It Takes Two

It takes two people to build a life and family together. And its just 2 more days until Easton comes home. WOO HOO! The countdown continues.

I made this one page layout last night. After cleaning from 10 am to 6:30 pm (I mean REALLY cleaning) I needed a serious creative break. So, this is what I came up with.

I fell in love with the sketch 96 at Got Sketch. I had to improvise a tiny bit because my main photo was vertical, not horizontal. But I think it turned out fine anyway. Feel free to click on any of the photos to see them larger.

I DIED when I found these photos as Kori and I were cleaning and organizing this week. This was Dan the Man's 10 year high school reunion. We had been married for five years at this point. WOW, were we skinny or what? This was many moons and many lbs. ago! I'll never forget this night. We had such a nice time and came home and were talking about how happy we were in our marriage and with our two children (Kori had just turned 4 and Easton was 1 1/2). We decided we wanted to have another one. One month later we were pregnant with Tannon. I can't believe that was 20 years ago. Where did the time and skinny bodies go? And now, here we are anticipating the return of our 21 year old son, Easton from his mission (Did I mention he gets home in 2 more days? Oh yeah. I did). At the age and point in our lives that we are in these photos, I would NEVER have imagined how quick this time would come.

Close To My Heart products used: Notebook Level 2 Paper Pack (X7102B), Notebook Level 2 MyStickease (X7102C), Silhouette Level 2 Paper Pack (X7090B), Black Stamp Pad (Z2105), Round Sponge (Z697), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151). Click here to shop on my website 24/7...especially when you are in serious need of a creative break!

Non CTMH products used: Marvy 2 1/2" circle punch, Marvy 3" scalloped circle punch, Cricut Plantin Schoolbook cartridge.

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!?!"

Merry Christmas

More "Jingle" paper from Close To My Heart. Yummy! I can hardly wait until September 1 when you can buy the "Jingle" products (to see another "Jingle" card, check out my #2 post from today entitled "Joy").

This card was created using Sketch #88 from "Got Sketch." Valorie Salmon always has the greatest card and layout sketches on her blog. This one was no exception!

Close To My Heart products used: Holiday Trinkets Stamp Set (avail. 9/1, D1366), Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack (avail. 9/1, X7115B), Jingle Level 2 MyStickease (avail. 9/1, X7115C), Black Stamp Pad (Z2105), Baby Pink Stamp Pad (Z2102), Juniper Stamp Pad (Z2165), Tulip Stamp Pad (Z2166), Creme Brulee Stamp Pad (Z2167), Pastel Pencils (Z922), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Black Legacy Writers (4275), Corner Rounder (Z578), Photo Hangers (Z293), Designer Ribbon Rounds Blush Collection (Z1138), Designer Ribbon Rounds Holiday Collection (retired).

Click here to order from my website, 24/7...even when you're making your Christmas cards!

Own It!

Nope! This isn't it. This is not the full information on the 'Double the Fun' workshop teaser I posted yesterday. But, I promise it's coming soon. This week in fact. So, keep checking back.

In the meantime, I have some more to share...









Our Close To My Heart Leadership Conference theme this year was "Own It!" I loved this theme because it is a theme I try really hard to live by not only in my business, but in life. I believe in personal responsibility, in choosing how we will act, react, and feel. I believe whatever we are involved in is whatever we choose to make it. I believe in being present and enjoying the moment, in owning it! I think "Own It!" will be my new personal philosphy. At a time when not only do I have my own Close To My Heart business, but when Dan and I are about to embark on a brand new business adventure together, I can't think of a better theme. I think I might add a little "baby" to the end though. You know, like "Own It, Baby!"...kind of like, "Work It, Baby!" I don't know...just a little more personality and spunk, don-cha think? lol.

OK, back to the purpose of this post. I thought I'd share a 2 page layout I did of some of the photos I took at Leadership. I actually used a different sketch challenge for each page but I feel they work beautifully together. I hope you have as much fun looking at them as I did making them. I LOVE reliving my life as I scrapbook it!

Page one (left side) was made using the Got Sketch pattern while page two (right side) was made with the Inspired Blueprints sketch.

Close To My Heart products used: Black Cardstock (1386), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Animal Cookies L2 Paper Pack (X7112B), Animal Cookies L2 MyStickease (X7112C), On Target Dimensional Elements (Z1226, available September 1), Perennials Dimensional Elements (Z1139), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151).

Non-CTMH products used: EKSuccess letter stickers

Click here to order from my website 24/7...and then you'll "OWN IT!" (lol).