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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Brazil

Here are some photos of what my son sees in Brazil. The first couple of photos are of the CTM, in Sao Paulo, where he was trained. The rest of the photos come from where he is now, about an hour outside of Sao Paulo, in Orasco. He has told us about going up to teach in the mountains and that he lives in a ghetto, and now we can see what that looks like. He has not been well for most of the time he has been there, but he has still managed to teach the gospel and find people who want to commit their lives to Christ and be baptized. He speaks Portuguese exclusively now and there's only one food that he doesn't like, a fruit that has a seed that looks like a mollusk. He didn't take a picture of that, because he was served it in someone's home. He loves the people of Brazil. They are warm and welcoming and feed him regularly. We think of him many times throughout the day and pray for him often, 6000 miles away.








Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Dotty For You


This is the day - when the Dotty For You special begins. Love these
examples and love those polka dots!!!  Here are some CTMH
examples of things that you could buy and make to get to the $35
minimum order so that you can purchase Dotty for only $5.




This is the Florentine Paper packets, made into both a beautiful
scrapbook page as well as a lovely card.



This is the Victory Paper packet, used to make a card and a memory
box. This box is also the perfect size for holding cards or any kind
of treasure. Hope all these ideas have inspired your creativity. I'm
starting the next phase of my sewing project using 3-D embellishments.
Trying something new is the hallmark of creativity, don't you think?

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Albums From a Kit

A few months ago one of the ladies that scrapbooks with me was having a special for Creative Memories and I bought a wedding album page set. I didn't know who I would give it to, but sometimes that little voice says, just get it. Then, when I heard my cousin was getting married while we were going to be in California in a couple of weeks I realized it was perfect for her. The pages were modern, but sweet and fun too, just like my cousin, who I wish I knew better. Sadly, I picked a pink colored album cover and I later heard her favorite color was green. But, t he colors of these pages were yellow, pink, green, blue, and grey, so at least there's some green in there. These are just a small sampling. On some pages I added rhinestones or ribbon or created a stamped ticket or heart, but all of the stickers and pages came from the set. It was easy to put together and I realized I like kits for the boundaries they set, yet the creativity they inspire. When you only have to add a few things its not an overwhelming project. After I took photos here I also added tags that had the month and year on them, and a few more rhinestones. I couldn't help myself. After all, it was for a wedding!





Monday, April 9, 2012

Dotty For You

Easter was a sweet day for our family. My parents were the main speakers at church and shared beautiful and inspiring messages. However, let me say, it is quite difficult to sing following your mother's testimony!! Afterwards, dinner and just talking and being together was wonderful. I only wish all of my children could have been there, but they were remembered. Cowgirl misses being with us a lot too. We need a remedy for the holidays soon! BigBuddy is doing well in Brazil and he wrote today telling us how wonderful it was to be a missionary at Easter time. So, while we miss our grown children, we are grateful their lives are productive and meaningful and that we can communicate our love to them whether they're 500 miles or 6000 miles away!

I made a few cards on Saturday using the Dotty For You paper packet.  Its the new special from Close To My Heart available April 17 - May 30.  There are 24 papers, with each one having small polka dots on the back. I LOVE polka dot paper, so of course I've been playing with it. I love the great variety of patterned papers too. I only used a few here, and in truth, I'm saving my favorite patterns for future projects I have in mind, but I do love all these colors and think they are perfect for anything Spring related!


The first card is for my youngest daughter's upcoming birthday. I'm taking her horse back riding, which I know she's been wanting to do for a while, thus the shape of the rhinestones.
This card I'm going to hand deliver to a friend who has been sad. I thought some flowers would cheer her up. She's crafty so I think she'll like the rolled paper flowers.
This card I have yet to determine the sentiment or the recipient, but its definitely going to someone I love.

Sometimes life just gives us  cloudy days, and I think getting a homemade card will hopefully remind this person I'm thinking of sending this one to that love is the silver lining through everything.
This last card I am saving also. I think I know who its for, but I may change my mind. That's part of the fun of making cards, thinking about who you are going to give it to, or who you could give it to, and that just fills your heart with warm happy thoughts. No wonder I like to make cards.


This is the entire paper pack. Its available to customers starting April 17, and only costs $5 with any $35 order. That's as good a price as anything you could get at your local craft store, and this is cardstock quality. . . the good stuff! Plus, there is a great Stamp of the Month available too for only $5 if you place a $50 order.  Since stuff collecting isn't something I really want to do, what I like best about paper is that its consumable. Its like perfectly ripe fruit in season. You know you'll use it, you know you'll love it, and you know its only available during this time, so you get it and when its everything you hoped it would be you are so glad you got it. If the patterns weren't great, the dots would be enough for me, but with patterns like this too, its sure to be a great addition to a lot of projects. I've got more in mind!!! Stay tuned! 

My new newsletter is out too. Not sure why it only got sent to 36 customers, instead of to everyone, ( I think its an intial company glitch, but if you're interested, let me know and I'll see what I can do to make it happen for May.) However, you can see more cute ways to use this paper packet at my new website. Did you know there are a lot of online video tutorials as well as more crafty inspiration? Its under the Inspiration button at CTMH TV - Enjoy!!!
http://sumscrapbook.ctmh.com 
 

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Happy Easter

Just as we were buckling our seat belts in the driveway yesterday, MyGirl said to me, "Easter really is the most important thing, isn't it?" I responded, "Yes, you could say that," somewhat surprised this was what she was thinking about, as we had been talking about something totally different when we were walking out to the car. And she quickly reasoned, "Its because Jesus died that we get to return back to heaven and live with our families someday, isn't it?" "Yes," I added, "We celebrate Christmas because of Jesus' resurrection and Atonement that all happened in the Spring." She thought about that for a second, "Then I guess Easter and Spring is really the best time of year too," she said. And, I agree. I love all the seasons. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas and the 4th of July, but Easter is the most sacred of all holidays, and I feel grateful my daughter really understands that too.

 I promised I'd post some more creative things. Sorry its taken me all week to put them up. Here are some  Easter cards. I wasn't thinking early enough to get any Easter cards sent out, but these will be hand delivered to some loved ones tomorrow. ( I know its confusing when my post says its already Sunday, but that's because my computer is two hours ahead of me. Its still Sat. night as I write.)

It snowed last week on the day my friends, the Bushman's, were coming to visit us from Maryland. Fortunately they made it here safely and we had a fun afternoon and dinner before they flew onto San Francisco for more fun. The week before, while we were in CA, it was almost 80 degrees here, so everything is blooming, the hill behind us is green, and I'm loving all the flowers.
 This photo was taken a couple of days ago. Now all our tulips are in bloom and the purple flowers on the ground cover have filled that little spot. I'm feeling grateful that the homeowner before us that planted this area.
I picked up these lovely tulips, however, from the store. I just don't want to cut any of my own when they are the only thing giving the front yard some color. My dear friend became a grandma for the first time this week. Tulips are her favorites and I always think of her when I see them. Three different friends had new babies this week. I'm excited for them all. The world also lost some good people recently. Both of my daughters have friends that have lost family members, and the inspiring painter, Thomas Kincaid, have all moved on, too young. While I trust in God's perfect timing for life and death, its still sad for those who loved them, and makes the promises of Easter all the more precious.
We're going to my parents' for Easter dinner. My mom wanted to host it this year, which is fun. Its been many, many years since I was at her house on Easter Sunday, but I still wanted to decorate our dining room table.  I don't do a lot of decorating for most holidays, usually just this table and my metalic tree downstairs which is currently covered with speckled eggs.  Light blue has become my newest favorite decorating color. I wanted to paint a wall this color, then saw the look on my husband's face when I suggested it. The very next day I was shopping and realized it would be a lot less time and expense and mess to just add color with a tablecloth in the exact color I love, Robin's Egg Blue, and it was even on sale, plus, I had a coupon, so I'm enjoying it immensely. MyMike is happy I'm so happy with it too :-)

I love this season of growth and renewal and pretty colors, but mostly I love that Jesus Christ created this beautiful earth, then came to earth and lived and died for all of us so we can return to live with Him again, and be reunited with those we love. And THAT really is the most important thing! Happy Easter Everyone!







Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Quick Trip Overview

I'll be posting more creative projects soon, but first a quick trip overview:
Newport Beach Temple - so beautiful. We went to church across the street Sunday morning.
We visited Mike's parents and his brother and their family came by too. Grandma has Alzheimer's and it was hard to see how things had progressed since they visited us in Nov., but it was good to spend some time with all of them.
We took the Balboa Island ferry and loved hanging out at the beach there. The pelicans were dive-bombing for fish. Tons of them. We loved it!
We ate yummy food like Sprinkle's Cupcakes. I had Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting. My parents knew the best places to go and we had fun hanging out with them on and off throughout the week. (I eat the food and don't remember to take pictures of it until all that's left is the bag!)

I blew this one up big so you could see the dolphin swimming casually among the pelicans. A little later on we saw two dolphins right next to each other. They weren't too far from shore and it was exciting for sure. We also saw a raccoon one night coming back to the condo. He was heading for the trash cans, of course.
Little Buddy had never been to Disneyland, and MyGirl didn't remember it, so we spent one long day there, from 8:30 am - 11:50 pm. We went on all the great rides and the kids declared Space Mountain the best one there!

We lucked out with a great view of the parade and fireworks too! Even though we saw lots of characters throughout the day, my children were too big to want their pictures taken with them. Sad for me, but they were okay, so it was all good.
On Friday we went to the Los Angeles Temple in Santa Monica to see my cousin get married. It was 25 years ago this year that Mike and I were married there, and her parents came to our wedding. Neat memories for us and I was so glad to be able to be there!
Maryanne and Adam are perfect for each other. We wished them eternal bliss! We loved seeing the Hatch family relatives there and missed all those who weren't able to come. It was a beautiful day!

Three different times we went to the beach during the week. The water was still cool, but warm enough for MyMike to catch a few waves. The kids were happy to collect shells, climb on rocks, explore the tidepools, and walk barefoot in the surf. We even spotted two dolphins among the pelicans. We saw tons of pelicans,  more than I'd ever seen before. We loved where we stayed. The hotel pools were great and not too crowded. The hot tubs were put to good use as well as the teen and fitness centers. It was hard to leave such a fabulous week, but real life beckoned us back. It had been almost 80 back at home last week and today its snowing with strong winds! Glad we have good California memories. Thanks to my parents for sharing their trip with us!