Friday, June 29, 2007

Blog Changes

I was made aware this morning that my having a blog that promotes my CTMH business is against Corporate policy, so I will be revamping the content I post here to mainly share my love of scrapbooking and stamping (which can include artwork created using product) as I don't want to get into trouble.

I've got several ideas floating around in my head and just need to see how to implement them.

Stay tuned!

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Apparently I've been TAGGED!

I've heard of this and seen it on blogs I've read, but I've never been tagged before. Thanks, April. Not sure if what I have to say is even worthy of reading, but I'm game and maybe those who read this will learn a little something about me. Only, I don't think I know of 7 people with blogs that hasn't already been tagged!

The Rules: So this is how it works. I must post the rules, 7 random things about me and then tag others to do the same. Sound fair enough, right? These are the rules…. each player starts with 7 random facts about themselves on their Blog. People who are tagged need to blog 7 facts about themselves and post the rules as well. At the end of their blog list 7 people you are tagging. Let them know that they are tagged by leaving them a comment.

1. My husband and I met through a dating service, believe it or not. :o) And we almost didn't connect. This place was an hour's drive from where I lived, and by the time I drove home after my first time there, I had a call from someone who worked there telling me a guy was interested in talking with me. I had broken up with boyfriend who had been calling and hanging up on me, so I was also changing my phone number. I didn't know just when it would take effect, but apparently it was pretty quick. Steve tried to call and the number had already been disconnected! He almost didn't try to find out the new number, but took a chance. We met in 1993 and were married in 1996.

2. One of the reasons I agreed to meet up with Steve is that he knew how to country western dance and I wanted to learn. The first line dance I ever learned was called the Cadillac Ranch and it has 96 steps in it! (Steve didn't teach me that one, though).

3. Up until we got our van a couple of years ago, I only ever drove cars with a manual transmission (stick shift). Once I learned, I didn't like driving cars with an automatic transmission. But, strangely, I don't mind it in the van. Go figure! I'll never forget when my brother was teaching me to drive his truck and I pushed in the clutch thinking it was the brake and we ended up in the middle of our front yard! My first car was a Cavalier and I have purchased only one brand new car in my life-a 1993 Geo Metro (otherwise known as a beercan).

4. I used to teach elementary school (for 11 years) and quit when I was pregnant with my first daughter. I often get asked if/when I'm going to teach again and my response is a definite no. I loved it most of the time I taught, but the last few years of it really burned me out on it.

5. I color my hair. I went prematurely gray (family trait) starting in my 20s. I refused to consider coloring it until after my second daughter was born. Just about anywhere we went, some comment was made that referenced me being my children's grandmother. I never could figure out a great comeback and finally caved and started coloring it. I don't like doing it, but since I colored it, not one person mistakes me for being their grandmother.

6. Most of the crafts I do, I am self taught. I used to do a lot more counted cross stitch and tole painting. I never took a class to learn tole painting (and have only taken a very few scrapbooking/stamping classes). I wanted to learn how to work with plastic canvas and my first (and only) project with it was making a doll house sized for a Barbie! I did complete that one in memory of my mom, who passed away soon after I started the project (it actually was very therapeutic). But I haven't consistently done anything other than papercraft projects since 1994. Btw, when Steve and I were dating, I showed him that project (just barely started it at that time) and he commented that he could wire it for electricity (he's an electrical engineer). I thought to myself, how do you know we will be involved that long? HA, HA. And NO it never has been wired for electricity!! :o)

7. I wrote a 4 sentence book report on, get this, Gone With the Wind when I was in the 8th grade. I chose the book prior to knowing what format the book report would be. And I got an A on the assignment! I wish I could remember my teacher's name from that class as I learned SO much about writing from her. She was a great teacher! Mrs. T.....shoot...I can picture her face and almost hear her voice...but I cannot remember...Terhune or something like that.

Okay, like I said, I don't know of 7 different bloggers who haven't been tagged yet...how about 1? Kim B.

Edited: I was too late! Kim has already been tagged. Guess I'm not going to be able to tag anyone! Well, at least you may have learned a bit about me regardless.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

For Amy's Birthday



We had Amy's birthday party on Sunday and I decided to break out the Cricut and create these cute (if I do say so myself) popcorn boxes to use as goodies for the kids who came to the party. I got the idea from my friend (and downline) Felicia who recently came to Denver for a visit. She made some for her son's birthday party.

I used the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge and cut the boxes the largest size. Then I randomed stamped images from the It's a Party set in Bubblegum, Hydrangea, Sunny Yellow and Dutch Blue. The signs are from the Fabulous Finds cartridge and are a paperclip sign! I stamped the names using a previous Stamp of the Month called The Works. They were a hit with the kids.

I still can't believe Amy is 6! Wow!

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Updating the Blog

I decided to work on the blog and wanted to invite those of you who subscribe to check out the actual site www.tomshack.blogspot.com and take a peek at the side bar. I've added some websites I like to visit as well as several blogs of other Close To My Heart consultants. I think you will find much inspiration from these blogs. I know I do. :o)

One of the websites I've listed is the CTMH Color Combo site. This is a neat website that has all of our colors in their system and when you click on a color, it will give you colors that work well together. Until Close To My Heart comes out with a new updated Color Combo Guide, this is a great alternative for finding colors that will work well together. Enjoy.

Also, I know I've shared with many of you that you can get round orange sponges in the Equine Section of Petsmart. I just discovered that, unfortunately, that area of the store is being closed down. I checked it out today and it's pretty bare and no orange sponges to be found. I'll let you know if I find another source for these.

I hope you find some time to create today.

Happy Father's Day!



My girls are anxious to show their daddy the album I made about our dog Critter, who passed away a year and a half ago. Note the hand made card with all the bright colors. That's from Amy. :o)






Here's a slightly blurry picture of the card I made for my hubby. I stamplifted the idea from the June issue of Cards magazine that I just got.


I used:

Outdoor Denim, Chocolate, Crystal Blue and Colonial White cardstock.

Outdoor Denim and Chocolate ink

Stamp Sets: Rustic Alphabet, Pure Love (bracket, stamped, cut, then flipped over), Solo E (dotted circles)


The embellishments are not CTMH but items I had in my stash, although the hemp is CTMH.


The card is 5x5 square.


Enjoy andI hope all the fathers in your life have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Card Holder

This is the gift I made for Amy's Kindergarten teacher, Miss Paul. I got the template from another CTMH consultant, Korin Sutherland. I will be adding her blog link to a list on this blog. She posted the template there. While I know that the paper is not CTMH, the stamping is all from CTMH stamps. Isn't the paper pretty though? I got it at Target!

Let's see if I can remember which sets I used: C1261 Finding Beauty, C1257 Happy Birthday, D1204 Delight in Everything, Kindred Spirits (special this month for Hostesses), D1187 For Every Occasion (April Stamp of the Month and no longer available).

Ink Colors: Taffy, Vineyard Berry and Garden Green.




Hope you get some time to create today!


Sunday, June 3, 2007

Challenge Sketches

Here are the sketches for June. I found them at www.pagemaps.com Feel free to check this website out as there are also pictures of completed artwork using the sketches. It just might give you some creative inspiration should you feel stumped when you just look at the sketch.

Remember to post what you come up with, using mostly CTMH products, in the Art Gallery on my website. You can use the sketch as is, or say, instead of the flowers across the card, use brads or circles or whatever you desire.

Have fun creating!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to let me know.
Jeanne