A few thank you cards...

I wanted to send a few thank you cards for those who were so good to us while we were in California.  This is only a start, but I thought I'd post what I have so far.   I won't say who they're for that way there is still some surprise involved :)  

The first one uses Sparkle Creations Stamps (Swimming Lucy) and Echo Park Summer Days Collection.  I love the bright colors in these papers.  All the cards today I colored with my Copics.  I also used various thank you sets from CTMH.

This next card also uses the Echo Park papers.  The hedgehog is a former Stamp of the Month from CTMH.  This is one of my all time favorite stamp sets, and I keep hoping it will come back in a future idea book!

For the third card I used Sparkle Creations' Cafe Lucy.  I also used   papers and cut the flower with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.   

The last card uses Sparkle Creations' Ukulele Josh. The papers are CTMH Moon Doggie.  I had a hard time finding papers to match the bright green and red I'd already colored the image.   I bought this stamp because it reminds me of my Uncle Chuck, who plays the ukulele, as well as a host of other instruments.  This one is actually going to him and my Aunt Lisa for having us over for a wonderful BBQ.  

This week I'm very busy trying to find a balance between enjoying the last few days of summer break, getting everything done I need to around here (like thank you cards), and getting things prepped for school.         I can't believe I go back to work Friday and school starts next Wednesday!  Where did summer go?

Pair-a-Phrase Artwork and National Stamping Month Special

There has never been a better time to place a CTMH order.  We are offering so many specials, it's unbelievable!  Starting today, when you order $75, you earn the Pair-a-Phrase DOUBLE stamp set for FREE!  This stamp set has so many adorable images and sentiments.  I want to share a couple of my favorites today.  First up, is the adorable owl.  I used Lucky papers and Twill ribbon for this guy.

This card used the same image and sentiments, but I used the new Mischief papers and several elements front he Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  I cut the fun border and sentiment frame with the cartridge.

The last card for today uses the snowman image.  I kept this one really simple, just using Twilight cardstock and my Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder.

Here's the full view of the images and sentiments in the Pair-a-Phrase set.  You can click to make it larger.

Now I said lots of great deals, Pair-a-Phrase is the first.

Your $75 purchase also qualifies you for the Stamp of the Month Special.  For $5, you can get the August SOTM, Wicked.  Plus this month only, when you order the Stamp of the Month, you get a FREE alphabet set.  

If you've been thinking of ordering the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, this would be the time to do it.  For $99, you get the cartridge, three coordinating stamp sets, and coordinating chipboard pieces.  Ordering this, plus the additional $5 for the SOTM, would give you and additional four stamp sets.  What a deal!



Not sure you want to spend $99 for the Cricut bundle?  Host a party with $250 in orders, and you can get the Art Philosophy bundle for 50% off!  Contact me for more information!

Sharing From the Heart Blog Hop

Welcome to my spot on today's blog hop!  If you came here from Patti's site, you're in the right spot.  I have a few cards to share using goodies from the new Fall/Winter Idea Book.  

The first card uses Mischief papers and the August Stamp of the Month, Wicked.  Remember, with the new SOTM plan, when you spend $50, you get this set for $5, plus the Typeset Alphabet set FREE.  Starting August 15th, it's an even better deal.  If you spend $75, you get the above deal plus the Pair-a-Phrase DOUBLE stamp set for free!  Come back tomorrow for artwork featuring these fun stamps :)  

This card also uses CTMH's fabulous new Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  I made the 3-D flower and the title box using the cartridge.  So fun!

The next two cards use the new Typeset papers.  Workshop on the Go stamp set, Blue Ribbon stamps, and Vintage Type sets.  I love the colors and patterns of this pack!  I created two layouts, one for each of my kids, for back to school.  I won't be able to finish them until after the first day on the 24th.

 Note--the last card I also used the Art Philosophy cartridge to cut the stars.  I love that the cartridge has shapes that match our new stamp sets perfectly.  Now my Cricut that has been gathering dust may never be put away again!  I can also see an upgrade to an Expression machine in my near future :)

For more new artwork from the Mischief WOTG, you can also visit Wednesday's post.

The next blog on the hop is Michelle's.  Be sure to continue on to see all the fabulous artwork in this hop!

My fur babies

Forgive me, I must share more pictures of my puppies today.  I went outside today to snap a couple pics of the new baby.  He's growing so fast.  Susie wanted in on the action, too.  It's funny, when we first got her, she wouldn't let me anywhere near her with the camera, and she would never look at me when I tried to take her photo.   Amazing what a little jealousy will do--she was right in there ready for her close up!

So smitten with this boy!

Pretty girl!

Extreme close up

Wicked and Mischief

I got my CTMH order filled with all the new goodies, and I've been having loads of fun playing!  One of the Workshop on the Go kits I bought was Mischief.  I love that these papers can be used for Halloween, fall, or masculine cards.


The bonus project in the kit was a Halloween banner.  I used the basic layers, but changed up the embellishments, and added images from the Stamp of the Month.  I also used the new Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge for the letters.  I guess it looks pretty darn good because when Mike got home, he looked at it funny and wondered why I was already out buying Halloween decorations.  He was relieved when I said I made it :)

 A few close up shots.

This is the first layout in the workshop.  The only unscrapped Halloween photos I have are red and blue and didn't look right, so I'll save it for this year's Halloween pics.  I didn't finish the other layout yet.

A card I made with the new August Stamp of the Month.  I am loving the new SOTM program.  Now when you spend $50, you get the stamp for $5.  As an added bonus this month, you also get the Typeset Alphabet set FREE!  I love the witch in this set.  I can see her with sparkly red shoes or purple and green tights.  Too fun!  I also love that you can use the sayings for multiple types of cards--"hats off to you and  put your best foot forward."  

Animal Tales--Our new baby, a scary moment, and a new friend

It's been a crazy weekend/week so far.  Saturday, we made the mistake of stopping at Cabela's.  Someone was selling a whole litter of labs, and I fell in love.  We ended up bringing home Phineas.  How could you resist that adorable face?  I am remembering how much work puppies are, and thank goodness for our little green machine!  Last night he FINALLY slept through the night without crying and barking.  

 Someone is getting really attached already (besides me that is--he had me at first snuggle).

 Amazing that he thinks this is a comfortable way to sleep.

 Took this today.  I swear he's bigger already!  Look at those paws--he's going to grow up to be a BIG guy!

The main reason we got a puppy was for our other dog Susie.  She has not adjusted well to being an only dog ever since we lost Dexter in May.  While we were on vacation, she kept jumping the fence into the neighbors' yard to play with their dogs.  Plus, she was chewing up the garage pretty bad while Mike was at work.  We figured she was lonely.

Yesterday, we almost lost Susie.  She pushed past Brendan and escaped through the front door.  Usually, when she gets out, she runs around the cul-de-sac and into the wetland area (aka the swamp) a few houses down.  This time, she ran out onto the busy street.  I got over there just in time to see her run across, through traffic. She made it across.  I planned to go get the car to get her because I didn't want her to run back across.  Unfortunately, she had other plans.  She dashed across, right in front of a line of cars.  The speed limit is 45, so even though the front car slammed on her brakes, she hit Susie.  The lady got out upset and in tears, but Susie rolled out from under the car and ran toward home.  I was so upset that I immediately took her to the vet.  Miraculously, she is fine.  Pretty bruised up, but no broken bones or internal bleeding.  They sent her back home last night with pain meds.  I still can't get that image out of my head, but am so thankful she's ok, especially because Brendan was so upset he let her out.  I don't think he'd ever have been the same if she'd been badly hurt.  She is one tough, lucky girl!

Susie today, sore but thankfully ok.

 Lastly, I kept hearing this loud screeching this morning, so Austin and I went out to investigate.  This big guy (or girl?) was sitting on our roof.  The boys were fascinated.  He stayed there for more than an hour.  We still keep hearing him but haven't been able to find him again.  I don't know what he is.   Hawk? Falcon?  I'm sure Mike will know.

Event Calendar

My scrapbook club wanted to make Event Calendars instead this month, so this is the project we will be making tonight.  I used scraps from lots of paper packs, June's Stamp of the Month, our month stamps from a few years ago, and Embrace Life (bicycle).  I don't think I've ever done another project that made such a huge mess out of my scrap room :)  

I still haven't decided how I want to finish out the cover.  It's tough because it can't be too bulky or it won't hang right on the wall.   I sure wish my new Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge was here already!

Framed Legacy--My Dad and Uncle

I wanted to have a Framed Legacy piece made for my grandparents.  They chose pictures of my dad (on the left) and uncle when they were kids.  I love the way it turned out.  They did, too.  My grandma cried when she opened it.  That's what I love about Framed Legacy.  When people get their piece, the emotions are so high.  While I was in California, I scanned a bunch of old photos to scrapbook.  I'd like to have several of them made into Framed Legacy pieces for a family wall.

For more information about Framed Legacy, or to book a party and earn your own piece for half off, contact me or visit www.framedlegacyparties.com.

New Fall/Winter Idea Book!!

The new Idea Book is live and you can order now :)  I am so in love with this book!  They have enlarged stamp images to full size and included oodles of artwork!  Plus there is the new Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge that comes with THREE coordinating stamp sets.  There are over 700 images on this cartridge, including 3-d flowers.  I can't wait to get mine!  The best news of all in this catalog?  Stamp prices went DOWN.  That's right, same great quality, new lower prices :)  

 You can see the new book online here or contact me to get a hard copy.  

I am also loving the August Stamp of the Month, Wicked.  CTMH has changed the Stamp of the Month program, and now it's an even better deal!  As an added bonus, when you spend $50 and order the Stamp of the Month, you get the Typeset Alphabet stamp set FREE.  

Available August 1–31, 2011 only.

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your D-size Stamp of the Month set for just $5.00 US / $5.50 CAN! Add the stamp set to your cart on this page at full retail price or, with your qualifying order, add it at checkout for the promotional price.

Spend:	$50.00 US / $55.00 CAN	No purchase req.
You pay only:	$5.00 US / $5.50 CAN (72% Off!)	$17.95 US / $19.95 CAN (full retail)

Set of 9
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