I think its about time for a new post!

I can't believe it has been so long. I have been so busy being creative. I decided I had better get some cross-stitching done, so moved my favorite Dazor magnifying lamp back to the living room and took one project (out of MANY - hundreds, probably) to work on. I haven't finished it and have hit a significant snag but am hoping to be able to plow my way through. I have also been trying my hand at long arm quilting. Since the LA quilter is at my sister's, I haven't made much progress at getting my dozen or so quilting projects done but now that the weather isn't keeping me off the streets maybe I can get over there more.

Here is a manually quilted feather wreath that I did while in Houston learning how to work on the Innova 26 Long Arm Quilter that my sister bought. Definitely a beginner, but not too terrible.

However, it is a good thing that this is a computerized machine that stitches out perfect quilting designs so I don't have to rely on my freehand attempts.

And there is my Close To My Heart papercrafting. It gets done, often late at night and at the last minute, but it gets done. When I look at all the scrapbook layouts, cards and other projects I have been able to create in the year I have been with CTMH, I am rather impressed with myself. Let me show you some of my latest creations:

This is the calendar topper for April. I teach these little 3.5 inch square monthly projects to the gals at the Our Lady of Lourdes school fundraising crop. They look forward to seeing what I come up with for each month (so do I! LOL) The umbrella and the adorable little ducks are from the Springtime stamp set (D1415). It is such a cute set and also includes several rainboot stamps. Adding some Liquid Glass over the raindrops really makes them pop.

This second project is either a card or one fourth of a scrapbook page, depending on how it is finished. Should I not mention that the little boy in the photo is my now 30 year old son? The little ducks from the Springtime stamp set are used again here. This saying (and "Happy Spring") is included in the set.

And last, but not least, for this post, is a paper-crafted votive candle holder. The ladies and girls just loved making the paper flowers. They were so surprised that they weren't purchased premade. I am always so happy when I can show them something so simple but so spectacular. Nobody was displeased with how their's turned out. This project used last summer's limited edition stamp set Framed Moments (D1394) plus a leaf from C1397, Smiles, plus a dot (available in many different flower sets, in this case D1369, Delightful Things.)

As always, it is my intention to post more frequently, but you know, sometimes life just gets in the way of my best intentions.