Cherry-O Card Workshop

Whew! We had a marathon session today using the Cherry-O Workshops on the Go Kit. Instead of just completing 6 cards we doubled the amount we cut to create 12 cards plus we added the 3 cards as described in the additional projects section for a total of 15 cards! I changed the cutting directions only slightly to allow for more card bases by using Colonial White instead of Sweet Leaf for card number 1. There was still a ton of paper left over. You could create 4 more cards using the pieces of Chocolate cardstock leftover as card bases or many more if you added your own blank cards or cardstock.  Congratulations to my workshop attendees! You were real troopers!

Don't the cards look so pretty all together?

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Confessions of a Paper Hoarder

It's true...I hoard paper...especially pretty patterned paper. Sometimes it's just difficult for me to dive in and cut that beautiful paper up and actually create. I worry that I might ruin it or that if I do get around to using it, that I might find a better use for it down the line (you know, like the perfect pictures that match it or something). Sad but true! Well, I've been trying to improve. So, I finally dove into my, "Everyday Celebration," card kit from last September! In my defense, I had made two of the cards from the kit right when I got it (but then I wanted to wait because I loved the paper so much). But, I am proud of myself. I just say down today and cranked out 6 cards from the kit. I changed up the designs a teeny bit from the directions and I love them.

The first cards are mostly identical (I only changed the brads) and I made them for my my son to send out as thank you cards for birthday gifts.

I thought I might make up a bunch of cards with this next design to give to my preschoolers on their birthdays.

It was nice to finally have had some time to craft. I think today was my first real, "lazy day of summer," without having any appointments, places to go (aside from soccer practice -- but that was in the evening so it doesn't count), or things to get ready for art camp, an upcoming trip, or convention! I love having a free morning. We did do a lot of organizing in the basement. We're trying to find toys, games, and other things that we can try to sell or donate, but just not having anything specific to have to go to or have to do this morning was a treat!

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The 2010 Close To My Heart Convention

I was lucky enough to attend the CTMH Convention this year since it was only about half an hour away from where I live! The convention was at the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor in Maryland. It was just a beautiful setting, right off of the Potomac. The hotel itself was HUGE! The bottom floor had an area which was set up like a little town center with pathways, stores, restaurants, a fountain, sand sculptures, and beautiful gardens.

As most of you know, I am mostly a hobbyist who like to teach. So I wasn't entirely sure about attending convention considering the expense. But I'm so glad I did. Aside from meeting some wonderful consultants, getting a preview of the 2010 Autumn/Winter Idea book, getting new ideas, and being able to hear Jeanette Lynton speak in person, I got to see and actually take classes from people whose blogs I follow! Laugh at me if you want, but they are almost like celebrities to me! People like Melissa Laverty from http://fancymelissa.blogspot.com/. She's nice in person too! When you go to her blog, you'll see some of the projects she taught and showcased, including how to make beautiful paper flowers. When I was walking around that huge hotel and would spot someone familiar, it would take me a while and then I would realize..."oh, I follow her blog!" And yes, I did restrain myself from asking for autographs! Here are some photos from convention.

Look at the cool stairs at the Gaylord Hotel and Convention center (Me and my scrapbooker-in-training).

Here's a glimpse of the indoor gardens at the Gaylord

...and a glimpse of the outdoor gardens.

A view of the Potomac

A sand sculpture of the Iwo Jima Memorial

...and another of the Washington Monument with the Jefferson Monument.

The hotel even had a couple of wax figures...here are the kids with Abraham Lincoln.

There are some wonderful new changes and additions coming to CTMH with the Autumn/Winter catalog. I can't divulge much yet but I will say that we will be getting some gorgeous new colors!

Well, I'll give you one little blurry sneak peek because I'm so excited about this stamp set (I love teacups!).

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Kids' Scramping Art Camp

I held a week long Kids' Summer Camp earlier on this summer and we did a number of fun projects. Although the girls in the camp were young (all about seven years old), they did a wonderful job. I did underestimate how much adhesive they would use though! Next time I would triple the amount that I allowed for!

I think two of my favorite projects we did during this week were decorating the My Creations Artboard (Z1291) and making an All About Me album using the 9" x 9" My Creations Accordian Album (Z1198), the You Rock Simply Snapshots pages (X8536), and the About Me Journaling Prompts stickers (X5746). We also added the Color Ready Oxford Alphabet stickers (X5749) so that the girls could use them to put their names on the front covers. I was very pleased with how well the you Rock pages went with such a variety of pictures! Here are some pictures of these projects.

My Creations Artboards

All About Me Albums

My daughter's album unfolded

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