Easy Storage

I have been looking for a way to easily store my Cuttlebug dies and folders. They have been in a couple drawers, but it's not a portable system. I looked at what Cuttlebug had to offer, but even though it was very nice and organized, I thought it was more than I could spend. Because I'm a lover of altering, I looked over this lunch pail I had on my shelf. I bought two of them on sale for $2.99 each thinking I would put them to good use one day. This was the day!
I covered the tin with the soft rose B & T from the CTMH Everlasting Level 2. The rest of the tin is scraps and buttons. Cute - and so much more affordable. I have to tell you, it was more to make it than to buy it, too!!
If you want to see my projects more closely, you can always click on the picture!

Letting Go...

There are things we all have to let go of in our lives. Sometimes the loss is as obvious as someone we love whether it be through a death or broken relationship. Then there are those not so obvious losses in life - the loss of a cherished ideal or goal, the loss of good health.

I've come to understand that there is only way to healing (and I'm so glad I've been able to discover this while I make cards and pages!) and that is through. I had an idea of what my life would look like this year, but for some reason unbeknownst to me, my plans were not God's. I thought I would be on my way to building a bigger team with Close To My Heart and earning another cruise. It is my time to sit down and try to grasp what these losses mean for me.

So I have finally and completely decided to "retire" from Close To My Heart. I want my customers and former customers to have the best, and right now - and for some time - that is not me. I am going to continue to share and teach through my blog. There are so many good challenges out there! I have great confidence that you will all learn and grow from what I share with you!

I am going to keep my account active until July 1st, so I can take orders until then. Please let me know, and I will direct you to a good Close To My Heart consultant. There are many!!

I have to say one more thing. It has been my privilege and my honor to service my wonderful customers. I can truly say that I have loved my job, and I have loved the people I have had the pleasure of teaching. What a blessing to say!

Joy

I read and re-read a small book called Today is Your Best Day by Roy Lessin. Here is a nice passage for today,

"The joy that comes from God gives you strength. A joyless person is someone whose strength is depleted. Joy invigorates, motivates, and inspires. Joy is like energy that flows through you to lighten your load, renew your zeal, and quicken your steps of faith. Joy is the strength in your legs that helps you stand firm and steady in times of trial; the power in your arms that enables you to hold onto God's exceeding great and precious promises; the rejoicing in your voice that speaks forth the victory of the Lord over area of your life."

Cute Little Folio Card

When I was at the Rubberstamp Expo a couple weekends ago, I picked up some really fun card bases from The Paper Cut. If you ever see one of their booths, take the time to shop! They have some unique designs and great ideas!
To keep the story going (teehee), Jerry took me to Archiver's the other day, and Basic Grey came out with this new Wisteria paper. Oh, my goodness! I told the gals at Archiver's that Basic Grey just never goes wrong with their designs. So beautiful! On top of it all, my Wisteria is starting to green very nicely on the trellis so hopefully (if it warms up!) we'll see big old blooms again at the end of June.
I used two different Nestabilities to cover the half rounds - the large Scallop and the large Circle. You only need to make two and then cut them in half. I put self-adhesive pearls on each scallop center. The flower is from the matching Basic Grey Wisteria sticker sheet. What is so difficult to show is that I've sprayed that with pearl Glimmer Mist. Oh, do I like that product! I will be using that often!!
Below you'll find a picture of the card opened up, face down. It's just so much fun to create and work with new things!!

Color Me Monday!

If you check out Jeanette Lynton's blog, she has a brand new color challenge every Monday. I LOVE it and am always anxious to see what colors she is playing with!
This week, the colors are Petal, Pansy Purple, New England Ivy, and White Daisy. I saw them and knew instantly that I was going to get another page done in my son's high school graduation book. (No, I did not finish it on time. There were just too many meories to record so quickly...)
His small class wore deep purple ropes, so as you can see these colors were perfect! I used very few things on this page along with those cardstock colors. A few bigger brads to hold my designer ribbon, and a special set of rub-ons from K & Company that I purchased for his book. That's what is done the right side of the page. The bird in the tree are actually two colored and glittered transparencies from Little Yellow Bicycle. That's it, and this page is enough for me!

Memorial Day Remembrances & Card for Heroes

I really like this picture of my dad. I am so glad that my mother copied so many pictures of him when he was young and gave them to me and my sisters. It means the world to me to have them. Well, let me tell you a little more about this one. This is a picture of my Dad when he was at the Air Force base in Cheyenne, Wyoming waiting to go to Japan in 1951. He served as a medic in the Korean War. He was just shy of being 18 years old.
My dad died a couple months after he turned 60 - over 15 years ago. There are times I cannot believe it was that long ago. (And I am certain my mother and sisters would agree.) Truly, his laugh still resonates in my ears when I think about him, and I can still hear his "Finnish" phrases. I loved playing Cribbage with him, and I loved watching Wide World of Sports with him on Saturday afternoons.
My dad didn't talk about the war much at all, but the tattoo on his forearm was a visual reminder. I am sure that being a medic was not easy. So in honor of my dad, I made this card this morning:

In the past I have, I have sent cards to a wonderful organization called Cards for Heroes. That's where this card will go along with several others that I have prepared. Please check out their website!

There's a New Blog in Town

If you look to the right, you're going to see a very pretty box that says "The Next Level." This is a new blog that you are going to want to follow. (You'll be able to get to the blog by clicking on the picture!)
This blog is going to offer a lot of fun new things! They are going to start weekly challenges (you know how I love a challenge!). It will be a source for card makers and scrapbookers. They will be offering tips, ideas, helps, downloads, and tutorials. I think it's going to be fun!
Two GREAT blog candy prize packs are being given away on June 1st from The Next Level. Holy COW! You've got to hop and check them out!

When I Was a Very Little Girl...

I've had a few projects on my craft desk (that's why you will forever see something new on this blog!), and this was one of them. There are very few pictures of me when I was baby. Maybe because I was in the middle, maybe because it was so expensive back then. I have these precious few in their original form and maybe about a dozen more from when I was under the age of six. Not many more up till graduation pictures either!
Well, you can't fret about these things. You just have to rejoice in the what you do have and scrapbook them!
I chose to play with a Creative Imaginations transparency to overlay the pictures. There is not much else on this layout. A couple of fancy brads, some Bazzill paper flower, CTMH buttons, and CTMH Designer Ribbon. I plan on journaling on the facing page.

LOVED American Idol This Year!

What a great finale show this year! Anyone that loves good music would have had a blast watching the show last night. There were fun songs from today - Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas - to oldies that I listened to more than 20 years ago!! Rod Stewart, Queen, KISS, Lionel Richie - how fun was that! Music truly can bridge the generations.

(By the way, some of the "remakes" that Shane listens to and loves are songs that I listened to in the original version. He has a hard time understanding that! I wonder if it will be the same for him!)

It was a fun finish! I hope that all the coming seasons of American Idol can be filled with so much talent!

Perfect Day

I love the new circle patterns in the Wishes Book. Truly, if you like to make cards, you'll want to take a look at this book! My east garden next to the woods is coming up so nicely. I thought I'd nestle the card in one of the plants for you, my friend!

• X7100B Perfect Day Level 2 (the Wishes book has a CD with templates for cutting these great circle cards!)
• Z2166 Tulip Stamp Pad
• C1361 Buttoned Together Stamp Set
• Z1155 Clear Buttons
• Z1081 Colonial White Waxy Flax
• Z1126 Colonial White Designer Ribbon
• X1405 Fancy Cut Botanicals
• Z1149 Dimensional Elements Perennials
• Z1118 Spring Blossom Mini Medleys (Tulip Photo Hanger)
• Other - Red Sparkle, Making Memories Red Pin

And Who Will America Choose?

If you open up my blog, you know I am a die-hard Adam Lambert fan on American Idol. Tonight's the finale! So who will America choose? What you don't know is that I have loved Kris all along the way, too. He just sings an entirely different kind of music than Adam, but I can surely see myself plugging in one of his CDs for some easy listening. Adam will surely get the votes from my phone tonight, though, for one main reason. He has maintained who he is and been true to himself all season long. I like that! Otherwise he'd have taken the black polish and eyeliner off weeks ago. ;) Gotta love that Kris wore black polish on one thumb in last week's show!! LOL! Oh, and I don't know if I've ever seen anyone on Idol hold a note and change the ranges like Adam can!

So what I am saying is that this an awesome finale to watch tonight! Have fun and don't forget to vote!

Book Review: Scandalous Grace

I have owned this book by Julie Ann Barnhill for several years. It's a wonderful book to pull off the shelf when you need to be reminded of real grace - scandalous grace - and in a most humorous, tearful, and enlightening way all at once!

First I'm going to tell you where I encountered Julie Ann Barnhill. When I was homeschooling Shane, I attended a conference in Rochester called Hearts at Home. She was a speaker at the conference - and oh, so funny! I fell in love with her mixture of faith, humor, and how we accept.

Scandalous and grace don't seem like two words that belong together, do they? Shocking grace is what we find in this book. What I like about this easy read is that it's written as if Julie is talking directly to us. She's in the fitting room with us feeling our insecurities. She's uncovered the moments of doubt. She's understood fear. In this book she made me laugh over stomachs (yes, stomachs!) and cry over unwavering forgiveness. This mixture of laughter and tears is a unique quality in all of her books.

In all of our situations and relationships, we hope for grace. Whether it is a spouse, a friend, a sibling, a parent, a co-worker - we pray for an unconditional response. It just doesn't always happen. But God's grace and God's grace working through us, well that's just scandalous. And that's the grace that helps build us up to what we should be in all His glory.

Excellent read - over and over.

New Color Me Monday Artwork

Jeanette Lynton's Color Me Monday color challenge is just great! I love that she opens up her palette and gives us new ideas every week. I may not even put these colors together! Now, if you haven't checked out her blog, go to www.jeanettelynton.com.

I really loved the picture of my sister with grandsons. The colors this week are Indian Corn Blue, White Daisy, Sorbet, and Taffy. I've used all CTMH on this layout:

• Indian Corn Blue Cardstock
• Sorbet Cardstock
• White Daisy Textured Cardstock
• Sorbet B & T
• Indian Corn Blue Ink
• Sorbet Marker
• Picture Perfect Word Puzzle Stamp Set
• Taffy Organdy (this has been discontinued)
• Sorbet Designer Ribbon
• White Daisy Bigger Brads
• Dimensional Elements Perennials
• Fancy Cuts Botanicals
• Window Charms - Circle & Square
• White Daisy Button
• Indian Corn Blue Waxy Flax

The lines you see along the edge of the Indian Corn Blue, Sorbet B & T, and Sorbet Cardstock were done with the Scor-Pal. I just love that tool in my craft room. It's fast and easy to use. You score on the backside, flip the paper over, and then you sand. Isn't that a nice, easy look? You can also achieve this by using your scoring blade in your cutter or your embossing stylus in your cutter.

I took a close-up of the three dimensional elements at the bottom because I wanted to share a little tip. When you are grouping three larger elements like this, try popping one of them up with foam squares or pop dots. It gives your layout a lot more character and draws a lot of interest to that spot.

This is the dimensional element at the top left corner. The dimensional element is flush to the page, and the fancy cut botanical is flush to the element. I popped up the round stamped image and then covered it with a circle charm. Fun!

I hope you enjoy these tips and ideas! They are little things that add much to your pages and cards. Hopefully you'll think of them as you're crafting and enjoy what you've learned here!!

A Very Sweet Glass of Lemonade - Thanks!!

I received my very first Blog Award today from my friend Karen (http://karenpedersen.blogspot.com). What a treat!!! Thanks so much, Karen - it was such an honor to receive this from such a rockstar!! How did you know that it's a gorgeous day in MN, and that I'd be wanting a glass of lemonade with my friends today? You are awesome!

Now I'm going to pass this award on to some of my blogging friends, too! Let me tell you about the award:

The Lemonade Stand Award:

• comment on this blog
• cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog
• nominate 5 to 10 blogs that show great attitude and gratitude
• link your nominees within your blog post
• comment on their blogs to let them know they received the award

Here's who I am awarding the Lemondade Stand Blog Award to!!

1. Vanessa's Creative Visions - Vanessa willingly shares her artwork and her life's goals in her posts. I love that about her!
2. ScrapCrazyDiva - Jaime's blog makes me happy. The music is great, the blog is laid out great - fun! Keep posting artwork, Jaime!!
3. Jessica's World - I love going here to laugh. Jessica always makes me laugh with stories about my grand-nephews!
4. The Stampin Palace - Karen's art is beyond compare. She is amazing and has taught me much over time. Karen was my very CTMH recruit, and I have always had a strong connection with her.
5. ScrappingWithTammy - Tammy is a really, really good artist. And she's a great family person. I like reading her blog.

You can hook up to their blogs on the right under Place I Like to Visit. You won't regret it!!

Thanks so much again, Karen!! I will think of you fondly when I look at my Lemonade Stand!!

Baking Oatmeal Cookies

With that huge amount of oatmeal I found last week, I decided that I need to put it to use in some cookies this morning. Shane came into the kitchen and said, WOW! You are baking from scratch?!" Does that give you an indication of how little I have done in the kitchen in the last few years. I was busy working my business, and I had to work more conveniently in the kitchen. I can already tell that my husband and son are greatly appreciated that my home cooking is coming back. Yesterday they loved my homemade spaghetti sauce over stuffed shells. I have a hunch that things like yummy oatmeal golden raisin cookies will stick around a lot longer now that I'm cooking better meals again!

Golden Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

1 c. butter

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 c. granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

2 c. oatmeal

1-1/2 c. flour

1 c. golden raisins

3/4 c. chopped pecans

Mix butter, sugars, and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs until well blended. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Stir in raisins and pecans. Drop by spoonfuls on baking sheet until lightly brown. Do not overbake!

This recipe make a quick on the go breakfast, too. Instead of the 1 c. of butter, use 1/2 c. of peanut butter and 1/2 cup of butter.

Happy Birthday Linda!!

Happy Birthday to my sister Linda! I love this picture of you and your grandboys, Linda! Look at their smiles and how happy they are to be with you!! I am quite certain that you had a wonderful early celebration with them this weekend!

Let me tell the rest of you about my sister Linda. There are 5 girls in our family, and she falls into head position (notice, I didn't say oldest!). When I was much younger, I resented how well Linda carried on this God-given position. I can tell you this because she knows there was a time I felt this way. However, as I've grown older, wiser, and God has literally beat me over the head with insight - LOL! - she was the right one. I hope that all of you that have older siblings come to respect and love them the way that I do Linda.

She has great faith, and I could ask her to pray for anything. Look at the way she loves her grandchildren! That is not a picture - that is the way she loves them - wholeheartedly. I take many things I see in her and hold them close for when I have the honor of becoming a grandparent. She is a supportive wife, mother, daughter, and sister - through all kinds of trials I have watched her put others before herself. And wow - can she craft - she can create anything from a sewing project to knitting to crocheting to paper crafting to beading to quilting.

So this is a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you Linda! Enjoy the rest of the week and treat yourself well!!

A Couple of Days of Lots of This and That

I haven't posted any artwork the past couple of days because something else caught my eye Thursday evening. I took note of just how disorganized I had let my kitchen become during the past few years. Oh my!! This is what happens when you are working!! I just don't wasn't paying attention to where I was putting things or even what I had on my pantry shelves.

My dear friend Karen motivated me with her goals. (Thanks, Karen - really!!) I am planning to have a garage sale this summer, but it's important for me to clean out the house first. After 20 years of being a family, we have accumulated! So I cleaned out those kitchen cupboards, and WOW! - I had Jerry take 9 large boxes to the garage! I finally cleaned out "Monica's closet" (and if you watched Friends, you know what this is). I am basically a pretty good housekeeper and my house is generally always clean. But I've got that one closet that you'd better not go into or something might fall out on to you! LOL! So my youngest sister Julie named it my "Monica's closet." And she loved that I had it.

I was able to stock of my pantry. Do you have any idea how much oatmeal one can accumulate if you are not paying attention? Co-op oatmeal, Quaker tubs, instant - oh my gosh! We can eat oatmeal every day for the next 6 months and not run out! I think I'll be making oatmeal cookies....

When I showed my husband the fruits of my labor, he was so pleased! That was well worth the day's work. The kitchen feels a little less burdened, a little lighter, and I'm much happier in there. It's a 1985 little kitchen, so anything I can do to make it better, makes life good!

Today, my mother in-law and I went to the Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Expo. We had a really good time walking around and looking at all the fun things and the card samples. One of my favorite booths was the company The Paper Cut. They had some of the best cards bases and designs. I also found some new Nestabilities at 20% off with a great demonstrator. LOVE them. They are easy to use and make beautiful cards. And of course, it was fun to run into Jillene at the CTMH booth. She had such a big, beautiful booth. I hope she has great success there this weekend!

So as I said, it's been a couple of days of this and that! Productive, fun, and I am definitely ready for a rest!!

Lacey - What a Pretty Girl!

This is my sweet niece Lacey. I love this picture of her, and as soon as I saw it I wanted to scrap it. She is as kind inside as she is pretty outside - I think that's one of Lacey's best qualities!

For this layout, I grabbed:

• My Mind's Eye Laundry Line sugar-coated paper
• Matching accessories to Laundry Line - chipboard element and rub-ons
• Tulip Mini Medleys
• Creme Brulee Designer Ribbon
• Circle Window Charm

Wishing You a Wonderful Day

This is a cute new card pattern from Wishes. It's a wonderful card size - 3x6. How easy to make these cards from a 12x12 sheet of paper! And to top it all off, you get 4 cards per sheet - that is really economical! This size card would make lovely invitations or thank you cards.

I've used some Sorbet paper from Perfect Day Level 2 (I think it still holds the honor of being my favorite paper packet!). The half circle is made from a little leftover piece of Desert Sand B & T from the Stardust packet. (By the way, there is a wonderful CD in the back of the book that holds all your templates. No more worrying!) I sponged the edges with ink, used a little Heavenly Blue Designer Ribbon for a nice touch. The stamp set is TLC. Such nice little sayings that fit just right in little places.

Still Thinking About Mother's Day...

I am still thinking about what a perfect day Mother's Day was for me this year. I am really so blessed to have such gracious and loving son. He has learned so much my dear husband along the way as he has those wonderful qualities that Jerry possesses.

Jerry was making my coffee (which for those of you that know me is gift enough for me!), and he asked me to come up to the kitchen. Shane works late in Uptown, and somewhere on the way home, he stopped and picked up this lovely plant and pastries for breakfast. What a lovely boy! Of course, if you know me REALLY well, you know that I would worry about how I could keep this plant alive! LOL! Jerry told me to care for it gently like I do my precious cat, Sassy, and it all work out all right. Now that's language I can understand!

Shane didn't have to work on Sunday, so we took advantage of having that time with him. We went down to Rosedale for lunch. Somewhere along the way, Shane found one of these lovely new hydrangeas for me. It is pink and blooms all summer. I can't remember what it is called as I am typing, but I am thrilled to have it! I will have to find a special spot for it!

We found out there is a new Brighton store in the Rosedale mall. Oh my goodness! There was a wonderful sale, so Jerry treated me to a new necklace, bracelet, and earrings. I think it's probably dangerous that there is a Brighton store so close, but at least both of my men were with me. They loved the store, and both of them know they will never go wrong at the Brighton store!!

But more than all the goodies and that I was spoiled, it was that all three of us were together. As Shane grows older, and now that he has a more demanding job, it's not always easy to find this kind of time. I absolutely loved going out to lunch as a family. I loved walking in the mall together. I loved in the same vehicle. If I could have, I would have frozen time, so that I could have kept us right there in that moment.

Part of being a mother is letting go, letting your children expand their own wings, and find their own way. Discipline is hard - but this is harder. I've found that replacing that feeling of letting go with pride for what Shane is doing is helping me make it through. When our little nest is empty of a child, I'll have an easier time making the transition.

I hope everyone had a beautiful, joyous Mother's Day!

So Excited - It's American Idol Night!!

Oooooh! It's my favorite night of the week - American Idol comes on in 15 minutes! I am looking forward to hearing TWO songs from each of the contestants. And yes, my phone will be heating up afterwards because I'll be dialing in for Adam.

All right, it's confirmed. I'm an American Idol junkie. And I'm okay with that!

I Love These Colors! Tuesday's Artwork!

I loved these five colors together so much that I just had to work with them again today. I guess I wasn't done challenging myself with all these colors had to offer! ;)

As a refresher, the colors from Jeanette Lynton's "Color Me Monday" last week were:

• Heavenly Blue
• Garden Green
• Desert Sand
• Sorbet
• White Daisy

There was a 6x6 card pattern I wanted to try from the new Wishes book called "Keep it Level." Here is what I used:

• Heavenly Blue Textured Cardstock as base (I LOVE textured cardstock!)
• Desert Sand "Dot" sheet from Stardust
• Sorbet sheet from Key to My Heart packet (look closely - I've dry embossed on all the lines)
• White Daisy Rub Ons - Love Letters, Nature's Ambiance
• Heavenly Blue Designer Ribbon Rounds
• Just Blooms Big Pinks
• Garden Green button - discontinued

Such a simple card, but easy to make. What a nice pattern!! Bet you'll see more of these colors tomorrow!!

Monday's Artwork!

It's later in the day, but here's the first piece of artwork I said I'd be starting today! Isn't this little guy cute? This is my nephew Adam's son, Aaron. What a little sweetheart sitting amongst those stuffed animals!

The basis of my layout was actually a challenge that our CEO and founder, Jeanette Lynton, started last week. You have got to check it out! It's called Color Me Monday, and if you scroll down to my blog list on the right, you'll see her blog link. I love a good challenge, so when I saw this start last week, I was thrilled! I have actually cooking up a layout in my head all week!

Ok, so the colors used were Heavenly Blue, Garden Green, Desert Sand, Sorbet, and White Daisy. What a mix!! Yippee! I started out with the Desert Sand star side of from a piece of B & T in the Stardust Level 2. I used the stamp set Wishing Star and Friendship Alphabet. Those stripes you see are actually pieces of Heavenly Blue and Sorbet ribbon. It's hard to see, but the ribbon has glitter in the creases, and there is glitter on the stars.

What a great subject to work with!

What a Great Open House! Thank You!!

I was amazed, in awe, and I couldn't believe it! Look at all these wonderful friends and customers that filled my home for my Open House. It was so much fun to see everyone, to have such great deals for them, and to give them a preview of the Summer product.

I had a make and take at the dining room table using the May Stamp of the Month. That stamp was definitely loved! I also had a board with an upcoming workshop, and it filled up right away! It's a class for 17 cards from a Level 1 kit. I can't wait to teach my card-loving friends this pattern!

At the end of the day, I called myself very, very blessed. To have so many wonderful friends take time from their Saturday morning (and wait in line to check out!) was a very amazing thing to me. All the wonderful hugs, the beautiful Gerbera daisy from Marg, the help from my mother-in-law, the kind words and well wishes - I was so happy to have had this day!

I hope everyone has a great time with all their new goodies!!

Wishes Card to Share!

I was so excited while I was looking through the new Wishes book! There are so many new card patterns, and so many different sizes. I love it! I knew I wouldn't be able to relax tonight until I created at least one card - LOL!!

I was happy to find several patterns for round cards in the Wishes book. They are so much fun and leave a lot of room for creativity. This pattern is called Timeless Trio. Actually, the top is not supposed to be scalloped, but I though that would be kind of a fun look. Remember as you look at patterns and make cards, there is no right and wrong!

I used all CTMH supplies:

• White Daisy Cardstock
• Daydream Background & Texture Paper
• Chocolate Love Story Rub-Ons
• Baby Pink Edge Anchors
• Blush Designer Ribbon
• Pretty Pin
• Creme Brulee Ink for a little edging

Enjoy! Now I can take the book and look a little more. Watch for more! These new how-to books inspire me!!

I Appreciate My Family & Friends So Much!

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the cards, letters, e-mails, and phone calls I continue to receive. This means the world to me - you will never know how much as I just can't explain it in words. I truly have the kindest and dearest people in my life!

So many of you ask how I am doing, and so often I change the subject. It's much easier for me to focus on the good and sure things in life (like who's going to win American Idol - LOL!). I have really enjoyed taking my time getting ready for my Open House this weekend, and I look forward to seeing those that can make it. I guess my life's been about making adjustments.

I had my doctor's appointment this afternoon, and I learned quite a bit. It's always good to connect with her. I truly do have one of the most compassionate neurologists that exists. But I still really didn't know the full results of my hospital visit, so this was visit was essential. It appears as if I do have more difficult seizures to conquer. They are not acting "normal" (as if there is a normal seizure), so it is more difficult to treat them. So as I go about my life having these clinical seizures that aren't "normal," I've got no other choice but to put my brain in my doctor's hands.

I did get some interesting results from another round of tests. It turns out that some processes in my brain are declining. My focus, concentration, word finding, retention, and memory - all of that. I knew this, and that is why I was having such a hard time teaching. I've always been a "finish what you started" girl when it comes to work, and I just couldn't do that anymore. Too much energy goes into staying with a task.

There is good news! This decline is most likely caused by one of my medicines. And yippee! The FDA is approving a new medication as I type. God bless those who research!! I have tried every other drug on the market, so this is it for me. You don't know how hard I am praying that this will work for me and be a good substitute. I covet your prayers as well...

In the meantime, my doctor says it pretty important that I live low-key. The more I can do to control seizures, the better off I will be. So I guess it's not so bad that I've just been creating as I please. Not so easy to do, though, after the pace I've kept for the past three years! It also seems more than a little selfish to focus on me, but if it's just for this little while to get things under control, well, okay, I can do it.

That's my update! Thank you again, so much, for being such great friends! Now, on to a lighter side - on Monday, May 11, I'm going to start daily artwork on my blog. I'll teach as much as I can through those postings. Be sure to bookmark my blog and check back every day!

No Contest! This Girl Still Rocks with Adam!

After tonight's American Idol, it was so easy to start dialing the phone! Whoa, did Adam start the show off right with Led Zepplin. He was in a word - amazing! We seriously felt badly for those who fell in step behind because there just was no way to compare.

Jerry and I were trying to think back on Adam's performances, and we just can't think of one single bad performance. Oh, we know you might disagree with country week, and the Johnny Cash song. I downloaded that from iTunes, and I've grown to like that middle eastern version. And it really can't be so bad if we're all still talking about it!

The worst thing I've ever heard him called is theatrical. And you know what? That's entertainment! We really like this kid.

Thinking of Graduation Cards?

I love this template for gift cards! It is an adaptation of the Scalloped Money Template in the 8 x 3-1/2 cards (Originals book, of course!). Scalloped edges look kind of "girly," so if you want your card to be for a boy or a man, you can cut those extra scallops off and make it straight. If you want more of a Graduation sentiment (or any kind of sentiment for that matter), it can go on the bottom left of the card. You'll want to keep balance by putting it on the opposite side of the hemp knot and also keeping the sentiment short.

Aren't those brads in the button fun? I pick up magazines like crazy for inspiration. If I have learned one good thing from it to pass on, it has been worth the pennies flying out of my wallet! That particular special issue magazine has been sitting by my craft desk for over two years. It's dog-eared, worn, has My Stickease marking pages, but it's got a place of honor next to my CTMH how-to books. I think it's called (and you'd think I would know this for sure), "101 Things to Do With Your Scrapbooking Supplies." I have learned so much from that magazine to share. I have a couple more from Memory Makers that are like that, too. Anyway, that's where I learned the little brads through the buttons!

In this care I've use all CTMH supplies:

• It's a Guy Thing Level 2
• Be Happy Stamp Set
• Desert Sand Ink
• Natural Hemp
• New England Ivy Bigger Brads
• Colonial White Craft Buttons
• Pewter Brads
  

Getting Ready for Open House!

I having been spending the last couple of weeks getting ready for my Open House. I am so excited to see my friends and customers! In case you don't know the information:

Saturday, May 9

9:00 am - 2:00 pm (or so)

(763) 413-0467

girlygirlrose43@msn.com

Be sure to call or e-mail if you need directions!

I've had so much getting ready for this Open House. And I still have loads to do to get ready for everyone. Everyone coming is going to be able to make a free card (no, I won't post it - I'll keep it a surprise!).

There is going to be a lot of product to shop from. Gosh - paper, stamps, embellishments, flowers, chipboard, Stickease, pre-made layouts, tools, and SO MUCH MORE!

I'm also so excited to bring everyone a FREE Idea Book! This one is really fun, and I know you are going to love the product in it!

Hope to see you on Saturday!!

Live Fast and Stay Pretty

I love the May Stamp of the Month! It's called Be Yourself. There are 8 different silhouettes in this set showing what a strong, confident, and beautiful woman you are! The phrases in the set match so perfectly:

• One of Kind
• Confident
• Live Fast and Stay Pretty
• Beautiful
• Perfect
• Be Yourself...Everyone Else is Taken

You'll see me do much more with this set, but I wanted to give you a teaser with this 8x3-1/2" card. It was so simple to make and all the products I used were CTMH:

• Emporium Level 2
• Corner Rounder (for scallops)
• Tickled Pink stamp set (only available in May!) - that's the flower
• Be Yourself Stamp set
• Cocoa ink
• Cystal Blue ink
• Sweet Leaf ribbon
• Edge Distresser
  

Summer Idea Book - Live! And Your Wishes Come True!

I am so excited!! TODAY the new Summer Idea Book is live! I love the new papers and stamps in this book. From Back Country to Animal Cookies to Tinkerin' to Bella to Moon Doggie - you are not going to believe these how fun everything is!!

Click on the Idea Book on the right side of the page and it will bring you to my website where you can look right through the new product. If you'd like a new Idea Book, please let me know!

My "Wishes" came true! A brand new card pattern book called Wishes. In the Idea Book, it says that it won't be available until June, but the manufacturer was able to ship them one month early. They are orderable NOW. I can't wait to get that book in my hands! If you like to make your own Christmas cards or multiple cards at once, there are going to be great patterns in this book to help you!