Lost Lagoon

We recently took a trip to SeaWorld just to play in the Lost Lagoon. If you've ever been there, you know why it was worthy of dedicating a whole day too and if you haven't been, well...get there as fast as you can! It's the only time you'll ever see me in a swimsuit....and that's only because I had too. I managed to dodge the camera most of the day, but I did end up with one picture of me....not terribly bad, but I certainly ain't ready to share it with the rest of cyber space (sorry folks...just not happening). Instead, I will share a photo of the kids as they came down of the sky tubin'. Gary and I went down first, ahead of them, so that we could watch them as they hit the bottom....I just love how excited they were.....it made the whole swimsuit issue worth it! I used an inexpensive disposable waterproof camera to take the pictures....it sure does make me appreciate the fact that I have a good camera that takes excellent quality photos.

Free stuff

Win a free cardmaking set....everything you need to complete 16 all occasion cards including a stamp set and 2 inks.....one new winner everyday in honor of national stamping month.....click here and enter to win today.....

a gift for you

In honor of the fact that my website is now operable, I am giving away a free gift to the first 10 people to place an order. I will either deliver in person or mail it to the address that you choose to ship to. The first person to place an order will get an extra something special from me just for being the first. On your mark....get set....ready......GO

spark some creativity

I am so thrilled to have my Close to my Heart website up and running again. I need to get busy posting some of my artwork. I just finished updating the calendar. Now you can view our new catalog and idea book online straight from my site. I've already placed an order and can hardly stand the wait for it to arrive. I promise, I'm not stalking the UPS lady anymore! Also, you can view some great creative webisodes on the CTMH TV....so instead of vegging out to the normal programs, switch it up a little and see if one of the Art & Soul episodes can't spark a little inspiration of creativity. Don't forget, you can shop online now too and get those hot new products into your creative hands easier than ever!

Over the past few days, I have been catching up with old classmates from high school on facebook! It's somewhat surprising how you can pick up with people like you've never been apart. After many years, you see how things change and how they never really change all at the same time. One of my newly found friends and I go back to grade school together. We met up at the end of last week and had a great time reminiscing old memories of each other and planning to make new ones. It all links back to scrapbooking. I have developed some of the best relationships with people because of scrapbooking and now I am finding and rekindling old friendships because of scrapbooking. Some people might say that I am obsessed with scrapbooking; that might actually be true, but it has only brought good things as a result.

Technique Class

I am preparing supplies for the technique class and I need to confirm those of you who are participating. If indeed you are, I need you to email or call me and let me know for sure. Remember it's a 6 month commitment to spend $25 (before tax/shipping) each month of the 6 months. In return, you will learn 1 or 2 techniques each month and you will receive $25 free product during 1 of those months. Our first Technique class is scheduled for 8am Sept. 19th at New Hope Church. If you are considering the class, but haven't signed up because you are unable to attend the technique class in person, I will make you a sample and get it to you with instructions.

The free monthly crop for Sept. will be held on the 19th beginning at 11am. Because this is a free crop, you will need to bring your own food and snacks. I will provide tea and water and we will have access to kitchen facilities. If you are planning on attending the crop I need for you to RSVP so I can insure that I have a table set up for you.

Paper cake template

I found this template on Big Foot and Pickle website. Scroll down for examples of the finished product. In order for all the pieces to fit together, you need to make sure that you stretch the pattern to a full 8.5x11 sheet of paper. You will need 12 pieces total. Good luck! Contact me when you've completed one and I will add it here for others to see!

More Paper Cake

After sharing the idea with others, this is the grand design of Diane Buzzell, a sister consultant with Close to my Heart. These are her words:

I used Colonial White cardstock and a couple stamp sets to stamp vines and flowers on it. I had some vellum confetti flowers I don't know where I got. They were in my stash and I used liguid glass to adhere them randomly. I used Just Blooms and White Daisy paper flowers for the centerpiece with some curling ribbon. And some white daisies with sparkles on the sides. My open house theme was the Idea Book "Unveiling" so I decided on a kind of a wedding theme. I was impressed that it didn't take too awfully long to make. Deciding on the stamps and the design took the most time.

Thank you Diane for letting us see your take on the awesome idea!

Sea World and Sunburn

Yesterday we went to Sea World and played in the Lost Lagoon! When we first arrived, I begrudgingly changed into my swimsuit. I was so self conscience about wearing it. Inside I was screaming, "I don't want to do this!" I prayed for the courage to let my fears go. I knew that in order to have a good time, I couldn't dwell on my insecurites. I made it my goal to enjoy the time I was spending with my family. I'm still not comfortable wearing a swimsuit, but I had the best time. We laughed and splashed all day! It wasn't until I woke up this morning that I realized just how much fun we'd had. My muscles are so sore and I literally am as red as a lobster! Yes, I put on the sunblock, but obviously, it didn't do the job. I shivered most of the night and I think that's part of the reason I am so sore. I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again!

Homeshooling

Some days are better spent doing nothing, and that's exactly what I found myself doing today. It's my Friday at work, and I'm glad. The only thing I did accomplish was to add to the endless bank of creative ideas floating around in my head by visiting other CTMH blogs. It's amazing to see how many different ways that one product can be used. It's like homeschooling; no two families do it the same way, but somehow the end product is beautiful. That doesn't mean that sometimes the process doesn't get messy. I am excited about school starting back again. This will be the first time for the kids to start the school year at homeschool. I am wanting to continue with some of our traditions, like our back to school picture and such. We have decided that we will begin on Tuesday after Labor Day! That means we only have a few more days to go. I will be placing the order for the additional needed curriculum today. I can hear the $'s going cha-ching as I type. It's money well spent and an investment with far better returns than one will ever know! I have some really great ideas about ways to make the lessons more interactive. One example I have is to use a scrabble game for spelling time. Honestly, who likes to write their spelling words 3x each and in a sentence and alphabetize them every week, over and over. If they can have fun and learn them, then why not? Not everything can be fun, but things that can, should be!

Words of Wisdom

Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain!

Camp'n Crop

Have you ever wanted to attend a scrapbook retreat but didn't because of the cost. Well, worry no more. Now you can attend one without breaking the bank.

Join us as we share campfire stories over the sound of the chirping cricuts. We'll roast marshmallows (heat embossing + liquid applique) and count the stars (finished projects). We have the tent, lots of lanterns (good lighting) and plenty of vittles (food). Bring your creativity and your bed roll (sleeping bag or camp style bed...sorry, no beds available at the church). This will be the best camping (cropping) experience you'll ever have....no mosquitos to pester you!

If you are interested in attending you will need to RSVP with payment by October 1st Don't delay, hurry today, seats are limited and you won't want to miss this once in a lifetime experience. Please contact me to sign up at mrsfancyface@yahoo.com.

October 16-17, 2009
check-in 10am or later
check-out before 10pm Saturday

New Hope Baptist Church
3400 FM 2693 loop
New Waverly, TX 77358
936-767-4742 (church #)

5 meals include:
Fri.- lunch & dinner
Sat.- breakfast, lunch, & dinner
light snacks and milk/tea/water/juice provided
(refrigerator available if needed) - in case you want to bring your own sodas or snacks

Let me know if I can answer any questions for you and thanks again for allowing me the priviledge to be your Close To My Heart Creative Advisor.

Scrapbooking, What Else?

I hosted a scrapbooking crop last Friday evening and I was pleased with the results. My sister came and I taught her how to put together pages. I was able to visit with friends I haven't seen in a long time and others that I see often. My life is so blessed by scrapbooking. Being a Close to my Heart Creative Advisor has brought so many wonderful Christian women into my path. I find encouragement in the relationships I am building. I look forward to many more creative and crafting opportunities.

Paper Cake...

Now you can have your cake, and eat it too! My daughter attended her first piano lesson today. I don't know who was more excited, me or her. In order to keep the other kids busy while we waited for her, I decided to take a craft project that the kids could help me with. I sought after a kids pattern and quickly realized it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be (to find something). I stumbled across this website http://bigfootandpickleface.blogspot.com/2009/05/cake-slice-project.html The name alone tickled me...but here I found a pattern and a photo of the finsihed project. With my birthday right around the corner (I'll be 29 again for the 3rd time) I knew this was the perfect craft to keep our little eyes, hands, and minds occupied. I printed the pattern on the back side of 8 1/2 by 11 patterned paper and the kids cut it out while I stamped and glittered the flowers and circles. Time ran out on us, so I brought them all home and put them together. This is one cake that the kids helped make. It yielded minimal mess, and no injuries. I'll serve up the slices at the crop on Friday night.

God's Orchestra

When I was a young child, I played the clarinet. For the greatest portion of that time, I was first chair. But no matter how good I might have been, I could not have effectively played it if the instrument was not working properly. In psalms, we are told to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Imagine you are an instrument...who's playing you? Is it God or someone else? How much sweeter a sound you would make if you are played by the master. Grow weary out of use. Don't waste away from apathy. Play in harmony. Are you in working order? Life has a way of bumping us around knock us out of tune, but that doesn't mean that we can never be in one accord. Sometimes we need an adjustment. We can be repaired through forgiveness. Are you producing a joyful noise unto the Lord or is God having to assign your task to someone else because you refuse to be an instrument for Him?

September Workshop on the Go

Close to my Heart has improved the Workshops on the Go program. These workshops not only have paper, but they now include a stamp set and a unique layout recipes and embellishments. For only a few dollars more you can get the 'best' deal upgrade that includes even more. These will be available September 1, 2009. Every month a new one will be featured! Make plans today to create these beautiful pages.

Learn New Technique -long distance

I am starting a long distance technique class. This is the perfect way to satisfy that dying curiosity and answer that burning question "How did you do that?" I need 6 ladies to commit to spending $25 each month for 6 months. The $25 (before tax and shipping) is for product of your choice. In return, you will learn 1 or 2 techniques each month and for 1 of the 6 months you will receive the $25 hostess rewards. If you are interested, please contact me.

Scrapbooking Technique Class

Many ladies I know have expressed an interest in establishing a scrapbooking group. Some of you were part of one in the past and are ready to get back up and running and I am here to help you do that. Before I set any dates, I would like to get a little feedback from you all. I would like to know if a Friday night from 6p-12a or if a Saturday 9a-? is better for you?

I would also like to know if you are interested in a technique class. Among many techniques, we will learn how to use a baby wipe to embellish a scrapbook layout or card. This class is the perfect opportunity to satisfy that curiosity about "How did they do that?" We will get together once a month (likely a weeknight) for 2-3 hours to learn 2 techniques. There is no charge for the techniques. However, We do need at least 6 ladies to commit for 6 months to monthly purchase $25 in product (before shipping and handling) of your choice. We will rotate the $25 hostess credits to insure that each of the ladies in the group will be rewarded. If we have more than 6 ladies, we will continue the number of months for the number of ladies in the group, for example 7 ladies = 7 months, 9 ladies = 9 months...you get the idea, or we can create a second group to meet at another time. You will need to bring paper, adhesive, trimmer, scissors, and a 6x6 album (available through CTMH).

I've attached the specials for this month. Close to my Heart has decided to do something special for you. This Thanks-a-bration only lasts until August 17, so act now before it's too late! See the attachment for more details.

3,976.7 miles later

Nothing says welcome to Texas like 3-digit weather. After spending nearly 2 weeks at more that 5,000 feet above sea level, I find myself having to get acclimated to our weather again. The temperature wasn't as cool as we had expected in Colorado, but it felt so much better than this TX heat. As is always the case though, all good things must come to an end, and so here we find ourselves back home, thankfully safe and sound. All in all we had a great time. We arrive home at 5:00 am this morning just under 4,000 miles in 14 days. I think we have become road-trip warriors.

serenity

Last night, we drove back to Chasm Falls. The first time we visited, we didn't go all the way to the top of the waterfall; so last night, we went back, when there were less people and I go to some awesome shots. We saw similar images in town for sale by a local photographer for as much as $85 for a 5x7 print. I doubt I will sell mine, but I wanted it for my own collection.

Today, we drove to Wild Basin to look at Copeland Falls. It was an easy trail to climb, so Pop was able to come with us. He usually sits out because of his knees, but when we can find one, we look for trails that he can particpate in. We picnicked in the area and as we began to leave we got pulled over by a park ranger. He stopped us because Gary wasn't wearing his seatbelt, but he let us go with only a warning. We are very thankful.

Back at our campsite, the chipmunks and squirrels have been working overtime. I accidentally left a chocolate bar on the table part of my chair and when I looked for it again, it was gone. My first thought of course was my own 2 legged animals, but alas, they were innocent. It really was a squirrely critter. One thing that I noticed for the first time this year is how beautiful the flowers are around here. I have been photographing some of them and I have impressed myself. Here is a few of the ones I thought were pretty.

This evening, we are planning on returning to Bear Lake to watch the sunset. If I can get some good shots, I will share those.