Avonlea Happy Birthday Card

Now that my friend, Yvonne, has received her birthday card in the mail (ok, left in the early morning on her porch..) I can now show it off to you! I created this using Avonlea from Close To My Heart's new Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book and the accompanying Complements Canvas Shapes.

I love how this turned out! This is a new card pattern from the publication Make if from Your Heart, by Jeanette Lynton. (I love all the wonderful new full-color artwork in it, too!)

Add some chocolate ink distressing to the edges of all papers, some ribbon and waxy flax and a brad and voila! Fabuloso!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Warm wishes,

Chrstmas Advent Calendar and Stamp of the Month

Christmas Advent Calendar Box Workshop, photos and artwork courtesy of
Karen Pedersen

Who wouldn't want to make this darling Christmas Advent Calendar Box?  I can't think of a single person. 

You can participate in this workshop in one of three ways:

1. Come to an in-person class (see dates and times below)
2. Participate long-distance
3. Host this workshop in your home with you and at least 5 friends and I'll come to you (in Utah).You, as hostess, will earn at least $40 in hostess rewards and at least one half-off item (and that's only if everyone only purchases the Basic Kit. The more you sell, the more you earn)!

Call or email me to order a kit and sign up in one of those three ways (check the side bar for contact info). Read on for more details...

The finished project is 14" x 14" x 2 3/4" and each daily drawer is 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square. It's a darling Christmas decoration and very functional. One of the things I love most about it is that the little drawers are so roomy you can easily fit enough treats in each one for each child or grandchild that will want to pull out the drawer each day in December. (Most advent calendars are only for one treat or prize.)  My friend, Karen, had the great idea of filling each drawer with Hershey's Kisses and a scripture reference.

Here is a photo that shows a close up of a few of the drawers:

In person classes at my South Jordan Home (if you want to attend one of these classes, I need to hear from you no later than Monday, November 19):

• Monday morning, November 26  from 10 am - 1 pm
• Saturday morning, Novemberer 24 from 10 am - 1 pm
• Saturday evening, November 24 from 7 pm - 10 pm

To attend the class, all you need to purchase is the Basic Kit.  Anything above and beyond that is up to you. I will be providing the items you see in  the Better and Best Kits for your use at the workshop, but you may want some of those items of your very own.

If you are participating in this class long-distance, I suggest you get the Better Kit. You'll need those few extra items to complete the workshop if you are not attending in person. If you already have the Artiste Cartridge and a Cricut Machine, you won't need the Best Kit. If you don't have them, you can either purchase the Best Kit or pay an extra $5 and I will cut your workshop papers for you before I send your kit.

Basic Kit Includes (add $5 to the total if you are participating long-distance):

• Advent Calendar Workshop on the Go (includes My Creations Cubby, Advent Calendar Workshop Stamp Set, 15 Cardstock Sheets {3 each of 5 colors}, 1 Bitty Sparkles Pack, 2- 12" x 6" Dimensional Elements In Color Frames Sheets, 1 Instructional Brochure)
• 1 Sheet of White Daisy Cardstock
• Cutting Guide and Instructions - with a few enhancements

Subtotal: $44.95
Total (with shipping and tax): $51.57

Better Kit = Basic Kit + the following products:

• Black Stazon Pad (this pad is fade proof and light and color fast. Great for home decor items that will be out in natural light)
• Ruler
• Bone Folder

Subtotal: 69.80*
Total (with shipping and tax): $80.07
 
Best Kit = Basic Kit + Best Kit + the following products (this kit is the BEST value. When you purchase this kit, you get the Stazon Stamp Pad and the Bone Folder in the Better Kit FREE!):

• Cricut Artiste Cartridge

Subtotal:  $153.90*
Total (with shipping and tax): $178.73

Items you will need to complete your project:
Lots of Glue Dots
Lots of Tombow Adhesive 

To sum it up, here are the pricing options:

• Basic Kit: $51.57 (+ $5 if you want Karen to cut your kit and + $5 if you are participating long-distance)
• Better Kit: $80.07 (+ $5 if you want Karen to cut your kit and + $5 if you are participating long-distance)
• Best Kit: $178.73 (+ $5 if you want Karen to cut your kit and + $5 if you are participating long-distance)

*At this purchase level, you qualify for the Stamp of the Month ($17.95 value) at only $5

Here is the awesome October Stamp of the Month ($17.95 value) that is only $5 with every $50 you order:

October Stamp of the Month: "Very Merry Christmas" (carrier sheet actual size is 6" x 6")

With great ideas like these, there will be plenty to keep the giving warm and heartfelt this year!

Warm wishes,

Happy World Card Day

Sitting here watchin' screen and I thought, "What better time to bust out some quick cards?" This is a kit from a National Stamping Month promotion by Close To My Heart a few years ago. I had cut the pieces and stamped the stamps but for some reason or another (read: life) I never finished it. So here it is better late than never. (But I feel SOO productive!)

Warm wishes,

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This Old House and Updates

Wow, has it really been over a week? Time has just flown this week and I apologize for not getting on here more often. I have the garage still torn up as we gut and re-do, kids busy in school and plenty of homework and news from Afghanistan. Today, you can find a few updates here and a new, old layout.. (I'll explain).

Morton Updates:

1. We finally heard from Drew this past week!! Drew is a good friend of our family and deployed this summer to Afghanistan with the US Army National Guard. We are very proud of him for doing this and we are so grateful for the freedoms we still have as American citizens, which he protects daily with his life! He left behind a pregnant wife and young son and will miss the birth of his daughter while overseas. He is an extension of our family and we pray for he and his family constantly while he is there fighting for the next year.

Out on patrol. I am so grateful for his friends who are willing
to take pictures for me and especially for him!

This is the market just out the "front door" where he is stationed.
The soldier pictured is standing just outside the gates, looking out.

 All we can say is keep sending us photos in cyberspace and hurry home!!!

2. General zaniness abounds at our house. Brook is studying Utah this year, while Aidan's class is currently refreshing what they learned in kindergarten as far as colors and service personnel relationships (don't ask me where that came from). So, dreaded math and spelling lists mixed in with a little salt dough is EVERYWHERE in our house! We've had one field trip so far (Aidan) and one more at the first of October (Brook). It seems things are ramping up even faster this year and I'm not sure I'm ready! (Too late, needless to say.) We had so much fun being crazy together as a family while at Paige & Zac's wedding this month so I thought I would share one of the photos we took at the photo booth. (If you ever get the chance to do this, DON"T PASS IT UP! It is just too much fun! I think the picture says it all.

3. This Old House is one of my favorite magazines to read, based on the television series, which you can find on your local PBS or online. I love reading about all the DIY projects and getting sucked into just how "easy" or "cheap" something can be. (Note to self, use sarcasm appropriately here.) Love the projects and ideas - but they NEVER turn out to be cheap OR easy for me!! I started this layout a few years ago and just finished it last night. I went through a phase where I wanted to get caught up so I faked it and cut the pictures and papers for the layout and put them together but left all the journalling, titles and embellishments off for another time. Seemed like a great idea at the time but now I just have a bunch of unlabeled photos in books rather than a box. I don't recommend this method for everyone!! LOL.

Anyhoo, these are pictures of our first house. It was a 1934 farmhouse my Grandma inherited from my Great (Great!) Aunt and we later purchased. So nostalgic to look back at those times. Things were different, sure, (jobs, cars, kids) but the funny thing is thinking about who I thought I was then and where I thought I was going.... and thinking about who I am now and where I am going. Some are the same. Many are different. I think I may add a little hidden journalling about that.. but I'll leave that for later!

Warm wishes,

Supplies: Everything on this is retired Close To My Heart from a few years ago. You can find the pewter brads here, Colonial White Waxy Flax here, and the Dark Chocolate Stripe Grosgrain here. Oh, and don't forget the extra fine tip Sharpie!

Reflections from Primary

I was priviledged to teach the five year olds at my church a few weeks ago and speak on the commandment to love one another (John 13:34). My son, Aidan, is in my class as well and it's been fun spending this special time, just the two of us (well, at least without his brothers and sister!) It's one more way for me to spend time with just him, within our family, and it has created a new bond.

Here are the activities I cut on my Cricut for Lesson 32: Love One Another, in the Primary 2 handbook. Both are cut from Cricut Artiste, an exclusive cartridge from Close To My Heart.

Often, I find when we are assigned talks or teaching assignments, the lesson is for both student and teacher. I've really enjoyed spending time with these beautiful souls. In many ways, they have taught me so much more than I ever hoped they could learn from me. I have truly grown spiritually in the few short months I've had them and I look forward to Sundays in a way I never thought I would. I know that this calling to teach has not only given me the opportunity to share the gospel with others, but has allowed me to research topics and doctrine I wasn't familiar with. Every week I teach I learn something new that I hadn't known before, and the blessings are magnified tenfold. I get to see life through the eyes of a child and I am so grateful for the opportunity given to me to teach these bright minds!

Warm wishes,

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Love Your Layout in Studio J {Dakota}

If you aren't receiving the emails from Studio J, you should! They are packed full of great ideas, tips and new features every month. Keep abreast of what's happening by signing up here. Here's a quick look:

Happy Trails Ahead in Studio J^®

The latest Love Your Layout℠ video is out! Recreate this amazing layout below using the new Dakota kit. The Love Your Layout series is great because it introduces you to new paper kits and My Stickease images and then teaches you a few techniques in an easy and simple style that anyone can follow. In this video, learn how to create a journaling box with a photo background, and dress up your layout using My Stickease^® images. Watch the video and then log in to Studio J^® to make your own!

Studio J^®: Jazzy Combination™

Happy trails!

Easy Party Planning with Cricut {Video}

Hello folks! I just saw this great video on YouTube and wanted to share it with you. With school in session, the kids birthday parties ramp up and Cricut Artiste is a great way to simplify your headache and make an extravagant impression - all at the same time. We have quite a few bridal and baby showers in our family this year and I know where I'm getting some of my decorating done in a snap!



See, just let the Cricut work for you so you have plenty of time to manage the other details of your event with ease. For more party ideas, see here, here and here.

Warm wishes everybody!

Lucky 13

I married my best friend thirteen years ago today. It seems like only yesterday, and yet, my how we have changed! A few more additions. 

A few more milestones! 

Brandon is the light of my life and I sure am the lucky one, here. A wonderful partner and companion, he keeps me on the straight and narrow. I know I couldn't have done what I have in life if he hadn't been here beside me. I love you, Bran. So much. And I am proud to stand by you as you stand up for what you believe in. This year is going to be our lucky one!

This layout was from the first class I ever taught as a Close To My Heart consultant. I still haven't finished my wedding album and I kind of consider it a work in progress, but this is still my favorite layout by far. It's remained unchanged since we made them some 4 and a half years ago. A winning combination of words and pictures, patterns and color. Lucky, to have never been revamped amid life's distractions. May the next 13 be as lucky as the past 13 have been! Love you, Bran!

Warm wishes,

Avonlea Open House Artwork

Here are the remaining art items from my Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book and Cricut open house held last month. Guests received a thank you note and a pretty cupcake just for coming out. With Artiste, it's so easy to do parties and showers! You know the old adage, that a pretty ribbon just makes it prettier - well think of adding a pretty Slate cupcake wrapper on top of a beautiful white daisy doily cut on your Cricut! (Both are  on page 71.)

For the white daisy doily, I chose the Fit To Page option and it cut at 10 3/4". The cupcake wrappers are cut at 2 1/2" (this is standard, but double check by looking at the size on the package of paper liners.) The setting is prettied up with some Dark Chocolate Stripe Ribbon. (See, ribbon DOES make all the difference!)

The tiara on Brook's American Girl doll, Julie, was a last minute inspiration as I was flipping through the image catalog included with your cartridge. It's on page 69, cut out of Slate cardstock at 2 1/4" and prettied up with some Pearl Opaques.

I can not believe how many wonderful ideas there are with just ONE cartridge! One thing I really love about Close To My Heart's Cricut cartridges, Art Philosophy and Artiste, is the amazing value you get with each cartridge. Both have around 700 images including fonts, words, 3D objects and cards. That's about 650 more per cartridge than a normal Cricut Cartridge! After Art Philosophy, I wasn't sure I'd ever need another cartridge, it was so packed full of great universal images to use over and over. Then came Artiste. Close To My Heart has really outdone themselves! And don't forget the chipboard and the stamp images that go hand in hand with the two cartridges. What will they think up next?

Anxiously waiting,

National Stamping Month Specials and Play Dates

I looked all over the Lodge at Fish Lake for a T-shirt to bring home that said, "I went to Fish Lake and all I caught was this cold," but for some reason they didn't have one. We had a great time camping this past week (and even got a date night courtesy of the parents, for which I am eternally grateful) despite getting sick, and the cold held off until the end of the trip, at least. We had the kids' time out of school scaled down to the bare minimum, but then ended up taking another day with the cold!

There are plenty of things to cheer about in September, though. Here's a rundown of what's in store:

1. Play Dates
It's the return of the 5 Buck Layout, the cheapest date there is! 

This month you can make this beautiful layout featuring Avonlea papers and stamps. Buy just the kit for only $5 or get the Avonlea Workshop on the Go and take home the stamps, accessories, paper and more to make another 4 pages, cards, or countless other projects, like this My Creations Bracket Frame, which would be an awesome handmade gift for someone you love (HINT: Grandparents always love to receive pictures). Sign up below! For more information about how Play Dates work and the loot, er.. Rewards you can reap, check out the sidebar on the right under "Play Dates".

Saturday, Sept. 15 @ 10 am - 12 pm Avonlea 5 Buck Layout

Saturday, Sept. 15 @ 7 pm - 9 pm Avonlea 5 Buck Layout

Monday, Sept. 17 @ 10 am - 12 pm Avonlea 5 Buck Layout

Monday, Sept. 24 @ 10 am - 1 pm Avonlea My Creations Bracket Frame, $15

Saturday, Sept 29 @ 7pm - 10 pm Avonlea My Creations Bracket Frame, $15

2. National Stamping Month
This campaign is in full swing until September 30th and you can take advantage of this great double stamp set for only $5 with your qualifying purchase. 

Read more about this, here. (Did you know Studio J orders can count towards your Home Gathering totals for Hostess Rewards? Ask me how!)

3. Stamp of the Month

Fall Favorites 

set of 11

Available September 1–30, 2012

Get the Stamp of the Month set for just $5 (S1209A) when you place an order of $50 or more in products. Jump-start the fun by ordering the items from the list below to create this artwork! You’ll find helpful assembly tips at my website under Promotions.

Moonlight Paper Packet

($9.95, X7161B, Autumn/Winter 2012

Idea Book p. 56)

Autumn Terracotta Exclusive Inks® Marker Set($5.95, Z2427, p. 9)

Honey Exclusive Inks® Marker Set($5.95, Z2415, p. 9)

Olive Exclusive Inks® Marker Set($5.95, Z2425, p. 9)

Burlap Ribbon

($7.95, Z1760, p. 124)

Brads Metal Assortment

($4.95, Z1366, p. 127)

Cricut® Artiste Collection($99, Z1790, p. 15)

See you in the craft room soon!

Warm wishes,