Flowers! Real ones this time.

I couldn't resist taking pictures of the flowers in the front yard this morning.

These flowers symbolize new hope...

Word Bloom for SIL & BIL

Time flies, I guess. No mojo Monday last week. I will hopefully get to the 30-minute Thursday challenge before the new one comes out next week, since I won last week and all. Woo hoo! Thanks, Lain!

Anyhow, I present to you a word bloom for your viewing pleasure.

Supplies CTMH except as noted
Paper Packet: Serendipity
Colors: Chocolate, Bamboo, Outdoor Denim, Dutch Blue
Chipboard letters: Paper Studio

Lots going on around here; but I don't want to get Deuced. I can't find the link right now, but basically Deuce is/was the hilarious blogger who got fired from her job for blogging not-so-nice things about her boss. No, I'm not talking about my CTMH bosses. I love them! Hi, Buffie and Kim! Mwah!

Mojo Monday 33 - Bday Card for Nana

The final birthday in April happens to be my mother's, a.k.a. Nana. For her card I drew inspiration from Mojo Monday on Poetic Artistry. This was my first time participating in this challenge, and I must say that I really got into -- so much that I stayed up waaaayyyy too late last night working on the card.

So, I present Mojo Monday #33 for Nana:

Supplies all CTMH except as noted.
Colors: Garden Green, Petal, Chocolate, Parchment
My Acrylix Stamp Sets: Wishes, Free Spirit
Embellies: Brads, Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensional Elements Fresh Shapes, Ice Stickles in Grape Ice (by Ranger Industries)

Tomorrow my upline and I are having a workshop to make an awesome mini-album. The preparation involves much cutting, but since this will be my second workshop of this project, plus I made a prototype, I think it should go smoothly.

ScrapHappy 30-Minute Thursday 4-17-08

For a while I have been admiring Lain Ehmann's 30-minute Thursday challenge but have not yet participated. So, may I present my first ScrapHappy 30-minute Thursday Layout:

All goodies CTMH except as noted.
Colors: Olive, Hollyhock, Autumn Terracotta, Buttercup, Sweet Leaf, Barn Red
My Acrylix Stamps: Tiny Typewriter Alphabet
Font: CTMH Girlfriend
Embellies: 3/8" Ric Rac Ribbon, Clear Buttons, Craft Buttons, Just Blooms, Paper Flower (Bazzill 3 Gerbera Candle), Brad (Bazzill Mono Trio Haley 10 mm)
Stamp: Autumn Leaves Journal Parentheses

Last week as I was leaving COSTCO with my mom, I noticed a huge table full of gerbera daisies. Knowing that I would probably kill it, I declined a purchase and snapped a couple photos instead. This challenge was a great opportunity to use these pics.

You'll notice I even used the photos under the clear buttons! I just adhered them with CTMH Liquid Glass (yep, it works like a glue, too!) then, after it dried, I trimmed around the buttons with my handy-dandy micro-tip scissors.

Incidentally, those scissors were the catalyst for becoming a CTMH consultant. If you have been to one of my gatherings, you know the deal-ee-oh. Anyway, why on earth I am posting at 2:45 a.m. and not sleeping is beyond me. I think I took advantage of my 6th wind.

Coming up tomorrow, er, um, I mean when the sun rises... Mojo Monday Challenge!

April is birthday month at our house

And yet another birthday card. This one is for DH's sis. She lives in Oregon with her three children, her new husband, and her new stepdaughter. We miss them so much! So this card is for her...

All Supplies CTMH
Paper: Creative Basics, Boom-di-Ada kit
Colors: Sweet Leaf, Buttercup, Hollyhock, Autumn Terracotta
Featuring my new favorite embellie: The Clear Button!

I'm off to do Lain's 30-minute Thursday!

Not your typical Color Challenge - Birthdays

When we thinking of birthdays we probably think of primary colors or maybe some pastels for little girls. We even have black and white for those monumental over-the-hill birthdays. Over the next week (until Friday, April 18), I challenge you to create a birthday card using colors you might not typically associate with birthdays.

For example, I chose green as my main color with some atypical accent colors including orange.

Supplies (all ctmh)
Colors: Garden Green, Autumn Terracotta, Sunflower, Twlighit
Stamps: Celebration Blocks, Happy Birthday

Now, go, you! Create! In the comments below, post a link to your creation.

Top Line Creations

Since recently revamping their business model, Top Line Creations (TLC) has left some consultants looking for new opportunities in the scrapbooking industry. When I heard about this, I really felt sad for them. I don't know what I would do if this happened to me! I love what I do, and I love showing others how to do it. Luckily, Close to my Heart wants to help!

If you are one of the affected consultants, and you want to continue creating beautiful projects and paving the way for others to do the same, let me know. Even if you just consider yourself a "hobbyist", that is fine. Contact me through this blog or on my Close to my Heart website. We have an awesome deal going on where TLC consultants can get the CTMH consultant kit for half price! If you know an affected TLC consultant, send them my way. Thanks!

Hugs and happy stamping!

Bella birthday card and news from the homefront

I want to share with you this card I made for a dear friend in Colorado. It is also for Sketch Challenge #7 on My Paper World.





Stamp: cupcakebella from stampingbella
Paper: Giggles & Grins (CTMH)
Colors (All CTMH) Cranberry, Sunny Yellow, Black
Embellishmens: Various ribbons, CTMH Sparkles and Liquid Glass, Eyelets from RAK from Annapurna.

NEWS

During March I recruited 5 consultants for CTMH and was promoted from consultant to supervisor to manager. As such, I decided it would be a great idea to attend the 2008 Convention in Orlando this July. Woo hoo!!!! DH is the best for helping me figure out a way to go.

Without going into detail, as of today, I am a stay-at-home mom! I will have time to get some much needed rest, do some therapeutic crafting, and hang out with my daughter. Once again, DH has shown me how wonderful he is by completely supporting me in this transition. The breadth and depth of his love are amazing!