Vacation

Well, in about 15 hours, I'll be heading out of town for vacation.  I am very ready.  But first, I will be stopping by my Upline Janene's place for a training over our new Idea Book.  Then, it is on the road to Minnesota.  Considering the 21 straight days of triple digit temps here in the Dallas area, I'm very ready to enjoy highs around 85 and lows in the 60's. 

While we are there, I will be seeing my Great Aunt Harriet.  She is a marvelous cook and can create just about anything. Pretty sure that is where I get my craftiness from.  Also, we will be attending my mom's high school reunion, the town fair, street dance, and my mom will be giving a talk at the library for her new book that has just been released for e-readers.  After that, we are on to Bemidji where we will relax and go fishing on a guided fishing tour.  The rest of the time, we will visit here & there with friends/relatives then drive back home.  Looking forward to seeing friends/relatives I haven't seen in a great many years. 

The only sad thing about this is I can't take my 2 dogs with me.  I will be away from them for 2 whole weeks.  Not quite sure how I'm going to deal with that. 

My mom asked my 6 year old niece Madison what she wanted us to bring her as a souvenir, she said a chocolate fishing pole.  I sure hope Minnesota has chocolate fishing poles because it is very hard to disappoint a 6 year old little girl with big blue eyes and adorable little freckles.  My eleven year old nephew wants shrimp.  That won't be a problem.  I'll also be bringing back several bottles of wine! yum!  Sure hope all the bottles make it past Nebraska ~ that can be an awfully long drive home.  lol!

Ok, well, I will be back in a couple of weeks and hope to have some pictures and fun fishing tales to spin for you.  Be safe & stay cool while you enjoy my mom's book.  R.S.V.P.: A Case for Logan Myles by Kathleen R. West  this can be found on Amazon.com and BN.com

2011 CTMH Convention Info

Well, the 2011 Close To My Heart Convention in California is coming to a close.  I know my CTMH sisters are sad to say farewell to one another but are super excited about all the changes & new stuff going on. 

The new Idea Book is being released on August 1st and I just have to say, you NEED to see it.  This book is much more of a true 'idea' book as most of the pages have suggestions and tips to compliment the stamp(s), color palette, paper kit, etc. being presented. 

The big major announcement was the release of the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge ~ exclusive to Close To My Heart!  The cartridge has 700 shapes and comes with 3 Dimensional Elements (i.e. chipboard), and 3 stamp sets.  And can you believe it only costs $99?!  I know!  I'm super pumped about this addition to our product list. 

Another major announcement was the pricing of the stamps.... the price went (are you ready for this?) down!  woo hoo! 

A size - $6.95
B size - $9.95
C size - $13.95
D size - $17.95
E  size - $29.95

The new Consultant Kit for August is $99, so if you are on the fence about whether or not to join my team, now is the perfect time!  Great new products, amazing start up cost, and fabulous people who really care and encourage each other.  Go to http://www.mjwest.myctmh.com/ and go for it ~ join my team!

Close To My Heart is really moving forward with all of their new stamp sets, paper products, and Cricut cartridge.  I am so very proud to be an Independent Consultant for a wonderfully encourage and creative company!

Next summer, 2012, the Convention will be held in Dallas.  I'm so excited about this and can't wait!  Since I live about 10 minutes outside of Dallas, I will most definitely be there. 

54 Things to do with Paper Scraps

Most of these, I found on http://www.scrapbook.com/, however, I did come up with a few on my own. How many have you done already?  How many are you going to try?  If you come up with  more, let me know! 
Enjoy & happy scrapping/crafting!

54 Things To Do With Paper Scraps
1. Make a collaged border.
2. Make matching cards.
3. Donate to a local preschool or day care.
4. Make gift tags.
5. Mis and match squares for a fun background.
6. Make die-cut shapes.
7. Create a whimsical mosaic.
8. Make a paper piercing.
9. Make a mini album.
10. Host a scrap party - have a few friends over & exchange scraps.
11. Give them to your kid(s).
12. Cover a chipboard shape or monogram.
13. Decorate a gift box/bag.
14. Embellish wooden letters.
15. Layer circles of different sizes to make posies.  Add a button or brad to the center.
16. Embellish a pillar candle with a paper ring.
17. Make napkin rings.
18. Make Christmas ornaments.
19. Make Christmas garland chains.
20. Punch out little shapes (i.e. hearts, flowers, stars, etc.).
21. Cut into thin strips to weave together.
22. Cover wooden clothespins.
23. Frame small photos & put them on the fridge or bulletin board.
24. Make magnets.
25. Create butterfly art on canvas.
26. Adhere to the bottom of clear glass bubbles for magnets or pushpins.
27. Make labels for stuff (like in your pantry or scrapbooking room).
28. Throw them out - ummm.... NO!
29. Make title letters - mix & match for a little extra fun.
30. Decorate a large binder clip to use as a photo or note holder.
31. Mat a photo.
32. Make a bookmark.
33. Cover a small notepad.
34. Gather a cellophane bag full of patterened scraps & give them to a scrapbook friend.
35. Silhouette the design in pattereneed paper.
36. Line the bottom of little gift boxes.
37. Create photo corners.
38. Cover a Scrabble tile (or any other game piece you like) with scraps & glossy accents to make a pendant.
39. Fold scraps to make tabs.
40. Layer strips behind a photo or journaling.
41. Punch circles to make scalloped edges.
42. Staple strips around the edge of the paper.
43. Glue onto larger paper clamps & embellish to make quick picture holders.
44. Cover index cards to make booklets.
45. Accent a pre-made embellishment.
46. Accent a stamped image.
47. Applique' a simple design.
48. Cover blocks of wood for home decor design projects.
49. Decoupage an inexpensive wooden tray/box.
50. Use inside a small photo frame with index photos, or simply frame pretty paper.
51. Create your own stickers - punch out shape & run through a Xyron.
52. Create a 'quilt' on a card, layout, in a frame, on a bag, etc.
53. Make name tags.
54. Write a note on a scrap & put into a special someone's lunch box/bag.