Thank you, Sue!

I opened my mailbox yesterday to a fun surprise...a card from my Hawaii buddy, Sue! Thank you, Sue (check out her blog here)! You made my day. There is nothing more fun that happy mail, especially from someone you think the world of!

As you can see on the detail photo (click either photo to see them larger), Sue added some fun little extras. She scissor distressed the edges of the Sweet Leaf Cardstock (instructions in a moment), edged the Colonial White Cardstock under the umbrella piece with a crystal blue marker, and dotted Liquid Glass (Z679) on the polka dots on the umbrella. Genius!

Scissor Distressing is a fun and easy way to add character to any project. Close To My Heart's Micro Tip Scissors (Z534) are the perfect tool for this technique because the outside edge of them is nice and sharp too. That way you can leave your scissors closed to distress and not have to dull the cutting edge. To scissor distress, just hold the paper firmly that you want to distress and run the edge of your closed scissors up and down the edge until you reach the desired effect. Sue was very subtle with her distressing on this card, which was just perfect for the "Happy Spring" feel, but if you really want to go to town and make something look old and beat up you can do that too.

Close To My Heart products used on this darling "Sue Card": Springtime Stamp Set (D1415), Caboodle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7121B), Crystal Blue Stamp Pad (Z2117), Crystal Blue Marker (Z2317), Designer Ribbon Rounds Colonial White Collection (Z1126), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Liquid Glass (Z679), Micro-Tip Scissors (Z534).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially when you're having a "Happy Spring."

Did you guess?

Did you guess which one was me? Several of you have posted or emailed me to find out which of the list I shared in Sunday's post was me. So far, no one who has guessed has gotten it right.

I'll tell you which one I was and the story to go with it in just a minute. Before I do, I have something much more important to share: My granddaugther, Daci learned to say Grandma yesterday! WOO HOO! Sorry I don't have any wonderful artwork to share today. I have been busy doing things other than creating art the past few days. Hopefully this darling photo of Daci will suffice.

Back to the list. I was this one:

• Over 100 people have seen my bare tush.

Lest you think that I am a habitual mooner, please let me give you a quick re-cap of what actually happened. I was 17 years old and on a first date with a new guy. We decided to go swimming. As I was climbing out of the pool on the ladder (and he was right behind me), he said, "Karen, you have a hole in the back of your swimsuit." YIKES! I politely thanked him and went into the womens restroom to check it out. Hole was the understatement of the year! The seam in the back of my swimsuit was up the middle (instead of the sides like most swimsuits) and it was totally unstitched. I didn't have a hole in my swimsuit....I didn't have a swimsuit! My entire rear portion was bare for the whole pool full of people to see. I almost DIED! I think I stayed in that bathroom with a towel wrapped around my waist for a good 30 minutes before I got enough guts to go back out, get my date, and leave. I couldn't look him in the face the rest of the day.

That story should make all of you feel VERY good about yourselves, right? I hope you all got a good laugh to start your day at my expense!

2 of My Favorite Things

Two of my favorite things are General Conference and Easter. How cool is it that they happened together this weekend?

I'm pretty sure you all know what Easter is, but maybe not General Conference. In a nutshell: twice per year the leaders of our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints..."The Mormons") broadcast meetings over a 2 day period (the first Saturday and Sunday in April and October). Each day there are 2 general meetings that last 2 hours each. I love them!

I feel filled with happiness and remembrance of what is most important in life as I listen to these wonderful leaders share their testimonies of their Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, as they give us wise counsel, and as they tell us the things we need to know. If you go here, you can see a brief description of what General Conference is. If you go here, you can view some of the talks from yesterday. My very favorite was a talk on the difference between love and lust given by Elder Jeffrey. R. Holland. You can scroll through the speakers and listen to him if you'd like. On Saturday night, there is also a meeting for the men (12 and up) called General Priesthood Meeting. The guys all get dressed up in their suits and ties and go to our local church building to see the satellite broadcast of this meeting. That means 2 full hours of a house void of testosterone. Woo hoo! Not that I don't love testosterone, but a break every now and then is nice! I decided to fill my home with as much estrogen as possible during those two hours. I invited my daughter, Kori and granddaughter, Daci (see photo. Unfortunately I got so busy when everyone arrived I forgot to take pictures. Darn!), Easton's girlfriend, Daysha, my sister-in-law, Cindy and her two daughters, Paige and Katie over for a girls dinner and evening of fun.

You can see a photo here of one of the place settings at the table. I had fun making and decorating a sugar cookie for each of my guests, and also gave each of them a little notebook to use to take notes during General Conference. I thought it turned out nicely.

We started out with a delicious "girls' food" dinner of Chicken/Broccoli soup, green salad and breadsticks. As the food settled we played a little game. I had each of the attendees let me know something that no one at the gathering would know about them ahead of time. I turned it in to a matching game and we had fun laughing and telling stories as we figure out which thing fit which person. Here were the 'adventures' on the list:

• Over 100 people have seen my bare tush.
• I won a best legs contest
• I broke into a baseball field at 4 am with my friends.
• When I was a little girl I secretly brought home a stray cat and kept him in my dresser drawer for months with no one knowing.
• In high school, I beat our quarterback in a push up contest in front of the whole school.
• I have a recurring dream of being the pink Power Ranger.

Hilarious! After guessing the 'culprits' we finished with a scrumptious eclair cake. It was a fun evening. The boys came home just in time to help with the dishes. Perfect!

Today, as we celebrate Easter, I am especially grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and the gift of His infinite atonement. I know that He has felt my pains, sorrows, and sins. I know He loves me in spite of my short comings. I am grateful for this knowledge and try to live my life according to it. The painting of Jesus Christ that you see here today is a favorite of mine by Simon Dewey (you can see lots of his gorgeous paintings and purchase prints here). Happy Easter, everyone!

April Stamp of the Month - Flower Pot

It's a new month, which can only mean one thing...a brand new Stamp of the Month at Close To My Heart. April did not disappoint with this darling Flower Pot stamp set (Item #D1409, actual size of carrier sheet is 6" x 6")...just in time for Spring!

This set can be yours in several different ways:

• earn it FREE when you spend $100 or more (before shipping and tax)
• earn it for 75% off ($5.74) when you spend $75 or more (before shipping and tax)
• earn it for 50% off ($11.74) when you spend $50 or more (before shipping and tax)
• earn it for 25% off ($17.21) when you spend $25 or more (before shipping and tax)
• purchase it for full retail price ($22.95)

Close To My Heart products used: Flower Pot Stamp Set (D1409), Noted Backgrounds Stamp Set (D1412), Veranda Level 2 Paper Pack (X7119B), Tulip Cardstock (X5753), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Versamark Stamp Pad (Z891), White Daisy Embossing Powder (Z673), Cocoa Stamp Pad (Z2114), Cocoa Marker (Z2314), Designer Ribbon Rounds Chocolate Collection (Z1127), Natural Hemp (Z280), Basic Craft Buttons (Z1206), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Corner Rounder (Z578).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially when the flowers are blooming (stamped or otherwise!).

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.