Treetop Tree

I created this Mother's Day page this week {yes, I realize I'm a bit behind} and have been wanting to try this very trendy tree motif. You've seen these trees made from various items all over the magazines and blogs lately. I chose the "Treetops" stamp to make smaller leaves of a larger tree. I free~handed the tree and embossed it with a cuttlebug folder. I distressed the leaf edges, inked them, then finished off the tree with some threaded buttons. Because the tree has so much detail I chose to leave the photo and base page very simple. I had a great time creating this page and had so much fun creating a big tree from little treetops :)



Try my color combo from this page: chocolate, tulip, sorbet, creme brulee, sweet leaf and topiary!

Just For Fun!

"One Word"



{You can play this too, just cut and paste, add your own response and paste into your blog…}



you're feeling: happy



to your left: calendar



on your mind: vacation



last meal included: tortellini



you sometimes find it hard to: workout



something you have a collection of: stamps {not the kind you lick and stick on an envelope!}



a smell that cheers you up: holidays {especially candles related to familiar holiday scents}



a smell that can ruin your mood: bad breath



how long since you last shaved: today



the current state of your hair: messy



the largest item on your desk/workplace right now (not computer): keyboard



your skill with chopsticks: alright



which section you head to first in the bookstore: children's



something you're craving: cheescake {white chocolate raspberry, yum}



your general thoughts on politics: untrustworthy



how many times you've been hospitalized this year: zero



a favorite place to go for quiet time: bathtub



you've always secretly thought you'd be a good: dancer {not sure it's a secret though}



something that freaks you out a little: power bill!!



something you've eaten too much of lately: sweets



you have never: sky~dived



you never want to be: alone

Please let me know if you posted this quiz on your Blog too!

A Few More Goodies

I had all of my color challenge inks out still and several scraps covering my workspace. Mine as well create some more goodies! Here are a few fun things I created using Jeanette's color choice.

This first one is a simple bag topper using the Top Note die cut. I decorated it with a great sentiment and a layered flower adorned with a threaded button.


A simple card stamped with the Treasure Life stamp set. I cut out a few flowers and pop dotted them to give the card some dimension.




And finally, this sweet little back pack treat keeper! Inside you will find a bag of trail mix. I thought it would be fun for a snack on the go or great to keep your student on task at school. {only if the teacher allows snack time that is!}

Color Inspiration

Every week I check a few Blog sites that offer a color challenge. From time to time I am inspired by it and give the color combo a whirl. This past Monday Jeanette Lynton had a wonderful combo that I was just itching to try. The colors she chose were inspired by nature; creme brulee, cranberry, sorbet and desert sand. How curiously different, I could not resist!

Here's what I came up with:

Supplies: {all CTMH products}

Cardstock and Inks: creme brulee, sorbet, cranberry; Background & Texture papers: Key to my Heart, Perfect Day, Bella; Create-a-Shade paint; cranberry Re-inker; Love Story Rubons; twill ribbon; cranberry Bigger Brad; Top Note die cut (sizzix)

Monkey Love

Just a quick card today. My nephew turned 3 today. Where has the time gone? I can remember him as just a little baby still. I have created somewhat of a monkey theme for him every birthday. He's just a ball of energy and a bit bananas. He laughs everytime I sing that Gwen Stephani song. O.K. maybe he laughs because he thinks I'm a little crazy!!

An Update!

Back in June I posted a gift I created for one of my customers expecting her second child ... a baby girl. She was just weeks away from her due date and the joyful arrival came very soon.



After a break from Scramp Club to care for the new baby she graced us with her presence. No one was more thrilled of the visit than my daughter. She absolutely adores babies and pets and is a natural care-giver. Baby Reagan curled right up in my daughter's arms and took a little nap. It's moments like these that make scrapbooking a must! How cute are they?

Long Distance Birthday Wishes

Today is the Birthday of one very special lady. She is "Grandma" to my kids and a dear friend to me. We really miss spending time with her as she no longer lives close by. We send letters often and my daughter logs several minutes on the phone telling her stories. Hope to see you soon in person and shower you with lots of love. Have a fabulous Birthday Linda!

Card Supplies: Animal Cookies paper; cs and ink in the following colors: dutch blue, sunflower, tulip, white daisy, desert sand; Stamps: Family Ties Adult, Say it in Style; clover meadow brads {all CTMH} ribbon misc.

Sorry that it has been so long since my last post, computer issues! I wanted to share these pages that will be made at an upcoming workshop. Participants will create a two page layout focusing on their 5 favorite things about a person, pet or subject in their lives. I chose my daughter for these pages and will create pages about my son too. {he's not as willing or patient to take photo's for me} The coolest thing about these pages is the use of the MemoryProtectors Flip Flaps! I love the idea of hidden journaling, but not a fan of removing the page to open a flap or pull a tag. The Flip Flaps allow easy access to the journaling and keeps your pages and pictures fully protected.

Here you can see the Flap has been flipped revealing the journaling and another photo...BONUS!

Whimsical Warm Wishes!

Here's a look at the project my club members will be making in a week. It's a mini pizza box filled with mini 3x3 cards. All of the cards were made using templates from the Wishes card book. I had fun playing with the different papers from a couple of level 2 paper packets. It's an interesting challenge figuring out which ones coordinate. I wanted to make the box and cards whimsical and 'blingy'. Hopefully the ladies will have a great time creating this project.

Birthday Bash

My daughter celebrated her Birthday back in March. We had a fun day playing at the dunes. I wanted to dress up her Birthday layout and found my inspiration within the pages of Creating Keepsakes magazine. The right page was taken from CK's June 2009 issue on page 57. I fell in love with the banner idea strung across the page. The base page was stamped to match the paper used in the magazine. I think it came out great. The pages are fun, playful and girly!

All product is Close To My Heart:

Colors: Honey, Crystal Blue, Twilight, Sweet Leaf, Tulip, Sorbet, Desert Sand, Bamboo, White Daisy

Stamps: Make a Wish, Journaling Jots, Fringed Phrases, Friendship Alpha

Paper: Emporium, Magic Moments, Perfect Day

Embellies & misc: brads, buttons, thread, ribbon, dimensional elements, sassy strands, scallop punches (fiskars, ek success)

"O" Bear!

Anyone in the mood for some Bingo?? I'm hoping that my kids and their cousins will be in the mood for some Bingo this summer. We love going camping every summer. Our favorite destination is Lake Tahoe. These Bingo boards will be perfect for hanging out at the campground. I chose images that would be perfect for our adventure. Once all the boards and cards were stamped I used self laminating product to protect them. Easy project that should come in handy for my little campers!

My Scrap Studio

I finished some final details in my scrap room this weekend. I'm not certain that it's complete and figure I'll continue to add more 'stuff'. Hopefully I can incorporate more character, but right now it's simple and clean and that works for me just fine! I always enjoy looking at other crafter's creative spaces and have been amazed by so many styles. I'd like to think my room is clean, modern and budget friendly. { I Love IKEA} Hopefully it inspires you and I hope to get busy in there too.

Click on My Scrap Studio in the right hand column to see slideshow of all the pics.

Bella Card Workshop

I am holding a card workshop this week inspired by the Wishes card program. The card workshops in the Wishes book are simply fantastic. They allow you to make multiple handmade cards with minimal supplies and little money spent. The cards are perfect to have on hand for any occasion that may come up or create all of your Holiday cards in one afternoon.

This workshop uses the Bella papers, Endless Friendship stamp, Thank You stamp and Designer Ribbon Rounds in Creme Brulee and Hollyhock.

These simply elegant cards will be perfect to have for last minute occasions or to bundle up together as a gift for a friend or loved one.

Off to the Races!

I just wanted to share the Father's Day card I created for my Dad. He moved back to Illinois (his hometown) almost two years ago. One of the things he enjoys most about being back there are the stock car races. I thought this card would fit him well this Daddy's Day. I used the Bullseye template from the new Wishes book, but instead of the upper circle I cut it rectangular for a checkered flag.

All product is CTMH except ribbon:

Stamps: Little boys, Say it in Style, Classic Numbers, Boutique Numbers; B&T is old CTMH product; Big Brads; Ink & Cardstock colors: Clover Meadow, Holiday Red, Sunflower, Black, White Daisy {ribbon is Michaels}

Blog Award

Thank you Carla and Tammy for the lovely blog award. I am surprised and grateful. My goal of having this blog is to inspire others and make them happy. Thank you again!

So here are the rules for this award:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award on to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered.Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are my choices:

Kathi

Stacie

Creative Momma

Karen

Rachel

Tiffany

Jen

Yvette

Artsy Mama

Lisa

Nona

Tresa

Sarah

Kelly Jo

Kim

These ladies are all so crafty and creative. They inspire me and I hope they will inspire you too. Congrats and keep blogging!

Simply Wrapped

I wanted to share these simply wrapped gifts. I enjoy wrapping up gifts for Christmas, Birthdays or any special occasion. My Aunt would wrap gifts in the comic pages of the newspaper and tie them together with thick colored yarn. I really like the idea of recycling too. These gifts were wrapped in brown paper and I tied them together with some fun, bright, polka dot ribbon. I simply stamped a frame tag and attatched it with floss to the bow. It's really simple, but not plain!


Stamp: Annotations, Ink: Bubblegum and Sweet Leaf {CTMH} Ribbon {Offray}

Vote!

You may have noticed the Scrapbook and Share button on the right of the screen. If you have not had a chance to look at the submitted artwork your really missing out. Several talented artists have been submitting their artwork for scrabooking month. {May} Now is the time to vote for a winner and Close To My Heart is letting you judge! Simply go to scrapbookandshare.com and vote for your favorite finalist in each category. There are some amazing projects, maybe some will inspire you.

A New Nest

A few months ago I reported our discovery of a bird's nest with tiny blue eggs inside. Unfortunately, a gust a wind destroyed the nest and the eggs inside.

I am happy to report that a new nest has been discovered in the backyard. I will add that it is in the oddest of places too!

One morning I noticed some birds swooping in and out of the posts that support our above ground pool. A couple days passed and I continued to see them visit these posts. I really thought nothing of it and certainly would not believe that a bird could fit into the tiny opening.

Then our observant Beagle caught on to the invasion of her backyard. She started to paw the side of the pool and yelp at them. My husband and I decided we should investigate this further. Inside of two posts there were pieces of scraps and debris, but on the third post there was a beautiful little nest with four eggs inside. We decided to leave it alone and keep an eye on it.

These birds have outsmarted the weather, this was certainly a protected place.

I am happy to report that the eggs have hatched. Peeking through the crack we can see little feathery heads. I would love to catch a picture of the babies, but would not want to upset momma bird. What a cool experience for my kids, especially my daughter who just loves to check them out a couple times a day!

Thanks, Your a Star!

I meant to post this little thank you card last week. The colors were inspired by Jeanette's color combination last Monday. However, I used indian corn blue instead of the twilight. I also opened up my Wishes book for template inspiration. I used the Collage template and just loved all the layers.

Supplies: {all product is CTMH, punch is EK Success}

Paper; B&T magic moments, cardstock and ink colors; grey wool, white daisy, cranberry, heavenly blue, indian corn blue, stamps; star struck and thank you, clear button, denim floss (not ctmh)

Outdoor Layout

It's officially summer break! {YEAH} Summer makes me think of so many fun things, so many activities that our family loves to do. One of the biggest events we look forward to is camping in Lake Tahoe. If there is one thing you can count on in Lake Tahoe is an encounter with a bear or the story of another camper's experience. This month my club members with be making a two page layout with a great outdoors theme. I can't wait to experience some fun this summer, and maybe I'll snap a picture of a bear to scrap on these pages!!