December Blog Hop

Welcome to our Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring December's SOTM, which is Notice the Details, a set of 41 stamps. If you have come here from Linda's Blog, you are on the right path!

This month we have over 60 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!


(Click the image to view it larger)

This month I used the stamp set to make a dry erase board. This project is so quick, simple, easy and super useful! This one hangs in my craft room so I can keep try of all my projects.

Now "hop" on over to Sylvia's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas! Remember, the Notice the Details SOTM is only available until the end of December! Click here to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

If you get lost on the hop or find links that aren't working, click HERE for a complete list of the blogs.

Cousins

We are celebrating Thanksgiving in Reno this year with Kenny's family. After a small adjustment/warm-up period, Shane is now having a blast with his two cousins, Carolyn (5) and Meredith (3). He seems to tend towards Carolyn. I think that her being that much older there isn't as much of a sharing problem and more of Carolyn playing games with him.

No Poop or Throw-up Travel Day!!!

We made it to Reno yesterday afternoon after having probably our easiest travel experience of our lives. We left our house around 7:45am. Where Shane slept in until 7:15 (that hasn't happened in months!), we almost had to wake him up. He even told us as we were heading to the car that he had "pooped". We've been working on that for months, too! There was no traffic and we got to the parking garage in half the time we had allotted. After getting to the airport that felt just about empty, we spent a brief few minutes checking into Southwest and then another brief amount of time getting through security. I think the highlight of our flight was the TSA agents that were incredibly nice and accommodating. One allowed Shane's unopened juice box to go through and another TSA person had the stroller opened and ready to go for us. He even asked us if we knew about the play area around the corner. Kenny and I kept looking at each other wondering what world we had ended up in! We ended up being through security and at the play area before 9am! Amazing!

Shane did fantastic on the flight. He needed a diaper change minutes before we got on, but the timing worked out great. He was pretty anxious on the take off. But he soothed himself by sorta humming and talking to himself under his breath. I felt bad for him, but was happy to see him work himself through it.

If you've ever heard any of our past travel experiences, you know that this was a much needed break! Thanks travel world for making it a super easy trip! Lets hope the way home goes half as smooth!

Wordless Wednesday.

Seasonal Star

This week I completed a project I'd been thinking about for a long time! A new version of the Photo Star, but with out pictures. I'm calling it a Seasonal Star. It could be made for any holiday or season you want. I made this one with a winter look.
If you are interested in a Seasonal Star ($30) or a Photo Star ($45) just drop me an email and we can discuss details.

Fake Thanksgiving

This weekend we had an early or also known as "Fake Thanksgiving" on Saturday. We'll be celebrating "real" Thanksgiving with Kenny's family this year in Reno. So in order to have some time with my family we all got together early for a yummy Thanksgiving dinner. I caught myself thinking many times that it was Thursday or that everyone else was at home having Thanksgiving, too. Shane had lots of fun hanging out with Mema, Papa, Uncle Kevin and Aunt Becky.

Mema, Becky and myself even got to head to Craft Club Saturday night for some a super cute glass block, vinyl and etching project. Craft Club has its very own blog now! Visit it here.

Olive Crest

Every year we donate in some form to a charity for the holidays. We usually pick something that is gift related and that will go to a kiddo in need. The last two years we've supported an organization called Olive Crest. They work with foster children and foster families.

This year we were given a name of a little 2 year old boy and we purchased him items for his stocking. Shane went with me during one of my trips out to get things for the stocking. I was so amazed by how at only 2 years of age he seemed to understand what we were doing. I really thought I was going to have some huge melt downs on my hands when I started piling things in the cart that I knew he would want and like. But instead he would hold the items and I would explain to him that they were for the little boy we were helping to buy "surprises" for. Shane was completely happy and content with that and was more then willing to help me pick things out for the little guy. He would even sign to me about the boy and his surprises. I was super proud of him! Just shows it is never to young to teach a child how important it is to give to others.

Jessica Sprague's Online Class

Late October I signed up for a FREE online class by Jessica Sprague. I've always wanted to take an online class, but just wasn't sure with the cost and time needed for it. But when I found something free, I thought heck, why not! The class is called Holidays In Hand. So far we've been working on gathering our thoughts, values and goals for our Holidays. Honestly I'm not even 100% sure what our end goal is, but I'm loving the daily assignments. I'm pretty sure we'll have a completed album when we are done, but I'm liking just taking it one day at a time and enjoying the process right now. It's a good feeling to get a chance to have someone help you walk through documenting this wonderful and special time of year!

Here are my thoughts from our first assignment about my Holiday Values/Goals:
--To remember and be thankful for what we have.
--To remember and celebrate why we have CHRISTmas.
--Creating traditions for Shane to have, enjoy and remember as he grows up.
--To give to others in order to make this time of year special for them as well.

Wordless Wednesday.

Marie-Madeline Studio

I recently discovered this beautiful online shop called Marie-Madeline Studio. I love handmade items, and they have some beautiful things and awesome fabrics. I would love to be able to make something with that sewing machine of mine that has been sitting in it's case for way to long. A good goal for 2010! Use that sewing machine.

Every week until Christmas Marie-Madeline Studios will be giving away one of their beautiful items on their blog. Oh, how I'd love to win this week's messenger bag!

H1N1 Vaccinations

It's been a on my To Do List: Get H1N1 vaccinations for Shane and myself (having an auto-immune disease, I qualified to get one). But I just hadn't really figured out how I was going to go about getting them for us.

Monday morning I woke up to hear about a large number of pharmacies in our area that would be having them available this week. I found one just down the street from us, which happened to be the only one that would give it to kids 2 years or older. They had the nasal spray also, which I wanted Shane to get (it doesn't have all the extra added mercury in it). Shane and I didn't have anything to do that morning, so I thought we'd "pop" on over there and get them. I figured maybe an hour tops wait. I packed us some snacks, grabbed the stroller (I knew the parking situation may be crazy), threw in an extra blanket just in case it was a little chilly outside and off we went.

When I pulled up I started to realize I may be in over my head. The line was already way longer then I had anticipated, but I figured I'd still give it a try. I found a parking spot 3 blocks away. Got us out of the car (forgetting the umbrella....it wasn't raining....yet!) and ran to get in line.

We got in line which was outside at 8:30am. The rain slowly but steadily started coming. I was wishing and dreaming about the umbrella back in the car, and hoping that we both didn't end up sick from hanging out in the wet cold rain. About an hour into our wait I started to question what to do. Oh, yeah, I also left my cell phone at home. Again thinking, just a quick stop, no reason to turn around and get it. Thankfully, there were nice people around us in line, one that gave us an umbrella to use, and another that let me call Kenny twice to check in with him. I shared some snacks with the little girl behind us. Her Dad forgetting to bring some, when he also thought it wouldn't be very long.

Four hours later, we had both received our vaccinations! Right after we got ours, they started to do a count. They were nearing the end of their supply. We were wet, tired, hungry, cold, but vaccinated against the Swine Flu! Shane needs a booster nasal spray after 28 days. I sure hope we don't have to do another 4 hours again! Shane certainly deserved a huge award after that morning. He did fantastic! What a trooper.

CTMH Regional Convention Contests

Last weekend at the Close To My Heart Convention that I went to, I entered the card contest and layout contest. My card made it in the top 5 which (narrowed down by CTMH Corporate Staff) and then was voted by fellow consultants for the winning card. I didn't win, but felt honored to be in the top 5. Thanks to everyone for voting and helping me decide which card to enter.

The layout I entered didn't make it into top 5, but I was really happy with the end result. I spent a lot of time working on it. Way more then I normally do, but it felt good to take the extra effort and be proud to enter it into the contest.

Joyful Banner Workshop

Fresh from the CTMH Regional Convention, I'm announcing this fun, quick, and beautiful workshop. It is a perfect holiday decoration for your home, or a gift for a friend or family member. Want one for yourself and as a gift? No problem, they are so quick and easy to make you can make two at the same workshop!

WHEN: Wednesday, December 2nd

TIME: 7pm - 9pm

WHERE: My Home Kirkland/Bothell area
(when you RSVP I'll give you the address)

COST: $15 prepaid with RSVP

RSVP: jessicadbooth@hotmail.com

Bring a friend with you and receive a free gift.

I'm off.

I'm off to the CTMH Regional Convention in Portland, Oregon this evening. I'll be back home late Saturday night. I'm dragging slower then normal, but still hope to soak up all the inspiration and information there. As well as, gaining my energy back. I'll be back next week to post all about the fun stuff I learned and made!

Fabule$$ly Frugal Mom Giveaway.

Head on over to Fabule$$ly Frugal Mom and enter to win her $50 Safeway giftcard giveaway. While you are there get tips on being frugal this holiday season.

It's Been Quite a Week!

It all started last Wednesday with a very well scheduled and prepared for minor out-patient surgery for myself. I was to have what appeared to be a small mass removed from my abdominal wall. I had planned, planned some more and prepared to be out of commission from Wednesday to Sunday. I came home after surgery feeling quite well and even went to bed that night telling Kenny I felt so surprisingly good, I was nervous for the other shoe to drop. I woke up ready to rest up and heal fast. Thursday evening the shoe fell from the sky. I started throwing up and was just not right, but thought I was having an issue with the pain medicine, so I headed to bed to let it wear itself off. Friday morning I was worse off. A trip to the ER it was. I was hydrated and given nauseous medicine and felt slightly better when we left. Saturday morning we were back in the ER, I wasn't able to keep any thing down. This time ready to really figure out what was going on. Doctor #3 figured it out....a Crohns flair/blockage. Upstairs I went for a two night stay in the hospital. This was NOT part of the surgery recovery plan!! But the flair/blockage was taken care of and I was released Monday morning. I'm feeling better, just trying to gain more energy back, get more sleep in and catch up on all those little things that quickly pile up when Mommy is out of commission for a week.

On a surgery note, the small mass ended up being endometriosis tissue. Something at this point has stumped every doctor I've seen, no clue why or how it got where it got, but it did.

Shane spent most of this time in Sequim with Grandma and Grandpa, having no clue what was going on, not even realizing that Halloween had come and gone. We made it up to him this evening, with a little trick-or-treating to some neighborhood friends. The little purple Dinosaur/Dragon had a blast, Halloween night or not!





A huge thanks to all our friends and family, who have stepped in to make this week a WHOLE lot easier with meals, support, well wishes and Shane time!!

November Newsletter

November Constant Campaign
Stampaganza 2009
Stamp lovers rejoice! CTMH is making it easy to build your stamp collection! Cardmakers and scrapbookers alike will love this opportunity to earn free stamps during the November campaign.

From November 3–30, 2009, when you purchase any two stamp sets (sizes A, B, C, D, and/or E only) at full retail price will receive a third stamp set of their choice FREE (of equal or lesser value for your entire order)—a savings of up to $22.95!

This makes a great gathering incentive. Want a chance to get together with your friends before the holiday rush? Book a November home gathering today and earn FREE CTMH products.

Details: Shipping/handling apply. Stamp sets available for FREE include: A, B, C, and D-size sets only. E-size, customizable (K), Stamp of the Month, and Art & Soul sets are not available as the free set. Stamp sets that count toward the qualifying purchase include full-priced A, B, C, D, and E-size sets only. Stamps that do not qualify toward a qualifying purchase include Stamp of the Month, Art & Soul, Workshops on the Go, and customized (K) stamps.

Secret Santa Wish List
Make Christmas shopping super easy with my Secret Santa Wish List. You fill out the Wish List form and return it to me. I'll make sure all those Santas out there get your special wish list from you. Christmas morning you may just see some fun new CTMH products under the tree! How easy is that! Email me and I'll get your form to you ASAP.

November Stamp of the Month
Around the Block
Visit November's Blog Hop to see all kinds of projects completed with November's Stamp of the Month. Take advantage of Stampaganza and you could easily earn this stamp for free or at a discounted price.

November Workshops
Wednesday, November 11th -- Christmas Card Workshop -- 7pm-9pm -- 1 Spot Left!!
Sunday, November 15th -- Christmas Card Workshop -- 1pm-4pm -- 4 spots left.

Autumn/Winter Idea Books
Do you have a current Idea Book? If not, just let me know and I'll get one to you.

November Blog Hop

Welcome to our Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring November's SOTM, which is Around the Block, a set of 26 stamps. If you have come here from Dawn's Blog, you are on the right path!

This month we have over 60 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 was inspired by a card made by Karen Pedersen. I love how when you sponge the sides of the house in chocolate it looks like baked ginger bread. Just another way to make this cute stamp set even more versatile! I also embossed the house portion of the images. I have never been a big embossing fan, but I really enjoyed doing it this time and loved the end result.

Supplies:
Aspen Paper Packet (featured colors: Twilight, Outdoor Denim, Creme Brulee, and Brown Bag)
White Embossing Powder
Creme Brulee Ribbon Rounds
Twilight Embellishments

Now "hop" on over to Susan's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas! Remember, the Around the Block SOTM is only available until the end of November! Click here to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

If you get lost on the hop or find links that aren't working, click HERE for a complete list of the blogs.