How do You Define Integrity?

You know, there is so much that goes on in our world. Political views, religious views, and social views sure do vary from person to person. Even within the same family! I was curious about this word "integrity," so I look it up in Webster's Dictionary - "uprightness of character; honesty." So basically, if we hold on to our morals and values - no matter the cost - I believe we have integrity.

Integrity seems to be something very rare in today's society, and I think it's because integrity is not too popular. If there is a child/person being bullied (especially by a popular kid), it is easier to stand on the side of the bully. There are more people over there, and it seems like a much stronger fighting ring!!

But let me tell you about some people that I think have integrity:

• People who are not afraid to tell the truth - even when it's scary.
• People who are not afraid to be judged by their values even when they are being judged for having those values.
• People who are not afraid to really live who they are.
• People who are not afraid to separate themselves from the negative in life knowing that there is so much positive!!

Truth be told, I think that so many people are on their guard, they wouldn't even recognize that person with integrity in their life. And what's more, they could never believe that person is the one being true. Isn't that sad? We need to trust more, talk about people much less, and care for each more. This is a big world with loads of good. I'll close with a poem by Edgar Guest:

I have to live with myself, and so

I want to be fit for myself to know,

I want to be able, as days go by,

Always to look myself straight in the eye;

I don't want to stand, with the setting sun,

And hate myself for the things I have done.

I don't want to keep on a closet shelf

A lot of secrets about myself,

And fool myself, as I come and go,

Into thinking that nobody else will know

The kind of man I really am;

I don't want to dress up myself in a sham.

I wnat to go out with head erect,

I want to deserve all men's respect;

But here in the struggle for fame and pelf

I want to be alble to look at myself.

I dont' want to loo at myself and know

That I'm bluster and bluff and empty show.

I can never hide myself from me;

I see what others may never see;

I know what others may never know,

I never can fool myself myself, and so,

Whatever happens, I want to be

Self-respecting and conscience-free.

What a Wonderful Weekend!

I was really bummed out when this weekend started. Two of my sisters and two of my nieces were scrapping away this weekend, and I wasn't able to join them. I LOVE scrapping with my family. We have so much fun and laugh so much. In the end, it's not just about the scrapbooking - and that's why it's such a special time!

After I cleaned up my house on Saturday, Jerry took me over to Beef O'Brady's for lunch and then out for a little meandering. It was nice just to walk and talk without thinking about the mess in my office (or the fact that I still have to finish taxes!).

Today, I grabbed Shane for a bit and took him out. I had seen a purple button-down shirt (his favorite color), and I knew he'd probably love it. Sure enough when I took him back today, we got him the purple (well, Petal in CTMH colors!) shirt and a Buttercup t-shirt. He looks great! Then we had a leisurely lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings. It was very nice catch-up time for Mom and her almost 20-year old.

So even though I missed scrapbooking, boy was I blessed! I had separate time with my two best men. What more could a wife and mom ask for?

You're a Star

Stardust paper is just plain fun to use! Who doesn't like to create a card full of stars? I started with Topiary textured cardstock as a base. I scored it every 1/2" and then sanded it. I picked three different papers from Stardust to layer in this 5 x 7 "Three's a Charm" pattern from Originals. For stamp sets, I combined the small stars of Wishing Star and that great big star from Shining Star. Don't you love that one? For embellishments, you'll see White RicRac, Sparkles, a Topiary pin, some assorted craft buttons, and a White Daisy Swirl Clip. FUN, fun, FUN! I like this card!

Creating out of the Comfort Zone

You know, this is just not my favorite paper packet. The colors within it are gorgeous - beautiful Creme Brulee, Sweet Leaf, and Blush. But every time I pull out these papers, I am stumped for a couple hours. I am grateful for that, though, because it makes me stretch my creativity. This particular paper packet makes me go beyond my comfort zone of creating and delve into areas that may not sit right with me. Ah, that is why I chose the stamp from Life's Creation "Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself." All materials used for this card are CTMH:

• Daydream Level 2
• Blush Embellishments from the Winter Cozy Mini Medley collection (look at how I hung the ribbon slide)
• Dimensional Element Flower
• Hollyhock Ric Rac
• White Daisy Organdy
• Blush Waxy Flax
• Creme Brulee Ink
• Hollyhock Ink
  

Butterfly Wings...Doesn't it Make You Wish For Summer?

Look at the butterfly right to lift right off the card! I LOVE this stamp set. It's the March Stamp of the Month - Butterfly Wings. There are so many butterflies on it, and this one is the biggest. With this particular one, I have stamped the image in Creme Brulee ink. Then I took a tissue and dabbed it in Twilight ink and dabbed it all over the butterfly stamp. Then I stamped it on the paper. This is my favorite way to do butterflies!
For this card I've also used Petal textured cardstock, Emporium paper, Colonial White Grosgrain, and a Twilight Ribbon Slide from the Mini Medley collection. The little blue jewels were in my stash.
When the sky is grey and you need some springtime, come back to this card! That butterfly will surely lift your spirits!

You Color My World

I don't think I'll ever tire of that stamp! Isn't it just a wonderful thing to say to someone - and the font is one to be treasured. That saying is from the Priceless Love Word Puzzle stamp set - which I use over and over (it is going to be well-loved!). I combined it with Emporium paper, Colonial White Designer Ribbon, Sweet Leaf textured paper, and some Heavenly Blue My Accents. You can still find tall towers of My Accents on my website http://www.brendastamps.myctmh.com under Discounted Products. I think right now all that is left is Heavenly Blue, Buttercup, and Pewter. At the discounted price, they come to 6 cents per embellishment, so it is a GREAT deal for you to add to your pages. Just click the "Shop Online" tab!
I also did some edge distressing and sponged the edges in cocoa ink for a worn look. That Edge Distresser ($2.50) can be your best friend when making cards - such a great tool! I know that ink ditressing is huge right now, but I always think that less is more. Just a little on the edges does the trick.
Let me know if you have any questions!

I Believe...

This is from a poster at Jimmy John's, and I just couldn't help but share it...

I Believe... courtesy of a Jimmy John's poster

I Believe-that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I Believe-that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe-that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by other. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe-that no matter how bad your heart is broken that the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe-that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe-that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other.And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I Believe-that you shouldn't be eager to find out a secret.It could change your life forever.
I Believe-that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe-that you should always leave loved ones with loving well wishes. It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe-that you can keep going long after you can't.
I Believe-that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe-that we don't have to change friends, if we understand that friends change.
I Believe-that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I Believe-that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I Believe-that you either control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe-that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, that passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I Believe-that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe-that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I Believe-that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I Believe-that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones who help you get back up.
I Believe-that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I Believe-that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I Believe-that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I Believe-that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I Believe-that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

Birthday Card

This is one of the cards for my Originals class on Saturday. It is a 5 x 7 card made with the Steal the Show Template from Originals. One of my favorite templates, and it worked perfectly with the double stamped flower! All product used is CTMH:

• Colonial White Cardstock
• Juniper Cardstock
• Unforgettable B & T
• Gracious Greeting Stamp Set
• Aspiration Stamp Set
• Intrinsic Backgrounds Stamp Set
• Sorbet Ink
• Cocoa Ink
• Juniper Brads
• Juniper Corner Accent (from Mini Medleys)
• Antiqued Copper Bigger Brad
• Colonial White Grosgrain
• Sorbet Designer Ribbon
  

Altered Clipboard

My mother-in-law had surgery this week, and it will be a couple of months until she is up and around again. She is a quilter, crochet, knits, sews, and dabbles in scrapbooking and card-making. So I thought I would make her something pretty to look at while she is recovering and doing her handwork.
This is a simple 6 x8 clipboard that I covered with CTMH Notebook paper and some of the Stickease. I covered the back as well. (Just a little tidbit for those of you that alter, I have found that I really like Martha Stewart's decoupage glue & sealer. It has a brush in the cap, so there is virtually no mess!)
Some other things I used were Amy Butler 3-D glitter flowers, a large Gerbera daisy from the floral department at Michael's, and some random ribbon.
If you've never altered anything, give it a whirl! it's so much fun to play this way!!

My Newest Cuttlebug Folder

I love my Cuttlebug. It's so much fun to put some paper between a folder and have something dry embossed in a matter of seconds with the turn of a crank. Many of the folders make beautiful backgrounds and designs for cards, gifts, or layouts. When I was at JoAnn's the other day, I ran into this new one. Birds are so popular now, so this little bird swaying on the tall grass is just gorgeous. I knew I had to have this folder.
**Oh, I have to tell you another reason I love the Cuttlebug! What perfect tool to go with our solid white core paper!! If you had color all the way through, you just couldn't get this beautiful look!**
For the first of many cards I made with this folder, I used all CTMH supplies:
Colonial White Textured Cardstock, Twilight Textured Cardstock, Natural Twill Ribbon, Love Story Colonial White Rub-On, Twilight Ribbon Slide from Winter Cozy Mini Medley Collection

I LOVE Receiving Swaps!

And these cards are from some of my Rose Blossom girls! I LOVE sharing artwork with my team members. It is so much fun for me to how everyone designs and what they do with different papers.

This sweet leaf card with the gorgeous blush blossoms was made by Renee. Look at the way she made our stamps into diecuts and folded the Boom Di-Ada paper to made the petals look real. This is a beautiful card.

















I love Michelle H's 6x6 card made with Emporium. First of all, it is masculine. and it's just not easy to come up with a masculine or teenage boy design. So kudos to you, Michelle! Here to, Michelle, has used the Start Struck stamp set and made a die cut. And then she grabbed it in the center and made some folds to give it a pop. LOVE that.
I wish you could feel Michelle F's rocket ship. (Here's another diecut, by the way!!) She added Liquid glass to the hood to make it like clear glass! So smart! And for tail wind, she used Liquid applique and a speck of glitter. VERY ingenious. Michelle should market this card as a boy's birthday invitation. It would fly off the shelves!!
Khrystyne has given you a lot of technique in this card. She scored some tulip cardstock and then sanded the reverse side for a worn look. Look closely and you'll see little flowers random stamped on the juniper. Our bunny is stamped, colored, and cut out before he's mounted on the card. And because of the way he's mounted, he looks he is ready to hop on the card to give you your Easter treat! This is really CUTE!
I saw this Creative Basics paper pack in the Idea Book, and I wondered how it could be used. Karen made a believer out of me! Take a look at the back side of the paper where she has folded it up. It is the richest Vineyard Berry. Karen's opposite tears in the card make this elegant and really match the elegance of the font from this saying. I LOVE it and will have to duplicate the design!

Jennifer's card screams "SPRING!" Not just that, though. She has used one of our most difficult stamp stamps set to use on a larger card. It's called Dainty Thoughts, and it would be most perfect for those little 3x3 thanks yous or shower cards. But look at the wonderfully unique way she paired it with the Botanicals (which I think are so fabulous anyway!). This made a smart affordable, very beautiful card!

Can you tell I'm happy with my cards? I love swapping with my team. They are all such great artists, and I treasure what I receive from them!

New Prima Flowers

I have been waiting for these flowers to hit the stores since I saw that Prima was introducing them! There are so many different kinds. Some of them are very natural looking, and I love that option. For this card, I combined the Prima Flowers with some beautiful handmade paper I purchased at shop called Il Papiro in Pisa, Italy. It was a wonderful shop, and I should have spent hundreds of dollars there on different paper patterns and their ideas. Other than giving a beautiful lavender piece to a friend as a gift, this is the first I have cut and used any of it. And I am sure I will savor it for years to come!

As you can see, I sewed the edges of the handmade paper. I used the CTMH chocolate embroidery floss in the machine. The other elements in this lovely card are twilight cardstock, Love Story Rub-Ons, Chocolate Edge Anchor, and Designer Ribbon in Chocolate and Colonial White.

Another Swap Card

I had to quickly make another swap card last night to fill in for someone, and I completely stepped outside of my box with the colors. This is Aubrey's Invitation pattern from Originals, so that's what inspired me to the color choices. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough embellishments on hand for all the swappers, but they are getting all the pretty ribbon!

• Chocolate Cardstock
• Hollyhock Cardstock
• Hollyhock Ink
• Come Unto Me Stamp Set
• Heritage Edge Anchors
• Autumn Garden Mini Medley Collection
• Hollyhock Designer Ribbon

Techniques I used:

• Sanding with block from CTMH Sanding Kit
• Distressing with Edge Distresser
• Sponge distressing with Foam Sponge
• Grid dry embossing done with Scor-Pal (can be done with paper trimmer and embossing stylus)