Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a blessed Turkey Day! From our house to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.

I whipped up this card to thank my mom for hosting this year. The papers are CTMH Olivia. The main stamp is Farming Oliver from Sparkle Creations

The sentiment is CTMH November Word Puzzle.

My Thankful Post

I've been posting a daily thankful post on Facebook, but I felt this one deserved a whole post :) I am truly thankful for the unique point of view that my children give me. Yesterday, I was reminded once again to stop and view the world through my children's eyes. I hate snow. Now don't get me wrong, I think it's beautiful and I enjoy it from INSIDE, but I hate driving in it. I dread mornings that are icy and miserable.

Yesterday, the boys were so excited about the snow that they spent hours outside playing. The snow wasn't even sticking, but they didn't care. They were convinced it would eventually. I decided rather than complain, I'd get out there and capture their joy. You know what, seeing them happy gave me a much needed attitude adjustment.

This is one of my new favorite pictures. yes it was somewhat staged. They were trying to catch snowflakes, but I asked them to get closer together so I could capture them together.

Almost enough for a snowball!

I'm still dreading tomorrow morning, when they are saying 4-6 inches of snow, blowing snow, and temperatures in the teens. Praying for a snow day, so we can just enjoy it, but not have to drive in it!

More Cards for a Cause

Laast week, I was asked to make sample cards for a group who wants to make cards to raise money. The group's logo is a purple butterfly. They wanted notecards that featured butterflies with a saying. These are the cards I came up with. I wanted to keep them simple, so they'd be easy to reproduce.

Stamps: Treasure Life and Butterfly Wings. Color: Gypsy

Stamps: Butterfly Wings, Special Friend, Playful Flourishes

Stamps: Butterfly Wings, Make it Count. Color: Amethyst

Stamps: Butterfly Wings, TLC Color: Petal

Stamps: Butterfly Wings, Treasure Life

Veteran's Day and Favorite CTMH Product

Happy Veteran's Day to all veterans and active military. Thank you for your service and sacrifice!

On Facebook, Close To My Heart is asking people to blog about their favorite product for a chance to win $50 in product credit. Entering is a no-brainer, but coming up with my favorite product is almost impossible! I could say all the fabulous papers, but how could I ever choose just one?!

I of course LOVE the stamps! I have hundreds, after all.

But if I had to choose just one thing, I'd have to choose the how-to programs! I love that even if I'm not feeling creative or I'm in a rut, I can open up one of these gorgeous books and be inspired. I especially love the card workshops in Wishes

and the new ideas for interactive pages in Magic.

What's your favorite product!

Fall Fun and H2H Color Challenge

This week's challenge at Heart 2 Heart Challenges was a color challenge.

I had a hard time with the colors, since they aren't colors I've ever used together. I was truly inspired by the creations others came up with, especially those that were able to create beautiful Christmas cards! I stuck with a fall theme. I used November Word Puzzle stamps, watercolor brush and dry embossed the stripes on the Brown Bag card base.

Yesterday, we went over to my mom's house to watch the Boise State game. While there, I took advantage of the gorgeous leaves in her backyard, and snapped a few shots. Brendan was not thrilled about the whole thing.

Austin however was all about posing and playing in the leaves.

My favorite shot of the day!

Thank You

This month's special is a way of giving thanks to our customers. This month, when you spend $100, you will get not one, but TWO stamp sets for FREE! You will get the fabulous November Stamp of the Month, A Little Thanks, PLUS a stamp set of your choice (A-D size). Contact me to place an order, order from here, or better yet, host a party and earn hostess rewards, too! I've got some fun Christmas themed ideas for November parties!

November Stamp of the Month, A Little Thanks.


You can earn this stamp set FREE with your $100 purchase.
Pay only $5.74 if you spend $75.
Pay $11.74 with a $50 purchase.
Pay $17.21 when you spend $25.
Purchase it outright for $22.95.
Available though November 30th.

Hiking--Studio J Layout

My last Studio J layout for the week. I took these pictures over the summer when the boys and I went hiking in the foothills. I used Back Country papers. I love all the brads around the circle. I never would have had the patience to place all those on a traditional layout. I know one would have ended up in the wrong spot and I'd have a stray hole. I also love that I can crop and adjust the size of the pictures as I go.

To try Studio J, visit www.moments2treasure.myctmh.com

Rock Star Studio J layout

Are you ready for another reason to love Studio J? I scrapped these pictures the day after I took them. That's turn around time. Taken one day, scrapped the next. For a busy working mom like me, it is a dream come true. Since going back to work, I've fallen behind when it comes to scrapbooking. While I won't completely replace paper scrapbooking with digital, I can feel like I'm not getting further and further behind. I just don't have time to pull out all my stuff with our busy schedule. However, I can pull out my laptop while helping with homework or watching TV, and create fabulous layouts!

To create your own Studio J layouts, visit my site http://www.moments2treasure.myctmh.com/

Pool Party--A Studio J Layout

I took these pictures at Kaitlin's house over the summer. The boys had a great time swimming and playing with Kaitlin and Uncle Andy. I love Studio J (I know I keep saying that)! It literally took me less than a half hour to create this entire layout. I used one of the exclusive Studio J papers--perfect for water pictures.

To try out Studio J, visit my website http://www.moments2treasure.myctmh.com/

Halloween Pictures

The boys had a great Halloween weekend. This year it was quite a decision on costumes. Last year, Austin was Mario and Brendan was Luigi. This year Brendan wanted to be Yoshi and Austin wanted to be Bowser. The problem? There are no Bowser costumes. They don't exist and Mama doesn't sew. We went to 5, yes 5 Halloween stores. No Yoshi costumes left (at least not for kids) and nothing Austin wanted. Finally, at the last store, they decided on these costumes.

My Anakin and Mario!

Pumpkin carving...yes, with power tools!

The finished pumpkin.

Saturday, we went to Zoo Boise for Boo at the Zoo. We got there about an hour before they closed, but enough time to see some animals, get some candy, and take some pictures!

Mommy and boys

My guys!

How do you measure up against a penguin?

Love this picture of Austin!

Look at those gorgeous fall colors!

Say Boo!

Overall, a very fun weekend!