Remembering Busy Times

Oh my, I remember this day! Mark and I were in the process of moving from Pontiac, IL to back home. Things were so hectic. Mark was starting a new job in January, we were selling our house in Pontiac, there was the actual moving (in a blizzard by the way), it was the holidays, and Mark, our niece Julia, and Mark's dad Jim all have birthdays close together. We were unable to make Julia's birthday and couldn't come up for Mark's, so we did it on the 22nd of December. We gave Julia her gift then as well and she seemed to think we were celebrating her birthday, not "Uncle Mark's". It was so cute! And, as you can tell from the pictures, the pony present went over very well...even with Mark's brother Matt!

There was so many funny things that happened at that "belated birthday" party. Julia decided to decorate her brother Dustin with ice cream and the actual cake was a pumpkin pie! Mark has a thing for pumpkin pie, and whatever you want for your birthday dessert you get! And, with the help of Flip Flaps, by Close to My Heart, I was able to include all those memorable photos on one layout. These things are so great! I even did a beautiful technique on the title. It is very shimmery and sparkly from using a little bit of water mixed with CTMH's Create-A-Shade Pearl paint. What a pretty way to dress up a little girl's layout!

Close to My Heart product used: Jimgle Level 2 (X7115B), Create-A-Shade Pearl Paint (Z1039), Prisma Glitter (Z134), Twinkle Brads Jolly Assortment (Z1220), Flip Flaps (Z4114), and It's Your Day (SOTM August 09).

You can create your own great layouts with the products mentioned above by visiting my website 24/7 to shop to your heart's content.

Kids @ Play

Last month at our unit meeting I chose to use the paper pack Tinkerin' from Close to My Heart. I have a little bit of a hard time with bright colors, but with this paper the creativity overflowed! Aren't my niece and nephew precious?! Yeah, they fool me too...love 'em though.

Close to My Heart product used: Tickerin' Level 2 (X7113B), Simple Alphabet lowercase (Z1048), Summer Craft Buttons (Z1282), Summer Carnival Brad Assortment (Z1214), and sponge (Z697).

You can order any of these products online at my website. Just click "Shop Online" and have fun playing!

A Fine Beer...

This was one of the first layouts I ever created using Close to My Heart products years ago. Now, you have to remember that I don't have kids, and while living in Illinois at the time there were many beer specialty stores. This layout reflects or interests at the time. An interest, I admit, we indulge in still every now and then. My husband, Mark, considers himself somewhat of a connoisseur of beer and caffeinated beverages. I never knew what we would be in the glass, and it became a type of game to figure out what type of beer it was and who brewed it. Let me say I learned to fear the darker brews. More than once, I'd take a small sip and beg for mercy. Yuck! But other nights, like the one I scrapbooked above, I would be pleasantly surprised by the flavors. Cheers!

Close to My Heart products used: Sarsaparilla (X7098B), Simple Alphabet lowercase (Z1048),

If you'd like to purchase these products for yourself just visit my website, click on "Shop Online" and away you go!

i am...

Back in May, Close to My Heart offered this wonderful kit called Tickled Pink, and I absolutely fell in love with it. Even though it's no longer offered, I wanted to share the layouts I created, because they express so much of who and what I am. With our busy lives, and being positioned usually behind the camera we forget about ourselves. Our families are so important to us and joyfully take priority. But we are important to them also, and it's important to scrapbook ourselves for future generations. So, the next time you scrapbook, share a little more than your artwork, share a piece of yourself.

Close to My Heart product used: Tickled Pink paper pack (no longer available), White Daisy Mini-Medley Accents (Z1136), I am stamp set (no longer available).

Visit my website and shop 24/7 for any available products. If you are interested in a stamp set or paperpack that is no longer available be sure to email me, I sometimes have an extra or two.

Into the Blue

I love this layout of my husband and his friend Jared. They are such Beach Hotties! The muted blues and browns reminded me of the cloudy day we spent at the beach and I love the blue hibuscus. They may be flowers, but the color is what makes them perfect for my masculine page. So, don't be afraid to put your own spin on stamps and papers. It's amazing what your imagination will come up with.

Close to My Heart product used: Moon Doggie Level 2 (X7111B),

Extreme Happiness (C1356), Surf's Up (C1358), Vintage Postcard (D1207), and Liquid Glass (Z679).

Enter my website here and then click "Shop Online" to order any of the products used here, or to browse other available products from Close to My Heart.

Pretty Papers!

Oh my gosh! I'm so excited about our new Autumn/Winter 2009 Idea Book! As you can see from the photo it is overflowing with beautiful artwork, stamps, and accessories. And don't get me started on the pretty papers! I can't even begin to describe how fashion forward and beautiful they are. In fact, the best way is to tempt you with photos of artwork from the fabulously talented art department at Close to My Heart. Feel free to click on any of the images for a close up of the artwork.

The first mouth watering paper kit is called Jingle (Level 1 kit -X7115A, Level 2 kit - X7115B, My Stickease - X7115C). I love, love, love all the bright candy colors of Christmas! Each piece of paper is so fun and full of energy. A whole new way to express Christmas. I can see birthday pages and cards done with this kit as well. Very versitile! A new embellishment that coordinates beautifully is the HeartFelt Die-Cuts. They come as three 12x12 sheets, 1 of each color (chocolate, olive, twilight), and add just the right touch of fun, soft texture (Z1210). Shapes include leaves, swirls, acorns, snowflakes, animals, borders, and more! Felt is always a great way to finish off any piece of artwork.

This nostalgic kit is appropriately called Sweet Home (Level 1 - X7116A, Level 2 - X7116B, My Stickease - X7116C). It reminds me of the comfort of Grandma's house and warm chocolate chip cookies. And anything that reminds me of chocolate is a must have! If you look closely you'll see a fantastically clear new accessory called "Top Coats" (Z1211). These are 4x6 photo-size transparencies, each with a unique printed design. Each package contains 6 in White Daisy and 6 in Colonial White. Now it's easier than ever to dress up your photos and keep the focus on your loved ones!

My heart skipped a beat when I beheld the elegant Grace kit(Level 1 - X7117A, Level 2 - X7117B, My Stickease - X7117C). The lovely color combination and floral design makes this paper so warm and inviting for autumn layouts. The artwork also features our newest in the line of Dimensional Elements called "On Target" (Z1226). This 12.5 x 12.5 sheet of white chipboard contains circles of all sizes and styles. There's no limit to what you can do to alter them, whether it be stamp, paint, paper, or chalk.

The final kit in our latest line is cheerfully called Twitterpated (Level 1 - X7118A, Level 2 - X7118B, My Stickease - X7118C). The hip colors and modern design will please all ages. This definately chirps "youthful" and "energetic". To add more energy to your layouts Close to My Heart created the Dimensional Elements In Color-Organic (Z1230). In each package there are 27 chipboard buttons, 1/2 in to 1 1/2in in diameter with fun designs and patterns. You'll want to add them to everything, and at a great price of $3.50 it's easier than ever to stock up!

You can order any of the items you see here, as well as anything else in the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book on my website (http://memorieswithmaatman.myctmh.com/). Don't forget the "Delight in the Everyday" special celebrating September as National Stamping Month. You can see details about that on the left side of my blog, as well as on My Website. Keep checking back here on my blog over the next few weeks and you'll see lots of artwork using new products in our Autumn/Winter line.

And if you would like your very own catalog to have at your fingertips email me , and let me know your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number, and I'll send it right away. My treat!

Swimming Lessons

So, today's the day! I dived into the waters of blogging with all intentions of freestyling it like Michael Phelps! As I'm sure all of you can guess I sank like a stone right off the deck.

But wait! What's this? I think I see the surface through my sporty yellow goggles!!

With a little bit of trial and a whole lot of error, I'm finally able to tread the waters; as this post so obviously demonstrates. I may not be able to swim the English Channel, but the lake in my own back yard is as good as any a place to start.

Inspirational Quote of the Day:

It's a good idea to begin at the bottom in everything except in learning to swim.

~Author Unknown

Another Quote of the Day:

If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do all the rest have to drown too?

~Steven Wright

Ok, so I should have said "Quotes" of the day. Too bad. And your probably wondering if I'm going to have a quote each and every day. Nope. This is going to be one of the many things I start in life and never finish. Muahhhhhhhh!