Carrie's Creations

New Years Thoughts/Resolutions

2012-01-17T12:12:00.001-08:00

This is a bit late but I was cleaning out my printer tray and I did print these out Dec 28th and Jan 2 so my intentions were good! They are a bit general but I think that they are worth repeating and could certainly be applied to your scrapping goals and relationships! Enjoy and I look forward to your feedback!

The first one is from our internal Close To My Heart "Weekly Wisdom" email. It was titled "Set your 2012 Goals". This is an excerpt from it that spoke to me:

"Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, recommends finding those small things you can do right now to help achieve your more ambitious resolutions. Is your goal to be more active or healthy in 2012? Then the key is to isolate the smaller tasks that you can do to achieve that - maybe it is getting up a little bit earlier, or cutting down on sodas and drinking water instead. Whatever it is you determine to do, Covey explains that "The main thing is to make a promise to yourself and keep it. When you make a promise and keep it you will find yourself grow in self-assurance and confidence."

The second was a list of resolutions from a "Monday Morning Motivator" that I subscribe to from Gail Blanke, author of Throw Out Fifty Things. They were very positive and somedays a positive attitude is all you need!

1. I will assume the best case scenario in every situation - even when someone hasn't answered my email, returned my call... or looks at me kind of funny.

2. I will become an "adventurer." I will look at myself, my work, the people I love and the world in general with "new eyes" - every day.

3. I will press my "mental delete button" when I wake up at 3 AM and start worrying about the stuff I haven't done - or the stuff I should've done differently...and sleep like a baby.

4. I will assume the best intentions in people - and anticipate that they will deliver on them.

5. I will not become exhausted by the mere thought of all the things I have to do; I will imagine myself taking energy from the doing of them.

6. I will not over analyze things, people and situations. I will trust my instincts - and act.

7. I will remind myself when the things I'm attempting seem especially hard that they're supposed to be hard. If they weren't hard, someone would already have done them.

8. I will remember - on the inevitable occasions when somebody doesn't buy my "act" - that wonderful advertising mantra: if enough people love ya, the ones who don't, don't matter.

9. I will wrap my arms around the really good moments - little ones, big ones - and say out loud, "Right now...isn't this good? Aren't we lucky?"

10. I will choose to be happy.

So with these thoughts in mind - I'll leave you with a couple of inspirational layouts in the spirit of New Years Resolutions. They are both from the Club CK gallery and were highlighted on their blog yesterday. (Kind of neat how both of them did not have photos! That is something I rarely do but it is a powerful techinique.)

By Itarbox

By Celeste Smith

Organization...

2012-01-12T15:56:00.000-08:00

I was cleaning out my office - totally needed to be done - stuff from 2005-2006 and more back as far as 1998!!! Sheesh!!! Anyways found this blurb that I had copied out of a 2007 or 2008 Creating Keepsakes magazine. It spoke to me then and it speaks to me now- thought I would share it! I think it is a bit paraphrased so my apologies to Britney if I really messed up the context!

"October Afternoon" by Britney Mellen

As a busy mom, I know the value of a single afternoon. However...(when) I have a few hours for myself, sometimes I panic, paralyzed by so many choices and so little time. That's when I end up...doing something necessary but boring (like mopping the kitchen floor). So I created a premeditated to-do list of fun and productive tasks that will help me...maximize a quiet...afternoon. Don't think about your "other" to-do list, just whip this...out and get to it!"

Now to just find the time to make the to-do list!!!

Scrapping Everyday Miracles "Dream" Challenge

2012-01-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

Here is my take on the SEM challenge #12 - "Use Dream in your layout".
TFL!

The New Catalogues Have Arrived!

2012-01-03T12:28:00.000-08:00

You guys are going to L-O-V-E (heart) them! There are some GREAT new accessories - felt alphabets, bottle caps - AWESOME new paper packs - super heros and camo for starters! And the stamp sets - don't get me started! Tonnes of new coordinating images for the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge!

I'm so excited!

Here are a few sneak peeks to tide you over until February (or until you stop by and pick up your own copy!)

"Footloose"

"Florentine"

"Cruisin'"

"Victory"

"Lucy"

"Pemberley"

"Stella"

Inspiration!!

2011-12-19T13:41:00.000-08:00

I know there probably isn't much time for scrapping unless you are doing cards, tags or other gift items but just in case - here is something to inspire you!

Found this blog while surfin' the net:

http://www.pamelasworldofscrap.blogspot.com/

She has some cool stuff! Including this layout - love the popped up panals on the background and the CUTE animals layered down the side! Makes a great border! I am so weak at using things that are not specificly for the layout - for example - if I had these animals, I'd probably wait until we took a trip to the zoo to put them on a LO! What a waste! I have to think outside the box or at least 'outside the 12x12'!

Enjoy!

BoBunny Paper Pack

2011-12-08T15:55:00.000-08:00

Hi All! I finally got around to doing something with a CUTE summer paper pack that I picked up at BarnYard Scrapping. It was a BoBunny one called "Beach Babe". With 3 neices and my 2 girls - I knew that I had lots of photos to go along with it! It was a GREAT Value! I think that it retailed somewhere between $25 and $33 and I did all the layouts that were detailed in the kit PLUS several more PLUS some cards! Check it out!

These are the layout suggestions that came with the kit.

Single page - I added 2 extra pictures. The original layout/sketch only called for one photo in the middle.

Single page spread that was sketched out in the package.

Close up of my sleeping baby girl in her bikini - touch to rock one of those on a good day for us women - even tougher in a diaper!!!

2 Page Spread

Just some details on my two-page spread - my boy!

This is a close up of some more of the great details.

These are 2 "extra" pages that I did up with the scraps.

Close up of the details on the 'scraps' page.

All the cards that I made.

Sample of the card that I made with my scraps and Paper Smooches stamps. Super fast and easy! Great for the kids!

Scraps and Paper Smooches again!

After all the extras that I made - I STILL had ALL THIS left over!!

So like I said, it was a great value and it came together so quickly - between the layout suggestions, all the cutting instructions and all the embellishments being in one package - I got ALL of this stuff done in one afternoon while Sophia napped! There was a more 'boy-themed' one too for those of you with less girls!!!
I meant to post this yesterday but didn't...so I still tagged it for Thrifty Thursdays - something that I hope I can add too in the future. If anyone has any thrifty scrappin' tips, forward them to me and if I use them for a post, I will send you a thank you gift!

Anyways - TFL! Have a GREAT weekend!

Foodie Fun!

2011-12-07T10:35:00.000-08:00

I think that if I had the time - my second blog would be a foodie blog! I follow a couple - my latest discovery is The Gracious Pantry who is a gal named Tiffany on a weight-loss journey - blogging under Clean Eating Recipes here:

http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-pumpkin-spice-latte/

I made this delicious latte for myself yesterday and it was DELISH!!!!

Clean Eating Pumpkin Spice Latte(Makes 2 lattes)
Ingredients4 tbsp. ground coffee (decaf, if you want to be really clean!)

1 tbsp. pumpkin spice (no sugar added, just the spice mix)

2-1/2 cups water2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk OR…2 cups regular milk + 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tbsp. pure maple syrup

Directions
NOTE: I made this using a French press. So it was easy to get these specific measurements. If you use a coffee maker, you’ll need to adjust the amounts of all the ingredients based on the amount of coffee you use. You can double or triple or….
Step 1 – Combine the coffee and the pumpkin spice and brew as usual with the specified amount of water.
Step 2 – Pour the maple syrup in the bottom of your cup and pour half of the hot coffee over that.
Step 3 – Add 1 cup of milk and stir.
Step 4 – Repeat steps 2-3 for the second serving.
Sip and Enjoy!

Even if you are not into "clean eating" this is a nice site! Check it out!

Friday Faves...

2011-12-02T12:24:00.000-08:00

So, kind of a mixed bag for you today!

The first one is from Mel's Happy Scrappy Place - an unbelievable piece of canvas artwork that you can actually enter to win! Isn't it gorgeous?!?!? And she makes it sound so easy to do!!!

http://melshappyscrappyplace.wordpress.com/

The second one is book that I just finished last night. It is a espionage/thriller-type book that basically gives you the chills as it talks about a plan to bring the world under control of a few people with a 'one world currency' and to do that, they plan the collapse of economies around the world...can anyone say "US debt? Italy? Greece?" This one could easily be a true story in a couple of years! Well worth the read! A good one for the men on your Christmas list! I think that I am going to read more of Brad Thor - this is the first one that I picked up.

I love checking out Etsy too and I found this unusual item that looks pretty neat! The cost is a bit high but a girl can dream! Warren's nephew is living in Brisbane for a couple more years...maybe I'll bug him to bring one home!!!Maybe something to think about for the REALLY TOUGH TO SHOP FOR this Christmas!!!

Have a blessed weekend! Hope to have some scrapping to post here next week if I get my way this weekend!

My Two Favorite Things - Together on One Site!

2011-11-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

Hi All! I just discovered a blog/website that combines my 2 favorite scrapping things - Close To My Heart Products and Challenges! I am a bit of a competitive person you know! haha!! So I like the inspiration in online challenges and the chance to win! So check out my choice for the 'website of the week'!

http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/

Friday Favorites

2011-10-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hi there! My Friday faves actually have nothing to do with scrapbooking! I decided the other day that I need to expand my reading - enough with the crime dramas and serial killers! I I picked up a couple of non-fictions and they were both REALLY GOOD! So - I'm no good at disecting books more than that - try them for yourself!

Enjoy and have a great weekend! I'm off to the pumpkin auction - our local library fundraiser - for beef on a bun and some shopping!

Paper Smooches Blog Hop!!

2011-10-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

http://papersmooches.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-paper-smooches-dt-blog-hop.html?showComment=1319838441363#c7094598700992952464

It's fun, easy and you get to see lots of inspiring, fantastic projects along the way - just in time to get your creative juices fired up for the weekend!

Why I scrap...

2011-10-26T14:55:00.000-07:00

So many articles and interviews ask scrappers this question and I agree with all of them - preserving memories, creative outlet, social aspect/shared hobby with friends, etc etc...

But I have always thought there is more to it then that. Half the time I put the layouts away in a scrapbook and rarely do I see anyone going back and looking through the albums. I don't go to many crops due to family and work obligations and because it's just too darn hard to pack everything up! So that means that I scrap solo most of the time...

So it finally came to me...I scrap because when I am really into designing and creating - I am really "in the moment" - I know that sounds cliche but it's true! I am only thinking about color and balance and clustering embellishments and journalling the story - I'm not worried about a client's file or what I am going to make for supper or typing up notes for the next meeting that I have to attend or anything like that! For just a few moments (possibly a couple of delightful hours!)I am only focused on my pictures and my papers. It is a fantastic (and much needed) distration from real life!

What's your 'why'?

Inspiration!!!!

2011-10-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a CUTE layout?
I found it over at the CK site it is "Kindergarten **Studio Calico Field Guide kit** posted by DavinieFiero".

I thought of the new Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge for all the cute die cuts that she used - especially the doilies in the background!

TFL!

September Scrapbooking Club Layouts

2011-10-11T22:59:00.000-07:00

Sorry this took me so long to upload!

The first layout I totally 'scraplifted' from the current autumn/winter idea book! Check it out on page 18! It is based on a layout called 'Magicians Choice' from the Magic Book. We used the typeset paper and the cork alphabets as well as some bakers twine (from my own personal stash). We cut some pennants with the new Cricut cartridge and stamped on them with the 'Vintage Type' stamp set found on page 18 as well.

The second layout uses the Mayberry paper pack and the coordinating My Stickease. We based the design on "leading lady" found in the Imagine idea book on page 16.

Thanks for looking! I am already excited for November's Club!!!!

Scrapping Everyday Miracles Challenge

2011-09-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

The challenge was to scrap a picture/about yourself. This is me with my daughter from 2 falls ago and a letter she wrote me for Mothers Day. It came together easily using all My Mind's Eye products - from the "laundry line" collection.

TFL!

CTMH Swap

2011-09-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

Good day!

I signed up through our consultant bulletin board to participate in a swap featuring the paper packs in the Autumn and Winter 2011 Idea Book. Randomly, I was chosen to work with Sonoma for my cards (4x4, 8x3.5, standard and 6x6) and Mischief for my tags and altered item which was a small notebook. I can't wait to see what I get back!

These are the tags that I cut using our new Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge - super easy! I used a little flower punch and embellished it with a 'opaque'. The stamp set I used was "Harvest Happiness'.

These little notebooks are just from the Dollar Store and they didn't turn out how I pictured them but I like them anyways!

These are the 8x3.5 cards and I just used some grosgrain ribbon and some Opaques - they are so easy to use as they are self-adhesive and they just add a nice touch to any project!

The scallop border on this card is actually cut off of our new 6x6 kraft cards and I used a 'second-generation stamping technique' with the flur de lise which is from a older stamp set called 'Legendary Moments'.

My 4x4 cards turned out so cute! I am loving the new "Remarkable Wreath' stamp set that I used - it is so versatile!

My 6x6 cards are the new kraft ones (minus the scallop closure). This is a great addition to our cards - very economical and kraft is 'the new black'! The 3-D flowers are also cut with our new cricut cartridge - you need this cartridge if you have a Cricut - trust me!

Thanks for looking!

Gorgeous Card - Just in time for Fall!

2011-09-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

You have to check this card out - found it this morning while I was checking out the results of the Paper Smooches Blog Hop - isn't it gorgeous?!?!?!?!

http://justgivemestamps.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/09/caseing-moe.html#tpe-action-posted-6a00d83548bc0253ef015435b50dc0970c

Paper Smooches Blog Hop

2011-09-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

Check out the chance to win *THREE* *FREE* stamp sets from the very talented Kim Hughes at Paper Smooches. I just opened up the first sets that I had bought in the summer and made some fun cards - forgot to take a picture of them before I sent them away for a swap that I was in :( Maybe someone in the swap will send me one in the mail!!!!

But anyways - the sneek peeks on the DT's blogs are SUPER CUTE! So hop on over!

http://papersmooches.blogspot.com/

Oh My Crafts and Cricut

2011-09-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

They can't sell them anymore???? What's up????
I just logged on because I am looking to upgrade to a Cricut expression or Cricut create - I just realized, with my new Art Philosophy Cartridge from CTMH, that my 'little' cricut doesn't cut anything smaller than 1" - the other ones go down to 0.25" and up from there in increments of 0.25". I thought they just went bigger. There are lots of options with this cartridge and the coordinating stamp sets for smaller items and I want to access them all!!! So if not Oh My Crafts - then where???????

Have a great day!

Here is a totally sweet and simple layout from Leigh that you can totally scraplift this weekend!
http://scrappingeverydaymiracles.blogspot.com/2011/09/friday-praise-post_09.html?showComment=1316185937304#c6225142110916561073

Special offer for CTMH this month!

2011-09-01T14:47:00.001-07:00

We have an awesome offer for September - a DOUBLE D-sized stamp set - FREE with a purchase of $82 to celebrate National Stamping Month!!!! I'll be putting an order in mid-September so if you want anything - let me know!!!

Our Stamp of the Month is super cute too! Check it out!

Winner!!!

2011-09-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

Lara S. is the winner of my little contest!! Thanks for playing along!!!

Giveaway!!!

2011-08-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

I have to confess that I have a guilty habit (pleasure) of buying magazines - any kind - gossip rags, beauty and fashion mags, home decorating, fitness and of course - scrapbooking ones! In fact, just before I went on holidays, I picked up the current copy of Scrapbooks etc - one of my perennial faves! I like it so much I even subscribe to it!!! So that means I now have 2 copies!!

So if you want one of these, just leave a comment here by September 1st telling me what you like about the new catty and its yours!!!!

New Ida Book For CTMH Fall/Winter 2011 Is Here!!!

2011-08-11T07:48:00.000-07:00

And the Cricut cartridge and coordinating chipboard and stamps are better than I ever dreamed!!!

So some of the highlites include cardstock-weight patterend paper, smaller more affordable paper packs, lower pricing to qualify for the SOTM (but no free option for the SOTM), cardstock 'shade' packs (but that means that we lost the single color pack cardstock except for a couple in each 'family'), rub on's, felt and canvas shapes instead of sticker packs with some of the paper packs.

One downside is (in my opinion) is that CTMH took away the 'color code' at the top of each page. I found that very helpful when I was trying to 'scraplift' a project or layout. Now it is a bit of a guessing game or I have to log into the consultant site and look it up in a recipe file that we have.

So all in all I am very excited about this catalogue - can't wait to share it with you! There is a great special on for August 15th to September 30th - stay tuned!!!

New CTMH Catalogue!!!

2011-07-17T09:20:00.001-07:00

We are just starting to get a sneak peek at the catalogue - I should have them in my hands in a few days but I just have to share this you tube video with you - WE HAVE CRICUT CARTRIDGES!!!! Well at least one anyways! Check it out!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdUV0y4RFDI&feature=youtu.be

You'll have to copy and paste it into your browser as I can't figure out how I used to put live links into these posts! Sorry!

Multi-Tasking!

2011-07-10T00:38:00.001-07:00

This is my first entry to a challenge for Frosted Designs - a site I just found a few days ago - you had to use ribbons/trim AND pearls/rhinestones AND a charm. THe pictures are from last Thanksgiving at the lake. It was the most gorgeous weather and we really enjoyed the outdoors.
I also journalled the words to the Willie Nelson song "Blue Skies" from the Scrapping the Music challenge around the journaling spot -
"Never saw the sun shinin' so bright
Never saw things goin' so right
Noticing the days hurrying by"

TFL!

Sketchy Thursdays 7.7.11

2011-07-10T00:24:00.000-07:00

I really liked this sketch and I happened to have identical poses of my nieces from swimming lessons last summer so I did 2 layouts!

TFL!

Just a few cards...

2011-07-09T15:47:00.001-07:00

Here are a few cards that I did up for a Close To My Heart Consultant swap. We did Baby, Teacher Appreciation, Sympathy, Grad/Congratualtions, and Wedding. They were fun to do and I am happy at how they turned out.

TFL!

Crafty Paper Girl and SEM Rock!

2011-06-20T23:26:00.000-07:00

I won the CUTE owl feltie from Crafty Paper Girl on the Scrapping Everyday Miracles blog hop!!! I am so excited! Check her out over at http://www.craftypapergirl.blogspot.com/

or check out her Etsy shop (where I have purchased from in the past!) at http://www.etsy.com/shop/craftypapergirl

You won't be disappointed!!! Thanks Amanda!!! Now, if only the postal strike would end and she could mail it to me!!!!

Sketchy Thursdays 6.16 challenge

2011-06-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

Here is my take on the sketch. TFL!

Scrapping Everyday Miracles June Challenge

2011-06-19T22:20:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! This challenge was just the thing for the photos that I took just outside of town the other night. The rays shooting up over the clouds just took our breath away. In fact Warren came rushing in the house and hollered "you've got to drive out of town and get a picture of the sunset!". So I pulled the two older kids out of bed and away we went! It was gorgeous - a real reminder of God's real presence in our everyday lives. We are so blessed to live on the prairies where the sunsets are so spectacular. We should never take them for granted!!! As for the scrapping twist, I misted this paper with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist 'Marshmallow' and some walnut ink antiquing solution. t's kind of hard to see it in the photos but I did it! I also used some stickers for the computer journaling part - the 'photos', 'day to remember' and 'date' stickers. Hope you like it! TFL!

Scrapping the Music Challenge

2011-06-19T22:13:00.000-07:00

Hi there! While this is a great song - nothing in it really spoke to me on a deeper level...so I just grabbed the phrase 'take a bath' out of it and did up these pics of S from the other night! TFL!!!

June Club Layouts...

2011-06-19T00:12:00.001-07:00

Hi there! Here are the pics of the layouts that we worked on at club on Wednesday night. I was SO happy to see that people took the 'tree' layout and really made it their own! There was a lot of Free-stylin' going on!!

The second layout, using the Miracle paper pack was a bit more detailed. The cutting instructions are as follows: from the 1 extra sheet bamboo (2 sheets are going to be your background paper), cut 1 piece of 8x8 and 1 piece of 3 1/2 x 5. You will have 2 sheets of either garden green or crystal blue cardstock. Please plan your cuts before you do them or you might not have enough paper. You need 1 pice 8 1/4 x 8 1/4, 1 piece 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 and three piece that are 3 3/4 x 5 1/4. From one piece of patterend paper, cut 2 strips that are 4 x 12 each. Then cut various squares for the pinwheels. some size suggestions are 2 1/2 x 2 1/2, 2 x 2, or 1 1/2 x 1 1/2. You will cut on an angle 1/2 way into the centre of these sqares and then fold each alternating corner in to the centre and glue down with a glue dot. There is lots of extra patterned paper in this kit so don't worry about making a mistake on the pinwheels - you can always make new ones!

As for the title and the one accent flower on the journaling block, we stamped images with versamark, covered them with clear embossing powder, heated them and then inked a sponge and inked over the image. This is called resist embossing. I think that is all we did but if I think of something that we missed - I'll post it asap!
Thanks and I hope you enjoyed making these layouts! See you next month!!!

MAY'S WINNERS!!!

2011-05-31T15:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I didn't throw out as many challenges as I had hoped but I only got a couple people playing along so - they are BOTH going to win! So congrats Lara S. and Wanda W.!!! You are going to get a cool mixed bag of goodies that I will get to you at our next club night!! Thanks for playing along!!!

Quoteable quote

2011-05-24T21:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks Ladies for your quotes! Great to see we have some people in the running for the prize pack!! Here is my actual 'scrappy quote':
"The nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string."
Lucy M. Montgomery
Anne of Avonlea

Have a great night!

Favorite Quote

2011-05-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here is mine - quite recently I heard this - I also have a more 'scrapbooky-type' one that I'll post later but I love this one and I hope that Ms. Lagarde is elected as president of the IMF - a change the 'world' could use I think!

Ms Lagarde, who once said France's "obsessive thinking" prevents reform, argues the financial crisis can be partly blamed on the aggressive, greedy, testosterone-fuelled world of stock exchange trading rooms.

"In gender-dominated environments, men have a tendency to show how hairy chested they are, compared with the man who's sitting next to them. I honestly think that there should never be too much testosterone in one room," the divorced mother-of-two said in a newspaper interview earlier this year.

Favorite Quote for Scrappin'

2011-05-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

Well, no one went for that last challenge soooo.....the prize pack just doubled!!! Send me an email or comment here with a quote that you have pegged up on your tack board or written on a scrap of paper on your fridge or in the back of your mind that you would love to (or already have) use on a scrapbook page. You have until Friday! And since I missed last week entirely - stay tuned for another challege this week. Hope to hear from you all soon!!!

Can't Wait to Scrap These Either!!!

2011-05-05T08:26:00.001-07:00

I already know what colors I am going to use!!!! CTMH's pear and cotton candy, don't you think??? Now if I can just find the time!!!

My Photos - Can't wait to scrap these!!!

2011-05-03T15:49:00.000-07:00

These are some pics of my niece from last fall - she has the most expressive face!! She had caught a couple of frogs at Grandma's house and was showing me...

Can't wait to see your pics!! Hope you share!!!

Website of the Week: Scrapping Everyday Miracles

2011-05-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

I have always thought that spring brings the feeling of renewal and a sense of wonder at all the miracles of nature. And Scrapping Everyday Miracles is a blog that combines it all with scrapbooking!!!
This is the 'mission statement' from their blog:
We are an inspiration challenge blog... we want to encourage you to look at what God is doing in your life and scrap about it. He has blessed us with such wonderful talents and should glorify Him with them....

They are running a great contest - pop over to
http://scrappingeverydaymiracles.blogspot.com/
And check them out!!!

Challenges to Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month

2011-05-02T11:15:00.001-07:00

Okay - let's get down to business and give away some goodies!!!

First challenge to be completed by Sunday May 8th at 6 pm - you need to email me a photo or link up your photo from an online public gallery in a blog commnet that you are just dying to scrapbook but haven't gotten around to.

That's it, that's all. I will upload it here and enter you in to win!!! Prize will be posted soon!!!

Keep checking back as I am going to do a challenge a week - so that is 4 prizes in all!!!

It is National Scrapbooking month!!!!!

2011-05-02T11:12:00.001-07:00

Close To My Heart is celebrating National Scrapbooking Month in May with a fabulous promotion! During May, when you place a minimum order of $55 CAN for any Close To My Heart products, you can grab an exclusive You & Me scrapbooking kit for just $16.50—that’s more than half off the retail value of the kit! Woo-hoo! You can also purchase the kit outright for $38.95 with or without a minimum purchase. It’s a sweet kit you are sure to love. It features two fully embellished layouts, each with their own unique personality, a D-size stamp set, and an instruction guide to take you through the creation process. As part of this promotion, CTMH is also offering new Consultants who join Close To My Heart in May one FREE You & Me scrapbooking kit plus 50% off their New Consultant Kit! It's an incredible value just for May!

Dates: Offer valid May 1–31, 2011.

Okay, I sell stamps but...

2011-04-11T09:19:00.000-07:00

Alright, I sell stamps and they are great but you've got to check these out - talk about stinkin' cute!!!! Paper Smooches is the name and I don't know too much about them yet as I just "found" them on Friday but the DT has some fantastic work on the blog! They are running a contest right now - all you need to do is post a comment on their blog and/or thier facebook page. Go see for yourself!! http://www.papersmoochesstamps.com/

Sneek Peek...

2011-04-02T13:24:00.001-07:00

Here are the two layouts that we are going to be using for the upcoming club night on April 12th. The first one is just the design - you will be using the 'Sophia' paper pack. The colors in it are pear, goldrush, blush and hollyhock. On the layout there is space for 2 4x6 pictures and three 2x3 pictures. You could also substitute some of the 2"circle patterned papers with pictures.

The second one is based on the 'Grand Finale' layout in Imagine. I have used the 'Fanfare' paper pack. There is a spot for a vertical 5x7" photo and 3 2"x2" or 2."5x2.5" photos on my layout but you could customize it to suit your photos somewhat. I think that we'll jazz up the title too - maybe some glitter or fun flock!

'Hope For Japan' $5 A-Sized Stamp Set Offer

2011-03-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

This is a great offer! A real win-win for everyone! 100% of the $5 will be sent to the American Red Cross fund for aid to Japan in the wake of their devastating tsunami. CTMH is offering this set until April 30th. Please let me know if you would like to order this set.

Second Layout From February Club

2011-03-19T21:10:00.001-07:00

Sorry that this took so long to post! I had the layout done just no pictures or journalling so I decided to finish it up before I posted it. This layout is based on two from the Reflections book. The Left Side is 'Sidebar - Balancing Act" (3i on page 48). Cutting instructions would be from one piece of patterned paper - 3 1/2" x 7", from the second piece of pp cut 7" x 7". From your single piece of colored cardstock, cut a strip of 11" x 3 1/2".

The Right Side is 'Bottom Border - Quartet' (2g on page 32). Cutting instructions would be from the colored cardstock, cut a 5 1/4" x 7 1/4" piece and a 3 1/4" x 12" and from one of the patterned papers, cut a 5" x 12" piece.

Adhere and embellish as desired.

Hope that you enjoyed the layouts and papers! Looking forward to our next night already!!

Thanks for looking!

Going Green Winner

2011-03-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All!! It's a Beautiful Friday!! Thanks to everyone who entered - Stacey B. is our winner!! Comment #4 as per the random number generator below!!! Stacey - I'll get you your Pear ink pad next Wednesday night!!! Congrats and thanks for entering!!!

If Green Beer Isn't Your Thing...

2011-03-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

The Flash
5 slices cucumber
3 pieces fresh kiwi
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
2 oz gin
1/2 oz simple syrup

In a cocktail shaker, muddle fresh cucumber, kiwi, and lemon juice. Add ice, simple syrup, and gin. Shake vigorously and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with sliced wheels of cucumber and kiwi.

Enjoy!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day tomorrow!!!!

A Reason To Get Outside!

2011-03-14T00:21:00.000-07:00

Not that we need one - but this weather - FINALLY!!!!

Check out this March tutorial and challenge over at 'Hands On Photography' on the Canadian Scrapbooker Blog.

http://www.canadianscrapbooker.ca/handson/2011/03/13/march-tutorial-backgrounds/comment-page-1/#comment-2211

I know, I know - of course I could do this indoors - goodness knows I have a plethora of 'distracting backgrounds' between these four walls - but I think that I am going to use this as an excuse to get out of the house!!

Always looking to improve my photography skills!!! (Also my blogging skills - I finally figured out how to get a live link into my posts!)

Tell you what, send me a copy of the pics that you submit to Sue and I will enter you for my own draw...not sure of prize just yet but keep checking back to find out! Don't forget to have them to me - linked up here or emailed to me by March 31.

Happy Monday!

Frustrated...!!!

2011-03-09T09:37:00.000-08:00

Ahh! I took so many AWESOME pics on our holidays - I would love to scrap them but BLAH!!! Giant, time-sensitive work projects due- that I should be doing instead of blogging and it is YUCK! TAX TIME!!!! I seriously say this every year - I am going to do the books every month but...I don't. So that means every year about this time, I am scrambling around trying to organize multiple shoeboxes of receipts before April 15th. So what it boils down to is no scrapping for me at least before the 23rd of March...my loss - your gain! What's that you say????

Well, in honor of 'tax season' - any March orders - PAY NO TAX!!! That's a 5% savings!!!

Stay tuned for more chances to win/save in March!!

In closing today, here is me, reading my spring issue of Canadian Scrapbooker in Jamaica, mon!!

Have a great day!!!

Going Green!!!

2011-03-08T22:56:00.000-08:00

Hi All!
In honor of St. Patrick's day, March 17th - I am giving away a green stamp pad - Pear to be exact (my new favorite CTMH color!!!) All you have to do is leave a comment here by March 17th. I'll make the draw and post the winner by Friday March 18th. That's it - that's all!!!
Good luck!

Check out this great offer for March from CTMH!

2011-03-07T22:25:00.000-08:00

Get a free My Acrylix® block when you buy My Acrylix® stamps!
At Close To My Heart, we know we’ve got the best clear stamps and blocks—and we’ll prove it! Throughout March, when you buy your favorite My Acrylix® stamps, we’ll give you a free My Acrylix block. Not only will you have the best stamps on the block, you’ll have the best block, too! Just purchase $25 US / $30 CAN in stamps and you can choose from two of our most versatile block sizes: 3" × 3" (Y1006) or 2" × 6 1/2" (Y1010).

Here is the "Fine print":
Offer valid March 1–31, 2011. Limit one free My Acrylix® block per order per customer. Qualifying stamp purchases include A-, B-, C-, D-, and E-size stamp sets, including Stamp of the Month sets purchased at full price or at a discount. K-size stamp sets, Stamp of the Month sets earned for free, and Workshops on the Go™ kits are excluded. Close To My Heart reserves the right to substitute a block of a similar size or price.

I WILL be putting an order in for March - Check out the CUTE CUTE CUTE Stamp of the Month!! For those of you that use Copic markers - don't you think this set would be great?!?! It is 'springy' and whimical without being too childish!! Place your order by March 24...and stay tuned for ANOTHER special offer for this month too!!!

Published on the CK Blog!!!

2011-02-24T09:53:00.001-08:00

I am so excited!! I just received an email last night that I was chosen to have a layout of mine featured on the Creating Keepsake's Blog today!!!

Check me out in the post today over at
www.creatingkeepsakesblog.com

One of our projects...

2011-02-04T15:20:00.003-08:00

Here is a sneak peek of one of the layout designs that we will be working on at our next club night...hope you like it!
The design is the same for all but there are several different paper packs and embellishments that we are going to used, based on the resluts of my survey. You can start to think about pictures, customizing your desgin, journalling, additional embellishments you might want. If you have any suggestions, wishes, requests for the next few layouts, I am sure open to hearing about them!!
Looking forward to scrappin' with you all!!!

New Idea Book!!

2011-02-04T15:16:00.001-08:00

Hi! Check out the link for the new Idea Book! I am putting an order in on the 23rd of February so contact me if you would like anything

INSPIRATIONS IDEA BOOK IS ONLINE!!!!

2011-01-05T15:49:00.000-08:00

Check out the sneak peak and special brochure "INSPIRATIONS" by clicking on the link just to the right.
I am putting an order in Friday so email me if there is something that you have to have! Pay No Shipping or GST. Sorry for the short notice!

Layouts from months gone by...!

2010-12-29T22:33:00.000-08:00

Here are the layouts from November and December. I was really quite pleased with how they turned out. I hope you are too! It was a great year and I thank you for your support! I don't think that we are going to continue with this club but I am thinking about 'hosting' a card club again. Let me know if you are interested!

Thanks again for all your support in 2010! Happy New Year!

Sketchy Thursday's Facebook Challenge

2010-12-29T20:31:00.000-08:00

Here is my submission! Check the sketch out over on their facebook page!!! TFL!!

Design Team Call At Scrapbook Circle

2010-12-22T00:54:00.000-08:00

Well I did it! I finally got up the nerve to send in a submission to a Design Team Call! The chances of being chosen are probably pretty slim but the process was quite interesting. It was for Scrapbook Circle - my fave kit club! Part of the application was to send in 5 favorite layouts. These are what I finally sent in. They start in 2003 and go right up to this spring. I tried to show the evolution/development of my 'scrapping skills'. It was quite a journey!
Tell me what you think!!Let me know if you have tried out for a DT before.

Submission for the "Hands On Photography" December Challenge

2010-12-21T10:49:00.000-08:00

Hi there! Sue had a great challenge/tutorial over on her blog
http://www.canadianscrapbooker.ca/handson/blog/
Check it out.
Here is the photo I sent in and the second one shows what I "cropped out".
Isn't he a handsome little man!!
TFL!!!

Don't Try This At Home!

2010-12-14T21:23:00.000-08:00

Well, I just wanted to pass on to you all a "what not to do" tip! I wanted a shimmery look to a wintery layout that I was doing so I sprayed all the pieces with some Marshmallow Glimmer Mist - before I adhered all the pieces. I left them to dry and returned only to find this:

Needless to say, I had to use ALOT more adhesive than normal!!! So my tip is - tack it down before you spray it!!! Good Luck!

Winner of the "fav Etsy store" contest!

2010-10-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

WAY TO GO WANDA!!!! See all the fun stuff that you can win - for JUST POSTING A COMMENT!!!! Wanda is going to get a CUTE gift set of Pink Paislee paper and embellishments. Stay tuned for more contests!

In the meantime, check out the Scrapping the Music blog for a great challenge - due tonight at midnight - the lyrics to this week's song provide SO MUCH INSPIRATION! I hope I get time tonight to put something together...nothing like leaving it to the last minute!!!! Probably won't get to it as I have a Parent/School Council meeting but you never know!!!

Have a great day!

Sketchy Thursdays 10.7

2010-10-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

Here is my entry for the challenge. I just loved how Sophia's pictures turned out at her Walmart photo shoot! And I knew I had to use this cute little felt bird with the leopard print material to go with her patterend hoodie - I picked it up over at "Crafty Paper Girl's Etsy Store" - along with a couple other awesome items!!! Check her out over at http://www.etsy.com/people/CraftyPaperGirl
TFL!!!

Etsy Discovery with a contest!

2010-10-06T10:06:00.000-07:00

Do you shop Etsy???? Even if you don't - there is some great inspiration over there!! I am just waiting for my first purchase to show up in the mail - some felt birds and an apple accent - perfect for a 'back-to-school' page. Julie Bonner over at her Starting over blog highlighted a "days to remember" mini album that she purchased over at Etsy - which got me shopping around...check out these cute fall accents!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58255735/fall-scrapbook-embellishmentspumpkins?ref=v1_other_1

Leave a comment here as to your favorite seller/product on Etsy by the end of the week and I will enter you in a full little draw!!!

Sketchy Thursday 9.30

2010-10-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

Sophia is so cute now!! This is her first little "trick" - she scrunches up her nose and eyes and "puffs" air and we all laugh so she keeps on doing it! What a little monster!
I had fun using our (CTMH) new paper line "hooligans" and our felt monsters. TYFL!!!

Sketchy Thursday's 9/23

2010-09-29T19:08:00.001-07:00

September's Layouts

2010-09-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Here are the two layouts for September's Club. The one is a bit difficult to imagine but I have taken a couple shots of one with photos and I think that it will turn out just fine. The left side page of the "BOO" layout is based on a Julie Bonner sketch from back when she had her "52 Sketches, 52 weeks" site. The second layout I know that I originally used a kit from Barnyard Scrappin' for one of their challenges but I can't remember if it was based on a sketch challenge somewhere. Sorry if I missed giving someone the credit for this one. ENJOY!!

DVD Instructions for the NEW MAGIC BOOK!

2010-09-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

Just got this from head office so I thought that I would share it with you. My copy of Magic should be here any day now - I am so excited!!!!

How to Easily Access the Templates Found on the Magic™ DVD
Depending on your personal computer, the Magic™ DVD may open differently for each user. Your computer may automatically open the DVD folder, which contains the Magic Templates folder, or it may be programmed to immediately play the DVD. If your computer is programmed to immediately play the DVD, one simple tip to access the templates is to go to the Start Menu and select Computer. Then right click on the DVD Drive, which should indicate that you have the Close To My Heart DVD installed, and select Open from the menu options. Then you’ll have access to the Magic Templates folder. If you haven’t purchased Magic yet, I highly recommend you check out this phenomenal how-to book featuring interactive scrapbooking techniques (9034, $35.50 CAN)!

Challenge Winner

2010-09-16T08:39:00.001-07:00

Wanda W is our winner!!! The challenge was to use Cranberry, Honey, Black and Olive together. Way to go Wanda! What a cute card!!! She wins a set of All-Out Adventure Rub-ons!

August Layouts

2010-09-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

Hi there! I couldn't resist using the same colors as in my challenge - I think that they turned out really well! I also like the title I cut for the July layouts that I decided to do one for every season - so there is your spoiler for the next month!! So here they are! I think that we'll try meeting towards the end of the month - maybe the 27th - you'll probably have your stuff still all packed up from retreat! Stay tuned for September's layouts over the next couple of days. TFL!

Sticky Boy

2010-09-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

This cute little video shows you how durable CTMH's acrylic stamps really are!!!

All comments on this post will be entered in a draw for a 'RAK' at the end of the month!!!

Entry for Sketchy Thursdays 09/09 challenge

2010-09-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

This one is a 'multi-tasking' LO - it is for Sketchy Thursdays challenge and Barnyard's Challenge. I used a Bo-Bunny kit put together by my LSS, Barnyard Scrappin' and added some white daisy ink from CTMH and some felt by Kaiser Craft. TFL!!!

Time...ahh, I wish I had more!!

2010-09-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

Well, we just finally got the bulk of the kids stuff and ours all moved around. So, #1 son moved into our room, we moved downstairs into what used to be the spare room, Jess moved into Noah's room - we'll have to remove the monster truck wallpaper and paint - Baby stayed where she was and the spare room moved into my scrapbooking room!! AHHHH!!! Don't feel bad for me - it was my idea! We also moved the deep freeze down to the storage room and I am revamping the laundry room to be a combo laundry/craft room/office. I am actually hopeful that I will get more scrapping done this way - dreams - everyone has to have them!!!! haha!!! Just need, like, 36 hours in a day and lose the need to sleep to get it all PROPERLY sorted out!!!

So, hope you like the new background!! Also, check out the new link to the NEW Idea Book - I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new Hooligans paper on p.18-has to be my fav thing in the whole book I think!!!

Don't forget my challenge - Sept 15th is the deadline - anything that uses the color combo Olive, black, cranberry and honey qualifies. Can't wait to see what you come up with!!!

My challenge to myself is to get my Barnyard Challenge kit used up and I think that I am going to combine it with the Sketchy Thursday's sketch for this week - I am all about multi-tasking!!!

Have a great day!!

Check out the AWESOME SOTM coming up for September!!

2010-08-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

Those of you that know me know that I LOVE Halloween so of course I would love this!! Let me know what you think!!!

GREAT COLORS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

2010-08-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

I have become a devoted follower of Jeanette Lynton's blog. It is elegant and a GREAT source of usable inspiration for me. She always features a "Color Me Monday" post and this one really inspired me. She used Black, Olive, Cranberry and Honey and it really does say "back to school" to me!! Check out her great artwork with these colors at the link below.
Send me a picture of anything that you do with these colors either by email or through a comment/link here on my blog by September 15th to win a cute little package of goodies!!!

http://www.jeanettelynton.com/2010/08/color-me-monday-getting-schooled.html

Oh!!! Oh!!! Oh!!!! It's Magic!!!

2010-08-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry I didn't get this out on Sunday as promised but got home late - not that it matters...I sometimes wonder if anyone actually reads this anyways!!!

But - on to the 'reveal' - it is a new idea book - just like Cherish or Imagine but it is for INTERACTIVE PAGES!!!! Very cool!!! It is called Magic and you know that the artwork and ideas are top notch - as all of our idea books are!! It also comes with a CD - makes the design SOOO much easier!!! I am totally getting this!!! I know with the idea books that I currently have, I can use the designs over and over again and they always seem fresh to me.

Can't wait to get it!!! Stay tuned over the next couple days for more on our new items!!!

The new catalogue

2010-08-11T06:56:00.000-07:00

You are going to LOVE it!!! It will be LIVE September 1 but over the next three weeks I will pick a few of the new products to share with you.

The product that I am going to highlight today is the NEW COLORS!!! They are all part of the Summer Collections. Joining the summer carnival collection is GYPSY, PACIFICA and SUNSET. GYPSY is a sassy purple that works very well as a Halloween color. PACIFICA is a beautiful, peaceful blue and SUNSET gives you an instant warm, fall-feeling but it is also a versatile color for summer photos. New for the summer celebration collection are COTTON CANDY, a sweet muted pink. You'll see it working well as a non-traditional Christmas color as well as a great Valentines day or baby girl color. LAGOON is a luscious green-blue color. SKY brings to mind a wintery feel but I can also see it working well with beach, lake and ocean pictures. SMOOTHIE is a fun peachy-red color that surprisingly works equally well as an autumn color and a traditional Christmas color. And my favorite new color has to be PEAR, a bright, brilliant green. When you see the new catalogue you find PEAR paired up with everything from goldrush to sunny yellow and gypsy!!!

Stay tuned for more highlights coming up on Sunday!

July Layout

2010-07-20T21:57:00.000-07:00

Hi there! See what one can accomplish when two out of three kids are away?!?!?! Here are the layouts for July. Don't you just love the cherries?!?!Very summery, I think! The purple/green and yellow one is all handmade paper - stamping and distressing - I found it very theraputic!! The titles are up to you - these ones are just suggestions. Stay tuned for August's - I hope to have them posted before the end of the week.
Register soon to save yourself a spot!

New Layout Club Sketches - May and June

2010-07-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

So sorry that this is so late! I am woking on July and August and we'll meet on August 11 th to complete them all - that will be a big night - we'll have 8 layouts to complete but I will try to do the majority of the cutting ahead of time. If you have ideas for your titles, let me know ahead of time and I can cut/stamp them for you. Hope you like them!

Tip of the Day...

2010-06-12T14:54:00.001-07:00

I have to admit that I think I read about this - I didn't dream it up myself but I tried it and it works like a dream! I love our CTMH My Stickease Stickers and spend alot of time adhering them to cardstock to turn them into die cuts - I love to add 3D foam to them! So I took baby powder and sprinkled it on the sticky part and voila! I have a die cut!!! And my scrap room smells great too!! Try it!! I think that I am going to be using alot more of my stickers now!!!

Scrappin' the Music Challenge #138 "CRAZY BEAUTIFUL"

2010-06-11T23:49:00.000-07:00

Wow! This site is so much fun! I am being exposed to some GREAT NEW MUSIC!!! I love these pictures of jessica from last fall and I thought the "crazy beautiful" phrase went really well with them. This page came together really quickly with a kit from Scrapbook Circle - in fact maybe too quickly! It feels like I am missing something?!?!?! Oh well!! Done is better than perfect and I am probably overthinking it! TFL!

Entry for Sketchy Thursday's 6.10 Challenge

2010-06-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

Dug out some "OLD" photos for this one!!! Jessica's first 'lost tooth'! Had fun using the My Mind's Eye 'Laundry Line' papers and stuff for it that Heather and I bought from the AWESOME ninabrook online BLOWOUT sale. My new resolution is to not HOARD product and then find it 5 years down the road and give it to Jessica for scrap paper - buy it and USE IT!!! That's my new motto! TFL!!!

Entry for Scrappin the Music "Don't Wanna to Miss a Thing"

2010-06-07T23:11:00.001-07:00

I LOVE this song so it was fun to scrap it!!! I could have scrapped it a dozen different ways but I just got these pics back and thought they would be fun to use! TFL!!!

Entry for Sketchy Thursday's 6.03 Sketch Challenge

2010-06-07T22:18:00.001-07:00

Here is it!! This was a great and easy sketch to work with!! I think that I might use it again too!!

Entry for the May Magpie Contest

2010-05-31T08:27:00.000-07:00

I had fun with this sketch! I also used a "challenge" paper pack from Barnyard Scrappin so I 'got two birds with one stone'!
TFL!

New Scrapbooking Inspiration

2010-05-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

Poor Sophia! Only 4 months old and she is getting bumped for the new addition to our family! Check out Stormy, our new puppy!! Going to have fun with this one! Sophia is still pretty cute too!

Entry for the Let's Scrap Blog Hop from Sally's Challenge Chatter

2010-05-20T23:29:00.000-07:00

Hi All!! This was a cool challenge! So here is the breakdown:
L - Lace - check out the little row above the top photo - normally wouldn't have added lace to a layout like this, but it actually turned out okay, I think!
E - Epoxy - I added two little epoxy squares above and below the "I Love This Game" sticker as accents
T - Tag - the little one down in the left hand corner
S - Single layout - self explanitory - it will be the title page for all my 2010 mini ball pages
S - sketch - I chose one of Cheri's sketches from February 2009
C - Chipboard - the arrow is a CTMH chipboard piece - just left it raw with some inking around the edges - super easy!
R - Ribbon - another thing that I normally wouldn't have added on a layout like this but it seems to work! It is the black and white plaid in the bottom left corner
A - Alphabet - I used stickers for the title words and the year on the tag
P - Punch - I made my tag from my punches from SU!

So all done - JUST under the wire!!!
Thanks for looking!

More Samples from Club Night

2010-05-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

Of course, I am always happy with my projects - until I see Drianne's samples!!! She always does an amazing job!! Here are her two 'clear cards'. Aren't they great???!!

May Club Spoiler

2010-05-18T23:35:00.000-07:00

Hi All! Here are a couple of samples of the project we are going to be doing tonight. They are our new "clear cards"! We are using some of the Cherry-O paper as well as a few other "exclusive" items! I had fun using some rub-ons, which work really well with these cards as well as some glitter glue which is new to this catalogue too! I found that a glue stick works really well as an adhesive for this project too. Can't wait to see what you all create with this kit!

April Layout Club...just a little late!!!!

2010-05-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone! I don't know what happened to April!!! We'll do 4 layouts this month to catch up so stay tuned for May's layouts in a couple days. As for these, just fire me a note if you have an idea for a specific title and I'll design it for you!

Layout # 1 (the top one) features the paper pack Stardust with the coordinating Flexi-labels as accents. My thoughts on a title could be "dreams", "oh my stars!!" "my boy" 'happy birthday" and lots more!!

Layout #2 (the lower one) uses the Twitterpated paper pack. I am including some extra chipboard accents and a few stickers from the coordinating My Stickease pack for placement on your final layout. Both layouts are based on designs from the Reflections book. ENJOY!!!

New Summer CTMH catalogue!!!!

2010-04-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

They go live on the web on Saturday!!! Stop by my place to pick one up if you want!! You are going to love it!!!! Stay tuned for highlights of the latest and greatest!!!

lovin' my peeps

2010-04-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

that's the name of my new background - isn't it cute!!! Much more 'springy' than the weather we are having!

Friday Faves

2010-04-09T09:27:00.001-07:00

Hey all! I am in WINDY, WINDY Saskatchewan today visiting friends. We are going to check out the underground tunnels and learn some area history today so I am sure you'll see that on upcoming fave posts! But until then - here it is!

My new fave website is www.delish.ca.
Awesome spot for recipes - seach by ingredient, title, etc. There are coupons and blogs and all sorts of fun stuff! I have actually made it my new home page!!

I am totally jazzed about our new Close To My Heart Summer Catalogue - it has SO MANY neat things - it will be live to customers May 1st so check it out over at closetomyheart.com then or stay tuned here for a live link!! We have some very neat new items!!!

I have also been cheating on Easter candy and baking the last few days (sigh!) but I am tracking all the calories I am burning with my new heart rate monitor - what a great tool!! I totally recommend one to anyone even half serious about exercise!!! I have the black one and it is a great watch too.

Have a Great Weekend!!! Don't get blown away!

My Entry for Scrapping the Music Challenge #128

2010-04-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

This is such a cool challenge site!!!! So many ways to interpret song lyrics!!! Here is my entry - the lyrics are in small print around the picture. TFL!!

Friday Favorites

2010-04-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go?!?!? I am having trouble keeping up with the Website Wednesdays so I am combining it with the Friday Favorites - so here goes!!!!

A big shout out to That Scrappy Girl!!!!
Check out the "hanging with my peeps" card at their site - love it!!
http://thatscrappygirl.blogspot.com/2010/03/spring-is-near.html

I also received my prize from them for the December Sketch contest - AWESOME!!!! Thanks Mimi!!!!

You have to check this book out - I am not quite done it but I know that I am going to read it again right away - very thought-provoking!!!

I have not been 100% good on my clean eating diet but I am not doing too bad - feels good to get back into the workout grove - if you like aerobic/workout DVD's you can always turn to Kathy Smith and she will never let you down!!! Check her out!!!

Have a great EASTER!!!! Hope you enjoy and are inspired by this card from Jeanette Lynton.

Winner of the March Challenge!!!

2010-04-02T19:13:00.000-07:00

Way to go Wanda!! You win the petite perks acrylic stamp set "Bee Mine"! Thanks for playing along!!! Stay tuned for a new challenge soon!!!

Entry for the March Challenge

2010-03-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks Wanda!!!! Great job!

Prize for the March Challenge

2010-03-26T21:47:00.000-07:00

You will win a cute little acrylic stamp set called "bee mine". for a close up check out the last page of the current close to my heart catty - it is the petite perk set. Good Luck!

friday and wednesday all rolled into one!

2010-03-26T21:42:00.000-07:00

My new fave challenge site is scrappingthemusic.blogspot.com so check out my first entry for their challenge:

Friday Faves

2010-03-19T12:38:00.001-07:00

Hi there! Here are my faves for this Friday. In no particular order!
Meg Cabot is hilarious!!!! She seems to be best know for her Princess Diaries books but she has a tonne of others out there. This series is my fave!

I am on day 2 of a clean eating kick - I am going to miss you my little friends...

And here is my new fave scrapbooking product that I am going to use for Sophia's Alphabet album-I made one for each of the other kids - I better not forget her!!!They are a chipboard product from sassafras lass called alpha tokens. So cute!

Have a great friday!

WebSite Wednesday

2010-03-17T14:59:00.001-07:00

Okay, baby Sophia is 2 months old as of Monday so I am on the "lose the baby weight" highway. I am working out with a trainer 3 times a week - now I just have to eat clean!! That is my biggest challenge! But I am trying to find websites that are going to help motivate me. Here is one - check it out for yourself and tell me what works best for you in the weight loss arena!

http://www.shape.com/

I missed Friday faves as we were gone to my neices carnival - and they DON'T HAVE INTERNET!!!! GASP!