That's Amore artwork

Here is the artwork I made for our demo board swap. I took some pictures before I mailed it out to our swap coordinator, Liz. I used the new paper pack "That's Amore." It is some beautiful paper and I can't wait to use it on some more projects.

12 x 12 two page layout:6 x 6 card:4 1/4 x 5 1/2 Standard card:4 x 4 Mini Album using our Metal Foundry Frames:Here's the inside of the mini album showing the pockets/tags:I will show you artwork using the rest of the new paper packs when I receive the swap back.

Happy Scrappin'

Our new family member

We have a new family member in our house. I know, I know, I said no more and once our Punkin was gone, that it! No more pets! I guess my daughter and husband had sad puppy-dog eyes and made me cave. Well, really I felt sorry for little Barney. Here's the story...
One day when Rhonda and Dale were delivering hay to someone, they came home with a mamma cat and her kitten. Well, that was just fine with me as we really did need a mouser or two out in the barn. That was worked out great for a couple of months...until last weekend. While they were out loading up a big load of hay, the mamma cat got run over. Here's the part where I felt sorry for little Barney. He lost his mamma. Now who wouldn't feel bad for the little guy. He is so friendly and cuddly. (Yes, these are some of the things I heard from Dale and Rhonda.) Well, I caved and let him in the house last weekend.

Now, if we can just get him litterbox trained. It is going well, I think we've done it. I did say that if that didn't happen, he was going back out! He is so snuggly, in fact he's sleeping on my lap now as I post this to my blog. We just have to reassure the other cat that we still love him, too :)









I have been busy working downstairs and I promise, I will post pictures of the swap I am finishing before I mail it out (either later today or tomorrow).

Happy Scrappin'

My 2009 calendar is complete

This was so much fun to put together and really easy as the pages are all swap items that I received back from the group. I made 12 of the January page (and page topper) and sent them in to our swap coordinator and received back one of each month. How's that for thinking smarter not harder. I absolutely love doing our team swaps. We have some awesome artists in our group-they always amaze me. I am always getting new ideas from them. So, without further ado, here is my 2009 calendar:



I made the January page and my friend Sheri made February.








March was from Jennifer Z. and April by Anna.











I'm not sure who did May as there wasn't a name on it and Sheri did June.







Jen B. made July and Val made August.











September was made my Jen B. and October was from Lynn.







Kim sent in November and again, I'm not sure who did December as there wasn't a name on that one either.

Isn't this some great artwork?







I was so inspired by all of this artwork that I also put together my 2009 weekly planner. Here are some pictures of that, too. I used the Perfect Day paper pack for the cover. I didn't like this paper so much when I first saw it, but boy, I sure like it now. The more artwork I see with it, the more I like it (as is true with a lot of the papers for me).





Here is a peek at the inside of my planner. I did the whole thing using the monthly word puzzle stamp sets.


In fact, this has spawned a new idea for me. I'm thinking about doing a Calendar Days workshop for you to be able to make a calendar such as this for yourself. I will have to think a little more on it and get back to you with the details about it.

Happy Scrappin'

Who is your role model?

My friend Kathy sent this on to me and now I am going to share it with you...do it without cheating, do not look ahead, you'll love this, I promise...

Who is your role model?
* Pick your favorite number between 1-9
* Multiply that number by 3
* Add 3
* Multiply by 3 again - you'll get a 2 or 3 digit number
* Add the digits together
* Now scroll down (but not before you have your answer)Match up your answer with your role model.





























1. Einstein
2. Nelson Mandela
3. Abraham Lincoln
4. Helen Keller
5. Bill Gates
6. Gandhi
7. George Clooney
8. Thomas Edison
9. Tammy Hellstern
10. Barrack Obama

I know, I have that effect on people :) You, too, can be like me one day :)
Now stop picking different numbers and just get used to the fact that I am your role model!
LOL!!

Thanks Secret Sister!

On New Year's Eve I came home from work to find a package awaiting me from my Secret Sister. Would you like to see what I got this time? Well here it is...
Isn't that great? She sent me some envelopes (what card maker doesn't need those?), a stamped note cube (always need those for leaving those notes to my family), two altered Chapsticks (one for me and one for my daughter), some Dove Mint Caramel dark chocolates (now everyone needs chocolate), and a wonderful coaster frame calendar done up in one of my favorite paper packs-It's a Guy Thing (now just to put a picture on the other side of it).

My Secret Sister spoils me and I am looking forward to next month so I get my last gift from her and find out who she is. The only bad part about that is that then it will be done. I so look forward to doing our Secret Sister gifty swap because I LOVE gifts (I think I may have mentioned that a time or two on here :)

Speaking of gifts, my friend Leslie at work also had a little gift for me. I opened it up when I got home from work on Wednesday and had a few tears when I did. I love it! Look what I got from her. It's a tear drop to be worn in memory of someone loved. The rose is a symbol of love that never ends. Isn't it beautiful? You can bet I'll be wearing it! Thanks Les!!



It's off to scrap today for me :) Until later...

Happy Scrappin'

Close To My Heart news

The new Idea Book and Catalog goes live today. If you have not received your copy of it, contact me to find out how to get it. It is jam packed full of wonderful new products, papers, and stamp sets. I just love getting the new catty's. It's like Christmas 3 times a year!

Also, Close To My Heart is celebrating National Papercrafting Month. The Key to My Heart promotions runs through January 31st. The gorgeous level 2 paper packet features all of the new colors {Juniper, Tulip, Sorbet and Creme Brulee} in an array of double sided papers. It is accompanied by an awesome E-size My Acrylix stamp set. The spectacular combo retails for $47.90, but you can purchase it at a discount or even earn it for free.

When you spend $130 ~ you'll get the kit for FREE!
Spend $75 ~ you can get it for just $20
Host a gathering totalling $400 or more ~ and earn it for FREE!
Join Close To My Heart Jan. 1-31st ~ you'll earn the kit FREE in your New Consultant Kit!

If you have any questions about this promotion please contact me.

tammyhellstern@myctmh.com
www.tammyhellstern.myctmh.com

Happy 2009

Happy 2009 everyone!

We had a quiet evening at home (we actually even went to bed before the ball dropped). We must be getting old because this year we didn't even care if we saw the new year in or not. We knew it would be here waiting for us this morning.

As we reflected upon last year, we had many ups and one very major down. The end of September was so sad for us as we lost our dear son,Tony, in a tragic car accident. We miss him terribly but know that we will get through this. We have so many wonderful friends and family to lean on. We do have a lot to be thankful for and are looking forward to a much better 2009!

Looking back, 2008 had me traveling a lot...maybe I should change professions and become a travel agent??

January had Dale and I on a Western Caribbean Cruise with some wonderful friends of ours. March took us to Lincoln, NE for an NATPA tractor pull. May was St. Louis, MO for a school choir trip with my daughter. July was an Algona, IA motorcycle trip with our friends and then the end of the month I was in Orlando, FL for the Close To My Heart National Convention. Then the day after arriving home from Florida in August, Dale and I took off for Sturgis, SD on our motorcycles. September we took the motorcycles yet again to Tomahawk, WI for another bike trip with some other friends of ours. November took me to San Antonio, TX for the Close To My Heart Regional Celebration. Then in December I went on a Western Caribbean Cruise with my friend Sandy.

Whew! Talk about a whirlwind of travel. I loved every second of it. I should be racking up those frequent flyer miles for another vacation! I already have travel plans ahead of me for this year and am loving it!

Here's to a happy, healthy 2009! Cheers!