Think outside the book - 1

Lately I've been trying to challenge myself to create projects that are not scrapbook pages. I love to scrapbook and my kids give me plenty of reason, but it's also great to find new and fun ways to use CTMH products. This is the first in a blog series called "Think outside the book". I hope you'll like these ideas and try them yourself. I'd love to hear your feedback!

Lets make a flip-flop card!
You will need: (a)A piece of cardstock, cut to 8-1/2" x 4-1/4"
(b)A second piece of cardstock (not the same color as the first), cut to 8-1/2" x 3" (c)A piece of B&T paper cut to 4" x 3-1/4"
(d)A piece of B&T paper cut to 4" x 2-1/2"
(e)A piece of cardstock (can be the same as 'a' but not 'b') cut to 2-3/4" x 2-3/4" (f)A piece of B&T paper cut to 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"

I chose to use the Topstitch Level 2 Paper Packet for mine. It's brand new in the 2010 spring idea book and I love the soft colors in this pack.
I chose to swipe the edges of all my pieces with Chocolate ink to give it a distressed look. Then I start my assembly....
You'll need to score the two pieces of cardstock that make your base, 'a' and 'b'. Piece 'a' is scored at 3-1/2". To score you just align your paper where you want your crease to be and use a bone folder or an embossing stylus, as I did, and apply pressure (not too much) along the line you want to fold.

Use the same technique with 'b' and score in half at 4-1/4".
Attach the two pieces together as shown.


Next attach 'd' to the inside of the card as so...

Then attach piece 'c' to the front of the card on the bigger flap. The smaller flap should fold over the top.

Attach piece 'f' to the top of piece 'e' and embellish as desired.

Attach to the front of your card.

I also made a flip-flop card using Veranda Level 2 Paper. I think it turned out really cut too.

Heavy hearted for earthquake victims

I just can't hardly turn on the television lately. It's so hard to watch what's happening in Haiti. My family lost our home in the great midwest flood of 1993 and one thing that I'll always remember was how people came! Friends, neighbors, strangers, just tons of people came to help sandbag day after day. We live in a very generous country. We are blessed to be surrounded by such caring people. We always need to pass that on. We need to turn around and give to the next person in need and to teach our kids that it's the right thing to do. I remember watching t.v. when Katrina hit and racking my brain trying to figure out what I could do, beyond sending money, to help. Well, here we are again. We have neighbors who need us. I strongly believe that the most important thing we can do is pray! Remember to pray for them! Ask God to bring peace and safety to Haiti. Ask for him to clear the roads for the aid workers. Ask for good weather and a break in the heat. And, importantly, ask him to tell you what he wants you to do to help these poor people in need.

Please check back because I'm trying to come up with a plan to use my business website to raise funds for the earthquake victims. Perhaps a day set aside where all my website profits will go to the Red Cross.

Let's do this thang! Let's share our love for each other while showing the world that we're not the great satan, but generous people who see a need and ACT! That's God's kinda love, agape love.

Don't forget to take pictures!

I had my second mystery hostess event over the weekend, a retreat! We headed out to the woods and stayed at a beautiful cabin owned by a friend of mine. It was so much fun, I can't wait to do it again. I guess I got so busy talking that it didn't occur to me to pick up my camera and get some shots of everyone working on their projects. I took these picures before the guests arrived, while I was setting up.



Next time I'm going to plan for more time, though. We didn't get to do half of the fun things I had planned because it just got too late for us. I had a really great turnout and it was the perfect way to kick off my 2010 craft club. I already have seven signed up and only have room for ten. I'm currently booking gatherings for February and March. I can tell this is going to be a great year, I have so much to look forward to both with my business and family.

Too cold for pictures!

I have a funny story to share with ya'll. My Saturday morning Bible study meets at a cabin that overlooks a beautiful lake. When I arrived out there yesterday morning I looked at the lake and thought how great it would be to get a picture of my kids on the hill above the lake. It was snow covered and just breathtakingly beautiful. So after our study I ran back home and got the kids bundled up and headed back out there. I let them know in the car that because it was sooooo cold we would position them really quick, cheese, and get back in the car. I didn't want pictures of red noses. My twelve year old and ten year old totally got the plan but, it must have escaped my five year old because as soon as she got out of the car she started whining and crying because she was cold. I positioned them and said "okay, smile!" but Grace was making this aweful face. She just wouldn't smile! So I just snapped the picture, felt like this was all a waste of time, and we loaded back up and headed for home. She started to cry in the back seat. I said "now what's wrong?" and she replied "I didn't get a good picture." There's just no pleasing my little miss sassy. The funny part is the picture I took! Check out the little face.

Oh, well. You can't blame mom for trying to get that perfect picture.