How time flies...

Goodness! I had no idea so much time had passed since I last posted. The last several weeks have been a whirlwind of unexpected activities. Where do I start?

Well, I guess the obvious would be...where I have I been and what have I been up to?

Quite unexpectedly, two weeks ago, I went back to work as the church secretary. This is the same job I had when I found out I was pregnant with Bevyn. So, even though there was some uneasiness about finding someone to keep her so I could go back to work...at least I was going back to a job that I was pretty familiar with. Praise the Lord!!!

It really has amazed me at how God has been at work in all this. I shouldn't be surprised, but I still am because the last year and a half has been quite a challenge for us. We unexpectedly acquired an additional family member and along with that, expenses that we hadn't planned for, so I've been praying about going back to work and the options were few. See, we live about 20 miles from the city and we couldn't justify the cost of going back to work for the little money I would make. So, as only God can do, He had to teach us how to be frugal with our spending over the last year. Believe me, it hasn't been easy! I guess along with that, He also instilled a bit of patience in me, so that I could get through it. LOL!

I continually had to remind myself that I knew that God was teaching us something through all of this and I know we still have so much to learn...don't we all!?!?

I am grateful for everything that He has put into place so that I can return to a job that I enjoyed and make it even better than it was when I left. Everything is falling into place, just as it should. That is how I feel about the whole situation. I will not attempt to understand why it all had to happen this way. I just know that I got the best end of the deal...one beautiful baby girl, lessons learned through hardship, and a bright future ahead of us!

Glory be to God! Pamela

P.S. I promise to post some new artwork soon! I have a card workshop coming up next week I have to prepare for. :O)

Stampers from the Heart Team Swap - Round 2

As promised, here are the rest of the swap sets from my Stampers from the Heart Team swap for the new Fall/Winter Close To My Heart Idea Book. As with all the other swap items posted, the artwork created by my team is incredible! I am so excited to share all of it with you.

Below is the 2nd round of swap items. There are several of us that participated in both swaps so that we would have lots of samples to share and to show the wonderful versatility of these awesome new kits that CTMH has provided for us. All the new stamp sets and accessories work so well together.

This lovely creation was made by one of our newest team members, Olivia Sporinsky. She did an excellent job using the new My Reflections Kit - Perfect Day. This kit features all of our new colors which are Tulip, Sorbet, Juniper and Creme Brulee.

The below items were created by me using the My Reflections Kit - Notebook and two new stamp sets called, Shining Star and Whooo Loves You. This kit was so fun to create with because it can be used for so many different themes.

Next we have the My Reflections Kit - Magic Moments created by Katy Donaldson. Katy used the same stamp sets I did in the above samples and look how great they work with this kit as well! She used some masking techniques and some paper piecing on both the upper right corner cards that I just love. So cute!

Sylvia Williams used the My Reflections Kit - Aspen for her 2nd round samples. I love her use of accessories! She did some embossing on the snowman card and used some White Daisy Sassy Strands on several items. Another great example of how versatile this kit is...not just for winter/snow items.

And last, but not least, Debbie Hamilton did a stunning job with the My Reflections Kit - Evensong. She also used embossing in a lot of her samples and the 3-1/2" x 8" card is gorgeous with the stained glass effect stamp set, Gloria...beautiful!!!

I hope you have enjoyed viewing all the wonderful ideas shared over the last few days using the new Fall/Winter Close To My Heart product line. If you have any questions about anything, please do not hesitate to comment and I will get back to you asap. If you'd like more information on ordering these wonderful products, please visit MyCTMH website.

Make it from your heart with Close To My Heart today! Pamela

Stampers from the Heart Team Swap - Round 1 - Magic Moments

I am so blessed to have such a fabulous team of artists! They always to the best job on their swap items and I love sharing it all with my customers and friends.  The below artwork was created by Debbie Hamilton using the new My Reflections Kit, Magic Moments. We are always amazed at all that she accomplishes and the below artwork is no exception!

Hope you are enjoying all the new artwork using all new Close To My Heart products from the just released Fall/Winter 2008 Idea Book. Ask me how you can get yours today!

Have a blessed evening and I'll be sharing more beautiful artwork with you tomorrow.

Pamela

Stampers from the Heart Team Swap - Round 1 - Notebook

Oh la la! I absolutely love all the beautiful artwork that was shared through my Stampers from the Heart team swap using all new products from the Fall/Winter 2008 Idea Book. The above artwork was created by my very talented convention teaching partner, Katy Donaldson. Check out her blog at www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com for more great artwork.

I'll share more of round 1 soon. Enjoy,  Pamela

Scrapbooking Smiley

Isn't this cute!?! LOL! 

Ok, I promise to share some new Fall/Winter product artwork in the morning.

Sweet dreams, Pamela