June Workshop Pages

For whatever reason, I am so prepared for June workshops! The first one is at my neice's house. We have so much fun and I can hardly wait each month to get together. But, I usually am spending the night before cutting, cutting, cutting getting ready! But not this month! I am done and I also have July's done! But, I won't post those for a while.

In addition to the Mother's Love pages already posted, we will be doing Father's Day pages. I totally lifted this from another talented consultant, but... I can't remember who it was! I try so hard to write down the name in case I do use something, but I couldn't find it when I went to look for it. If it's yours, thank you and I'm sorry I can't give you the proper credit.

I've used Sarsparilla and I have fallen in love with it. And I love the simplicity of these pages. In addition to the B & T from Sarsparilla, I used Twilight, Desert Sand and Barn Red Cardstock along with 3 Black Itty Brads as well as Dimensional Element Flowers (in 2 sizes and stacked). I covered the larger flower with the plaid B & T and ink distressed the smaller one and stamped it with "Father's Day" from the May Stamp of the Month. All products used were Close To My Heart. As usual, let me know what you think.

Getting Back to Normal

It's Tuesday, the day after a long weekend. I think I left my brain somewhere. I can't seem to get it together today! I want it to still be the long weekend!

Anyway, I am playing catch up tonight... can't do much that's too productive because I am too dangerous!

Hopefully, I'll be back to normal tomorrow. Phew. A few more hours and I can go to bed and get up in the morning and start over.

Memorial Day 2008

My friend, Diana, went home today. What a great visit we had. I already miss her and can't wait until our next visit.

I've been working this afternoon on getting workshop projects ready for June. June is quite a busy month for me at my job (the one that actually pays the bills!). We have a big conference near the middle of the month and there are a lot of last minutes projects and finishing touches that have to be tended to. Usually my Close to My Heart business lags a bit this month... by design.

However, this month could be different with new Constant Campaign that will be announced later in the week. Check back! You're going to love it!

I will try to get my new pages posted soon. It's been a rainy cool day and has been perfect for being inside. But, isn't it interesting what humidity can do to paper? Note to self... close up house and turn on a/c next time you work on pages!!!

Junk Sale Shoppin' Saturday

My oldest daughter got here last night about 9 and she and Diana and I sat up talking until after 11. We were up early this morning as the plan was to hit Panera for breakfast and start garage saleing as soon as the doors opened. Well, the weather was not in our favor... at least not for garage saleing. Instead, we got up, put on the coffee, and headed out to the front porch to enjoy the thunder and lightening and rain. We did that for about 2 hours and finally got dressed and headed to Panera. And then, decided we would go junk storing (thrift stores) instead of the garage sales. At least we would be under a roof for a little longer at a time.

We headed to Ozark. Found 4 there. Then on to Nixa and found 2 there. Every place we wet there was some kind of sale. And some treasure one of us couldn't live without. We laughed til we cryed! We had so much fun! We made our way back into Springfield mid afternoon and had a snack at Andy's Frozen Custard and then to Fuji's Japanese Steakhouse for dinner.

We didn't drag back home until around 6. We unloaded all of our stuff and Shelly loaded her car and headed home and Diana and I crashed on the couch.

Just like old times! We absolutely had a blast! Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Happy Friday!

I am so excited! My best friend in the whole world is coming to visit me today. She should be rolling in here around noon. Diana and I have known each other over 25 years. Back in August of 1982, she had only been working at her new job a couple of days when she went to the front desk to escort another new employee upstairs. We were on the elevator and something cracked us up. We were destined to be buds. It didn't take long to get us talking to each other. We quickly learned we were both single mom's of daughter's (she - 1, me - 2), we had gotten married at the exact time, day and year back in 1972 (and were divorced about the same time), we were the very same age (only 19 days apart), we were living in the same apartment complex (of a big city like Omaha, NE) and we had the same warped sense of humor. Through the years, we learned we had so much more in common. We have gone through everything, including moving away from each other to becoming grandma's. Nothing can keep us apart. We always pick right back up wherever we left off. Whether we've been away for a month of 5 years. It is the only true "contstant" in our lives. Everyone needs a friend like Diana. She will be here until Monday, so I don't know how much blogging I will get done! But I will try to keep everyone on top of what we are doing. WOOHOO! I can't wait!

Update on my Grandson, Brenden

Many of you have been following Brenden's medical issues since March 25th when the doctors found a large cyst on his brain following a routine MRI for reoccurring headaches. Initially, he saw the doctors locally, but had a follow up appointment last Friday in St. Louis. Thankfully, that went well. For that, we are all so grateful! His entire story can be read on his Caring Bridge website... http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/superbrenden08
It just so happened that the trip to St. Louis coincided with his 9th birthday, so while there, the whole family took in the sites. If you'd like, click on the link below for a fun slide show of the weekend. I enjoyed it and I hope you will, too!


Brenden's Montage 5/21/08

Graduation

I had a great birthday yesterday. Lots of birthday well wishes and John took me to dinner at Lambert's. That's a way to blow your diet! There is NOTHING like those hot throwed rolls. It was all very good. We went early so I could get back to town for a special event.
My sister, Judy, was a teacher this year... for the first time in her life! She was a pre-school teacher at her church, Glendale Christian Church's, preschool. Last night was graduation. How cute! The entire school had their spring program and was immediately followed by the graduation ceremony. I cried and I didn't even know any of the kids!

That's her on the far left!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yes, today is my birthday! Busy day ahead! Will be working all day, but my group has to go over to the hotel where our big conference is being held in June so we can work out conference details. They are taking me to lunch first. Then after work, I am meeting John in Ozark and we are going to Lambert's for dinner. YUM! And then, I am going to the graduation of my sister's class. She teaches pre-school and her 5 year olds are graduating. How Cute is THAT! Hopefully, I'll get some good pictures that I can post later on tonight.

Last night, I attended out Scrapbook MeetUp Group. We had such a nice time. I didn't get any pages done, but I did get some other stuff done for workshops. And in record time! Those concentrated 3 hours are like heaven-sent for me. I don't know why, but I can just pound out the stuff! And I so enjoy the group. DeDe has become a really good friend. She is a Creative Memories Consultant. We have no competition and I love that. The other ladies are diverse... from beginning scrapbooking to 8 or 9 years experience like DeDe and I.

If you are in the Springfield area, check out this website http://scrapbook.meetup.com/1286/ and plan to join us sometime. We meet once a month from 5 - 9. We'd love to see you there!

Mother's Love pages

I had a workshop last night for one of my club members, Kim. We had a great turn out. There were some experienced scrapbookers and some newbies there. I love a mix like that. This was a great bunch of gals and I hope to see them all again sometime.

Here are the pages we did. Mother's Love. These can be used for Mother's Day or just for cool pictures of kids and moms.

I used several techniques and products.

1. Random stamped B & T (background and texture)


2. Paper Garden Kit


3. Petal and Sweet Leaf Cardstock


4. Big Pinks (flowers)


5. Spring Buttons


6. Printing on Post It Notes


7. Printing pictures in Black and White (makes any picture work with paper you fall in love with!)


8. Cropping pictures down to 3 x 3


9. Cricut words (welded and regular cut)

All Mom's Should See This!

I just got an update on the Close to My Heart Convention I am going to this year in July. I mean, come on, if you love scrapbooking like I do, what could be more fun than going to a Corporate Convention in Orlando Florida for 4 days and 2,000 other people who love scrapbooking as much or more (if possible!) than me! AND travel with the greatest travel partner ever, Lyla! Anyway... in the update today, they told us the headline performer will be Anita Renfroe. I hadn't heard of Anita Renfroe until I opened this video. I saw this a while back and was rolling on the floor. Everything I EVER said to my kids is repeated in this hysterical performance. So, moms, take about 3 minutes, turn up your volume, sit back and enjoy this. THIS IS FOR YOU!

Let me know what you think!

Crafty Daughter's Projects

I just have to share my daughter's talents. Stacy, my youngest made this adorable marshmallow fondant cake for her daugther, Trella's 2nd birthday. All I could say was WOW!

Shelly, my oldest daughter, made these pillows for a friend who was having an "Arabian Knights" party. She hadn't sewn since Home Ec in High School (at least 10 years ago). I think they are fabulous!

I am so proud of both of them. It was funny, because as they were growing up, I don't think they really appreciated the crafts so much, but now, that they are all grown up, it looks like they can't fight the feeling any longer!

Thanks for looking!

And Here are Three More!

Here are three more! And would you believe someone has already bought them! I had to get pictures before I put them in the mail!

I love crafts so much. I wish I could do it all day long. Right now, it's only at night! Someone asked me today if I had a life! I said YES! My crafts! I do not see one thing wrong with that.

My dear friend, Diana, is coming to visit me next weeked (Memorial Day). We have been friends for 25 years. We only get to see each once or twice a year and we are having withdrawals! I sure hope she doesn't expect a clean house or food in the fridge! Who am I kidding. She knows me so well and she knows how OCD I am, so being caught up in my crafts won't come as a surprise to her.

I can't wait to see her!

Help! I've Started and I Can't Stop!

I love these things! And we've got a store here in town called the FM Store. When I was a kid, it was called the Farmer's Market. I don't know exactly when it changed, but back then, it was like a Dollar General of the 60's. A big dime store only cheaper! NOW, it is a huge fabric store. They have the largest selection of Waverly fabric in town. And more tapestry than you would know what do to with. The more contemporary section has really caught my eye. I bought 10 different pieces of fabric and put these 2 together tonight. I hope you enjoy them!

Megan's Concert

Judy and I went to Megan's 7th grade Band Concert last night. Megan got 2 awards. We were so proud of her! Here are some pictures of the night.















That's Megan with the microphone in her hand!

Fabric Baskets

How cute are these little bags/baskets! I found a tutorial and whipped one up in no time. I've got big plans for these babies! Let me know what you think. I'm thinking personal trash containers for those little scraps of paper that always hang around your scrap area! Right!

Happy Birthday, Judy!

Today's my sister's birthday... join me in wishing her a Happy Birthday. If you'd like, send her an email... her address is grannyj4@mchsi.com. That would be so cool if she got a bunch of birthday wishes from people she doesn't even know! And she'll wonder where you all came from!

We are going to Megan's 8th grade concert tonight. That should be fun.




Other than that, I am going to work on trying to make this later on. I'll post it after (and if) I get it done. Isn't is just the cutest little book. It's out of Boom-Di-Ada. I really like that, but I may try something different, too. I feel a workshop coming on!

Let me know what you think!

Shrinky Dinks

I remember Shrinky Dinks, but I don't really remember playing with them. Maybe my kids did, but I really only remember seeing them on commercials.

I had read about doing this, so I went on a search and finally found the blank sheets at Hobby Lobby. I had read that you could use our stamps and stamp with the archival black ink, color with colored pencils and voila! You have an adorable charm! Here is one I made from our My Acrylix Rustic Flower Set (that's a 3" x 3" block). So cute!

It really shrank!

Knot Tying Tutorial

I found this on another site, but wanted to share it with all of my "knot-tying challenged" friends. You've got to see this!

Shadowing Welded Objects on the Cricut with the Design Studio

Some of you have already seen this video of mine, but I wanted to put it here for safe keeping. And if you haven't, this is a video that will help you figure out how to shadow those welded objects. It's a little tricky, but I hope this helps you out!

(Got it done! Guess I just had to sleep on it! Enjoy!)

If you have problems with this link, you can go to this website on youtube and watch it there. Thanks for your patience!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=739f1wQHGeM

I'm working on some new ones. All of you Cricut users, check out my survey question over on the right side of the screen. I am trying to determine where to start and would like your input!

Happy Mother's Day

To all who are Mother's! We had quite an exciting Mother's Day Eve here. Dodging tornadoes is not my idea of fun. But, we were way more fortunate that our friends west of here in Joplin. Apparently there is some devastating damage down there. A new scrapbooking friend, Shannon with KISS Crop n Shop sent me an email this morning. She has had some customer's who have lost everything. She got a call from her parents right after the storm hit and they were terrified. No injuries, but lots of damage. She said the reported fatalities in her county (Newton) is now up to 11. Unbelievable.
Judy and I went to Sarah and Dale's with all 3 dogs. We didn't have anything to speak of... just some rain and thunder and lightening. But, after the storm passed, we got a call from Gerry and Lisa telling us to go outside and look in the sky. We kept seeing "stuff" falling from the sky. Megan and Ben went out in the yard in the rain. They kept finding things and were bringing them in the house. Pieces of carpet, roofing, broken zip ties... and then, they started finding pieces of a bible and a cookbook. Who's bible? Who's cookbook? Who's carpet? Who's roof? Wow. It was a little unnerving to say the least.
Today is sunny and beautiful. A little cool, but beautiful. I will be praying for those who are not having such a great day and are just trying to dig out from under the rubble and find their memories.

April Workshop Pages

Well, that didn't take long, did it? I have been working on several projects, as I said before. I have put together one of the 2-page layouts for June Workshops and have the second one almost done. I was going to go ahead and post the one I have done, however, I thought I'd step back a little bit and go ahead and post the layouts we did in April. (It looks like we won't be able to meet in May... just way too busy!)

So, here are the two layouts from April May. The first one is Easter and was done using Sweet Pea (Baby Pink, Breeze, Key Lime and Lilac Mist) along with the January Stamp of the Month, Eastertime. (I apologize that the pictures are light. It is hard to photograph these pastel colors.)

I stamped the Lilac Mist Cardstock pieces with the smallest flower of the set and I used the larger flower stamped on white and cut out for embellishments. I also used Blush Grograin ribbon.

And this is Summer Fun, using Boom Di Ada Creative Basics (Autumn Terracotta, Barn Red, Hollyhock and Olive). The flowers are stamped from Cottage Floral stamp set. "SUMMER" is from Rustic Alphabets and "fun" is from Giggles Lowercase.

Summer was stamped in Hollyhock and cut out, you could use your Cricut! I used White Bigger Brads to attach the Ricrak (which came in the Creative Basics kit). I stamped the large flower twice... once in Buttercup and once in Hollyhock (with a Buttercup stamped center). I placed them on top of each other and pop-dotted it for dimension.

We also did a couple of cards as a bonus!


Friendship Card
This card was full of techniques. The flowers are spritzed with water to soften the paper. Then, the tips of the petals are pinched together, which after drying, hardens and forms a really cute dimensional element. The background of the card is stamped with the Spot On Background stamp and gives it a great effect.

4 You Card
This card was super easy and fast. The inside is perfect for a gift card or cash!

Seems to be the thing to do!

Well, here goes! I keep hearing about blogging this and blogging that. I was just sitting here this morning trying to figure out which project I was going to work on today... which one I was going to finish (heaven knows I have many started!), which ones need to get started and which ones could wait for a few days/weeks. And then, I remembered this one!

I opened up this blogging spot about a week ago and just never got back to it. Figures! That is just so me! Starting something and not finishing it. So, I am going to give this a shot. At least, Iwill get it started!

Feel free to leave comments, view my projects and just keep in touch. I can't promise I'll update it daily, but I will get back to it, eventually!