Midwest by Southwest

New blog

2010-03-24T13:09:00.002-06:00

New endeavors and bright beginnings call for a change of pace.

Join me over at my new blog, DillyBelle Media.

Sympathy Card

2009-12-02T16:25:00.001-07:00

And once again, someone else's sad occasion has given me the chance to be creative.

Here is a sympathy card I created for a coworker whose MIL passed away:

Mojo Monday #95

2009-07-14T23:09:00.004-06:00

Another fantastic Mojo Monday sketch! This one must have inspired me because I finished it in half the time I normally do.

Here is the sketch:

And here is my creation:

This card features a the CTMH My Acrylix Stamp Set called Be Yourself. It was the Stamp of the Month in May, and I miss it terribly! I hope it shows up in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book. Other supplies used were (all CTMH):
Cardstock: Desert Sand card base and accent mats, White Daisy, Tulip, Clover Meadow
Exclusive Ink Pads: Desert Sand, Tulip, Clover Meadow
Patterned paper: from Creative Basics, Animal House collection
White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon

Photo Editing: Frame-Ups & Special Effects Day 1

2009-07-11T11:23:00.003-06:00

At work, I have been super busy with proofing and editing all the copy for the magazine. I was hoping to use my lunch hours to do the Photo Editing: Frame-Ups & Special Effects class from jessicasprague.com. Luckily I had some time this morning to do Project 1: Frame Up and Word-i-fy. Here is what I created:

So much fun! This photo was taken last weekend in Dubuque right next to the Mississippi River. See the bridge in the background? I didn't want to cover the bridge with the word art, so I put the word art in the top left corner instead of the bottom left like Jessica did. I like it this way. Plus I love that this lesson included a word so appropriate for my daughter.

Now I'm off to try Day 2!

Mojo Monday #94

2009-07-09T22:36:00.005-06:00

I wish I could live a cheerful life with only four hours of sleep per night. I would have three hours more to take an online class in photo editing, or do some laundry.

So, here I am, taking a break from editing magazine articles to create a card. I know it's Thursday. Um, please don't judge me. At least I do have some mojo. Anyway, first I present the Week 94:

And, the card I created that is based on the sketch:

Supplies used (all CTMH):
Cardstock: Colonial White, Juniper, Sorbet, Black
Exclusive Inks: Creme Brulee, Juniper, Sorbet, Tulip, Black
Patterned Paper: Key to my Heart (former Constant Campaign)
My Acrylix Stamp Set: You've Got Flair (July 09 Stamp of the Month)
Embellies: Juniper coin accent, Juniper metal corner accent

Feel Better Soon

2009-06-30T15:01:00.004-06:00

The emergency appendectomy of a coworker definitely is not a happy occasion. However, it does provide me the opportunity to make a card. So that's how I spent my lunch hour.

Supplies (All CTMH, except as noted):
Textured Carstock: Desert Sand (embossed with the Cuttlebug and the Swirls folder)
Cardstock: Olive, Smokey Plum, Colonial White
Patterned Paper: My Reflections Level 2 Paper Packet in Bella
Ribbon: Hollyhock Twill
Edge Anchors and Brads: Colonial White
Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads: Smokey Plum, Olive, Creme Brulee
3-D Foam Tape
Other: Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper (1/2" setting)

Lovely Blog Award

2009-06-22T08:28:00.006-06:00

Thanks to Cheryl for bestowing upon me my first blog award!

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.Here are my picks for this award (in no particular order):

Jami
Erin
Kimberly
Sharon
Clerissa
Sheila
Kandi

Here are the first seven. I will nominate eight more very soon!

These blogs are fellow CTMH sisters who create marvelous things and show me what can be done with our products. If you need some inspiration, these gals will provide it. Thanks, ladies!

Mojo Monday, Week 91

2009-06-17T12:49:00.007-06:00

I hadn't played along with a Mojo Monday sketch challenge in a while, so I decided to jump back in that pool. Turns out the water was warm and welcoming. Here is the sketch:

And here is my creation:

Supplies (All CTMH):
Colors: Smokey Plum, Creme Brulee, Hollyhock, Olive
Patterned Paper: Bella B&T Duos from Level 2 My Reflections Paper Packet
Ribbon: Hollyhock Twill
My Acrylix Stamp Set: TLC
Rhinestone Frames (Exclusively for Connections Club members)
Pewter Brads and Mini Brads
Cardstock
Exclusive Inks

Changes

2009-06-15T19:16:00.006-06:00

Captain Obvious is here to tell you that changes are happening.

Here is a flower from outside my dwelling three weeks ago:

And here is a flower from outside my dwelling a couple hours ago:

Yes, we moved from New Mexico to Iowa (note new blog title). I accepted a full-time job at my alma mater doing what I love. The daughter is making friends, which is definitely good. The husband is still back in New Mexico preparing the house to be sold. So, now things have settled down, which means I have time to make pretty things and blog.

Most recently I have been using Wishes for inspiration. In this excellent how-to book, there is a section called Celebration Card Workshop which gives instructions on how to make 12 cards , two each of six designs. So, that became my weekend project.

I displayed the cards on my new Umbra Fotofalls. I have wanted one since I saw one at Christmas, and I finally stumbled across one at Archivers at the Mall of America (only 3 hours away!).
B&T Duos
Supplies (All CTMH)
Colors: White Daisy, Tulip, Sunflower, Clover Meadow, Dutch Blue and Desert Sand
Patterned Paper: Animal Crackers Creative Basics
Cardstock
Exclusive Inks
Designer Ribbon Rounds
Liquid Glass
3-D Foam Tape
My Acrylix Stamp Sets: Treetops (C1368), Thank You (D1361)

And the blog candy winner is...

2009-04-13T08:46:00.003-06:00

Mama Erin! Congratulations on winning the blog candy, Erin!

I know you already have the With Love set, so I will let you select a different set. Email me at rhwcrafts at yahoo dot com and we will discuss it. Thanks, Erin!

Mojo Monday, 365 Cards

2009-04-08T22:46:00.005-06:00

I'm not usually a fan of combining two challenges into one project, but I couldn't resist doing it this time. The Mojo Monday Sketch looks so fun, and the 365 Cards Wacky Wednesday challenge looks fun too. That challenge is to use Orange, Green, and Purple -- three of my favorite colors!!!

Here is the Mojo Monday sketch #81

And here is what I created:

And a slideshow:

All Supplies CTMH:
Colors: Goldrush, Petal, and Garden Green
My Acrylix Stamps: Dream Team
Patterned Paper from Boom-Di-Ada covering a star, circle, and dot Dimensional Element
Embellishments: Garden green grosgrain ribbon, corduroy brad, mini safety pins, arrow photo clip; Petal brads; Sparkles

Thanks for looking, and have a great day!

Truly Scrumptious #4

2009-04-05T18:18:00.004-06:00

While checking out different crafty blogs, I came upon a new and exciting sketch challenge site, Truly Scrumptious. So, I checked out the week 4 sketch:

and knew immediately what I wanted to create. Earlier yesterday I saw Laurel Seabrook's card on the CTMH bulletin board and was inspired to make something similar in Ocean and Orange. I love the way these colors look together, and I knew I could use my new orange Prima embossed flowers I got from my secret sister, since the Truly Scrumptious theme was "flower power". Here is what I created:

Supplies (CTMH unless noted)-
Cardstock: Ocean and White Daisy
Exclusive Inks: Orange and Black
Stamps: a new set I'll show you more of over the next few weeks
Glitter: Prisma Glitter
Flowers: Prima
Ribbon: from stash

Follow me; win BLOG CANDY!

2009-04-03T15:58:00.002-06:00

For the last year I have been stashing away potential blog candy in a drawer in my craft space. I stashed a much-coveted CTMH stamp of the month from last summer as well as some cute things and duplicates I received as gifts. My intention was to award the stash o' blog candy when my counter hit 5,000. That it did not too long ago!

Also, I need more followers! At this moment, Naomi is my lone follower. So, click the "follow" button on the right column of this page. Everyone who does so in the next week (by the end of the day on Friday, April 10, 2009) will be entered to win this stash o' blog candy worth more than $50:

In addition, if you post a link to this on your blog, you will be entered 2 more times, tripling your chance of winning! Just leave a comment here with a link to your post that has a link back my post (confusing, eh?).

Thanks in advance for entering!

Recent Swaps

2009-04-01T13:07:00.002-06:00

I have been busy working on swaps, and I'm having a blast! The most recent cards I finished are for an internal CTMH swap among us consultants. This particular swap is a business builder swap that will allow us to show off our Solos My Acrylix Stamps sets, 36 matching sets which each contain one letter or single digit. I hadn't planned on joining this swap, but the hostess asked me to fill in for a couple consultants who dropped out.

The first card I created features the letter "Q". I was inspired by a card I received in a previous Solos swap. I would love to give credit to the creator of that card, but there was no contact information on it. I love the interactive front! I bent the rules a bit and added the word "pull" from the Confidential My Acrylix Stamps set since most consultants will keep the cards in a clear protector, and someone might not know at first glance that the cards have an interactive component.

Here is my "Q" creation:

The second card I made featured the number 7. Again, I was inspired by a card from a previous Solos swap. Fortunately, this card did have contact information on the back. It was created by M. Tina Christesen.

Here is my "7" creation:

Alphabet Swap - Sanding Embossed Cardstock

2009-03-15T17:22:00.005-06:00

I have spent the weekend creating 27 cards for an alphabet swap. The alphabet I used was Sans Alphabet. The swap guidelines were that the cards must be 4" x 6", use all CTMH products, and include at least one embellishment. Here is what I created:

First, I cut Black Textured Cardstock into 4" x 6" rectangles; then I ran each of those through my Cuttlebug in the D'Vine Swirl embossing folder. This created the raised pattern on the card base. Next I lightly sanded the surface to expose the white core in the cardstock. To color the white core, I rubbed my Baby Pink stamp pad across the swirls.

I used my Cricut to create the layered, cut swirl to display the focal point, the Sans Alphabet My Acrylix stamp set. With the Storybook cartridge, I cut the base swirl from the Lilac Mist swirled (noticing a theme?) patterned paper from the Daydream Level 2 My Reflections Paper Packet, and I cut the top layer swirl from Blush Cardstock. With the Blush swirls still on the Cricut cutting mat, I stamped them with the Sans Alphabet stamps which spelled the words "Sans Alphabet". Leaving the swirls on the mat allowed me to stamp them quite easily. Plus, since CTMH's My Acrylix stamp sets are clear (and so are the acrylic blocks), I could easily place the stamp on the swirl. No craning my neck like I would have needed to do with rubber stamps!

For the accent strip on the right, I used Lilac Mist cardstock and the striped patterned paper from the Daydream packet. The embellishments I used are swirl paper clips, Spring Green grosgrain ribbon, and eyelets in Hollyhock and Spring Green.

I can't wait to see what the other 25 alphabet cards have been created by the other CTMH ladies in the swap!

Mojo Monday

2009-03-10T18:34:00.004-06:00

Long time, no blog. I have been consumed by my online class (Stacy Julian's A Library of Memories at Big Picture Scrapbooking, and have been a bit under the weather.

I wanted to make something pretty and nearly effortless. So, I turned to a sketch for inspiration. Here is this week's Mojo Monday Sketch:

And here is my creation:

Supplies (All CTMH):
Patterned Paper: Unforgettable B&T Duos
Rub-ons: Love Story
Cardstock: Sorbet, Cocoa, Vanilla Cream
Ribbon: Cocoa Grosgrain
Brads: Sorbet
Adhesives: 3-D Foam Squares, Tombow Mono (Permanent)

Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T16:56:00.004-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

This is the first year in 9 years that my daughter didn't exchange Valentine's with her class. I couldn't bear the thought of no Valentine's, so I created a few for her gym team. The idea was taken from Jeanette Lynton's blog. These lollipops looked so cute, I just couldn't resist!

On Thursday I started the Library of Memories class on Big Picture Scrapbooking. This online class involves not only learning about Stacy Julian's system of storing and scrapping photos, it involves relearning and changing my thinking, habits, and attitude towards photos and scrapbooking. Our pre-class assignment was to decorate our portable desktop, a clipboard. Here's mine:

And now the tough part begins. I'm still listening to the first lesson. In fact, I should be doing that instead of blogging!

Sketch Saturday, February

2009-02-08T14:37:00.003-07:00

I apologize for my blog vacation. We have been sick, out of town, and otherwise occupied. However, papercrafts are never far from my mind.

At first glance, this week's Sketch Saturday didn't appeal to me. It seemed to balance, both horizontally and vertically. Then I looked at it a little while longer, and I was inspired.

Here is the original sketch by Jeanette:

And here is my take on Jeanette's sketch:

Supplies (All CTMH):
Patterned paper: My Reflections Paper Packet - That's Amore
Cardstock: Garden Green, Chocolate
My Acrylix Stamps: Ms. Sweetheart
Exclusive Inks Markers: Vanilla Cream, Chocolate, Garden Green, Cranberry, Hollyhock
Buttons
Sparkles

Sketch Saturday

2009-01-22T17:13:00.002-07:00

I loved the adorable sketch for this week's Sketch Saturday Challenge. I actually created it on Sunday, but I haven't posted it until now. Anyway, here it is!

Supplies (all CTMH, except as noted):
Patterned paper: Daydream
My Acrylix Stamps: Happy Endings
Pink Bloom flower
Colors: Hollyhock, Sweet Leaf, Lilac Mist, Buttercup, Creme Brulee
Silver and Gold Metallic Gel Pens: Pentel

Papertake Weekly Challenge

2009-01-14T15:50:00.003-07:00

And another challenge card...

I needed to make a fantastic card for my boss. She put up with me being out the past two days due to my daughter's sickness. But, my mind is so full of junk that I couldn't conjur up a sketch in my head, so I turned to Papertake Weekly.

Clearly Cupcakes and Sketch Saturday

2009-01-12T17:06:00.004-07:00

My daughter laughs at me because I am obsessed with cupcakes lately. Her friend has Converse tennis shoes with sparkly cupcakes on them, and I am positively covetous! What can I do about it? Glad you asked. I can make my own (inedible) cupcakes!

Clearly Cupcake Pail

CTMH supplies:
Patterned paper: Daydream B&T Duos
Stamps: Cupcake Sprinkles My Acrylix
Colors: Blush, Hollyhock, White Daisy, Black, Spring Iris, Lilac Mist
Heart: Dimensional Elements, Dazzling Die Cuts
Liquid Applique (white), Prisma Glitter, assorted ribbons
Other brands:
Faerie Glass (Rose)
Pail from stash
Adhesive: Xyron 5" Creation Station
Ink: StazOn Opaque White

Clearly Cupcake Card (for Sketch Saturday)

CTMH supplies:
Patterned paper: Daydream B&T Duos
Stamps: Cupcake Sprinkles My Acrylix
Colors: Blush, Hollyhock, White Daisy, Black, Spring Iris, Lilac Mist
Other supplies:
Ink: StazOn Opaque White
Acetate sheet from stash
Glue Dots

Small card, big impact

2009-01-09T17:35:00.002-07:00

Would you believe this card is only 2.5" by 3.5"? It is standard ATC size and is the perfect size to hold a business card!

(CTMH consultants, if you are interested in a swap for Business Builder cards in this size, head on over to the main Consultant Bulletin Board in the Swaps section.)

I'm a slow poke

2009-01-07T14:22:00.003-07:00

In craft classes, I'm usually the last to leave because I'm a few steps behind. I've always been a slow reader, too. But now I realize that I need to step up the pace in order to create more projects.

I used to to consider it cheating to create one card that fits several different challenge criteria. I let go of that. I want to participate in so many challenges, but I don't have all the time and supplies. So, I'm cutting corners, so to speak.

Here is my card for Sketch Saturday and Papertake Weekly.

All supplies CTMH:
Stamp Set: Happy Endings
Patterned Paper: Daydream B&T Duos
Colors: Sweet Leaf, Creme Brulee, Hollyhock, Blush, White, Black, Lilac Mist

Business Builder Swap

2009-01-06T20:25:00.003-07:00

I have been a busy bee working on 32 cards for a swap in my Motion to Promotion group. These cards are made from Close to my Heart My Acrylix stamps sets exclusively for consultants. They are so versatile! I can't wait to see what the other ladies have made.

All supplies from Close to my Heart

Stamp Set: Celebrate Relationships
Colors: Tulip, Sorbet, Juniper, Creme Brulee, Cocoa, Colonial White
Patterned Paper: Key to my Heart B&T Duos

Stamp Set: Just a Reminder
Colors: Cocoa, Indian Corn Blue, Sunflower, Hollyhock, Colonial White
Patterned Paper: Magic Moments B&T Duos
Embellishments: Spiral Clips (Pewter), Twill Ribbon (Hollyhock), Eyelets (Sweet Leaf)

Stamp Set: Celebrate Relationships
Colors: Sweet Leaf, Blush, Black, White, Hollyhock, Lilac Mist
Patterned Paper: Daydream B&T Duos
Embellishments: Hemp string (Black)

Stamp Set: A Huge Thanks
Colors: Hollyhock, Chocolate, Cocoa, Crystal Blue, Twilight, Bamboo
Patterned Paper: Notebook B&T Duos

Yes, I do create scrapbook layouts!

2008-12-27T14:11:00.006-07:00

My 12x12 scrapbooking has taken a back seat lately to other paper crafts. So, in an effort to return to my roots, so to speak, I present a 2-page layout I created yesterday:

The inspiration came from a dress yesterday which I saw at the Fashion in Film exhibit at the New Mexico Museum of Art. The dress was worn by Joanne Whalley in the 1994 tv mini-series "Scarlett", a sequel to Gone With The Wind.

I was struck by the flowers on the neckline, particularly the contrast of the flowers with the color of the dress. I'm not a big fan of lace, but this is one exception.

And the only scrapbook subject I could pair with the inspiration of such a beautiful dress is my beautiful daughter.

The letter I wrote to my daughter right after the concert.

Supplies (Close to my Heart unless noted):
Cardstock: Spring Iris, Creme Brulee
Floral Die-cuts
Ink: Black
My Acrylix Stamp sets: Annotations, My Heart, Chocolate Alphabets, large and small

Exciting Day!

2008-12-16T17:24:00.004-07:00

I, for one, have grown a bit weary of creating cards and other paper things with Christmas- and Winter-themed products. That could be because I started making Christmas cards in September. So, I have a great cure.

I have been waiting for a couple of weeks to share this with everyone. I dropped a hint. But now I can officially share it!

Close to my Heart is letting us get a jump on National Papercrafting month in January by offering this gorgeous paper packet and large stamp set starting today! The Key to my Heart Kit is so cute, I can hardly stand it.

Besides the desk organizer, I made a couple other fun little projects... a pen holder an a window box.

The My Acrylix stamp set is a Size E, which is larger and usually reserved for big alphas. This set includes fun flourishes that match perfectly with the patterned paper included in the kit. The colors are Tulip, Sorbet, Juniper, and Creme Brulee, CTMH's newest colors.

Of course, there are ways you can get this kit at a discounted rate -- spend $130 and get the kit for free, or spend $75 and get the kit for $20. However, CTMH is also offering it at the retail price of $47.90, so you can get the kit without spending a minimum amount on other products.

Papertake Weekly

2008-12-13T21:38:00.005-07:00

Apparently I have entered a(nother) challenge phase. The Papertake Weekly Challenge this week is my favorite kind of challenge, a sketch! Woo hoo!

I had a great time making this card, and it provided a welcome diversion from Christmas cards.

This card is for a member of my Close to my Heart team. The paper is not available to the public yet, but it's going to be a hit! The colors used are Sweet Leaf, Twilight, Vineyard Berry, Cocoa, and Colonial White. The images are from a consultant-only set, but some similar images will be available in the new Idea Book that debuts on Jan 1. Keep an eye out for them! As for the embellishments, the bracket and star are from Dazzling Die Cuts, and the ribbon is 1/4" grosgrain in Vineyard Berry.

Sketch Saturday

2008-12-09T17:19:00.003-07:00

While looking at various blogs, I came upon Sketch Saturday. The sketch struck me right away as a fun one, so I found some great holiday paper and stamps. I'm a pushover for a good sketch, and this sketch is great! Here is my take on the sketch:

The patterned paper is from CTMH's Aspen My Reflections Level 2 Paper Packet, and the stamps are CTMH's My Acrylix set called Homeward Bound. I colored the image with watercolor pencils and blended them with my Waterbrush. The glitter is Diamond Sparkles by PSX (very old, in fact I dont think the company exists anymore). The ovals and circles were cut using my Coluzzle. Finally, a chance to use my oval template!

A challenge? Really?

2008-12-04T08:36:00.004-07:00

Yes, much time has passed since I took up a challenge. But yesterday I was completely lacking inspiration, and I still have Christmas cards which need to be made. So, I hopped on over to Papertake Weekly and took up this week's recipe challenge.

The recipe called for one ribbon, two rectangles, and three round embellishments. Feeling particularly creative, I stacked three embellishments -- a button, a brad, and a sparkle -- rather than laying them out alone.

The polar bear image is one I received from SBS-12 sistah, Melissa, in a recent Holiday Images Swap. Thanks, Melissa! The other materials are CTMH, including the patterned paper from Evensong Creative Basics, presents image from the my Acrylix Stamp set Jingle Borders (which could also be used for a birthday card as a wise friend pointed out), and ribbon, button, brad, and sparkle. The colored inks are Cranberry and Olive.

Countdown to Christmas, and Blog Candy

2008-12-03T15:57:00.004-07:00

When I was young, my mom would get an Advent calendar, and my sister and I would take turns opening the little door each day to reveal a chocolate. I was usually odd (don't say it!) and my sister, even. Oh how I looked forward to those odd days. I didn't even like the chocolates much; I liked opening the doors. I enjoyed tearing the perforation and discovering a shape below the chocolate. In the years after I left home, my mom continued to send me Advent calendars. But without that childlike excitement, I usually didn't open the doors.

Now I have taken that excitement and applied my current, craftiness to create a reusable Advent calendar. Each day in December, my husband and my daughter will take turns pulling out a little drawer filled with Hershey's Kisses!

Materials:
Paper: Evensong B&T Duos, Level 2 Paper Packet (CTMH)
Stickers: Evensong My Stickease (CTMH)
Rub-ons (CTMH)
Brads (CTMH)
Countdown Calendar with number stickers included (Karen Foster Design)

And head on over to Jami's blog. For blog candy. Congrats on 7,000 hits, Jami!

Happy USA Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T10:03:00.003-07:00

I am thankful for the inspiration and friendship you all provide. Your creativity and kindness are irreplaceable.

On this day, even if you don't live in the USA, give thanks for your family — whatever that family is to you. Be it your birth family, adopted family, online family, or close friends, give a little shout out for their presence in your lives.

Here is my contribution to Thanksgiving: pumpkin pies and a candle jar decorated with CTMH rub ons.

Papercrafting Sneak Peek

2008-11-26T11:46:00.004-07:00

I needed a short break from Holiday crafting so I moved on to something I am finding super exciting. I love, love, love, this paper and stamp set. It is from Close to my Heart, but it isn't available to customers yet. January will be National Papercrafting Month, and this paper will help us celebrate that. I will give you a couple sneak peeks before it is available. Without further adieu, I present the desk organizer I made...

Supplies (all CTMH except as noted):
B&T Duos (secret packet)
Cardstock: Juniper, Colonial White
Paint around the edges: Create-a-Shade Paint with Creme Brulee reinker added
Colors: Juniper, Creme Brulee, Tulip, Sorbet, Colonial White
Tag: Dimensional Element from Dazzling Die Cuts collection, attached with Colonial White Waxy Flax
Desk Organizer: Bare Elements

Thank You Card

2008-11-17T14:48:00.003-07:00

I was hoping to cheat and find some cute challenge this card would fit into, but the truth is I just made it for a friend with no internet blog challenge backing. It is made, however, from the Center Charms pattern out of Jeanette Lynton's Originals Card Confidence program.

Continuing my month of Dazzling Die Cuts, I attached the Twilight circles to Twilight cardstock then sanded the raised edges. And shockingly, I actually embossed the Desert Sand "T". The B&T Duos paper is from the My Reflections Simple Pleasures paper packet. Oh, and the tag is also a Dazzling Die Cut.

Dazzling Die Cuts

2008-11-13T21:16:00.002-07:00

Our CTMH Constant Campaign for this month is so cute and inexpensive. I just had to share. Below is a picture of the display board I created and bring with me to gatherings and workshops.

Colors: Twilight, Creme Brulee, Bamboo, Outdoor Denim

Pumpkins

2008-11-10T22:14:00.003-07:00

The best time to get pumpkins is after Halloween. We picked up 16 small ones at the Wagner Farm and decorated them sans carving. The daughter did an excellent job with paint pens and feathers, while I chose a simple homage to my alma mater.

Fall Card

2008-11-07T14:52:00.002-07:00

I had a blast making this card for a swap with my SBS-12 sistahs.

All materials CTMH:
Cardstock: Colonial White (card and image bases), Cocoa (solid layer), Indian Corn Blue (scalloped circle)
B&T Duos: Stripes from Magic Moments
My Acrylix Stamp Sets: Thoughtful Seasons (leaf, pumpkin, and HARVEST sentiment), Tiny Typewriter (asterisk in between HAR and VEST)
Exclusive Inks: Sunflower (leaf), Cocoa (pumpkin and sentiment)
Ribbon: Sunflower Organdy from Autumn Harvest Ribbon Round
Tag: Dazzling Die Cuts small tag in Sunflower, adhered to Dimensional Elements chipboard tag
Waxy Flax: Chocolate (to tie tag to bow)
Eyelet: Hollyhock

Incredulous

2008-11-04T22:54:00.002-07:00

I can barely put to words my feelings now. I am stunned, happy, scared, anxious, and elated all at once.

My husband voted for the first time today. I am so proud of him. All the poll workers clapped when they found out he was a first-timer! Here is a picture taken with my Blackberry camera. It's not an artistic masterpiece, but it captures a memory I will hold dearly in my heart.

Autumn Squash Book & Christmas Cards

2008-11-03T21:22:00.002-07:00

For Michelle, who will be hosting a workshop next week, I present the Autumn Squash Book. Not squash like the gourd, but squash like smashing something. The multiple folds in this book allow it to squash. So fun!

And, of course, I am making a few Christmas cards here and there:

And now, my photo of the day.

Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

2008-11-02T17:42:00.002-07:00

To fulfill a promise, DH and I took the daughter to the pumpkin patch today in Corrales. We quickly discovered that we had chosen a perfect day to go. Being the last day, there was no crowd, and we were able to take home as many pumpkins as we wanted for free. The pickins were slim, but we chose 16 adorably cute, small pumpkins. In the maze I was grateful that DH took the lead. I was a bit panicky at first, thinking of Children of the Corn, but it was actually lots of fun.

And the photo I have chosen for the photo-a-day challenge:

Now it's off to create a squash book in preparation for an upcoming workshop!

Photo-a-Day Challenge Kick-off

2008-11-01T22:50:00.003-06:00

I have taken on a personal challenge to take a photo each day during the month of November. I want to get to know my new(ish) camera, and I want to work on my stick-to-it-ness.

My first photo depicts a little bit of each person in our family. I wanted to start with something from our everyday lives, and what better than something we scan over each day, consciously or not.

Also, as an Autumn gift, I decorated a candy jar for my boss. Not only is the jar functional, it is so stinkin' cute, if I do say so myself!

My favorite element on the jar is the "D", which is an alpha from CTMH's November Constant Campaign, Dazzling Die Cuts. I have been working with these textured cardstock goodies for a week or so and having so much fun. Look for more artwork using these die cuts this month.

November already?

2008-11-01T11:31:00.004-06:00

I can't believe we are already in November. Amazing! Here is a card I created using the Close to my Heart November Stamp of the Month, All Decked Out. The stamp set is so cute because it you can create so many different snowmen. Here is the first one I made:

Materials (All CTMH, except as noted)
Cardstock: Bamboo and Crystal Blue(sanded with fine grit side of sanding block from Sanding Kit in a circular motion all over), Twilight Textured (edges sanded with medium grit side of sanding block), White Daisy
B&T Duos: Plaid (left side base) and Twilight Snowflakes (hat, nose and scarf) from the Aspen, My Reflections Paper Packet
My Acrylix Stamp Set: All Decked Out
Other: Prisma Glitter set with Bonding Memories Glue

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And while I was in the holiday mood (and had out my Aspen paper packet), I made a simple piece to go on the mantle.

Materials (All CTMH, except as noted)
Cardstock: Bamboo (distressed with Edge Distresser) and Creme Brulee (sanded with block from Sanding Kit)
B&T Duos: Plaid from the Aspen, My Reflections Paper Packet (distressed with Edge Distresser)
Letters: Dimensional Elements alphas (sponged with Exclusive Inks in Twilight and covered with Liquid Glass)
My Stickease: Aspen, My Reflections
Silver Hinges and brads
Other: Silver hinges and brads, Bonding Memories Glue, Coasters (from stash)

It's here! It's here!

2008-10-24T15:03:00.004-06:00

The Close to my Heart Journey to Director Goal Setting and Planning Guide is in my hot little hands... Of course I took pics as I was opening it! Off I go to tell my J2D buds :-)

Cute Pocket-Sized Album

2008-10-22T15:17:00.002-06:00

A fabulously artsy CTMH consultant shared this project with some of us, and I fell in love with it. So, here is my version.

Thanks, Tressa Black, for the inspiration and instructions.

I will be teaching this workshop Saturday at a fundraiser crop for the PTO of the preschool up the street, Shining Stars. For more information, leave a comment.

And storm it was...

2008-10-21T17:32:00.003-06:00

Weeks have gone by since I have posted. My sincere apologies. I had a wonderful workshop in which 7 ladies created a Star Book. And from that workshop, a delightful woman sitting next to me booked an acrylic album workshop. Here is the example of the album we will create. Keep in mind it is a rough draft, but I think it will be GORGEOUS!

Next up is an all-day crop to benefit a local preschool PTA. I am WAY excited for this. I get to do a workshop and a make-and-take (shorter version of a workshop), and display my groovy products! I'm just about finished with that workshop example, and I will post it when it is ready.

The calm before the storm

2008-10-04T18:29:00.008-06:00

This morning was the first mass ascension of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, an autumn event which has been around longer than I have. Usually this is a grand occasion for New Mexicans and visitors to don their coats, hats, gloves, and, sometimes thermal, underwear. When I left the house at 5:54 a.m., the outside temperature was 59 degrees. My dad said there was some sort of weather inversion yesterday (yes, my father -- with his degree in English and a background in print journalism -- is qualified to be my weather source). So, today's weather was all nice and pretty. The storm arrived a few minutes ago, but the temp is still hangin' in the upper 60s.

Below are a couple photos I took of the aforementioned hot air balloons. We were watching from our church parking lot which overlooks the city. Unfortunately for us today, the balloons floated away from us.

The first photo is my favorite picture of the morning. This one was taken before the balloons lifted off. I just love New Mexico sunrises!

The second was taken with my regular 18mm-55mm lens that came with the camera. If you look closely, you can see the place where they take off in the lower right corner.

The last photo was taken with my telephoto (75mm-300mm) lens. Absent a traditional tripod, I used the above wall with the cross on it to stabilize my camera.

In the next few days I am hoping to capture some photos from the other side of town with the sun at my back.

Not only is the calm before the storm weather-wise, the same is true for my life. Tomorrow I have a huge workshop, for which I am still preparing. Then the daughter turns 11 next weekend, so Friday we are taking seven 6th-grade girls glow bowling and then allowing them to, a-hem, sleep in our living room. Then I have another workshop and crop Saturday. The week after that I am finally taking the daughter to Iowa to visit my alma mater, Wartburg College. I can't believe I graduated 15 years ago! (Yes, that was an open opportunity to calculate my approximate age.)

More Notebook

2008-09-16T15:18:00.006-06:00

As promised, here is more of my favorite paper packet. This is a 9x9 accordion display I made to spotlight the product.

The first page shows all the patterned papers and their backsides, um that came out wrong. Anyway, the new papers this season have similar monochromatic patterns on the other side instead of a solid color. Fun!

Second, I have added a 3x3 card, an altered mini composition notebook, and an 8x3.5 card. Both cards are from Close to my Heart's new card confidence program, Originals. The larger card features one of the cutest new stamp sets, called "Coffee Stain". The large, circle-like stamp looks like you set your wet coffee mug on it. How stinkin' cute is that?! And the 3x3 card was my first attempt at stitching on a card. I like the technique so much that I have done several more and have no plans to stop anytime soon.

Next is a 2-page layout that shows how much my baby girl has grown (sniff, sniff!).

Finally, on the back cover I have adhered one of the pages in the paper packet. Yep, it looks like a collection of journaling cards, but it is actually a single sheet of paper -- so versatile and fun!

Sunflowers

2008-09-16T12:52:00.003-06:00

Last week while driving into Albuquerque, I was captivated by a field of sunflowers. Today I dragged DH there so we could practice our photography. Here is what we came up with this morning:

My New Favorite Paper Packet

2008-09-10T12:03:00.001-06:00

Here is a CTMH Artboard covered in my new favorite paper packet, Notebook. This is a modified project from Stamp Camp a couple weekends ago.

Be on the lookout for more Notebook projects soon!

Birthday Present

2008-09-06T20:40:00.003-06:00

Hubby got us a Canon EOS Rebel XSi. I am going to do some serious damage with this thing:

New Season

2008-09-02T14:17:00.003-06:00

Labor Day means putting away my white shoes, linen clothes, and sandals. Call me old fashioned, but that's what I do. I think it is because I love tradition and autumn. And the beginning of September means a new Close to my Heart Idea Book!

I have been busy making all sorts of projects using products from the new catalog. And, being a stickler for the rules, I have waited until after September 1 to reveal them.

First I present you with a laced accordion album I made for a friend's wedding.

I left the picture space blank so she can add photos of the two of them. The paper I used is from CTMH's My Reflections Perfect Day Level 2 paper packet. I also used some My Stickease from levels 1 and 2 as well as coordinating cardstock. This paper packet features 3 of our new colors, Tulip, Sorbet and Juniper. We have another color called Creme Brulee.

Second is a Star Book I made in a Big Picture Scrapbooking class. I have seen star books on other blogs and elsewhere online and have wanted to make one for quite some time now. This class was a blast! In addition to paper crafting, I learned some bookbinding techniques.

That's it for now, but trust me. I have much more!

Birthday Cards

2008-08-21T09:48:00.006-06:00

You can't tell from looking at my blog, but I have been creating things like crazy lately. The thing is, almost all of it is from the new CTMH Idea Book which isn't released to the public until September 1. So, after September 1, watch out!

I have been making birthday cards for family members. So, today I will share them with you. All of them are made using only CTMH supplies.

Thanks for looking. Have a great day!

Finally, some card pics!

2008-08-14T08:21:00.005-06:00

I know I have been remiss in my blogging duties lately. While it's not an excuse, I offer up an explanation... I have been working on secret projects! Actually, in the last 2 weeks, I have stamped and scrapbooked more than I had in the 7 years prior. Finally today, I get to share a great project.

To get a jump start on September as National Stamping Month, today, August 14, Close to my Heart released a card kit that is so stinkin' cute I could just spit! In a good way, of course. As a consultant, I got my hands on one of these a couple weeks ago so I could put together the cards. Let me tell ya... Cute, fun, and easy. When you want to give a card to a friend "Just Because", you will reach for this box. And speaking of the box, it is gorgeous! it is 7" x 3.5" x 6.75".

So, when my box arrived, here is what I pulled out:

The kit features a brand new color: Tulip. This could be my new favorite color. Word on the street is Tulip is the next pink! It is a great light red for Christmas, Valentine's Day, every day! And the card kit includes the cutest little mini stamp pad in Tulip and one in Cocoa.

Each of these cards I assembled according to the directions in less than 15 minutes. Which means for most of you card making types, you could do it in 5 minutes! I'm slow. Also, there are so many ways to dress up the cards beyond the basic directions or even toss the directions aside and do your own thing.

Here are the cards I created per the step-by-step instructions:

I can't believe I got this kit for free!

I am still working on some other secret projects which I can't reveal quite yet. I can hardly wait! I feel like my card making and scrapbooking skils have come a long way in the last 8 months. Oooooh! And I even tried stitching with embroidery floss on a card. So stinkin' cute also! As soon as I'm allows to show it, I will.

Thanks for looking!

Pregabella

2008-07-24T13:37:00.003-06:00

Here is the shower card I made for my pregnant friend! It is loosely based on this week's Papertake challenge. Too much time has passed since I made my last Bella card, and this Bella is oh-so-perfect for a baby shower!

All supplies are CTMH except the Bella image. This is one of my favorite paper packets, Let's Get Together. For the dangle, I colored the back of it with the Exclusive Inks Markers in Cranberry, Breeze, and Buttercup.

patterned paper (Let's Get Together, Level 2), cardstock (Buttercup), Accents (Friendship Clear Inspirations dangle)

Life's a Jungle

2008-07-24T01:36:00.005-06:00

In my circle of long-time friends with children, most of them have girls. Beginning with the birth of my daughter, there are only 5 boys and more than 20 girls! The trend continues...

Here is a birth announcement I made for one of my best friends. She is pregnant with twin girls (the 4th set of twins in our group of friends, I might add)! The stamp set I used is the Close to my Heart July Stamp of the Month. You can get this set for free, just ask me how!

ETA: 4th set of twins in our group of friends, not the 4th set for the one family. It was late last night when I was typing ;-)

OPH #4 and 12x12 Scrapbooking

2008-07-17T20:28:00.003-06:00

Over at One Powerful Hour, Caroline challenged us to create something around the theme of fashion. I have absolutely no gorgeous, glamorous stamps such as Elisabeth's. So, I improvised.

Last month, my in-laws dug up an incredibly entertaining picture of DH in his Hair Metal Band days (circa 1992). If this doesn't speak to fashion trends, then I don't know what does. His pants lace up on both sides! So, I created a then-and-now 2-page 12x12 layout. I finished in an hour, and I even cleaned up after myself!

I absolutely love these Rock Star papers by DCWV. I purchased them before the Hair Metal Band picture fell into my hands. And when it did, I knew what had to be done!

Yes, his hair was longer than mine has ever been.

This picture was taken the day we got a PS2 and Guitar Hero, the day after Thanksgiving, 2007. Here is DH and my sister's DH jamming out.

Supplies: patterned paper (DCWV Rock Star stacks)* chipboard letters (Thickers by American Crafts) * ink (Close to my Heart Exclusive Inks in Key Lime, and Distressing Ink in Chocolate) * accents (silver hinges and brads by CTMH) * adhesive (Zip Dry Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesives and Bonding Memories glue by CTMH)

For the love of coffee!

2008-07-15T12:41:00.003-06:00

One Powerful Hour challenged us this week to create something using food or beverage as an item. This idea has been floating in my head lately, so I put it to paper. It's a pet peeve of mine!

All supplies from Close to my Heart: cardstock (Parchment, Garden Green, Petal), dye inks (Chocolate, Garden Green, Petal), pigment-based ink (White Daisy), glitter (Prisma Glitter), sentiment (handmade using Sans Alphabet, Believe Lowercase, Coffee Shop), stamped image (Coffee Shop).

I am busy working on swaps for the upcoming CTMH convention. Wow. I should have started as soon as I registered. I have some great ideas, though!

Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges

2008-07-09T13:28:00.005-06:00

In my quest to do different challenges, I have found a couple blogs (Thanks, Anna!).

For Allison's Suggestive Sunday Challenge this week, she suggested we use a sentiment as the focus of our card and refrain from using any other stamped images. I don't have very many sentiment stamps, so it was a challenge just to find one! I finally located one I liked that was included in the CTMH My Acrylix (R) Stamp of the Month set from February, Endless Love.

All products from Close to my Heart: paper packet (More to Adore, Level 2), Exclusive Inks (tm) Stamp Pads (Chocolate, Hollyhock), eyelet (Holloyhock), textured cardstock (Blush), Cardstock (Vanilla Cream, Chocolate), button (Hollyhock), adhesive (Bonding Memories).

The second challenge in which I participated was from the Arty Girlz Challenge Blog. This week, they offered a sketch challenge. The format I chose was 2.5" x 3.5", a.k.a. Artist Trading Card. I love, love, love sketch challenges, and this was no exception. I liked it so much that I made several of these ATCs to swap.

Products: cardstock (Die Cuts With a View Pocket full of Posies premium 12x12 and mat stacks and Glitter mat stack), clear epoxy stickers (JoAnn Craft Essentials large square bubbles), adhesive (Glue Dots, mini).

Changes

2008-07-06T23:02:00.006-06:00

Did you notice I renamed my blog? Lately "scrappin', stampin', & knittin'" just really didn't cover it all. And since I have dived (dove? doven?) into beading and jewelry, now is the time for change.

I'm involved in several swaps on the CTMH consultant bulletin boards, and it is like a juggling act. I have even dropped the ball a couple times. I want to make a concerted effort to follow through on my commitments, and that starts with a reality check. I realistically can't prepare for the national CTMH convention and a labor day consultant retreat while creating gifts and examples, managing my day-to-day business, searching for a part-time job, being a good wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend... ~~So, I backed out of a big swap.~~ ETA: Late last night I put myself in that hostess' shoes and thought about how I would feel if someone backed out less than a month before the due date. I am staying in the swap. I have all the supplies anyway, plus I should get some nice stuff in return!

I am also an angel for a different swap. It seems that one consultant couldn't finish her creations for a Charm Swap, so I picked up the ball and ran with it (Note to self: ditch the cliches, please?). The weekend was perfect for creating charms. I loved it! I loved it so much that I made an extra charm for each participant! The rules were to create one charm reminiscent of scrapbooking, and one plain charm of glass beads. Both were to be done in shades pink and brown. The extra one I did was a white and silver glass bead charm.

Here they are:

I had aspired to create a bead project several years ago, so I had the basic tools, thank goodness. I just needed the beads and some jump rings. I learned a lot while making the 33 charms. Now I am looking forward to the next Charm Swap over Labor Day weekend!

Here is the slideshow of the charms. Enjoy!

If you're still with me, I appreciate it. To show my thanks, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Shhhhhh... I'm going to be giving away blog candy when my blog counter turns over 3,000 visitors. I'm still putting together the set, but trust me. This isn't just a blog candy where I give away things on the clearance rack from 2001. There will be some excellent pieces in this box of candy, including a ready-to-use chipboard album dressed in some awesome CTMH paper, embellished to match, and spiral bound with a Bind-It-All. More information coming soon!

Playday mini-album

2008-07-04T20:49:00.003-06:00

Back in May, I posted about pictures I took while at my daughter's Play Day (read here). I just finished a mini-album using the pictures and DCWV Pocket Full of Posies. I am very pleased with the outcome!

And, for your viewing pleasure, a slideshow...

Tagged!

2008-06-25T16:54:00.006-06:00

I usually ignore taggings in blogland, but I feel like participating in these from CraftyTracy from our Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers - 12. Looks like fun, so I will have a go.

**********************************************************
1. This is the 'This or That' tag.

Chocolate or Vanilla ice cream:
Vanilla

Big Mac or Whopper:
Big Mac

Coke or Pepsi:
Coke

Beer or Wine:
Both

Coffee or Tea:
Hot coffee, iced tea

Apple Juice or O.J.:
O.J.

Facebook or MySpace:
MySpace, although my husband recently pointed out that I have not logged on at all during 2008. I haven't done the Facebook thing yet.

Summer or Winter:
Winter

Windows or Mac:
Both. We have 3 laptops: 1 is Mac, 1 is Windows, and 1 is Windows Vista

Cats or Dogs:
Both. We have 4 Cats and 1 Dog. I rarely appreciate other people's cats since mine are so affectionate.

2. And the other tagging is

WHAT WAS HAPPENING 10 YEARS AGO?
I was working part-time at a cosmetics store and contemplating working full-time, even though my daughter wasn't quite a year old. That summer we went to RTLC Family camp with Buffie and her family.

NAME 5 THINGS TO DO TODAY

Go to the Dog Park
Call Human Resources
Mail Solos Swap (finally! Sorry, ladies)
Design engagement party invitations for M & M
Invite my dad over for dinner

SNACKS I ENJOY
Raw Almonds & Craisins
Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches

THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A MILLIONAIRE
Donate money to infertility research and to my alma mater
Prepay tuition and expenses for my daughter to attend there in 2016
Move into a house large enough so my dad could live with us but in his own quarters, and I could have my own "Scrap Den" with a 3-sided fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Sandia Mountains in the east, and my husband could have his own "Man Cave".
Save the rest and use the interest to help build my CTMH business.

PLACES I HAVE LIVED
Santa Fe, NM (1971-1973, 2 homes)
Albuquerque, NM (1973-1989, 1 home)
Waverly, IA (1989-1993, college)
Denver, CO metro area (1993-2000, 6 different homes)
Albuquerque, NM (2000-2006, 3 different homes)
Rio Rancho, NM (2006-present, 1 home)
*****************************************************
Whew! That was fun! Now, the 5 people I tag are:

Elisabeth,
Buffie,
anonymousinnkeeper,
My Name Twin, and
Hels.

Can't wait to see your answers, ladies!!!

Alaskan Cruise

2008-06-06T22:35:00.004-06:00

I have been on an incredible journey! We sailed on the Rhapsody of the Seas to Alaska, round-trip from Seattle. We are still in the Seattle area visiting some wonderful friends and, of course, checking out a few local crafting stores.

I will post a trip summary and album soon, but here are a couple teasers.

The first is a photo of my sis and I sitting on our balcony, needle crafts in hand.

And here is what we were viewing, Endicott Glacier.

ATC's, MPW Sketch #10

2008-05-26T21:57:00.005-06:00

In the last few days, I have fallen in love with Artist Trading Cards (ATCs). I enjoy working with the smaller size and like fitting my personality on a 2.5" x 3.5" piece of cardstock. Our LSS, Rhonda's Creative Crafting Center, has monthly ATC trading sessions once a month, so I am going to start working on some for the next session which is on June 14.

Although I haven't yet traded any ATCs in the preferred hand-to-hand manner, I did join an ATC swap with some other CTMH consultants. My creation is based on a design by Maria Bell. Here is her sketch:

And here is my creation:

This ATC was created entirely with CTMH products:
Colors: Cocoa and Sweet Leaf
My Acrylix Stamps: Cottage Floral, Serendipity
Clear Buttons, 3-D Foam Squares, Ribbon
Adhesive: Herma Dotto

Saturday night was mother/daughter craft night at our house. We created cards using Nicola's Sketch #10:

Below is our work. My daughter artfully colored the frog image, which I received from Annapurna in a swap, and created an excellent card (she also took her own photos with my camera). For my card, I finally put to paper a design which has been floating in my head for a while.

Dare to be Different card created entirely using CTMH products:
Colors: Chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Spring Iris, Blush
My Reflections B&T Duos Paper & My Stickease: Life Delights
My Acrylix Stamps: Playful Petals
Font: CTMH Pixie
Edge Anchor: Sweet Leaf from the Cottage collection

I am actually going to keep my card and use it as an example during CTMH gatherings. Lately I have been creating cards with a specific person or event in mind. Then, although I have electronic documentation here in my blog of what I have made, I don't have the actual creation for people to hold and feel. So, I need to get ahead of that curve.

Cat Layout

2008-05-21T19:07:00.002-06:00

Of all 5 the pets in our house, there is only one boy. I wanted to create a layout that captured the different facets of his personality and his range of nicknames. Of course, I had to pay tribute to those beautiful blue eyes!

Thoughts on cards, kids, photos

2008-05-19T18:35:00.007-06:00

I was a cardmaker before I was a scrapbooker. In fact, I was a cardmaker before my 10-year-old daughter was born. I was immediately drawn to the idea that I could make something for someone while saving some money. Yeah, that saving money thing didn't really happen, but I sure did make cards for people! I amassed a good stash of stamps, paper, and tools. So, when my daughter was born, I had the basics for creating a scrapbook.

Some of you who know me already know the story of how I started scrapbooking, but let me fill in my other blogland friends. When my daughter was 2-1/2 years old, her dad and I decided on the Big D Word, but we still had to live under the same roof for a few weeks. I dove head first into documenting my daughter's first few years. Part of me needed a creative escape, but another part wanted to make sure I preserved those family memories before the three of us fell into the broken family category. The result was a chronological scrapbook from birth through potty training, a scrapbook that I created in less than one month. I also made her dad a scrapbook to take with him. Thank goodness I had the cardmaking basics down so I was able to whiz through that chronological documentation process.

As my daughter and I moved on as a mother-daughter unit, documenting our memories moved to the back burner. I still kept some memorabilia like her preschool class photos and report cards, but the only times I dragged out the camera were birthdays and holidays. A desk drawer collected the rolls of film from my 35mm Canon EOS Rebel. I operated under the assumption that if I wanted to create a layout, I had to pick up where I left off in time -- somewhere around my daughter's kindergarten year.

A part of me kept wandering the scrapbooking aisles, though. And when I got married in October 2006, I gave myself permission to scrapbook the honeymoon. It was then that I realized a hole was being filled. I poured myself once again into this craft I loved so much! But once the honeymoon and wedding were scrapped, I sat back and waited for the next big event to scrap, and part of me was sad.

While I waited, I searched the internet for tools to help me improve my scrapbooking. Thank goodness I did because I came across ScrapHappy, Simple Scrapbooks, and Stacy Julian who all helped me give myself permission to scrapbook everyday life.

Since then I have had a new perspective on scrapbooking. I have decided that, for me, the center of scrapbooking is the photo, and I can create a layout from any photo or group of photos I find interesting. This brings me comfort. I don't feel as if I am constantly behind in my scrapbooking. And I feel free to take the camera anywhere.

This morning as I dropped my daughter off at her second to last day of elementary school, I drove off in tears. Where did my baby go? Why didn't I document all five grades? What did I miss? As I got home, my daughter called. She sensed the tears in my voice, but I said I was fine. She asked me to bring her the towel she forgot for playday -- an annual school event involving lots of water. I got ready to bring it to her, and started thinking about my scrapbooking. That made me stop my pity party and realize that each moment of everyday life is a gift worth preserving. I headed to the school with her towel, and my new blankie -- my camera. As a result, I captured so many moments, expressions, splashes, smiles, and fun. And, I took what I think is the best picture of my daughter that I have taken in her 10 years. Eventually I want to scrapbook it, but I can't wait to share it with you.

Bellas and new CTMH Paper Kit

2008-05-08T21:58:00.004-06:00

For my answer to Nicola's Sketch #9 on My Paper World, I chose to feature two items with which I am currently in love -- Bellas and Close to my Heart's new Whoops-A-Daisy Paper Kit. Oh, and I also used a third item I adore -- clear buttons. Thanks to Wendy for the HuggyBella image and for coordinating our recent SBS-!2 Bella swap!

Supplies:
CTMH Whoops-A-Daisy Paper Kit, featured colors: Ocean, Watermelon, Hydrangea, Sunkiss Yellow, Sweet Leaf
Stamps: HuggyBella and CTMH My Acrylix Friendship's Flight (inked with an Ocean marker)

I'm way behind on Mother's Day cards. That is the task for tomorrow.

Double Pocket-Fold Card

2008-05-02T18:37:00.002-06:00

A week ago we had an Albuquerque Team Meeting for CTMH. Since this was my first one, I wanted to do everything right! Part of the meeting was a card swap, so I had to decide which card to prepare. Not participating was not an option. I wasn't sure what exactly to prepare, so I set out on a quest. I have seen this card many times on SCS, and finally I found some directions I could actually follow.

So, I present my double pocket fold card:

Supplies:
All CTMH
Colors: Sweet Leaf, Olive, Hollyhock, Buttercup, Goldrush, White Daisy
Paper and Ric Rac: Boom-Di-Ada Creative Basics
Embellies: Just Blooms (Autumn Daisy), Brad (Pewter), Craft Buttons (Autumn)

Flowers! Real ones this time.

2008-04-30T11:58:00.002-06:00

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

2008-04-29T18:05:00.002-06:00

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

2008-04-18T14:03:00.005-06:00

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

2008-04-18T02:18:00.002-06:00

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

2008-04-17T12:10:00.001-06:00

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

2008-04-11T15:01:00.000-06:00

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

2008-04-11T00:01:00.000-06:00

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

2008-04-03T14:59:00.000-06:00

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!

Now is the time!

2008-03-27T12:27:00.000-06:00

If you have ever thought about becoming a consultant for a home-based stamping and scrapbooking company, now is the time to get serious about it. Through March 31, Close to my Heart has an unbelievable deal. When you purchase the consultant kit for $150, you can get any one of the four hostess collections for only $20! I have had three ladies do this and get Collection Four which has more than $134 worth of cardstock, stamp pads, markers, and embellishments all in coordinating colors. I am more than a little jealous! Not to mention, the consultant kit has an insane amount of products ($400) for only $150.

Click here more information.

I haven't talked much on my blog about being a CTMH consultant, but let me tell you... It has changed my life! I just signed up January 12, and already I have had so much fun, learned an immense amount about crafts, met great people, and discovered a lot about myself. I bought the kit with the sole intention of getting some cool stamping and scrapbooking stuff. Then I realized I had a wonderful opportunity in front of me. I never thought I could sell anything. In fact, I used to cringe at the idea of someone saying "no" to me. Now I feel the self-confidence I didn't know was inside me. For those of you who are even the tiniest bit interested, now is the time. Let me answer your questions and help you experience this. It is so incredible!

There are some great home-based stamping companies out there, but for me the choice was clear -- literally clear. My Acrylix clear stamps! You can totally see where you are placing your image on the surface. This has saved me a lot of time and frustration. In 2007, I actually cried and packed up my stamping supplies because I kept messing up a two-step rose I was trying to stamp for a Valentine's Day card. I didn't stamp a thing for the rest of the year! So, when I saw CTMH's My Acrylix stamps, I cried again -- happy tears this time!

Join me and become a Close to my Heart independent consultant!

Tag Challenge & Swap Goodies, New Camera!

2008-03-25T22:36:00.000-06:00

Last week I broke my camera, a cute Kodak Easyshare 10 MP tiny thing. With the camera in my hand, I fell flat on my face while walking around the Petroglyph National Monument. Our department built a road through it, and we were exploring the tunnel underneath the road and the land bridge above it. Some say there are spirits there, and a curse can be placed upon those who disturb the land. I'm pretty sure a spirit pushed me and that is why I fell. That sounds more graceful than just plain falling down, right?

Anyway, I got a new camera, a Fujifilm Finepix S700.

The mirror in the bathroom was not conducive to picture reflection, so I used my favorite mirror, one in the shape of a cat, in case you are wondering...

I needed to get my SBS-12 stamped image swap finished, so I just sat down and did it! I stamped the largest image from the Simple Beauty My Acrylix set from CTMH. I also included a small butterfly from the same set.

Finally, I present the creation which made me happiest today: my Bella Tag. This tag was created as part of a tag challenge on the SBS-12 message boards. I had a blast making it!

Flower Pails

2008-03-20T00:55:00.000-06:00

The last two nights I have stayed up way too late working on craft projects. Here is what I have to show for it:

Paper Garden
Friendship Blessings
Blush, Petal, Honey, Sweet Leaf
Mini Pails, Natural Wood Fiber (Cost Plus World Market)
Chipboard Coasters (stamponthis.com)

Paper Garden L.O. & Bella card

2008-03-16T21:14:00.000-06:00

We have had 50 mph winds here since 11:30 today, and I feel like the wind. I have been rushing around from here to there, up and down, side to side. Oy! I have this burning desire to organize myself, my life, my work, my outlook. Perhaps it is Spring Cleaning? Perhaps I will have an upcoming post that will just be a brain dump. But for today, I present to you my weekend creations...

The scrapbook layout is from a gathering I did Friday night for a friend / coworker. There were only four of us, which made it easy to get some one-on-one time to show each participant how to get the various effects. This is CTMH's Gathering-on-the-Go, Create & Take project for April. All materials are CTMH.
Paper: Paper Garden B&T Duos
My Acrylix Stamps: Friendship Word Puzzle
Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads: Petal, Blush
Embellishments: Brads (Antiqued Gold) Ribbon (Blush Polka Dot Grosgrain)

The Bella card is my interpretation of Sketch #6 on My Paper World.
Paper: CTMH, It's a Guy Thing B&T Duos
CTMH Cardstock: White Daisy, Autumn Terracotta, Ocean (textured)
Embellishments: Reel Ribbon (Michael's), CTMH Brads (pewter)
CTMH Exclusive Inks: Autumn Terracotta, Kiwi, New England Ivy
Stamps: Javabella; CTMH My Acrylix Playful Flourishes

The other card is my daughter's interpretation of Sketch #6 on My Paper World. I am so very proud of her!
All CTMH Products
Paper: Silhouette B&T Duos
Textured Cardstock: Bubblegum, Citrus Leag, Amethyst, Heavenly Blue, White Daisy
Embellishments: Blush Polkadot Grosgrain Ribbon, Holiday Red Sparkles
My Acrylix Stamps: Friendship Blessings
Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads: Petal, Pansy Purple

Also, let me know how you like the Photobucket Slideshow for presenting the pictures.

Have a great St. Patrick's Day tomorrow!

Still recovering

2008-03-07T00:54:00.000-07:00

I had no idea pneumonia could make a person so weak. One day I feel better and the next I feel as if I want to nap all day. I'm still working half time, which is nice. I'm hoping to work 6 hours a day next week.

Anyway, I have found some time to be crafty. I took a long nap this afternoon and evening, so I am still wide awake. Once everyone else went to bed, I played with my new chipboard coasters. The first project I made was an accordion photo album:

And I made a couple of folder cards to match:

I hope to make some more mini-albums with the chipboard coasters. I'm working on one now that I might post tomorrow.

I hope everyone is hanging in there!

Guess what came in the mail yesterday!

2008-02-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

Woo hoo! It's Blingabella! I got this one for the main image on my bff's Save the Date cards for her upcoming wedding. I can't wait to make them. This isn't how they will look, exactly. In fact, they really won't look much like this except for the Bella, the sentiment, the size and orientation, and the ribbon. I just felt like making a cool card this evening.

In other news, I went to the doctor for my follow-up appointment today. While I feel better, my oxygen level is down which means my lung function is worse. So, I am restricted to working half days through next week then 6 hours a day the week after that. We'll see how that goes...

Sketch #5 - My Paper World and Thank You

2008-02-25T23:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a card I created based on Sketch #5 on My Paper World

Design (c) CTMH
Image: Friendship's Flight My Acrylix Stamps
Colors: Chocolate, Key Lime, Sunkiss Yellow, Amethyst, Colonial White
Embellies: small pewter spiral clip, mini-medley (chocolate), craft buttons (Spring), paper cutouts (Serendipity collection)
"Smile" image: Playful Flourishes My Acrylix Stamps
All of the above, Close to my Heart
Other items used: Stickles (Buttercup), Ice Stickles (Grape Ice), random brown waxed thread, McGill mini file tab punch

I love Nicola's sketches and look forward to them. OK, OK, so this is only the second creation I have made from her sketches, but I really enjoyed both. I think I may go back and do 1, 2, and 3 just for fun.

Thank you for the get well wishes during my recent spell of pneumonia. I feel somewhat better, meaning I don't have a fever and headache, but my breathing is still a bit strange. I am scheduled to go to the doctor on Thursday for a follow up.

Off to bed. Thanks for looking!

I guess I went outside with my hair wet...

2008-02-22T09:45:00.000-07:00

I have been off work for the past few days. Wednesday I just felt icky, then yesterday I knew something was really wrong. DH took off work for the day to take care of me (another example of how great he is to me), and he took me to Urgent Care.

The P.A. who examined me was awesome. She noticed I was reading Simple Scrapbooks magazine, so we talked about scrapbooking for a while. She just moved here from Oklahoma and needs a consultant. Woo hoo! Luckily I was prepared and had an extra CTMH Idea Book with me.

Anyway, she sent me on for a chest xray. We were worried my lung had collapsed again (that happened last August and resulted in a 3-day hospital stay). Once the results were back, she walked in with a paper copy of this:

My left lung (on the right side of the page) looks great, and that was the one that collapsed before. She showed me the gray, splotchy areas on the left side of the picture, which is actually my right lung, and proclaimed "PNEUMONIA"! She then wrote a prescription for an antibiotic and told me to stay home from work at least the rest of this week. Yay! More time to admire my Craft Creation Station, I thought to myself. Then she gave me the copy of the x-ray to keep and said, "People like us would want to scrapbook something like this!" Indeed...

Craft Creation Station!

2008-02-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

May I present to you... The Craft Creation Station!

I have the best husband in the world! He did this in one day. And it was all for less than $300. It is so much fun to sit here and create things. I don't have to worry about being in anyone's way, and everything is within reach. Tidying up is a snap since I don't have to load everything back into a closet.

I'm currently working on a 2-page Before/After layout which I will share as soon as it is done.

Buh-bye!

2008-02-19T13:11:00.001-07:00

Wall before
Originally uploaded by rhwcrafts

This is the wall of our dining room before DH installed the shelves thus transforming it into my Craft Creation Station. The photo was taken last night, and he worked on it all morning. However I am here at the office and can't see the finished product until I get home this evening! I feel like a child trying to make it through the day until her birthday party that night.

Valentine's Day 2008

2008-02-19T12:37:00.001-07:00

Valentine's Day 2008
Originally uploaded by rhwcrafts

A little late, but I wanted to show you what DH got me for Valentine's Day. A box of dark chocoates, and 5 boxes of Cap'n Crunch! He totally knows me, right? I love him!

Busy weekend

2008-02-17T21:12:00.000-07:00

We have been hanging out with my sister and her DH at their house. It has been a nice mini-vacation: sleeping in, eating out, hanging out...

Yesterday my sis hosted a Close to my Heart home gathering which I conducted. It was really good! There were only 4 attendees besides my sis and me and the gathering totaled more than $150. So that means $25 of free stuff for her! Yay! We made these cool cards, which were supposed to have a miniature magnetic bookmark inserted, but the magnets didn't work so well. Instead we secured them with pewter spiral clips. Also my DD was very proud of herself for setting a couple eyelets on it with my Crop-a-Dile. Very cute! See:

I also made a mini-album for my sis in which to keep her seasonal Booking Sets:

Although I love staying with my sister, I really miss my dog, my cats, my home, and my bed. I had to do some yoga the first morning I woke up so my back would reset itself after sleeping on the futon!

In other news, I ordered some Bellas! Yay! I can't wait to use them on some cute cards. I got one to use on my bff's "save the date" cards. She has put me in charge of All Things Paper, so I figured I better get crackin'!

I'm not looking forward to returning to work on Tuesday. Not that work is horrible; I would just rather be home crafting! Oh, and speaking of crafting at home, DH is going to install shelves in our dining room so I can have a great craft space. We were thinking of putting up the shelves in the guest bedroom, but I really like to be around people while I work. I don't like being relegated to a separate room. I know some people are the opposite of me, though. Anyway, I am envisioning my shelving system looking something like this.

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday. If not, I hope your Monday is better!

Inspiration from Sketch #4

2008-02-11T23:02:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon the most wonderfullest (yes, it's a word - shut UP!) weekly challenge on My Paper World. I love MPW's clean lines, use of color, and geometric balance. Here is this week's sketch Sketch #4. Check out the adorable Bella! Even though Bella's aren't CTMH products and are thus considered contraband, I am thinking I might have to procure one or two. They are simply too cute!

So, I present to you, my take on MPW's Sketch #4:

Please send positive vibes my way and hold positive thoughts about me. I soooo want to win the blog candy -- the paper flowers and stamped lady images!

View from my desk at work

2008-02-08T15:22:00.001-07:00

View from my desk at work
Originally uploaded by smcknitter

This is what I see each day as I look across my desk. I have only been in this office for 2 weeks, but already I am loving it! I have have a window that faces east and provides a glorious view of the southern part of the Sandia Mountains. But my favorite view is of all the crafty things! Right now on my desk are the card I made for my first challenge, a candy jar I decorated, and the desk caddy I made. And on the wall in the background is a framed, 2-page L.O. of my DD's 10th birthday aboard Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas last October. And, you can't quite see them, but I have a few idea books on the small table between the two chairs. I figure if people are going to be sitting there, how nice it would be for them to check out an idea book!

Used Stamps for Sale!

2008-02-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

Check out the link on the top right. It's a new blog devoted entirely to selling all my used stamps I no longer want. Head over! Tell your friends! Check it out! Buy them!

ETA: All of the sets are up now. I have some great SU sets. Gotta get the competition out of my craft closet ;)

Lest you think I don't knit...

2008-02-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

A good friend of mine talked about the cyclical nature of the focal point of crafts. She said for months she has been scrapbooking and hasn't even touched her beadwork, but she's confident she will pick it up again when the time is right. I can relate.

For the last two years I have been knitting up a storm. Every family member has a hand-knit hat and/or scarf. A lucky few have a felted bag. However, during this yarn squall, I didn't go anywhere near my paper arts, which seems odd considering it was my lifeline for five years.

You see, I took up scrapbooking at the time my xh and I were dividing our property, emotional and physical, in that all-too-common and gut-wrenching dance known as divorce. So as to avoid speaking to him, I jumped in feet first creating scrapbooks. In the evenings after I put an oblivious 2-year-old DD to bed, I had no desire to be available emotionally or physically to him. So, I sat in the same place on the floor, my plastic bin as a desk, and I poured my broken soul into those scrapbook pages. Looking back on them now, they were disjointed and naive, but in that six weeks in 2001, they were all I had to call my own. They were created by me with no input from anyone else, and I was (and still am) darned proud of them. I look fondly upon that scrapbooking spoke on my artistic wheel.

My goal now is to achieve a balance among my crafts. I don't want to fall down the rabbit hole of solely making cards, or knitting hats, or altering Altoids tins. I want to do some of each. So, may I present to you, a sample of my recent knitting projects...

First, a felted bag I made early in January in between Guitar Hero sessions with DH.

Next, a felted bag I made in January also. I absolutely love these colors.

And for a bit of teh cute, I give you America's next top dog model of knitty goodness, Molly, showing off a scarf I knitted over Thanksgiving. And peeking out from the right-hand corner is Leela, our one-eyed cat.

I'm off to work on a pair of socks, my first pair of socks I should add. It is taking extreme willpower to get up from this table where I have been the last several nights stamping and scrapping. But in the spirit of balance, I am going to the couch to knit.

Sleep. It's what's for breakfast.

2008-02-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

Can I just say that I can’t believe how little sleep I have had in the past week. Here’s what typically happens…

Around 7:30 p.m. I get really tired, but I figure it is way too early for bed; plus DD is still up, and I know she won’t put herself to bed any time before 1 a.m. --never mind the possibility that she will dress up all the pets in Build-a-Bear clothes if I’m not watching. So, I stay up. Around 9:45 I think I should go to bed, but then I realize that DH will be home in just a little while, so I could stay up just long enough to say hi to him then go to bed.

Right around 10:15, this second wind thing kicks in. I’m not tired! No. I can do anything! In fact I have more energy than a 3-year-old on Christmas morning. So, I start some sort of craft project at the kitchen table. Then Mark gets home and gets on his computer. How nice this is, chatting while we each do something we love – I stamping and he computer games. Sigh… Before I know it, I am headlong into stamping the most beautiful card this side of the Mississippi. I can’t go to bed now! No. The paper arts community is depending on me to blaze a new trail, raise the bar, and what ever other cliché is appropriate!

Then around 12:15 it hits me. I am tie-ERD. I really need to go to bed. But this card needs just one more teensy embellishment. There we go. Now I take pictures of my gorgeous creation. Next I must upload the pictures to a host site so I can share it with all my crafty scissors, uh, I mean sisters. Yes, at this point my mind is not working. Did I say sisters or scissors? No worries. So, now I can post the pictures on my blog, but the problem is I don’t quite remember how – even though I have done this several times. Do I copy and paste a link? Do I… My head feels heavy. Oh I can’t wait to see what other people have created. Gosh, that one that the other lady made… So… Pretty…

Aaaaaagh! I just tripped over the curb! Wait! Why is my husband laughing uncontrollably? Where am I? Oh crap. I was nodding off! I look at the computer screen and I don't recognize anything. How did I get to that point? Good thing I wasn't knitting. I could have poked an eye out!

Speaking of knitting... I'm planning to post some knitting projects today, lest people think I only say I knit.

My first challenge!

2008-02-06T00:07:00.000-07:00

Since I'm a joiner, I hunted down some cool stamping communities. One of the great ones I found was Sisterhood of Blogging Stampers! So, I joined SBS-12, the twelveth group of blogging stampers. Currently there are only 2 of us, but, hey! We'll get some more...

Inside the SBS Cafe, I found a challenge. And I didn't even hesitate to do it. Just jumped right in. Here is the original sketch from which we were asked to create our own card inspired by the original creation. I chose the first sketch, and here is my finished product.

Hostess Club Mini-Album

2008-02-05T23:57:00.001-07:00

This was so fun to make!

Here's the deal... If a hostess has 3 guests book parties of their own while at the hostess' party, that hostess will get an adorable incentive set! I am taking this one step further with a suggestion from my upline, Buffie. If a hostess agrees to host one party each season, she will get an awesome mini-album in which to keep her booking sets! This album perfectly fits the 3x3 card and stamp carrier sheet of the incentive set. Such a cute idea!

Sympathy Card

2008-02-05T12:27:00.001-07:00

Sympathy Card
Originally uploaded by smcknitter

Is it terrible that the second thing I said after hearing of a coworker's son's death was "Oh! I get to make her a card! Yay!"?

CS: Bambo - CTMH
B&T Duos: Serendipity - CTMH
Stamps: Joy Forever - CTMH
Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads: Black, Bamboo - CTMH
Sentiment: With Sympathy - Hero Arts

Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers - 12

2008-02-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

Woo hoo! A community of crafty, bloggy goodness! SBS-12

For the first time in my life, I finally feel grounded. No, not grounded like no-phone-for-a-week-because-you-brought-home-a-"C" grounded; like rooted and a part of something bigger and better.

A big part of this is because of my DH (and this time the "d" stands for dear); his plentiful patience is an inspiration. As some of you may know, I tend to expect a lot and react quickly, then I freak out when things aren't like I thought they should be. DH's patience with others, especially me, is immense. I really need more of this. Good thing I met him. Saturday, one the 3rd anniversary of our 1st date, I will tell that story. Anyway, patience allows me to see the world and more easily be a part of it. Patience also allows me to be comfortable in my own skin and in my own home.

Another first is that I want to be at home. For as long as I can remember, I needed to be constantly on the go, even if it meant just riding in the car to 7-11 with my mom to get some milk. In fact one of my mom's favorite stories illustrates this. When I heard my mom's keys jingle, that meant she was removing them from her purse (everything in its place all the time), and that meant we were going somewhere! Woot! One day, I heard the ol' familiar jingle, and came running like a cat hearing the can opener on a can of tuna. When I got there, I asked where we were going. My mom said we weren't going anywhere, why? I told her I heard her keys jingle so we MUST be going somewhere! My mom burst out laughing and told me she was just cleaning out her purse. Oh how the tears rolled down my cheeks!

Now I want to be at home at my table stamping or scrapping or sitting on the couch with DD and DH, watching tv and knitting or playing a few songs in Guitar Hero. That, my friends, is pure joy.

No Hundertwasser

2008-02-03T19:35:00.000-07:00

I got the call from the online store that says they are the exclusive Opal yarn dealer in the USA. They are all out of the colorway I wanted. I sent them an email earlier asking for a receipt and wondering when it would be charged to my card. She replied to the email with a phone call (wth?) and left me a voice mail message. She didn't offer any other colors, which I thought was strange, but oh well.

So, now it's on to find some different yarny goodness for my mom's socks!

ETA: Oh, and it is so much more fun to watch the Superbowl while knitting!

Birthday Present

2008-02-02T19:29:00.000-07:00

For a friend's birthday, I made this candy jar and matching card. She loved it and said it was her favorite gift this year since it came from the heart.

Congratulations!

2008-02-02T19:02:00.000-07:00

Today DH's sis is getting married. Although we couldn't be there in person, we have been thinking of them all day.

Here is the card I created for them:

Hundertwasser

2008-02-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

On my newly commenced journey to learn to knit socks, I came upon the knitty goodness known as Hundertwasser. This yarn is totally gorgeous! I can't wait to knit some socks with it for my mom.

Now for the rest of the story... I first saw the Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna in May of 1991 on choir tour. For some reason, it really stuck with me and was truly one of my favorite things I saw in Europe. Then 10 years later, I had the opportunity to see more of Freidensreich Hundertwasser's work. The Hundertwasser public toilet in Kawakawa, New Zealand. How many architectural masterpiece bathrooms have I seen? Um, one. And it was sooooo fun lookin'. And yes. I went potty there.

In the beginning...

2008-01-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

This is just the beginning. I am hoping this will be a place for me to post my crafty goodness.