Convention Swaps

Since I can't bring Convention pictures to you (right now), I thought I'd share the cards I made to swap w/other consultants. Swapping is a fun part of any CTMH convention. You create cards, scrapbook pages, etc., and then you find other people to swap your art for theirs. I made about 25 of each set of cards, so I should have a great selection of new things when I get home (in addition to all the fun projects we'll make each day).

Orlando or Bust!

As you read this, I'll be in Orlando for the Close To My Heart 2008 Convention! It is going to be sooo much fun, and I'll post updates as I can. (I fly out early Wed. AM and return late Sat. PM.)

Aren't these photos of the resort gorgeous? I'm sure I'll have my own to update when I return. It will be such a hardship to be away from DH and the girls for a few days! Hopefully they'll manage without me. I'll be keeping busy stamping and scrapbooking!

Smart Buck

How do the bucks know when hunting season is over?

We have a pack of does that wander through our yard all winter long, but it's not until hunting season is over that we ever see the elusive buck. We had a beautiful 4-pointer in the yard the other morning, as proud as you please. (And of course the camera was in the camper, darn it!) We NEVER see him during hunting season! How do they know?!?

Quote of the Week

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.

~Author Unknown

Birthdays Past & Present

Today is hubby's birthday! Though he's not excited about being another year older, he's definitely looking forward to another trip around the sun. At least he gets to be "king" of the day. Here are some glimpses of birthdays past:

His first birthday back in the '60s

With his brother celebrating their birthdays in 1972-

That was a great year! ;)

Check back later for pictures of this year's birthday.

Scrappy Sunday

What a busy day! (So it was actually LAST Sunday that I did all this scrappin' but it still counts.)

How did I get so much done? The Sasparilla layout was for my every-other-month scrapbook class, but the other three were from a swap. The final one I made at a Close To My Heart training event, Regional Celebrations. They were all just waiting for my pictures to finish them up. If you'd like to learn more about them, check out the "My Art" section of my website (http://www.haleyd.myctmh.com/).

Card Tutorial: Criss-Cross Card

I have posted another card tutorial on my Close To My Heart website: http://www.HaleyD.myctmh.com. Just click on "My Art" to go to the artwork section, then find the Project of the Month: Criss-Cross Card. These are MUCH easier than they look! Give it a try and let me know how it goes. Happy card making!

Camping Time

If you'd like to check out what we've been doing for the past few days, go check out my Mom's blog at http://www.travelingbells.blogspot.com. Too bad I don't have a picture of our fifth wheel to add so you can see how we "rough it!"

Quote of the Week

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present. ~Babatunde Olatunji



(Of course, this quote probably only works in English, but it is definitely worth pondering.)

Cousin Fun

We kept my nephew for a few hours yesterday afternoon and had a blast! Here they are "workin' at the car wash!" The turtle was a nice surprise, although Little Bit wasn't so sure about it!

He conquered the play set and the slide, though holding my hand made the ride down easier to navigate.

He LOVES bubbles, so we made some more in the tub after some good clean sprinkler fun.

Rub-a-dub-dub, three cousins in the tub....

Le quatorze juillet

Today, le quatorze juillet, is France's independence day, known as Bastille Day. On this day in 1789, a revolutionary crowd stormed la Bastille, a Parisian prison known for holding political prisoners. The seven prisoners were freed and this event was a turning point in the revolution.

If you'd like to hear the French national anthem, go here and scroll down to the button on the right: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_national_anthem (Sorry I don't know how to put sound on my blog!)


So there's your history lesson for the day from your French teacher!

She's back!

Miss A is home safe, sound, and EXHAUSTED from a fabulous week at 4-H camp. She was so busy she hardly had time to miss us. We'll update again when we get her pictures developed.

4-H Camp

Our big girl left Monday morning bright & early for a week at 4-H camp. These four nights are the longest she's ever been away from home, but we've been reassured that the kids are too busy having fun to be homesick. So far, no news is good news. They aren't allowed to call home, etc. Luckily her best friend (and a few other good friends) are there too. Of course, that means that if/when one of them gets upset, they'll all chime in!

As we were waiting to leave, she asked if I would walk her to the bus. When it was time to load, she took off running with her two friends. At one point, she looked back at me in a bit of a panic, but I just grinned and waved. Off she went! I got a big wave from the bus window, and in a few minutes they were off.

It sure is quiet around here... Little sister has enjoyed spending the night away for the past two nights (and probably again tonight too). What a strange sensation to be child-free! I have enjoyed sleeping in the last two days! :)

Lucky 13?

Can you believe that we are celebrating our 13th anniversary today? My does time fly! I look at our wedding picture and think, "Who are those kids?!?" LOL



I love you, honey! We've been so blessed. Just look at our two beautiful girls. I can't wait to see what the next 13 years have in store.

It all started 40 years ago...

Who is this handsome couple?

My parents! They are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary today. We actually got started last night with dinner out at one of our favorite local restaurants. The entire clan was there: all 3 children, 2 sons-in-law, and 4 grandchildren. Life is good, don't you think?

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for the love you've given each other and your family. We are truly blessed, and you continue to serve as wonderful role models. We love you!

A belated HAPPY 4th of JULY! We are especially thankful for those who serve in our country's military. We know that freedom is not free. We are blessed to live where we do, even if we don't always agree with what's going on. Be sure to thank a veteran or an active serviceman/woman!

We spent the 4th at the lake: boat parade at noon (spectators, not participants) then lots of swimming, boating, & jet-skiing. (Did I just invent a new verb?) The girls went tubing behind our boat for the first time (the neighbors talked them into it last month!) but alas, no camera was present. Of course the day ended with a cookout and FIREWORKS- both the ones the town provided and the ones Uncle Reid shot off. Fun, fun, patriotic fun!

Double Pocket Card

Isn't this card fun?!? It is perfect for giving a gift card- just tuck it into the front pocket and create a tag for the 2nd pocket. You can mount this onto a standard-size card or give as is.

If you'd like to learn how to create your own, visit http://www.haleyd.myctmh.com/ then look in "My Art." (I'm saving a little time and web space by not posting twice.) Please leave me a comment about this project, and if you make one too, please leave a link to it in your comment. Thanks!