Happy National Scrapbooking Month!

I am celebrating national scrapbooking month by using up some of my old paper to make cards using the May stamp of the Month from Close to My Heart. I think that the May stamp of the month is so cute! I love chairs in general though, so of course I would love stamps of cute chairs. I can't remember where I saw the mocha gems used on the armchair, but I scraplifted it from somewhere. Other people are so creative!

Check out how you can earn your own free "Chairs to You" stamp set by going to my website at http://katiehessel.myctmh.com Happy scrapping!!!

5 for $5.00 Birthday Card Workshop

For the 5 for $5, we made birthday cards using the Fanfare paper packet. I used the Piece of Cake stamp set to stamp the cake in different colors and then cut out the different layers and glued them on the card.

I love the present card. I can't take credit for the design though...I saw this cute card on Vicki Zizniuk's blog. It is so simple to make though and the words "Happy Birthday" came from the Card Chatter-Birthday stamp set.

I made this card using the Cupcake Sprinkles stamp set. The red stars on the frosting have liquid glass on them to help them stand out. I love that stamp set. It is so cute for kid's birthday cards!

The last two cards both used the Piece of Cake stamp set. I used a water brush to color in the cupcakes and the cake. The water brush uses water and ink pads to give a neat "water color" look. It is also a lot cheaper than buying markers in every color! I hope that you enjoy the cards and maybe you can make it to the April 5 for $5. We will be making thank you cards using the Wings paper packet!

Spring Break

I would just like to document that during this spring break I have done more than just scrapbook, stamp, and sleep! I have also almost caught up on about 15 loads of laundry, cleaned the house, bought some pants that fit, and spoiled the dogs by taking them to the dog park. They absolutely love going to the dog park and Sami even knows those words now and gets excited when I ask her if she wants to go. The last time we went, they made a new friend...a german wirehair. It was so funny to watch Maisie attempt to run as fast as the other dog. If she only had longer legs. I know that the dogs have had a good spring break too, so why does Maisie look so sad? It is because she is currently on a diet and has lost 2 pounds. That is a lot for a dog that only weighs 13 total! Hopefully she will realize thatI am not trying to torture her...

Easter Card

I finished another set of cards before a holiday! This has got to be a first for me. I used the Springtime stamp set and the Sophia paper pack from Close to my Heart. I love this set, it is so cute! I rounded the corners of the card...really like this look. I also cut out the top part of the umbrella and used a pop dot to make it stand out. The buttons are from the pink assortment and I used different ones on each card. There is still time to order your spring stamp sets and paper to make your own cards!

Sophia Workshop on the Go

I love the Sophia paper...the colors just remind me of spring. I am planning on making the scrapbook pages from the workshop on the go kit tonight at the crop! I love how they used the corner rounder to make scalloped edges. I have not tried this yet, but I am excited to. Hopefully it is as easy as it looks! If you would like to attend the Sophia workshop on the Go, just email me to place your order by Thursday, April 14. katie.hessel@gmail.com We will be meeting at my house on April 27th at 5:00 to make the cards or scrapbook pages. I hope you can make it!

I also know that spring is on the way because I went shopping today and they had the most beautiful colors and patterns. Then when I got home, I opened all of the windows to get some fresh air in the house. It is always a good day when the sunporch is open and the sun is shining through. Spring is just around the corner...have you been making spring cards or pages to celebrate the season? Check out my website to see what Close to My Heart has to offer you! http://katiehessel.myctmh.com

Well I am going to go for it!

After wondering if I would like it...I decided to just go for it. Digital scrapbooking that is:) I am going to try out making some pages from our trip to the virgin islands last summer. It is kind of nice that I can just play around with the pictures and the paper on Studio J from Close to My Heart (http://katiehessel.myctmh.com) and I don't have to buy anything if I don't want to. It is all online so I don't have to purchase a program to test it out! That is good for me, because I am not sure about all of this stuff. I absolutely love making pages out of my paper with real buttons and ribbon and all of the other goodies. There is nothing wrong with trying something new. Maybe I can do both! Don't tell my husband, because he will not want me starting a new hobby:) He will probably figure it out though because last night I stayed up until 1:00 am working on my pages in the office! I will post some of my pages as soon as I am done. I hope that everyone is enjoying their spring break.

So Thankful!

I am so thankful right now for the friends and family who have helped us through the last five months. In September, I never thought I would be able to make it this far. Two weeks ago I wouldn't have thought I could make it through a whole week of school. That is exactly what I did last week though and I couldn't have done it without the help of nice people all around me! I guess I just want to say thanks for all of the cards, gifts, phone calls, flowers, visits, prayers, and just help in general. Thanks so much and hopefully I will be able to help someone else if they ever have to go through a similar situation.

Almost Valentine's Day...

I am proud of myself for finishing some cards before a holiday arrives! I sent out our real valentines to some friends and family, but I wanted to make some fancy cards too. The cards that I mailed I cheated and ordered from shutterfly. For these cards, I used the Sweetheart Workshop on the Go and followed the guide directions. Sometimes it is nice not to think too hard about things! I used an easy folding technique on the card to the far left that I sometimes forget about. On the thin pink strip of paper near the top, I did a fan-fold and it almost makes the paper look like ribbon. It looks neat and is cheaper than using real ribbon! If you are interested in making your own cards using this kit, check out my website http://katiehessel.myctmh.com I hope that you have a great Valentine's Day!

Spray Pen Take 2

This week I am taking my mom to her chemo appointment...and that is not super fun, so I brought the rest of my Wings paper home to finish some cards. We had fun making these cards and experimenting with the spray pen. It can get messy though, so if you are using one make sure you have a paper down behind you. Somehow I always end up with ink all over my hands, but I think it is just me! Kind of like when I eat chocolate ice cream and always end up with it on my face, while everyone else seems to be fine. We had so much fun that we decided I should come home to make cards every Monday...if only work didn't get in the way!!!

If you like these cards you can make your own! Just go to my website http://katiehessel.myctmh.com to order your own Wings Workshop on the Go kit (G1016) It includes a cute stamp set, 12 pieces of B&T paper, 10 pieces of cardstock, black mini-medley accents, a spray pen, and a workshop guide. You will have enough supplies to make 2 two-page layouts and six cards...with some left over! Don't forget to order the vineyard berry reinker if you would to use the spray pen like I did. All the spray pen needs is water and re-inker...I did use pearl paint, but that is optional.

I know I said someday...

I know that I literally just said someday maybe I would be a Close to My Heart consultant, but I guess someday means right now...I finally decided to sign up. I guess two big reasons are that I absolutely love the products that they sell and I have been using them myself for over seven years! The coordinating colors and paper make it so easy that anyone can make beautiful things. I also think that I need a fun hobby and something to distract me right now. I am not counting on anything so that I don't get disappointed, but hopefully it will be fun and not too stressful. I have never done anything like this before, but I am up for trying something new!

So if you are reading this and you would like to have a gathering or learn more about what Close to My Heart offers for scrapbooking and stamping products, please email me at katie.hessel@gmail.com or check out my website at http://katiehessel.myctmh.com Be sure to check the calendar for upcoming events!

How can we???

Like I said on my scrapbook page...how can we have been together for so long and still be best friends? When I was thinking about it the other day, I realized we have been together for over 12 years and married for almost 4!

I know that I don't always tell Kyle this, but I couldn't have made it through this past year without him. It has been a rough year for a few different reasons, but I wouldn't have wanted to tough through it with anyone but him. I am hoping for some good things to celebrate together soon.

In my layout, I used some older paper and bright colors in honor of Valentine's Day. I also used my spray pen for the first time and I love it! I filled it with water, black re-inker, and pearl paint. I don't know if you can see it in the pictures, but the paint made it a little shiny and it looks so cool in person. I can't wait to spray other projects...

Wings Workshop

Close to My Heart had a really cool deal for January...so I couldn't pass it up. Of course:) I found some pictures of Sami from the first Christmas we were married. I think that it turned out cute. I have to wait until I get my next order to see how the spray pen works, so that is why I didn't add anything to the cream tag on the second page. I hope you like it! If you would like to check out the January special, go to my mom's website http://kimschnoor.myctmh.com/ Maybe someday I will be a consultant...