Flowers from Eggs

Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for a special surprise I am offering today!

Have you ever made a flower out of eggs? Not the ones in your fridge, silly! The stamped kind! Well, I did today and here is my result.

I actually used a stamp set that has been retired with Close To My Heart, but any egg stamp set would do. In fact, I can think of another Close To My Heart set that would be perfect, D1259-Eastertime. I just stamped several of the eggs in this week's Color Me Monday color combo over at Jeanette Lynton's blog (blush, petal, buttercup and colonial white...all CTMH colors) and cut them out. I then arranged them in the shape of a flower and added a cute button in the middle. For this one, I used one of Close To My Heart's Clear Buttons (Z1155) and just backed it with one of my favorite papers of all time...the black and colonial white polka dots print in the Silhouette Collection, then threaded it with bamboo waxy flax (Z906).

The idea for the 3/5" x 8" card came from this week's sketch at Card Positioning Systems. Simple...my favorite kind. I seem to find that I feel most inspired by the simple sketches. Then I can take that basic idea and let my imagination run wild! Thanks for a great sketch this week, CPS!

Close To My Heart products used: Easter Eggs Stamp Set (retired), Noted Backgrounds Stamp Set (D1412...as you know, one of my FAVES!), Noteworthy Stamp Set (D1329), Buttercup Cardstock (1271), Colonial White Cardstock (1388), Desert Sand Stamp Pad (Z2118), Blush Stamp Pad (Z2106), Buttercup Stamp Pad (Z2110), Petal Stamp Pad (Z2161), Black Stamp Pad (Z2105), Versamark Stamp Pad (Z891), Black Embossing Powder (Z670), Black Designer Ribbon Rounds (Z1034), Silhouette Level 2 Paper Pack (X7090B), Clear Craft Buttons (Z1155), Bamboo Waxy Flax (Z906), Round Sponge (Z697), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Black My Legacy Writers (4275), Corner Round (Z578).

Click here to order any of these items from my website 24/7...eggspecially when you're ready to create!

By the way, order quick! Anyone who orders over $1oo in products on my website today will receive a set of 5 handstamped cards from me, to be sent out next week.

April Play Group Layouts-Caboodle

April is just around the corner, which means a new month of Play Group Classes, and three new two-page 12" x 12" layouts for you to make! You can attend one of my classes in Highland, Utah or you can participate long distance. More details to follow later in this message.

Here is what we'll be making in April using the oh-so-sweet Close To My Heart 'Caboodle' kit (feel free to click on any photo to see more detail):

Layout one: both pages*

a few details on layout one:*the black accents on layout one are not included in the kit.

Layout two, both pages:
layout two details:

Layout three, both pages:

A few details on layout three:The dates and times for April's classes* are:

• Tuesday, April 13, from 10 am - 1 pm
• Tuesday, April 13, from 7 - 10 pm
• Thursday, April 15, from 10 am - 1 pm
• Thursday, April 15, from 7 - 10 pm

*You can also participate long distance. Just email me to find out how (pedermom@aol.com).

As most of you know (and if you don't, look at the Play Group information on the left side of my blog), you are required to purchase the basic kit to attend. You are more than welcome to purchase more than that, but the basic is all that is required. Here are the kits for April:

Basic Kit:
Caboodle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7112B) - $12.95
Veranda Level 2 MyStickease (X7121C) - $4.95
Tiny Tabs (Z1271) - $3.95
Dimensional Elements, Booksmart (Z1223) - $4.95

Total: $30.74** (this is including shipping and tax)

Better Kit = Basic Kit plus the following:
Sweet Leaf Designer Ribbon Rounds (Z1125) - $7.95
3D Foam Tape (Z1151) - $5.95
Round Sponge (Z697) - $1.25

Total: $48.13* (this is including shipping and tax)

Best Kit = Basic and Better Kits plus the following:
Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad (Z2153) - $5.25
Sorbet Stamp Pad (Z2164) - $5.25
Vanilla Cream Pad (Z2169) - $5.25
Crystal Blue Pad (Z2117) - $5.25

Total: $72.21** (this is including shipping and tax)

**at this purchase level you qualify for the Stamp of the Month at 25% off ($17.21)
**at this purchase level you qualify for the Stamp of the Month at 50% off ($11.48)

Email me (Pedermom@aol.com) asap to sign up for a April Play Group class. I need to know by Tuesday, April 6. Also, don't forget the AWESOME Mother's Day workshop I have on April 21. Email me to sign up (pedermom@aol.com).

Pretty Darn Proud

I talked Dawson into going out and taking pictures with me today. Tonight is Tannon's Senior Prom and I wanted to practice a little bit taking pictures before the big event. And, since Dawson turns 16 (WHAT??!!!?) in a couple of weeks, I thought I'd take some practice photos of him, and if they turned out nicely, they could be his 16 year old pics. YIPEE! I loved them and so did he. I'm pretty darn proud of the results. I hope the prom photo session goes as well tonight.

Here is my almost 16 year old...but he will always be my baby.

PS- The last one is my fave!

Thanks, Kim!

My bloggin' friend, Kim surprised me with this beautiful card in the mail today...and all because of a tiny little thing I emailed her that she needed. Anything else you need me to email you, Kim? lol. I think getting surprise mail (especially as gorgeous as this) is one of my favorite things in the whole, wide world!

I was so excited to see that she used the oh-so-versatile March Stamp of the Month set, "A Little Everything" for the words and scallops. There are 5 more days in March, which means 5 more days to order this awesome set. I have included a photo here of the carrier sheet (actual size is 6" x 6"). Click here to find out how to get this wonderful set, and while you're at it, you can also see the wonderful sign up special that Close To My Heart is running this month as well (Dare to Dream).

Close To My Heart products used: Grace Level 2 Paper Pack (X7117B), Cocoa Stamp Pad (Z2114), Goldrush Organdy Ribbon (retired), March Stamp of the Month-A Little Everything (D1408), Filigree Charms (Z1269), Clear Sparkles* (Z1104).
*I'm pretty sure Kim colored these with a golden colored Sharpie marker. Did you know that's how to color your clear bling? Pretty ingenious...and one of my favorite tricks!

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially if you want to make a card just like Kim's.

Goodbye, Paige

Oh, Paige. Why, oh why did you sing that Phil Collins song on Tuesday? I just knew you were going home afterward. For a girl with such a great soulful voice with some serious "oomph" when she belts, that soft song did you in. I was so sad and embarrassed for you as I listened. And, I must admit I am sad to see you go. I really think as far as talent goes, Mr. Tim Urban should have gone. But if we just judge by Tuesday night's performance, it was your time to go. So sad because I definitely think you have some mad talent!

By the way, American Idol...I have a bone to pick with you. Why do you make me love you so much on performance night and then hate you so much on kick off night? Why do you make me love these performers and get so excited for them, and then dash their dreams and send them home? I have a serious love/hate relationship with you. Don't worry...I'll be watching again on Tuesday and loving you...and then watching again on Wednesday and hating you.

I wish you the best, Paige!

Tiana

It feels so good to have a little bit of time to create today. Never mind that I am in sweats, my hair is not fixed, and you cannot find a stitch of make up on my face. The important thing is that I am creating, right? {wink}. Who needs to LOOK pretty if you are creating pretty things, anyway? I guess the best scenario would be to look pretty WHILE you are creating pretty things. But that is not the case today. Notice I did NOT include a photo of me in this post.

I used the Mojo Monday sketch this week (#131), along with Jeanette Lynton's GORGEOUS Color Me Monday combo (Baby Pink, Desert Sand, Garden Green and Hollyhock...all Close To My Heart colors) to make this 3.5" x 8" card for my niece, Tiana's birthday.

Close To My Heart products used: Friendship Alphabet Stamp Set Small (C1401), Noted Backgrounds Stamp Set (D1412), Topstitch Level 2 Paper Pack (X7120B), Bella Level 2 Paper Pack (X7114B), Bella MyStickease (X71114C), Life Delights Level 2 Paper Pack (X7089B), Versamark Pad (Z891), White Daisy Embossing Powder (Z673), Desert Sand Stamp Pad (Z2118), Round Sponge, Dimensional Elements Perennials (Z1139), Autumn Craft Buttons (Z1283), Bamboo Waxy Flax (Z906), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Corner Rounder (Z578), Baby Pink Organdy Ribbon (retired).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...even when you're in sweats and no make-up...in fact, ESPECIALLY when you're in sweats and no make-up!

Oh, and don't forget the wonderful "Dare to Dream" special this month. If you've ever thought about becoming a CTMH Consultant, NOW is a great time. Click here for more details.

You're Sweet

The sketch this week (#56) at Card Patterns is a really fun one! I used it to make this little 5" x 5" card.

I learned to make the paper flowers from my friend, Bren. Go here to see my post featuring them with a link to her blog and a video tutorial.

Sorry it has been several days since my last post. Does your life ever get so out of control that time passes and you can't figure out where it went? Well, that explains the last 5 days of my life in a nutshell.

I LOVE the Close To My Heart Hodge Podge alphabet. It is a great set with 3-4 different fonts of each letter. I used it to spell out "You're Sweet." Click on it in the product list below to see it!

Speaking of sweet, how's this for the perfect example? I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE me some Daci! Grandmotherhood ROCKS!

Close To My Heart products* used: Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7115B), Silhouette Level 2 Paper Pack (X7090B), Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Pack (X7095B), Daydream Level 2 Paper Pack (X7018B), Silhouette Creative Basics Paper Pack (retired), Bamboo Waxy Flax (Z906), Versamark Pad (Z891), Black Embossing Powder (Z670), Hodge Podge Alphabet Stamp Set (D1301), Noteworthy Stamp Set (D1329), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Just Blooms White Daisy Variety Pack (Z1300). *I have included links to my website for almost all products above so that you can see a photo of that product and it's price and easily order on my site. Just click on the product name to see.

Non- CTMH Products used: Marvy scalloped circle punches (various sizes), ribbon (unknown), Black Buttons (unknown).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially when "You're sweet."

Play Time and Goodbye Lacey

I haven't shared many photos of my darling little Daci lately. She had her first birthday about a month ago. Amazing how the time flies! She is walking, saying some words, and is full of personality. Now if she could just grow some hair! lol. Could a grandma be any luckier? I could just eat her up!

These photos were taken of her in my scrappin' room while I was working one day. When Kori comes over with Daci and Kori and I scrap, Daci sits in her little 'command station' and plays. I decided to go with bright colors that would make her bright shirt stand out on the layout. I also wanted to play off of the shapes of the little 'doo dads' on her play station. Close To My Heart's Tinkerin' Kit had the perfect shapes and colors for the job! A lot of people think, "BOY!" when they see this paper, but I thought it was perfect for this energetic and silly little girl.

Close To My Heart products used: Tinkerin' Level 2 Paper Pack (X7113B), Tinkerin' My Stickease (X7113C), Badge Buttons (Z1159), Hodge Podge Color Ready Alphabet (X1406), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151).

Non-CTMH Products used: Offray Ribbon.

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially when you've got some cuter than cute baby photos to scrap!

Oh, and TOTALLY off the subject...I am NOT happy that cute little red-headed Lacey went home on American Idol this week. WHAT? I know she wasn't going to win, but PUH-LEASE....Tim Urban should have gone home WAY before her. Don't throw rotten tomatoes. He's a cutie, but I'm just sayin'!

Nail Biter!

I am a March Madness freakaziod! And, today was the start. Other than some office work I needed to do for my business today, and running up here to post this after the BYU game, all I have done so far is sit on the couch and eat pizza and watch ball games. Did I mention I LOVE March Madness?

Our beloved Brigham Young University Cougars opened up against Florida. Yikes! The game ended a little over an hour ago after going into double overtime. The Cougs pulled it out! Jimmer Fredette (shown in photo) had 36 points! WOWZERS!

My Dawson LOVES the Cougars. One of his best friend's older brother, Tyler Haws plays for BYU. Quite often TJ invites Dawson to the games. One time after a game, he got photos taken with many of the BYU players. He was so excited about it. Here is one of Dawson and Jimmer Fredette (Did I mention he scored 36 points today? Oh yeah, I did. lol). Dawson takes great pride in noticing that he is only a couple inches shorter than Jimmer. I love the pink on the BYU uniform. This was National Cancer Awareness week. BYU wore pink on their uniforms and pink Nikes to play in (they were one of 3 teams in the country selected by Nike to do so) that game. BYU's coach, Dave Rose, has battled pancreatic cancer this past year.

All-Star

Tan-Man was chosen as an all-state player this year for Utah 5A high school basketball. Tonight he plays in the Utah County North vs. South All-Star Game and on Friday night he plays in the statewide 5A vs. 4A all-star game. FUN! I thought I was done watching him play high school basketball...sniff, sniff. I'm so glad I'm not!

We love you, Mr. All-Star! Kick some all-star tushie!

Grand Concert

Today I put the finishing touches on this layout. It is one of the three, two page 12 x 12 layouts we will be making at my Play Group classes in May with Close To My Heart's "You Rock" papers (of course, yours probably won't say "Grand Concert". lol. You can make yours say something else!). I will be showing photos of all 3 layouts in the future, but had to share this one today. I just can't believe how big this kiddo is getting!

The concert certainly was GRAND! I loved watching Dawson sing in his oh-so-talented Concert Singers group and listening to the outstanding symphonic band and orchestra play as well. The music program at Mountain Ridge Junior High is top notch. My favorite part of the concert was the last song of the evening. All three groups joined together to perform a medley of the theme songs for each of the branches of the U.S. Military. As each song began they instructed the audience members who had served in that branch of the military or who had an immediate family member currently serving to stand up and be recognized. Everyone applauded for them as they stood. A huge American flag dropped down behind the performers right before the song. I was moved to tears! I am so grateful for the sacrifices of so many service men and women, now and in the past, that make this country the land of freedom and opportunity that it is.

Close To My Heart products used:
You Rock Level 2 Paper Pack (X7122B), Top Coats Rockin' (Z1272), Outdoor Denim Mini-Medley Accents (Z1277), Bitty Sparkles (Z1263), Irresistibles Lots of Dots Letters (Z1261), Outdoor Denim Marker (Z2340), Outdoor Denim Pad (Z2140), Goldrush Pad (Z2123), Round Sponge (Z697).

Baby Girl

Yesterday Kori and I spent most of the day making these baby shower invitations. Kori is throwing a baby shower for her SIL, Carly who is having her first baby in May. She plans to name her Eleni. So exciting! We made 75 of these puppies. I hope Carly likes them!

Close To My Heart products used: White Value Pack Cards and Envelopes (X254), Sweet Baby Stamp Set (my favorite baby stamp set! - C1359), Buttercup Cardstock, Crystal Blue Cardstock, Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Pack (X7905B), Black Designer Ribbon Rounds (Z1034), Versamark Pad (Z891), White Daisy Embossing Powder (Z673), Winter Craft Buttons (Z1284), Colonial White Waxy Flax Z1081), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Autumn Garden Just Blooms Paper Flowers (retired).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...even when you're expecting your first baby!

Bren and Paper Flowers

Oh my! You HAVE to watch this great video on making paper flowers (see photo here) by my friend, Bren! We are Close To My Heart oldies together. She has actually been with Close To My Heart one year longer than I have...eighteen years! She is an amazing artist. When we both started with CTMH we had young families. Now we are both grandmothers to beautiful granddaughters that were born last year. It's been fun 'growing up' with you, Bren!

Here is a photo of the two of us being our silly selves. We were at another friend's (hi, Sue!) scrapbook retreat in Lake Tahoe! So much fun!

You can see Bren's blog here.

Click here to watch her awesome video on how to make paper flowers.

Off to make some....