Hi!

Just wanted to say Hi!

Family Gatherings

It's been a busy summer of family gatherings. My brother got married a month and a half ago, my nephew got married a month ago, his brother got married yesterday, my brother's family came to visit from Connecticut. It seems we have just moved from one family event to another but that's the fun of it!

When my daughter first arrived in the US from Russia, we introduced her to good old summer gatherings right off the bat. We took her to my uncle's farm home, fed her watermelon and took her to her first rodeo. Welcome to America, sweetie! Close to My Heart's Jubilee paper (which is retiring at the end of this month so get it while you can) was perfect for these photos. I love the country look of these papers (thank you to Karen Naylor for the inspiration).

I love these pics!

My daughter--queen of the goofy face!

Now to dig in and scrap some photos from this summer's fun. Take care all!

Home from Convention

I just got home from the Close to My Heart Annual Convention. I LOVE convention. This was my 20th. I have not missed a single one, even when I had heart surgery (who else moves a heart surgery up a month in order to attend convention?). And this year was at Disneyland! What could be better? My favorite company and my favorite place together at the same time!

The trip started out perfectly when we met Goofy while checking into the Disneyland Hotel.

And it just got better from there with an evening in the parks on Tuesday, a fabulous dinner and special seating for Fantasmic on Wednesday, and a fabulous Director's dinner and preferred viewing for World of Color on Thursday. I even participated in a 5K on Saturday morning to benefit Operation Smile. Admittedly, I walked, not ran but it was amazing to get to see California Adventure without people!

  

Of course, the highlights of convention were the new catalog reveal and playing with some of the new products! But, you are going to have to wait until August 1st to see them. Okay, that's just cruel of me. Here's one little sneak peak. You are going to love the new Picture My Life packets. Here is a new one called Chalk It Up. The cards were made into a very simple and fun mini-album.

As always, convention was a wonderful opportunity to hang out with friends that share the same passion that I do. Some of them I see often, others only once or twice a year.

As an almost 20 year veteran of Close to My Heart, I have to say that the friendships have been one of the best perks as a consultant. Have you ever thought about doing what I do? I think you'd love it. If you want to learn more, contact me or check out this link.

Watch my blog for upcoming sneak peeks of the catalog and for workshop announcements. I have lots of fabulous workshop ideas floating in my head that I want to make into reality for this fall. And here's a little Disney inspired artwork for you.

Yes, this paper and the stamps are retired but it may still inspire. Which reminds me, there is a lot of retiring product that you can see on this post so don't miss out while waiting for the new catalog. Just last night I noticed there were a few items already sold out.

Happy Stamping and Scrapping!

Retiring CTMH Product

Can it be? Is it that time already? Yes, my friends. The current Close to My Heart catalog is winding down and it is time for items to retire to make way for new ones. The long list is below. You can shop for these items on my website here. But please remember, these are only while supplies last. The catalog is good until July 31st, but if the items on the retired list run out, they are gone!

I'm off to convention in Disneyland next week and will get to see the new catalog and products. I may try to update from convention but if not, look for lots of news here when I return! Take care all!

Accessories
Item # Description
Z1789 Chalkboard 12" x 12" Sheet, Adhesive-backed
Z1832 Spinner
Z1843 Irresistibles™ Frames
Z1844 Color-Ready Trinkets Wooden Shapes
Z1858 Irresistibles™ Hexagons
Z1863 Color-Ready Midtown Cork Shapes
Z1039 Create A Shade Pearl Paint
Z1825 Keyboard Kraft Alphabet
Z1835 Tiny Type Epoxy Alphabet
Z1961 Marquee Enamel Shapes–White
Z1891 Base & Bling Teal Jewels
Z1892 Base & Bling Black Jewels
Z1893 Base & Bling Red Jewels
Z1894 Base & Bling Pink Jewels
Z1895 Base & Bling Purple Jewels
Z1837 Mini-Medley Accents Wooden Collection
Z1702 Baker's Twine Paradise Assortment
Z1751 Harvest Baker's Twine
Z1760 Burlap Ribbon
Z1808 Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon
Z1817 Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape
Z1826 Hollyhock Zipper Lace
Z1846 Ruby Chevron Ribbon
Z1850 Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape
Z1867 Jute Ribbon
Z1917 Lagoon Zipper Lace
Z1930 Chocolate Woodgrain Washi Tape
Z1911 Designed Décor Frame Kit
Z1874 Base & Bling Necklace
Z1875 Base & Bling Cuff
Z1876 Base & Bling Hair Clips
Z1877 Base & Bling Rings
Z1878 Base & Bling Headband
Z1195 My Creations Memory Showcase 6x6
Z1647 My Creations® Card Box
Z1797 My Creations® Bracket Frame
Z1868 My Creations® Kraft Ring Box
Z1870 My Creations® Kraft Pocket Album
X1404 TrueFit Folios (5)
Z1820 For Always Textiles
Z1885 Sarita Textiles
Z1970 Skylark Textiles
Z1971 Jubilee Textiles
1514 Tombow Adhesive
1515 Tombow Adhesive Refill
Z1311 Circle Punch 1 1/4
Z338 Euro Personal Paper Trimmer
Z1114 Piercing Tool Kit
12x12 Albums
Item # Description
Z1343 12 x 12 Post Bound Album- Cranberry
Z1344 12 x 12 Post Bound Album- Hollyhock
Z1345 12 x 12 Post Bound Album- Black
Z1348 WIP 12x12 Album- Chocolate
My Reflections Papers, Complements, Workshop on the Go
Item # Description
Z3002 Ariana Assortment
X7179C Ariana Dimensional Elements Complements
G1074 Ariana Kit Workshops on the Go®
X7179B Ariana Paper Packet
Z1869 Babycakes Assortment
X7173C Babycakes Complements Canvas Shapes
X7173B Babycakes Paper Packet
Z3003 Balloon Ride Assortment
X7180C Balloon Ride Dimensional Elements Complements
G1075 Balloon Ride Kit Workshops on the Go®
X7180B Balloon Ride Paper Packet
Z3001 Ivy Lane Assortment
G1073 Ivy Lane Kit Workshops on the Go®
X7178C Ivy Lane My Stickease® Assortment
X7178B Ivy Lane Paper Packet
G1079 Ivy Lane Workshops on the Go® Cardmaking Kit
Z3004 Jubilee Assortment
X7181C Jubilee Dimensional Elements Complements
G1076 Jubilee Kit Workshops on the Go®
X7181B Jubilee Paper Packet
Z1854 Laughing Lola Assortment
X7170C Laughing Lola Complements Dimensional Elements
X7170B Laughing Lola Paper Packet
Z3006 Lollydoodle Assortment
G1078 Lollydoodle Kit Workshops on the Go®
X7183C Lollydoodle My Stickease® Assortment
X7183B Lollydoodle Paper Packet
G1080 Lollydoodle Workshops on the Go® Cardmaking Kit
Z1879 ProPlayer Assortment
X7172C ProPlayer My Stickease® Assortment
X7172B ProPlayer Paper Packet
Z1873 Sarita Assortment
X7171C Sarita My Stickease® Assortment
X7171B Sarita Paper Packet
Z3000 Skylark Assortment
X7177C Skylark Dimensional Elements Complements
G1072 Skylark Kit Workshops on the Go®
X7177B Skylark Paper Packet
Z3005 Timberline Assortment
G1077 Timberline Kit Workshops on the Go®
X7182C Timberline My Stickease® Assortment
X7182B Timberline Paper Packet
Exclusive Colors – Cardstock, Stamp Pads, Re-Inkers, Markers
Retiring Colors: Buttercup, Blush, Twilight, Crème Brulee, Sky
Item # Description
Z2400 Marker Set: Twilight
Z2401 Marker Set: Crystal Blue
Z2402 Marker Set: Sky
Z2403 Marker Set: Juniper
Z2404 Marker Set: Sweet Leaf
Z2405 Marker Set: Buttercup
Z2406 Marker Set: Creme Brulee
Z2407 Marker Set: Sorbet
Z2408 Marker Set: Blush
Z2409 Marker Set: Smoothie
Z2410 Marker Set: Gypsy
Z2411 Marker Set: Pacifica
Z2412 Marker Set: Lagoon
Z2413 Marker Set: Topiary
Z2414 Marker Set: Pear
Z2415 Marker Set: Honey
Z2416 Marker Set: Sunset
Z2417 Marker Set: Cotton Candy
Z2418 Marker Set: Hollyhock
Z2419 Marker Set: Cranberry
Z2420 Marker Set: Smokey Plum
Z2421 Marker Set: Outdoor Denim
Z2422 Marker Set: Indian Corn Blue
Z2423 Marker Set: Ponderosa Pine
Z2424 Marker Set: New England Ivy
Z2425 Marker Set: Olive
Z2426 Marker Set: Goldrush
Z2427 Marker Set: Autumn Terracotta
Z2428 Marker Set: Barn Red
Z2429 Marker Set: Ruby
Z2430 Marker Set: Black
Z2431 Marker Set: Slate
Z2432 Marker Set: Whisper
Z2206 Reinker Blush
Z2210 Reinker Buttercup
Z2260 Reinker Twilight
Z2267 Reinker Crème Brulee
Z2294 Reinker Sky
Z2106 Stamp Pad Blush
Z2110 Stamp Pad Buttercup
Z2160 Stamp Pad Twilight
Z2167 Stamp Pad Crème Brulee
Z2194 Stamp Pad Sky
Z2500 Whimsy Mini Pigment Set
Z4133 Marker Tower
1271 Cardstock12x12Buttercup
X5640 Cardstock12x12Blush
X5666 Cardstock12x12Twilight
X5754 Cardstock12x12CremeBrulee
X5761 Cardstock 12x12 Sky
X5936 Whimsy Cardstock Combo
Z1801 Alcohol Blending Marker
Stamp Sets
Item # Description
A1130 Quick Cards-Bountiful Season
A1143 Teddy Bear Birthday
A1144 Birthday Cheer
A1145 Flowering Thanks
A1158 Doodle Signs
A1160 This Is Good
B1407 School Is Here
B1411 Greek Alphabet
B1425 Stitched with Love
B1426 Pick a Posy
B1446 Some Bunny
B1447 A Mother's Love
B1448 My Hero
B1451 Enjoy the Little Things
C1473 Remarkable Wreath
C1510 Merry & Bright
C1524 Words of Comfort
C1555 Count Your Blessings
C1563 Cityscape
C1572 On Holiday (Australia Only)
D1483 Glory To God
D1514 Just a Number
D1551 Swirls Around
D1557 Candyland
D1564 Maximum Power
D1583 Unicorn Dreams

Happy Memorial Day

I'm feeling a little guilty today. Growing up, I spent every Memorial Day decorating graves with my mother and grandmother. It was a big family holiday and I have wonderful memories. Since I got married, we've spent a few Memorial Days back home and I know my mother is carrying on the tradition well but I always feel a little guilty on Memorial Day not visiting a loved one's grave somewhere.

Friday night, I sat down to put some loose pages in my scrapbooks and spent the next four hours looking through every last page I have created. I read the journaling, I smiled a lot and cried a little bit. This is what I do this for--to remember. It seemed appropriate that I would do this on Memorial Day weekend.

So in memory today, I want to say thank you to my grandfather, Andrew Jackson Moffitt.

He fought in World War II, earned a Silver Star on Attu, and rarely talked about it. I think like many of his generation, he just did what was asked of him and didn't necessarily think there was anything heroic in it. He's been gone for a long time now but I'm still grateful every day for what he and his brothers and his friends and so many others did for this country, then and now.

And then there is my grandma, Twila Oman Fehlman. She didn't fight in any war but she preserved every memory she could. Without her, I would have very few pictures of me as a child. Looking through her photo albums as a child was always a pleasure. She kept them in her bedroom, in the corner, and (when I wasn't playing with her jewelry) I often sat on the floor and looked at her albums. I did this page a few years ago.

She's the oldest of the three sisters. She made my ancestors live for me, not just on Memorial Day. I can't look at a lilac bush or a peony and not think of her. I miss her and my Grandpa Fehlman more than I can possibly express.

Whether you live near or far from the resting place of your ancestors, take a moment today to remember those who helped make you who you are. Say thank you to a soldier or veteran. Smile at a memory. Happy Memorial Day.

It's Been a Good Day

Life has been a little stressful lately. It's the end of the school year, work has been insane for several weeks now, there's been a lot going on. But today, today was a good day.

I wanted to share a page that I did recently, inspired by a page I saw on Instagram posted by Simple Stories. It was so simple and I thought, "I bet I'd have time to do that." So I did. It's just a little reminder that no matter how crazy my life may get, it's still a good one.

Hidden Journaling

Here's to a good day everyone!

Simply Inspired Blog Hop: Free to Be Me

Time for another blog hop. I absolutely love participating in these because the ideas are so beautiful and it keeps me on my creative toes. If you've just arrived here from the sweet and lovely Michelle Snyder's blog, then you are on the right track. At any time if you get lost along the way, you can go to this link to see all the blog hoppers.

And now on to it. Today is National Scrapbooking Day! The whole month of May is National Scrapbooking Month and Close to My Heart's Free to Be Me special is available all month long but today is the perfect day to introduce it to you.

  

I adore these colors. And the textures! And the vellum! Ahhh, there is nothing not to like about this particular paper packet.

 

Here is a close up. Baby Rilo has got to be the cutest little bunny ever but look closely at the paper here. Can you see the texture in the lovely pink sorbet paper? And on the teal? And that beautiful gold polka dot is velllum layered over the pink sorbet paper.

Here is another close up. My cute niece and nephew-in-law are darling parents but look at the paper again for a moment. See the texture in the green? And that feather pattern in the background is also vellum. I adore these people and I adore this paper!

Thank you to Maddie and Jared for letting me feature them and their precious new daughter on this page. I hope I've inspired all of you. And now hop on over to the talented Beckie Lehman's blog for more inspiration.