Check Out My New Banner!

I took the plunge and found someone to create a blog banner and watermark for me. This is something I would love to learn to do, but it will be awhile before I learn all the tricks, so I had Melissa Kulesa create this one for me. Don't you just love it?!?! She does excellent work and will tweak it until you are happy with the outcome. Be sure to check out her website by clicking on her name above. Thank you Melissa!

In Him, Pamela

Oh My...I've Been Tagged...Twice!

The Rules: So this is how it works. I must post the rules, 7 random things about me and then tag others to do the same. Sound fair enough, right? These are the rules…. each player starts with 7 random facts about themselves on their Blog. People who are tagged need to blog 7 facts about themselves and post the rules as well. At the end of their blog list 7 people you are tagging. Let them know that they are tagged by leaving them a comment.

1. Mike & I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary. Our anniversary fell on the same day of the week as our 1st date...Friday, April 13th! We were married one year later on Saturday, April 13, 1991.

2. Our 1st child was born 12+ years ago, our 2nd was born 9-1/2 years ago, and we are expecting an 'unexpected blessing' in less than 6 weeks! Ü

3. I've been a CTMH Independent Consultant for almost 9 years now (my anniversary is in December) and have been scrapbooking for 10 years. During this time, I have taught at Convention 4 times (Extravaganza 3 times and Create & Take once) and I earned the 2003 Western Caribbean Cruise.

4. I was born and raised in San Angelo, TX just 20 miles north of where I live now. In 1991, very shortly after I married my husband, we moved to Hobbs, NM for a job promotion. In 1993 we moved to Albuquerque, NM (Rio Rancho to be exact). In 1995 we moved back to San Angelo to be near family after our son was born. At the end of 1995 we moved to Granite Shoals, TX for a job relocation. We were there only 6 months when we were able to transfer back to San Angelo...so that was in 1996. We moved several times while in San Angelo until we finally found the perfect place for us on 5 acres in Christoval, TX and bought our 1st home in 2000. We have been here ever since...and we have no plans to move again...ever!!!

5. At the age of 33 years old (2003), I made Jesus Christ, my Lord & Savior.

6. At the 2006 CTMH Convention in Salt Lake City, I entered the Leave A Legacy Album Contest and was a Top 10 Finalist! This has to be one of my most memorable experiences ever. It was very inspirational and emotional for me as I created my album based on my spiritual testimony and my prayers were answered when my album was placed on display during the convention for all attendees to view. I give all the glory to Him for giving me the creative inspiration and courage to follow through with this project.

7. Whew...the last one...hmmmm. You can probably tell...there is a theme going on here. CTMH has been a hugh part of my life for the past 9 years and so I have to share this fact with you. I met my best friend, Cindy Denning, through the CTMH Online Bulletin Board just weeks after I signed up as a consultant. She posted a message asking for help with a certain stamp set...Sunflower Garden (or something like that). I responded with a few ideas (she is more business minded and was somewhat creatively challenged back then...LOL). That was back in January 1999 and then we met in person at the San Antonio CTMH Convention in June 1999 briefly and then started corresponding through email and instant messaging...and the rest is history.

There you have it! Now...I will have to do some searching to see if I can find anyone that hasn't already been tagged. I'll post an update soon...I hope!

In His Grip, Pamela

Edited: 1 down...Stacey Flores

This is FUN to me!

Awwwww...it was so nice to get away for the weekend to spend time with some friends and do what I love...SCRAPBOOKING! I met my best friend, Cindy Denning, in Weatherford, Texas last Thursday for a weekend get-a-way at The Covered Bridge Inn. Cindy hosted the weekend for her customers and team members and her closest friends. Ü She always out does herself and always takes care of you with little goodies set at your table when you arrive. Here is what she did this time...


This retreat accomodates 20 scrappers and it is just an amazing place! Pat Farrington, the owner, is an incredible host to us all and she is an exceptional cook! One of the biggest highlights of the weekend is the food. Lucky me came home with her new cookbook, so I can't wait to try out some of the recipes on my family and friends.

Here's a picture of my bird's eye view for the weekend...


I actually found the time to plan a few pages before leaving! I usually have a few projects in progress to work on, like our Disney trips and my brother's wedding album. So it was a nice change to be able to scrap a few recent events. The layout below is about our whirlwind trip to Indiana to pick up Mike's 1968 Corvette. I'm really pleased how it turned out with the new CTMH Route 66 paper packet. I know the picture is small, so I'll see if I can get it bigger so you can see the detail better. I even included some interactive hidden journaling behind the photo on the right. I have a few tips and tricks I'll share in a tutorial with you soon about this.

The layout below is a totally different style...it's not a Cherish layout...but I love how it turned out in the end.

The card and stationery holder below is totally scraplifted. The stationery holder template was shared on a CTMH yahoo group by Korin Sutherland and I just haven't had the time to create one myself. I shared the idea with Cindy and she and Melissa Robinson created this version for an upcoming card workshop they are planning. They used a card diagram shared by Ginni Candelaria. I thought I was making mine for a graduation present, but I think I'm going to have to created another one that I can give away. LOL!

That's it for now...I'll see what I can do about getting some larger pictures of the layouts posted. I've got to run to an accountibility group meeting here shortly, so I'll see you later.

In His Grip, Pamela

Positive Quote of the Day

Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks,breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.-- Mary Lou Cook

I love this! Ü

Late Night Posting

I am so exhausted...but I thought I'd better post since I haven't since I left for my weekend scrapbook retreat. BTW...I had a fabulous time and I'll share tomorrow what I accomplished at the retreat.


But for now I thought I'd share with you my latest project...purging and organizing my scrapbook room! I only have about 4 weeks until the baby arrives and I have to make room for her in my scrapbook room...room for a crib and a changing table.


Since I've been scrapbooking and stamping for about 10 years now...it's unbelievable the amount of 'stuff' I've accumulated. I got quite a bit accomplished today, but the biggest hurdle for me is going to be this...



This is just a small portion of the scrapbooking and paper crafting magazines I have to purge! I still have a whole shelf below full of magazines in magazine racks. Oh my...


So far I've sorted them by company, then tomorrow I'll sort them by date. I will probably only keep 2006-2007 issues and purge the rest. I have to keep asking myself "When was the last time you touched this?" But it's still so hard! LOL!


I will keep you posted on my progress and then maybe I can share pictures of my new and improved scrapbook room in the next few weeks. Ü


Until tomorrow...sweet dreams, Pamela

Settings on My Cricut

Erin asked what settings I used on my Cricut to cut the cereal box chipboard. I set the speed to 1 and the pressure to 5 and set my blade to 6. An FYI - this still did not cut completely through, so I had to carefully punch them out and clean up the edges with my scissors. Also, if you check out the Cricut website for uses...they will tell you that cutting chipboard may void your warranty.

Blessings to you, Pamela

Love My Cricut!

I haven't used my Cricut as much as I should have so far...but everytime I do...I just fall in love with it all over again. Ü I've been seeing these cute decorated paperclips everywhere lately, so I finally went to Split Coast Stampers and found the tutorial on making them. I am making 20 of these paperclips for the scrapbook retreat I am leaving for on Thursday. My dear friend, Cindy, is hosting the event and I'm making these to put inside the goodie bags she is giving everyone.



To make this, I used a cereal box for the chipboard and cut the flowers out using my Cricut and then cut the same size flower out of Watermelon B&T. I adhered the B&T to the chipboard and then did a layer of Modge Podge over the top. I made a duplicate one for the back of the flower, so it looks good either way you look at it. Next I placed an Orange Bigger Brad in the center and pierced thru some lime green twill (found at WM I believe). I sandwiched the two onto the large paperclip using a 3-D glue dot and then used regular glue dots to adhere the petals to one another. My 9 year-old daughter liked it so much, I had to give her the first one I made. LOL!

I've been doing some organizing in my scraproom to make room for the new baby...we have to share a room for a while until we figure out how to build onto the house again. Anyway...I came across this card that I made for my dh for his birthday last April, so I thought I'd share with you. I think I got the card design idea from an issue of Take Ten I got around that time. I used the Simple Pleasures Paper Packet, Twilight Designer Ribbon Rounds, Alfresco Stamp Set, and the April Stamp of the Month, For Every Occassion. I distressed the CS with sandpaper and did some stitching work too.


One last thing I wanted to share are these adorable little 3x3 cards. My dear friend, Cindy, gave me one that was done in Blush and Cocoa and she said she has been giving them out at church. What a great way to give someone a bit of encouragement, unexpectedly and for no real reason at all. So, I made a few of my own using Sweet Leaf and Cocoa.

Thanks for stopping by! May God bless you, Pamela

I Won Blog Candy...Check It Out!

I won these adorable CTMH cards from Kim Sheller's blog candy contest a week or so ago! I just received them in the mail a few days ago...I love happy mail! She sent 10 cards with envelopes and a cute 3x3 card too. I always love getting new ideas for older CTMH papers and stamps. I have a ton of paper I need to work with and of course I have tons of stamps I haven't used much yet too! Go figure...

Thanks Kim for being so generous...can't wait to post my first blog candy contest!

Blessings to you all!
Pamela

U Are The Best

We had a great weekend wrapping up VBS and getting to spend time with each other on Father's Day. With everything going on with VBS last week...I didn't get much stamping done. However, I did have to stay up late Saturday night and make Father's Day cards for Mike and our dads. Here are the results...

Both of these cards were made with the new CTMH paper packet, Route 66. On the above 5x7 card, I used the Small Sans Caps set to stamp 'ARE THE BEST' in Cranberry ink on Cranberry CS for the background and then used my new Cutter Bee Bugs to make the faux stitching around the edge. I layered a strip of the Route 66 B&T Duo across the middle and then layered Moonstruck CS over that with a scrap of Colonial White CS stamped with 'U' from the Rustic Alphabet. I added a My Accent Silver star brad in each corner. I made this card for the kids to give to Mike.

Another pretty simple card...made one for each of our dad's. This card was 5x7 also and super simple to make! I made the entire card front before adhering it to the cardbase so the conchos and brads wouldn't be seen from the inside (did the same on the first card too). I started with the Cranberry CS and stamped 'DAD' in Cranberry ink and then used the Small Sans Caps to stamp 'THANKS' along the side of the first 'D' in Cranberry ink. I then did some direct-to-paper using the Cranberry ink to 'distress' the CS around all the edges. Next, I adhered the Cranberry strip to the Route 66 B&T Duo and then attached the My Accent Silver conchos and placed the silver star brads inside the conchos. The last thing to do was adhere this to the Colonial White cardbase.

Scrap-O-What?

I stopped by our new LSS last Friday and found the coolest new product!

Here's what the description says on the box about this product: The Scrap-O-Dex is a Stylistically Innovative Product that offers a multitude of design possiblities for you to feature your memories. Each Sleek White Base measures approximately 7 1/2" x 4" x 4" and the Acid-Free White Chipboard Sheets are 4" x 6".

I know what I want to create with it...it's just to find the time to get it accomplished! Once I do I'll be sure to share here.

I am preparing for a fabulous weekend away with one of my best girlfriends at the Covered Bridge Inn in Weatherford, Texas. Four days of scrappin', eatin', chattin'...you name it! I am so looking forward to this time as it will be quite a while before I can leave for an extended amount of time once the baby arrives.

Hopefully I'll come back with lots of finished layouts to share here! Let's pray that I can get organized before I leave so I know what I'll be working on when I get there!

Until next time...sweet blessings to you!
Pamela


P.S. Check back for my first ever BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY coming soon!!!

TGIF!

Where has the week gone?!?! I feel like I've been running in circles all week, but I really think I run a few and then I lay down for a nap here and there. Ü This pregnancy is really wearing me out! I am officially 31 weeks today...so not much longer and our new baby girl will really be keeping me busy and worn out! LOL!

Anyway, my week began with me sitting in the doctor's office for the 3 hour glucose testing to test us for gestational diabetes. I guess that started my week of on the wrong foot...I've been overly tired all week. Good news today though...my test results came back good, so no worries at the moment.

I have been jumping back and forth from finishing up several card projects to reading Joyce Meyer's book, Confident Woman. It's a great read and has really had me examining myself this week...which can be an excellent thing now and again to keep me on the right path God has for me. Ü

I've almost finished up my Kinderd Spirit cards I started a week or so ago. I completed my copy of the 6x6 True Fit Folio Mini Album I did for my team swap last Saturday (I'll post that soon with instructions). Last night I created my sample for aother swap I'm participating in and I was able to kill two birds with one stone as my dad's 60th bday is Sunday and the card I created below will be for that also. Here is the card with some brief instructions of the technique I used and learned from a fellow consultant, Michelle Snyder.

This is a 6x6 card created with the July Stamp of the Month - Typewriter alphabet stamp set and Small Sans Caps. I used CTMH's new My Reflection Paper Pack, Majestic Blue and added some Cranberry to accent. The technique is called 'faux wood' using Wipe 'n Swipes and reinkers in Outdoor Denim, Chocolate and White Daisy (the new ink formula...it's amazing!).

My sample actually turned out looking a little like a plaid texture because I decided to swipe with Outdoor Denim in the opposing direction. This was really much easier to create than I had anticipated...

To create this, I started off with my Outdoor Denim reinker and the wipe 'n swipe. I put a thin line of reinker along a short edge of the wipe 'n swipe and then gently swiped it up and down the length of my Desert Sand cardstock, making thin lines. I did the same with the Chocolate ink. I used the White Daisy ink to make a few thin lines, but then I also made thicker lines and worked on blending the Outdoor Denim and Chocolate ink some. As I mentioned above, I created more of a plaid effect by swiping in the opposite direction using the Outdoor Denim ink.

If you look at the finished card, you can also see that I used the White Daisy reinker and wipe 'n swipe on the Outdoor Denim textured cardstock...looks a bit like sanding it.

Try this technique! It was fun playing with the wipe 'n swipes after so long...they came out well over 3 years ago I think and I haven't played with them since then! It's always fun to revisit some oldie but goodie CTMH products with fresh and new techniques.

May you have a joyful weekend! God bless, Pamela

9x9 True Fit Folio MIni Album

I created this 9x9 True Fit Folio Mini Album almost a month ago for my 8 year old niece's birthday party project. It's pretty simple to create and makes a lovely mini album for any occassion.

CTMH's True Fit Folios are very unique to the industry. They measure 12x12 when closed and 12x24 when open. You use them in your 12x12 albums to hold memorabilia inside and you can also make them into flip up pages within your album too.

I created this 9x9 size mini album by simply cutting and scoring. I see I will need to create a tutorial for this project to explain it properly...putting on my to do list. Ü

Pamela

More Projects from Our Team Gathering Creative Session

In addition to the card in my previous post, we created this layout which was inspired by fellow consultant, Tiffany Cheney. All our projects today were made using CTMH's Summer Celebration color palette with our new accessories and new stamp sets.

I have a 9x9 True Fit Folio Mini Album that I will post shortly...so stay tuned. Ü Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.

Pamela