Random stuff... (story of my LIFE!)

Okay ......BEFORE............ after..............AFTER IS SO MUCH MORE FUN ISN'T IT!!! BELOW ARE 'CREATE N TAKE' CARDS FROM CONVENTION. I PROMISE TO ADD MORE SPOILERS OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS... so don't look if you dont want to know! :-) these are cards from the NEW paper packets and NEW colors! YAY!!!!!!!!!!

Paper packets are called Magnifique (sp?), hooligans, Olivia (beautiful fall colors) and mistletoe!! Lovin' the traditional Christmas colors in this one.

Yep - I did.... HA Below is the new color palette.. Okay ...spoliers.... Color names: Pear, gypsy, pacifica, sunset, cotton candy, lagoon, sky, & smoothie. Don't they sound FUN!!!!!

And.... here's Will just because I haven't posted him in a while.. LOL I'm sure my mother will appreciate this one huh??? LOOK at that ROTTEN face on him!!! heeteehhee ;-)

LAST but certainly not LEAST! Go check out Jeanettes blog (www.jeanettelynton.com) & click on the two videos she has on there... Hilarious one "scrappin ladies' - funny skit by the CTMH staff! and then the John Schmidt clip- very cool song! LTR TATRS

9x9's!

Okay so the below post was suppose to post first but apparently my auto posting skills are lacking.. anyway- if you got some 9x9's in your goodie box or ever thought about what you could do with them- here ya go!

My favorite thing to do with these is journal on the tab & dress them up even more..................

and attached to a 'scrapped up 12 x 12 page (below)

and stick in your scrapbook!!! They are almost as easy as level ones!

Got 9x9's????

Some folks got some great deals in the goody boxes which included some 9x9's... Thought I'd give you a few ideas for them... Put them in their own 9x9 album for a gift for someone! Decorate them up scrappy style with matching stickease. Don't you just love how easy CTMH makes it to match up all their paper, embellishments, and stickers!

You can simply use them as a photo album for those pictures that are great but just didn't quite make the 'scrapbook it' cut....

dont forget you can rotate them for landscape or portrait.....

Add a title to the journal spot to make it look a lil more scrappy....

I dont have a picture of it, but you can also frame them just like 12 x 12 pages to hang.

Every little thing she does is.................

Oh - ladies!!! CTMH has a new 'how to' book coming out in the new catalog! "MAGIC" is not your ordinary how to book either! This one is unique to any other Jeanette has done! Watch your pages come alive when this book opens a world of ideas to waterfalls, flip flaps and everything 3D! Oh and yes- they will open up even in your page protectors!!

I'll post a sample page soon!!!!!

Cherry O Coaster Book

I will be teaching this class at the Scrapbooking Luau fundraiser for M.O.P.S. in August. i hope you guys are all signed up and excited to go crop ALL day! These lil books are just too stinkin' ca-ute! I STILL cannot get enough of this paper. Makes me want a cherry tree in my yard! :-)

This mini book is a 4 x 4 'coaster' book. The class I'm teaching includes all materials to create a book exactly shown here. You can put in up to 10 2 1/2 photos.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!

Thought I'd try out a "banner" for my blog.. I see all these cute ones on everyone elses, but sometimes I think even the background (side decor) is too much- too busy. I thought I'd browse and I saw this one. "Peacock" feathers and designs are apparently 'in' right now... uggghhh. not a fan. It reminds me of Hidden Hollow (local girls know what this is) when I was a small child- those things use to FREAK me out! LOL It certainly doesn't match the cool bling cherries I've got going on on the sides, BUT I thought Id see how much it got on my nerves and go from there.. HAHHA Hope you all have a great weekend!! We have plans to do a bunch of NOTHING- my favorite kind!!! Its gonna be a hot one. I bet we spend alot of time cleaning and taking breaks to play with will in his kiddie pool!

Feature Friday featuring.......

Cooking up Dreams with April! If you like to learn new easy recipes this is a site for you! One of my roommates at CTMH convention sent me this blog. It is her niece and sounds like she has a very bright cooking career ahead of her. She just recently participated in Paula Deens Real Women of Philadelphia cooking contest. (one of only 16 finalist! yowsa!) It was a contest where Philadelphia cream cheese was the main ingredient. She lives in TN, and as a matter of fact may hopefully be doing Taste of the Town soon on channel 5. So go check her out for some great recipes, ideas, and inspiration! Below is a picture of her Pretzel Cheese Chicken. Recipe is on her blog- YUM! http://www.cookinupdreams.com/

Swap anyone?

If you scroll down to July 6th - you will see my post about my 26 pages (13 layouts) I created to 'swap' with others. Now you see what I got in return! I have been chasing my tail all week trying to catch up, get stuff done, and back into routine and haven't printed off the photos to put on these yet. I wanted to go ahead and share the pages though b/c who knows when I'll get to this! They are great - I was pleased with my group! :-) Sometimes it will repeat a layout in the slideshow until they all download but there are 12 different layouts! enjoy! :-) Maybe next year you'll be going and swapping with me! :-)

Tired of me talking about convention yet?

Give me another few days (maybe even through next week) to come down off my 'post convention-itis" & I'll start talking about other things again! LOL Below is a photo of an example of the camaraderie that you find at convention. Everyone is so friendly it doesn't matter whose 'team' you are on. Below is a picture of our scattered hearts banner than our team so proudly waves! We're a big group as you can see! Okay - so you know all those 55+ cards I made- here's what I got back for them in exchange- 55+ cards of GREAT ideas!!!! sorry the pic is sideways--- no time to fix it! ha!

OKAY - here's your sneak peek for now! this is a photo of me during our 'create n takes.' I would love to just post ALL the pictures here to show you all the new colors and paper BUT here's why I probably shouldn't... The new book isn't 'live' until September. Lots of consultants do a quarterly open house 'reveal' every time a new book comes out and goes live. It helps build anticipation for the new product. It's really not fair to those ladies who put in a lot of time doing that just to have 'spoilers' out there. Plus Corporate 'frowns' on it. HOWEVER!!!!! :-) I cannot keep a secret for any of those who know me- SOOO I will have to let you in a little- but try not to give away the farm!! Plus- if you are on facebook at all- You have probably seen as much as I have by now! hahahaha! Below are 3 cards we made using our new papers and some of our new colors!!! If you are in my clubs- I'll bring these to show off soon!

The first day walking through the lobby of our hotel we ran into Mr. Washington and Mr. Lincoln. Abe wanted me to sit down and confer but no time for that! There was too much scrapbooking fun to be had!

Here are the steps we walked daily (and the escalators by day 2!) CTMH sure doesn't 'half' do anything!!

If cooking is your second hobby (becasue scrapbooking is your first right??LOL) then come back tomorrow for an awesome FEATURE Friday!

Scattered Hearts

Couldn't be more appropriately titled! Tina Sutton (check her out on the bottom in the floor- CRAZY girl- LOVE HER!) has a large team of consultants under her and they are 'scattered' all over! I'm proud to be a part of this group. I am not certain how many she actually has (maybe someone can comment here) but this is only a handful in comparison to what she has built her team to.. Having said that - check out the GREAT turnout for convention! Awesome! Where in the world is Tonya McCrary? Ill give you a hint.. I have on a pink shirt..... LOL Check back tmrrw for a sneak peek of new colors and paper!

New stuff?!?!?!? you ask???? Oh YES!!!

But if I tell you now Id have to kill you! hahahahaha Can you EVER wait until September 1st??? LOL I might give you a teeny sneak peek before then! But first Id like to share with you a little about convention itself. Below are some pictures and then a brief paragraph below explaining some of it! Above is a 'snack swap' I participated in.. very cute and fun!

VERA AND BRIGHTON - Cant go wrong there huh?!!?!?!?

I don't even know where to start telling you how incredibly awesome convention was!!! Let me start off with a little bit about how the week's schedule went. Arrived on Wednesday - had 3 team meetings. (one for first time convention attendees for the scattered hearts team) - then hearts n harmony team meeting, & last but not least Scattered Hearts team meeting. I won the first door prize of 2 events!!! I was pumped! ha! I won an awesome bag and a super cool Vera bag with a gift card for $50.00 of the NEW product! :-) On top of this my upline Valerie game me a SUPER ca-ute Brighton key chain and a charm! I could have went home happy already! LOL Thursday we had general session & EXTRAVAGANZA! This is when we SEE all the new artwork for the Fall/Winter catalog and we sit in on 8 15 minutes sessions of fast paced brain storming on the products! Friday & Saturday were FULL of general sessions, business classes, and create n takes! Not to mention all of our first class entrainment, awards night, and closing banquet fun! Over the next week or so I'll be posting more about convention among much more. I would LOVE for each of you to join me next year!

Welcome Home Momma!

Scott & Will picked me up from the airport. As I was standing at baggage claim I could see them through the windows waiting and waving at me! I could NOT get out there fast enough! When we got home this is what I had waiting on me!! Sooo sweet- I loved it and the boys who made it!!! I cannot wait to share with you some stuff from convention!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

HELLO LADIES!!! (and maybe Scott sometimes..heehee) Finally posting on here myself FROM DC! (just now on the last day- sorry- we've been busy to say the least!) SOOOO its been totally awesome! I come home tomorrow armed with a million great things to share with you- new papers- new COLORS!!!!!, new product- new techniques!!! I just cant wait! I noticed my 'auto post' feature Friday did not post... sorry about that - i must have not saved it correctly. I have to hop off here now to go to a short business class, closing celebrations, and PACK! I will post LOTS of details when i get home! You may not hear from me until Tuesday- I will getting back tmrrw night and then spending Monday getting ready for Monday nights workshop!!! whooop whoop!! Talk soon- check out this HUGE mural hanging in the windows of the awesome Gaylord National Harbor Hotel!!!! CTMH sure does know how to throw a 5 day party!!!! LTR!

Roomie's gifts

(another auto post here) I'm really lucky to have such great roommates on this trip! All TN girls!!! Although we've never met in person we've chatted over email a bunch already! I kinda 'cheated' with my roomie's gifts- Tradition is to make a gift but I'm thinking they'd like this much better than anything I can glue up!! hahaha filled with candy and a lil lotion! Hope you like 'em girls! I at least tied a matching ribbon! :-) I actually started working on luggage tags for them but kept forgetting to laminate them! That will be a post another day! CUTE gifts for the traveler and they are really CUTE!

More swaps.................

This is my first 'auto post' hope it works- I hope I'm on a plane when you guys are reading this- Scott may have had to physically place me on it!! LOL ANYWAY~ During convention everyone is looking for NEW ideas, inspiration, and meeting new friends! Great way to get to know each other than card swaps during your team meetings! You can participate or not.. your choice... I said if I could find some free time I'd make some cards.. Well I did- here's my 'swap' card!!! So I made 25 and then decided I wanted some more so drum roll please....... 55 cards!!! in 3 days!!!...with a toddler.... and a holiday... hahahahaha So 55 cards, 26 9x9 pages and packing for 4 nights -- DONT WAIT TO LAST MINUTE NEXT YEAR! lesson learned!!! :-) This paper is totally my favorite this last book- CANNOT wait to see what the fall catty brings!

I am totally in LOVE with this stamp set too!!! I go through phases when I scrapbook or card make... I was 'hooked' on ribbon for a while- now its these dang bitty sparkles!!! I stick 'em on everything - EVERYWHERE! Check out my scrapbooking woman's bling on her arm!! teehee!

CONVENTION SWAPPING!!!!

You rock is the paper packet of choice for our SWAP album. I am a member of the Scattered Hearts Team and Tina Sutton is our fearless leader. Its tradition for them to put together a "swap" of a 9 x9 layout album. How it works: 1. you sign up for it and are assigned a 'group.' 2. you are assigned a 'title.' Mine was closing celebrations. (others include roommates, new products, awards night, etc...) 3. Choose a layout from one of our 'how to' books- I used a FAVORITE of mine! this one is so FUN to do. 4. you make 12-14 LAYOUTS of the same pages and go 'swap' them for the rest of the convention events to CREATE an ENTIRE convention album! FUN! It might not look like a whole lot through these cell phone pics BUT there is ALOT of detail on this- There are bitty sparkles on EVERY letter of 'celebrate' & there are at least 18 brads on EACH layout attaching the ribbon to the lil squares! YOU know me- I inked EVERYTHING! LOL Did I mention I sponged all the chipboard hearts with two colors of ink- honey and goldrush! :-) haha Cant wait to go - and to share ALL teh fun stuff with you!! I am planning on auto posting some stuff so even though I'll be gone from Wed.- Sunday (HOLY MOLY- if I dont freak out and fly back on Thursday - hahah! Soooo check back - especially if I get to post from DC. Im taking my laptop! If I cant post here I'll try to post on Facebook!

Pretty Packages......

OR improvise! HA! Amazing the ideas you can come up with in a short amount of time! I will definitely use this again! So a friend called and needed a scrapbooking gift for his wife.. I have plenty of inventory on hand - plus a little boy stamp I just know she would like!! I didn't have a cute package to put it in BUT I remembered some new photos boxes I had just bought at Hobby Lobby the day before! Tuh dah!!! So the next time you are looking for a gift for a crafter- Head to Hobby Lobby - buy a deco photo box- fill it to the brim with product and wrap a coordinating ribbon around it!!! So cute! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TENEAL! teehhee ;-)

This is a present for my sis- Independence day baby! (she thinks the world shoots off fireworks for her birtdhay- none of us have the heart to tell her otherwise- LOL) The present I got her came in this rickety natural looking box filled with natural raffia package filler- So i took some 'natural' twill ribbon and kept it SIMPLE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMIE!

Our CTMH Forefather- or eh- Foremother??

Close to My Heart started with this extraordinary woman, Jeanette Lynton. Today's Feature Friday is introducing you to her awesome BLOG. She is an inspiring business woman, mother, and fellow crafter. Read more about her on the left column of her blog- you will be 'awwwed.' You might also be interested to learn that CTMH started out as "D.O.T.S" on her kitchen table! Dozens of Terrific Stamps was created buy her late nights as she would say 'burning rubber' to create her stamps and start her business! DOTS of course is now what we know as CTMH! She has been discussing "provident living" on her blog lately. One of my personal favs is her 'color me Mondays' where you can find interesting color combinations! Make sure to check out her 'previous post' for more ideas. Also - if you LOVE the Color me Mondays like I do - go down on the left side of the page to her 'labels' and view them ALL for some colorful motivation! Thanks! Have a great weekend! http://www.jeanettelynton.com/

OLDIES BUT GOODIES

Cant remember if I made these cards last year or the year BEFORE last! hahaha... Either way - just a lil something to celebrate! This one I actually made on Veterans Day, but I love the rustic colors so I thought I'd post it....

Simple and not fussy- just the way i Like cards!

ZIPPIDEE DO DAH ZIPPADEE - AY!

BEEN TO DISNEY? OR NOT??? :-) I have not been to disney, but these paper are still fun, bright, and colorful to me! I think it will go great for birthdays too! This paper packet appropriately titled "Zippidee" has Honey, Cranberry, Black, & Indian Corn Blue featured colors. Loving this stamp set that comes with this workshop kit too- Arrows, tickets, diamonds, and MORE!

Sponge Honey onto the chipboard stars! So fun!