A Ninja and Chinese

As we were all waking up on a lazy Saturday morning, I got out the video camera to get some footage of our 4 month old. We were talking to the other kids about what they would like to be when they grow up. My oldest said there was too many things she wanted to do. But being an artist was one of them. Normal 9 year old thinking. And she is a pretty great painter at her age.

My 5 (and a half now) year old said he wanted to be a Ninja. Pretty typical for a 5 year old I suppose. Except what he said next. "And Chinese." He wants to be Chinese also when he grows up? I explained that he's Caucasion and he can't be Chinese. He insisted that he could be when he grows up. All it takes is to "watch the movie and then I'm Chinese." The movie in question I believe is "Kung Fu Panda."

There's only a few more days left for 2 of Close To My Heart's Promotions!

One is the Stamp of the Month, Piece of Cake, pictured on the two cards here. It is really so cute! Click here to learn how you can get this stamp set on sale!

Another Promotion is the Hearts for Haiti campaign. It's a BOGO offer-- Buy one, get one FREE! Half of my customers who ordered this month, ordered this special. They recognize a good deal when they see one! Textured cardstock is great to use for all sorts of projects-- especially when you're creating boxes or baskets or treat holders.

Order these specials on my website before it's too late!

Scary Thing

My daughter stayed the weekend at my niece's apartment. On Sunday morning, my niece told me that she though my daughter had a seizure. Addie's never had a seizure, so I wasn't so sure until my niece started to explain what occured.

I got her in to the doctor the next day and thankfully, after much prayer from many people, we learned that it was nothing. It has something to do with Vagas nerve in her neck. When this nerve is active, it results in low blood pressure and low heart rate, which could have caused her spell. It's not likely to happen again and if it does, she'll need an EKG.

Anyway, first of all, I thank the Lord for loving us so much that he grants us mercy in situations like this. I would also like to thank those who were faithful to pray for Addison. Without this prayer, we don't know what kind of news we would have received yesterday from the doctor.

And everyday I think to myself how blessed I am to have such a beautiful, talented, smart 9 year old. How much He must love me to bless me with this girl!!! Thank you, Lord!

Regulars

I just have to say that I ADORE my regular customers-- you know who you are. I just enjoy spending time with you all and it shows that you too enjoy each other's company. When I became a consultant, I heard others say, "Oh, and you'll make so many friends with other women." Well, that was never a priority for me-- never a selling point, if you will. I wanted to get the BEST scrapbooking and stamping supplies at a discount, teach others how to paper craft, and make a little spending money on the side.

I have 4 groups who meet each month and I have to say that there has never been one time that I dreaded going. These 4 groups of women are awesome and I ALWAYS have a good time with them. If it weren't for CTMH, I would not be friends with most of them. I just wouldn't have come into contact with them if I hadn't become a consultant.

So, here's a card I made with you all in mind. The sketch and idea came from colourQ's challenge on their blog. I borrowed the button flower idea from there. Aren't these adorable? And why didn't I think to do this with buttons before?

CTMH supplies used: Hollyhock buttons, Bamboo buttons, Crystal Blue brads, Heavenly Blue ribbon, Cardstock in: Hollyhock, Garden Green, Buttercup.

Don't forget about Hearts for Haiti: Buy one Textured Cardstock Combo pack, get one FREE!

Frazzled

I am feeling pretty frazzled already this week. Paper I need for a workshop isn't coming until the day of the workshop. I also have parent-teacher conferences that afternoon before leaving for the workshop. That means I'll be rushing around to get the paper cut, deliver our church's soup meal to the teachers, make my P/T conferences, plus leave on time for the workshop!

I also have to make valentines for my kids, my husband, all 3 of my kids' classes. Oh, and don't forget the treats I'm supposed to make for Joel's class. He wanted cinnamon rolls, but I had to nix that idea for lack of time.

Friday we're having friends over for games and snacks. I was thinking my new kitchen would be installed, but my brother isn't done with the countertops. Can't really have a kitchen without those!

I work pretty well under pressure, so I'll be fine. Just can't wait til the week is over though.

I made this card last week. Basically, all I used was white cardstock and 5 colored brads. Fairly simple and kind of cute I thought.

Card Gift Set

I made this set of cards using last fall's National Stamping Month paper kit. I had a few leftovers and saw a similar card set on Vicki Wizniuk's blog.

This will be a giveaway at my card workshop this month. The stamped sentiments are from March's Stamp of the Month. A must-have for all card-makers! But it won't be out until next month, so stay tuned to see all those images.

For Cristy

I have a team of 15 now and I am having hard time keeping up with them, so I am choosing to send Birthday cards to each one of them this year. It's kind of a challenge I've issued for myself. I made this card using a color combination featured in the current Idea Book, page 49.

Products used: Boom Di Ada paper, Bella paper, Sorbet cardstock, Colonial white cardstock, Creme Brulee Ribbon, Dainty Thoughts, Priceless Love, With Love, Key to My Heart stamp set (no longer available). All these products can be ordered on my website.

I made this card yesterday using Jeanette Lynton's Color Me Monday and the Mojo Monday sketch. I have wanted this stamp set since I saw it in the Idea Book, but didn't know that I would use it much. Now that it's in my hot little hands, I love it and can't wait to use it more! It's called Love Birds-- click here to see the images up close!

I can't decide if it's too girly to give my husband for Valentine's Day or not. Probably. Not that he even wants a card....

If you haven't tried the Mojo Monday sketches, you should try it. I love the fresh sketches and also the ideas from others who have posted is great.

Products used: Love Birds, Bella Paper, Baby Pink Cardstock, Sweet Leaf Cardstock, Sweet Leaf Ribbon, Blush Brads, Blush Ribbon, Dimensional Elements Hearts. You can order all the products shown on my website.

So Proud of CTMH!

CTMH has joined the efforts in Haiti with their new Hearts For Haiti Campaign!

Throughout February, purchase a 12" x 12" textured cardstock combo pack and you’ll get one FREE— and with every offer purchased, Close To My Heart will donate $2 US to Operation Smile’s Haiti relief efforts. That means for only $14.95, you get 48 sheets of our high-quality textured cardstock and you help this urgent, important cause. That’s only $0.31 per sheet!

Two dollars may not seem like much, but most families in Haiti live off LESS THAN $2 per day. $2 can buy the following:

» Collapsible water containers ($2 per container): Each container holds 10 liters amount of water and is especially useful for kids carrying water for long distances to ensure that all their water doesn't spill en route from their water supply. It is also very useful for storing clean, safe water for everyday use.

» Water purification tablets (60 cents for 50 tablets): Each tablet is able to turn 4-5 liters of dirty water into water suitable for drinking. Every day, 4,000 children worldwide die because they do not have access to clean water, according to UNICEF.

» High energy/protein biscuits ($1 per pack): These contain minerals and vitamins and have been developed for malnourished children during emergencies.

» Oral rehydration salts (7 cents for one package): This solution, containing sugar and salt, treats children suffering from dehydration caused by diarrhea. Approximately 3,500 children die each day from dehydration caused by acute diarrhea, according to UNICE

From this source.

Donations to Haiti will be made by Close To My Heart on your behalf to Operation Smile’s relief efforts. To learn more about their efforts visit Operation Smile.

I would love a Piece of Cake!

This SOTM is a must-have! I wasn't sure if I'd like it, but once I tried using it, I fell in love. This creation is from my daughter's 1st birthday. I stamped the images in Staz-on's brown ink and then used my markers to color the images in. I also paper pieced one layer of the cakes and added sparkles to it.

My sister-in-law just had a birthday and had a cake that reminds me so much of this stamp set. I can't wait to scrap those photos with this stamp set.

Supplies used: Unforgettable Level 2 paper pack, Piece of Cake SOTM, Solo L, Hodge Podge Alphabet, Blush Ribbon Round, Bitty Sparkles. You can order any of these supplies on my website.