My baby isn't much of a baby anymore!!

I guess it's time to cut the apron strings...well, ok...how about if I just cut one for now...I'll cut the other one later when I'm ready...I swear...I will cut it later....I promise....Dang it! It's sure hard to sit back and watch your child become an adult. My 19 year old son, Kyle has grown up so much in the past few months. He joined the Texas National Guard in November under their School First program where he will be non-deployable while he is in college and then he will become an Officer in the Army. He also joined ROTC this semester in college. Friday he was issued his very first official uniform in ROTC and he is gone to his first Guard drill this weekend. I am so proud of him...he is so handsome in his uniform and he is such a sweet gentleman....which is kinda rare in this day and age. Besides the fact that he is quite handsome and charming!! I just wanted to share a few pics of my grown up baby...I'm not too happy with the one of me because I had just woke up but, he insisted on having a picture with his Mom with his first uniform on. The other picture is him and his brother, Dalton. Dalton swears he is never going to leave home, he is going to stay with me forever...I believe him...so I won't need to ever worry about cutting his apron strings. (snort of disbelievable laughter! haha)I am so proud of both my boys! Ok, so I swear I'm going to cut those apron strings.....later though...I can't find my scissors right now....that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Stacy

Copic/Prismacolor Marker Storage

Ok, so I had this brainchild moment the other day. I had been keeping my Copic and Prismacolor markers in a totebag because I didn't have anything else large enough to hold them. Well, you can imagine what a pain in the rump it was to dig through the bag to find the colors I wanted. So I get this brainstorm to try to see if they fit in the Close To My Heart Acrylic stamp case and BEHOLD, It works perfectly!!! I'm so excited about it. Both types of marker fit wonderfully in it height-wise. It's hard to see in the picture but, there are 2 permanant dividers in the box that divides it into 3 equal sections...this helps the markers stand up better. As you can tell in the pics, one box holds a ton of markers!! So it's super easy to see all my ink colors at once while I am working on coloring projects and when I'm done I just lay the box on it's side for storage so that the markers are being stored on their side and not on their ends. I hope that this might help anyone who can't find a good way to store their markers. If you wish to order one of these boxes you can email me or you can order it straight from my website at www.stacyengstrom.myctmh.com

A few of todays creations

I'm so happy! I was able to create a few cards today. The Easter card is the one I made for my monthly unit swap. I used the February Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month called "Easter Eggs". It is such a cute set with 18 different little designer eggs. It is kind of hard to tell 'cause the eggs are so blingy but, I stamped the eggs with Lilac Mist and Blush and then I over stamped them with Versamark and embossed them with clear embossing powder mixed with prisma glitter. They are so sparkly that it reflected the flash from my camera. I hope the girls in the swap enjoy this card. The other cards are a few Bella's that I made. I'm hung up on Rockabella this week as you can tell. I made the Feelabella for my friend Judy, who is recovering from recent surgery. Get back on your feet soon, Judy!!
I can't say who the Huggybella card is for....it might give away the surprise if I do. :o)
I hope everyone has a very creative weekend. I will be spending my weekend at work so you probably won't hear much from me for a few days.
Stacy

Rockabella

Ok, so the Bella addiciton is getting worse..I don't think there is a cure!! I love Rockabella so I had to make a card with her this week. Enjoy!

Goodies from my wonderful Bella Sistah, Roxie!

I got the nicest little package of goodies from my Bella Sistah, Roxie!! I couldn't hardly wait to start coloring some of the images she sent me. Thanks, Roxie!!

Cupcake Birthday

I'm sooooo excited! I get to be off work a whole week until next Friday! I can't tell you how long it has been since I have had a whole week off at a time. I'm hoping I will be able to spend some time being creative out in the Skrap Shack. I have lots of new toys from the newly released Close To My Heart Spring 2009 catalog and I'm itching to play with them!
I made this birthday card for one of my Hostess Club members. Happy Birthday Robin!! (I hope she don't see it here before it gets to her in the mail!)
I have gotten lax over the past few years in getting out Christmas and Anniversary cards. I have vowed to be better at doing it this year. I mean come on, I have ALLLLLLL these card making supplies and I can't get a card out on time????? I can't even come up with a good logical excuse for that one! HA
Have a great day!
Stacy

CTMH Key To My Heart January Special

The gorgeous new Key to My Heart Level 2 paper packet features all of our luscious new exclusive colors: Tulip, Juniper, Sorbet, and Crème Brulee. The packet is accompanied by the awesome new E-size My Acrylix® Key to My Heart stamp set brimming with elegant, charming designs. It’s a great combo with a retail value of $47.90 US / $59.95 CAN—and from December 16 through January 31 it can be yours at substantial savings, or even FREE!
What’s more, hostesses can get the kit FREE with a Home Gathering sales total of $400/$500 or more. And if you join Close To My Heart between January 1–31, you’ll receive the kit FREE in your New Consultant Kit.
National Papercrafting Month promises something for everyone!
Here are some pictures of a 6x6 card I made using this kit.
Contact me for more information if you are interested in getting this fabulous kit. Hurry because the end of January will be here before you know it!

Close To My Heart January 2009 Newsletter

Happy New Year to everyone. Click the headline above to view my January CTMH Newsletter.