Selfless, unconditional Love

Why is there such hatred in the world?  Why do people do horrible things, and say they're done in God's name?  I wonder some days . . . does God ever wish he had never made Noah the promise?   Does He ever look down on what a mess we've made of creation and wish He could erase it and start over once again?  

The God I know is a God of love.  He knows each of us personally -- from the biggest of creatures to the smallest.  And He knows our pain.  He gave His only Son -- watched him suffer and die on a cross -- so that we might live in harmony with Him.  Living in harmony and feeling His love . . . how can we help but show that love to others? 

I saw that love displayed to others 10 years ago, as I watched, horrified, as the events of 9/11 unfolded in front of me on the TV.  I watched as police and firefighters selflessly went into the towers to rescue people they had never met, only to lose their own lives.  I witnessed it as I watched people on the street help others, whose faces they had never seen before . . but that they will now never forget.  I heard of it when people on a plane banded together with strangers, and gave their lives, all to cause Flight 93 to crash so that it couldn't reach Washington D.C.  And I read about it, just a day or so ago, as the story came out about Heather Penney, a fighter pilot prepared to ram Flight 93 and give her own life to take it down, also so that it couldn't reach D.C.  

Selfless, unconditional love.  It's what God showed us when He gave His only Son so that we might have eternal life.  It is, to me, the lesson we're put here on this earth to learn.  How can we make the world a better place by showing the earth, and it's inhabitants, that kind of love?  

I remember 9/11 -- so vividly, and for different reasons.  Yes, I remember the planes.  I remember the photos.  I remember the field in PA.  But I also remember the love.  Some might call it patriotism.  Okay.  We are one nation, under God, indivisible.  I love my country, I love the tenets on which it was founded.  And I love, oh how I love, my God.  

I will also remember those who unwittingly gave their lives that day, whose lives were taken by those who have no love in their hearts.  And I will remember those who have given their lives since, to protect our freedoms, and to make right the wrong that was done 10 years ago today.   God Bless America.  God Bless our Troops.  God Bless the families of those who were lost on 9/11.  And God Bless each and every one of us, that we might try, each day, to show a little more of that selfless love to others.  

One More Thing -- a little blog time for Sadie, the OTHER rambunctious baby!

Ok, so I'm looking back through my posts, and seeing that almost all my doggie pictures are of our chocolate lab (she's really a "mixed breed" but that's a story for another day!), Sydnie.  Sadie, our 1/2 lab, 1/2 German Shepherd, hasn't seemed to get much internet time, so I thought I'd throw a picture or two of her out there.  Normally, she doesn't like her photo taken, but she's been rather cooperative outside the past month or so.  She's a sweet soul, though not as much of a cuddler as Sydnie.  Besides not getting much press, she had to go in for her shots today, so I'm sure me posting pictures of her will help her feel better (as will the little ice cream cone she got for being a good puppy at the vet -- but shhh! don't tell Syd!)  

My "Words to Live By" Album

Hi!!

As promised, here are the photos of my "Words to Live By" album, a class I took (for free!) over at Big Picture Classes.  The paper I used is a retired Close to my Heart pack titled "Notebook."  (LOVE that set!)  I was trying to be good and use up supplies I had on hand and not purchase anything extra.  (Believe me, I could do that for a L-O-N-G time, and still have a passel of stuff!  Did I mention I'm a collector?)   The letter stickers were various ones I had on had, as were the embellishments.  The album was an old 6x6 chipboard album by Rusty Pickle that I found in my stash.  If there is anything I see as I post pictures that I can identify, I'll do so after the photo!   (My apologies -- a few of these turned out a little blurry.)  Feel free to click on any image to see larger and in more detail. 

Cover:

Looking at book from the side:

First Word:  Share

Second Word:  Wonder

It just dawned on me that I'm missing my 10th wonder!  LOL!

Third Word:  Less

Fourth Word:  Give

Clock gears are Tim Holtz; the brad in the center of the clock here, and on previous pages, is from Close to my Heart

Fifth Word:  Enjoy

Rubons by Close to My Heart; Metal Heart is Tim Holtz

Sixth Word:  Nest

Bird is Tim Holtz; Letters are from CTMH Playful Caps Stamp Set; Bird Next and Branch are Jolee's

Seventh Word:  Cherish

Clear Ribbon Slide, stick pin, and charm are all Close to My Heart

Eighth Word:  Live

Still need to journal on the little pull out tag.  Ribbon pull is by CTMH.

Ninth Word:  Free

Colonial White Brads and Edge Anchor by CTMH.

Tenth Word: Moment

Eleventh Word:  Embrace

Letters are from the Hodge Podge Alphabet Set by CTMH.

Twelfth Word:  Play

Background Circle is from CTMH Journaling Spots; Big Silver Brad is from the CTMH Shimmer Collection; Play Ticket is Tim Holtz.

 Inside back Cover:

Date and Signature

Uffda!  Are you completely bored?  Thanks for sticking with me through the whole album!!  I had so much fun making this, and fun learning a little bit about myself.  Some of the words were easy to journal about, some were hard.  All in all, it was a great class.  Check out Big Picture Classes for yourself!  :)

One More Test!

One more test! Yay!

Testing Signature

For an amazing tutorial on how to created a blog signature, go to this page at the Cutest Blog on the Block!  If you follow the instructions, it will be there each time you create a new post.  Hopefully.  (Keep your fingers crossed for me!  LOL!)

Let me know what you think!

30 Days of Lists

I'm participating in a new class this month, titled "30 Days of Lists."  Each day, they give you a new prompt for you to journal a list about.  Here is what the website says:

Not everyone can make a mini scrapbook every week or an art journal page every night.

30 Days of Lists is our encouragement and challenge to you that you CAN journal just something every day – even something as small as a list.

Every day through the month of September we will be posting a list prompt – anything from weekend goals to celebrity crushes. At the end of the 30 days you’ll have a collection of entries creating a small snapshot of your life right now.

Only 5-10 minutes per day are really needed. While you’re waiting for someone, or when you’re the passenger in the car. That’s all.  Just write.

I purchased an ADORABLE mini-album from my friend and fellow blogger, Monika.  I'm making it my own, and will be sharing a few pages, here and there, over the coming month as I compile my lists.  :)  So excited!

If YOU would like to play along, click on the button in the left sidebar, and that will take you to their registration page.  It's only $6 -- great way to practice your journaling!

52Photos: 'Crave' and 'Green'

So, here I am, with my first two official photos for the "52Photos" challenge.  I am, as usual, behind, delayed, er, LATE, so I'm submitting two at once!

The theme for week 33 was "CRAVE".  I so easily could have take a picture of a chocolate chip cookie, a brownie, or an ice cream sundae, but I wanted to do something different.  Here is my capture for "crave:"

This is, of course, my sweet Sydnie, craving that dog biscuit that her dad is holding up for her.  I was SO trying to get her to drool, thinking that would REALLY drive the 'crave' theme across -- and trust me, she's REALLY good at drooling.  But, no such luck.  She is such a soft soul -- takes things so gently.  A true lab.  :)

Week 35's theme was "GREEN."  I admit, I'm going back to a photo I took early this summer when I was doing a senior photo shoot for a friend.  I have no idea what this plant is, but have been told by not a few people that it looks like 'weed!'  I don't know what 'weed' looks like (honest!) but this was growing in the middle of a city park, so I'm assuming it's pretty safe!! LOL!

You can visit the Flickr group, 52Photos, by clicking on the button in my sidebar, to see all the other awesome photos that have been submitted -- or, to sign up for yourself and play along!!  This upcoming weeks theme is "WATER."  Tune in on Friday to see what I come up with! (I'll also be posting for week 34, which was 'Happy.')

I Heart Faces Photo Contest Entry -- Pets

Of COURSE I'm going to enter this!!  I have more pet photos (ie, my "kids"!) than I do people photos!!  :)  You may have seen this one earlier on my blog, as it is one I took of Sydnie during my photo class.  But I still love it.

 
Be sure to go to I Heart Faces and check out all the other adorable critter pictures!! 

52Photos

Ok, so, since I've taken my two photography classes with the awesome and very talented Brooke Snow, I've been somewhat remiss in practicing my newly learned skills.  I'm not a very motivated person, so having something to push me seems to work much better than Brooke saying "the best way to get better is to practice!  Take one photo a day, or a week, concentrating on something you learned in class.  Aperture, lighting, shutter speed, whatever."  (Likewise, the whole "practice" concept didn't go over so well with me when I took piano lessons, either.)   I needed something to hold me accountable.  And I think I found it with 52Photos!

I have been following the blog of this wonderful, gorgeous, and also very talented lady whom I now consider a friend (isn't that crazy, how you can make friends across the country and across the world with the internet?) , Monika Wright.   Her blog, iloveitallwithmonikawright.blogspot.com, is filled with crafty ideas and beautiful photos, and she is one of the founders of a concept called "52Photos."   Click here to read her first post about it.  So!  Of course I would have loved to have joined in beginning in January, but she and fellow founder, Lisa, encourage you to join anytime during the journey.  So, even though the year is more than half over, I'm jumping in, and going to practice my photography and document the world around me!  Am I a multi-tasker, or what?  :o)  

If you would like to check out the group, 52 Photos, click here, or on the blog button on the right hand side of my blog.  I'll be posting my photos to my blog (as well as to the flikr group) each week, so be sure to check back and leave me some love!  Wish me luck! 

WOW! That's a GREAT deal!

Would you like to know how to get FOUR, yes I said FOUR, stamp sets for only $5? Close to my Heart has two promotions that are overlapping for two weeks and you can double dip and take advantage of both of them from August 15 - 31!

The first promotion is to celebrate our new Stamp of the Month program. When you spend $50, you can get the Stamp of the Month for only $5 (see below)! When you do this in August, you will also get the adorable mini alphabet stamp set called A Typeset FREE!

Below is the August Stamp of the Month called Wicked. When you spend $50 this month, you can get this set for only $5!

In addition, to celebrate National Stamping Month (which is in September), you will get this adorable DOUBLE stamp set called Pair-a-Phrase absolutely FREE when you spend $75! (We like to call them our "Double D's! LOL!)  You’ll love this double set—two D-size sets come in one envelope—which includes lots of clever phrases and coordinating images that you can use all year long. CTMH is starting this promotion today, August 15th and it will run through September 30th.

 

Since the promotions overlap from August 15 - 31, if you spend $75, and get the August Stamp of the Month Wicked for $5, you will get both the A Typeset stamp for FREE and the Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set for FREE! Now that, my friend, is a GREAT deal!

If you have been thinking about ordering the new Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge bundle, now is the perfect time to do it because you will qualify for all of these great promotions and you will get 4 extra stamp sets (a total retail value of $60.80) for only $5! There are TONS of other great items to choose from as well, including lots of great discounted, while supplies last, products.  Happy Shopping!

Click here to start shopping now or contact me to place your order!

I Heart Faces Photo Contest Entry -- Eyes

I was delighted when my friend's gorgeous daughter asked me to do her senior pictures.  This one is one of my favorites -- all I've done is made the photo b&w -- the eyes are original to the color photo.  She is such a beautiful girl, inside and out.  I love her dearly! 

Be sure to stop by I Heart Faces and check out all the other amazing entries!

FanTABulous August!

Yes, ladies and gents, it's HERE!!!  The much-anticipated, gorgeous, amazing NEW Close to My Heart Fall/Winter 2011 Idea Book.  We're talking 144 pages of pure yumminess!! 

Click on this link in the left-hand sidebar to view the idea book page by page!

Let me tell you about a few of the fantastic deals you'll find in the new book:

• Chirp, chirp…Check out our new, exclusive CRICUT cartridge! The Cricut Art Philosophy Collection comes with a cartridge containing 700 images (font, shapes & 3-D items), 3 stamp sets, and 3 sets of Dimensional Elements that coordinate beautifully with the Cricut cartridge! – page 13 

• EIGHT gorgeous My Reflections Scrapbooking Kits…you’ll love the new look and feel of our kits as all of our B&T papers are now cardstock weight with two different prints on each sheet! That’s right, the paper has been beefed up, but…the price has slimmed down! -- pages 16-61

•  Over FORTY fun, new My Acrylix stamp sets! You’ll notice a few exciting changes:
• LOWER PRICES on ALL stamp sets!
• All sets are now shown at 100%!
• Stamp Sets outlined in RED coordinate with the NEW Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge!
• Our NEW Stamp of the Month program makes it even easier to earn your SOTM!

• Our new Complements line provides the perfect coordinates for some of our new My Reflections Kits…Canvas Shapes, Rub-Ons, and Dimensional Elements – pages 16, 28, & 46 (offered as an upgrade to the My Stickease.  Now, each kit offers something new!)

• Can’t get enough Embellishments? Neither can we, so we’ve added lots of new offerings – felt shapes, charms, corrugated shapes, jewels, bling, overlays, journaling spots, and more! Page 128

• Add a little dimension to your projects with several new Dimensional Elements sets, many of which coordinate with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge! You’ll also love our redesigned Dimensional Elements Monograms featuring 6 brand new fonts! – page 130

• Studio J is better than ever! Be sure to catch all the details on all the benefits of Studio J Membership – page 11

• Our New Consultant Kit has been revamped and is not more affordable than ever at only $99! - pages 4-5

And, during the month of August, you can earn a cute alphabet stamp set, entirely free!!

So, as you can see, August is a great month to order!!  Click on the "shop with me" link in the left hand sidebar to go to my website today!  

CTMH Retiring Items

As you may know, Close to my Heart is releasing the new Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book on August 1st. To make room for all of the AMAZING new products, we must say good-bye to some of our old favorites. 

2011 Close To My Heart Retiring List
(items on this list are available until July 31st, only while supplies last)

A huge thank you goes out to Christine David for compiling this list!

Cardstock




As of August 1st, the majority of bulk the cardstock packets (24 sheets) will be retired.  Remaining bulk packets will be increasing in price, so stock up now!

Click here to stock up on your favorite colors of Cardstock!



Ink



As of August 1st, ink pad and marker sets will no longer be available.  Complete your ink pad and marker collection today.

Click here to complete your inkpad and marker collection today!

Accessories

 

Z1154 Designer Ribbon Buttercup

Z1209 Designer Ribbon Cranberry
Z1125 Designer Ribbon SweetLeaf
Z1223 DEs Booksmart
Z1156 DEs Borders
Z1140 DEs Framed Fun
Z1312 DEs Stars
Z648 Emb Powder Baby Pink
Z671 Emb Powder Clear
Z647 Emb Powder Heavenly Blue
Z664 Emb Powder Pansy Purple
Z678 Emb Powder Silver Pearl
Z1400 Fanfare Ll 2 Assort (brads)
Z263 Fun Flock White
Z1354 Irresistibles Miracle
Z1390 Irresistibles™ Villa
Z1300 Just Blooms White Daisy
Z1377 Kraft Color-Ready Borders
Z1166 Mini Album Cream
Z1340 Mini Medley Lagoon
Z1277 Mini Medley Outdoor Denim
Z1339 Mini Medley Pear
Z1243 Mini Medley Pewter
Z1141 My Creations Mini-Binder
Z1009 Pivot Point Stapler
Z1231 Rub-ons Across The Board
Z1265 Rub-ons Primavera
Z1211 Top Coats Framed In
ALL DEs Monogram

Z1021 Envelope Flats 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Z1022 Envelope Flats 3" x 3"
Z1023 Envelope Flats 3" x 4 3/4"
Z1024 Envelope Flats 4" x 4"
Z1244 Envelope Flats 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
Z1025 Envelope Flats 5" x 5"
Z1026 Envelope Flats 5" x 7"
Z1027 Envelope Flats 5 1/2" x 4 3/4"
Z1028 Envelope Flats 6" x 6"
Z1029 Envelope Flats 8" x 3 1/2"

Z338 Euro Paper Trimmer
Z339 Euro Replacement Blades
Z340 Euro Replacement Blade/Scoring
3501 Red Eye Pen
Z1289 Block Buddy Set
Z1090 Texture Tools
Z263 Fun Flock
Z185 My Accents Block Organizer


Click here to order your must have accessories!

 My Reflections Kits




All Level 1 Kits!
X7132A Bliss Level 1
X7132B Bliss Level 2
X7132C Bliss Stickease
X7133A Miracle Level 1
X7133B Miracle Level 2
X7133C Miracle Stickease
X7134A Sweetheart Level 1
X7134B Sweetheart Level 2
X7134C Sweetheart Stickease
X7135A Wings Level 1
X7135B Wings Level 2
X7135C Wings Stickease
X7127A Magnifique Level 1
X7127B Magnifique Level 2
X7127C Magnifique Stickease
X7128A Olivia Level 1
X7128B Olivia Level 2
X7128C Olivia Stickease
X7129A Hooligans Level 1
X7129B Hooligans Level 2
X7129C Hooligans Stickease
X7130A Mistletoe Level 1
X7130B Mistletoe Level 2
X7130C Mistletoe Stickease

Click here to order these My Reflections Kits before they retire!


Workshops on the Go Kits



The following Workshops on the Go's will retired at the end of August.
Order them now or plan ahead to make sure you don't miss out.

G1023 Miracle Workshohp Kit
G1022 Mayberry Workshop Kit
G1021 Fanfare Workshop Kit
G1020 Bliss Workshop Kit
G1019 Sophia Workshop Kit
G1018 Lucky Workshop Kit
G1017 Sweetheart Workshop Kit
G1016 Wings Workshop Kit

Click here to add a Workshop on the Go or two to your order!

 Blocks




Y1001 1" x 1 1/2" Block
Y1004 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" Block
Y1005 1" x 6 1/2" Block
Y1007 2" x 11" Block
Y1011 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" Block
Y1500 Block Starter Kit


Click here to buy these blocks before they are gone!



These links will take you directly to my website to order.  If you have any questions, leave me a comment!  Remember -- order before 10pm MST on July 31st to be sure your order gets in!  

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!

Visit my website here for some fantastic CTMH "while supplies last" deals!  Just a few examples:

WHITE DAISY CROCHET FLOWERS

$12.95    $4.00    69 % off

CREATIVE BASICS™ EMPORIUM COLLECTION

$8.95    $2.00    78 % off

BELLA LEVEL 2 MY STICKEASE® ASSORTMENT

$4.95    $1.00    80 % off

HEARTFELT™ WHIMSY DIE-CUTS

$5.95    $1.50    75 % off

These are just a few of the many examples of this great sale!!  Be sure to get yours before they're gone! 

It's Officially Summer!!

Just came in from outside, "helping" hubby turn the sprinklers on.  (I'm sure he would beg to differ -- "supervising" might be more accurate!)  But, as he turned on the sprinklers in the back yard, both dogs were out, watching.  Sadie, our black lab, is normally very shy and doesn't like to get wet (unless it's a lake she can jump into), so imagine our surprise when she all but grabbed Syd (our chocolate lab) by the collar and dragged her out to play in the sprinklers!!  It was priceless -- I would have come in to get the camera, but knew if I did they would follow me, so hubby and I just stood and laughed and enjoyed the moment with our crazy girls, as they romped and chased each other through the water.  Though this was taken at the dog park, here's an idea of what they're looking like right now:

Soaked to the skin, but loving every minute of it!!  :)  I guess that means that summer is officially here!  Namaste, my friends!