Feb 2013 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close To My Heart (CTMH) stamp of the month blog hop.  Whether you're starting here, or hopped over from Judy's blog, you're right on track.  Just follow the links at the end of each post and you'll be taken on a journey through all the blogs and get tons of ideas for the stamp of the month.

This month we are featuring a set called Home Sweet Home (set of 4).

And if I had been more on the ball...my artwork would be right here... but I blew it and overextended myself.  OOOps!  Sorry.  Enjoy all the amazing artwork by the rest of the group by following the link below.

Now it's time to hop on over to Nikka's blog to see what she has created.

February Workshop and Later Sk8ter Paper Pack

Here's a sneak peek at a paper pack that will be available starting February 1st.

Blue and green is one of my favorite color combos so of course I had to work this paper pack in to my schedule right away!  Plus it gives a nice manly break between frilly Valentines and Easter.

Here's one of the cards we'll be doing at our February 16th Workshop.  I have the other two designed, just need to add a couple of images to them so they weren't quite ready for the camera.

Workshop Projects:
3 Birthday cards/envelopes - $5
Calendar $2 (see posts later this week with January and February calendars!)
Various Page kits $7.50

Doodle Fun #3

We studied charity and the importance of "paying it forward" with respect to our education. 

How will we use our education to benefit others?

What can we do to "pay it forward"?

Ch...ch...Ch...Changes...

I feel like things are changing for me again and I'm sure you'll see those changes reflected here on my blog.  Some of you will be REALLY happy (because many of you have said you miss my cycling posts and my posts where I share a little bit more than what card I made and what supplies I used.)  Some of you will probably just skim if there's too much writing, and that is totally OK!!

I am back in school and trying to finish up my degree.

I have been very dedicated to my spiritual journey and have been reading my scriptures more.

And...

I am at the point where I get to come face to face with the fact that my parents will not live forever.  

My dad has been sick for many, many years.  He has smoked for most of his life and has suffered from bleeding ulcers, which led to the removal of most of his stomach.  He is very stubborn and has cheated death many times, but now he has shrunk to a mere 89 pounds, must be fed with a feeding tube and is becoming more frail.  He spent Thanksgiving in the hospital.  He spent Christmas in the hospital.  I'm hoping we skip Valentines Day.  

We have had to have all of those difficult conversations about his wishes and I am trying to find a balance between allowing him to continue to live the life he chooses to live, and the fact that our roles have reversed in many areas.  Instead of him telling me to be careful.  I'm reminding him that he has to use his walker.  He used to make me eat my vegetables and I'm reminding him that he shouldn't eat anything at all. Yesterday I got to babysit him while my step-mom was away.  You would think that would be an easy task, but the stubborn man fell coming back from the bathroom because....he didn't use his walker.

I am grateful that I do not have to do this alone.  I have a wonderful, attentive step mother who has become like a nurse to him.  I have wonderful step-sisters that are kind and loving and help more than I do.  It has given me an even greater appreciation for how differently we were raised.  I can see why my Dad loves them all so much.  They are so affectionate and caring.  Where I am stiff, they are warm.

It looks like my Dad will continue to provide opportunities for me to learn.  Now my lessons will be about compassion, kindness, care and empathy.  

Doodle Fun #2

Happy Friday - It's time to share another one of my doodles from my composition books for school.  I created this one when I was trying to decide whether to go back to school or not.

• Would I have time?  
• What would I have to give up?  
• Can we afford it?  
• Is this the right program for me?  
• Is it worth driving to Chula Vista?
• Should I wait and see if they get enough people to run the program closer to home?

During this time I read Doctrine and Covenants 6:36

"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."  I created my doodle while I pondered the things I was afraid of and it helped me to make my decision.  I absolutely LOVE the program I am doing and I am so glad that I didn't let fear get in my way.

Doodle Fun #1

My name is Dawn and I am a doodler.... Sometimes I feel like I have to apologize for this little habit of mine.   When I am sitting in meetings, or classes or church and I'm really trying to pay attention, I start doodling.  There is something about writing that engages my mind better.  Of course, I look completely rude and I'm sure people probably think I'm not paying attention....

All that to say that school starts next week so I have been going through my stuff from last semester and I started flipping through my composition books and my doodles make me happy!!  I love reading the quotes I wrote down.  When I doodle a quote I really ponder it, so seeing them again brings back all the thoughts I had while I was creating them.

FYI - I am attending BYU-Idaho online.  Some of my quotes will make more sense if you know that little fact. Some of my courses are religion courses.

My first one is a little boring, but I thought it was perfect for this time of year.  We were learning about goal setting and the importance of setting S.M.A.R.T. goals

We spent a great deal of time learning about the BYU-I learning model and the importance of continuing our education and I was struck by this quote - sorry I didn't include who said it.  So many times when we think about our education, we think about how it will benefit us, this quote resonated with me because it reminded me that our education also increases our capacity to help others.  

I think I'll just post a few at a time so I don't overload you on doodles!

Valentine Blocks featuring CTMH Whoo's Your Valentine

Here's one of the workshop projects available for my January 12th workshop.  I cut the boxes and letters with the CTMH Cricut Artiste Cartridge and stamped the letters using the Chevron background stamp that I featured in the video I posted yesterday.

Products Featured:

• Paper - Ruby, Blush and Black
• Ink - Blush
• Whoo's Your Valentine Stamp set
• Black Tulle
• Polka Dot ribbon (unknown source)

You can create your own adorable papercrafts with the Whoo's Your Valentine Kit. The kit includes 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes and the D-Size Whoo's Your Valentine Stamp set. When you order $35 from the Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book, you can purchase the Whoo's Your Valentine Kit for only $10 ($40 value!).  Hop on over to my website to order yours today!. 

Here's a great video from Close To My Heart about the Whoo's Your Valentine Kit.

CTMH Whoo's Your Valentine Ideas and Video

I am loving the adorable stamp set that comes in the CTMH Whoo's Your Valentine National Papercrafting Month Special!!  So stinkin cute!!

Here are a few 3x3 cards I made

And here's a Video tutorial that shows you how to make the most of the adorable background stamps in the stamp set.




Products Used:

• Paper - Hollyhock, Ruby, Blush, white daisy, black
• Inks - Hollyhock, Ruby, Blush

Stamping Tips!
I stamped a bunch of images on the white daisy cardstock and then cut them out while I was watching tv.  Then it was super easy, fun and quick to mix and match the images on my cards.