Happy Birthday Julie!

A quick post to wish my long time friend Julie a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I think it was 15 years ago (give or take a year) that we were celebrating her birthday in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen! Just 4 single girls with not a care in the world (okay, we probably had job stress, and mabye some boyfriend issues - but looking back I can't remember much).

Here we are someplace in Cancun - on that same trip. Julie is in the middle and that's our friend Cindy on the left. Fun times!

Anyway........I hope Julie has a wonderful day today down in sunny California!

XO Linda

CMTH Card Swap/Challenge

Every month our CTMH (Close to My Heart) unit does a mini card swap. One person provides an identical sheet of paper for everyone, and the next month we bring back completed cards using that paper.

Last month we were given this (retired) paper:

There were actually a few different colors of the same pattern this time. Usually they are exactly the same. I chose the Ponderosa Pine color.

And this is what I ended up creating with my paper:

I flipped the paper over so the more splotchy Ponderosa Pine pattern was showing, not the words. I matted my random stamped snowflake paper on top of it.

I also used my Cuttlebug to emboss the top with the Swiss dot pattern. Added a clear button with a rhinestone to the center of 1 snowflake, and finished that snowflake off with glitter.

Here's a look at what the other gals came up with: (I'm always amazed at how different they turn out!)

The above picture shows 2 6x6 layouts.

The below picture shows the 6 cards.

"Happy Holidays" Card Supplies:

Holiday Commentary Stamp Set C1379

New Fallen Snow Stamp Set D1171
Clear Craft Buttons Z1155

Prisma Glitter Z134

Tulip, Topiary, Sweet Leaf & Blush Stamp Pads

White Cardstock

My Garage Sale Find!

Okay, so a few weeks ago I read on Craigslist about a garage sale with antique quilts...........I'm a sucker for old quilts. My grandma who passed away this month was an AMAZING quilter - made hundreds in her 94 years of life. I have started many, but never finished ONE! How embarrassing is that? Somewhere along the line I either get bored, or intimidated. Years ago I started a red & white quilt, inspired by the quilt in Monica & Rachel's apartment on Friends (the early years). lol.

Back to the garage sale. So, I made it to the sale, about an hour+ after it started. I think the kids didn't sleep well the night before, and I was having a hard time getting out of the house early. I get to the garage sale, to find not much left or cool, old - as in barn wood buffet table from New England 1800s, stuff from all over the country (or at least that's what the guy said!!) marked as "SOLD". It's probably a good thing I was late. What do I really need anyway? Nothing.

So......I spot the quilts, The first one I see says $5. REALLY, $5?? I grab it. Then my tired eyes start seeing $5 on more, really big tags. So........I pile up and go to pay. OOPS.

The first quilt DID say $5. The others said $125, $75, etc. How embarrassing.

I bought the $5 and left. :)

Here she is:

The tag said it is from the early 1900s. I think I was drawn to the red & white part.....which goes back to the "Friends" quilt in progress. :)

Today I'm taking Malia & Alex to see "Nanny McPhee Returns" this afternoon with my Sister and her kids (who are kind enough to go with us - they are mid-teens to early 20 year olds). It should be fun. Ella gets to spend some time with Grandma.
Have a great day!
~Linda

AMAZING Scrapbook Sale - Close to My Heart

$2, $4, $6 for 8! It's YOU That We Appreciate!

I have just re-started my website...and it looks like I was just in time.

Close to My Heart is offering amazing deals on select MyStickease Assortments ($2), Level 1 Scrapbook Kits ($4), Level 2 Scrapbook Kits ($6) are yours for 8 days only (or while supplies last, whichever comes first). Mark your calendar for Wednesday, August 4 - Wednesday, August 11 (or while supplies last) and don't miss this HUGE sale. All items are over 50% off. To take advantage of this sales, head to my website (http://lindaw.myctmh.com/) and click on 'Shop Online' and starting August 4 there should be a link for the sale. (When you shop online, all orders ship directly to your door!) In the meantime, start your wish lists. Here are a few more pictures of what will be on sale!!

(For pictures of ALL items on sale click here).

More to Adore Level 1 Kit: Jingle Level 1 Kit:Emporium My Stickease (stickers):Emporium Level 2 Kit:

Good Times Level 2 Kit:

This is just a sneak peek! There will be tons more on Wednesday Aug. 4th. :)

You Rock Cards - CTMH

Hello blog readers! I thought I'd share a fun card I made for our swap with the other gals in our Close to My Heart unit. We are each given 1 sheet of the same paper, to make 7 identical cards. At the next month's meeting, we swap our cards and leave with 7 different cards. It's fun to see what the other ladies come up with using the same paper!

This card has a fun center fold!

CTMH Supplies used:

You Rock Level 2 paper pack

Notice the Details Stamp set

Star Struck Stamp Set

Bitty Sparkles

Autumn Craft Buttons

And.............watch for exciting news coming up about a HUGE paper sale on my Close to My Heart website: www.lindaw.myctmh.com. It starts at 8am Wednesday morning! If you haven't shopped on my site, you might want to set up an account now - so you can be ready to shop! :)

Thanks for visiting~
~Linda