A 'Perfect Day'

I am so glad is it Saturday! The kids started back to school this week and it was hectic as usual...getting back into the school routine of early mornings (wasn't as bad as I thought it might be), running back and forth to town for school supplies, filling out school paperwork, picking up the kids from school every afternoon, and our first football game of the season (we won 17-14...GO COUGARS!)...and we decided to take Bevyn off the bottle this week as well, so to say that she has been a little irritable would be an understatement. :O)

In the midst of all this, I'm working on three swaps! You would have thought I'd have learned from this time last year. LOL! But then, I had a newborn last year and now she's a toddler...goodness...hard to believe. She still isn't making the process any easier though. I have to keep all my supplies pushed to the middle of the table because she can reach up and grab anything within reach now. I am managing though...between episodes of 'The Wiggles', her playing in my Tupperware cabinet, nap time and her pulling on my shirt for attention...I might get lucky and get to sit for 5-10 minutes at a time and actually work on my swaps. LOL! The joys of motherhood and crafting. :O)

Anyway, I am grateful for the cooler weather and the rain we have been getting here in West Texas. For me, it makes for the perfect day to create. Here is a little bit of what I've accomplished this past week...

These new CTMH products have been so fun to create with. I just LOVE this new Idea Book...all the new kits, stamps, and accessories! As soon as I have swapped out our team swap, I will share all the gorgeous artwork created by everyone...you are going to love it all!

Well, I better get back to work and take advantage of the little bit of quiet time I have at the moment...Bevyn is napping. :O)

Have a blessed day and enjoy your Labor Day weekend! Pamela

Five Days

This year at the CTMH convention, the winner of the Album Contest was Nona Davenport. I want to share with you her incredible story and album. It is a true testimony of why we scrapbook.

>>>Click here<<< to view this amazing and heart-wrenching story through the art of scrapbooking and stamping. This link will take you to the first of several posts - Day 1. To view the additional pages of her album, follow the links on the left sidebar of her blog under the heading - Blog Archive.

Grab your tissues! Pamela

CTMH Contest Winner!

Woo-hoo!

Make It From Your Heart (July 2008) Contest Second Place
Pamela O'Connor, Christoval, TX

Here is my submission...

Recipe:

4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Friends Card

D1280 My Acrylix^® Spot on Background
X7096B Blue Ribbon Paper Packet
X7096C Blue Ribbon My Stickease™ Assortment
Z2118 Desert Sand Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z1298 Texture Tools
Z1294 Sanding Kit
Z1297 Edge Distresser
Z578 Corner Rounder
Z1114 Piercing Tools
Z608 Dry Embossing/Scoring Stylus
Z268 3-D Foam Squares
Thread

Can't wait to go shopping with my winnings! Pamela

Another 60th Birthday!!!

We celebrated my mom's 60th birthday this past Sunday (her birthday is actually today) and this is what I created for her using CTMH's new My Creations Acrylic Mini Album. Don't you just love it? I used the instructions we were provided with at our convention create 'n take and used the Boom-Di-Ada paper packet.

I also used some new accessories that will be available Sept. 1st. Do you know what they are? :O)

I am planning an Acrylic Mini Album workshop in October, so watch for details coming soon and plan to be there! These are going to make great Christmas gifts this year.

Have a blessed day and make it from your heart! Pamela

Happy 60th!!!

Today marked my FIL's 60th birthday and we celebrated over at their house with the rest of the family and enjoyed some great food and fun. I created this card for the big day using CTMH's new Solo Number Dimensional Elements and a technique featured in the Summer Idea Book called 'Tarnishing Dimensional Elements.

Here are the instructions:

1. Rub Sponge Dauber in Desert Sand ink and apply to the Dimensional Element in a circular motion.
2. Rub Sponge Dauber in Barn Red ink and apply to the Dimensional Element going only halfway up, pressing lighter,still in a circular motion, towards the middle to create a more blended look.
3. Rub Sponge Dauber in Black ink and apply to the bottom of the letter. Press very lightly in a circular motion until color is blended.

This is a really fun and easy technique to try and it looks great with our Sarsaparilla papers.

Recipe:

Stamps - Happy Birthday, Solos "4"

Papers - MRK Sarsaparilla Paper Packet,

Inks - Black, Desert Sand, Barn Red

Accents - Black Eyelets, Black Hemp, Black Bitty Brads

Tools - Coluzzle Oval, Eyelet Kit

That's it for this evening. I hope you had a great one! Pamela

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL STAMPING MONTH

Close To My Heart celebrating the popular hobby with a number of activities

PLEASANT GROVE, UT – August 13, 2008 – Close To My Heart, the stamping and scrapbooking innovator and industry-leading direct sales company, will be celebrating the second annual National Stamping Month this September, and National Stamping Day on September 13, in celebration of the popular hobby.

The company has planned a number of activities for September in honor of the celebration:
• Online contest at www.closetomyheart.com with one prize awarded daily and one grand prize worth over $1,000 (US retail) in Close To My Heart product.
• "Just Because," an exclusive card kit containing materials and instruction to make 16 cards, will be available only during the month of September. The kit includes an exclusive My Acrylix® stamp set, accessories, pre-cut paper, and step-by-step instructions.
• "From Me to You," the card kit offered during last year’s inaugural National Stamping Month, will be available for all Close To My Heart customers for only $10 (U.S. and Canada) and all proceeds will be donated to Operation Smile. Operation Smile makes it possible for children around the world with correctable facial deformities to receive life-changing surgery. This kit also includes a My Acrylix stamp set, accessories, pre-cut paper, and step-by-step instructions to make 16 cards.

In further celebration of the month, the Close To My Heart corporate office will be the title sponsor for the Utah Valley Women’s Expo on September 5 and 6, at the Utah Valley University McKay Events Center. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to create a card while learning a variety of unique stamping techniques at the Close To My Heart booth. They will also have the chance to win valuable stamping and scrapbooking prizes. Meanwhile, thousands of Close To My Heart independent consultants across the U.S. and Canada will host their own unique stamping celebrations in honor of the month.

“Close To My Heart is proud to celebrate National Stamping Month and this fun art that brings friends together as they do paper crafting projects,” said Jeanette R. Lynton, Close To My Heart founder and CEO. “We are also pleased to donate a portion of every sale of our My Acrylix stamp sets to Operation Smile. By purchasing My Acrylix stamp sets and enjoying this great hobby, you are helping ensure a better life for children throughout the world.”

Close To My Heart is an industry leader in innovative scrapbooking and stamping products, including the My Acrylix line of clear stamps, My Reflections® scrapbooking kits, and several top-selling how-to programs including the newest volume, Originals Card Confidence Program™. Headquartered in Pleasant Grove, Utah, the company distributes its products at home gatherings through thousands of independent consultants across the U.S. and Canada. For more information about ordering exclusive Close To My Heart products, or becoming a consultant, visit www.pamela.myctmh.com.

It's about time...

Sorry for not sharing artwork more often. I am really going to try to do better. I really don't understand how some of the stamping bloggers can get so much done and keep up with posting on a daily basis. They must be better at managing their time than I. :O)

Check out my new watermark! I am finally figuring Photoshop Elements out a little, so watch out...you never know what you are going to see here next. LOL!

Here are a few cards that I have created recently...

The below card was CASE'd from a consultant's display board at convention. I changed it up just a tiny bit. It uses some new colors that CTMH introduced at convention and you will find in the Fall/Winter Idea Book that will go live on Sept. 1st.

 

Recipe:

Stamps -  September Word Puzzle

Papers -  Chocolate, Colonial White, Sorbet, Sweet Leaf, Tulip

Inks -  Chocolate, Honey, Tulip

Accents -  Hollyhock Ribbon Rounds, Sweet Leaf Ribbon Rounds, Chocolate Mini-Medley Accents

Tools - Coluzzle - Tags

 

Next is Bevyn's 1st Birthday invitation....hard to believe she turned one on Aug. 2nd. Wow! It's been a year already???

Recipe:

Stamps - Solo "1", Happy Birthday

Papers - MRK More To Adore Level 1, Vellum

Inks - Blush, Chocolate

Accents - Chocolate Ribbon Rounds, Photo Hangers (Pewter), Pewter Mini Brads

 

And finally, this is a card for my team's display board swap using one of the new My Reflections Kit featured in the Fall/Winter Idea Book...isn't it lovely. I am participating in a wedding expo in January and this paper will make some lovely samples for my booth. I've decided to go with the 'wedding' them on my swap board to kill two birds with one stone.

Recipe:

Stamps - Chocolate Alphabet Small, Life's Creation

Papers - MRK Perfect Day Level 2

Inks - Chocolate, Tulip

Accents - Holiday Buttons, Spring Blossom Brads, Basics Embroidery Floss, Cocoa Ribbon Rounds, Love Letter Rub-ons

Tools - Piercing Tool, Liquid Glass, Edge Distresser

 

Thank you for stopping by. I hope to have more to share very soon. Pamela

CLOSE TO MY HEART RELEASES NEW AUTUMN/WINTER IDEA BOOK

Idea Book features exclusive new products, colors, and how-to programs

PLEASANT GROVE, UT – August 1, 2008 – Close To My Heart, the scrapbooking innovator and industry-leading direct sales company, announced several new products with the release of its Autumn/Winter Idea Book to independent consultants attending the company’s convention in Orlando, Florida, from July 30–August 2.

For more than 20 years Close To My Heart has designed leading innovative products and programs for people of all levels of creativity, time, and interest. The Idea Book and catalog includes over 250 scrapbooking, card making, paper crafting, and home décor sample ideas. Customers will also find unique art techniques and many valuable tips throughout.

The newly updated Originals Card Confidence Program™ by founder and CEO Jeanette R. Lynton also made its debut. Originals demonstrates how to make cards for many occasions with 99 patterns that are helpful to the novice and expert card maker alike. Originals includes the exact dimensions, fold placement guides, blueprints, step-by-step instructions, and inspiring card examples in full color throughout the hardbound book.

In addition to Originals, the Idea Book includes a variety of new products including five new My Reflections® scrapbooking kits, a new My Originals™ card kit, and more than 50 new My Acrylix® stamp sets. A variety of new embellishments were also introduced including new Designer Ribbon Rounds™, Rub-Ons, and Holiday Fabric Tags.

With over two decades in stamping, Close To My Heart has revolutionized the industry with its innovative My Acrylix stamps. The clear, decorative stamps are easy to use and store and offer complete creative control and artistic precision on every project. The new stamps introduced include several season-specific themes, as well as versatile, universal designs for any time of year.

This year, purchasing My Acrylix stamp sets will do more than just enhance your artwork. “We are proud to announce that this next year we are committed to raising over $150,000 for Operation Smile through the sales of My Acrylix stamp sets and fundraising activities,” said Lynton. “As you add new My Acrylix designs to your collection, the company donates a portion of the sales to Operation Smile. By purchasing My Acrylix stamp sets, you are helping repair correctable facial deformities in children worldwide.”

Close To My Heart is an industry leader in innovative scrapbooking and stamping products, including the My Acrylix line of clear stamps, My Reflections scrapbooking kits, and several top-selling how-to programs, including the newest volume, Originals. Headquartered in Pleasant Grove, Utah, the company distributes its products at home gatherings through thousands of independent consultants across the U.S. and Canada. For more information about the Idea Book, ordering exclusive Close To My Heart products, or becoming a consultant, visit www.pamela.myctmh.com.

Leadership Day Photos

Thought you may like to see a few new things. :O) At the Close To My Heart Leadership Day we made a super cute display board using some new and exciting products. My board is missing a 3x3 card that I haven't finished yet, but I figured you would still like to see some goodies.

CTMH provided us with all the materials needed to create this adorable display board. At the bottom there are samples of sanding  techniques and then all the artwork samples use them as well.

Do you love our new Dimensional Elements Solo Numbers? :O) You may also notice the new stamp set, September Word Puzzle and Square Sparkles. The new My Reflections Kit is called Notebook.

We also got some new tools called 'Finishing Tools' that you can use to sand in the little curves of the elements and such. Oh, and the new Brown Bag ribbon rounds are darling!

Then in the evening I attended Leadership Dinner and received one of the new marketing stamp sets called, Just a Reminder.

We had a fantastic time (Sylvia, Katy, Mandy & I) and I will have lots more to share with you soon.

Sweet blessings to you all, Pamela

Healer « Arms Wide Open

Please take a moment to check this out...

Healer « Arms Wide Open

It is an incredibly moving story and song. Be sure to watch both the videos.

May God bless you in the place you are at this very moment, Pamela

Magic in the Making

Well, I think I have just about recovered from my trip to Close To My Heart's National Convention in Orlando, Florida last week. Whew! What a week!!! I absolutely love this company and I'm so proud to represent this amazing company. This is my 10 year anniversary with Close To My Heart and it just gets better and better every year! Close To My Heart truely is the best in the scrapbooking and stamping industry!

This year's convention theme was 'Magic in the Making' and it lived up to every word. :O) The men and women that run Close To My Heart out did themselves this year and I just don't know how they do it year after year, idea book after idea book. AMAZING!!!

You are not going to believe all the incredible new product and programs they unveiled and I can't wait to share it all with you over the next few weeks. I can't reveal too much right now since the new Fall/Winter Idea Book doesn't go live until September 1st, but I thought I would give you a little sneak peek into what it's like to be an independent consultant with Close To My Heart. :O)

There are so many fabulous perks...one being that I have received my new Fall/Winter Idea Book already and I've had the opportunity to pour over all the incredible new products and artwork. While at convention, I was even able to purchase new products at an amazing discount that only convention attendees receive. On my return home this past Monday, my new Fall/Winter Idea Books were waiting on my front porch and on Wednesday my convention product order arrived...HEAVENLY!!! :O)

Here's just a little sneak peek at what I received...

You are going to love this new Idea Book! I can not wait to play more with my new goodies. We did get the chance at convention to create quite a few samples during the Create 'n Take classes. I made a darling display board featuring sanding techniques, 6 beautiful layouts featuring a brand new paper packet, and an acrylic album...YES...I said an acrylic album made by Close To My Heart!!! Here's a peek at that...

Ok...that really is all I can share with you right now. :O)

I will post this next week some of our adventures while in Florida since I couldn't find the time to do more while I was there. It really was exhausting...but a good kind of exhaustion.

Have a wonderful and blessed Sunday...I'll see you on Monday! God bless, Pamela