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!