Having Fun in Florida

This past weekend I was able to go to a special corporate sponsored event in Navarre, FL. The beach was less than a mile away from where we stayed and was absolutely beautiful! Several of the Senior Executive Staff from Close to My Heart were there as they, and my fabulous up, up, up-line, Tina Sutton, put on a special event called Leadershare.

Tina did an amazing job making everything fabulous and fun to inspire and teach new ideas and techniques to her downline. During the event, a silent auction was held to benefit Operation Smile, Close to My Heart's choice non-profit. There were so many amazing items created by CTMH consultants and the art department specifically for the auction. I was asked to create a layout, so using the Mayberry papers and an Easter theme, this is what I came up with.

Tina was so sweet to honor those of us who create items for the silent auction by giving us these sweet gifts. It is a decorated gift tin with a cute blue bracelet inside with the letters ART on it.

Here are some other items that were created - aren't they gorgeous!!!

We were able to raise over $1300 to go towards Operation Smile - that's almost 7 surgeries. Also, just as a reminder, every time you purchase a stamp set from CTMH, a portion of the sales go to benefit Operation Smile. You can find out more about Operation Smile by going to their website at http://www.operationsmile.org/.

March in with Mayberry

I am so ready for Spring. We had a few beautiful days here in TN where the sun was shining, the birds were singing and my kids were outside having a blast in the warmth. Then the temperature changed and I think we hit winter again. What happened to my beautiful weather? This month in my workshop we created some fun layouts to help celebrate the change in the season (to spring that is) but the weather has been so crazy that I haven't been able to celebrate spring like I wanted so... my second layout doesn't have any pictures on it yet but it will soon :) Hope you enjoy!

Here's Close to My Heart's Mayberry Workshop on the Go. You can get this kit anytime between now and June. It also comes with a card workshop to create 6 cards and a stamp set. You can see the entire set on my website at http://www.heatherhicks.myctmh.com/.

This layout was inspired by another CTMH consultant and tweeked a little. This is the one that I am anxious to add photos too once the sun does shine a bit. Hope you enjoy!

Hope for Japan comes from Close to My Heart

So much tragedy and devastation have touched Japan as of late. The people of Japan hold a special place in our hearts here at the Hicks house as my husbands Aunt and Uncle are missionaries in Japan and have lived there for the past 20+ years. God brought them back to the states about a month ago for some medical issues so thankfully they were not caught in the horrific storms and aftermath that the rest of Japan have been suffering However, even though they are here, their hearts are back in Japan as their son and daughter-in-law, as well as their many friends struggle to put life back in order and deal with the potential threat of radiation.

With efforts to help in any way we can, Close to My Heart, has released a special "Hope for Japan" stamp set where 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross tagged specifically for the needs of Japan. To make it possible for as many people to help Japan as possible, CTMH has priced this special stamp set at only $5!!! Go to my website at http://www.heatherhicks.myctmh.com/ to order your stamp set and help those in need now.

God Bless!

In love with Sweetheart

Last weekend I held my monthly workshop using our beautiful and fun Sweetheart papers. This is one of my favorite paper packs in our new idea book. The pinks and black with a light touch of purple are so fun to work with. My youngest daughters birthday is on Valentine's Day so I am always looking for something that fits with the colors of the season but doesn't scream Valentine's Day - this paper definitely fit the bill.

Here is a banner I made for her birthday party to help celebrate my sweet girl. It was SO easy to make! I sprayed the pendant using the Misting technique and used only 2 sheets of patterned paper and scraps of cardstock. It came together so quickly!





Here it is now hanging in her bedroom.

I attached one picture for each year of her life put used temorary adhesive so she could remove them if she wanted to as she gets older. Well, what do you think? I have to be honest - I LOVE IT!!!


Here is the layout shown in the worskhop on the go. It came together so quickly. It's hard to see it in the picture but we used the liquid applique for the "string" to hold the pendant title up and add little dots to the heart flowers coming off the black cardstock. This really made the colors pop! The shiny epoxy stickers add a nice touch and some bling to the layout too!


This second layout we created came from the Magic Book. Again, another easy layout with light distressing in black around the edges. Lisa, a loyal customer and friend, always loves to tilt her pictures or paper to give it that fun feel, so this layout was created with her in mind.


Both these layouts came together in about 2 and a half hours and that was with us talking and catching up with one another (one of the best parts of my workshops :)) If you want to create these layouts too, you can still get all the materials, complete coordinating stamp set, full color brochure walking you through step by step as you create the first layout shown and also walking you through creating 6 more cards for only $35. Send me a quick note at HeatherHicks@MyCTMH.com and I'll get your kit on its way to you.

Happy Valentines Day!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful and warm Valentines Day! Today is not just Valentines day here at the Hicks house, but it is Ms. Tinker Bell's Birthday too! Mike always takes the day off from work on the kids birthday so they can have a special birthday date. Well, unfortunately, today went a little differently then planned. Ms. Tinkerbell woke up just fine but as we got around for her special day, she started going down hill fast. Needless to say, 5 hours later, Mike was at work and I was sitting in the Dr.'s office with 2 sick little girls. To make matters worse, the birthday girl left a little present all over the floor and wall for the nurses. How sweet - well, not really! So, instead of me sharing all the wonderful pictures of today's happenings, I thought I would share with you some of the layouts that were create on our Petticoat Junction trip.

As per tradition, each attendee brought two patterned pages, one coordinating cardstock page and 2 coordinating neutral pages hidden in a bag. We traded packets and had the weekend to create a layout with what we received. This is challenge is always so fun as I love watching every ones creativity flow. I will admit, this is definitely a challenge at times, but everyone rose to the challenge and did great. Enjoy!

Hello from the Junction!

Petticoat Junction that is. Nope, not the old television show but the wonderful scrapbook house in Normandy TN. This weekend, I am blessed to be taking a group of scrapbook ladies away for the weekend. God has blessed us all with BEAUTIFUL weather - over 60 degrees!!! We scrapbooked all night long and are now being spoiled with pedicures, manicures, ear candling (a new thing for me), massages - the works!!! This has been a wonderful weekend for rest, relaxation and scrapbooking!!! Plan on joining us in November when we do this all again!

Flyin' with Wings!

Last Friday night was my monthly workshop with a local group an we got to play with Close to My Heart's newest paper release - Wings! This paper is very unique and versatile. We also had fun with our new spray pen. For those of you who weren't able to make the workshop, Close to My Heart created this fabulous tutorial to show you all about it.

Now, I have to say I load my pen a little different to help with the paper curling. Instead of adding water I add 50% rubbing alcohol. If you use the 70% the paint will curdle and clog the pen so make sure you use the 50%. By using the alcohol, the mixture will dry very quickly and the paper wont curl near as much. Give it a try and show me what you create - I would love to see it!

Here is what we created in our workshop.

Now for those of you who are behind in your scrapbooking - this layout proves that it is o.k.. These pictures are from last July when I was in Washington DC for our annual convention. The theme of the convention was Picture This with butterflies everywhere. The style couldn't have been more perfect. Of course, I still need to add my journaling but.... it's coming :)

This was the main workshop layout from our Workshop on the Go brochure.

I also created another layout from this paper but that layout is top secret. I am taking a group of ladies on a scrapbook retreat at the end of the month for a time of rest, relaxation and scrapbooking. My other layout is to help us commemorate the event. So... for now, you will have to wait to see it. :)