Thanksgiving

It's here...the holiday's will be in full force in just a few days. Yesterday I worked on my pillow boxes/place cards for Thanksgiving dinner. Here's a tip, once you "puff" the box it is hard to get the cardstock to bend & stick to the "pillow" You want to keep your designs on the pillow "round or oval". It's a lesson I learned so I thought I would save you the frustration. All designs were cut on the Cricut with the Art Philosphy Cartridge & the stamps are Harvest Home C01419.

I want to take this time to THANK you for following my blog, stamping or scrapbooking with me or simply being my friend & supporting my crafting efforts. I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with love and good wishes.
Always, Lee Ann

Nanny's Album

I finally completed Nanny's Album. I will be giving it to her for Thanksgiving. It is very stressful making an album to give to someone else I hope she likes it.

October

Fall is finally here, or at least cooler weather for AZ, which means yard work for us. We have been really busy working in the yard, moving dirt for a new patio extension, new slab for shed relocation & a larger patio on the side. With that came a tree relocation, roto tilling, trenching a new sprinkler system. We have the hardest dirt in the world. I have moved more of it than I care to share.

In the midst of all that, we had a house guest for a few days in which we were able to make these 3 cute litte boxes and chocolate chip cookies for the them. All cut outs were made with the Cricut Art Philosphy cartridge from Close to My Heart.

Labor Day Weekend

It's been a busy weekend trying to clean up the yard and doing some tree trimming. I did manage to get a few cards made. Here is Nanny's card for her 90th Birthday which is coming up September 19th. If you'd like to send her a card for her 90th Birthday, her address is: Laurie Silveira 2604 W. Berridge Ln #C109, Phoenix, AZ 85017. Thank you in advance for making her day special.

Card Box

This is a new product from CTMH, I made this particular box for Nanny's 90th Birthday. I am going to put Christmas cards in here for her to mail out this holiday season.

Step 1-Card Box ($4.95- Z1647) you can leave white, color with ink or do like I did and mix Ink Re-inker (Vineyard Berry) in Create a Shade Pearl Paint ($2.95 - Z1039). It dried really fast.

Step 2- While your box is drying cut your paper to cover the box. You'll need to cut the paper just a tad smaller so the box shows underneth. Here are the box diminshions: The sides measure 4 1/2" x 2 3/8" cut 2
Top & Bottom 6 1/2 x4 1/2" cut 2 if you want to decorate the inside you'll need to cut one for the lid & then the bottom. Back 6 1/2 x 2 1/4 cut 2
Front Flap 6 1/2 x1 1/8" cut 1

Step 3- adhere your paper to your box & embellish accordingly. I used the Accent Collection Peweter ($4.95 - Z1487), Color Ready Alphabets ($3.95 - X5749) and Heirloom Assortment ($5.95 - Z1635) and Opaques Adhesive Gems Mocha ($2.95 Z1336).

Within an hour I had created a completed gift

25 years

Yesterday was a very proud day! My sister and her husband celebrated their 25th Anniversary. I can honestly say it has not always been bliss, but they have worked thru adversity, sadness and good times to reach this mile stone! So here's the card I sent to celebrate their day! She also celebrated her 44th birthday! Happy birthday sis.

Art Philosphy

This is my first card using my new Cricut Cartridge - Art Philosphy by Close to My Heart. Stamp sets (B1381) Holiday Cheer $9.95; (D1384)Snow Flurries $17.95; Share the Magic (no longer sold - use) (D1494) Holiday Cheer $17.95.

Thanks

I recevied 12 new stamp sets in the bundles I received from Convention, so I am trying to use them in art work for the fall cards I need to make. Here is a few of my cards that were made this weekend.

I am placing an order tomorrow if anyone wants to order anything out of the new catalog. Drop me an e-mail.

This card was made with Remarkable Wreath Stamp set C1473; Cherished Flourishes D1413; Harvest Happiness C1463

This card was made with Remarkable Wreath Stamp set C1473; Cherished Flourishes D1413; Harvest Happiness C1463

This card was made with Clear Cards Z1309 $8.95; Bundled Buddies Stamp set C1472; Hinges Z1402 $4.95

This card was made with Bundled Buddies Stamp Set C1472

All cards used Nestabilities Bracket Label One for the cut outs.

Tis the Sesaon

Like it or not, time is getting away from me. It is already Auguts & and Christmas is 4 mo & roughly 3 weeks away. Sooner than that is Nanny's 90th birthday. She is Frank's Maternal Grandmother & for her birthday we were advised no gifts, so I figured I'd be practical & make her Christmas cards for her or at least some of them anyway. I figured 25 would be a nice number, so I got 8 completed this weekend & have till Sept 17th to complete the project.
My roommate at convention, Paula, had a great idea - she contacted all her friends & family & asked each of them to send her sister a birthday card for her 50th birthday & I think I will ask all of you to do the same. I think it would be awesome if Nanny got 90 cards for her 90th birthday. Food for thought.

Sweet Moments

This is my rendention for the CTMH card on page 38. I used paper from the Wings paper package and Sweet Moments stamp set.

August

We’ve updated and simplified the Stamp of the Month program. Beginning August 1, when you place an order of $50 or more, you are eligible to purchase the Stamp of the Month set for just $5. To celebrate the launch of the new program, we're throwing in a little something extra: a FREE bonus stamp set! In August, when you or your customers place an order of $50 or more and purchase the August Stamp of the Month set, Wicked, for just $5/, you’ll receive the My Acrylix® A Typeface A-size set FREE. Think of this as two promotions in one—qualify for and purchase the discounted August Stamp of the Month set, and we'll throw in a second stamp set FREE! It's Extra! Extra!

Happy Birthday - All White

Here is my latest creation using my new Heartfelt Creations die cuts by Spellbinders - Decorative Lace Border & Posy Patch. Also is the Scalloped die which is Nestabilities. The dot background is by Sizzix.

As much as I would like you to purchase Close to My Heart Products from me, I have to share a good deal when I find one.

My friend Claudia put me onto a friend of hers...who has an eBay store check out the deals Marcy Neff has on Stampingit - Marcy's Stop N Shop. I couldnt pass up getting these dies from her at less than the cost thru Heartfelt Creations even with my 20% coupon.

Good deals get ready for the New CTMH Fall catalog, new deals will be coming your way shortly. I cant wait to post all the great deals.

My Acrylic Origanizer

I have been struggling with how I am going to store my Nestabilities and Cuddlebug Dry Embossing folders.

I have come up with an idea that might work for everyone.

I cut up some hard cardboard 6 1/2 x 6 1/2", I cut up the sheet magnet to fit on the cardboard, used Liquid Nails to adhere the magnet sheet to the cardboard. Cut out the smallest die & printed the name of the die and glued them to the cardboard. Now I can take them with me when I travel or they fit fine on my counter next to my Grand Calibur. My Acrylic Organizer (Z1038) is $12.95. One is holding my whole stash.

CTMH Convention

Lots of changes going on at Close to My Heart. For the most part good decisions were made and I am very happy. Just to highlight a few: 1. I will be trying to brand myself, somewhere down the road I will not be a claims adjuster, but I will always be a Paper Artist. I have loved crafting, making paper products, sewing, scrapbooking and making cards. So I want to make Paper Crafting an important part of my life and hope to make it a business more than a hobby. CTMH is eliminating our individual websites, so leeann.myctmh website will be going away, you will have access to ordering product on line, but with another e-mail address. I will make sure I post the new address on my blog. I will also be changing the name of the blog and other aspects of "my business" to move forward with "branding" myself.
2. ALL CTMH paper is now card stock weight 100lb weight to be exact. Further more the printed (B&T) paper has a 2 images not a monochromatic image on the back. They have also eliminated the CTMH on the paper & put it on a ZIP STRIP that can be ripped off & used as a ribbon on your paper crafts. They have eliminated Level 1 paper packs & the level two packs are now $9.95 3. STAMPS are now cheaper, lots cheaper each D sized stamp set is $17.95.
Everyone went crazy when they found out that CTMH is going to have an exclusive Cricut Cartridge - Art Philosphy Collection - Over 700 images on the cartridge plus it comes with 3 stamp sets that coordinate with the cartridge & 3 Dimensional Elements. The Cartridge runs $99.00.
If you order the cartridge August 15th, not only will you get all this, you can all get 2 D sized stamps sets free plus for $5.00 you can get the August Stamp of the Month (SOM) "Wicked". Shipping & handling $122.92.

I will be posting some card ideas, great specials in the near future.

CA Bound

All packed & ready to go. I am officially excited. I cant wait to get to the convention & see all the new stuff. I am hoping to step into another world & leave this one behind for a few days. Work is getting very stressful & petty.

I had to make a quick sympathy card last night. You would think as many of my friends that have pets & not kids I'd have a stash of pet sympathy cards around. I need to do a better job of updating my card stash.

I am going to try to update everyone from my phone about convention hightlights. I hope they come thru & everyone is patient with me learning new technology.

Cleanin up

I am doing my best to clean up my "old" stash of paper craft products to make way for the "new" Close to My Heart products that I will be getting at convention next week. So I made a few cards this week using "old" stuff along with CTMH inks, opaque pearls, ribbon & Kaiserscrapbook paper flowers. I am adding 5 cards to my art work, please check them out. I hope to arrive home with new ideas, products and the desire to create. Hope to see you next week either scrapbooking or stamping.

Happy 4th of July from me to you

Lace Die Cut

I love the victorian look, always have. I would love to own a victorian home & decorate it accordingly. I will need to get this diecut from Spellbinders. The card is courtesy of Heartfelt Creations & Sue Walsh.

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3403 Shabby Chic Lace PreCut Set
HCPC 3394 Classic Bella Rose PreCut Set
HCPC 3390 Bella Rose Leaves PreCut Set
HCD 713 Lace Die
HCD 712 Bella Rose Die

Other Products: White, Lavender & Green Card, Striped dsp (Sweet Surrender Collection – Tina Higgins). Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, VersaMark, American Craft Opaque finish white embossing powder. Copic Markers. Pearl white hearts, zigzag ribbon by Vandoros. White linen thread. Zip Dry glue, Dries Clear Adhesive and foam tape. ScorPal.

Trip score and fold white card to make a 5.75 x 6 inch Top Fold card. Stamp Shabby Lace to dsp and emboss with white embossing powder. Trip lavender card and layer the trimmed and embossed dsp. Stamp 3 open roses, two closed roses and three rosebuds to white card. Using the matching dies cut and colour with Copic Markers. Stamp Bella Rose leaves and the 2 sprigs of fern from Classic Bella Rose to green card. Using the matching dies cut these out. Arrange the Bouquet popping some of the blooms up with foam tape. Die cut the lace from white card. Score along at .5-inch intervals and concertina fold. Use the white linen to thread through the lace about .5 inches up from the bottom. Pinch to make a fan shape and secure with a knot tied at the back of the lace. Wrap the zigzag ribbon around this point and finish with a bow at the front. Add some Dries Clear adhesive to the pinched in portion of the fan shape to adhere this to the card. Do the same at the top of the fan shape to hold this in place. Add the 4 hearts to the top of the card before adhering the completed card to the white base with Zip Dry glue.

CREATED BY:
SUE WALSH

It's HOT

Wow it reached 113 today. I shouldn't complain it is June 22nd. We have set higher records in June!

When it's this hot outside you stay inside or go out after dark. Our lunchroom was closed at work for a training class, no way was I sitting out side like I normally do, so a co-worker & I went to my old employeer Joann's to share their A/C and see what's new in the craft world.

I know I am supposed to be loyal to CTMH, however there are a lot of crafting products that are "hot" right now & none of them are CTMH. One is the Spellbinders Grand Calibur. I love this machine. Use it regularly. So today @Joann's we came across the newest release from Xyron - Creatopia. It's a huge machine somewhat like the Cricut, but it glues, embosses & cuts shapes with the change of a internal item. Too much for me, but I do like the new SHAPEZ that they have made by Spellbinders. So I had to buy one.

Busy Month

Wow we are half way thru June already. I have been busy behind the camera and not much crafting going on in my world lately. It has been one party or celebration after another. A fellow scrapbooker Crystal is off to Ca this weekend to get married. Congrats Crystal & Stewart. I had the pleasure of hanging out with all her friends for her bachelorette party while we did Scottsdale up. It was fun, saw places I had never heard of before.

Then the 2MN came to AZ to visit & warm up. She spent 5 nights here with me. She brought two of her best girls friends. We spent every day socializing, sight seeing and entertaining. I am sad to say that we didnt make one card or do any scrapbooking. The entire visit was dedicated to hanging out with old friends & making new friends.

Speaking of friends, Jackie Peeden gave me my first batch of Amish Friendship bread that just came out of the oven. I hope it taste as good as it smells.

We will have our last scrapbook workshop with the CTMH Spring/Summer catalog. July is Convention month. So get ready for all the new products and new catalogs in July.

Cards for the Troops

We were stamping on Armed Forces Day! How awesome is that. Today was very successful. We completed 75 cards, plus Braden contributed 10 of his own as well. I will throw in some of mine & make sure we send 100 cards.

I am very happy @how successful this was. We'll have to plan another day of this. It makes me feel good to donate these cards to a great cause.

A Special Thanks to Kim Jaques, Cheryl Simmons, Erzebeth Cook, Braden Cook, Joyce Alenskis & Jackie Peeden for all your help I couldnt have done it with out you!

Cards for the Troops

Just a reminder, we are making cards for the Troops this Saturday.

I have everything you need & then some. You dont need to bring anything other than your good mood & creativity. I'll even supply some breakfast snacks.

I am going to donate the cards thru Packages from Home. They are also in need of other items as well. If you would like to bring any of the following items with you I will make sure we get them donated in your name.

Powdered flavored coffee creamer
pre-sweetened powdered drink mixes single serve or plastic containers (Crystal LIte, Gatorade, Koolaid et.
Coffee
Beef Jerky
Slim Jims
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Rice Krispe Treats (prepackaged not homemade)
corn nuts
canned fruits ( pop-top snack size)
Honey (small, plastic jars)

Foot Powder
mouthwash
Eye drops
Lip Balm
Antiperspirant
Hand Sanitizer
Body Wash
Shaving Cream & razors
Baby Wipes

Cool ties
Wool Helmet Liners
AT&T International Phone Cards

I hope to see you all at my house around 9 am. We'll go till we can go any more.

I also have door prizes & other give away items. So you wont leave empty handed & you'll be donating your time to a good cause.

I also have a new post to my blog, thanks for following along. I will be posting your card creations on the blog with a photo of all of us too.

Liquid Glass

I recently sold some liquid glass to a coworker after she saw it used on a Thank You card I had given her & wanted what other uses are there for the product.

So here are some of the wonderful uses: permanent adhesive, a small amount goes along way. It works well on arylic frames and scrapbook as well as the clear acrylic cards. It works well with felt and tiny objects such as beads. I use it when I add embellishments to projects. It is slow drying so you have to put it aside and work on other aspects of your project. The small tip makes it get into small places. It dries 3D. It does alter the color of some inks. When you are finished using it tap the lid an make sure the liquid leaves the tip. As an embellishment it makes balloons like like laytex rubber balloons. It makes glasses look like real glass, the same for bottles. Put over a buckle it transforms it into a metal looking buckle. SplitCoast Stampers had an article on paper buttons, use 5 punched out designs, I used a flower, glue them together then cover with liquid glass & you have turned paper into a 3D button.

Are You Ready

I spent the weekend going thru all my drawers, cleaning everything out & organizing. I think I love organizing my room as much as I do making things. I have gathered all my paper scraps, all my eyelets, all my card fronts, all my embellishments & now I need to gather all my friends to help me make cards for the troops.

I will have several drawings during the day with lots of great Close to My Heart give aways.

I hope you can join me it should be lots of fun & remember all that we make will put a smile on someone elses face.

Fanfare

I have been boycotting blogging for some unknown reason. We got so busy around here I just have not had time to sit down & update everyone on what's going on.

We had our Fanfare Workshop yesterday. I completed 10 pages between Sat & Sun using the workshop kit. I still have two pieces of paper left and added two pieces of card stock. So that is an awesome deal.

Next month is the Bliss workshop. It is one of my favorite papers. I am thinking of using it for all my Mom's old photos, going retro.

Going green is another idea on the brain. I have several paper kits that have tons of smaller pieces that I was going to use for cards & have been so busy I have not completed the task, so with that in mind come & join me Sat May 22nd I will supply all the paper, inks, stamps, glue & what ever else I have in my craftroom to create cards for the troops. I will even supply the coffee for the am, and wine & beer if we go into the pm. If you can not join us but want to donate your cards, please let me know. I hope to see you the 22nd & all levels of talent are welcome.

Put on your thinking caps for b-day, thinking of your, missing you, love, thanks & Memorial day.

Cheryl Simmons already has a thought going...Our lives are like Quilts
Made of bits and pieces
Joy and Sorrows
All stitched together with love

Bike Week

Frank recently started taking photographs for the Biker Information Guide. AZ Bike Week started Friday night with the kick off at Chester's in Mesa. Yesterday the founder of the Biker Information Guide - Kimmy Chapman was killed less than a mile from our house. It was a very sad night for us, she was a special lady & the biker community is losing a gem.

To check out Frank's photos go to

Hope For Japan

Hope for Japan
Charitable Fundraiser

From now until April 30, purchase the exclusive, non-commissionable “Hope for Japan” A-size stamp set for the special price of only $5 (retail value $7.95 US / $8.75 CAN) and Close To My Heart will donate 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross’ efforts in Japan. This beautifully designed stamp set reminds us of how our hearts are hopeful for those who are in need.

DC Pages

I finished a few more pages this week. At this rate I will be in 2025. I get so hung up on titles & Journaling that I can not get a page complete. I also completed 3 mini albums for gifts today. They are very cute. I havent been on in so long, I have so much fun stuff to share. First let me show you my pages & then check out the tips section & the card share website as well for or Soldiers over seas.

Scrapbooking

My sister lost a very close friend. Her best friend's husband died last month. It was a very sad day for all of us Sherwin was a wonderful man. Him and his wife Dawn came to Arizona on a surprise trip with my sister & her husban Bret. Surprise to me that is. We had a great weekend, went hiking, Frank took them to the lake while my sister & I made cards, we attend a superbowl party together. Everytime I went to MN they were there to "visit" with us.

Dawn is not a scrapbooker, so my sister has asked several of us to make a couple of pages to put in a book for Dawn to remember her time with her husband. It has been a sad week/weekend for me. I started scrapbooking after my Mom died & I realized all I had left of my parents were photos. This week like so many others weeks that I have had scrapbooking was therapy. Making a tribute to someone who has shared your life. I have come to believe it's a good thing. Here are the pages I came up with. I hope Dawn loves them as much as I loved putting them together for her. Plus two pages for me.

Frank Zuccaro

Frank Zuccaro

Vote for my honey....http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/whats-hot/contests/2012-calendar-contest/mens-entries-jan/picture/januarys-motorcycle-man-of-the-month/7-frank-zuccaro

Spring

I just spent a wonderful day stamping with the "ladies". We had a wonderful day. I am not sure how productive it was for everyone. But we visited and ate all day. Joyce provided yummy poppyseed muffins & Claudia & Barbara brought Pizza for lunch.

I dont usually get anything finished, but today I completed 10 Thank you cards & have several more to complete the rest of the day.

It's a wonderful 80 degrees today. The house is open & spring is in the air.

It's amazing how much better I fell when I stamp with the "ladies" they are a s

pecial group.

March Campaign

Here are the details:

At Close To My Heart, we know we've got the best clear stamps and blocks —and we'll prove it! Throughout March, when you buy My Acrylix® stamps, we'll give you a free My Acrylix® block. Not only will you have the best stamps on the block, you'll have the best block, too! Just purchase $25 US in stamps and you can choose from two of our most versatile sizes: 3" x 3" (Y1006) or 2" x 6 1/2" (Y1010).

Details: Limit one free My Acrylix® block per order per customer. Qualifying stamp purchases include A-, B-, C-, D-, E-size stamp sets, and Stamp of the Month sets purchased at full retail or at a discount. K-size stamp sets, Stamp of the Months earned for free, and Workshops on the Go™ are excluded. Tax and shipping/handling may apply.

Cupcakes

These were great fun. I was treated to them at New Year's and asked Lisa how to make them. They were easy just like cupcakes. Depending on the glass size you could use more batter & it takes a little longer to cook, approx 32 minutes for 5 glasses. Make the recipe as directed and keep testing them to see if their cooked via the too pick method.

I spent $1 on the glasses from the Dollar store & just a few cents for the ingredients. Makes a great center piece.

Moving

A friend at work is purchasing his first home with his partner. I wanted to make a masculine card, but wanted it to have some flare. The inspiration came from a card by Connie Mccotter out of the Jan CardMaker Magazine. I hope he likes it.

We had a great trip to Las Cruces, NM. Stopped in Wilcox and had dinner with old friends, Gene & Linda Ellis, on to Las Cruces to spend the weekend with Uncle Bob, his wife Bernida & I even got to see my cousin Chris. Then we had to go visit my life long friend Jane at her place & see all her animals. I have tons of photos to scrapbook. I am getting further & further behind.

My sister recently lost a really good friend and ask some of her scrapbooking buddies to make a two page layout for his wife to add some of her favorite photos to some pages. I of course volunteered to make 4 pages and hopefully Dawn will love them. I am hoping this gives me the motivation to get some of my own pages done. I still have not completed our DC photos.

Long Weekend

I hope everyone has a safe President's Day weekend. I am off on Monday & look forward to a nice weekend with family. I am spending the weekend with my Uncle Bob (my Dad's brother) and my bestfriend of 40 years, yes 40 years. She has known me longer than anyone else on this planet (other than my Uncle). Her name is Jane, we spent 12 years together in school, she was my maid of honor on the first go-round & we have kept in touch all of these years. I look forward to seeing her.

I'll be taking lots of photos & will need to do some scrapbooking when I get back.

My Sister recently lost a best friend & had a great idea. She asked her fellow scrapbook friends for us to all make a few pages for Dawn so she can make a srcapbook of Sherwin. Naturally we all gladly said yes. So with sadness & fond memories I will be making scrapbook pages for Dawn.

Check out SplitCoastStampers tutorial: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/accordionfilefolder/
Its an accordian file made out of a manilla folder. I think it will be a neat project to try. Perhaps use as a mini scrapbook.

Blogging

I can honestly say that when I signed up to sell CTMH products I thought I was going to be selling, paper & stamps. I was going to be making cards and scrapbooking.

I had no idea how much I would have to know about social media. I now know what a freeflare is, linky's, widget's, kontactr, html's, the list goes on and on. All I wanted to do was make a place for you to send me e-mails, subscribe so I wouldn't be limited to 10 e-mail notifications.

Let's just say the past two days have been a wealth of information, and I am happy for the experience, but not happy with how fast technology is moving & how far behind I am.

I did find a fellow CTMH consultant that is extremely talented and very helpful. Check out her blog: scrappin'myheartout.blogspot.com

I am going to expound on paper craft terms, techniques and helpful hints. Please let me know what questions you have, what ideas you want to share and how I can make this a better blog for you.

Long Week

Well it's Thursday. It has been a really long week. I got the MojoMonday sketch & had a great idea or so I thought I did. It took all week to get it done with some creative help from my husband. Here it is.
The cards are 8x6" they are nice and big.
Let's hope I am more productive on Sunday scrapbooking for Valentines.

Messed Up

I actually bounced the stamp when I was making the Peacock Card. It is a really big stamp & I wanted to make sure I was getting coverge in the middle of the stamp & accidently bounced the stamp. I actually liked the results & decided to go ahead & embellish it & use it anyway.

CTMH has Opaques Adhesive Gems in Licorice (Z1335 $2.95) which comes with black, grey and light grey. They look great with the blue ink which is Pacifica (Z2192 $5.25) The stamp set is called Circle of Love (D1438 $22.95)

I am sure I can not re-create the card...

Saturday Feb 5th

Busy weekend...stamping today with the ladies. I made these cute gift bags for my scrapping girls. I will post the photos after they see them. I dont want to spoil the surprise. I just posted two new cards to Mojo Monday's blog spot. I used the Clear CTMH cards and some felt flowers I picked up at Michaels. I used the Diamond Glaze to glue the paper to the clear cards. They turned out real cute.

Tomorrow is Superbowl. I was a die hard Steelers Fan (Bradshaw era). Showing my age again. Not a Big Ben fan, so I am torn if I should route for them or not.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend. I will post some helpful hints in my next blog.

Coupons

As most of you know I recently got the Spellbinders Grand Calibur for my birthday. The only place that sold the machine was Hobby Lobby. We had a 50% Jo-anns coupon & was advised that Hobby Lobby does not honor their competitors coupons, but they would let me use my 40% Hobby Lobby Coupon. Fair enough. So I recently went to Michaels to purchase tape for my new ATG Tape gun @$9.95 for two rolls, I still had my 50% Joann's coupon & they honored it. This makes the best deal for ATG Tape refills. I also received this e-mail response back from "Michaels will accept coupons for a percentage off any regular priced item or entire reulgar priced purchase being advertised by one of the following competitors: A.C. Moore, Hobby Lobby, Jo-Anns, Garden Ridge, Roberts, PatCatan's and Ben Franklin. Maximum discount 50% off any one regular priceditem policy. " So keep your ads handy & they will price match. I havent worked at Jo-anns in almost 4 years so I am not sure what their policy is now.

Valentine's Day

It's that time of year again, January is almost over and we look forward to Valentine's Day and President's Day. I received the teal green Birthday card from Joyce Alenskis' and it was that card that gave me the idea for my Valentine cards. I then received the e-mail from SCS that had an envelope gift box that was perfect for my cards. They are 3-D and would not do well in a convential envelope.

I hope this idea inspires you.

I am off to get ready for company. My in-laws are coming over today for dessert and cards. It is my father in-laws 80th Birthday. We ordered a Tiramsu cake. Yummy it is one of our favorites.

I have one last idea to share with you...when you stamp with alcohol inks, bleach or make your own color palet, use a butter dish lid and felt to put your ink or beach on the felt. This makes a great platform for your stamp and will give you better coverage. When you are done, just dispose of the felt and the lid.

Sure Cuts A Lot

I did some further research & it appears this product is made by Craft Edge. Go to their website http://craftedge.com/index.html and read more about this soft ware.

My Birthday

This has been a busy weekend for me. I had dinner with Frank's family on Friday. We went to a little country club in the neighborhood and had fish fry for my birthday. Then Frank took me out shopping, he bought me the Spellbinders Grand Caliber. It is awesome. I used it all day on Saturday stamping with my friends. We also bought a new HP Printer/fax/scanner/copier so it will be more compatible with Windows 7.

We then went to Borders. It is our place to sit & relax. We drink coffee and read our respective industry magazines. Frank loves motorcycles and graphic arts. I love, well you know, Stamping, Scrapbooking and getting a good deal. So read Smart Shopper. It has tons of great articles. I found an article on medical interset sites. Here are 4 to check out: mayoclinic.com, medlineplus.gov, uptodate.com/patients & sharecare.com.

For all you Cricut owners check out: Sure Cuts A Lot @Create & Craft. www.dreatencraft.com
It is an on-line site for objects that will print on your Cricut. NO cartridges needed.

Saturday I stamped all morning with my "ladies" had a great day. Then came home to help my husband finish the makeover in our bathroom. Then spent the evening with 7 of the greatest guys in the world playing Poker. I had so much fun. They area great group of guys.

The weekend was finished off with spending the day with my oldest and dearest friend Rachel. We went to lunch at the Sandbar, saw a movie "total chick flick" No Strings Attached. Very funny.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes and gifts. It was truly a wonderful weekend and birthday. Thanks for making it special.

Valentine's Day

I usually stamp with the "ladies" once or twice a month. Since we have been so busy with the holida's we have not gotten together. So Saturday there was 9 of us stamping, using the Cuddlebug with our Sizzix dies, Cuddlebug dies & Nestabilities to create all kinds of wonderful cards.

The ladies are: Cheryl Simmons, Barbara O'Grady, Joyce Alenskis, RoseMarie Petersen, Claudia Cullen, Georga Suhling and our hostess Linda Fernwalt. This group is an extemely talented and resource group. They are awesome. I truly enjoy our Saturday's together.

I am finally going to scrapbook my Washington DC photos. So hopefully in the next week or so you'll be treated to some more art work.

Lee Ann & Frank in Alexandria VA