CTMH's July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! I'm featuring July's SOTM, which is "You've Got Flair", a set of eight elegant stamps. If you have come here from Karen'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 43 Close To My Heart Consultants - woohooo!!! - sharing their creations using this month's Stamp of the Month and other great CTMH products on their blogs. How does a blog hop work? It's easy - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! And just in case a link is broken or you get lost along the way, I'll post the entire list at the end of my post. So let's get hoppin'!
Here's my card. When I first saw the "You've Got Flair" Stamp of the Month, my mind started humming with visions of lovely, elegant cards. Those cards are forthcoming, but I decided that for the hop I would "funk it up" a bit. So I reached for the groovy red, black and white combo.

If my photo was better, you would be able to tell that the little background flowers (random-stamped) are embossed and shiny, as is the main paisley image. The little tag (sentiment is from "Thank You" - a must-have set) is tucked behind the paisley, which is raised up on foam squares. The paisley wasn't too bad to cut out, either! There are a couple of gorgeous images in this set that are fun to color, and an awesome sentiment that says (aptly enough-tee hee) "You've Got Flair"!

RECIPE (all products CTMH):
Paper: White Daisy, Cranberry and Black Cardstock
Stamps: You've Got Flair, Thank You
Inks: Cranberry and Black Ink, Cranberry and Black Markers
Other: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Cranberry Brad, Black Ribbon Rounds

Now "Hop" on over to Adeline's Blog 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 July SOTM is only available until July 31st! Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Enjoy!


Jena Devries
http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Wendy Kessler
http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
Sherry Thompson
http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft
http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
Brae Montgomery
http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
Melissa Laverty
http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
Karen Norman
http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/
Deb Young
http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
Adeline E. Brill
http://www.adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Tammy Lea Pinchard
http://www.creativeimpressions-pinchme.blogspot.com/
Jen Rubio
http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
Cibele Glazer
http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/
Laurie R Newton
http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Kami Welter
http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
Helen Onulak
http://www.hookedonstamping.com/
Sarita Schraeder
http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com/
Chris Shouse
http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/
Paige Dolecki
http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/
Dawn Ross
http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
Jamia Bankhead
http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/
Nona Davenport
http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/
Haley Dyer
http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Misty Jackson
http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Patrick
http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
Carla Ironside
http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com/
Jody Gustafson
http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/
Heather Painchaud
http://www.twindragonflydesigns.blogspot.com/
Julia Menssen
http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com/
Lori Miller
http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
Pamela OConnor
http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
Reba Poquette
http://www.thedirtyscramper.blogspot.com/
Anne Beck
http://www.anniemuses.blogspot.com/
Shannon Pelletier
http://www.shannonmvt.blogspot.com/
Caren Goldsein
http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/
Jan Moxey
http://scrapandstamp4ever.blogspot.com/
Kristie Horness-Herdener
http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Alanna Moses
http://www.damoses.blogspot.com/
Leslie Markland
http://pandascrapper.blogspot.com/
Barbra Otten
http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
Traci Godbee
http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/
Jill Lucas
http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
Amy McVey
http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
Laurie Levnik
http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/

Don't forget me when you're rich and famous Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

I think I have yet one more Basic Grey paper pad to crack open besides this one. This is "Ambrosia" - yum!!! This is also the last of my five contest cards.

When I received my first stamps from Verve (woohooo!), I saw this sentiment and thought it would coordinate perfectly with CTMH's "You Rock" guitar image. The coordinating chipboard, brads and fibers were on clearance, so of course I bought those as well! So glad I did! This card ROCKS!

RECIPE:
Paper: BG Ambrosia, CTMH Cardstock
Ink: CTMH Grey Wool, Sunflower
Stamps: CTMH You Rock, Verve sentiment
Other: BG Ambrosia Brads, Fibers, Chipboard; CTMH Sparkles

Today is the last day of CTMH's Deal-a-Day promotion! You can get over $300 dollars worth of loot for $125!!!! Can you say enabler alert? Good grief, what are they trying to do to me? Well, if you are as weak and goofy as I am, log on to your CTMH's website and check it out. If you don't have a consultant, pick me! Pick me! Ha. Just click on the corresponding area on the homepage.

Remember - tomorrow's the July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! Links will be up early...enjoy!

Cute Little Tuxedo Birdy ;-) Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Howdy! This is the fourth of five cards that I made for the Verve June Release challenge. It's the tweety bird darling? He is one of a pair of "Black Tie Birdies" from Verve stamps. His mate has the bowtie in her hair, rather than around the neck. I dipped into another of those Basic Grey paper packs I've been collecting. This one is "Eva". The baby brad on his bow, as well as the bigger, patterned one on the ribbon, are from the same collection. CTMH's Vineyard Berry Cardstock and inks matched perfectly! The cute sentiment is part of a set from Flourishes. And lastly, I used oval and scalloped Nestbilities to cut the center elements. Are you a paper collector as well? Duh. If you're reading this blog, I imagine there's a pretty good chance that you are! I just drool over the designs and colors. I want it all!

Tomorrow is the last day of CTMH's June Deal-A-Day promotion. If I've counted correctly, there should be a pretty awesome goody box up for grabs. It will be available after 11:00 tomorrow EST - till then, free flowers are the deal.....shop on my website here!

Hasta manana,

We're goin' hoppin'! Starts Wednesday CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Woohoooo! So many of my customers are waiting for the July Stamp of the Month from CTMH - "You've Got Flair". It's gor-geee-ous! Can't show you now - nope! But Wednesday morning at 12:01 MT (2:01 EST), we have 44 CTMH consultants participating in this month's blog hop. Good grief!!!! It will take all month to get through it! tee hee. I'll include a link to all the blogs, in case someone's link gets broken perchance.

So today I'll do a little test. You'll be coming to my blog from Karen's blog, and after mine you'll be hopping over to Adeline's. Got it? Good! ;-)

Here's one of the cards that I made for the Verve June Release challenge. Don't you love these papers? I used that MM "Black Tie' paper pack with buttons that match. The white flower was in a bunch that I bought from OTC when I first started scrapbooking. It is not paper ;-(. This was before I knew about CTMH's paper flowers. Oh well. It works, though. The images and sentiment are from "Treasure Life", a wonderful silhouette set. Grey Wool and Bamboo inks and cardstock by CTMH. Cheap ribbon from Michael's.

I am watching "Farrah's Story" right now. How sad, but how brave this woman was! To have someone record all of the pain and, well, every emotion that she went through....I know for a fact I would not be able to do that. Poor Ryan O'Neal is just heartbroken in this movie. Can you just imagine how her son feels? And her father lost his other daughter (her sister) to cancer in 2001, so now he is alone. How terrible. Don't you just wish there was some way that you could take their pain away?

Our Cancer Center (I work for a medical group) treats cancer aggressively; we have been the first center in the country with many technologies, and in fact train physicians from other countries. But I, myself, just could not be involved in that. My job is non-clinical (administrative), and I can deal with that. But not with the illness. I would not be able to treat patients without becoming emotionally involved with each and every one. I commend all of you who are able to give this part of yourselves.

Well. On to happier things. My BABY is coming home today! WOOHOO!!! I am finally going to post a photo of him. Do not tell him; we will not be pleased.

Today it will be a 'baby' photo. Isn't he a living doll??? I just love this photo. Look at that little belly peekin through! tee hee. He is now a handsome young man. I'm so lucky!

I took this photo in Charleston, SC, where he was born. I'm sure that Spanky, our little beagle (remind me to tell you the story some day - he is gone now) was ripping around the yard with his little tail

wagging up a storm.

Those were the days!!!

Sweet dreams,

TGIF! My favorite card yet! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Happy Friday!!!! Dontcha just love Fridays? Yum, yum, yum!!!!

I made this card last night. It is my favorite card that I have ever made! I bought this set "Take Flight" by CTMH for the cardinal image, but I thought this owl would be perfect with this paper.

I started collecting these Basic Grey 6x6 paper pads this year and have four different designs, along with some coordinating brads. This paper is called "Granola". Isn't it yummy? I love blues, browns and greys! I also used a Martha Stewart branch punch, as well as a CTMH blending pen on the eggs. I made this card as one of five for the Verve June Release Challenge. My Mojo Monday card was one of the five as well; I'll post the others in the next few days. I just love this card. It is even nicer IRL (in real life - tee hee!)!

Are you ready for the weekend? Yippeeee!!!!! My baby is coming home tomorrow! That means I have to get groceries and actually cook for a change. I suppose he is worth the sacrifice ;-).

Sweet dreams,

Mojo Monday 92 and a new Lockhart Stamp Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

It's HOT! We had a record high Monday of 99. I have not checked on the high for yesterday or today.....why get depressed? tee hee

I'm now officially hooked on Julee's Mojo Monday sketch challenges. I just love her style! Here's my take on this week's challenge. Don't you just love the little Adirondack chair? I have been dying to use this Lockhart stamp since I first got it from Susana 's store a few weeks ago. I think it goes great with this Bella paper, don't you? I also used my first Verve stamp - the sentiment from Black Tie Birdies. Yippee!!!

And woohoooo....notice the fluffy flowers? They are made with Flower Soft!!!! I was so excited to get this stuff (also from Susana ;-)...it is totally awesome!!!!! Click on the pic to see it close up. Of course I could not just buy the lavender. My favorite combo of flower colors is pink, lavender and yellow, so that's what I bought!!!! I think I also bought red to experiment with poinsettias for the holidays....hmmm. Anyway, you get a huge jar that will last close to forever!!!

RECIPE:

Paper: CTMH Bella

Ink: CTMH Smokey Plum, New England Ivy

Stamps: Karen Lockhart Adirondack Chair, Verve Black Tie Birdies

Other: CTMH Autumn Flowers, Connections Club Charm, Blending Pen, Scallop Scissors, Flower Soft, Foam Squares

What did you do today? I had one of those odd days at work where you do a bunch of little things half-way without accomplishing a whole lot of anything. Hopefully I can wrap all those things up tomorrow.

Sweet dreams,

Can't believe I made five cards tonight! CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Good grief! I had a long, happy evening of creating!

A dear friend and co-worker lost her father last Friday. Two days before Father's Day. How very sad. It is one of the hardest things we will go through, truly.

So tonight I made this sympathy card for her. I used the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday sketch challenge. This is my first challenge and my first card with Flourishes stamps. They are gorgeous! I received my first (few - tee hee) sets last week and can't wait to show you all that I've made with them already!

I used the Flourishes set "Thinking of You" for the image and the sentiment. Paper is the beautiful "That's Amore" paper pack from Close To My Heart, with coordinating accessories and inks in Vineyard Berry and Colonial White.

As I've been so chatty lately, I'll leave you with nothing more than a simple good night!

Sweet Dreams,

I won the Verve Project Parade Challenge!!!! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

I cannot believe it! WOOOHOOO!!! Anyone who knows me can attest to my competitive spirit....I LOVE to win. And I did! WOOHOOO!!! Thanks, Verve!!!!

Here's how it all came down. I came home exhausted after my crop Saturday and turned on the computer. I saw Julee's post about the June 09 Project Parade contest, which asked for a project fit for a man. Well, I had about ten minutes (maybe more...tee hee) before the contest ended, so I just linked my Father's Day card post here. Julee picked two winners and one was me!

WOOHOO!!! And how weird is this......I had just 'met' Andrea last night by posting my first post to her blog here , and she had responded to me with a nice comment. I call that a new bloggin' friend, right? Well...get this....Andrea was the other winner!!!!! How cool is that! It's a small bloggin' world, my friends.

Since I have not finished (heck, I haven't even started) my Mojo Monday card, I started perusing my computer for another project to post. Then I came across this photo of my precious kitties. Okay, they are cats, but I call them kitties. Yes, I am officially the old lady with cats. Ha!!! Does it count if you just have two?

These kitties both have a story. Target is the one on the left. Isn't she beautiful? Her name is pronounced Tar-ZHAY, like a fancy Target store. As a matter of fact, that's where we found her! About five or six year ago, Alan and I were going to Home Depot, which is across the street from Target. We were driving the afore-mentioned Raul, pictured here (love you, Raul!). Raul got his name from his license plate, which started with "RAU". And also from the fact that I had a crush on the back end of Raul Mondesi from the Dodgers. This is my last photo of Raul, right before I sold him. See why I love him? He's gorgeous!

Good grief, I hope my son does not read this. I doubt he wants me to share my lunacy with the world. HA! Anyway, we 'ran over' what I thought was a rag in the middle of the road. What I mean by running over is that I straddled it with the car, I did not hit it with the tires. Well, that little rag ran into the prickly hedge separating Target (the store) from the highway. We were sorely afraid that Target (the little fur ball) would run back into the road and get killed, so we came to the rescue. After about an hour of trying to coax her out of the bushes, I went inside Target (the store) and bought some kitty food and heavy gloves in hopes that Alan could convince Target (the fur ball) to come to him.

Being the stoic mom, I went to the outside of the hedge, along the busy highway, in case Target (the fur ball) should sprint for the road. Well, after nearly TWO hours, Alan was able to grab her. Talk about a scaredy cat! She did NOT want to be caught! We decided we would take her to a vet. Well. Of course, it was Sunday and there were not vet offices open. No need, because once I saw her tiny little face next to Alan's, 'she had me at meow'. She was so tiny that she sat in his shoe! Just a pound. I had to feed her with a dropper; she wouldn't take a bottle. The head of household kitty was not happy, but soon adapted to this new creature and as you can see, they are pretty happy together now.

Now off to get my Mojo goin'!

Sweet dreams,

Where is my reading list? and Raul's son Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Happy Father's Day! I hope you all had a great day with your daddies and hubbies. My son is with his dad today, but will be home from college with mom (me!) next week. YEEEHAWWW!!!!

When I turn on my computer, the first thing I do is go to my Blogger Dashboard to check out my reading list (you know, updated posts from the bloggers that you follow). helll-OOOO.....my reading list is empty! I am informed that I am not following anyone! Not TRUE!!!! I am distressed and depressed. Anyone else having this issue today? grumble grumble ;-)

Christina asked me the name of Raul's son (in reference to last night's post). I f you want to know the name but don't want to read my boring story, go immediately to the bottom of the post (tee hee). Seriously!

Well, you guys know how I l-o-v-e- the Dodgers! As a matter of fact, I am watching them right NOW! What a glorious life. But I digress. Tommy Lasorda was the manager of the Dodgers for 20 years (although he has been with the team since 1961, and still is!). He has been my hero for years and years. Why? Because of his loyalty and passion for what he does. It has been said that Tommy bleeds Dodger Blue!

How does this relate to my current car? When it was time to sell Raul (I had him for 12 years), I started looking for a car that I had wanted for months - a Pontiac Solstice. Well, I could not find one 'cause they were relatively new, so I had to order one made just for me. First time I had ever done that, for sure! So I bought my new car nearly three years ago. I suppose there won't be so many of them on the road now that Pontiac is shutting down!

So the name just sort of fell into place. Tommy La Solstice.......a play on Tommy Lasorda, GET IT??? Corny, I know, but that is me, Queen of Corn.

Christina, my car's name is Tommy!

p.s. That is my pretty little car over there in the right column!!!

Sweet Dreams and Go Dodgers!

Summer Road Trips - Are we there yet? CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Goodness gracious, I am tired!!!! Today was my first time hosting a crop. We had a blast! I am too old and fat to haul tables around, though. I might have to pay the younger girls to set up and break down - tee hee!!!!

Leslie wanted a close up of the cards that I posted the other day so that she could "case" them. Case away, doll! You've be better served to case Julee's, though (see my previous post). I cased hers, and hers is much better!

RECIPE (all CTMH unless noted):

Paper: Cocoa, Bamboo and Colonial White Cardstock

Stamps: Treasure Life, Say It In Style

Ink: Cocoa, Autumn Terracotta

Other: Colonial White RicRac, Nestibilities Diecuts, Prima flower, button unknown

When I was a young'un (as my dad would say - 'you young'uns hush up back there!)', we would take a road trip every summer to visit the family in Wise, Virginia. I have two sisters and a brother - all five years apart! Of course, I am a middle child - tee hee. Well, we always had a station wagon growing up. The first that I remember was a white Impala - I think it had those fins in the back. My favorite was a gold one with a third seat that faced out the back! What fun my brother and I had making faces out that back window. My mom will never read this so I am safe - ha!

My dad would always make us wake up at 3:30 in the morning to start the long trip, which would last all day and into the next . The best part was that we got to stay in a motel!!! This was a huge treat for us because we couldn't wait to use the swimming pool! Now, we were not rolling in dough, so we never stayed in any of the 'fancy' hotels - you know, Holiday Inn or Howard Johnson. They were no-name motels, but we didn't care as long as they had a swimming pool! Could we swim? Err....nope. But we were careful, so as not to spoil this privilege. It was the best part of the trip! Then we got to stay with our cousins in Virginia. My cousin Pam and I grew up together, even though we only saw each other once a year. Summers were awesome! If we were lucky, they would come visit us in Florida!

I imagine some of you still take these road trips with your kids. Alan and I took our one and only trip (remember I have been a poor single mom for 16 years now - ha) when he was about 10 years old. We had just bought 'Raul' - my wonderful Jeep Cherokee that I had to sell when I bought my new car a couple of years ago. Oh, how I miss Raul! Well, we drove up to Marion, North Carolina. Here we discovered a laser tag establishment - before we even had one here in Florida! We nearly froze up in the mountains - it was Thanksgiving and our blood thinned out a long, long time ago. But I treasure that time with my son. Since then we have taken three or four 'flying' trips. Our dream was to take a cross-country road-trip in Raul. Well, I couldn't make that one come true, but there's still time....just not in Raul!

Do you have road trip memories like mine?

Sweet dreams,

Happy Friday! Yippa-dee-doo-dah!!!! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Friday - super yum!!! I am hosting my first official crop tomorrow! So far 15 gals are confirmed. I can't wait! I'm all ready except for the food. I'll have a little money leftover, so I'm going to spend it on food for the gals. We are finally doing that card class with all those cards I posted in May.

These are some of the cards that I made to give to the facility that hosted my Open House in May. I was inspired by Julee's blog here. She "is" Verve Stamps and hosts the Mojo Monday sketch challenge that I am now forced to do every week. tee hee! My cards "don't hold a candle" to hers, but I'm aspiring ;-) I just love her style and find that it is very close to my own.

I have a funny little story to tell you. You probably do not know that my job that pays the bills is recruiting physicians for a large multispecialty group. I do other things, but that is my main responsibility.

Well. We have a lot of sweet young physicians who are just delightful. It may sound trite, but I try to find doctors who are not only top-notch physicians, but ones with good hearts who will get along with their peers as well as their patients.

Well. We had a candidate interviewing yesterday to join a department of four genuinely nice guys. She would be the first female in that department, but everyone was at ease. Everyone was so at ease at dinner that the spouses started telling little stories on the doctors!

Now that I am writing this, I realize that it will not likely be so funny in the re-telling. But I'm commited now. So picture this tall, slender young physician with a beautiful young family (one boy, one girl). Nice looking young man, quiet and "mild-mannered". A private guy, if you will.

Well. Let's call him Bill, 'cause that's not his name. tee hee. At dinner, Bill's wife was mentioning that Bill was shy and didn't want patients to recognize him when he was out shopping at Home Depot, etc. etc. So he wore a disguise. Hmmm.....how far would this conservative young man go to disguise himself from his patients? Did he wear a ball cap? Makeup? Padding to look bigger? No! He chose a sure-fire disguise. When he goes out, instead of wearing his half-rim glasses, he wears FULL-rim glasses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! True story!!!!!

Like I said, you had to be there. Not so funny in the re-telling. But he is one of the brightest people you will meet (triple-board-certified)....naively thinking that adding that lower rim on his glasses would fool everyone!

God love. What a laugh we had!

Have a great weekend!

p.s. Thank you for all of the wonderful comments and e-mails in response to my post about my Dad. So many fond memories. Enjoy your Father's Day!

Father's Day Card, but no one to give it to Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

I know most of you have probably seen the men's shirt template going around the boards - so popular last year. I decided to try one with our Sarsparilla paper. Did you know that Sarsparilla has that first 'r' in it? Fun facts to know and share - tee hee.

Anyway, isn't this cute? I thought it would be nice to add to my card class this Saturday.

We lost my dad three years ago. It seems like yesterday! My dad and I shared a love of chocolate. Our birthdays were two days apart, so we also shared our birthday celebrations! Although this is a fuzzy, blurry photo, I thought it was time that I looked at it and reminisced a bit. This was our last birthday together. We are in my mom's house. That is me beside my dad, with my cute mom standing there holding the cake. It was chocolate through and through!

I also made homemade chocolate-covered cherries for my dad that day. When we were kids, Santa always left a box of chocolate-covered cherries under the tree for my dad! Then in the late 70's he had his first heart attack....no more chocolate-covered cherries. Santa refused to bring them for the next 30 years.

Well. I knew that this would be my dad's last birthday. Now, if you can't have something that you really love for your last birthday.......then why bother, right? So I bucked convention - and mom - and made these candies just for him. Put them in little candy cups in a pretty little box. You should have seen his face! I was so proud that I was able to put a smile on his face!

Our last moments together also revolved around chocolate - what else! He had been on Hospice care at home for about a week. I was cooking roast beef....Jamaican pork....whatever I could think of to take over to the house to get him to eat. He had no appetite and just laid in the bed. One day my mom called me at the office. She told me that the Hospice worker said it was time to take him to the Hospice House and that an ambulance was on its way. I ran out of the office and got to the house before the ambulance did.

My son knows, because I have told him, that when I am ready to go, I want him to give me some chocolate. That may sound trite and shallow to some of you, but I hope most of you understand and give yourself the freedom to enjoy something you really love when the time comes. So anyway, my dad wasn't talking, just really into himself. I asked him if he wanted some chocolate. He looked up at me and gently nodded his head. My mom went to the freezer and pulled out a Dove ice cream thing - vanilla inside with chocolate outside, sort of like those chocolate-dipped vanilla cones, but square. I held it up to his lips and he ate about half of it.

Little did I know that this Dove bar would be his last meal. We all (mom, Jeannie, Teresa, Hughie and Alan) stayed with him night and day for a couple of days, till the end. Friends came and went. My dad left us. But he left me with a love for chocolate.

I have to stop now. If you still have your dad, make this Father's Day extra special. You never know how many more you will have!

Sweet dreams,

Five Blog Awards and Mojo Monday! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Before I get to my Mojo Monday card, I must say.....

Good Lord! This must have been "Blog Award Weekend" in Scrapbooking Heaven! I have been honored with five of these awards from some uber-talented ladies: Leslie, Elissa, Iona, Christina and Liz! The best thing about this is that I am meeting some new friends who have been visiting my blog....now I can visit theirs in return!!! Happy happy joy joy. Gals, thank you SOOO much! Hmmm.......I have just visited all of your blogs and cannot post a comment to any of them. What is going on? Anyone know? Hmmmm.. They are all blogspot (blogger), as is mine. Hmmmmm...

Anyway.....the rules for this one are:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Whew. I hope I will be able to comment on these 15 fab blogs to let them know that I have an award for them!!!!! Here goes (in no particular order...tee hee)

1. Nancy

2. Lucia

3. Laurel

4. Kimberly

5. Lisa

6. Tresa

7. Carla

8. Carol

9. Misty

10. Penny

11. Scrapbook Mama

12. Kelly

13. Lucy

14. Marjorie

15. Paula

Whew! Now, there's a bunch of talented ladies!!!!! I hope you enjoy the award as much as I have :-)

Now, on to my card for the Mojo Monday sketch. I discovered this skitch challenge three weeks ago and since I am OCD (self-diagnosed - tee hee), I will have to do it every week! Groan.

The little pink design is the sketch (duh). I love these tall cards! I made my first one a couple of weeks ago and posted it on this blog. I like the fact that it fits into a standard business-sized envelope, as I have tons of those. Woohoo!

I used CTMH's Whoops-a-Daisy paper for my adaptation of this sketch. I pulled out an old TLC stamp - don't ask me the name of the set, I am clueless. But I just love this frazzled gal! The sentiment says "Things are bad. Send chocolate." Tee hee. Love it!!! I also used our White Daisy ricrac (FREE TODAY - check HERE), some Stickease and a big ol' heart brad from OTC, I think.

How was your Monday? I am getting ready to warm up some leftovers (grumbling belly ;-) and watch the Bachelorette. What an easy evening! After kitty litter and trash.........sigh.

I hope you enjoy the card. And thanks again for visiting my blog, leaving your uplifting comments.....and super-thanks for the five awards!

Sweet dreams,

Send this one to your BFF! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

I just l-o-v-e Life Delights! This paper pack was one of many goodies in my consultant kit when I joined Close To My Heart in August 2007. I still have quite a bit of it, so I thoughts I'd pull it out for this "BFF" card.

Why is it a "BFF" card? Well, I used the "BFF" sentiment from "Buttoned Together" inside the card. The cute little gal is on a pull-out tag that tucks behind the flower. Ordinarily, I would have inked all of the edges. But I plan to use this as one of my Club Cards and I'm trying to keep it simple.

I have mixed feelings about Sunday evenings. On the positive side, I have clean laundry and have had some down time, and tons of creative time. On the down side, my mind is already thinking about work tomorrow. I like my job, I really do......but I wish I had an extra day to do all the things I need to do....and those that I want to do....at home! I find myself staying up later and later just to extend the weekend as long as possible.

Do you find yourself in the same dilemma? I have been the head of household for 16 years now, and it's starting to wear on me. If you have anyone that helps you at all - whether it be yardwork, cooking, cleaning or killing spiders - consider yourself blessed! Give them a big hug for me, will you?

For now, I will go back to working on my blog background. I hope you like the changes. I am likely to change it often as the mood hits!

Thanks for your visits and your comments,

RECIPE (All CTMH unless noted):
Paper: Colonial White CS, Life Delights B&T
Ink: Chocolate, Blush
Stamps: Buttoned Together, Family Ties - Children
Other: Baby Pink Spring Button, Colonial White Edge Anchor, Square Brad from Chocolate Mini-Medleys, Blush Ricrac, Martha Stewart Lace Border Punch

Dream Big, Liquid Applique and Sparkles Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Good morning! Boy, is it hot! The last two days my thermostat has been at 89 when I get home. I guess I'll have to leave the air turned down all day now...ugh! Well, let's look at the positive side - swimming pools and convertibles! tee hee

This is a simple but fun card. Of course it's hard to tell from the photo....I used a star ghost shape (next to the tag). Sparkles are used as the stars, and a liquid applique smoke plume! And of coure a DE moon.

I spent most of the day yesterday at a fun crop! I made a ton of thank you gift cards for my customers. Also several full-size cards as a thank you gift. I'll take photos and post them later this week.

Then last night I finally completed my stamp organization notebook. Woohooo!!!! My productivity has increased in proportion to my organization! Fierce!!!! Maybe I'll take photos of that, too. I know that I love when others share their organizational tips with me.

How is your weekend coming along? Are you being creative, productive, or are you chillin?

Thanks for visiting,

Twin Baby Cards - a boy and a girl! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Do not ask me how long ago the twins were born; I will not admit it. Lord only knows how delinquent I am.

My good friend Theresa has a beautiful, smart daughter named Luce. Beautiful Luce had twin babies! Lilli and James, both family names. My other good friend Rindy and I wanted to send a little something to the babies. We all used to work together (well, not the babies - duh) and Rindy and I really really miss Theresa!

At one time I had a template for a darling baby dress card, but I was unable to locate it. I found this one on Splitcoast Stampers. Is it not precious????? I could not find the overalls template for the boy card either, so I just fashioned one myself. The pocket looks crooked, but it is an optical illusion ;-)

Well, my croppin' place is a victim of this economy. In April I reserved a banquet room at a local restaurant for monthly crops for the next four months. My first one is next weekend, but no longer at the restaurant, because they have closed for business! This family-run restaurant had been open for over 20 years, and now it is gone. How sad is that! I hope that they are going to be all right. I think it's just terrible. I won't get starting on the economy or politics - I may lose some friends - ha.

What are you doing this weekend? I am ready for it...one more day! By the way, I have been meaning to thank you for visiting my blog and also for leaving comments. It feeds my soul!

Happy thoughts,


RECIPES (all CTMH product):
Boy Card: Good Times Paper, Cocoa Cardstock and Marker, Designer Brads
Girl Card: Blush Cardstock, Blush Polka Dot Ribbon, Love Story Rub-Ons

Hey there, Cupcake! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Here's a simple little card we made at Susan and Terri's gathering a couple of weeks ago. The girls learned random stamping!

Isn't that the cutest little cupcake? How about using the cupcake "wrapper" as a popcorn box and then using the curly-q's as the popcorn? A talented CTMH consultant made a cute card with this idea.

RECIPE (all products CTMH):

Paper: Daydream B&T, Creme Brulee and White Daisy Cardstock
Stamp Set: Hey there Cupcake!
Ink: Hollyhock, Blush, Lilac Mist
Other: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Blush Ricrac, Hollyhock Accents

How was your day? I missed a web meeting this afternoon because I was stuck on the phone with Delta 1 hour and 50 minutes.....yes! I am not exaggerating! Goodness gracious. I was booking a flight to Minneapolis. Well.....turns out that Delta has merged with Northwestern. The good news is that I was able to get a direct flight from Orlando on Northwestern! The bad news is that after I made my Delta reservation, I had to call Northwestern (just ten minutes, though). Well, it is finished so I am glad about that.

I've never been to Minneapolis, but I know that The Mall of America is there (wooHOO)! More importantly, though.........stamp stores? Hmmm? Any of you have any tips on stampin' stores near the Hyatt?

Sweet dreams,

This week's Mojo Monday sketch Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Happy Monday!

Are you just a little obsessive-compulsive? Well, I readily admit that I am. So of course, since I started doing the Mojo Monday sketch challenge last week, now I have to do it again this week! Good Lord! What am I going to do with all of these cards? Hmmmm...... if you want to buy this one, let me know!

Believe it or not, I used some non-CTMH supplies on this one! I was perusing Michael's a couple of weeks ago and found this "Black Tie" paper from Making Memories. It reminded me of our classic "Silhouette". So I just had to have it. I broke the seal and ooooh'd and aaaaah'd over it as soon as I got it home. Also got some too cute buttons that coordinate, but didn't use them in this project.

Those are CTMH White Daisy Rub-Ons. They glide on so smoothly! I keep forgetting that I have them! Now that I've used them today, perhaps I'll have that mind trigger!

What did you do today? I had a doctor's appointment. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that all of my cholesterol levels were normal. However, my sugar is borderline high. Yikes! No more M&M's for me, I guess. How will I be able to scrap or crop without it? I guess I'll be forced to invest in some sugar-free chocolate.


Anyone have a favorite sugar-free chocolate?


Have a wonderful night,




p.s. Que bummer! My blog background was freaking out so I've changed it. We'll see how this one plays out. Sorry if your eyes were blinded in the meantime!

RECIPE:
Paper: Making Memories "Black Tie", CTMH Cardstock (Black, White, Grey Wool)
Ink: CTMH Black
Other(All CTMH): Love Story Rub-Ons, Black Ribbon Rounds, Pewter Brads, Pewter Bigger Brad, Foundry Bookplate

Easy Peasy 10-minute Birdie Card Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

This little birdie card was so quick and easy! You all know how much I l-o-v-e the HeartFELT Whimsy Die-cuts! This little garden green birdie is one of the felt images - so cute! I gave him a Tulip eyeball and used one of the fantastic card patterns from CTMH's "Wishes" pattern book.


Honestly, it took less than ten minutes, and most of that time was hunting for my paper! tee hee. This will be one of the cards we make in my July card workshop. Too cute!

We had Stamp Camp yesterday in Orlando. It was the best one ever! All of the participants were so happy to be there and everyone worked at an even pace. Later I'll post photos of the project that I completed, designed by our uber-talented unit leader, Sherri Tozzi. Did you see her on last week's edition of Scrapbook Memories on TV? Yes, she's a superstar! And her hubby is hot....HA!

I have been very lucky this year since my beloved Dodgers are on this big winning streak. As they are still (ahem) the leaders of the ENTIRE major league, the sports channels are being forced to actually televise some of the games! Well, I recorded yesterday's game (while I was at Stamp Camp) and enjoyed watching a win in the bottom of the 12th inning! And they are on ESPN tonight! I know you probably don't care, and I understand that. But it's my life right now, so......WOOHOOO!!!!

The sky is about to open up - it is black, ominous and I hear thunder. Good time to take a nap!

Enjoy.....






p.s. Look at the "Astronomy Picture of the Day" (Sunday June 7) over in the right column. How weird is that!!!!!

RECIPE (all products CTMH):
Paper: Let's Get Together B&T, White Daisy cardstock, Tulip Cardstock
Stamps: Bird Basics (love it!)
Ink: Tulip Ink and Marker, Garden Green Ink
Other: White Daisy RicRac, Tulip brad, Staples

My First Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Have you ever tried one of these Mojo Monday sketch challenges? Well, I decided now that I am halfway organized, I'd give one a try. What fun! I pulled out the super-cute Let's Get Together paper pack along with the new Heartfelt Whimsy Die-Cuts - LOVE the felt!!!!

I also pulled out the Nestibilities that I have been "collecting" and finally used them. WOOHHOOOO!!! Organization leads to product utilization. Gotta love it!

RECIPE (all product CTMH):

Paper: Let's Get Together B&T, Tulip CS, Buttercup CS

Ink: Tulip

Stamps: Butterfly Wings, Free Spirit

Other: Heartfelt Whimsy Die-Cuts, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Garden Green Ribbon Rounds, Nestibilities

I won't bore you with the details of my day. I came down with a bug yesterday and have been barfing (don't you love that word? so descriptive....) and sleeping ever since. I think I'm going to make it to Stamp Camp in Orlando tomorrow - will see how it goes when I wake up.

p.s. Don't forget the Deal A Day offerings on my website! I ordered a stamp set today and got the Autumn Daisy flowers absolutely FREE! Plus just $3 shipping! The flowers are available till around 10:00 EST tomorrow. Then at 11:00 EST there will be a NEW free deal! Just purchase one stamp set and get the special free! What a great month to collect the solo alphas and numbers - just $13.95 per set gets you up to 16 stamps in a set!

The time I dyed Teresa's hair green Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Yes, I dyed my sister's hair green when I was in Junior High School.

But I'll show you this card first, in case you don't want to read the whole silly story. I l-o-v-e the "Notebook" paper pack! That's the paper I used for this card. And do you have the new "Wishes" card template book yet? It is to die for! I finally feel like I can make cards now! This card is fashioned after the pattern "Top It Off". I just love it!

RECIPE (all products CTMH):

Paper: Notebook, Black Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock

Stamps: Thank You My Acrylix(TM)

Ink: Hollyhock

Other: Black Mini-Brads, Black Ribbon Rounds

Okay. Now about the green hair. It was the 70's. Gone was the long straight hair of the 60's. Mary Lou Retten made the short wedge cut popular. Well, my older sister Teresa had pretty short hair. She had been "highlighting" it. Now, highlighting from the 70's was not as evolved as the products that are available today. As a matter of fact, it was brand new.

Well. I had just bought another new hair care product - the Curling Iron. It rocked! Well, Teresa decided to try it on her short, highlighted hair and she LOVED IT! She loved it so much that she decided this was the time for me to give her a perm!

A little background here. We grew up with Toni Home Perms in our heads from the moment we could walk. I used to cry and cry 'cause all the girls in the magazines had the long straight hair, and my head looked like Shirley Temple's. So we were comfortable with the idea of having perm rods in our head.

Secondly....we have VERY thick hair and LOTS of it. It takes a l-o-n-g time to roll it on those tiny little perm rods. But we had watched our mom do it our whole lives. No problem, right?

Well. This was a humid Sunday evening and my mom left for church, leaving Teresa's little head in my capable 14-year-old hands. Ha. HA. HA!!! So she read the directions to me as I started rolling. and rolling....and rolling.....ugh. Anyway, the instructions directed me to apply the perm solution to each roller as I went along. Which I did. After all, she was telling me how to do it. I can still smell that solution. Ugh. Well, by the time I got to the end, we realized it had taken a long, LONGGG time.

So I checked the first roller. Oh dear. Why did it have a sickly green hue? Sort of a cross between black and garden green. And it wasn't really curly....it was sort of......wiry. Yeah, it was wiry. The combination of the previously-mentioned highlighting and the long-standing perm solution....oh my goodness.

Well, thank God I was bigger than her (that's an understatement)! Needless to say, it was a disaster. I'm surprised all of her hair didn't fall out! I'm surprised she didn't pull out all of mine! So we took a trip to TG&Y to try to find something to bleach the color out of her hair. Then a stop at our neighbor Ruth's house. Ruth is a hairdresser, and Teresa wasn't about to let anyone else touch her head at this point.

My subconscious mind has blocked out everything after this point. It must have eventually worked out, because her hair is no longer green or wiry. As a matter of fact, she even trusted me to color it a couple of times recently!

Do you have a silly family hair story?

Ready.....Set.......Hop! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

It's here! Close To My Heart's monthly Stamp of the Month blog hop! This month's stamp set is "Tender Tags", pictured here. It consists of several styles of frilly tags with flourishes, plus "tag words" (to, from, etc.).....15 stamps in all. It's gorgeous, dahling!

If you have come here from Adeline'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 (wowza!) Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using June's Stamp of the Month 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!

When I first saw this stamp set, I thought that a couple of the tags looked like flower petals. So I used three different tags to decorate this little purse, made from a white paper lunch bag. I love to make these! I suppose it is more of a gift bag than a purse. I have been hoarding my "Key To My Heart" paper (CTMH's January Constant Campaign, if I recall). It is just about the most beautiful paper i have ever seen. As a matter of fact, my sister Teresa, who does not even scrapbook (yet...mawh ha ha!!!) thought about ordering it 'cause it is so very beautiful! Her birthday is today (Happy Birthday, Sis!), so I may just sneak some of this paper over to her house after all!

RECIPE (all products CTMH):
Paper: Key To My Heart, Tulip Cardstock
Stamp Set: Tender Tags
Ink: Sorbet, Tulip, Juniper
Other: Colonial White Ricrac, Tulip Brads, Fancy Cuts Botanicals (Juniper Flourish), Connections Club Charm

Now "Hop" on over to Chris' Blog 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!

WAIT! Before you leave, though, let me tell you about CTMH's Daily Deals for the month of June! The Deals start today at 11:00 a.m. EST, 9:00 a.m. MT.

There will be two different types of “deals” offered every day on MyCTMH websites through this exciting promotion:

Receive a free item with a qualifying purchase. On 24 of the 30 days in June, you can receive a specially-selected current product absolutely free (tax does apply on free items in the US) when you purchase a My Acrylix® stamp set, size A, B, C, D, or E (excluding Stamp of the Month, customized or K-size sets, and Art & Soul featured stamp sets). The free product will change daily and there can be only one free item per order. Shoppers will also save big on shipping when orders meet all Deal-a-Day guidelines.

Receive 50% off or more on “Great Goodies” boxes. On 6 of the 30 days in June, you can purchase a “mystery” box filled with “Great Goodies.” Contents will vary by box and include both current and retired favorite stamp sets, paper packs, embellishments, and other great products. The six “Great Goodies” boxes will all have different pricing of at least 50% off retail, with some at even deeper discounts! Note that we have made every effort to differentiate the 6 “Great Goodies” options so you can purchase boxes on different dates and receive a wide variety of differing products! No qualifying purchase is required on the days a “Goodies” box is the deal; discounted shipping is also available when orders meet all Deal-a-Day guidelines.

Deals will be available for 23 hours each day. Quantities are plentiful, so save yourself some frustration and shop later in the day, rather than early when the sites may be jammed. I can't wait to see what is available! What a great way to get more for your money in this economy, right?

So set your alarm to check out your consultant's website every day. If you don't have a consultant, you're invited to shop on mine here.

Thanks for stopping by! If you missed any of the Blog Hop links, the list is below.

Enjoy!



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/