Happy Spring from the Heartland!

Logic would say that with the weather being so beautiful I wouldn't be spending much time in my scapbook studio but, I can't resist the Spring products and Spring colors! For the baby layout I used paper from the Caboodle Level 2 paper, some dimensional elements hearts, the Authentic MyAcrylix stamp set, Filigree Charms, and ribbon from the Sweet Leaf collection. For the cute "you're special" card I used paper from the Creative Basics Veranda Collection, the Enjoy the Journey MyAcrylix stamp set, and some clear sparkles. All of these items can be purchased on my consultant website: www.chasidygegg.myctmh.com

Happy Valentines Day!!

I am LOVIN the new Topstitch! I created this two-page 12x12 layout for my sweetheart. My Life Preservers Club will be using these products for our project this weekend and I'm sure they're gonna love it too. We'll be working with the Topstitch Workshop on the Go which is available on my website. The paper is Topstitch Level 2 which uses Baby Pink, Chocolate, Heavenly Blue, and Vineyard Berry from the CTMH exclusive color palette. The stamp set that comes with the workshop is so cute! I thought it was a must-have. It didn't disappoint! I love how versatile our stamp sets are and this is a great one. I accented by making my own embellishments with the stamp set and ink-ing some Dimensional Elements Hearts. Of course, you can never have too many clear sparkles on a project and they added a great touch to the Love theme of the layout. I've also seen the same layout and papers used with boyscout photo's. The products are great for many occasions and themes. You'll notice that I only used one colored photo and the rest are black and white. My Junior prom dress just happened to be a close match to the Heavenly Blue in the paper so this made a great focal photo. (Plus, my husband really likes that photo) The rest of the pictures I wanted to use had many different colors since they were taken in different places and years apart (note that I labeled each photo with the year) so making them all black and white worked out really well and helps draw the eye to the focal photo of the younger, thinner us!

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.

Don't miss out on the January retreat!!!

This is just a big reminder that the January retreat is the 9th. I'm working on a schedule of events that I'll be posting for everyone to see what we'll be doing. Spaces are filling up fast and remember that accomodations are free this time, so call me today to reserve your spot!!

Yearly Cooking Mood Arrives!

Fall makes me want to cook. This is kinda like the moons aligning in my world because I don't normally like to cook. My family typically gets spagetti once a week, maybe a meatloaf, a pot of soup or chili, and we probably drive through McD's way to often. Even when I do get into this once-a-year mood things have to be simple and easy. My sister-in-law, Kim is the fancy cook in our family and she's in no immediate danger of loosing her distinction. Not because of me, anyway. So, one day last week the yearly mood hit and I decided to dig out my recipe books. Now, by recipe books I mean those Kraft magazines that come in the mail. (pause for laughter) Yeah, I'm serious. I went and bought the items to make Citrus Roasted Pork, A Prairie Land Pot Roast, and some deserts. My brother, Ben (husband to Miss Fancy) loves pumpkin pie so I made him one for our Halloween get-to-gether and and one for my hubby and kids. I'm getting ready to make my sons favorite, a No-Bake Cheesecake. If anyone has some super-simple but delish recipe's they want to pass along, I'd love it. But, make it quick, because we're goin back to jar spagetti sauce, Stoffers Lasagna, and Schwans Cod Nuggets as soon as the mood passes. Oh, well I guess everyone has their own art. I'd much rather be at my scrapbook table than standing at the stove.

November is here! That means a new constant campaign!

I'm so excited about this month's constant campaign! I think CTMH headquarters must be feeling the Christmas spirit early! Drumroll please.......

Call or e-mail me today to find out more! I'm really going to enjoy being a CTMH consultant this month. I'm going to feel like Santa Clause giving out the great MyAcrylix stamp sets FREE!

And don't forget to mark you calenders for the January 9th Connections Club Retreat! Round up a babysitter and call me to reserve your spot. Accommodations will be free! The Agnew cabin is very nice, too! You all will love it.

I have a few weekends left for gatherings between now and the retreat. If you'd like to host your own gathering so your friends can get in on this great constant campaign then you'll need to hold it in November! I only have a couple weekends left in November, so call me.