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."

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).

Happy Everything

I showed you a few samples I made using the Close To My Heart March Stamp of the Month (Little Everything - D1408)) here. Well, tonight I decided to sit down and create another card using this set. I think this set is a MUST HAVE for card makers. It's perfect for just about everything!

I have also included a photo of the stamp set on it's carrier sheet here. The carrier sheet actual size is 6" x 6".

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)

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially when there is a "must have" stamp of the month (like this month!). Email me (pedermom@aol.com) with ANY questions.

Humble Artists

I have a few cards to share with you that I think you'll love! A month or so ago, I referred to a swap that I was invited to be a part of this year called the Humble Artists Swap. It is a small group of Close To My Heart consultants that are known for their great artwork. I was honored to be invited. Today I am sharing some of the cards that I received back in the swap. All cards are made using Close To My Heart products (click here to order from my website 24/7...especially when you're swappin' cards!). Enjoy!

created by Vicki Wizniuk (using Veranda Creative Basics papers):

created by Bren Yule (using Topstitch papers):

created by Emilee Smith (using Caboodle papers):

created by Nancy Ball (using Veranda Creative Basics papers):

created by Tracey Mason (using Topstitch papers):

Here is the card I made for the swap (using the Veranda Creative Basics papers):

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!

Cheating...

Don't worry. There's art in this post. Keep reading...

Today I am cheating. I have had great intentions to create some more art this week with some of the brand new and mouth wateringly gorgeous papers and stamps that just came out in the Close To My Heart Spring 2010 Idea Book (you can view it by clicking on the book on the left side of my blog). But, instead of following up on that great intention, I got involved in all of the bowl games yesterday and just vegged instead. I do not regret it. There was some GREAT football yesterday. I especially enjoyed the LSU/Penn State game in the Capitol One Bowl. Whichever team you were cheering for, you couldn't help but be excited by the ending, the crazy weather and players covered in mud. Man, I love football. In my next life I want to be a ferocious linebacker. I can't imagine more of a rush that hitting someone while using all of my momentum charging full steam ahead.

Back to the cheating. I am doing that today by sharing some GORGEOUS artwork with the four new Close To My Heart kits created by the Close To My Heart art department. Don't worry. It's legal. I have permission. So technically, I guess it's not actually cheating. But, it kind of feels like it. After viewing this you might feel that never again will my artwork measure up. I'll take that chance because I am just dying to show you these great kits.

You can click on any of the artwork photos to see them larger so you can really soak in all of the beautiful details. Also, I have linked each of the products and kits mentioned to their page on my website so you can see them and read about each of them. I hope that will be helpful.

New Kit #1: Topstitch (you probably saw the cards I posted using this kit earlier this week. If not, click here and here). I love the soft, sweet feel of this kit. It would be great for little girl pages and big girl pages alike. Click here to see Topstitch kit options. Close To My Heart colors: Heavenly Blue, Baby Pink, Chocolate, White Daisy. Awesome accessories to match: Soft Suede Pinwheels, Soft Set Eyelets (chocolate and colonial white), and Metal Brad Assortment.

How cute are those suede flowers you can see on the layout? SO CUTE! I also love how they have used a round sponge and a chocolate stamp pad to antique distress the edges of almost everything. It gives everything so much more personality and dimension, don't you think?

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New Kit #2: You Rock. As rockin' as this kit is in this photo, it is even better in person. I did play with this kit a bit this week (but haven't finished those projects) and am so excited about putting photos of my studly boys on this great paper. Click here to see You Rock kit options. Close To My Heart colors: Goldrush, Indian Corn Blue, Olive, Outdoor Denim and Sunflower. Great coordinating accessories: Top Coats Rockin', Remarks Glitter Rubons

You can see the great use of the Rockin' Top Coats on many of the artwork pieces you see here. I love 'em! To see them up close and to read a little bit about of them, be sure to click on them in the section above. Isn't this a perfect teenage boy kit?
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New Kit #3: Veranda. Did you see "Somewhere in Time"? I loved that movie and this kit makes me feel just like I did when I saw it. I guess if I could describe it in one word I would use 'elegant.' Click here to see the kit options and the artwork below. You'll see what I mean. Close To My Heart colors: Creme Brulee, Cocoa, Juniper and Garden Green. Great add-on accesory ideas: Just Blooms Spring Blossom Paper Flowers, Filigree Charms.
See what I mean about elegant? Again, I love the use of sponges and stamp pads to distress and antique the edges of so much of this artwork. This is something I do on almost everything I make. Don't you just love the clusters of accents they've created in the corner of the layout and on the top card? Clusters are in!
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New Kit #4: Caboodle. GREAT for boy pages, girl pages, beach pages, Summer or Spring pages, just about anything! Click here to see Caboodle kit options. Close To My Heart colors: Buttercup, Crystal Blue, Sorbet, Sweet Leaf and Vanilla Cream. Great add-on accessories: Irresistibles Lots of Dots (LOVE this new product. You can see a page I used them on here), Tiny Tabs.

Like I said, one of my favorite new products are the Irresistibles Lots of Dots letters. You can see them used on the layout ("down") and the top card ("play"). These little puppies are white with little raised polka dots. You can color them any color you'd like with marker or a sponge and a stamp pad. The polka dots resist the color and stay white. Brilliant!
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I hope you're having a great New Year's weekend. I'm spending today watching Tannon play in a basketball game, watching a few more bowl games, and getting my hair colored (hooray! No more skunk stripe down the middle of my head!).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...whether your ordering new products or some of your old faves.