Good Morning!

Did you miss me? I sure have missed this blog and that is why I am going to try and start posting again....my goal is 3 times a week, once about my family, once about my crafty business with Close to my Heart and the third time about the efforts I have been taking to take charge of my health again! Let me revisit with a short recap of all of these areas so you can get ready for a more in depth dive into my "real" life!

Family is in a transition stage right now. Leah is done with undergrad at U of A and has moved back home. She is applying for internships at the UN and local law offices as she prepares to apply for law school next fall. Ian is starting his Junior year at Pinnacle High School next Tuesday and is already knee deep in marching band. I am also a member of the Booster board for band this year, so that is something new for me. I am also still working a Mayo Clinic and now work 3 10 hour days at the out patient clinic in Scottsdale. Love having a 4 day weekend each week! I am also a super user for our new EMR that we will be implementing in October, so am working a lot of over time leading up to the launch. Bryan is prepping for his 12th year a s program director for the Ultrasound program at Gateway Community College next week. Quick, but I will update you more as the weeks go on...

Close to my Heart is still a big part of my life. Seems as of late I am not getting to spend too much time in my craft room, but partially because summer happened and my room is piled high! I did rent a storage space to provide a place for me to purge, donate and list for sale a lot of my older items and then start anew. And boy will it be fun. Our new catalog that goes live to customers on September 1st is so awesome..cant wait to show it to you all!

Today, in the health department, it is a big day.  I am finishing my first 30 Day Healthy Living Challenge with Arbonne! I have to say it was a success... Proud to say I have lost 11 1/2 lbs and 13 3/4 inches!!! Pretty awesome for 30 days right!!! The great products introduced to me through my friend Lisa Ponce and the support you get through a personalized Facebook group helped to keep me motivated throughout the whole program. Leah did the program with me almost the whole way through too and has noticed weight loss and much less bloating. While I will take a break while I work on the reintroduction program, I know I will revisit this program again soon!

Well in a nutshell, that is what's happening "in real time". My plan is to delve deeper into each of these lives once a week, so wish me luck and see ya on Monday or Tuesday!!!

Wow, how I have missed you "My Life" maybe I will bring you back in to my crazy, crafty life!!! Stay tuned....

It's National Scrapbooking Day! (on Saturday...)

Come join me on Saturday, May 3rd for a Scrapbooking Blowout in honor of National Scrapbooking Day! 

I will be hosting an Open House and Crop that day along with a HUGE scrappin' Sale. There will be tables set up to scrapbook so you can participate in the "100K for Scrapbooking Day" event sponsored by Big Picture Classes ( I have so many supplies, you can just come and create), or you can bring something from home if you want. We will also have make and takes, samples of the special "National Scrapbooking Month" paper pack created by CTMH for the occasion and an opportunity for you to get your own pack!

It's gonna be big, so join us anytime between 9 and 4 and come ready to create!!!


If you need directions to my house or have any questions, please e-mail me at tododd@cox.net
or click here to order on my website and have product shipped directly to you!
Hope to see you all there,
Terrie

Rockin' Ink Stars Blog Hop "Spring Has Sprung"

Thanks for joining the Rockin' Ink Stars Team for our "Spring Themed" Blog Hop! This month we will be showcasing all things Spring! The hop is a circle, so just keep hopping along following the included links and you will visit all the great blogs of the talented Rockin' Ink Star members. If you have come here from Marianne's Blog, you are on the right track. I'm sure you enjoyed her post! After you have taken a look at my project, find the link below to get to the next artist on the list....

Since this is Easter, I created some cute candy treats for my kids. I try to think up something different ever year....the M & M tubes are not a new idea, but the design is different every Easter. This year I used an egg stamp upside down to make the body of the "chickie" and hand drew the other details with my markers. I also used a cute bunny from a past constant campaign. The "bunny boxes" are inspired by Jen Rubio another talented CTMH consultant  using the Artiste Cartridge and some Lollydoodle paper and markers to add the detail.

 

Lastly I created a Mother's Day card since that will be sneaking up on us in a couple of weeks....  For this card I used Lollydoodle paper again and Hollyhock CS, zipper trim and a flamingo dot for the purse closure. ..

Now head on over to Caron's Blog and see what crafty creation she has come up with....

Wishing you all a blessed Easter! 

Terrie

100 Years-Disney on Ice Show!

OK, I'm embarrassed to say I don't know how to download my pictures from my iPhone to my computer.(I have always had my husband do it for me) Anyway, I wanted to tell you Disney on Ice: A 100 Years of Disney was an incredible show. Kathy and Dana Dumaplin wanted to take Leah to the show for her birthday and since Ian had never been to a Disney on Ice show, I thought he should go....they both loved it! Ian's favorite part was "Mulan" and Leah's was "Lion King." I personally liked "Finding Nemo."

After the show, we went over to Coaches Corner and although it was busy (since there was a Diamondback game later in the afternoon), the food I thought was very good and the staff great...

Then back to our house and then to church for Palm Sunday Mass. I love that service, such a beautiful start to Holy Week....

Bryan will be home tomorrow, so I hope to get some pic's up for you to see. I wish I would have brought my camera though as the lighting reaked havoc on my iPhone pics!

See you tomorrow!!

Waiting for "Time"...

What a title for this post, but truly, I am always waiting for "Time", time to clean, do even one of the things on my "to do" list, time to scrapbook, time to "play" with my kids, time to go on a date with my husband...just "time".

Maybe that's the trouble, I'm trying to fit too much into the time I do have, or when I do have a little free time, I don't know where to start? Does anyone else feel like that? I like to think I'm not the only one, but what if I am? How do you figure it all out?

Please don't think I am going to try and analyze myself here, but I had a terribly busy, but generally unproductive day and I know something has got to give. I'll spare you the details, but let's just say there was a lot of time avoiding tasks that will remain on my to do list unless I figure out what I am doing wrong....

Tomorrow is my "baby girl's" 17th birthday and I do know she will be my main focus, as she should be. It will be an "All About Leah" day, and I guess my time will be productive since it will be spent on one of the most important people in my life, a non-negotiable if you will....

Back with pics of my "baby" tomorrow

Gone Too Long!

Time once again to regroup and recharge. I have made the commitment to keep this blog up-to-date for the next 30 days (the time they say it takes to become a habit).....That means updates 3 times a week and a Spring Blog Hop on the 20th! Yeah Me!

I have been working to finish my Rediscover Event Project and I will also be transitioning to just one fb page, so I can cross post for you all to see my work and the fantastic work of some very talented ladies with CTMH and my scrappin' friends.

Hope to be back tomorrow with a few of my cards I have made recently and also an update on "Picture my Life" a wonderful new product from CTMH that makes your memory keeping fast and easy!

Thanks for hanging with me.....

Terrie D

Revised Open House Date!

Open House Cancelled for November 9th!!!  Sorry...

Please check back for a new date in early December for Customer Appreciation!!!

MIA, but back with a plan...

Hello friends,
Sorry I've been gone so long, I've missed you all and I've missed this blog.

I'm back with a plan though. My November thankful posts are coming up and Close to my Heart has a brand spanking new holiday catalog for you to ooh and ahh over, so lets get on with it!

Yesterday marked the "go live" day for the first ever Close to my Heart Christmas mini catalog "Holidays from the Heart". In it you will find all sorts of fun and creative ways to celebrate the season...Make sure you let me know if you would like to get your hands on your own personal catalog and I will make that happen...

Look, even the front page has some wonderful home décor trees made with the new "Sparkle and Shine" paper pack. I am currently working on a tree for Halloween and will be back in a day or two to show you what I came up with....fun even with a broken glue gun, right Lori ?!?!

 

I am planning an open house on Saturday, November 9th and hope you can join me sometime during the day to reconnect with your crafty side, put together a cute project or two and have some festive fall snacks and beverages. Be on the lookout for your invite soon...

There will be lots of opportunity to win prizes and sign up for some fun workshops to help you with those last few teacher gifts, your gift wrapping and making this a special holiday full of traditions new and old. Hope to see you there!

 

Also on the horizon is a customer appreciation day where you can come and create all day for free to thank you for your business and friendship all year. You won't want to miss it...(invites for this to come early December).

 

That's enough for now, but be sure to check back for my 30 days of thankful and updates on upcoming classes, crops and workshops to help with your holiday gift giving and decorating!

 

If you are ready to get to work on your holiday projects and need product, be sure to head to my online website by clicking on the "Shop With Me" button on the right side of my blog and place your order 24/7, even in your jammies!

 

See you soon....

Terrie

MIA...Big Time!!

Sounds familiar doesn't it! Can't believe it has been almost 10 months since I last posted....
Not going to say sorry though, life just got in the way. I think I'm finally getting my priorities straightened out and although things haven't gotten any less chaotic around here, I think we have finally settled in to a slightly slower, less over scheduled life? Maybe because it's summer, maybe because the kids sleep a LOT longer into the morning/afternoon, or maybe because I have realized that doing nothing does not move you forward.

Enough of the philosophical stuff...onward! It is almost time for the new Close to my Heart Idea Book and Catalog to premiere. I plan on having another Open House in early August, hoping to get it done the 2nd week? Lot's of new product including a new Cricut cartridge package that is truly "ground breaking," with just the touch of one or two keys, you can create 10 mini books, 32 two page scrapbook layouts and so much more. Lot's of title toppers to cut out and a new font or two for good measure. Can't wait to show it to you all.

Also new this fall will be workshops and project days where you can come anytime throughout the day and complete a project, start to finish, you will walk out of the class with a finished project, not just buy and store your stuff : )  I will have a scrapbooking/crafting Garage Sale in October and Close to my Heart will also have a special Holiday mini catalog so I will for sure be having a Christmas Card Workshop as well as other projects to give and decorate with this holiday season. Can't wait to show it all to you soon...

Stay tuned!

Terrie

Time for a Close to my Heart Open House!!!

Wow! It has been way too long....but I think I'm finally ready to show you what is new and exciting at Close to my Heart!

It is Open House time!!!....Scheduled for Saturday Oct. 6th from 5-9 at my house, it promises to be the biggest and best Open House and Idea Book Party ever!!  We will be "touring" the Fall/Winter Idea book, checking out new product, doing demo's of the new Studio J Essentials product and the new Artiste Cricut cartridge. Make and takes will be available for your creative side and deeply discounted retired product for your thrifty side!

Also there will be registration for some upcoming workshops and classes this fall with info on a new monthly "club" starting in January. Start off the new year nurturing your crafty side and making time for you! Lot's of input from members as to what you want to do each month, so come and check it out!

Feel free to bring your friends and neighbors too, the more the merrier....Contact me for directions if you haven't been here before, or can't remember how to get here. Please drop me an e-mail to let me know you are coming so I can have enough food and fun to share with everyone!
Can't make it? There is a link to the party through my Close to my Heart website here. Order by clicking the "Open House Party" link on the right and you can be part of the fun. Just order and your product will be sent directly to your home and there are some great "while supplies last" items only available there as well! In addition, I will send you a gift for "attending" even if it was online!

See you soon....
Terrie

Missing Barbara....

Missing my sweet mother-in-law these days. Barbara passed away on August 14th at 7:58pm at home with her loved ones surrounding her. We brought her home to Arizona to bury her along side her beloved parents and baby sister. She will be missed until we see her again in heaven.

Sorry about the delay....

Sorry friends for my absence...back from the cruise, back to work, back to school and now waiting sadly for updates on my MIL Barbara as her cancer has progressed and she is in hospice now and we are waiting to hear about arranging our trips back to Tulsa for our good byes  : (

While the cruise was wonderful and our time together precious....it seems way to fast.....

I will be back as soon as I can to update and share some dates for CTMH events that I will have to put on the back burner for a few weeks...Sorry

Be back as soon as I can, and thanks for understanding....

Terrie

Tasting It!!!

Convention is getting so close, I can taste it! One of my favorite things recently has been getting the opportunity to go to Close to my Hearts annual convention. 4 whole days of creative bliss, time to reconnect with old friends, make some new ones and play with paper to my hearts content!


This year I will be attending with my good friend and downline, Cathy and we are headed to Dallas! Yes, deep in the heart of Texas, we will be creating up a storm. One of our favorite activities is getting to hear about all the new products and progams offered by CTMH and get our hot little hands on the new Fall/Winter Catalog and Idea Book. Every year it just gets better! Close to my Heart does such a good job keeping "on trend" and "innovative." Looking forward to it!


On Sunday the 15th, I will be picked up at our hotel by my fun SIL and BIL along with my sweet MIL to head out to Galveston to sail away on the Carnival Magic!! Yep, it is finally time to celebrate Barbara's big birthday with a cruise. A little delayed, but very much anticipated by all of us. I love these people and can't wait to relax and reconnect with them. Bryan will also get to test out his Scuba Diving skills finally with two dives, one in Roatan and one in Belize....Me? I'll be laying low and relaxing with Larry and Barb on a beach somewhere!! Lot's of pics to share upon my return....


Also will have info on my New Catalog Reveal and Open House. I have been purging and collecting all sorts of fun things to sell and share with my friends as I recently moved my Studio back into a smaller, more usable space. You will all be invited for a tour and some fun creative time soon!
Love ya,
Terrie

It's Stampaganza Time!!!

Are you ready for some stampin? It's time once again for Stampaganza with CTMH! Order any two stamp sets and get a third stamp set (of equal or lesser value) for FREE! This applies to any A,B,C,D or E size set. (only custom and SOTM are excluded)
Keep in mind you can also get the Stamp of the Month, for only $5 with a $50 order, so that even sweetens the deal. Especially since this month's SOTM is a cute, and very trendy, birdy stamp called "Life Is Tweet." Make sure you head to my website here to start shopping...

To make this month even "tweeter", if you order $35 in product, (before S/H and tax), I will let you choose any stamp set out of my large collection for free!! (If you bump up your order just $15 more, you will get the SOTM for $5 too!!) To get this great deal, contact me directly through my e-mail, found here and I will place your order directly....(If you are out of town, I will even include shipping to you!!!)

It's a great offer, I look forward to hearing from you soon!!!  This order will go in on the 15th of June, so start shopping!!! If you need a catalog, let me know!!
Terrie

Lovin' "Dotty for You"

Sorry about the delay getting back....Our workshop we had originally planned for this Saturday had to be rescheduled as our venue became unavailable : ( 
We hope to still have the workshop, but probably in late June. I will include some pictures of the cute card box I made with CTMH's "Dotty for You" National Scrapbooking Month special. This fun, easy project is very economical too...when you spend just $35 before shipping and handling, you can get the kit for just $5. It is a great savings with a retail value of over $19! Head on over to my website to order, or leave a comment and I will get back with you and add it to an upcoming order!! If you order a paper pack through me directly, I will provide your card box for free! Yay, another $5 value!
Talk to you soon!!

Happy "National Scrapbooking Month"

What do you have planned this Saturday? Why not spend a little time getting you "Scrap" on! It's "National Scrapbooking Day" and I for one plan on spending part of the day in my craft room creating something fabulous!

I am working out the final details for a workshop/class featuring Close to my Heart's National Scrapbooking Kit "Dotty for You" so check back in the next day or two for dates, prices and options for you to order these kits online or come to a class held locally in the North Valley.

On a very sad note, I lost my camera at a recent scrapbooking trip to Greer, so I do plan on having pictures of the cute Note Card Set I created with our "Dotty" paper soon, but will have to purchase a new camera first.....
Don't worry though, it will be worth the wait!!!
Can't wait to share with you all.

In the meantime, make sure you send me a copy of what you create on National Scrapbook Day and I will post them on my blog for all to see.....If I get several pictures, I will have my CTMH team vote for a winner and I will send you an awesome prize package! You are welcome to enter more than one project and in case you don't get to create on May 5th, I will leave the contest open till the 15th because surely everyone will have time to create by then!!! Best of luck to you all and get busy creating!
Terrie

I Love Texas!!!

Just back from another fun and fast trip to Texas for Spring Break! Ian and I flew to Austin and Mom and Dad picked us up. Of course we went straight to the Roadhouse in Bastrop....Most awesome burger and sweet potato fries ever!

Lots of time at the park in Castlegate where Mom and Dad live, playing basketball, swinging on the monkey bars and walking. Ian was in heaven..

We went to Van Vleck on Friday and Ian was thrilled to get to ride and drive the golf cart. He did really good too, also made fast friends with the cat next door.

Took our usual family picture with Buddy and Wanda...we love spending time with them, and miss them so much in between visits. Also got to eat a King Buffet again....the shrimp was awesome!

On Saturday, we went to the Texas Aggies Softball game against Missouri...unfortunately they lost, but Ian enjoyed the close game and the 4 homers hit by the Lady Aggies! He also really liked the peanuts, he must of since he ate a whole bag almost all by himself!

What trip would be complete without a trip to Brenham and the Blue Bell Creamery for some Ice Creme! Here is Ian in his factory hat.

Leah was so jealous, but this year the blue bonnets were plentiful and so beautiful! I made Ian sit in this field for pictures...it smelled so good there.

I am so blessed to spend time with my still very active parents. They are so generous to us and we are so grateful to have them in our lives....

Love you Mom and Dad,
Terrie

Welcome CTMH friends!

Welcome to all my NEW friends from CTMH! Close to my Heart has just launched our new Online Business addresses, and anyone who visits my business site can come check out my blog with a click of the mouse......so if you are visiting for the first time....WELCOME!

On this blog, I share artwork, family stories and frankly anything that strikes my fancy. Hope you will come back often and be a part of my CTMH family....

I am heading out on vacation next week to visit my family in Texas, so probably won't be posting, but rest assured, I will have plenty of fun things to share upon my return!!
Talk to you soon...
Terrie

Welcome to Our World Dori!!

Hi Friends,

This post is to welcome the newest member of the family....Dori, our new kitty!

Dori is short for Dorito as we have decided to name all our animals after snack food.

So far we have Poppy, our puppy (short for Popcorn) Sushi, the fish, (enough said), our sweet Slurpee cat, who we miss so much everyday after the 7-11 Slushee drink and now Dori....



She actually looks kind of big in this photo, but she is still very small, less than a pound!
Hope to update you more as our little one grows up!
Talk to you all soon...
Terrie