Grace layout

Whoo Hoo! I finally got some scrapping done! It felt good, too! I am even happy with the way it turned out. I will give you a sneak peek at it. I am in a swap using the new Grace papers from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book (the one that goes into effect tomorrow). Since this is a swap layout, I did not put a title on it-whoever receives it can use whatever title they choose.This layout also uses the Childhood Portrait stamp set, the twilight corduroy brads, bigger brads, colonia white crochet ribbon, the new big eyelets, and the crochet flowers.
These little flowers come in white, but looky here-mine are not white. How did I do that?? Well, let me tell you. Just put a little rubbing alcohol in a spritz bottle, add drops of re-inker to get your desired color, and spray your flowers. They dry pretty quickly and then you use them as you wish. Ta Da! Any color you want, you can have! I love it!OK, off to bed for me-I am tired of watching this darn Viking football game. I am a Packer fan (not die hard, but still a fan) and am not real happy with the whole Brett Favre saga. As far as I'm concerned, he lost all respect that he had...but I digress. The Vikings are doing better than I had hoped tonight. Being I work in Minnesota, it makes it tough to go in to work (at least it's not a Packer/Viking game...those are the worst at work). Oh well, it is all in fun :)

Happy Scrappin'

Our day 'Up North'

We had a very enjoyable day 'Up North' helping Mom celebrate her birthday. Here is a photo of all the girls yesterday. What a good looking group, if I do say so myself :)Here is a shot of just a small part of the beautiful drive we had. I didn't think to take a picture until we were almost out of the woods on the way home, but it is a good shot non-the-less. I wish I had gotten a picture of some of the curves in the road. I started counting on our way out and I think I came up with 73 curves-not bad for an 8-10 mile drive, huh? This is just the 8 miles from Mom's place to the highway. You just have to learn to slow down and enjoy-you can't be in a hurry in the back woods. I love it!
I think you also deserve to see a little artwork...finally. I have been busy making the thank you cards for the gal I made the wedding invites and programs for. Here is a sample of what I made. Next, I need to get busy working on my demo board swap items. I'll show you what I get done when I get it done.Happy Scrappin'

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I just want to take a moment to wish my Mom a very Happy Birthday today. She is a wonderful lady that has taught me a lot over the years. She deserves a day of nothing but relaxing and having fun, but if I know her (and I think I do) she will be as busy as ever today. Mom, please take a few minutes to do something fun today. We'll see you on Saturday when we come up to help you celebrate your day!This is a picture of me with my sister and my Mom that was taken last Mother's Day. Doesn't Mom look great? You know, years ago people used to ask if she was my sister. Back then, I would sometimes get upset that people thought my mother was my sister-how dare they?! Well, now I am honored if anyone thinks that. If I can age as gracefully as Mom and Grandma, I've got it made. Hopefully I have some of their genes in me!

My Creations All-sorts mini album

As promised, here is some artwork using new product from the Autumn/Winter CTMH Idea Book. This is a My Creations All-sorts mini album. It will be available beginning September 1st.

The cover page was done using the new Twitterpated paper and the new On Target chipboard circles.The page on the left is using the Twitterpated papers and Dimensional Elements In Color-Organics chipboard buttons. The page on the right is the new Jingle paper and twinkle brads.Jingle paper on the left and the right page is Sweet Home papers, Top Coats framed in (photo sized transparencies) and another On Target chipboard circle.Sweet Home papers, Heart felt die cuts and another Top Coats on the left and then the Grace paper on the right.The left page is Grace paper and some Heartfelt die cuts while on the right is Jingle papers again, the new glitter rub-ons and twinkle brads.Jingle paper on the left along with some twinkle brads and the right page is Twitterpated paper with Dimensional Elements In Color-Organics chipboard buttons and the Grown with Love stamp set.The back cover was done using the Twitterpated paper again and another on Target chipboard circle, Dimensional Elements In Color-Organics chipboard button, and Heart felt die cuts.

I finished my book off by tying ribbons on the rings that hold the whole thing together. I used assorted chocolate, sorbet and sweet leaf ribbons.

Whew! I think I got it all. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask-either email me or leave a comment.

Happy Scrappin'

Another busy weekend

How do the weekends get so short? Well, maybe it's because I try to pack as much into them as I possible can!

I had an Open House this weekend yesterday and today. I was able to re-connect with some old friends and meet some new. How wonderful is that!! We had a great turn-out and plan to do it again next year.After I got home on Saturday from the Open House, I mowed the lawn (with the help of my husband, of course) and then proceeded to head down to Clear Lake for their tractor pull. A huge thank you to the Clear Lake fire department for all they did and for the plaque they gave us in memory of Tony and Rhonda. You are right, they will be missed very much! Rhonda's friend Kaylin pulled Rhonda's tractor that night. She didn't do all that well, but then again, this was only her 2nd time pulling. She's a rookie that is learning quickly.After the Open House today, I headed down the Moon Lake threshing bee for their tractor pull. Dale decided to pull down there and Kaylin pulled Rhonda's tractor again. Today was a much better day. Kaylin's tracor was weighted correctly and she ended up with a 1st and a 3rd place out of the deal. The look on her face was absolutely priceless! Now that's the way to pull! Dale finished up behind Kaylin, but was very happy for her.Congratulations, Kaylin, great job! Rhonda would be very proud of you!!

Now, I am off to bed. It is up early again in the morning for work.

Happy Scrappin'

ps-I just need to put a couple of finishing touches on a mini album I created and will show you photos of that tomorrow...I promise!

A roomie gift from Leadership

Here is a few photos of one of my wonderful roomie gifts from Leadership. Rachel made us these adorable 6x6 accordion albums using the Moon Doggie Papers and Stickease. Isn't it just great!! I can't wait to get our pictures put in it! Thanks again, Rachel!Also, if you have never checked out Jeanette Lynton's blog, you need to do so. She is the founder and CEO of CTMH. She is an amazing woman...I would love to be her when I grow up :) She has a blog post with some pictures from Leadership. We are in one of those pictures! How exciting. It is the third photo down-a group of people at the table just eating lunch. I am on the far right side and sitting beside me is Rachel, and our other roommates, Sandi and Cindy. I fel almost famous LOL!

Until later,

Studio J

The biggest news of our Leadership Convention was the announcement about Studio J! What's Studio J, you ask? Well, just let me tell you...

Are you into digital scrapbooking? ever wanted to try it but didn't know how (or couldn't afford it)? never tried it? No, we are not going digital-we are going to start "Studio" scrapbooking. This is a concept different from any other. Close To My Heart has designed their own software and will be a huge hit from the novice to the expert (yes, even you computer illiterate people will be able to work this one-trust me!) This new "Studio" scrapbooking will never replace the "Classic" scrapbooking using old fashioned paper. No, instead, the layouts will compliment each other and look great side-by-side in your albums! It won't be available to customers until the Spring of 2010, but believe me, it will be worth the wait!
Here is a picture of a sample layout. Can you even tell that it was not done by hand? As soon as I am able to start playing around with it (this fall) I will be making some layouts and I will show them to you, too.
OK, off to bed tonight, another day of getting up at 4 am for work...boy this work thing sure gets in my way! I will show you some more art tomorrow night.

Happy Scrappin'

Some blog awards

Imagine my surprise and delight to come home from this trip and find not one, but two different blog awards on my blog. Thank you to Brenda of Rose Blossom Legacies for this Idyllhours Blog Award. The Idyllhours blog award is the BFF award - Blogger Favorite Friend. How cool is that? Thank you, thank you Brenda from the bottom of my heart. I encourage you to go to Brenda's blog and check it out. She is a very creative person. I am always referring to her artwork to make my own. We missed you in Long Beach, girlfriend!The rules of this award are:

• accept the award by commenting on the blog of the person that gave it to you
• pass it on to five others
• reveal five things you enjoy doing

5 Thing I Enjoy Doing:

• Creating-just about any paper crafts. Scrapbooking is my passion!
  
• Vacationing. I could travel just about anyplace and have a great time.
  
• Spending time with family and friends-there is nothing better.
• Sitting and relaxing with a good book-I just need to find more time in a day to do this more often. (Part of why I love sitting on a beach while on vacation:)
  
• Helping other people. I love being able to help out and share my passions.
  

I also received the Circle of Friends blog award from Dawn of Dawn's Craft Place. Thank you also, Dawn, for thinking of me. You girls have no idea how much this means to me!

Here are the rules:

*Nominate 5 other bloggers you feel have become part of your circle of friends.
*Link to your nominees within your blog post.
*Include these instructions on how to pick up the award in your blog post.
*Link back to the person who gave you the award in your blog post, to show your appreciation.
*Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received the award .

I think this may be considered cheating, just a little bit, but I am going to forward these awards on to the same 5 people for each of them. I wish I had the time to do separate lists, but I just do not-I 'need' to create something soon! Here are the lucky recipients (In no particular order):

Doresa-I enjoyed spending time with you at Leadership. Good luck at making your goal and earning the trip-I know you will make it!

Barb-Thank you so much for creating the adorable album we created at Chocolate University in Long Beach. It is beautiful and useful! (And also for sharing your sniglet's story...I love it!)

Tammy-I am so glad we finally got me meet each other in Long Beach-too bad us Wisconsin girls had to travel all the way to California to meet :)

Antionette-I had the pleasure of meeting Antionette at our convention in Orlando. She is such a fun and creative person!

Nona-Check out Nona's blog to find out about her great news. Congratulations! I did not get a chance to talk to you at Leadership, but you are an inspiration to us all.

That's all for now,

Contest entry layout

Remember the swap layout I posted for the interactive swap? Well, I put some pictures on it and did some journaling. It became my contest entry at the Close To My Heart Leadership Conference in Long Beach, California. It did not win and did not even make it into the finalists, but that's ok. It was something I just needed to do for me. The journaling was from the heart and I mean every word it says. The theme for the contest was "Own It". It was up to you to interpret that however you wanted to. This is my very first contest entry and it was the only one that I readily came up with a plan right away. It just came to me without even having to think about it.I have to admit, it was hard to submit this layout-not because it was so beautiful or anything. I really did not expect to win anything, it was more about the journaling and doing it for ME! It made me feel better-therapy if you will. It was also a goal of mine to enter a CTMH contest. I have never done that before and now that goal was accomplished.

Thanks for looking and Happy Scrappin'

I'm home...

I'm home from sunny Long Beach, California! What a beautiful place and what a wonderful time we had at the Close To My Heart Leadership Conference. We learned so many helpful business tips and...oh yeah...NEW PRODUCT! I can't share with you quite yet as the new idea book won't be 'live' until September 1st, but let me just tell you, you will want to stay posted to my blog and my website for the latest and greatest information.

I am absolutely pooped out and too tired to download any pictures, but I promise to get them on here real soon of some of the artwork we created while we were there (with new product!)

I need to go and grab a bite to eat and head to bed early-gotta get up early for work tomorrow (boo, hiss!!) I'll tell you what, this work thing really seems to get in my way (except on payday :)

I promise, there'll be some artwork real soon...