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."

Lucky Me, Lucky You!

I've been thinking lately that it is much more fun to go through life feeling happy and grateful than sad and 'woe is me-ish.' That helped me count my blessings and realize how lucky I really am. Although Dan has been out of work for a year and a half now*, we are so blessed in every other way! We have a beautiful family that is happy and healthy, we love each other very much, we are strong members of our church and have a strong belief and faith in God, and I have a successful Close To My Heart scrapbooking business doing something I love. LUCKY me, is totally appropriate. I am one blessed daughter of God.

*If you happen to know anyone looking for an outstanding Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, let me know! Dan would be VERY interested. Until a year and a half ago he had done this for over 20 years.

I am also running a special in my business for March called "Lucky YOU!" Here's how it works: If you are a current Play Group member and you bring 2 friends to play group with you in March (you must give me a week's notice) that choose to join Play Group (read about it on the left side of my blog), you get your Basic Package (the one you would purchase in March for April's classes) absolutely FREE (a $30.74 value!). If you are not a current Play Group member but if you sign yourself and another new customer up for a class in March and you both join, you get your Basic Package (the one you would buy in March for April's class) absolutely FREE ($30.74 value)! LUCKY YOU! Please email me if you are interested in taking advantage of this special (pedermom@aol.com). Tomorrow I will be posting photos of the three 2 page 12" x 12" layouts we will be making at my March Play Group classes. They are gorgeous, if I do say so myself. We are using the beautifully elegant Veranda kit.

By the way, Play Group classes are at my home in Highland, UT. If you do not live in Utah but would like to take part in Play Group, I have some long distance options. Again, just email me for more information (pedermom@aol.com).

I thought I'd share a couple of "Lucky" cards to go with the theme of this post. The first card was inspired by last week's (2/15) Mojo Monday sketch (#126). I'm a little late, but it was one I really wanted to try. It was a unique sketch and something different than I have ever made. This is what I came up with.

Close To My Heart products used: Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Pack (X7095B), Emporium Level 2 Paper Pack (X7105B), Caboodle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7121B), Sunkiss Yellow Cardstock (1240), March Word Puzzle Stamp Set (retired), Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad (Z21553), Juniper Stamp Pad (Z2165), Corner Rounder (Z578), Round Sponge (Z697), Juniper Waxy Flax (Z1248), Winter Craft Buttons (Z1284), Liquid Glass (Z679), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151).

I like the first card, but think I like the 2nd one even better. I didn't use a sketch for it, just an 'old stand by' card design that seems to pop into my head quite often. I almost always like anything I create with a middle stripe and 3 accents.

Close To My Heart products used:, Emporium Level 2 Paper Pack (X7105B), Sunkiss Yellow Cardstock (1240), Olive Cardstock (1245), March Word Puzzle Stamp Set (retired), Noted Backgrounds Stamp Set (D1412), Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad (Z21553), Juniper Stamp Pad (Z2165), Corner Rounder (Z578), Juniper Waxy Flax (Z1248), Round Sponge (Z697), Holiday Craft Buttons (Z1285), Versamark Pad (Z891), White Daisy Embossing Powder (Z673), Waterbrush (1771), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially when you're feeling lucky!

An Unexpected D

I thought I only had one 'D' card left to make. That's what I get for thinkin'! I guess the Dan "D" card will have to wait until tomorrow to be get done. I saved him for last because, well because he is the love my life, that's why. Last the best of all the game. Oh yeah, back to the reason for this post....

Easton invited me to attend a Brigham Young University Young Ambassadors concert last night. They are the singing/dancing/performing group for BYU (you can read more about them here). Easton's friend, Daysha is one of the cast and he wanted to go and watch her and support her.

Of course, when you watch a sweet friend perform, you must take flowers. And, if you are taking flowers, you also need a great gift card. So, to work I went. "D" for Daysha. I used the technique that is taught in the latest Art and Soul episode called "Oh, Baby!" (which you can watch here on my website. It's only about 11 minutes long and it's awesome!). The technique is called Emboss Resist. Anyway, I finished my tag lickity split and Easton wrote his 'break a leg' note on the back, and away we went.







In a nutshell, this is what you do:
1. Emboss image using clear embossing powder on a piece of paper or other surface (I used a white Dimensional Element Monogram "D").







2. Sponge over the entire area (I used my Baby Pink pad). The embossed part will resist the ink. The color of the original surface will show through (mine was white).









3. I then chose to do a little more sponging with my Bubblegum pad. I just sponged the ink around the edges of the "D" and a little around each flower.

Close To My Heart products used: Connections Stamp Set (D1330), Dimensional Elements Monogram "D" (Z1058), Baby Pink Stamp Pad (Z2102), Bubblegum Stamp Pad (Z2109), Versamark Pad (Z891), Clear Embossing Powder (Z671), Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Pack (X7095B), Sunkiss Yellow Cardstock (1240), Summer Craft Buttons (Z1282), Just Blooms White Daisy Variety Pack (Z1300), Watermelon Gingham Ribbon (retired), Bubblegum Waxy Flax (retired).

Non-CTMH products used: Ribbon (offray)

Thanks

ONE MORE DAY! Tomorrow our Easton returns from his mission! WOO HOO!

This 'thanks' card was inspired by sketch 48 at Card Patterns. All materials are Close To My Heart. Most of what I have used are Boom-di-Ada papers from the Level 2 Paper Pack (X7095B) and flowers from the Perennials Dimensional Elements (Z1139), which I have covered in paper. I also used inks and round sponges to add some color and depth around the edges of things. Colors you see on this card: Sweet Leaf, Buttercup, Hollyhock, Barn Red and Autumn Terracotta. The darling 'thanks' stamp came from the Thank You stamp set (D1361). I LOVE this stamp set. I use it multiple times per week.

Click here to order from my website, 24/7...even the day before a big event!

Have a great day! I'm off to finish up last minute details for tomorrow.

Nature's Beauty

Hi again! This is my 2nd post today so be sure to check out the first.

This card was inspired by the sketch this week at Card Patterns (sketch #30). I had fun doing a little stitching with embroidery thread around my felt quail and his wing. It only took a second but still gave my card that hand stitched look, which I love. I also love the new "Wonder HeartFelt Die Cuts" (Z1210) that came out in the new Close To My Heart Idea Book on September 1. The quail is just one of many darling felt designs in 3 colors (twilight, olive, and chocolate) that are part of this collection.

The photo I took of the card was against a brand new Fall wreath my friend Chris C. made me. It is absolutely gorgeous. In fact it's so gorgeous I had to share it with you here. I helped Chris make a mini-book called "33 Reasons I Love You" for her husband a couple of weeks ago for their 33rd anniversary. This was my thank you gift. Gosh, Chris...do you need any more books made? {wink}. Anyway, back to the card...

Close To My Heart products used: Happiness Stamp Set (C1310), Grateful Hearts Stamp Set (C1372), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Twitterpated Level 2 Paper Packet (X7118B), Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Packet (X7095B), Crystal Blue Stamp Pad (Z2117), Twilight Stamp Pad (Z2160), Versamark Stamp Pad (Z891), Buttercup Embossing Powder (retired), Heartfelt Die Cuts Wonder (Z1210), Heartfelt Die Cuts Whimsy (Z1145), Neutral Embroidery Thread Assortment (Z1096), Spring Harmony Brad Assortment (Z1212), Mini-Medley Winter Cozy Collection (Z1120).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...even when observing nature's beauty or a thank you wreath from a dear friend.