Paper Roses

I have spent the last day making paper roses until my fingers cramped. I made 30 of these little puppies, 10 from a 12" Cranberry Cardstock circle (finished size is about 3", depending on how tightly you wrap it), 10 from a 9" Blush Cardstock circle (finished size is about 2 1/2", depending on how tightly you wrap it), and 10 from a 6" White Daisy Cardstock circle (finished size is about 1 1/2", depending on how tightly you wrap it), all sponged with Chocolate Ink and painted with Glitter Gel, and all for a special project for the Close To My Heart National Convention in 2 weeks. My fingers are cramping and covered with Liquid Glass (the adhesive I like best for these flowers), and I'm sticking to everything but it was worth it. I'm happy with how they turned out. WOO HOO! Aren't they COOL?

My friend, Tracey Mason, is the QUEEN of these flowers (she taught me) and has made a great video tutorial that will give you all that you need to make them just like her.

After watching, if there are any supplies you need to start 'flowering', click here to enter my website. Have fun!

Happy Halloween Card

This card was inspired by my good friend, Tracey Mason, who made a similar card to this one for me a few months ago. I wasn't sure the 'elegant' look of the Damask Tiles (as you know, my current favorite stamp set) and the little ruffle would work with my Halloween theme, but I feel it turned out quite nicely. Thanks for the inspiration, TM! You can find a tutorial by Tracey on how to make these to die for paper roses here.

Close To My Heart products used: Damask Tiles Stamp Set (C1342), Creepy Cobwebs Stamp Set (D1319), Versamark Stamp Pad (Z891), Sunset Stamp Pad (Z2191), White Daisy Embossing Powder (Z63), Clear Detail Embossing Powder (Z821), Hooligans Level 2 Paper Pack (X7129B), Sunflower Cardstock (1242), Sunset Cardstock (X5758), Round Sponge (Z697), Licorice Opaques (Z1335).

Click here to shop on my website 24/7...even on Halloween!

Paper Roses to Die For (Tutorial)

Have you ever seen a more beautiful card? I'm telling ya, this girl rocks. It was made by none-other-than the FABULOUS Tracey Mason, and I'm honored to call her friend. She sent me this card for my birthday a couple of weeks ago (along with the most amazing box of gifts you evah did see!). Yesterday, she posted a tutorial on her blog about how to make these paper roses (yes, that makes me think of a song. If it does you too, then you're as old as I am. Ha!). You can see Tracey's tutorial here. I have to admit, I have made a paper rose or two myself, but mine NEVER look like Tracey's. After watching her tutorial yesterday I now know how to make Tracey Roses. You can too.

Thanks for being a world-class friend, Trace! Love ya!

Last Day of Scrapbooking Sale and the Link You've Been Waiting For

Today is the LAST DAY of the incredible $2, $4, $5 for 8 Scrapbook Sale on my website! Be sure to check it out if you haven't yet. Once you reach my home page just click on 'shop online' and then the "$2, $4, $6 for 8" link.

I also wanted to share the link I referred to yesterday that has a video tutorial of my buddy, Melissa (or "Fancy Melissa" as many of you might know her) teaching the fan fold pinwheel flowers like you saw on my blog post yesterday (I have also shared another photo of one today). CUTENESS! Thanks, Melissa. Here it is: http://fancymelisssa.blogspot.com/2010/03/close-to-my-heart-pinwheel-flower.html

Have a wonderful day! I'm off to teach a Play Group class. I'd love to have you join us next month. See information about Play Group on the left side of my blog then email me with any questions (pedermom@aol.com).

Last 2 Days of Scrapbooking Sale

Hello! Yes, I am alive, but just barely. I felt the flu begin last Tuesday and here it is Tuesday again and I am still flu-ing. Might I just say that the last 5-7 days of my life have been the pits? I am still coughing up a lung here and there, but the fever is gone and I now have enough voice to be semi-understood. So, since my voice is coming back I thought I'd post since you can hear me now (Bah-ha-ha...I crack myself up!).

I wanted to remind you that today (Aug. 10) and tomorrow (Aug. 11) are the last two days of the $2, $4, $6 for 8 MEGA-Scrapbook sale on my website (just click on 'shop online' then '2,4, 6, 8 sale'). Click here to read more about it. THANK YOU to all of you who have ordered so far. How 'bout those bargains?

I thought I'd share a card I made a couple of weeks ago. It is similar to one I made for the Humble Artists swap group (which I am not allowed to post for a while), but not exactly the same, so I think I can legally share it.

I did a few fun things on this card. The pinwheel flowers are a blast to make. As you can see, I stacked two of them on this card. There is a tutorial at www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com. I will share an exact link to the tutorial in my next post. For some reason I can't find the exact link to the tutorial. I have emailed Melissa to get it and as soon as I hear from her, I will post it here for you. I also stamped the Damask Tiles Stamp Set (my fave! C1342) in Twilight Ink on Sweet Leaf Cardstock. After that I lightly painted over it with our Create-a-Shade Pearl Paint. Delicious! It reminds me of the wallpaper in a colonial southern mansion.

All products used on this card are Close To My Heart. Click here to shop my website any time, 24/7...even in your jammies!

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."

Bren and Paper Flowers

Oh my! You HAVE to watch this great video on making paper flowers (see photo here) by my friend, Bren! We are Close To My Heart oldies together. She has actually been with Close To My Heart one year longer than I have...eighteen years! She is an amazing artist. When we both started with CTMH we had young families. Now we are both grandmothers to beautiful granddaughters that were born last year. It's been fun 'growing up' with you, Bren!

Here is a photo of the two of us being our silly selves. We were at another friend's (hi, Sue!) scrapbook retreat in Lake Tahoe! So much fun!

You can see Bren's blog here.

Click here to watch her awesome video on how to make paper flowers.

Off to make some....