Wishes Blog Hop

Do you WISH you could create beautiful cards in a snap? With Close To My Heart's WISHES how-to guide, you can! Join me in a short blog hop (if you're not already hopping and coming from Helen's blog) to spotlight the Wishes Card Confidence Program how-to book and its 4-3/4"x3" card pattern "City Scape."

I decided to create a gift card, so I started with a piece of 4-3/4"x8-3/4" Colonial White card stock. I scored my card at 3" and then again 3" from that to create three "panels": my card front, base, and flap. Then I trimmed down the flap to the shape you see here, just by using my trimmer and cutting at an angle.

I covered the card front with the cool new Zippidee paper pack and just followed the Wishes pattern for the pieces. I did paper- piece the i-Pod on the front and distressed most of the pieces with Desert Sand ink.

Rather than using a strip of paper on the left like the pattern calls for, I scrunched up Cranberry ribbon and stapled it down. (Is "scrunched" a real phrase?) I also embellished the focal image with more staples and stapled the gift card pocket closed (after covering it with a piece of Zippidee paper and trimming it down to fit). Because the image didn't originally "pop" as much as I wanted, I went back and added some faux stitching with my Cranberry marker.

Do you think I used enough techniques to enter this card into this week's Heart 2 Heart challenge: use a technique?

WISH you could create this card or something that you see on the hop? Try the free pattern HERE. (If the link doesn't work, send me your email addy, and I'll send you a PDF.)

Now hop on over to Melinda's blog to see her great creation!

All materials from Close To My Heart: Ms. Chillin' stamp set; Zippidee paper pack; Desert Sand, Indian Corn Blue, and Cranberry inks; Cranberry marker; Cranberry Designer Ribbon Rounds; staples

Techniques: paper piecing; direct-to-paper ink distressing; ribbon "scrunching"; faux (marker) stitching

Congrats Are in Order!

Today was my little one's end-of-the-year party and award ceremony (held at our local park), and the Divine Miss M is quite pleased with herself for winning eight awards! She was nominated "Most Athletic Girl" by her class (my kid, really?!?), plus received an award for 100% conduct average all year (Logan's kid?!?). She also received a few math and reading awards to boot. Way to go, Monkey Girl! We love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Her teacher has been the best! We love you too, Mrs. Wesche! (And we're also proud of her BFF Leilani, who took home a ton of awards too.)

Fab New CTMH Artwork!

Here is some fabulous new CTMH artwork!

{I had trouble getting the slide show to load, but if you click on the bottom right "view all images" then it should open in a new window. Gotta love technology!}

Thanks to the following consultants who participated in this artwork:
Erin Mixon, Jolena Adams, Elizabeth DeArmond, Teri Baxter, Melissa Robinson, Rachel Ventura, Anna Jarnagin, Tracey Sanders, Carol Harris, Tessie St John, Sharon Heckstall, Carolyn Lincoln, Anne Beck, Karilyn Williams, Robin Curtis, Marcia Rieger, and Yours Truly

Band Concert Recap

Just had to share a few photos from the 6th grade band concert last week. I sure am proud of my girl!

Thank you Grammie, Aunt Amy, da boyz, and Joan for coming! We were all amazed that they played so well.

The three musketeers?

Aren't these two cute too? :)

On a personal note, our church is searching for a new priest. I serve on the vestry, which is like the governing body, and we will be interviewing our first candidate tonight (and the 2nd one one Thursday evening). This is an exciting but stressful time! Please say a special prayer for us. Thanks!

Mother's Day Gifts

On Friday, my students made these photo/note holders and cards for their moms using some Close To My Heart stamps and retired papers. (The ribbon, flowers, and brads were stuff I found in my stash.) They really enjoyed making them, and I hope their moms like them!

Let me know if you'd like directions. These are so easy peasy that you don't have to be smarter than a 5th grader to make them!

On a personal note, can you believe that I graduated from COLLEGE 17 years ago today? (That would explain this year being my 17th teaching, too. How did I get so old?!?)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! Wishing all the moms of the world a very special day today and always!

My sister, brother, and I fixed dinner for our mom and my sister's mother-in-law Saturday night (spaghetti, broccoli, salad, bread, and "nanner" pudding). At church, the girls are helping to plant a Mother's Garden outside the office. That should be sweet! (We enjoyed purchasing flowers after dance photos Saturday.) We'll treat my mother-in-law to dinner Monday night. Life is good.

I am blessed to have a wonderful mother and mother-in-law and to be the mother of two precious girls! God is great!

All supplies from CTMH: May Word Puzzle stamp set (retired); Splendor paper pack; Topiary, Heavenly Blue, and Moonstruck inks; Just Blooms paper flowers; Summer Mini-Medley (retired)

Techniques: sponging; direct-to-paper

Pattern: Wishes "Lucky Layers"

Make It From Your Heart

If you love Close To My Heart products, then you will love the new Make It from Your Heart Art Gallery. Go check it out! You won't be disappointed, and you'll want to bust out your stamps and papers. What will you create?

Lifetime 6"x6" Layout

The Passages Workshop on the Go kit is probably my favorite of the Summer Idea Book! Maybe it's my love of travel, definitely my love of watches, the cool keys, and even the screws! I know that I'm a girlie-girl at heart, but this collection really speaks to me. I can't wait to use the stamps for some girly stuff too.

I created this 6"x6" layout using the Passages paper pack and Lifetime stamp set (only available with the Passages WOTG).

Here are clockwise close-ups.

All supplies from CTMH: B1347 Lifetime stamp set; X7126B Passages paper pack; X5644 Brown Bag card stock; 1388 Colonial White card stock; Z2104 Barn Red, Z2108 Brown Bag, and Z2114 Cocoa inks; Z1243 Pewter Mini-Medley Accents; Z1217 Metal brads

Technique: rock 'n roll (two ink stamping)

As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week!

Say a big thank you to any and all teachers you know! It will make their day (or week or more).

I made these gift tags for the nine other 5th grade teachers I work with to go with the little gifts I got them: Murano glass necklaces. (Centering squares on squares make for quick & easy composition!)

All supplies from CTMH: Cherish the Moment stamp set (May stamp of the month); Splendor paper pack; Colonial White card stock; Topiary and Moonstruck inks; Topiary marker and brads; Topiary sparkles (retired)

Technique: direct-to-paper distressing

Mr. & Mrs. Wedding Gift

My college friend Star recently got married. Wasn't she a beautiful bride? We were so happy that we were able to share their special day with them.

They couldn't have ordered better weather for their outside ceremony and reception (at their home). We had a great time! (All I can say is their neighbors, Richard and Trixie, are terrific! They also had the most amazing duo playing guitars and singing. WOW! I am going to have to ask Star which restaurant they play at because we will have to go see them again.)

Here is the card I made (front and inside) along with the matching frame. What could be more perfect than the Perfect Day paper pack?

The frame will hold a 5"x7" photo. (I put a post-it note on the back to let them know, to make their lives a little easier.)

Here's my sweet hubby all dressed up and the girls (in our yard before we left).

Summer 2010 Workshops on the Go {Kits & Classes}

With the unveiling of the Summer 2010 CTMH Idea Book, I can now share this quarter's Workshops on Go with you! (Have I mentioned how much I love these amazing kits?!?) They are only $29.95, and you can also purchase some adorable add-ons to make your artwork spectacular. You get an instruction guide for scrapbook layouts and cards (and you can create all the projects and more with your kit), a My Reflections paper pack, an exclusive B-size stamp set, and an embellishment.

Each of these kits are available for purchase during this Idea Book cycle: May-August 2010. I have found that it's fun to get together to make the projects in the kit, so each month I am offering a kit for purchase and a workshop for that kit the next month. For example, purchase the Passages Workshop on the Go kit in May for June's workshop, the Zippidee kit in June for July's workshop, the Splendor kit in July for August's workshop, and the Cherry-O kit in August for September's workshop. (You can find my complete workshop schedule- and more- on my MyCTMH calendar.)

I've included just some of the artwork we'll make with each Workshop on the Go kit and class. (Above is the artwork for the Passages Workshop on the Go.)

The Zippidee Workshop on the Go



The Splendor Workshop on the Go







You do NOT have to attend a workshop to purchase a kit, and with the instruction guide these can be a DIY project. Of course I'm available if you need assistance with anything! (A great advantage about coming to class is that you get the use of my tools, blocks, and inks.)

Did you know that if you purchase a basic kit, you're eligible to purchase that month's stamp of the month at 25% off? I just love a bargain! Which kit would you like?

The Cherry-O Workshop on the Go

HaPpY NaTiOnAl ScRaPbOoK DaY & CtMh SuMmEr IdEa BoOk LaUnCh!

{If you're looking for the May stamp of the month blog hop or the new product blog hop, scroll on down! Thanks.}

HAPPY NATIONAL SCRAPBOOK DAY!!!!!!!

If you're not coming to my crop today, then please look online at the Summer 2010 Close To My Heart Idea Book. You can find it by clicking right HERE. (You will have to click on the image once you get to my CTMH website to open the catalog, but then you can browse your heart's content.)

For those of you thinking that you are not scrapbookers, ponder this quote from Stacy Julian, scrapbook guru:

"Scrapbooking is anything you do with pictures and words, to honor a moment in time."

She continues with "Scrapbooking includes traditional scrapbooks and photo albums. Traditional scrapbooks come in all sorts of sizes and styles. Some sit on a shelf, others can be tucked under a pillow. Scrapbooks can be part of your home décor and even part of your library of bound hardcover books.

"The good news is there are so many additional forms of scrapbooking today.
*When you display your photos on your phone or MP3 player or some other hand held device, you are scrapbooking.
*When you write a post on your blog, you are scrapbooking.
*When you self publish using a service like blurb.com, you are scrapbooking.
*When you decide to post and share photos via a Shutterfly Share Site, you are scrapbooking.
*When you start a new Flickr group (private or public) you are scrapbooking.
*When you visit Shuttercal.com and start a daily calendar online, you are scrapbooking. Note: you can see my Shutter Cal here.
*When you send out a Twitter tweet or update your status on Facebook, you are scrapbooking.
*When you document milestones and memories at This Moment you are most definitely scrapbooking.

"This is a short list of just a few of the tools and services that provide us an avenue for recognizing and validating our lives.

"ANYTIME, you do anything that freezes time, records personal perspective, documents daily life or preserves, for now and the future, words and/or photos, you are embracing the spirit of scrapbooking."

So, scrappers, celebrate TODAY and take some pictures to share!