New Layout!

I finally had some time to work on my Christmas photos!  This layout was from the Mistletoe Workshop on the Go kit.  I love these kits because they take the guesswork out of scrapping.  The directions are included so it is quick and easy to make.  Great for those times when you want to relax and not have to do much thinking.  I included a photo of hubby and I. 

Inspirations and Wings!

Beginning January 1 Close to My Heart will be featuring a new brochure called Inspirations.  These two layouts of my niece, Ellie, singing in the spring variety show,  include the new Wings Level 2 paper pack (X7135B) from Inspirations.  In the top layout I also used a new pleated ribbon product (Z1398) from Inspirations.  Isn't it striking?  The big butterflies are from the new stamp set Find Your Style (D1452) which is the January Stamp of the Month.  Feel free to contact me to purchase any of these products.  And don't forget that the new Spring/Summer 2011 catalog will be released February 1!  I have seen a sneak peek and you won't be disappointed!  Contact me to receive your copy when it is available!
Also, if you crave some more inspiration this month, look no further than the website Big Red Scraps at http://www.bigredscraps.ning.com/  This website features cards, projects, and layouts with Close to My Heart products.  You can search by categories and stamplift to your heart's content!
Happy stamping and scrapping!

Merry Christmas!

Well as promised here is the final family Christmas photo.  Everyone finally cooperated and I think it turned out pretty good.  May your holidays be merry and bright!

Christmas Cookies!

I've officially begun the Christmas baking.  I started today with peanut butter crisscross cookies.  My mom and grandmother (her mother) both used to bake these.  Basically they are just peanut butter cookies but you take a fork and add a crisscross hatch pattern to the top.  We kids always got to do that part.  During the Christmas season these cookies also got dressed up with some red and green sprinkle sugar.  I guess they thought this made them special for the holidays.  Mom and Granny are both gone now and I miss them terribly.  My niece, Sarah, never got to know my mom and I wish she was here to bake these with her.  My mom always had a day when all the grandkids came over and baked Christmas cookies with her.  Guess they will have to settle for Aunt Marty now!  Hopefully my brothers will both be pleased when I serve these Christmas Eve.  On to more baking!  Hug your loved ones extra hard tonight!

Family Christmas Photo

Know how hard it is to get 3 men to pose for the annual family Christmas photo?  Nearly impossible!  Hubby is in pain because he threw his back out working in the barn.  Son number 1 (in maroon) is impatient to go somewhere with his girlfriend.  Son number 2 (in front) is bored and waiting to go shoot hoops with his friends.  Talk about uncooperative!  We only do this once a year so you would think they could be a little more accomodating.  But no!  Well don't fear.  This was only the test shot while I adjusted the camera.  The real photo is coming soon!

More Craft Show Projects

Here are two more of my craft show items.  The first is a slider box.  It is made to contain 7 Hershey Nuggets which are covered in patterned paper and have letters stamped on them to spell BELIEVE.  I sold out of those quickly!  They were very popular.  The second photo shows the gift card holder which I sold out of as well.  I got the patterns for both of these from fellow CTMH consultant Tresa Black.  Looks like I'll be making more of these for sure!

Tis the Season!

For craft shows that is!  I will be selling my papercraft wares at my school craft show on November 20 and here is the first item I've been working on. They are necklaces made from metal washers!  Yes my husband thought I was crazy when I asked him to get me washers at the hardware store.  You cover them with patterned paper, add embellishments and then apply Liquid Glass over the top.  Add some suede cording and you're all set! 

What a View!

You know I complain quite a bit to my friends in the city about living in the country and how far I have to travel to get to shops and restaurants.  But every once in a while I catch a view like this that reminds me why I love it here in rural Ohio!  I got up this morning with a day off from work due to a doctor's appointment, looked out my bedroom window and saw this.  The woods behind my house are beautiful this time of year.  And with the heavy fog it created such a cool scene.  Of course I grabbed my camera!  Now the Amish workers who are putting on our new roof probably thought I had lost my mind, but oh well!  I thought these turned out pretty good.  And I'm super excited because in November I'm taking a class from Nikon!  I can't wait to learn more and hope to see a big improvement in my photos!

What's a Girl to Do?



What's a girl to do when she's at her son's football game and things are not going so well for the team?  Take pictures of the sunset of course!  It was homecoming and our team lost 9-7.  It was a real heartbreaker!  But as a consolation I did get this awesome shot of the sun just as it was setting behind the tree line of our village.  It was totally a fluke, but I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.  My favorite color is orange and I've always been drawn to sunsets.  Hey when life hands you lemons, take photos!

Fair Winners

All four of these layouts were entered in my local county fair.  I won first place for the layout entitled, "The WILDS" and second place on all the others.  I was a little disappointed as I have done much better in the past, but I think I like them all anyway!  My style is simple and clean and I like it that way!  Oh well, there is always next year!