My First Family (BIG) Hike

Since we live at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we have plenty of places to trail hike, quite close to home. Today we went to Sky Meadows State Park in Paris, VA for my first BIG family hike. My 8 yr old twins and DH (dear husband)have done other trails but I always had something to do. Not today! We opted for a "moderate" level of difficulty with one major steep grade and a fantastic view of the surrounding valley. This was really challenging for me but everyone's help, I made it! I am NOT a great outdoors person but love my family and want to do as much as possible with them, so I am quite happy with the outcome. Plus this was a great chance to check out the park and find a good trail for my Brownie Troop. Oh yeah - I'm going back!
I didn't get to take as many pics as I usually do (probably too busy trying to catch my breath at the top of each trail rise!) but I got a few. I can't wait to scrap these using the NEW Close To My Heart paperpak "Back Country". Here's a sneak peek at the papers and embellishments that I can't wait to use on our Family Hike!

Last Night........

I was lucky enough to get to see a local production of "The Vagina Monologues" with some very dear friends. The lucky part is that this play would never have received local government support or much area acknowledgement as I live in a pretty rural area. Granted, we are only 1 1/2 hrs West of D.C. but come on, in May our kids get a day off from school to attend the Apple Blossom Festival and some of the 'stars' invited to attend include Erik Estrada and Bo Brice. We are the home of Patsy Cline, for gosh sakes! Regardless, a wonderfully progressive local woman formed a theatre company designed to raise funds for the benefit of social causes. Most of the profit from the 3 performances will benefit a local woman and children's shelter-Amen!
I had seen the HBO presentation of "The Vagina Monologues" several years ago and it was so raw and wonderful and eye-opening and soul-lifting. Last night was just as rewarding with the added bonus of attending with friends. We went to a new restaurant first for sushi and asian-fusion inspired dinner-yummy! Drinks afterwards and I had my first chocolatini-whoa!
Last night..........was so memorable.

Happy Spring, Ya'All!

http://www.papercraftplanet.com is one of my favorite sites to visit daily. It's a fun place to post your artwork, through groups like stamping using specific companies products. 2 of the groups I belong to on this site are (of course) Close To My Heart and Heartwarming Vintage Crafty Secrets.We offer "challenges" to each other to inspire as well as share ideas. Here are a few cards I came up with based on a HVCS challenge called "Shades of Purple". I love Spring so these cards were so rewarding to create. If you click on the photo you should be able to see a bigger image.

I am blessed to have a few days to myself while DH (dear husband) and the kids are out of town visiting cousins.
Enjoy!

Mini Spring Baskets

Found the pattern for these cute baskets online and wanted to try them immeaditley! Great way to use up scrap paper and embellishments, and what cute packaging to tuck a gift card or note into! I think the kidz teachers will love them. These would make a very easy workshop, too. Interested? I might just have to schedule something one afternoon!

Homemade Giftwrap

Stamp set is again "Butterfly Wings" from Close To My Heart. THis is a Stamp of the Month and not availlable after March 31, 2009. My children turned 8 on March 16th so I used this set to decorate some birthday gifts. Loved the fact that i could do some boy gifts with swirls. Liked them even better than the butterflies! I used Hydrangea, Amythest and Sweet leaf CTMH ink on plain white tissue paper.
enjoy!

Masterboard Technique Results

Sorry for the delay-I guess LIFE got in the way once again!

Basically, I took one stamp set "Butterfly Wings" from Close To My Heart and 3 CTMH colors-Bamboo, Creme Brulee and Olive and Dasiy White Cardstock. I filled in space with these products using a Random Stamping method. I like the colors together and decided they would work well with sepia toned photos. Then, I was able to trim sections from the Masterboard to incorporate into my work, starting with cards and then a layout.

a FRESH start!

Hello All! Well, it has been a WHILE since I posted! I have been super busy with the Close TO My Heart business plus a part time job, family, life, etc. THe latest thing I have been working on is a "Masterboard". Here is a description taken directly from a Stamper's Sampler magazine..."The Masterboard concept was first introduced in the Nov/Dec 2004 issue of Somerset Studio. The artist creates a "master" by layering many elements of color and graphics together on a page. The process should be reckless and random. Once satisfied, the artist makes several copies of the master. The copies are then used as backgrounds, panels or elements in other projects."Well, I twisted this concept a teeny bit by simply Random Stamping stamps from one set using a variety of colors, then creating cards. No copying needed. Tonight I am using the CTMH Stamp of the Month "Butterfly Wings" and lots of similar colors to see what happens. I really need to bump up my card stash so why not learn a new technique at the same time.I will post samples later.Have a great night!