Convention Re-cap {part one}

Chantilly Ballroom, Saturday

Well I am back at home!  What a whirlwind adventure!  I have to say that I really enjoyed getting to meet so many people so intent on sharing CTMH with friends!

And seeing all the exciting new products was not too shabby either.  ;)  For this post I wanted to focus on the people and the place.  First, the people.

Here's a picture of me, my upline Lisa Stenz and my new friend Susan.

Susan, Me, Lisa (L-R)

I have to say these women were just so sweet!  Lisa is a real jewel and I am so thankful to have her as an upline.  And Susan is just as wonderful.  As newbies, we helped each other find our way around and keep each other company.  We also are keeping in touch so we can bounce ideas off each other.

The following picture was taken at the Awards Banquet on Friday night.  Lisa received awards and was also appointed to the 2012 Advisory Board.  A great big Woo-Hoo to her!!

Paige, Me, Noelle, Christine, Vanessa, Lisa, Lisa, and Susan (L-R)

Now for some pictures around the hotel.  It had an Asian theme.  And I couldn't help but feel like a tourist in a museum carrying my camera around and snapping pictures of the artwork.  Here's some shots I got....

little heads that I first thought were bugs

figurines carved in what looked like 'pink' jade

the amoeba...it changed colors and shape, hung from the top of the atrium

giant elephant!

angry art 

kind of haunting

really haunting

good to know the hotel doesn't support mao

in the garden

a huge statue

Next time I'll post about some new products!
Meredith

Welcome to Texas

I made this card to welcome my upline to Texas.  I rubbed an ink pad over the embossed piece to create the wood grain.  It may not show in the picture, but I raised the star on a foam dot, bent the star points from center to point and then sanded the raised area to distress it.  How fortunate was it that I ordered Born to Ride and it had that barbed wire stamp on it?!?

I am including a local cookbook (from my daughter's school that I had the pleasure of being on the committee to create) and a Tervis tumbler that has the state flag and barbed wire on it.  I'm hoping she'll like the souvenir!

Off to pack (since this post was typed Tuesday but I scheduled it to post Thursday)

Meredith

Supplies:  All CTMH unless noted

Paper:  Desert Sand CS, Cranberry CS, Bamboo CS

Ink:  Cranberry, Chocolate, Moonstruck

Stamps:  Star Struck (D1237), Born to Ride (C1483), Around the Block (D1377)

Other: Paper Studio embossing folder, Antique Copper brads, sanding block, foam dot

Christmas in July {and Convention}

I cleaned up my scrapbooking room today and it took nearly all day.  I have before and after pictures.  But I'm not sharing them just yet.  For starters, my idea of clean and your idea of clean may be two separate things.  :)  Also, my idea of clean at this point is just barely functioning.  We're going to be adding cabinets and countertops and some built in stuff and pegboard.  I'm not sure if I want to share the pictures now or when the final reveal is done.  (Or at least on the agenda haha).

So anyway.  I was so thrilled to be able to stamp that I made a little card.  A little Christmas in July card.

I think the photo looks a little blurry to me.  I'm going to have to do a little more practicing with the light box. BUT it is pretty neat to take a picture at night.  :)

On to convention news.  On Wednesday I'll be going to Dallas (about seven hours away) to attend the CTMH Convention.  I am excited to be able to go---and nervous.  I'm not the world's easiest traveler.  lol  Fortunately my husband is going with me.  I hope to be posting updates.  I don't know that I'll be able to post here on my blog as often, but I hope to on my facebook page.  (Like it HERE to get the updates).

Since CTMH is discontinuing their markers I am hoping for some Copics to be debuted.  Is that hoping for too much??  : P

Talk to you soon,
Meredith


Supplies: all CTMH unless noted
Paper: Colonial White, Cranberry, Sweet Leaf
Ink: Chocolate, Cranberry
Stamps: Remarkable Wreath (C1473) Christmas Melodies (D1324)
Other: Sparkles, foam dots, adhesive, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Micro Tip Scissors


Note: The sentiment was stamped by taping off part of the image, inking the stamp, removing the tape, and then stamping the word.  I used this method because the image is one word over the other instead of side by side.  Someday I'll have to show this technique!

Lightbox!

I have wanted for some time now to make a light box to take pictures of my cards in.  I pinned several tutorials from the web.  I mushed together the easiest box possible and over the last few weeks (yes it took that many weekly trips to the grocery store to remember all the supplies) I managed to gather all the ingredients....here's the box.

It wasn't too hard to make, but I really don't want to make another any time soon.  Haha.

This is how the first pictures were turning out....

I was hugely disappointed.  I tried several different ways to take the picture and nothing was working.  Until I added muslin over the top hole.  It diffused the light and made it so much better.

I got so excited that it was working that I pulled out some other old cards to try them....

Well now all I need is some cards to take pictures of!!
Meredith


PS These cards were all made a couple of years ago with various product lines.

Queen Anne's Lace Scarf

Here's another scarf I made in just a couple of hours.  The pattern is very similar to the one the other day, but actually easier because you connect as you go--not while you're making the border.  And speaking of border, I added this one on my own...it's not in the pattern.

Here's a LINK to the original pattern.

The trim yarn is some I've had forever and never seemed to be able to work into a pattern.  But when I saw it next to the grey yarn in my stash I decided it just might work!

The grey is a Caron super soft.  And the label was missing from the other, so I don't know what it was.

Have a great weekend!
Meredith

I'm totally not feeling guilty...

about this post.  I keep saying this isn't a nail blog...and clearly it isn't, but I was always feeling guilty about posting polish pictures.  And I just realized 'hello..the blog title is Everything She Touches!'  And I tend to touch a lot of polish!!  It's one of my favorite hobbies.  And I usually paint my nails two or three times a week.  Right now the only thing I do with my time more than polish my nails is clean house!  :)

So I've decided to stop feeling guilty or stupid for sharing some of my favorite manis here.

On to the polish of the day.  This is Revlon Royal with China Glaze Fairy Dust.  I have decided that I can no longer utter the phrase.."I'm not a blue person."  Because I am def starting to love the color blue.

All the nail blogs show an unfocused picture to demonstrate shine.  I never really understood it, but here's a shot that's blurry.

I don't know.  Maybe it shows the rainbow holographic glitter a little better.

Here's the last one.

I don't believe in fairies, but if I did I definitely think this is what fairy dust would look like.

See you later,
Meredith

Melted Plastic

Who knew melting beads could be so fun?

Well if you've been on Pinterest you have probably seen those melted plastic pony bead creations.  Here's the LINK to the one I looked at.  Scroll down the page to see a picture.  I read the comments and decided to try this with the kids.  Seemed like something they could all do.

And I may or may not have stepped on a pony bead and decided then and there that melting the little sucker into oblivion seemed like a good idea!

I chose to use mini disposable heart and star tins.  Each kiddo and my mom and I got a set to fill.  You are supposed to do a single layer of beads.  At least that's my understanding.  We have two gallon plastic bags of these beads....so, no, we didn't use them all up.

Next you just pop them in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.  That's it.

The little tins are really thin, so we tore them off of the plastic.  But if you were using a real pie pan or muffin tin they would just pop out.  They didn't stick at all to our tins--just where the foil of the tin got tucked into a melted bead.

Look how pretty the glitter beads turned out...

{And should you be wondering about that matching fingernail polish, it's Turquoise and Caicos by Essie}

And if you hold it up to the light it's very neat.

This really is a fun craft that even little kids can do.

And put a smile on everyone's face.

I am now thinking of all the possibilities.  I would love to do a beach themed Christmas tree this year, and I think using the greens and blues to make ornaments would be so adorable!  Or use some larger ones to help cover the window in the kid's bathroom.  It's a small window at the very top of the room, so I haven't decorated it yet.

I highly recommend this craft.  I didn't even find it that stinky.  It we had our vent hood installed it would have been even less so.  :)

See Ya Later Alligator!
Meredith

Waffles for Dinner!

One of my favorite dinners is breakfast.  And my most favorite is homemade waffles...and if I happen to have homemade deer sausage to go with it....yum!

The other night we did just that.

Here's my waffle recipe (taken from a very old cookbook):

Everyday Waffles


1 3/4 c sifted all-purpose flour
3 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
2 egg yolks, beaten
1 3/4 c milk
1/2 c salad oil or melted shortening
2 egg whites, stiffly beaten


Sift together dry ingredients.  Combine yolks, milk and oil; stir into dry ingredients.  Fold in egg whites, leaving a few fluffs.  Bake.  (in my iron, a 1/2 cup batter fills each side perfectly)




This last time I made these I added a dash of vanilla (about 1/2 t per doubled recipe) and it made them taste divine!!  Here's a picture of the batter with the fluffs....

And here's what the iron looks like -- ready to bake.

They really aren't that hard to make and well worth the effort!

See you soon-
Meredith

Gift Tags and Cards {Stash Buster Sunday}

Today I am sharing something that is a super easy way to use up some extra paper you have.

Recently I re-organized my gift wrap and now all my bags, tissue paper and boxes are stored neatly in a dresser.  Rolls of gift wrap and ribbon are stored in under the bed boxes.  I got the bright idea to make up some gift tags/cards to store with them for quick wrapping.

I can remember a time when I would fold a scrap of wrapping paper in two, sign the inside, and tape it to the box under the bow.  Shudder.  No more.  Guess what makes cute little cards and tags?  The Cricut--that's what!

I went to my stash and grabbed some patterns that had a print I thought would work in small scale and also colors that would work for my bags and paper.

Don't get discouraged if you don't have a Cricut (although, as someone who held out for many years before buying it, let me say you will never regret the investment).  You can simple cut a 3x3 three card and use a corner rounder, hole punch or decorative punch to make your own.  Now I have lots of options for quick gift wrapping!

See you soon!
Meredith

Craft Wars {Family Style}

My daughter begged to play Craft Wars after watching TLC's Craft Wars on the DVR today....so I came up with our own version.

First I gave the assignment.  The troops would have to create a monster using a paper bag and whatever supplies they could gather in five minutes.

Next they had 15 minutes to create their monsters.  I decided to add a one minute break in the middle to gather any additional supplies they might need.  Here are the troops hard at work:

My youngest daughter:

My oldest daughter:

My son:

We even put my mom to work!

After much excitement and the countdown courtesy of the oven timer....here are the final results:

Points for crossed eyes and drawing skills.

Points for evil red eyes and hair sticking up.

Points for working with extra equipment in his mouth and free form drawing.

Points for hair accessories and making a puppet.

And I guess my mom wanted extra credit for doing the back of the bad as well....

So you can see my dilemma.  All very talented contestants.  In true mom fashion--I called a tie.  And then we went on to melt some plastic in the oven.  But I'm saving that craft for another post.

Until next time,
Meredith

Crochet Scarf {and my CTMH haul}

Well, I can imagine it seems like I've just been sitting on my behind not getting anything done.  But contraire!!  I did crochet a scarf for a friend in the hospital, and I did manage to order some scrapbooking goodies!!

Let's talk about the scarf first.  Just look at this yummy yarn.  It's Yarn Bee Danielle "camino".  A beautiful heathery ombre...

I had intentions of making a prayer shawl for my friend, but time and yarn constraints changed those plans.  So instead I opted for a prayer scarf.  I found the scarf pattern on Ravelry.  Here's the LINK to the free pattern.  I had just a bit of a problem working the border, but I did my own thing and I think it worked out pretty cute.

It's one of those scarves that looks all curly when it hangs around your neck.   I was really excited about this and can't wait to do another one.  Here's a picture of it laid out flat. 

So now.  On to the CTMH haul.  Since June is THE time to buy stamps I had to load up on those.  (Buy two get one FREE for the month of June 2012).

Here's a dinosuar set (D1505 Roar!) that I knew I had to get for my son.  He is so into them right now. And the alpha set (E1023 Varsity Alphabet) I just fell in love with because it looks like collegiate letters and I was envisioning all the graduation, monogram, and birthday cards I could make.

Now looking at the next two sets you think to yourself  'is she planning a cross country motorcycle ride?'  but the answer would be no.  I just think that US map (D1503 Adventure USA) will come in handy sometime and well...my dad has a bike (C1483 Born to Ride) so I know there will be pictures of the kids on a motorcycle to scrapbook soon.

These next stamps are just so fun and versatile.  I may use the wreath stamp (C1473 Remarkable Wreath) in my Christmas cards this year.  And the little tire swing hanging from a tree??  Stop it!  So cute.  (D1467 Trees and Things)

Now this is a Workshop-on-the-Go kit.  These are a really great way to get some paper, embellishments and a stamp set for a really great price.  And I ADORE the little seahorse and turtle in this set.  (G1036 Footloose WOTG)

I saw these adhesive-backed pearls and nearly squealed.  They are a quick and easy way to add a little something special to a layout or card.

I have been pining for some baker's twine for a while now.  It's all over the place and when I saw that CTMH carried it I was in scrapbooking heaven!!

Last, but not least, I ordered inks in all the colors that CTMH has come out with since I left them last time.  Lovely lovely colors!  I can't decide my favorite, but I love Lagoon and Pear SO much!

Can't wait to dig in!!
Meredith

Shipped!

I just got my shipping confirmation email regarding my CTMH order.  I am so excited to see the new stuff.  Hopefully it will be here within the week!

Stay cool,
Meredith

Just put in my first order!

This time around anyway!  I have been so busy with life, that my CTMH business was pushed to the back burner.  But I needed to make an order this quarter so I set aside the time and did it.  Wasn't too hard to pick out things I wanted!!   :)

Now is the perfect time to place an order.  With Stampganza going strong, you can get a FREE stamp set for every two you order.  So of course I decided to snag some new stamps, beautiful embellishments, and lovely paper packs.  While I was at it, I snagged the Stamp of the Month for a mere five bucks!

I can't wait until it all comes in--I'll share pictures of the goodies when they arrive.  And hopefully have some new art work in the near future!

Talk to you soon,
Meredith

This is NOT a nail blog.

But I didn't get the memo, so here's a nail polish post.  : P

I am completely and unabashedly head over heels in love with nail polish.  I have maybe 70 blogs devoted entirely to nail polish saved in my bookmarks.  I visit them all the time.  I blame this on Pinterest.  The obsession started with THIS polish.  And specifically that post.  Please don't fall in love with that polish.  It is impossible to get.  It's a brand (indie polish maker Lynnderella) who can't possibly fill all the orders she gets.  You have to send a wish list in to a certain online company and then wait....in my case I'm still waiting on it to be filled and it's been over two months.

But anyway.  The good news is I have plenty of other polishes to keep me crazy.  Uh I mean occupied.  So I shop at Sally's, Walgreens, Walmart, Etsy, and Facebook.  Yeah that's right.  You can get polish anywhere....just like crack.

So the only "me time" I've had over the last month or so has involved polish.  And since I've made a ridiculous number of trips to the pharmacy over that same time period--my stash of polish has grown exponentially. Some day I'll post a picture....

Today I had got all excited when a particular mani turned out how I wanted, so I had to post it.

I saw a polish I loved by another indie polish maker Candeo Colors called Jellybean.  HERE's a link to what it looks like.  I know, right??  Unfortunately it's another impossible to get polish.

Fortunately, I also follow ::whimsical ideas by pam:: on Facebook.  Now she has so very many polishes I love that when I was cooped up in my room with only my laptop and fever to keep me company....I ordered five of them.  They arrived this week!

So yummy.  Last week I wore Kee-Wee for my oldest daughter's field day at school.  Today I layered three   polishes to make this...

It looks like that Jellybean polish a little.  Well enough in my book.  Now keep in mind that IRL the nails don't look streaky.  Also I know that my middle finger got a little too much Essie Marshmallow on it.  Speaking of that.  Here's the colors I used.  {Orly Spark, ::whimsical ideas by pam:: Hatched, and Essie Marshmallow}  In that order.  And a top coat of Seche Vite.

Anyway.  That's what's keeping my occupied these days.
Meredith


ETA: You really have to click on the pictures and enlarge them to see that gorgeous polish!

Unexpected Haitus

Well the crafting wagon is on hold for a bit.  My 4 year daughter just spent the weekend in the hospital battling pneumonia.  We are back home (where I am fighting a fever myself).  So until we get our household all back to normal and back on track...

Hope to see you soon-
Meredith