Friday, December 21, 2007

My little guy turns 5!- Blog Candy too!

So my Christmas Eve Baby will be turning 5 on Monday! Where did the time go!

So in honor of his birthday I am offering some really cool blog candy!

You could win:


From Close to My Heart: Winter 2007 On My Mind Booking Set, 1X1 Acrylix Block and 12 pewter paperclips (4 each of 3 designs) Connections Club Rewards!

Rules to Enter: (must have these things as a bare minimum)
1. Create a Card 8" X 4"
2. Use the follwing colors: Chocolate, Sweetleaf, Twilight, Buttercup, and Colonial White-See the colors on my CTMH website to try to match them with what you may have in your stache of paper: http://www.gerriannarmstrong.myctmh.com/
3. Have mulitple layers- at least 3
4. Include metal embellishments.

Upload the finished card to your blog/website and email me the link or email me a picture of your card, including the details of what you used.

Winner will be picked by my soon to be 5 year old son on December 28th-the day of his party!

Good Luck!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Auction for Cards to benefit Autism Organization

I was floating around on line and making my daily blog rounds when I came across that the husband of my of my favorite bloggers is hosting an auction for cards to benefit an autism organization that provides services for the family. Check out the auction at http://mycraftarea.blogspot.com/ and bid!

As the parent of a son with autism sometimes it feels overwhelming and nothing ever works fast enough and agencies like the one that this auction will benefit helps us realize that progress is happening! Thanks for at least looking!

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

The "W" in Christmas

What a great story to remind us all the true meaning for Christmas:

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations -- extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six-year-old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were
led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.
Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row-center stage -- held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the
letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -- totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W."
The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W." Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.
In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
And, I believe, He still is. Amazed in His presence... Humbled by His love.

Card from Holly Craft!

This is a beatiful card from Holly Craft of TJ 1 on 1! Thanks Holly! You handwriting is amazing!

Monday, December 3, 2007

What Type of Elf are you?

Saw this on another blog adn thought why not! So I am:

Your Elf Name Is...

Candy Mince Meat

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Frosty Friends and Kindred Spirits

Today's challenge for Maria's Blog candy at Stamping Inspirations/Card Inspired included making a card from one of 2 sketches. I was on a roll and made one using each of her sketches.

Here they are:

Card size: 5"X5"
Stamp Set: CTMH Frosty Friends
ink: Stazon,
Paper: Signature Collection, Bazzel Bling Cardstock
Embellishments: CTMH Bookplate chipboard, silver star brads, liquid applique, prisma glitter, CTMH bubble gum ribbon
Technique: Paper Piecing- the hats, and shirt, heart.
Kindred Spirits:
Card Size: 5"X7"
Ink: CTMH Lilac Mist
Paper: Signature Collection, Bazzel Bling
Stamp Set: CTMH Kindred Spirits
Embellishments: Bubble Gum Ribbon, CTMH Bigger Brad Silver, Pop Dots
Thanks Maria for the inspiring sketches!

Saturday, December 1, 2007

My Creative Space!

So here is some great photo of my scrap and stamp space that my husband took for me!
I love the drawer units! I got them at the Habitiat store (they have a surplus store to make profits for the non-profit organization) for less than $18 each. I have 35 total drawers which used to house college student clothes but now scrapbooking and craft supplies. I was smart and labeled the drawers in the beginning (yes I have that much stuff!) so everything I bring home has a home of sorts. Enjoy!


Seeing these photos make me feel like I better get busy and get some of the projects done so that I have more space for the new stuff coming out on January 1st from CTMH. I am working on project for my class on Wednesday!
I participate in a monthly layout group at the local scrapbook store. It is great to keep fresh with the new products on the market. The layout below is 1/2 of the 2 page layout from November putting my CTMH spin on it.
Well I posted these photos as my entry in Maria's blog candy celebrating her 1st year anniversary! Congratulations Maria!
Also we were asked on the Card Inspired by Maria to let her know about a blog we feel is one that is inspirational but not well known. So my nomination for that is On My Refrigerator Door!
http://www.efridgedoor.blogspot.com/. She has the best birthday card for a 5 year old using the CTMH Numbers Solos! Thanks for your inspiration Amy!