What a Perfect Day!

This is a 9x9 layout using on of my all time favorite Close to my Heart's Paper Pack Perfect Day. I used Perfect Day Level 2 Paper, Perfect Day Stickease, Clear Sparkles, and I went around the Layout with a black pen to give it a little more detail. I also used the edge distresser on the layout to give the layout a more distressed look. I used 3-D Foam on some of the stickease to give the layout a little dimension.

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Thinking of You

This is a very simple card to make. I used the Stamp set Aspiration. I stamped the branch with Chocolate Ink. I stamped the flowers with Petal Ink on a separate paper and then cut them out. I used White Bitty Brads in the center of the flowers. I sponged the edges of the flowers with chocolate ink. I used glue dots to hold the flowers in place. Thinking of You was stamped with Petal Ink and is from the set Say It In Style.

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Someone to hold...

The colors look a little light in this picture. I used Emporium Level 2 Paper Pack and the matching Emporium Stickease. The Level 2 Paper Packs come with 22 sheets of b&t paper and cardstock. The Stickease have two sheets in them that coordinate with the paper pack. I used my brayer with Sweet Leaf Ink to do the edges of the Colonial White cardstock. I really like this technique on my scrapbook layouts.

These pictures our of my husband and I getting our pictures taken for the Church Directory. I really liked how they turned out. The photographer that night was really good which is always nice. He told us some really corny jokes. I love pictures so I of course wanted them all. I really struggle with not buying every single pose.



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What is a Canon Rebel?

You buy the base and then you can buy additional lenses. When I bought my camera it came with a 18-55mm lens, which I think is pretty standard.

Infinite Possibilities. For stunning photography with point-and-shoot ease, look no further than Canon's EOS Rebel XSi. The EOS Rebel XSi brings staggering technological innovation to the masses. It features Canon's EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Live View Function, a powerful DIGIC III Image Processor, plus a new 12.2-megapixel CMOS Sensor and is available in a kit with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens with Optical Image Stabilizer. The EOS Rebel XSi's refined, ergonomic design includes a new 3.0-inch LCD monitor, compatibility with SD and SDHC Memory cards and new accessories that enhance every aspect of the photographic experience.

P.S. Once you get get this camera there are so many lenses and accessories that you will want/need. (trust me I have a wish list :))

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I love my Canon Rebel!

I really love my camera!! I was standing on our deck and zoomed in on this Cardinal that was was on a very high branch in our tree that is in the backyard. We have a good size backyard too. This tree is way in the back. It is so amazing being able to zoom in an see a Cardinal in so much detail. Did I mention that I love my camera?! Looking at God's creation makes you realize how special we are. The sky is so blue in the Summer time.

I looked up a little info about Cardinals, since I really don't know anything about them.

The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) or Redbird is a North American bird in the cardinal family. It is found from southern Canada through the eastern United States from Maine to Texas and south through Mexico to northern Guatemala and Belize. It is found in woodlands, gardens, shrublands, and swamps.
The Northern Cardinal is a mid-sized songbird with a body length of 21–23 centimeters (8.3–9 in). It has a distinctive crest on the head and a mask on the face which is black in the male and gray in the female. It displays sexual dimorphism in its coloration; the male is a vibrant red, while the female is a dull red-brown shade. The Northern Cardinal is mainly granivorous, but also feeds on insects and fruit. The male behaves territorially, marking out his territory with song. During courtship, the male feeds seed to the female beak-to-beak. A clutch of three to four eggs is laid, and two to four clutches are produced each year. It was once prized as a pet, but its sale as cage birds is now banned in the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.



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Our 3 little guests!

We have some special guest staying on our light by our garage. It is so amazing to look at a bird's nest. Bird's are very creative in what they use to make a nest they find all kinds of branches, straw, trash or anything else they can find. We had a few eggs fall unto the concrete but these three little birds made it. They look so serious and stern in this picture. They are probably wondering where breakfast is. :)

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Oh, so happy!

Who wouldn't be happy on a fabulous European Cruise that was earned doing something you love. Close to my Heart offered Consultants the opportunity to earn a fabulous 8 day Medittereanen Cruise aboard the Norwegian Gem. After our big group photo my second upline Karen wanted a photo with her team. I am in the back row and the third one with the dark hair. My upline is sitting next to me and Karen is in the middle on the front row. Pam and Karen are two of the best uplines ever.

This trip was the first one I earned with Close to my Heart but not my last. It was fun to meet all my fellow Consultants from all over the United States and Canada.

Would you like to be part of something wonderful if so you can click here to learn more about doing the best job in the world.

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Fly Away!!

This cute little card was inspired by Close to my Heart's new Card Idea Book Wishes. There are some great ideas in the book. I used the Emporium Level 2 paper, Heavenly Blue Ribbon, Dimensional Elements Fresh Shapes, White Daisy Variety Pack paper flowers, Clear Sparkles, and Foundry Bookplates. The sentiment Congratulations is from the June Stamp of the Month that will be available to order beginning June 1st.

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Come Out and Play!

This is a 5x7 card. I used the Game On Level 2 paper pack. I used stamp sets All Star, Flyin' High, and Best Shot. First I stamped the images in Black Ink and then stamped the images with a Versamark pad. The versamark ink is what allows the embossing powder to stick to the images. I heat embossed the images on the card with clear detail embossing powder using a craft heater. Embossing is super easy to do and really adds a little something to a card.


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Paradise is where I want to be!!

The Memory Keeper Box was shown to us at Close to my Heart's Convention last August in Orlando. Let me just say I fell in love with the box. There is just so many things that I like to save that will not fit into my scrapbooks. I have made boxes to store my Christmas cards. Well, in the new Summer Idea Book there is this new paper called Moon Doggie that just screams Vacation to me. The stamp set I used is Extreme Happiness. I used Holiday buttons for the corners with Bamboo waxy flax tied through the buttons. I don't know if you have ever used waxy flax before but it is so easy to work with. It cuts easy, bends easy, ties easy, threads easy and more. Oh, and it lasts a long time. Close to my Heart has 9 different colors to choose from.

I also covered the inside of the box to give it a more finished look. The box is white so it looks nice inside even if you do not cover it.

I thought this box would be great to store postcards and other little souvenirs that you want to keep but will not fit in your scrapbook album.

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Win a Tickled Pink Kit!!

Jeanette Lynton, Founder of Close to my Heart is giving away a Tickled Pink kit every day this month. Yes, every day. All you have to do to be entered into this giveaway is visit the Scrapbook and Share blog (click on the picture above), post a comment on at least one of the posted layouts. Once you see all the beautiful layouts you will want to leave a comment for more then one layout.

My friend Toni M. has posted a few layouts so be sure to look for her name when posting. She is a new Close to my Heart Consultant so check out her blog too. Each day, everyone who has posted a comment that day will be entered into a drawing. To see if you've won, visit Jeanette's Blog every day in May where she is posting the winners! Click here to see all the details of winning a Tickled Pink Kit, which has a value of $34.95. May 1st post is the one with all the info.

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Moon Doggie Cards from Wishes!!

What an exciting day it was for me I received the new Wishes book from Close to my Heart. I always enjoy seeing the Man in Brown show up in my driveway. I have the best UPS guy ever. The two cards below are from the Wishes book. I used the new Moon Doggie Paper that is in the new Summer Idea Book. I also used the February Word Puzzle stamp set. All items can be found and purchased on my website.

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Would you like to do something you LOVE?!

The New Consultant Kit has everything you need to start your business right, including forms, manuals, and a huge supply of Close To My Heart products, all for only $99. You may add one or both bonus packs, with a scrapbooking or cardmaking emphasis, at a great price to complement your kit. Make your world a better place by touching hearts and changing lives as you share the joys of scrapbooking and stamping with Close To My Heart!


Consultant Kit Contents

Business Training and Marketing Supplies:
· Open Me First Brochure
· Summer 2009 Idea Books (10)
· KeyNotes®
· 2009 Product Review
· My Acrylix® Little Thoughts Booking Incentive Stamp Set
· My Acrylix® Dream Big Incentive Stamp Set
· Summer 2009 B&T Duos™ Sampler
· Connections Club™ Reward: Rhinestone Frames
· Connections Club™ Cards (25)
· Color Wheel

Hostess Supplies:
· Hostess Packets (5) which include:
· Home Gathering Postcard Invitations (25)
· Customer Register Envelope (5)
· Hostess Rewards Form
· Customer Order Forms (5)

Products:
· My Reflections® Back Country Level 1 Kit
· My Reflections® Back Country Level 2 Paper Packet
· My Reflections® Back Country Level 2
My Stickease® Assortment
· 12" × 12" White Daisy Cardstock (24 pack)
· My Acrylix® Backwoods Stamp Set
· My Acrylix® Campin’ Fever Stamp Set
· My Acrylix® Field Trip Alphabet Stamp Set
· My Acrylix® You’re a Hoot Stamp Set
· My Acrylix® 2½" × 2½" Block
· My Acrylix® 2" × 6½" Block
· Barn Red Exclusive Inks™ Pad
· Cocoa Exclusive Inks™ Pad
· Olive Exclusive Inks™ Pad
· Outdoor Denim Exclusive Inks™ Pad
· Black Exclusive Inks™ Marker
· New England Ivy Exclusive Inks™ Marker
· Double Scrubber
· My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner
· Bonding Memories® Glue (25g.)
· Sponge


W552 $99.00*
Retail value approx. $300 US

Items shown represent contents of New Consultant Kits
ordered between April 1, 2009 and July 31, 2009. Contents
are subject to change without notice, and change regularly
based on product and collateral availability.

*Plus shipping and handling and applicable taxes.



Helping you preserve your memories,

Happy Mother's Day!!

May everyone have a great day with their families.

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Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring May's SOTM, which is Be Yourself, a set of 14 stamps. If you have come here from Terrie's Blog, you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to go back to Jena's Blog and start from the beginning!

***
This month we have 19 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

I really have been having fun with this stamp of the month Be Yourself. This card was made as a birthday card for one of my friends. I used Close to my Heart's paper Unforgettable, Sorbet Ribbon, Desert Sand Ink, and Foundry Frames. All items can be purchased on my website.

Now "Hop" on over to Annie's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the May SOTM is only available until May 31st!

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You Did It!!

School is almost over which means graduations, which means cards. A true paper genius (like myself :)) does not buy graduations cards, definitely not, especially not a Close to my Heart Consultant so I am working on making my 10 cards that I need.

I am doing the same pattern for all of them. The design comes from the Originals book.

I used the Rough 'n Tumble Level 2 Paper Pack. I used Cranberry Ribbon, Summer Buttons, and the Stamp set You Did It! The inside of the card says You Did It!

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Looking Good!

This month's stamp of the month is so much fun to play with. I embossed on each of the cards with clear detail embossing powder using my embossing pen which allows you to emboss small areas. Don't these women look like they are having fun?

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No, you can't eat it!

Doesn't that frosting look good enough to eat? It really makes me want a real cupcake with the sugar frosting. Yummy! I used Liquid Applique mixed with Blush Reinker to make the frosting. I spread the frosting around until I got the desired thickness wanted. I then sprinkled Prisma glitter on top of the frosting. I took my heat gun and dried the frosting. Depending on how thick you make your frosting is how long you need to dry it. The Liquid Applique is so much fun to play with. Close to my Heart has 60 colors so you can make a lot of different cupcakes. The stamp set I used was Cupcake Sprinkles.

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A Couple of Cards

I used the Stardust paper on the first card and on the second card I used That's Amore paper. These were quick little cards to make. I got the patterns from the Originals card book.

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Mother's Day Cards

I got all my Mother's Day cards finished on Saturday. Wahoo!! I am done a week early that sure feels good. :)

Card Recipe

1245 Olive Cardstock

x5642 Cocoa Cardstock

1388 Colonial Cardstock

D1261 Simple Beauty Stamp Set

z821 Clear Detail Embossing Powder

z891 VersaMark Ink Pad

z2114 Cocoa Ink Pad

z2118 Desert Sand Ink Pad
z2137 Olive Ink Pad

Helping you preserve your memories,

Lucia