Joyful Stars Swap #1-- Autumn/Winter Idea Book

I recently participated in the Joyful Stars Team swap for the NEW Autumn/Winter Idea Book.  Usually everyone participating in the swap chooses a new paper pack and a Stamp of the Month to create a 2-page layout or 3 cards, but for this swap since the date of the swap is August 20th, we decided not to use the August SOTM and to choose any other stamp set instead.  I chose to use the Mischief Level 2 Paper Pack and the Royal Birth stamp set.  I wanted to show another use for the clearly Halloween themed Mischief papers so I decided to use only the B&T paper with the damask pattern on it and the back side of the Halloween label paper which has a delicate weave pattern on it.

  My layout is called "Queen for a Day" and it was inspired by this year's CTMH Convention in Disneyland where I was excited to meet the CTMH Dream Team royalty: Karen Morris, leader of the Dream Team, and her downline Naomi Smith, leader of the Connected Hearts Team.  I am a very proud downline of both of these teams.  So proud in fact that I decided to "curtsy" in front of Karen and she thought that was just too silly! What fun we have! Oh my, what fun we have! And what an honor it was to meet them both.  I can only hope that one day I might be a fraction as successful in my CTMH business as they are in theirs.  I know one thing is for sure, that we all have the time of our lives at Convention every year! :)



A close up of my journaling printed on purple vellum. 



A close up of my tiara and wand. I used silver embossing powder to make them shine!

NOTE:  I based this layout on Harmony in Cherish pg. 38 except for I did not cut pieces A or G.  Instead I cut three 1  1/2 x 12 pieces and attached two to the sides of the left page and one to the center of the right page.  I also chose to use the journaling space on the right page for a picture and the bottom picture space for my journaling.   

CTMH Materials Used:
Mischief Level 2 Paper Packet
Smokey Plum, Gray flannel, and Black cardstock
Royal Birth stamp set (tiara, wand, gem, Queen for a Day, Yes I am Royalty)
10 Things stamp set (small flourish)
Black stamp pad
VersaMark ink pads
Silver embossing powder
craft heater
Licorice opaques
Black grosgrain ribbon
Foundry metal ribbon slides
Heirloom assortment (hanging crystal)
Midnight felt shapes (corner bracket)
Cherish (Harmony layout)

Please let me know if you would like to learn more about CTMH products! My next post will feature the Halloween artwork we will make in my September workshop class.  Make sure to RSVP by September 11th!  

Happy crafting! :)



Grandpa's Remembrance Album

One of the greatest men in my life, my grandpa Bernie, passed away this week.  My grandfather was the most gentle, kind-hearted and loving man I knew.  He was always welcoming, smiling and happy.  He wore his heart on his sleeve and he was never afraid to let you see him cry. 

My grandfather was also the bravest man that I have ever known.  He was in the Army, fought in WWII and was wounded very severely.  He had many scars on his body from places where shrapnel had punctured it. Some shrapnel staying inside of his body for his entire life.   He was among those that fought in Normandy and was awarded the purple heart for his bravery.  But my grandpa would rarely talk about those days.  I think he did not really want to remember them.  Or, more correct, he did not want us to remember him by those stories.  What he wanted us to remember him by was another story.  The story of my grandmother and my grandfather:  Ruth and Bernie.  Henceforth, and for all of my life, just known as  "THE story".  For as soon as you would meet my grandfather he would ask you "Did you hear THE story?"  No, you say?  Well then let me tell it to you! 

My grandfather met my grandmother on a Sunday.  3 days later they got engaged.  30 days later they got married.  

Yes.  I got the story right.  Believe me I have heard it a million times and yet I NEVER got tired of hearing it!  For his face would light up everytime he told it.  My face would light up too everytime I heard it.  My grandparents fell in love and got engaged in 3 days and were married 30 days later!  Today one might think "that's crazy!" but, if you saw my grandparents, it is NOT so crazy after all.  For they were crazy about each other.  Even after almost 63 years of marriage they were still crazy about each other.  My grandfather worshiped my grandmother ("Ruthie!" he would call her) and my grandmother took care of my grandfather's every need.  What a marriage they had!  Everything my grandmother did, every meal she made, every day of her life, my grandfather was greatful for her and he told her so not only in words but in his actions too.  What a MAN!  She knew that she was "#1" in his book and he knew that he was "#1" in her's.  It was a real-life LOVE story.  One that I was blessed not only to hear but to be a PRODUCT of.  Because without THIS love story, my dad would not be here, my dad would not have met my mom, my parents would not have had their own love story and I would not be here.

I know that grandpa will not be able to tell THE story again here on Earth but I also know a LOT of people that can and WILL continue to tell THE story long after he is gone. 

I could not have asked for a better grandfather. I could not have asked for a better role model for my son.  I am so happy that Joshua got the chance to know and LOVE my grandpa ("Poppy" to Joshua) and although grandpa has left this Earth, I KNOW that he has really NOT left.  He has not left MY life.  I will not see him in the flesh anymore but his love, his legacy, and the traditions he instilled in me will always live on in my heart.  I love you Grandpa.  YOUR story will live on forever. 

left page and cover shown above:  My grandparents at their 60th Anniversary Party. How beautiful!
right page: My grandpa Bernie when he was young, very handsome and in the service.

left page:  My grandpa and me in his pool when I was about 2 years old
right small page: The Tapestry of Life. 

left small page:  My family posing with chocolate cigars.  The night I brought my son Joshua home from the hospital.  I love grandpa's face (grandma and grandpa are in the bottom right of the picture)
right page: My grandpa Bernie kissing grandma Ruth's hand. I loved to see him to do that!

left page:  My family at Rosh Hashana dinner (Joshua's first in 2008). One of the best meals and days of the year. 
right page: My grandparents on Father's Day this year.

left and right pages:  My grandparents in Florida.  They were so happy to spend the summers there. We were so happy to visit them too! (2005)

left page:  My grandparents on a "night out on the town" many years ago. 
right page: Poppy and Joshua (2008)

back page:  My grandparents at a friend's wedding years ago.  What a stunning couple!
 

"And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. 

It's the life in your years." 

-----Abraham Lincoln

My journaling reads: "Grandpa & Poppy, You will live on in our hearts forever! 2011 "

I miss you Grandpa. I love you.

To make this album I used all Close To My Heart materials of course!
Sonoma Level 2 Paper Packet
Sonoma Level 2 My Stickese
Purple Sparkles
Liquid Glass
Microtip Scissors
Acrylic Album
Organdy Ribbon

Please let me know if you are interested in making a memory album of your own. 

Yeah!! The New Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book is HERE!!!

 

The new Autumn/Winter Idea Book is here and it is gorgeous!!! Click here to view it online! With bigger pictures of the artwork and even detailed supply lists for the featured projects, this new idea book is really the BEST yet!  See for yourself!

The new August SOTM (Stamp of the Month) is really WICKED!!!  For the month of August only, the Wicked stamp set with a Halloween theme (duh!) will make your inner witch kackle! Perfect timing I think for getting ready for that big Halloween party!  Click here to purchase! 

The new Mischief Paper packet is awesome! I will feature this paper packet in my September Workshop Class.  Click here to purchase it separately or click here to purchase the WOTG (Workshop on the Go) that we will be using in my September Workshop Class. I'll post that artwork soon. Email me to reserve your seat as seats in my classes are limited.   

So much to say and so very little time!  My son Joshua is calling now and finally feeling better! He had a 104 fever from Tuesday night to early Sunday morning.  Summer virus the doc said. 

Stay tuned to my blog for more updates, new products and new info that I know you will love!  Such as our even lower prices on stamp sets and thicker double sided paper! More details soon! Happy crafting!!! :)