Christmas Layout (1976), A Very Special Memory

I will never forget Christmas 1976. I have remembered it over and over again throughout my life and can't believe I have never scrapped about it until now.

I was working on some projects this week using the upcoming Close To My Heart October Stamp of the Month (I shared a project with that yesterday too). It's a beautiful Christmas stamp set. I usually don't share Stamp of the Month projects until the month you can actually purchase the stamp set, but since I used some sketches for 2 of the projects (see yesterday's post), I am sharing them this week. You may see these projects, along with several others I made, in October too. When October begins, I'll be revealing this set along with ordering information. Stay tuned! In the meantime, there is a wonderful September Stamp of the Month and September National Stamping Month Special that you can read about and see here.

For this one-page layout, I used this week's sketch from Creative Scrappers (sketch #173). I am a big fan of their sketches and always feel inspired to have a jumping off point. I also added a hidden journaling pocket behind the photo. In case you are wondering what it says (it will explain the photo of the yellow bike!), here it is:

"I think I will always remember Christmas 1976 (6th grade). We were living in Littleton, CO and my dad (LeRoy Overstreet) had recently resigned from his job. Things were not going as he was promised when he was hired over a year before and he felt some very unethical things were happening there. As a result, he quit on the spot with no other job in sight. I know my mom supported him in this decision, but it was still a very tough year for our family. Although my parents did all they could, making ends meet was almost impossible during this time. My dad did find odd jobs here and there, my mom began doing full-time babysitting, we lived on our food storage as much as possible, and my mom baked bread (I loved bread days!). Christmas was coming and I really wanted a brand-new 10-speed bicycle. Of course now, as an adult, I see what a selfish wish that was. At the time I was just a 10-year old who was hoping for the impossible. I remember my parents telling me a week before Christmas that I was not to go into my dad's workroom in the basement. What do you think I did? I promptly waited until everyone was in bed asleep, and snuck into the workroom. Inside I found an old, beat up, white 10-speed bike. I tried to feel excited, and even started thinking about how I was going to pretend to be so grateful on Christmas morning. I may have been young, but I was old enough to understand that we didn't have much money and my parents were trying so hard to grant my wish anyway. Christmas morning finally came. I, along with my sisters, went upstairs to see what Santa had brought. To my great astonishment and surprise, there was a brand new, bright yellow 10-speed sitting by the tree for me. I was so genuinely shocked and excited. I couldn't figure out how that ugly old bike in the workroom had turned into this one. Years later I asked my mom about it. She told me that my dad had wanted so much to give me what I had asked for and didn't want our financial situation to ruin the magic of Christmas for us girls. He heard about a police auction a few days before Christmas and went. He was able to bid on the yellow bike and pay about the same price for it that he had the old white one. Still, years later (I'm now 45), I tear up as I think about this. I will be forever grateful for parents who found a way to grand the almost impossible wish of their 10-year old daughter. (written 9/16/2011)"

One of the things I love best about scrapping is re-living the event or memory I am scrapping about as I scrap, and then again and again as I browse my books. I'm so glad that my children, and their children, and generations to come will be able to read about and see some of my life-altering moments. I didn't have photos from that Christmas (many of my parents' photos were ruined in a flood when they lived in Hawaii), but I do have the memory. So, I just googled "photos of yellow 10-speed bikes" and found this. Cool beans! You don't always have to have a photo of your own to preserve a memory. With a little creativity and ingenuity you can create a beautiful layout with photos of things that pertain with a few seconds on google!

Oh, and don't forget, you can find great CTMH products to preserve your memories 24/7 on my website.

5 x 7 Christmas Card

When I saw the sketch at CPS this week, I decided to play. I think the biggest reason is that the sketch was totally outside of my comfort zone and I thought it would be a challenge.

The stamp set I used for the stocking and sentiment on this card is the October Stamp of the Month from Close To My Heart. You may see this card again in October when I share that stamp set and ordering information with you. In the meantime, I wanted to post it to go with the sketch.

Close To My Heart colors used were White Daisy, Black, Olive and Cranberry. I used the Spray Pen filled with a little white acrylic paint mixed with water to create the splatter background, the brand new CTMH/Cricut Art Philosophy Collection for the snowflake doilies and the backing piece for the stocking, and the Licorice Opaques for my accents. I also used the music stamp in the Universal Backgrounds stamp set to create the tone-0n-tone pattern on the strip of olive paper. The stocking and the main sentiment are embossed using the Versamark Pad and White Daisy Embossing Powder.

I know Autumn is just making it's debut, but I had to pull this set (the October Stamp of the Month) out and play. Stay tuned for information about this set the first week of October.

Birthday Layout

Happy Labor Day!

I shared a little bit about my birthday a few days ago, but I finally sat down and made a layout about it today. I was canning salsa all day today and just needed a little creative break. This is what I came up with.

I was inspired by the sketch at Creative Scrappers this week (#172) and the color challenge at Heart 2 Heart Challenges (choose your own favorite color combo). I really liked the sketch on Creative Scrappers, especially because I was only planning on doing a 1-page layout for this project. I am in love, and have been since 8th grade, with pink and green together (remember those preppie days?). I especially love them paired with black and white. Thanks to Heart 2 Heart Challenges (a great CTMH Challenge site!) for helping me choose my color combo for this layout. I used the Close To My Heart colors of Blush, Hollyhock and Pear.

Here's a little close up of the flowers and journaling. You can click on this photo to see it larger and in more detail.

Close To My Heart products used: Black Cardstock, Silhouette Creative Basics Paper Pack (retired), Sophia L2 Paper Pack, Licorice Opaques, Dimensional Elements Numbers (retired), Black Stamp Pad, Round Sponge, Create-a-Shade Pearl Paint, Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel, Corner Rounder, Sanding Kit.

You can order these, and so many other wonderful products on my website...24/7!

Pam's Pretty Winning Card

This past week I ran a little challenge for my Close To My Heart team (The Pacemakers, so named because we keep "THE HEART" pumpin'. For more information about joining my team, email me {pedermom@aol.com}. I'd LOVE to have you join! We have so much fun building our Close To My Heart businesses together. . It was simple. All they had to do was create something (a card, scrapbook page, or anything else) using the Color Me Monday color combo from February 15 at Jeanette Lynton's Blog. The colors were Garden Green, Outdoor Denim, Crystal Blue and Twilight (all CTMH colors). I also created a card using these colors. You can see it here. You can also very easily sign up to be a member of my Pacemaker Close To My Heart team here.

Everyone on my team who wanted to participate was to email me a photo of their creation. On Monday I chose my winner. Congrats to Pam J! Her card is gorgeous and creatively uses the color combo.

Pam's prize is the card that I created with this combo. What a fun little challenge. I hope you enjoy the card, Pam! Thanks for being such a special part of my team!

What the Heck

This is my 2nd post today. Be sure to scroll down to see some artwork using the December 2009 Stamp of the Month (Notice the Details).













I would NEVER, in a million years...maybe even two million, have thought to use these colors with snowflakes. But, when you get a challenge, what do you do? You go with the flow! When I saw this sketch on the Mojo Monday site this week (#115) I knew I wanted to accent the large circle with some snowflakes. Then I saw Jeanette Lynton's Color Me Monday combo over on her blog and decided, "What the heck! I'll combine the two and see what happens." This is the product of my, "What the heck."

Close To My Heart products used: Holiday Trinkets Stamp Set (D1366), Jingle Borders Stamp Set (D1225), Barn Red Cardstock (X5637), White Daisy Textured Cardstock (X5671), Dimensional Elements-Flurry (Z1225), Basic Buttons (Z1206), Barn Red Stamp Pad (Z2104), Cocoa Stamp Pad (Z2114), Olive Stamp Pad (Z2137), Desert Sand Stamp Pad (Z2118), Natural Hemp (Z280), Round Sponge (Z697).

Click here to order from my website 24/7..."What the heck!?!"

Guest Designer for Card Patterns

This week I was selected to be the guest designer on the Card Patterns blog (www.cardpatterns.blogspot.com) for sketch (#19). I was so excited. Here is the card I created and the sketch I used.

All Close To My Heart products: Animal Cookies Level 2 Scrapbook Kit, Emporium Level 2 Scrapbook Kit, Tulip Stamp Pad, Twilight Stamp Pad, Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad, Fresh Shapes Dimensional Elements, Clear Buttons, stamp set from Tickled Pink promotion, sand paper, 3D Foam Tape. Click here to order from my website, or to view my upcoming events or some of my artwork.

I'm a big, fat liar...

but I didn't mean to be! I thought yesterday, June 8, was the only day to vote for the Scrapbook and Share contest (see yesterday's post). I found out that you can actually vote from June 8 through midnight on June 14 (MT). Sorry for the misinformation. I didn't know what photo to include with this post, so you get my orangetang who looks as if he is feeling a bit sheepish.

Back to the point: if you didn't get a chance to vote yesterday, please try to do so (if you think I deserve your vote) sometime between now and midnight on the 14th. THANKS to all of you for your support.

Click here to vote. Instructions for voting are in yesterday's post. My layout is in the "Most Unique Technique" category. It's the pink and black "passion" layout.

Please vote!

Wow! Double wow! What a fun day! Not only did I made the top 5 and designer's choice at card patterns, I just found out I am a finalist in the Close To My Heart scrapbook and share contest. I am one of the top 5 in the unique technique division. I would love it if you would take a moment to vote today. Today (June 8) is the only day that you can vote. Here's what you do:

1. Go to the scrapbook and share site: http://www.scrapbookandshare.com/.
2. Scroll down to my layout (black and pink "Passion" layout) and see if you feel it's worth voting for.
3. Select your favorite entry in each category (there are 5 categories. I am in the "Most Unique Technique" category, which is I think the 3rd category down).
4. There will be only one blog post per category and each of the five finalists will be featured in that post. Make sure to include the number of the entry you would like to vote for in your comment (I am #3 in the Most Unique Technique category). Please, only one vote, per person, per category.
5. The winner will be announced by June 17, so come back then to see the grand prize recipients ($150 in CTMH product!)

Thanks for your help and support.

A Sketch and a Tree

Another sketch, another card...this time with a tree. This sketch is CPS sketch 119. Enjoy (as always, you can click on the photo to view it larger)!

Colors (Close To My Heart): Dutch Blue, White Daisy, Tulip, Topiary

Products (Close To My Heart): Spot On Backgrounds stamp set, Treetops stamp set, Tulip cardstock, White Daisy cardstock, Dutch Blue cardstock, Tulip stamp pad, Dutch Blue stamp pad, Chocolate stamp pad, White Daisy ricrac, Summer buttons, Chocolate ribbon, White Daisy photo hanger, round sponge, 3D foam squares, Liquid Glass

Click here to order any Close To My Heart products, just click on "Shop Online".

A Sketch and a Bird

Here is the card that I made this week for Card Patterns sketch 17. Can you tell I have had fun playing with my bird stamps lately?

Colors (Close To My Heart): Hollyhock, Dutch Blue, Tulip, Blush and White Daisy

Products Used (Close To My Heart): Bird Basics Stamp Set, Spot On Backgrounds Stamp Set, Thank You Stamp Set, White Daisy Cardstock, Hollyhock Cardstock, Blush Cardstock, Dutch Blue Cardstock, Hollyhock Stamp Pad, Tulip Stamp Pad, Dutch Blue Stamp Pad, White Daisy Ricrac, Heritage Edge Anchors, 3D Foam Tape, Round Sponge, Corner Rounder

Today is the Day

It's finally here! May 1! WOO HOO! Close To My Heart's Summer 2009 Idea Book went live today. You can click on the catalog on the left side of my website to view it. TO DIE FOR! I've included a couple of photos of some artwork that I have already done with the "Animal Cookies' kit (see pages 24-27) in the new Idea Book. This layout features photos of my 17 year old son, Tannon when he was 1-3 years old and was inspired by some that I saw in the new catalog which is full of soooooo many great ideas, tips and techniques.

Before we move on, I want to implore you to keep reading all the way to the end of this entry. There is a special challenge and opportunity to get a free hand stamped card from me!

Here are a few of the new products you'll find in the new Idea Book:

• "Wishes" - Card making how-to book. Beautiful! (9033, $29.95). pg. 12
• 5 New Scrapbook Kits: Back Country, Moon Doggie, Animal Cookies, Tinkerin', Bella. pgs. 16-35. Each kit has Level 1, Level 2, Stickies, and a matching accessory!
  
• 30 new stamp set designs (each * denotes a list of stamps on a page together):

  *C1356 Extreme Happiness, C1358 Surf's up, D1357 Post Card-Travel Series. pg. 22. *D1358 Childhood, C1359 Sweet Baby, C1360 It's a Zoo, pg 26. *E1013 Field Trip Alphabet, C1354 Robot Power, C1353 Gear Up (pg 30). *D354 Endless Friendship, C1357 Botanical Borders, C1361 Buttoned Together (pg 34). *Treetops, D1365 True Happiness (pg. 57). * C1363 Beary Best, C1362 You're a Hoot (pg. 59). *B1329 Shore is Fun, D1316 Bon Voyage, C1365 Makin' Waves, B1331 Ocean Treasure (pg 63). *D1364 Recipe Box, D1367 Bon Appetit (pg 64). *C1367 Lights Camera Action (pg 65). *D1360 Play Day, D1362 Happy Healing (pg 66). *B1330 Surprise (pg 72). *D1359 Comments (pg 74). *C1366 Fringed Phrases (pg 78). *C1364 TLC, D1356/D1355 Gracious Greetings - Spanish/French (pg 79). *D1363 Picture Perfect, D1361 Thank You (pg 81).

• X8534 Simply Snapshots - Moon Doggie (pg. 50)
• X8622 My Originals Card Kit - "It's Your Day" (pg. 52)
• Z1155 Clear Buttons - 100 qty. (pg. 92)
• Z1153 All Out Adventure Rubons (pg. 93)
• Z1156 Dimensional Elements Borders (pg. 96)
• X1408 Fancy Cuts Borders (pg. 97)
• Z1164 White Daisy Chipboard (pg. 97)
• Z1145 HeartFelt Whimsy Die Cuts (pg. 97)
• Z1141 My Creations Binder (pg. 98)
• Z1151 3-D Foam Tape (pg. 99)
• Z1163 New and Improved Double Scrubber (pg. 100)
• Z41114 Memory Protector Flip Flaps (pg. 104)
• Stamp of the Month Sets (pages 108-109)
  

If you head to my April 28 post you can see all the great specials and promotions that start or are happening on May 1 (TODAY!) with Close To My Heart and can 'do the math' and see just how much you can earn FREE this month! To order any of these products, click here.

By the way, Saturday, May 2 is National Scrapbooking Day. I will be making a layout that day of ME to enter into the Close To My Heart Scrapbook and Share contest (click on the icon on the left side of my blog, the pink flower, to get details and see the entries that have already been turned in). I challenge you to join me. In fact, anyone who does and emails me a photo of their layout as well as emailing it to the Scrapbook and Share website will receive a hand stamped card in the mail from me!