In memory of my uncle

This little album is probably the least expensive one could ever make. The chipboard album and the pattern paper that fit were purchased from the Michales $1 bins. I lost the last living sibling of my parents in December, Otto Pendl. He is father of Betty Lyons of Peoria, Illinois who has always been a very close cousin of mine. Not only did she lose her Dad who had been living with her due to his health, she lost her husband to cancer just a few weeks before. I have made this little album for her and hope that it will bring her some comfort. I included some old photos that were in my parents collection along with some old letters that Uncle Ots had sent. I am finding that my hobby allows me to do some special things for others that they might not do for themselves. I hope Betty likes it.

Teaching a Valentine card class today

I will be visiting at the home of Bobbie Whitten today with a group of ladies from Callaway Baptist Church. They have asked me to come and give them a class on card making. I always enjoy showing new folks how to stamp! I made some handmade goodies for a game prize.

Messy craft room

Mel is one of my stamping heroes and seeing her messy craft room made me feel so good!!! There's lots of links on her site for organization.

Daily Bread Cards

This site will keep you looking at cards for a long time! Beautiful!

Great tutorial for coloring in stamped and digi images

Haiti Earthquake

My heart is hurting for the people of Haiti. It is so difficult to even watch on TV what is happening there. My ties with American Red Cross are still in place and it is natural for me to want to help in some way. It isn't much but today I am teaching a Shelter Operations class, which doesn't help Haiti at all. It does give me some connection with an organization that does help. This class is to involve local people in training to operate disaster shelters in our own area. It also is one of the steps that individuals must take if they wish to be involved on a larger scale disaster. I pray for all who are able to go directly to Haiti and give that much needed assistance right now.

Joining Scrappin' Friends today

I always look forward to spending special time with friends at Dianne's house. Today I will be working on Valentines for a special project sponsored by Radio Station 93.3. Vicki made me aware of this project and several of us are working on making and donating these Valentines for kids. I will post my cards when I get done.

One hole bow

http://weeinklings.blogspot.com/2008/05/grand-slam.

Great tutorial here for making a flat bow on a greeting card!

Don't Forget

Remember to click on the "National Papercrafting Month" icon on the left, leave a comment to be eligible for the daily drawing of a special CTMH Felicity kit.

Facebook Class

I was asked to teach a Facebook Class at the Senior Center. Had 12 people in the class all working on computers at the same time! I prepared a handout with the basics and lucky I did! Everyone in there was at different levels on FB with some not even having email addresses! Got through it okay and they are already asking when I will do another! Facebook is a great way to communicate,even for older folks! And our grandchildren think we are cool for doing it!

Today was my day to lead the scrapbook class at the Senior Center and we had a new lady come who is from France. I loved her accent and I think she is very interested in learning to scrapbook. Hope we have found a new friend! We made a Calendar Bookmark-easy little project. Downloaded and printed out the 12 month calendar in perfect size for a bookmark. Just added patterned paper to both side of chipboard, inked the edges, added the calendar and some ribbon. I also provided a neat Christmas sketch for them to work on and bring back for show n tell at next class. I love sharing this hobby with others!

Cold weather crafting

Staying inside when it is cold is great for getting some crafts done! I've been playing a bit-hope to get something things posted here if I can make it work,that is! My first project is an altered wooden recipe box. I decoupaged CTMH paper, Perfect Day, onto the box. (love taking something old and making it pretty). Instead of using the box for recipes, I've made it into a little scrapbook to hold, "Recipes For My Happiness". For the recipe cards I attached front and back patterned paper onto chipboard for study mini scrapbook pages. I've had fun, using embellishments to decorate each little page with photos of my children and grandchildren. AND THEY ARE WHAT MAKE ME HAPPY! I will probably keep adding to this, continuing with other family members and friends. I love how it turned out! Guess this was a nice change from the usual 12x12 pages that take more time and creativity.

Shalay safe at home

After their long trek to North Carolina from LaGrange, then all the way back to St. Louis from there, I thank God they are safe after all this travel! Little Wolfie cooperated during the trip and seems to love riding on any moving vehicle! To be only 2 months old he has already been on a plane, train and car! The snow started in St. Louis last night just as they were getting home!

http://www.closetomyheart.com/en/Products/Online_Idea_Book.aspx

View new Close To My Heart Catalog and contact me to order

New Years Layouts

I finally did a little scrapbooking today-only 2 pages but it is a start for the New Year. The assignment for today's class at the Senior Center was to scrap our Goals for the New Year-I prefer that over resolutions! Something to work towards! My photos weren't too good so I only posted one page. The second page lists my three goals for the year-Listen for God's still, small voice; Organize!Get rid of some clutter in my house and me! Spend special time with family and friends!

I'm nervous about calling myself a blogger-there is so much I don't yet know about it. I find that others have so much of interest to look at, why add my little bit! I have been scrapbooking for about 13 years, completed 15 albums plus small ones that were given away. I am a consultant with Close to My Heart and have been since 1998. I was awarded my 5 year recognition at the CTMH Convention that year in Dallas, Texas but wasn't able to go to convention for my 10 year recognition. But I received a beautiful diamond charm in celebration. I love being a hobbyist consultant because I am not a high-pressure salesperson. I would rather spend my time showing others how to make cards, scrapbook and hold a few fun workshops. I moderate a Yahoo group, called HeartsRemembered and have 44 members in my group. This group has been such a blessing to me. I hold regular free crops at my house and love the time we share working on our albums. This group is much more than a on-line cyber group. We have lunch dates, plan retreats and just take care of each other! I am also teaching a very special group of ladies at our local Senior Center. When I decided I was finally "old" enough to join the SR CTR I found no group interested in scrapbooking. I had to change that! The Center Director was pleased that I wanted to start up a group and now we have regular classes each week and also get together as friends for crops! Another group of friends to know and love. The love of scrapbooking has brought me such joy, not only because of the creative outlet, the legacy of memories I'm leaving but for new friendships that may not have happened without this hobby. I am so thankful that God opened this door for me and I truly feel that He did that. Losing my husband, both parents and having an "empty nest" have been the most difficult things to happen to me. This door to friendship and creativity has helped me time and time again. Maybe blogging some personal thoughts and crafts will too.

Have to try new things, don't we!

A Blog! Should I try one? I feel like I already spend too much time on the computer, but it seems everyone does this. So here I am, trying it out. I may not spend enough time here to make it interesting to anyone but me. But this is a new challenge and I am up for that!