February Club Layouts - Sophia

As being the mom of boys, I always struggle with the "girly" paper. I've begged and pleaded with my club members NOT to pick the girl paper. For some reason, they never listen. LOL! It could be because THEY all have girls! So, I've decided to embrace the girl paper. After all, most of my girlfriends HAVE girls so I'll just borrow them for some pictures. Sounds like a win-win to me.

We went to a Superbowl Party last weekend at a friend's house and she had things planned for the kids. During halftime she set up an obstacle course for them to run through. They had so much fun AND I didn't have too much trouble using pictures of my boys (and other participants) on this layout. (The big picture on the left is my friend/hostess showing Aaron how to hopscotch.)

After we were finished with the obstacle course I had all the kids lay in the grass for some "heads together" pictures. OOOHHH, I think I have my title now.

This last layout is of my friend's daughter Sydney. She was born without her left forearm and hand and does not let that stop her. She can do a handstand like no other. Like my feet at the bottom of the picture????

The New Spring/Summer Idea Book is here!

The new Close to my Heart 2011 Spring/Summer Idea Book is finally here! CTMH changed things up and now the Idea Books good for 6 months. There are some adorable new paper packs now available. Give me a call or shoot me an email and I'll get a copy to you asap! I promise you're going to love, love, love all the new stuff!

Silly Beers!

This is the last layout from my cousin's wedding last October. I adore her new husband, Lew Beers. Yes, Beers is his actual last name! How appropriate in my family! ha ha ha. Lew is full of life and just the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet. His son and father are joys to be around too. Here were just a few of my favorite pictures of them from the wedding. Welcome to the family guys!

Plenty for 20 - Free Stamp Set

Can you believe it??? Close to my Heart is doing it again! The amazing December special is simple, go to my website, place an order for $20 (yes, only $20) and get a retiring D sized stamp set FREE! How awsome is that?

Can't figure out what to order? There are several items that will be retired on Dec 31. You can view them here. Once they are gone, they're gone for good so get them while you can!

Merry Christmas to YOU!

the real reason

So, the real reason I've been all about copying layouts from other people is that I've not wanted to scrap the things I "needed" to scrap. I know some of you will say bad words when I admit that I'm "caught up" with my scrapping. Sure, I have a few misc things I want to scrap but for the most part, I'm up to date.

My cousin got married on 10/10/10 so I've got a lot of the wedding to scrap. On one hand, it was a great day, full of life and love and all that stuff. I got a great new cousin and 2nd cousin (it wasn't the first marriage for either of them). On the other hand, it was a horrible day.

Pictured below are some very good family friends. So good in fact that I joke Cathie is the "good daughter." Tom and Cathie live next to my parents and they keep an eye on them. Tom was a boat Captain and therefore able to marry people. He performed the ceremony marrying my cousin and her new husband. It was a beautiful day in San Diego and after the reception my parents and Tom decided to go on a motorcycle ride. Unfortunately as they were coming home some woman didn't see Tom and made a u-turn and hit him. He had some health issues but he would up passing away 2 weeks later. It's been a very hard time for all of us, especially my dad, he witnessed the accident and Cathie because she lost her best friend. Tom was truly one of the most joyful people on earth. Anyway, not to be rambly and melancholy (although I have been here) it's been hard for me to scrap the wedding because of what happened to Tom. I'm just glad that I snapped a few pictures of him and Cathie before the accident.

more bonus Mistletoe layouts

These next two layouts from the Mistletoe paper pack I straight up copied from another CTMH consultant, Corina Mitchell. I thought they were just too darn cute and had to make them. Again, I embossed the ornament with the gold glitter powder to make it sparkle. I should wait 2 weeks until after the town Christmas Parade and visit with Santa, but I'm on a posting roll. Maybe I'll post them with pictures on them.

my little Hooligans

Yet another adorable paper pack from the current idea book, Hooligans. The little felt monsters are to die for. This was one of the club layouts for October, and the only one I have pictures on.

A bonus layout

I don't know about you but I love love love using up my paper packs. I generally try and make as many layouts/projects/cards as I possibly can. Here's a "bonus" layout for the December club meeting. These dimensional elements ornaments are just plain fun! I embossed the large one with gold glitter embossing powder so it sparkles like a real ornament. After I made this layout I actually thought about getting the tree out and decorating it. Then I would have had to take a shower and get dressed and do my hair so I would look semi-cute in the pictures...... yeah, that didn't happen. Soon though!

Olivia Club Layouts

Olivia is my favorite paper pack from the current idea book. I have no idea why, since I have 2 little boys and I'm NOT a girly-girl. I just love the greens, oranges and pinks in this paper pack.

These were the club layouts for November. Even though I have those rough and tumble little boys I managed to fill the pages just fine. As a matter of fact, I've done a few more pages for a trip the hubs and I are going to take in March. Nothing like the dream of a weekend away....without children!

Oh me, oh my... it's been a long time.

It has been a very VERY long time since I've posted. I do apologize, things have been crazy in my little world. The boys both started school a few months ago and I feel like I never stop driving. As soon as I get home from dropping the last one off, I have 2 hours until I have to get the first one. Just a few more years and they'll both be in school full time.... I have no idea what I'll do with all that free time... ha ha ha ha ha ha.

The layouts below are the 3 layouts we will do at our December Club meeting. They don't look so hot without pictures on them, but once there are they will be super cute.

Just a little FYI for you. Close to my Heart is changing up the way they're doing things. We will be going to 2 books per year, with 6 new paper packs per book. The paper and embellishments are only going to be available during the current Idea Book. (This all begins Feb 2011). So, if you love this adorable paper pack, and embellishments (the poinsettia flowers are the cutest thing ever) you'd better get it while you can! This, as well as all the papers/embellishments in the current book are going to retire Jan 31, 2011.

Mammoth and Yosemite

One more thing I love about Studio J is how fast you can get caught up! We took a "mini vacation" on our drive from New Mexico back to California and did lots of stuff, meaning LOTS of pictures. Two weeks after we got home to CA, we went on vacation to my FAVORITE place in the world, the Eastern Sierras (Mammoth and Yosemite) again, LOTS of pictures. With Studio J, I was able to catch up (so far 14 layouts between the 2 vacations) in 2 evenings.

Oh my, how I love Studio J!!!!!!

Oh my is right! I'm so totally loving the new Studio J membership! There are 20+ new layouts AND a paper pack for members only. It's FANTASTIC!!!!!
When we made our way from New Mexico to California we took our time and turned it into a little vacation. We went up to Albuquerque to visit some family and went to the Natural History and Children's Museums. (We did a lot more on the trip, those layouts to come in the next few days) I had sooooo many pictures to scrapbook, I decided to use Studio J so I could whip them out. In just a few hours I had 10, yes 10 layouts completed.

One of the greatest things about a Studio J membership is you get layouts with these great "shaped" paper. I don't know about you guys but when I get some fun scalloped paper I never want to use it, it's special you know! With Studio J that's over!

I especially love this layout, why you ask??? Look at the picture on the left side, it's 6x12 inches. If I were to print that in a store, I'd pay upwards of $15. Just for the picture!!!!!! Crazy huh???? With my Studio J membership, the entire layout cost $6.50. No where could I traditional scrap this layout for this price.

The best part about Studio J is that it's free to try. You can go into it and make your layout, you only pay when you purchase. Of course, unless you're a member you can't do the second two layouts, since they're for members only. Wait! There's a "work around" you can purchase a 5 layout membership for $55 (includes shipping and page protectors) or a 3 month membership for $30 (includes free shipping once per month for 4 to 10 layouts, and page protectors). If you're interested in giving Studio J a try click on my website or give me a call.

Family layout for Nita

This is the layout we'll be making for Nita's party this weekend. It uses all sorts of fantastic new product. The beautiful Olivia paper pack, sparkly new brads and another layout from the new Magic book. The white photo mats are just a placeholder since I don't have pictures yet.

Where does the time go?????

I had good intentions of being a better blogger, really I did. Things just got away from me and I realize that it's been a month since I've posted. My "baby," my first born started Kindergarten and now my live has changed dramatically. With that and getting readjusted to being in our house, I've also been busy doing some stuff for my cousin, which I'll share soon.

Enough about that, on to more important things. It's September and time for a brand new Close to my Heart Idea Book. Click here or on the button on the right to go to my website. There are some Fab-U-lous new papers AND as many of you have been waiting for.... a new layout book, Magic. You're going to love, love, love it!

This layout is one of the ones from the new Magic book and although it uses "old" paper, Moon Doggie, it was so much fun to make. My journaling was private so behind the picture of me and my dad, I made a pocket and used some tags for my journaling. Leo turned 5 last month and called his grandpa (my dad) and told grandpa that he wanted to go on a "boat ride" for his birthday so grandpa obliged and we all went for a family sail. It was a beautiful day and we had so much fun. In the 38 years I've "known" my dad, I've never really seen him as happy as he is when he's sailing.

Together

Here's another launch day layout for you. My mother in law was able to come out here for the launch. It was nice that she got to be a part of what her son does. She was pretty excited to be able to experience it.

Whole LOTTA Love!

Here's something you might not know, NASA folk can party. You wouldn't think that a bunch of geeky engineers could, but man, oh man, they can drink! So much in fact, that the bar ran out of several items.

THEN, once the drinking has gone on for about 10 seconds, the love starts. This project was a long time in the making and a lot of people spent months, and months, and months away from their families and worked 80+ hour weeks.

I used to work at NASA before I had children and I was very happy to see many of my old friends at the party. Some had moved to New Mexico like us, but I rarely got to see even them since their work schedule was so tough.

Launch it baby!

This layout is the actual 2 minutes of the launch. They were testing the Launch Abort System (LAS) which is the actual rocket (with 3 separate propulsion systems) that would jettison the CM away from potential mishap. It was a highly successful flight and such a great experience. The technology used in this was amazing!

Spies like Us.

Still taking a break from launch posts and giving you the last one from my girls weekend in Pasadena last year. I can't believe it's been a year already, how the time flies. This one is a little.... umm.... I can't really think of a good word. Since me and my friend Jill (pictured, sorta here) are active CTMH consultants and my friend Jen is a former consultant, of course we had to check out the booth.

Almost Famous!

As we were watching the PA-1 launch, Martel had Leo on his shoulders so Leo could see better. After the launch a reporter came up to Martel and said that he had been trying to get a picture of them and asked if he could take their picture. I couldn't believe it when Martel agreed and then he spoke, actually spoke to a reporter. My taciturn husband spoke to a reporter. As you can tell, I'm still amazed and it's been a month. Not only did the reporter take this great picture, it was on the front page of the Las Cruces Sun News the next day.

So Cool!

One of my husband's job duties (back home) is Shuttle Recovery if it lands at Dryden Flight Research Center (see this post) Last year STS-125 landed at Dryden and the Commander was Scott Altman. Martel came home and said that it was the best landing he'd ever seen.

Scott Altman happened to be at the PA-1 launch and was talking to the crowd. I went up to him and introduced myself, and Martel, to him and told him what Martel does and said about his landing. Scott (as he introduced himself) seemed to be happy to hear what Martel had to say about his piloting skills and posed for pictures with us (and Alex, our neighbor who came to the launch with us)