I Love Getting Handmade Cards

it really does brighten my day when a friend sends me a card but it is more special when it is homemade.  here is one my friend April sent to me recently.

Monster Eyes

I found this recipe in a Halloween magazine last year and thought I'd give it a try.  Turns out these eyeballs are delicious.  And if you buy Reduced-Fat items, their not too bad and a few make a great breakfast.  In my weight loss journey, I've been trying a new breakfast recipe each week and thought this week I'd bring back a favorite.  So yummy I wanted to share.   Hope you make them and enjoy the recipe as much as I do.

Baby Treat Box

My first artwork using my CTMH Cricut Artiste cartridge!  My hubby came home today to tell me he had an office baby shower to go to the next day.  So this was my perfect chance to make something cute with my new toy.  We were not sure of the baby's gender so I found the gender-neutral bag in the closet and it led to the creativity for me.

So I made this box and had some cute pastel cardstock around.  The stamp set it also CTMH with the cute baby images and the letters are one of the new stamp sets from CTMH as well.  I used coordinating inks with the cardstock and here you go!  My very own creation all from a bag!  It was the perfect size to put a gift card inside and left a little extra room.

Here you can see how this measures out; although it did cut off a full 12 x 12 sheet of cardstock.

When I came home today I had to ask my hubby, "what did they think?" and was told they loved it.  So that makes me feel special.

Introducing Artiste, the new Cricut Cartridge exclusively from CTMH

I'm super excited that my new Cricut cartridge arrived today.  Looking forward to making many new layouts and crafts with it.

The Artiste Collection comes with the Cricut Cartridge that has 700 images.  And if that is not enough, 3 D-Sized Stamp Sets, and 3 Dimensional Elements.

New Colors Arrived!!!

My new colors just arrived today from CTMH.  Can't wait until I can start working with them in my next project.  Stay tuned!

• Champagne
• Cashmere
• Saddle
• Whisper
• Slate
• Ruby

Time Can't Stand Still, but You Can!

During Convention, Keynote Speaker, Stacy Julian, had a very touching message.  She shared her story and gave us words of wisdom in her speech.  Her message really touched my heart and I've taken away several important things. 

One, scrapbook the people and not the event.  We need to really remember to share the story of the event through the person we are scrapbooking.  Our pages will be more meaningful.

Two, make time and commit to our hobby at least once a week.  She told us we need this time to retreat and as a women to feel "cute".  After all, don't we just feel "cute" when we make that beautiful layout or paper craft!  I know I do.

Third, she reminded us to stand still, to savor everyday moments. She shared this touching video with music by her friend Hilary Weeks. You may want to grab a tissue or two…it was a waterfall for me.

Getting Ready for the Party

I'm having fun getting ready for the Firetruck Birthday Party.  First step, adding the letters to these red plastic buckets I picked up at a local dollar store. 

The yellow vinyl was bought at a recent scrapbooking convention.  So I used my Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge from CTMH for the letters.  I added a layer of clear (transparent) contact paper bought at Wal-Mart on my Cricut mat, then the layer of the yellow vinyl on top of the contact paper.  Then turned the blade to the highest setting (6) and it cut the letters beautifully!

I had so much fun, I then had to decorate the smaller buckets by adding a star and the number 2. 

When we are ready for the party, I plan to add colored tissue paper to each bucket before I put the food in them. 

Coming home from Convention

Today I returned home from the 2012 Close To My Heart Convention that was held here in Dallas, TX.  The past three days were an adventure and I left feeling more passionate and excited about Close To My Heart than ever before!  Stayed tuned as I share some exciting pictures and post some of the art work that will soon be available for purchase in the 2012 Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalog. 

So many great new products in the new book with exclusive paper and cardstock, new colors, amazing home decor items and yes....A NEW CRICUT CARTRIDGE!!!  Oh yes they did; CTMH is bringing us another Cricut cartridge only available to purchase through CTMH. 

The new Cricut Artiste collection offers over 700 images that features themed projects, interactive cards, awards, and more!  From robots and spooks to weddings and Valentines, your cupcake liners, invitations, and party favors will coordinate and quickly come together for any celebration!