A teenage milestone

This is the story:

Certain that she would never go to a high school dance, Alli had plans for a movie night with friends for Homecoming.  With only one week before the dance, she received a text, asking her if she wanted to go with Thomas.  She said yes!

Dress shopping began immediately and came up dry on the first round.  Martha and Alli were then dropped off at the Ross’ in Redmond while we attended a birthday party for Ric Gray.  As they tried on dresses, texted photos, and received the thumbs up or down by the entire group (Yosts, Quiggs, and Gray’s), they found the top three.  I then joined them and Alli tried them on again and we found the perfect dress.

Of course, we had a few alterations; adding “color” using some ribbon Ruth had on hand and some ribbon straps to keep everything in place.  Because I was going to be at the women’s retreat, I set up an appointment for Alli to have her hair done with Marti at noon. 

Paula and I drove home from Whidbey Island to see both girls off to the dance, take photos, and enjoy a teenage milestone.  Then back to the women’s retreat we went while Alli and Martha, in separate parties were off for a fun evening. 

Posting a photo on face book, gathered these responses:

• Stacey Mangum: Awww...!!!

• Katrina Dohn: They are adorable!!!

• Lisa Balyeat: Great picture!!

• Heidi Monroe: Great picture! Lovely couple.

• Jane Rowley: Who is that guy? Where is his family from? What church does he attend? What kind of work does his parents do? What are his plans for the future? HE IS TOUCHING HER!!!

• Jefferson Rowley: Jane - I'll need to borrow Mathew's Shotgun. Can I come by on Sunday?

• Pat Rudisill: Great picture, love the dress and the accent color, especially on the nails!

• Jane Rowley: YES BUT IT MIGHT BE TOO LATE!!! AAARRRGGGH!!!

• Megan Rowley: Wow parentals calm down! You raised her right, she'll be fine :)

• Emily Yeater: AWWWW!!!!! SO CUUUUUUUUUTEEEEE:)

• Brandyce Krutsinger: Very cute!

These are the photos:

Sonoma Paper Packet & Stickease with Stardust Glitter Gel in the center of the flowers for just a touch of sparkle.  Title is stamped with Old World Alphabet. 

Holiday Quote I love

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas when you stop opening presents and listen.

Rock the Block

Update:  Blog Hop to see artwork using the blocks and stamp set starts here.  Keep hopping until you get back to the beginning.  So much fun to see what everyone did with their kit.  Interested in getting your own set?  You can purchase it now with a $25 here. 

National Papercrafter’s month is just around the corner.  (January 2012.)  In celebration, Close to My Heart has done it again!  Rock the Block stamp set with the My Creations Block set.
Curious?  Here’s the stamp set.

Want to know more?  Here’s the block set, made up with photos of my brother’s family.

I started by coloring each edge of each block with cocoa ink.  If your paper pieces are just a tiny bit small, the white really sticks out.  I used Roxie paper to cover one side of each block as a “title” page but before I cut it in 2x2 squares, I used the stamp set to add style.

Then I took 6x6 photos, cut them into 2x2 squares, and using the memories bonding glue to attach each square to the cube.  One cute face at a time. 

Twist and turn each block to put together the face of a family member.  I think the kids are going to have lots of fun with this.  I am also excited to see how other consultants will use the blocks.  They are quite a creative bunch. 
The set of blocks will be in the Spring/Summer 2012 idea book but you will be able to get them beginning Dec 19 through Jan 31st along with the “E” size stamp set shown at the top.  The stamp set if for the special only.
How do you get it?  Spend $25 in CTMH products and order the “Rock the Block” set for $15.

Hers & Mine: A little secret

Many people comment on the ideas that I share in workshops and on my blog.  Where do they come from?  Well, I am going to share my secret with you. 

Close to My Heart is a generous community of fabulously creative people…including the founder of the company, Jeanette, herself.  As a consultant, I have access to an artwork bulletin board where people share their creations.  Close to My Heart also has these great “how to” books and the semi annual idea books, chalked full of wonderful artwork.  And, then there are blogs…and lots of them.  So many consultants share what they have created, their techniques, inspiration, and awesome artwork using the products we love.  I review many different blogs and of course have my favorite.  The secret is….I copy them.  Yes I said it, the secret is, I copy them! 

Jeanette, our company founder, has a blog and each week, she shares a creative technique.  This past week she shared the technique of tone on tone color.  You can see her blog here.  I loved her demo card knew it would make the perfect card for a special friend’s birthday, so I copied her! 

Now about copying.  Some call it scraplifting or stamplifting, others call it their “source of inspiration” but to take it down to the elementary level, lets just say…as a kid might….I am a copycat.  And I am proud of it!
A few important things you need to know about this secret.  First of all, when you do copy, it is a common courtesy to give credit to the person you copied from.  It is even better if you can link back to the source.  And, keep your copying to items for personal use.  Take your appreciation even further and leave a comment or email a note, letting the creator know you love their artwork! 

Now, drumroll please….
Hers
&
Mine

Believe: scrapbook workshop for your holiday photos

Christmas is one time of year when I take tons of photos.  This year is no exception and I am even working on an additional project that involves taking daily photos.  (That is a topic for a future post.)  While the Christmas memories are still fresh in your mind, join me for the workshop in January.  Dates are on the calendar at the end of the blog.  Choose the date that best fits your schedule, print your photos, RSVP 10 days prior and let’s share our holiday stories while we scrap them. 

Products used to create these pages include:

X7145B Believe paper packet $9.95

X7145C  Believe stickease $4.95

Z1486 Holiday Pockets $4.95

Just remember to RSVP so I can order your products. 

Holiday Treats & a Linky Party!

I am enjoying the opportunity to use my Cricut and the Art Philosophy cartridge for holiday treat packages.  Follow this linky party to see other great artwork using the AP cartridge. 

Winter “Wonderland” Scrapbook Workshop

Many are wishing for a white Christmas.  So much fun to play in the snow.  Maybe we will bet one this year.  Wonderland paper is perfect to capture the feel of the snow and the fun that snow brings.  Create 3 12x12 pages in January at my scrapbook workshops.  Take a look at the calendar at the end of my blog and RSVP 10 prior for the workshop time that fits your schedule.  I will order your products in time!

Products used to create these pages include:

x7146B Wonderland paper packet  $9.95

x7146c Wonderland stickease  $4.95

Z1468  Icing topcoats $4.95

Z1104 Sparkles $2.95

Quick Holiday Tip: Make your own gift tags

Today I want to share a Close to My Heart video that will bring you faster, simpler and easier holiday prep so you can spend more time enjoying your family and friends.  Gift tags are a must-have year-round and even more so during the holidays. Learn how to turn out classy, custom gift tags in assembly-line style, with the help of the Cricut^® Art Philosophy cartridge, in this Close To My Heart video. It's one more way to tell your gift recipient, "You're worth it!"

Mad About You: December Stamp of the Month

I have had the opportunity to play with the December stamp of the month and I am loving it.  It makes a fun stationery set of circle notecards.  I used a Laughing Cow cheese box and then cut round cards on my Cricut to fit inside.  Using the "how to" book for cards, "Wishes", I created four cards to go inside.  I used the papers from Sonoma and a pewter mini medley set for embellishments.  You can make this notecard set as well at a workshop in January.   Take a look at my calendar below and join me for the workshop OR host a workshop with your friends. 

Corporate artwork and supply list can be seen here. 

To see more artwork done with this stamp set, follow this blog hop and enjoy the creativity of fellow consultants.