"Hope"

Every time there is a natural disaster somewhere, I try to help.
Give blood no problem…$5, $10, $20 here n there whether I have it to spare or not.
I send it off, tweet about it and "hope" that in some way my little bit will add to a huge melting pot that others have thrown in.
I see the aid on the news…and think OK…I guess it did help so it does make me feel better.
Locally I see those in need as well. These are my neighbors, co-workers and family.
I take an elderly neighbor a plate of food and know they are nourished.
I see a homeless teen going barefoot and see her happy in a pair of my barely used shoes.
I see children lonely and sad in a hospital, so I take bags of Beanies so each child can call one of them their own and won't be so lonely.
Don't get me wrong…I don't have the need to get something in return….well…until now!

I know how great Close to My Heart has always been in time of need…and as Jeanette our founder says,
"If we all do a little, together we can do a lot. Let's show our support and together, provide real HOPE for Japan!"
So she whipped out this:

A stamp set I can love and use for a long time…but better yet ALL proceeds of this set will go to ARC efforts for Japan!
In fact, I might even find a tattoo in my future with this image in PINK!
You can order yours easy peasy from my website using order #A118 or go straight to the Hope for Japan link.
Don't forget to treat yourself to some highly discounted items and specials so you can also earn free My Acrylix blocks while helping others!

Ode to Rooster

He came to our yard scrawny, weak, and mangy looking last summer and could barely croak out a cock-a-doodle-doo.

Kept sayin', "the KI-yotes'll get 'im, won't last long".
Somehow he found various places to "roost" and rest.

I complained about him crowing at all times inappropriate…
I complained about all the peanut shells he left behind…
I complained about the small poop piles on the deck and sidewalk…
But he lasted through the winter..even started developing some plumpness around the breast area…his color became a beautiful varigated tone of white-on-gold, his rear tail
feathers became tall and sure.

Then one day last week…I slept in. The alarm actually woke me.
I realized…no crowing. No scratching at the door. Nothing but silence outside.
That night when I got home from work, I took a mag-lite and searched around the perimeter of our property, the neighbors, anywhere looking for signs.
Nothing. No feathers. Nothing.

I miss the dang crowing. I live in the country after all! There should always be a rooster crowing somewhere right? The peanut shells have blown away with the spring wind.
The poop piles have washed away with recent storms.
And I now rely on my alarm clock to wake me up in the morning.

Meanwhile…back 'n da Hood...

Hi Bloggers;
This was either sunrise or sunset over our "back yard"…just looked so cool I had to run for the camera.
Working on a new little "goodie" in the Studio, but since vacaysh is over, it'll be a few more times before I finish. I still zone out after a few hours after I get home from work.
Be patient. It's the way it rolls for me these days.

MARCH PAPER TRAIL…! Blog Hop

Hi all!
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! I'm doing a Blog Hop again!
If you've found me from Betsy's Blog, welcome!
This month we are featuring the gorgeous papers from the new CTMH Miracle Kit.
I somewhat cheated…when this kit was a special, I had a Scrapbook for Hire project and the papers went really well with that theme, so I'm showing them off here. This was one of the pieces in the kit…Using a flip flap, it opens to reveal more pictures.

 The center strip is actually the stickease from the kit

 This is a cool way to add more photos without using a flip flap…mount a large card on your layout and mount on the top of the page protector…it reveals…….

 3 more photos!

The "family tree" also lifts up to reveal more photos using a single flip-flap.
and for a cute use of word stamps, click on the photo and see how I "wrote" on the tree!

 I love this set…using TONS of Colonial White large brads they add focus to the photo.

Thanks for stopping by! To purchase any of these products of course, visit my website

Now…
Hop on over to Mary's Blog to see what fabulous things she has in store for you!

Use up those old products and welcome the new!

Raise your hand if you have a lot of retired products from your favorite stamp/scrapbook company! *waving both hands here*
Raise your hand if they are out of sight, out of mind! *waving both hands and a foot here*
Raise your hand if you need a last minute birthday card and run to the nearest Target.
*waving both hands and feet in shame here*

Well, NO MORE ah say, ah say! (sorry, the rooster on the porch is starting to influence me)
I have 3 packages of these cute retired CTMH letters/numbers, a tons of Stamp Sets and I swear I will start using them…RIGHT NOW!

Wowzer There's More Artwork!

This is not a trend…
This is not a trend…
This is not a trend!
But I've had some fun and am glad to finally get some new artwork posted here for those of you who are not on Facebook (what?! you're not on Facebook????)
Anyhoot; I'm sure I've mentioned here that my new fav color with CTMH is Pear, and of course, I've also mentioned I collect Pear-a-finalia, too. Uh, and also live in the heart of the Pear Delta, too…right?

Colors: Pear, Buttercup, Smoothie, Desert Sand
Stamp Set: You're Sweet B1351

Aspire Set

Not that it took me all day to make this card, but I admit it…I did have a nap between starting and finishing. While on vacation from work, all my REAL plans fell through, but I've been resting my mind, and body…which I desperately needed anyways.
So heading for the Studio:

I've been a "flower" kick lately…see previous post. This cute little pom-pom style flower is simply made with a 1"scalloped punch and about 11 punches. Fold them around a wooden BBQ skewer and glue down to a base punch. Try it for a larger size using our new 2" scalloped punch!
I found the idea on another blog and am trying to find it to reference here…may need to add that later though.

I used Aspire stamp set C1455 and the newest Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Kit and Wings
which you can get for yourself by clicking here on my website.

A Whole Lotta Rollin' Goin' On!

I learned how to roll paper roses, and am now ready to harvest, and sell in bouquets.
(not really, but I do have enough, really.)


For a full tutorial on how to and to see the incredible original idea, visit
Tracey Mason's Blog

Her inspiration holds no bounds, people! And check out her post showing her Studio!
(it's what mine looks like in my dreams)


But for now and without a drum-roll, here's my lowly version

I used the same techniques as Tracey (why reinvent the wheel?) however being the first time
(no comments from the peanut gallery) I had ever attempted the flowers, they are a tad on the large size. This took me almost a month! I'm getting better though…the 2nd one only took a day to roll the roses and it's ready for embellies. More on that one later.

Just Checking In..!

Well, there's nothing really exciting going on 'n da Hood…so this is just a quick check in.
Found some really fun things on sale today…and will be playing today in the Studio in between laundry loads.
Speaking of sales…you should check out the deep, DEEP discounted items on my website

A New Year….and a whole lotta news!

What's new with Close To My Heart?
Thankfully, we are now beginning the transition to 2TWO Idea Books per year.
Personally, I'm excited about this!
Since the new 2011 Idea does not go live until February 1st, we have a "tweener" Idea Book called Inspirations!
With all great inspirations, this one comes with wonderful artwork that will inspire you and a FAB deal worth $$$ towards new products and of course, FREE items as well!
You can view it HERE on my website, and place your order right away!

If you are in the Sacramento area…mark your calendars for my Annual "Gotta Go" stamp sale on January 15th. Join me for light refreshments and the deals of the century on "retired" stamp sets!