Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Spring Is in the Air: Project Inspiration Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book




Want to add more "bounce" to your projects and have elements "jump" off the page or card? With Close To My Heart's new adhesive springs, you'll create projects filled with delightful surprises! In this video we show you how to create the card featured on page 72 of the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book, along with lots of other inspiring ideas to make your artwork "spring" to life.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Nifty Neighbor Gifts Project Inspiration Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book




With just a few crafty products, it's fun and easy to create heartfelt gifts for your neighbors and friends. Find out how simple it is to make these gorgeous gifts filled with delicious delicacies! In this Close To My Heart video, we show you how to create the gift packaging featured on page 82 of our Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

The BIG 5-0!

Yes, today was my birthday and I turned "half a century old" according to one of my friends. LOL!  I was not upset or depressed about becoming 50 (it sure beats the alternative) but I think Gabrielle thought I was going to suddenly need a cane or a wheelchair because she kept asking me all day long if I felt any different! Kids...

I can remember when I thought 30 was OLD but as I got closer to that age, I realized that you are not old after all and that it was stupid for women to cry and carry on just because they turned 30. So guess what I did when I turned 30...I cried all day long! I was so MAD at myself for being so upset but at the same time I didn't have any control over my emotions. LOL! Luckily it just lasted on my birthday, I was fine the next day.

Turning 40 was a breeze so I was hoping that at 50 that same old doom and despair would not return and ruin my day.

I am happy to report that not a single tear was shed today! Yay! I spent the day doing next to nothing until it was time to meet up with my Mama and Dad and my oldest daughter Ashley and her family at B&J's Restaurant in Darien by 6 p.m. so maybe we wouldn't have to wait very long. They serve all you can eat crab legs with their seafood buffet and they are the best around. They bring a plate of piping hot crab legs to your table instead of you having to try and beat everyone else to the buffet before they are gone, and when you have finished with that plate, they bring you another, and another and so on until you are so stuffed you have to unbutton your pants to get some relief.

Through no fault of my own ( I was dressed and ready and waiting on everyone else) we got a late start. Then my husband who normally drives like he is racing at the Daytona 500 was poking along. Then we had to make a stop so Cassidy could go to the bathroom even though I told her to go BEFORE we left the house. I could see that we were going to be at least 30 minutes late, if not later. Ashley and Mama and Daddy were already there and waiting on us. Needless to say, my good mood was quickly turning into anger. (How dare they ruin my birthday?) This could have been a time for the waterworks to flow but I held it back just willing time to slow down as we speed down the road.

Once we got there I realized that not only were my Mom, Dad, Ashley, Mark and the boys joining us for dinner but also 2 of my three sisters and spouses even though they told me they couldn't come. And guess what else? We weren't late, we were right on time. Tony, Gabrielle and Cassidy were all doing their part in delaying me until 6;30. I was so surprised...not only that Nadalie and Vicki could come but also in the fact that my husband didn't give it away. He's not the best at keeping secrets like this...



My friend and coworker, Patty gave me this Happy Birthday tiara yesterday when I got to work. I had no problems wearing it while I was working. After all, I don't usually deal with patients face-to-face. Gabrielle insisted that I had to wear it tonight while we were in the restaurant. I got lots of weird glances and smiles with a few people wishing me "Happy Birthday".


Ashley brought me a cake from Holloway's in Brunswick. Just look at this thing,,,isn't it too cute?
The champagne bottle says "Aged to Perfection". Yeah, that describes me perfectly. Thankfully, they didn't make me blow out 50 candles. I just had 1 candle for every decade.

The cake was to die for...so moist and sweet.


I guess my Mother was relying on her past experience of turning 50 because she brought a few essential items I would need now. LOL!

I got some Butt- Aid creme (huh?) and some dirty diaper disposal bags, along with some infant eating utensils and strong reading glasses. Hey, I can use the glasses! I'm surprised she didn't give me Depends also. It was all in fun and I had a blast.



I can save all of these items and give them to my sister Nadalie next year when she turns fifty!


Well, that's all for now. It's late and we have Church in the morning.






Thursday, February 2, 2012

Dino-mite Scrapbook Pages: Project Inspiration Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book




Create a pair of "dino-mite" scrapbook pages for a girl and a boy. Simply by changing up your color palette, you can achieve a masculine or feminine look using the exact same stamp set! In this Close To My Heart video, we show you how to create the scrapbook pages featured on page 89 of the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book.

Five for FREE in February


Dates: February 1st, 2012 - February 29th, 2012

Double your layouts with our Five For Free promotion!  For each Studio J® 5-pack you purchase this February, you’ll get one free. So....after breaking it down, that means you will get 10 Studio J® layouts for just $55.00...that's only $2.75 per page...plus you get memory protectors and free shipping.

To order your 5-pack and get one free, go to my website to "Shop Online". You can then choose Studio J Items from the list on the left side column. Choose Studio j 5-Pack and add to your cart. Once you have clicked on "Check Out Now", a summary page will be shown with the item(s) you want to order. Scroll down and it will show you the promotional items you are eligible for. You have to click to "Add" to your order. Clear as mud?

Once you've purchased your Studio J 5-Pack you can start using them by going to my website and clicking on "Studio J Online Scrapbooking" and starting from there.

Additional information about the 5-pack can be found in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book on page 11. You’ll also find step-by-step instructions for five beautifully crafted Studio J layouts at StudioJ.com starting February 1, 2012 (9:00 am MST).

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Get your NEW Spring/ Summer Idea Book!


The new Idea Book is here and it's Fantastic!

Do you want your own copy? 
I can mail you one for just $5.00 shipping fee and will even send you a $5.00 rebate off your first order of $25.00 or more.

February Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

February SOTM - S1202 Thoughtful Tidings




SOTM Blog Hop List -- over 60 Consultants


Kathleen Androlewicz http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/
Helen Onulak http://www.hookedonstamping.com/
Lisa Sargent http://www.lisasargent.net/
Katy Donaldson http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
Jill Lucas http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
Shirley Ross http://www.momnmescrap.blogspot.com/
Amy McVey http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
Melinda Everitt http://www.ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/
Wanda Riley http://creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com/
Nikka Geers http://www.nikkageers.blogspot.com/
Mary Eisen http://mestamp2.blogspot.com/
Georgia Hauglid http://inkygeorgia.blogspot.com/
Michelle Loncar http://michelleloncar.blogspot.com/
Teresa Scrivens http://www.creatingwithinkypaw.com/
Gina Brandstetter http://gmbscrapper.blogspot.com/
Sarita Schraeder http://www.blessedscrapper.com/
Jen Patrick http://roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
Traci Godbee http://www.createwithtraci.com/
Adeline Brill http://www.adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Traci Pasqualone http://scrapitraci.blogspot.com/
Pamela O'Connor http://cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft http://stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
Debra Van Patten http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
Haley Dyer http://inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Doreen Guilfoyle http://whereisyourhappyplace.blogspot.com/
Kami Welter http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Mindemann http://www.ejoym.blogspot.com/
Nancy Brown http://creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com/
Terrie Dodd http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
Judy Burger http://www.makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
LeAnne Dudley http://www.dudleychickdesigns.blogspot.com/
Susan Brooks http://stampingintheopen.blogspot.com/
Beth Naumann http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com/
Melissa Laverty http://www.fancymelissa.com/blog
Wendy Coffman http://www.stampingrules.blogspot.com/
Krista Hershberger http://kristascraftycorner.blogspot.com/
Angela Tutton http://www.tuttonstreasures.blogspot.com/
Shannon Beck http://www.cardsfromthefarm.blogspot.com/
Sheila Bennett http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com/
Tamytha Jenkins http://www.paperheartist.com/
Angel Sawyer http://runningwithscissorsdesignco.blogspot.com/
Carla Ironside http://carlacreates.blogspot.com/
Annette Green http://annettescreativejourney.blogspot.com/
Dawn Ross http://iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
Krista Ritskes http://simplycreatingtogether.blogspot.com/
Lori Brown http://www.savingmine.blogspot.com/
Jen Rubio http://jenrubio.blogspot.com/
Brae Montgomery http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
Karen Fullam http://www.enrichingmemories.com/
Judy Faye Garner http://judyfaye.blogspot.com/
Michelle Johns http://www.myflightsoffancy.com/blog
Carol Horton http://www.carol-scrappininparadise.blogspot.com/
Nicole Griggs http://nicolescreativezone.blogspot.com/
Allisa Chilton http://rockymtnpapercrafts.blogspot.com/
Tamra Pope http://www.tamrascraftypapercreations.blogspot.com/
Lalia Harris http://craftylalia.blogspot.com/
Jean McNulty http://stampinmaui.blogspot.com/
Kristine Ponte http://www.kponte.blogspot.com/
Vicki Price http://priceofpaper.blogspot.com/


Are you inspired now? You can purchase your own stamp set from my website and start creating some of these wonderful ideas.