Lucky Level One Pages

I decided to order a Level One kit to show at the party I'm having this week. We are focusing on creating layouts easily and quickly, or as Close To My Heart says, "faster, simpler, easier." The Level One kits come with four pre-printed pages, Stickease and extra cardstock ans B & T. This layout came together in about 15 minutes from beginning to end. The kit is called Lucky. Perfect for boys and summer pictures!

More Sophia Cards and OWH Sketch

I am loving this Sophia paper! Here's a couple more cards using Sophia papers and new stamps. This first one uses this week's Operation Write Home sketch flipped on it's side. I used the new Affection set and Blush buttons and brads.

For this card, I used the stamp set from Sophia Workshop on the Go. I also used the new Blush ribbon.

Sophia Sneak Peek and H2H Challenge

Just a few more days until the new Close To My Heart catalog goes live! I am just loving each and every paper pack in there! I wish I could buy them all :) In the meantime, I've been playing with Sophia today. The fun pinks and green aren't my usual pallette with two boys, but with Valentine's Day coming up, I figure they work.

The card is one I created for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog. The challenge this week was to use an animal, bird, or insect. The stamps in this card come from the Sophia Workshop On The Go.

I am doing a scrapbook party for my friend Michelle this week. This layout is the project we'll be creating as the make n' take. I used the new Sophia papers again. I also used the new Bohemian Alphabet, which I am LOVING! This may well be my favorite alphabet set ever! I also used Affection, which features the adorable heart flowers, Mini Sparkles, and Blush buttons.

Cards for OWH Sketch Challenge

For last Sunday's Sketch Challenge, there were two sketches. I decided to make one of each.

#52
For the first one, I used CTMH Wings papers and the Rosy Regards and Wings stamp set. I love the base and shade stamps because you get the look of layering and texture just by stamping.



Here's the sketch:


For the second sketch, I used Wings papers again. I used the Juniper side instead of the Sweet Leaf side for a different look. The butterfly comes from January's Stamp of the Month. I have to say, this is my favorite Stamp of the Month we've EVER had. I can't wait to ink it up some more this week! The sentiment is from the TLC set.



Sketch #34:

Project Life--First Two Weeks

As I mentioned in my goals post, I bought a Project Life kit this year. I'm not necessarily trying to do a photo a day, but more of a weekly glimpse of our lives. I knew if I tried to do daily, I'd never keep up and quit. I do know that I can make time each week for the journaling and photos. I'm working on capturing the little day to day moments in our lives. Here's our first two weeks of January:

Week One

Week Two

And a close up shot.

A Layout From last Night's Crop

Last night I actually attended a scrapbook crop! Back in October at the school auction, I purchased a spot for my mom and I in a scrapbook crop at the local scrapbook store. We had a great time! It was fun to scrap with other teachers and parents. We decided to try and do it once a month. I didn't accomplish too much thanks to too much talking and shopping. I did manage to get one layout finished. It's from the Magnifique Workshop on the Go. I wasn't sure I'd like the peacock-themed papers when I ordered them, but in person, the colors are STUNNING! I used it for some pictures from our Seattle trip over the summer. We drove over to Tacoma and found this pier where Mike used to fish as a kid. Yes, I realize I spelled pier wrong on the layout. I got my stamps out of order. Not sure how I'm going to fix it yet. Probably a little layering.

Yesterday was a big day for Brendan. It was kindergarten's turn to lead the Friday school Mass. He had a big two paragraph reading. He did so great in front of the 350+ people there. He read so clearly and did everything he was supposed to do. All my 7th graders were saying what a great job "Mini Schuette" did. It was a proud mama moment for sure :)

Word for 2011--Gratitude

I know I'm a little late in posting this; I can't believe it's already January 22nd! I decided on my word way back in November. In November, I (and a whole lot of other people) posted a daily message of gratitude on Facebook. I loved the reflection it allowed and the positive feelings I had as I focused each day on the many blessings in my life. Too often, I tend to get fixated on the bad things that happen, and I found this simple exercise improved my outlook and attitude. I love the idea of spending a whole year focused on everything there is to be thankful for.

Some other goals for 2011:

Scrabooking part I. I'll start with the creative goals, since this is primarily a creative blog. I have had a hard time keeping up on scrapbooking lately. By the time I pull everything out, and figured out what I want to do, I'm too tired, or need to be moving on to something else. I've been able to make time for crafting in the form of cards (something I hope to continue this year), but not scrapping. Late last year, I came to see the value in digital scrapbooking through Close To My Heart's Studio J. I love how fast and easy it is, and how beautiful the layouts are. My goal is to do a big chunk of my scrapping this way. I'm not giving up paper scrapping (how could I?!), but my hope is that it will free up my time to take the time to scrap only those events I really want to and not feel like I'm 10 steps behind.

Scrapbooking part II--Project Life. I finally treated myself to a Project Life kit this year. I love the idea of scrapping the daily moments that make us who we are. I love the idea of daily journaling even more. Time moves so fast and I want to capture the every day before I forget what life was like with two young boys.

Scrapping part III. I'm trying to get my CTMH business going again with a monthly hostess club. This will help to make time for scrapping and stamping, and help pay for my supplies, so I don't have guilt over how much I spend :P

Giving back. I feel so blessed to have found Operation Write Home this year. I love that I can do something I love, making cards, and give back to our soldiers at the same time. With the 3 card parties we did this year, I made or donated supplies for over 400 cards! I'm hoping to continue to hold card parties and donate cards for this wonderful charity throughout the year!

This is a pic of the 250 from our last party before I shipped them out.

Regular posts on here. I did much better in 2010 with posting to my blog. I hope to get back up to 3-4 posts per week.

Be healthier. I want to continue to work on making our family as healthy as we can. Healthier meals, more exercise as a family, and we've been discussing having one "unplugged" day per week.

Be the best mom, wife, and teacher that I can be.

Be thankful for our blessings each and every day!

Scrapbook Club Now Forming--Preview Feb. Layouts

Is one of your goals this year to create more layouts? I have a scrapbook hostess club forming now. Each month you will create 3 two-page layouts, and get instructions for 10 cards every month! We will be using Close To My Heart's Workshop on the Go kits. The kit is $29.95 (plus tax and shipping), and comes with a 12x12 paper pack, stamp set, embellishments and instructions for one layout and 6 cards. At club each month, we will make two more layout and 4 more cards. Each month, one person in the group will earn the hostess rewards. Ladies that are far way can still join. Your club order will be shipped to you, and I'll email you the remaining instructions.

I am now taking orders for February's club meeting. You can try out the club in February with no commitment. We will be using the Wings kit. With January's special, if you order the workshop kit and 4 other items in the Inspirations mini-catalog, you get the stamp of the month FREE! Plus, you get instructions to make an adorable banner FREE! TO see the Inspirations catalog, click here.

For more information, or to join the hostess club email me here. Below are the club layouts and cards.

The next two layouts are missing their titles because I need to get the Bohemian Alphabet. I was going to just use a different one, but I am loving that alpha too much :) The title of this one will be "JOY".

This one looks really bare without it's title, so I only posted the double page photo. The title will be "Budding Photographers."

Cards--first 6 that come with kit. I will post the other four later in the week.

January Stamp of the Moth--LOVE this set!!

Close to my Heart Clearance Sale!

Make sure you stop by my website http://www.moments2treasure.myctmh.com/ to check out the fabulous products on sale for 20-83% off. Click on Online shopping, then discounted products. Papers, card kits, and more!

Free Stamps and OWH Valentines

Operation Write Home is offering a chance to win free stamps from Gina K. To find out more, click here. The stamps set they are giving away is fabulous! I think I might have to splurge on it if I'm not luck enough to win it.

To see gorgeous artwork with this set, you can visit designer Melanie Muenchinger's blog or Operation Write Home's blog.

I was sick last week, so I'm trying to play catch up at both school and home. Here are some of the Valentines that my card girls made at our OWH party. I don't have the names of the papers handy. They were some I picked up at Archivers. The cards were simple, but they turned out adorable. I think I might have to go back and get more of the papers to make Valentines for my students :)

2010 Year in Review

Today I was inspired by Sparkle's blog post about her 2010 (and not just because I was in it). I thought what a great idea to reflect on all that happened to us in 2010. Since I'm in bed nursing the worst cold (?) I've had in years, I figured I could use something uplifting to do, so here goes :)

I have no idea what happened in January in February, since I have very few pictures, and no blog posts...hmmm. Exactly why I'm participating in Project life this year. Anyway, I'll hit the highlights in no particular order:

We took several trips this year.

Over spring break, we went to California to visit family and go to Disneyland. We had earned tickets by participating in Give a Day, Get a Day. By making blankets for Project Linus, we were able to go to Disneyland.

Over the summer, we went back to California. This time we went to Legoland.

We visited with family

I don't know why my boys decided not to wear shirts.

We also spent time with good friends.

At the end of summer, we traveled with Mike to Seattle for work.

We rode the ferry, visited the Space Needle, the zoo and other fun areas.

I got to meet one of my stamping idols, Sparkle. I've been blogger friends with Sparkle for years, but this was the first time I got to meet her in person.

The boys loved the Science Center so much that we went twice. The second day they were dying to try the tightrope. A little hard for a mama to watch, but I loved that they had no fear!

Other summer fun:

We got Discovery Center passes and zoo passes.

I had a wonderful summer hanging out with the boys. One of the blessings about being a teacher--summers off!

I also had one of the worst moments of my life over the summer. My brother, Taylor, was in an accident. He was airlifted from McCall to Boise, and we weren't sure if he was going to survive. Luckily, he came through it fine. What was unbelievable to me was the outpouring of love and support. So many people came by the hospital (at one point more than 30 people were there), called, and prayed. It truly was a miracle.

This was taken just a few days after he was released from the hospital. He's the one on the right.

Sports moments;

Austin played baseball for the first time.

We went bowling a few times.

One of my favorite pictures!

We got up a 4:00 a.m. to attend ESPN's Game Day at Bronco Stadium.

Brendan started Kindergarten. This was a tough moment for me. I can't believe my BABY is in school. It's been so wonderful having both my boys at school with me!

Speaking of school, we took part in Rock Star Day to promote the school dinner auction.

I went to California to surprise my grandparents for their 60th anniversary party. It was wonderful to see anyone and celebrate this special milestone with them.

We went to visit Santa aboard the North Pole Express

Mike and I celebrated 12 years together with dinner at the Melting Pot and a night at the Anniversary Inn.

We spent Christmas with family and friends. My brother, Andy, couldn't make it, so "Flat Andy" spent Christmas with us. We had tons of fun posing with him. I'm currently working on a book about the adventures of Flat Andy.

Lots more happened, but I figured I've gone on long enough :) Here's to a wonderful 2011!