the butt!!!!
Your so amazing in everyway,
thanks for everything!
(including being my taxi cab for the last sixteen years; which if you would let me get my license you wouldn't have to do that anymore! =] )

And to all the other mothers out there that may be reading this:
Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!