Having fun at my team retreat!

It has been a great trip to Texas for my annual retreat.  I came into town a couple of days early and met up with my Mom (from New Mexico), Sheila (from Arizona) and Cindy (from Texas).  We settled in at the retreat and had a delicious and authentic Mexican dinner!  I had huevos rancheros, with red chile, and they were TASTY!

Cindy and Me

Sheila and Mom

We are retreatin' at Lone Oak Ranch & Retreat and having a fabulous time scrapbooking and stamping with 34 "addicts".  All the buildings and decorations are Texas-style and absolutely adorable.  Here are a few photos to keep you updated.

Star Hotel and Ballroom - This is where we are croppin' until all hours of the morning with hotel rooms on the perimeter of the building.

Here are a couple of the buildings on the property, including the Rodeo Cafe, where we have been eating some yummy meals.

The ranch hosts many weddings a year in this church on the property.

This is where we are staying, in the Green House. 

A Friend for Life...

Using the new Veranda paper pack, "A Posy" stamp set and the Baroque Alphabet, I made this layout as my $6 Scrapbook Workshop for March.  If you live in the Hutchinson area, join me for this workshop on Thursday, March 18th at 6:30 p.m.  (Location TBA but will be held in Hutchinson.)  Please contact me for more details.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I am glad we celebrate this holiday throughout the year but I also enjoy gathering some special treats for a fun day!  Gotta love being able to modge podge "some of his favorite things" without having to pay the high costs of a retail store.  I think I did a pretty good job! 

And who can pass up a good excuse to eat some chocolate-covered strawberries?  Okay...so they aren't as pretty as those bought in the store but I guarantee they were less expensive and are just as tasty.  And they were made by me! 

I haven't been slacking...

I have been working really hard on treats for those attending my Team Retreat at the end of this month but I am not sharing those treats until after the fact.  Nice try, team members!  :0)  I have also been working on secret sister items that I cannot share either.  Too bad so sad, huh?  Hopefully you are attending the retreat that you will get to see the items first-hand and if not, you'll have to check back at the end of the month and in early March.  These boxes are full of goodies!

I am anxious to see 32 fellow scrapbookers in just a couple of weeks! 

Frame turned dry erase board

I have seen these frames in many places on the web and have waited this long to make one myself.  I was blessed to receive one from my downline, Tonya, in November and was inspired to model this one closely after my friend's (Pamela O.) creations.  (Check out her blog here.) 

I love having these memo boards around the house to keep me focused and completing necessary tasks.  It's great that you can use any scrapbooking products you have on-hand to make one for your home or office or... create one as a gift!

True Friends...

One of my friends came over a couple of times this past weekend to "play". She's recently experienced the stamping and scrapbooking addiction!  She made her first greeting cards and was extremely excited!  They came out really cute!

While she was visiting, I experimented a little bit, with the January Stamp of the Month (True Friends) and the Caboodle paper pack to create this card.  I hadn't used the Rhinestone Frame Connect Club Rewards and thought I'd do so on this card.  Needing a basic color, I tied in Chocolate, and I think it turned out pretty cute!  I hope you like it too!

Team Members = Friends

I received a surprise in the mail over the weekend - these CUTE Valentine cards!  Okay...so I kind of gave a hint to one of my team members, Nickie, while being silly and she sent me one of each of the cards she made!  I don't object and they are even cuter in person!  I love my team and all the fun and joy that comes with leading them and cheering them on to success! 

Thanks, Nickie!  I truly appreciate the cards!

The Energy Bus

Thanks to my new friend and co-worker, Alma, I have been introduced to this fabulous book and a great author!  I won't spoil the contents of the book but do encourage you to purchase and read it if you enjoy motivation and need reminding to focus on positive things, even when sometimes you are surrounded by negativity (in the workplace, home, or just in everyday life).

I have been reading the book at a slow pace, which I don't tend to do like I should, and really value the various messages I have gained from it.  I purchased it for a friend and I hope she finds the same value in it as I do.  I highly recommend that you add it to your library and when you do, let me know what you think!

Help provide relief for Haiti!

FEBRUARY'S CONSTANT CAMPAIGN

Our hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti and we’re eager to help. I am excited to announce Close To My Heart’s February Constant Campaign, Hearts for Haiti—where YOU can get a great deal while doing great good for those affected by the devastation in Haiti.

From February 1-28, 2010, our 12” x 12” textured cardstock combo packs are buy one, get one FREE—and with every offer purchased, Close To My Heart will donate $2 US to Operation Smile’s Haiti relief efforts! 

Operation Smile is always a fantastic charitable partner—offering free facial reconstruction surgeries to needy children throughout the world. They’ve currently marshaled their medical teams and resources to provide emergency relief in Haiti, and the donations given as part of Hearts for Haiti will be used exclusively for Operation Smile’s efforts in Haiti. For more information on their on-the-ground response, you can visit www.operationsmile.org/haiti.

Here are the paper packs that qualify for this awesome campaign:

X5747, Basic (Bamboo, Black, Chocolate, Cocoa, Colonial White, Desert Sand) 

X5681, Spring Harmony (Amethyst, Baby Pink, Heavenly Blue, Key Lime, Sunkiss Yellow, Taffy)

X5745, Summer Celebration (Bubblegum, Citrus Leaf, Dutch Blue, Ocean, Topiary, Watermelon)

X5669, Autumn Harvest (Autumn Terracotta, Barn Red, New England Ivy, Outdoor Denim, Pansy Purple, Sunflower)

X5670, Winter Cozy (Blush, Crystal Blue, Honey, Petal, Sweet Leaf, Twilight)

Benefits of Textured Cardstock:

• Textured on both sides.
• Backside is the same color as the front, however, in a lighter shade, so you actually have double the colors in every pack!
• White-core center, so you can sand the front and distress the paper, or brush it with ink to enhance the ridges.
• Very versatile.
• 24 sheets per pack, 6 colors, 4 sheets of each color.

GET ALL FIVE TODAY by contacting me or ordering through my website and help Haiti victims!

My favorite gift from my Holiday Homie!

I love all of the gifts from my Holiday Homie, Joey, but this one struck a chord with me because it's so darn cute!  It's a little desktop calendar, completely made out of paper, with a little drawer!  She used one of our "Pewter Designer Brads" as the drawer knob and I love it!  I can't decide where I want to display this precious creation but I do need to show it off so need to decide soon!

One of the many reasons I love Close To My Heart and being a part of such a wonderful company and team are the unlimited ideas I can obtain.  I love recreating them, at a low cost, for the special people in my life!  (Thanks again, Joey!  Your efforts were tremendously appreciated!)

These do look good enough to eat!

February's Stamp of the Month, "Piece of Cake", can make your artwork look absolutely scrumptious! 

Available only through the end of the month, you will definitely want to add this adorable set to your collection.  You can get it for FREE, at a discount, or buy it outright for just $22.95.  (See complete details regarding our Stamp of the Month Club by clicking here.)

Every month I host a Stamp of the Month swap where multiple Consultants exchange their artwork. This a 3 1/2 x 8" card I made, using our Wishes program and "Piece of Cake". Click here to view a slideshow on my website of the beautiful artwork contributed by the participating Consultants. You won't want to miss these!

Mini Photo Album (made with clear envelopes)

Sometimes being a visual learner isn't beneficial.  Unfortunately, I tend to only try things after I have seen them in person.

I have had the pattern for this mini photo album for years but have never tried one because the directions looked too intimidating - not because they were difficult but because I wanted to see it in person!  Well, thanks to Joey, I did get my wish as this was another one of my "goodies".  This cute little book is perfect for highlighting a special event or great as a brag book for any occasion.

TIP:  You can use our "Flip Flaps" to serve as page inserts on the inside of this album. 

Joey has me inspired so I will be making one soon and will post it for you to see! 

You can never have too many candy holders...

Joey, my Holiday Homie, was the one who inspired me to try applying Rub-Ons to the mugs I posted before and I loved the results!  But then...she had to send me this stinkin' cute candy holder and get me reinspired all over again! 

This appears to be a candle holder that she applied many small images from our "Nature's Ambiance Rub-Ons".  How cute is this for a Valentine gift for a secret pal, co-worker, friend or family member?  And who can't always use some chocolate?!   

P.S.  Love the White Chocolate Bliss and I don't typically prefer white chocolate but...it IS creamy!  YUM!