Come Crop with me on Saturday!

Saturday is our Spring Crop at the Navarre Conference Center in Navarre, Florida! I am so excited. We will be cropping from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. Want to come? We still have 3 openings so it is not too late to register!

Click here to register!

Super Saturday

Saturday was the first day this spring, that we thought it would be warm enough for water sports. The question was... should we take the boat out for the day or the wave runner? The boat won because of the dogs. They love the boat and haven't been out since last July.

We packed up the dogs and the boat and headed towards Ft. Walton Beach. The day was perfect- Sunny, warm, with a mild wind. We rode to Destin near Crab Island where the water is clear! We let the dogs out to play while we enjoyed a picnic lunch. We didn't stay out too long because our lab is 10 years old and she tires quickly. When she is at the beach she runs herself silly. We stayed out maybe two hours before deciding that was enough for her!

As soon as we got home and started cleaning the boat. Kent looked over and said... "It's a perfect day for the wave runner, want to break it in for the season?". We dropped everything and took the wave runner to Navarre Beach and launched. Whew... was it ever cold!!! The wind had picked up and the surf was moderate. As I drove into the waves, we got soaked. It was so fun but we only lasted about 45 minutes before we decided it might be a better idea to go eat a fish sandwich at Juana's, a local restaurant.

The day was perfect. When we couldn't decide what to do... boat or jet ski... we did both. Those of you who know me, it makes perfect sense. I WANT IT ALL! LOL! I feel so blessed to live in this beautiful area, and to have the opportunities to do all these fun activities! What a life!

Tina

Close To My Heart Opportunity

14 years ago, I decided to become a Close To My Heart Consultant. At the time, I was teaching Kindergarten during the day and going to graduate school at night. I was not a "direct sales" type of girl. I didn't have anything against direct sales, but I had a career that I was extremely happy with, I was a teacher. The reason I signed up to be a CTMH consultant to get a discount on my scrapbooking supplies! (That has worked REALLY well over the last 14 years). I didn't know it at the time, but becoming a consultant for this Close To My Heart was the best thing I could have EVER done! Close To My Heart has helped support our family during my husbands airline furlough, let me have a career while moving all over the United States, has allowed me to earn wonderful trips to places such as Hawaii, Alaska, New Zealand, The Mediterranean, and the Caribbean, has provided me an amazing income and helped me make the most wonderful friends EVER! Joining Close To My Heart was the best career decision I could have ever made... and I get an amazing discount on the best scrapbooking products ever!

Last night I had the privilege of helping my friend Kate start her CTMH career! Even though Kate is about 15 years younger than me, our lives parallel each other so much. She is married to a Navy Pilot, she is in graduate school and she LOVES scrapbooking. She had 15 people at her first gathering as a consultant. She ROCKED! Her sales were great, she booked two future gatherings, she is starting a workshop club and her guests had so MUCH fun. Her enthusiasm, wiliness to learn and love for scrapbooking will make her a great addition to the company and our Scattered Hearts Team! I am so excited and proud for her! Job well done Kate!

Close To My Heart is looking for more talented people to join the company. In fact, if you become a consultant in May, during National Scrapbooking Month, we will give you an exclusive scrapbooking kit ($34.95 value) for FREE. Click here for more information! I would love to have you on my team!

Triangle Boxes

A while back, I posted some photos on this blog, of some triangle boxes that I made. I promised to share the pattern with you, but I have not had the chance to do it. I made another box last night, for one of my new downlines introduction into Close To My Heart party. At her gathering, we will be featuring the Daydream paper packet from the Spring catalog, so I decided to use products from that kit to design this box. I also used a coordinating stamp set and inks. (I love that about Close To My Heart, everything coordinates so it takes all the guess work out of your projects, and when you finish with your art, everything matches giving it a professional look!) I sure hope Kate's friends like this project. Personally, I think it screams cuteness, just like my new downline Kate! Enjoy the pattern.

Tina

Directions for Triangle Box:

Start with a 5" x 8" piece of cardstock for your base. I used Lilac Mist. Next, cut a coordinating 2" x 5" piece of background and texture paper, which will be used for an accent on the front of the box. (pink print- not sure if the photo shows the darling pattern on the pink paper)!


I used several images (words and hearts) from B1320, Adoration Stamp Set to create a custom background stamp. I did this by adhering several stamps on one acrylix block. (I love the way that you can do this with our acrylix stamps). Next, I random stamped my base cardstock using Lilac Mist Ink. I love stamping tone on tone as it gives a subtuble but great look to your projects.


Once, I finished stamping, I scored my Lilac Mist Base Cardstock in half at the 4" mark, on the back of the side of the cardstock that I stamped.


Turn your paper vertically, and find the middle of your paper. (2.5"). Score from the middle to the outside edge on each side, creating a triangle on the top of your paper and on the bottom of your paper. (see photo below for better understanding). It is difficult to see the score lines in the photo above.



Fold our paper on the score lines!



Glue the coordinating strip of paper on the front top half of your box. Score the pink paper lightly.



Fold your box up, and punch two holes in the top of the box (on the sides). Put a goodie inside and tie with a ribbon. Embellish! I added a Sticker from the Daydream Stickease, mounted on a piece of green background and texture paper. Of course, I couldn't have a frog that is not slimey? I added liquid glass to the frog stickease so that he would look wet and slimey. Too CUTE! The only thing that I forgot to do is to add sparkles to the top of his crown! Off to do that now! Enjoy!

Surf's Up!

This card pattern is fun to make. I created this card using our new Moon Doggie Papers, Close To My Heart Exclusive Inks and a new stamp set called Extreme Happiness. I had fun designing this card and thought I would share the pattern. Enjoy!

Tina

Directions:









1. Start with a Desert Sand Cardstock and cut 5 1/2" x 7". Score at 3". Use this piece for the base of the card!








2. Take a piece of Indian Corn Blue Cardstock and cut it 7" x 3". Score it at 4".











3. Glue the Indian Corn Blue Cardstock about a 1/4" from the top of the Desert Sand Card Base.









4. On the front of the Desert Sand Cardstock, glue a piece of coordinating Background and Texture Paper the size of 5 1/4" x 3 3/4". ( I used the surf board paper- which is hard to see in this photo.

5. On the inside of the card glue another coordinating piece of Background and Texture Paper (I used small flowers) the size of 5 1/4" x 3 3/4" on top of the Indian Corn Blue Paper.









6. On top of the blue square, glue another piece of coordinating paper cut to the size of 2 3/4" x 3 1/4".

7. Decorate card as desired. Fun, Fun, Fun! Enjoy the instructions. The possibilities are endless!

Just for Lindsey

My dear friend Lindsey is about to have her first baby. I am so excited for her. She is due at the end of the month but we think it could be any day now. Lindsey is such a girly girl and I know her little girl will be all about the ribbons and bows. I couldn't resist making Lindsey this darling acrylix album.



Materials Used:

Close To My Heart Acrylix Album
Daydream Level 2 Paper Packet
Daydream Stickease
Special Delivery Rub Ons

What's a Shrimp Boil?

I have had several emails since my last post asking me... "What is a shrimp boil?" I am a visual person so I thought the easiest way to explain it is to post photos! So, enjoy the slideshow of The Easter Shrimp Boil! I'll post the recipe later!

Tina

Easter Slideshow

Getting Ready for the Non-Traditional Easter Dinner

Happy Easter Everyone! After church, we are having Easter Dinner/My Dad's Birthday Party. His birthday was actually on March 20th, but I was in the hospital. So we decided to celebrate his birthday today at our house. When I asked him what kind of dinner he wanted, he replied... "A Shrimp Boil!" So forget about the ham or prime rib.... we are boiling shrimp today. YUM!

Last night as I was decorating, I was filled with memories. I pulled out my box of Easter goodies and got so excited. I have saved all my decorations that my Mom made me when I was a child. She used to do Canvas needlepoint and make amazing decorations. I can't wait for her to come over this afternoon to see them. Mom is 86 and her memory is failing. She loves to see memories from the past as that is what she remembers best . I made her an Easter Basket filled with all her favorite candies (Fanny May Mint Meltaways) using my old childhood Easter Basket. It was such a joy to decorate. Even the small Easter Chicks were from my basket when I was a child!


I hope everyone has a day filled with Joy. It is Easter.... Celebrate!

Tina

The bunny on the right is a hand crafted wall hanging my Mom made many, many, years ago! Cute, cute, cute!

Our Neighborhood Bear

We have a black bear living in our neighborhood. I posted a photo a few months back of the damage he did to our fence while trying to get into the yard. Well... I now have photos of Mr. Bear! He is a pest, but he sure is cute!

Tina

Stamping Sammy!

I have just been informed that I am silly. Sammy says "I am not 4, I am only 3!" (Read post below) Oops. I am so sorry Ms. Sammy!

Her mommy shared this photo of her in action. I couldn't resist and just had to share it with my blogging friends. The photo tells the story... you are never too young to stamp!

With a warm heart,

Tina

A special Get Well Card

I have been overwhelmed by all the beautiful cards, flowers and packages I have received over the past few weeks. Yesterday, I got a very special Get Well card. It was from a dear friends daughter- Sammy Szczechowski. Sammy is 4 years old and a very special artist. She has been stamping for most of her life. She sent me this darling card... complete with a band aid!m Of course, it was made with Close To My Heart Stamps! I was so touched, I had to share! I can't wait to see Sammy's work when she is 10! Enjoy!

Tina

I got inspired and made a card tonight!

I am not sure what got into me but I got creative and made a card tonight! Just thought I would share! I love the stamp set Bird Basics! I am having so much fun with it!

Tina

My first layout AS (After Surgery)

It took me 3 days to do it but I DID IT! I finished my first scrapbook layout post surgery! It is not my best work but it is work. The theme- THE BIG O of course. The only thing left to do is to take a photo of the doctor. I have an appt. tomorrow so I will take the photo then! Please ignore the photos. I look a mess. LOL!

Tina

Slowly Recovering

Hello Everyone! Well... I never do anything the easy way. I had surgery almost 3 weeks ago. The surgery went great but then I had a setback. I was in the hospital for almost two weeks. I am happy to say I am home and doing so much better. Each day, I get a little stronger. Today I started a scrapbook page so I know I am on the way to recovery!

The one happy thing about being sick is all the cards that I have been receiving! Every day I get at least a card or two. I am blown away by all the beautiful cards I have received from all my friends. I took a photo to share with all of you! I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and CTMH sisters. You will never know how much I appreciate all of you!

Tina

Out of office

I am having surgery on March 12th. I will be out of the office and away from my blog for a while. I'll post as soon as I am better. Keep creating!

Tina

I Love Belgium

Last year I was lucky enough to earn a cruise to the Med with Close To My Heart. We flew to Europe early and visited London, Spain, Belgium, and France. Then we jumped on the cruise ship for another week of travel. Crazy huh? Anyway, one of the highlights of the trip was our day trip to Belgium. I just finished scrapbooking several pages from that glorious day. I still have a few more pages to go but I thought I would share what I have to date. Enjoy!

Tina

Daydream Workshop On The Go- Tina's Way

I just finished thr Daydream Workshop On The Go! I love this kit but I don't really have any birthday photos to go on it... so I put the Tina Spin on it! I thought my bike would look great on these papers so I altered the layout, and substituted hearts for cupcakes. I hope you like it. If you are in the Navarre, or surrounding areas and would like to attend this workshop, it will be held on April 15th and 16th!

Tina
I added sparkles to the Stickease! I thought this made the pages bling a little!


Since my layout was centered around hearts, I added the small stamped heart to the tag!
For the border, I added dimensional hearts rather than cupcakes. I used the Pearl Paint to add the dot accents on the scallop border.

The thing I like about Workshop On The Go is that you can customize them to your life. Don't be afraid to change the pages to work with your photos.

Butterfly Wings

I designed a card last night that we will be creating at scrapbook club today! I used this month's stamp of the month ... Butterfly wings. The butterfly is stamped using CTMH's exclusive Juniper and Tulip Inks. I created the colors on the butterfly by sponging some ink on our finger daubers and then applying it directly to the butterfly stamp. Then I rolled the edges of the butterfly wings in Tulip ink and stamped it. Whola... I have a multicolored butterfly that is sparkling with Prisma Glitter. The glitter really makes this card come alive. In addition to highlighting the beautiful butterfly using mulit-colors, my butterfly also moves. It is a swaying card. Click here for directions on swaying cards.

Card Recipe:
Stamp Sets-
D1341 Butterfly Wings
D1265 Gracious Greetings
x7100b Paper Garden (Paper- Polka Dot B&T, Cocoa, Juniper and Tulip CS)
z2165 Juniper Ink
z2166 Tulip Ink
z134 Prisma Glitter
z553 Bonding Memories Glue Pen (small)
z726 Sponge Daubers

This card was inspired by Tesa Black! Thank you Tesa for sharing all of your creativity!

Scrapbook Club Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is one of my favorite days of the month... It is scrapbook club time! I made happies for all my local club members. Hmmm... I wonder what is inside the box??? I will post the pattern for these cute boxes next week! They are super fun to make!

Tina