CTMH March SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.  Whether you started here, or came from Jill's Blog...you are on the right path!

This month we are featuring S1203 Potential

This set reminds me of fancy stationary so I thought I'd do something a little different this month.

First I stamped a quick and easy monochromatic card.  Sometimes I don't send as many cards as I'd like to, simply because I make it so hard on myself.  I have to hand stamp it and it must be amazing... Well here's a great alternative.

I used Lagoon ink and I double stamped the saying so that it has a nice little shadow effect.  Can't decide if I like the sponging on the edges or not.

And why not create some fun stationary?  I used super heavyweight copy paper and cut it in half (8.5 x 5.5) to create some pretty stationary to use for a quick note to friends/team members.

I'm constantly sending little notes with paperwork at my day job.  Truth be told, I have a little Hello Kitty stamp I put on them.  I decided I'd shock people and be a little more mature with my elegant scroll notes. Haha.  I don't think they will be fooled.  Do you? (Size 3 x 5.5)

Next up on the hop is Judy.  I can't wait to see what she created.

March Calendar

Here's the calendar page we did for March.  I didn't have any paper that really screamed "St. Patrick's Day," so I customized the page with stamps. (Sorry - doesn't look as great in the photo.  Too much white.  It's really cute in person though!)

Supplies Used:
Pear and Topiary Cardstock
Inks: Topiary and Pear
Z1030 Monthly Calendar
D1386 Save the Date
C1390 So Lucky
D1270 March Word Puzzle (retired)
E1002 Rustic Alphabet (retired)

You can purchase any of the current Close To My Heart products here.

CTMH Cruisin Mini Book

Here's the cute mini book we made at the last workshop.

Supplies Used:
5x5 blank board book
G1039 Cruisin Workshop on the Go (Stamp set and paper. Kit also includes dimensional elements numbers and bottle caps)
Cricut Art Philosophy (oval, circle, tabs, pennant...)

Click here to order the featured Close To My Heart products

I said I was taking a break, I think I lied!

Training for the Tinkerbell Half-Marathon kind of took over my life for a while.  I was constantly trying to squeeze in more training, shopping for the right shoes, worrying over whether my feet would make it, creating ipod playlists to get me through the pain....thinking, plotting, planning, worrying...

I was finally able to complete my 13 mile training walk, but I was way behind the pace required by Disney, so it was not a big surprise to me when I was re-routed on race day and unable to complete the entire race.  I still had a GREAT time and I loved every minute of it.  I am so glad I did it.  It was a very empowering moment when I finished my 13 miles on training day.  I was also thrilled to realize that my time for my first 4 miles on race day was a personal record for me.

Sandy, Valeri, Me and Amie

Look how many crazy women were lined up in the dark!!

There were wings every where!  Maybe that's what I did wrong. 

 I should have worn some wings!

Had to take a picture of the Castle.

As soon as I was done, I felt a huge relief lifted from my shoulders.  I no longer had to worry, stress, train... I could let my poor flat feet rest... 

And so I decided I was going to take SIX weeks off.  I was going to get back on my bike, go back to spin classes, maybe hit a few Zumba classes, and cut back my walking to just my dog walks....

and then....

They started a wellness program at work.  Volunteers were leading hikes, bike rides, mountain biking, walking, jogging... I looked over the list of options and the times they were available.  Bike rides at 12:15pm were not going to work for me, but that jogging class fit my schedule perfectly. And if I'm going to attempt Tinkerbell again, I need to pick up my pace....so I decided I would at least try it.

We meet twice a week and have to complete one more run on the weekends.  It's kind of a couch to 5k program so we do walking/jogging intervals.

Day 1 - I thought I was going to DIE!!!  Honestly, I finally had to skip one of the jogging intervals or I was definitely going to puke. I chose to walk.  Somehow that seemed less humiliating. 

Day 2 - I jogged all of the intervals, but I consistently found myself stopping about 5 seconds early.

Day 3 - (Homework) I used my ipod and my own timer and found that I was able to complete all of the jogging intervals.  I would look at the timer, see 5 seconds and push through.

Week 2

Day 1 - I'm repeating the same intervals as last week.  Not quite ready to move on.  I successfully completed all the intervals again and BONUS - I'm no longer quite as sore as I have been.  I'm starting to think there might be hope for me. (I did get lapped by the rest of the group that changed intervals though. LOL)

So.. I said I was going to take a break, but it looks like I lied... 

CTMH - A Bowwow AND a Challenge!

I have an obsession with our A-Size stamp sets.  At only $6.95, I only have to make a couple of cards before they pay for themselves...and trust me... I have made more than a few with this adorable pup.  Every time I look at it, it reminds me of how happy my little Maisy is when I get home.  She jumps and wiggles and gives kisses and just makes the worst day so much better!!

So I have been spreading a little of that "Maisy" love by creating cards with this set so that I can brighten someone else's day.

Challenge: Make a card (or choose one from your stash) and send it to someone...just because...  Leave me a comment on this post when you have completed the challenge.  I will pick one person from the comments and mail them a Bowwow card (not necessarily the one pictured below...)  Hurry - you have until Saturday, February 25th at 9pm to let me know you have completed the challenge!!

Step by Step with Studio J

Still not sure what Studio J is?  Not sure how to get started?  Worried about learning something new?

Well, I'm going to put out a little challenge to show you how simple it truly is and when I issue a challenge...there's sure to be a reward!!  The best part?  You can access Studio J, play with it, create layouts and see if you like it and you do not pay a thing.  You only pay when you choose to purchase your creations.

Step 1 - go to my website and set-up your Studio J account - Click Here

Step 2 - Go to the Studio J Art Gallery and pick out a layout to experiment with.  Choose one that has a link under it that says "See the Layout Instructions"

Step 3 - Login to your Studio J account and follow the instructions you selected to create your layout.

Of course you can create any layout you want, change the colors and personalize it in any way you'd like, but these fun step by step instructions help you to become more familiar with all the amazing things our digital software can do.

When you decide you love it...you'll definitely want to take advantage of our February Special.  

Create your account and purchase a 5-pack from me by February 29, 2012 and I will enter your name in a drawing to receive an additional FREE 5-pack!!  That's 15 layouts for the price of 5 for the lucky winner!!