Scrapbooking Swords?

I spent the weekend bursting with pride as I watched members of Team USA fence their hearts out.  I jumped up and down as our youngest fencing member, 18 year old Lee Kiefer, came in fifth in the women's individual foil event.  I cried when Tim Morehouse finished 8th in the men's individual sabre event. 

Why is it so hard to capture my passion for this sport in my scrapbooks?  I have a number of photos taken at the Duel Til You Drop tournament just waiting to be scrapped.  I have seen one Jolee sticker set made specifically for fencing, but I need more ideas.  Post here if you can help me!

Mariel, Tim and Olympic Fencing

 

Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics will be held today in London.  Team USA has elected two- time Olympic Gold Medalist and World Fencing Champion Mariel Zagunis to carry our flag.   Mariel, a 27 year old sabre fencer from Oregon, is a world class athlete.   In an interview with NBC Olympics, she said, “I'm extremely humbled by this incredible privilege. As an athlete, I can't imagine a higher honor than to lead Team USA into the Olympic Games, which are the pinnacle of sport and a platform for world peace. I am tremendously proud to represent my sport, our team and, most importantly, the United States of America.”

 

Mariel will compete in the Women’s Individual Sabre event held August 1^st.    Individual Foil events begin tomorrow and will be broadcast in Jacksonville from 7:30am – 9:00am and from 5:00pm – 8:00pm.  I’m also extremely excited to watch Tim Morehouse compete in the Men’s Team Sabre event on Friday, August 3^rd.  Tim’s book American Fencer: Modern Lessons from an Ancient Sport has been a true inspiration for me.  If you’ve never watched sabre before, Tim has created this helpful video which explains the basics of the sport:

I may never get to meet Mariel or Tim, but they have made a real impact on my life.  I’ll be cheering for them through the games.  I’ll be nervous for them each time they approach the en garde lines.  I will be joyful  each time they land a point.  I am proud that they represent me as both a fencer and an American.

New Projects Video

I've got another sneak peek today!  Two of the exciting and new Workshop on the Go projects from our Fall calendar are featured in this video.  You'll see everything included with the Scroll Album kit, which was a huge hit with the consultants at convention, and our new Advent calendar kit.

Don't forget; I'm hosting an online catalog debut event next week for those of you who just can't wait to see the newest CTMH goodies!  Let me know if you need an invitation.

Feeling like an Artiste!

It's no secret that I am super excited about our new Cricut cartridge Artiste.  I can hardly wait for the debut on August 1st!  Until then, I thought I would offer my loyal readers a sneak peek at an Artiste creation.  This cartridge offers 700 shapes including cupcake liners.  Presidential Director, Tina Sutton, shared this fantastic idea for using the cupcake liner to create themed party lights:

If you're planning a Halloween party this year, Close To My Heart has something very special just for you.  Be sure to check the awesome new catalog on August 1st or contact me for more information.

Fashionista!

Do you have a special friend that you turn to for fashion advice?  Last summer I had the good fortune to be visiting with my dear friend Candi just a few weeks before the Cystic Fibrosis Little Black Dress fundraiser.  Candi has terrific style and she understands garment construction better than anyone I know.  I was really excited to have her as my shopping companion as I searched for the perfect black cocktail dress. Candi and my goddaughters, Emily and Katie, pulled several dresses for me to try on.  Clearly these girls have inherited their mother's talent for fashion.  Here is the dress they found:

I feel like a million bucks in this dress and I've decided to create a scrapbook page about the shopping adventure and my fashion stylists.  I've found the perfect CTMH stamp set to create my page.  Take a look at Fashionista:

Let me know if you've created a project with this stamp set.  I'm thinking of making a couple of special thank you cards for the fashionistas I love!

Sneak Peek!

 Close To My Heart's annual consultant convention has just wrapped up and you would not believe the excitement generated by our Fall catalog and new products.  I've had the good fortune to preview the new catalog and I can hardly wait to share it with you!  There are so many beautiful new stamp collections and Workshop on the Go kits.  Of course, I am most excited about our newest exclusive Cricut cartridge, Artiste.  I'll have more information on that for you soon.  For those of you familiar with our awesome Art Philosophy cartridge, you've come to expect terrific value from our Cricut products and I promise you will not be disappointed in this newest release which includes 700 shapes, 3 coordinating stamp sets and more.  This catalog and the exciting new products offered will be available August 1st.  I'll be hosting an online gathering that very day for those of you who just can't wait to see the new goodies.  Let me know if you would like an invitation!

Fed Ex Delivers

Wow!  It seems like everything I've ordered in the past week or so arrived on my doorstep yesterday.  Thank you, Fed Ex :)  First, there was the bottle of Nuit Etoilee I just had to have. 

 

It's a splurge but so worth it. 

Next was the closet reach pole I found online that will finally let me use the second rod in my cedar closet.  Saving the best for last, there was quite a large box from Close To My Heart.

I know Convention is this week and I'll be placing another big order soon, but I couldn't resist the deal with Stampaganza.  I'm super excited to play with all of my new stamps, especially Fashionista (D1504) and Paper Lantern (C1458).  Plus, I picked up the Workshop on the Go Florentine kit.

This fantastic set, featured on pages 50-55 of the Spring/Summer catalog includes everything you need to complete two double page layouts.  Add a pack of our White Daisy die cut cards and a pack of our Pewter Badge Buttons and you'll be able to create a bonus project set of cards too!

Crafty Solution

I'm organizing a bit in the master bedroom and realized I only wear a small portion of my jewelry.  The pieces are put away in a couple of different jewelry boxes and what I don't see I rarely think of wearing.  My solution was to create three jewelry display boards next to my full length mirror.  It was super easy!  I bought a packet of thin cork sheets.  These are very light weight and measure exactly 12x12.  I then covered each cork piece with paper from Die Cuts With a View to match my decor.  The cork sheets are attached to my wall with Command Strips from 3M.  My jewelry is hung from push pins.

Shell Stamp Obsessed

What is it about the Quick Cards Shell stamp (A1128) that makes me love it so much?  Every time I see it used on a card or project, I am thrilled with the results.  Close To My Heart founder, Jeanette Lynton, selected consultant Christine Adams' gorgeous shell card for a recent Spotlight on Art feature on her blog

According to the blog, Christine used a paper-piecing technique to add dimension to her card, layering a trimmed Desert Sand image over a Cocoa image.  She added the blue highlights with a blending pen.  Thanks Christine, for the inspiration!