ATTENTION! FREE AMAZING SOFTWARE GIVEAWAY!

Hi, blog friends!  I am soooooooooo in love with this new digital scrapbooking software, that I just have to share it with you!  And, the best part is that My Memories is giving away one of their My Memories Suite software downloads completely free to one lucky person - but you have to enter to win!  Just visit the My Memories site www.MyMemories.com and tell me in a comment below on this blog, which digital paper pack or layout you like the best.  This is valued at just under $40!  You will also receive $10 credit towards the purchase of any additional software downloads!  Below are links you can click on for more info, pictures of two pages I did, and a video that is very informative!   

I will be choosing the winner on September 15, so you have a little time to contact My Memories or me with any questions!   Please include your email address!  I will notify the winner by email, and will put the winner on my blog as well.  You have 24 hours to claim your "sweet" suite download.  I will then send you the promo code so that you can complete your download!

If you want to purchase the suite, (if you don't have winning luck, OR you just can't wait to use it!), we're giving you a $10 discount towards the purchase of the suite, plus $10 credit towards any other software download purchase!  A $20 value!  Just click on the following link, and order your suite and any other downloads you desire (that are just awesome!), plug in the code to get this great deal, and you're on your way to creating the most beautiful, awesome, fantastic and "how did you do that?" digital scrapbook you can imagine!  You can even print it!  Click here - My Memories Suite.  Enter this code: STMMMS843. (copy and paste) in slot indicated on the order form.

I have been using the software for two weeks, and absolutely love it!  Do you see my pink blog header above with all the pretty flowers, ribbon and bows?  I created that on the My Memories Suite!  And, here's a look at two scrapbook pages I made with the suite, in a very short time!  (My grandson is a doll, isn't he?) 

 The dashed lines on the above page are actually "stitching" lines that I added to make it more like a quilt. 

Aren't my pages great?  Everything you need except your photos is included in the suite - just insert your photos and add your story with journaling!  There are many, many fonts to chose from, and the options are unlimited!

I would love for you to win it, so please enter the contest! 

If you aren't the one picked to win, I hope you'll purchase it!  You will love it!  You can print your completed album, too!  You know, I've been trying to get my kid's albums physically done for over 20 years, and this is so much faster!

Here some other sites you can visit for more

information and ideas!

Blog- http://blog.mymemories.com/

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/mymemoriessuite

Twitter- http://twitter.com/#!/mymemoriessuite

MyMemories Suite Video Introduction

We have created a video that is an introduction to
My Memories.  Here’s what’s on the video –

 · Software Screen Tour – finding your papers and embellishments.


· MyMemories.com website tour (and description of different types of products on the site)


· Beginning information on album creation


· Introduction to SOME of the tools (and references to the other video tutorials that are available)






Welcome to the Family! from Lisa Jurrens on Vimeo.

One of my design team friends uses the My Memories Suite, and here's what she says about it- "I love their software, it's very easy to use and create with.  I have a few posts on my blog right now using their software."  Lisa Somerville

I hope you like my pages above, and will enter the contest!  If you don't win, I hope you'll purchase the suite, because it will make your life so much more "sweet", and easier to use than paper, scissors, cutters, stamps, markers, ink, pens, chalk and glue!  Listen to me saying that, and I am an avid stamper!  hehe  Enjoy, and I wish each of you good luck!

Monochromatic Blues Challenge

Hi, everyone out there in blog land!  I am entering a contest for cards or projects all in blues!  I was playing around with ribbon, hot glue gun and cardstock circles.  I used some ribbed blue ribbon, which created a beautiful rose!  I need to get this posted by the deadline, so I'll include instructions later.  Thanks for visiting!

Heartfelt Creations Alumni Team Blog Hop!

Hi, Friends!  Come blog hop with us through some beautiful projects made by the Alumni and current design team for Heartfelt Creations!  I hope you enjoy your hopping, and leave happy, full of eye-candy, and inspired by these gorgeous creations by some awesome designers!

If you arrived here from Loretta's fantastic blog, you're on the right path! 

My project was a sympathy card made for my daughter's boss, who's father passed away last week.  I truly hate to hear about things like this.  Credit for the layout must be given to Heartfelt Creations, since I adapted the layout from a card made in one of the CKC classes that I helped with here in Nashville.  It is a simple card to make, and fun!  Please don't forget to leave me some lovin' in the comments section!  I love hearing from you, and I hope you enjoy your visit!

I used the following products on this card:  HCPC 3377 Sympathy Sentiment PreCut Set, HCPC 3374 Flora Grande 1 PreCut Set, HCPC 3375 Flora Grande 2 PreCut set, Blossoms 3 Nesties, HCPC 3334 Open Falling Leaves PreCut Set, HCD 707 Falling Leaves Die, HCD 703 Daisy Patch Die, Oval Cutter from Creative Memories, VersaMark ink, Classic ink pad in Green Galore (Stampin' Up), White Embossing Powder, half-pearl, adhesive tape runner, popdots, 1/8" dowel rod for curling petals, and embossing stylus with mat, patterned paper from stash and solid cardstock from Stampin' Up.



This photo shows the dimension that the flower has.  This cardstock holds the shape

beautifully, and it's a lot of fun to make.  It's easy, too!



 This is the inside of the card, using a sentiment from HCPC 377 Sympathy Sentiment PreCut Set, the flower sets mentioned above and Spellbinders Labels 18 die.

The next blog to hop to is Debbie Seyer's wonderful blog!  Just click on her name to go to it!  Here is the blog order in case you have gotten lost - just click on a name to go to the respective blogsite. 

Anita Chapman-Hovey
Selma Stevenson
Dina Roedel Kowal
Olga Jewell
Loretta Mitchell Lock
    Clare Curcio - YOU ARE HERE!  ;)
Debbie Seyer
Angelica Turner
Linda Payne

There are many more design team members that will participate in other hops, so keep on the lookout for the next one!  I would appreciate you sharing my blog with your friends that enjoy beautiful things, paper crafts, scrapbooking, jewelry, or hopping!  If you're not a follower, please become one!  Praying God's blessings to each and every one of you!    




Home Sweet Home!

My husband and son recently went to a men's retreat with our church over a weekend, and I made this card for my husband on his return.  The images are from a set called "Home Sweet Home" by Chocolate Baroque, a stamp company in England.  I love their stamps!  Glenda has put a tutorial on how to mask and create the sunrays on the Chocolate Baroque website, here.  Please visit them, and tell them I sent you!  You'll be glad you did!  :)

The striped paper is from Color Box, the "Frond" 6" x 6" pack, and the solid cardstock is from Stampin' Up.  I used Copic markers and Stampin' Up markers to color the image.  I punched out some little leaves using a punch by Punch Bunch, for the tree.  The edge punch is a Martha Stewart called Gothic Arches.  The blue doily is a new die I just got from Cheery Lynn, called English Tea Party.  The green circle under the image was diecut using Spellbinders Eyelet Circles.  I tied pieces of ribbon (stash) through the eyelets to kinda extend the sunrays. 

I sure do appreciate you visiting, Friend, and hope you enjoyed your stay.  Have a great weekend!

On the Grapevine

Hello!  I hope this post finds you all very happy and healthy! 

I was given the following quote by Teresa of Avila to put onto a card/project, and I thought it was a super quote to share!  Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) was a Spanish Carmelite and mystic.  For her, the full mystical life was one of prayers and service.  One of her favorite remarks was, "The Lord lives among pots and pans."  

     Christ has no body now on earth but yours,

no hands but yours, no feet but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which Christ's

compassion is to look out to the world.

Yours are the feet with which Christ is

to go about doing good.

Yours are the hands with which

Christ is to bless all people now.

by Teresa of Avila

Isn't that awesome? Speaking of Christ, as He is the vine and we are the fruit, I have made a grapevine bracelet, which really reminds me of who I am and why. A daughter of God, sister of Christ, friend and sister to many, wife, mother and grandmother. I wanted to share a photo of it, along with one that my friend, Lorraine, made for me. She instructed me on how to create this beauty. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to order one!  muttpuddles@comcast.net, or by commenting on this blog.

Thank you for checking out "my" grapevine, and may all your endeavors be fruitful!  Come again!

GIVEAWAY AT NINAB'S!

Hey, head over to Nina's and tell her I sent ya!!!!  To help spread the word, NinaB Designs is having a little giveaway. Please share this page with your friends and tell them I sent you.  Olga will pick a random winner and you and your friend will get some yummy stamps from Layers of Color Art Stamps, The Craft's Meow or The Angel Company that I designed. Contest will go on until Saturday and I will announce the winner shortly after that!  Here's the link:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/NinaB-Designs/188808934489421?sk=wall

My Health May Fail Card

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by to visit! 

This verse has become one of my favorites with all that's happened to me physically.  Last Thursday I was released from physical therapy on my shoulder - YAY!  Then on Friday, I was diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2!  I've lost 7 lbs in a week on the new meds and diet, and hopefully, over time, I will lose enough weight and get this under control to where I can stop taking all the meds.  Wish me luck!

There are several women in my life who have been struck with breast cancer, requiring surgeries, chemo and radiation.  This is a card I made for one of them, using this verse, and unfortunately, this stamp is getting a lot of use. 

The sentiment stamp and butterfly is from Our Daily Bread Designs, and the flowers were made using punches.  I used Copic markers to color the butterfly.  Thanks for dropping by! 

Flower Window

 Hello, everyone!  I hope you're all doing well!  It's been so hot here in Tennessee, that the heat index is above 110*!  Venturing outside is detrimental to anyone's health today.  It's going to be that way for a few days.  I'm ready for my favorite season of all - Fall!

I've loaded some new photos of cards I've made, and I'm not sure if I've posted them before - since all the images on my blog are missing, I can't tell.  So, if you've seen it before, enjoy it again!  hahaha

 The main card shape is from the Spellbinders Grand Labels Four die.  I used the Spellbinders Large Circles for the hole in the front, and a Large Scalloped Circle for the blue cardstock opening.  I diecut the largest Lacy Scalloped Circle in the darker blue and applied small pearls to each section.  The peach-colored design on the inside is diecut from Spellbinders Lotus and mounted on top of the scalloped circle previously cut from the front of the card. 

Large flower:  stamped in light blue on white cardstock with the Heartfelt Creations sets HCPC 3374 Flora Grande 2 and HCPC 3375 Flora Grande 1. 

The smaller flowers and leaves were punched with Punch Bunch punches - sun, cosmos & split leaf. 

I dry embossed swiss dots onto the left side of the blue front, and applied a lacy edge trim across the front.

All cardstock is from Stampin' Up, as well as ink. Ziva pearls were applied to flower centers.

Thanks for visiting!  I appreciate you dropping by, and please leave a little note for me if you'd like!  I love to hear from you!

I'm Back!

Hello, all my blog friends out there!  I've been missing-in-action for a while, tending to several things here at home, which hasn't given me any time to work on my blog.  As you probably know, my blog images disappeared at some point (if anyone knows what point, I'd like to know!) and were replaced by that notorious "little red X in the upper left-hand corner".  I've contacted Blogger and they haven't responded so, I'm thinking those blogs containing images now replaced by that X are now history.  There are only a few that didn't vanish, and none of those showing are my projects, so... bear with me, and we'll get this going once again and hopefully this problem won't happen again!  Cross your fingers, say your prayers, rub your lucky rabbit's foot, or whatever you need to do!

Here's what I've been up to!

1.  Everyone knows that I had shoulder surgery for the third time on March 25, 2011.  I was released by physical therapy last week on Thursday, and had a follow-up appointment with my fantastic surgeon this morning.  He is pleased with my progress, and says I should just continue with the strengthening exercises, and go back in four months for my last appointment.  He is the most awesomeness nice professional great doctor, and I would recomment him to anyone! 

2.  My husband, Mike, had his left shoulder operated on four weeks ago, and he is progressing well also!  We love to share!   hehehe  I tore mine golfing, and so did he!  He hasn't asked me to go since, and I don't think he will in the future.  His rotator cuff tear was not as bad as mine for which we are very thankful, but he wasn't prepared for the discomfort and pain he has endured while healing and doing physical therapy.  Even though he helped me through three of the same surgeries, he was on the caretaker side, and I think he was surprised at what he anticipated, and what has actually occurred.  He has a new appreciation of elastic-waisted gym shorts & slide on crocs!  The great news for him is he went back to work yesterday, after six weeks off!  When this shoulder is strong enough, he'll have his right one done!  We really shared!  hahaha  Believe me, I'm laughing with him, and I have a new appreciation for being on the caretaker side!  Well, no trailer vacation this year!

Photo used with permission!

3.  I am somewhat taken aback with the news that I now have diabetes type 2, which hopefully I can control with medication, diet and exercise.  I needed to lose weight anyway, but I would rather it wasn't this way!  I cannot wait for the day when my regular doctor can say that I don't need the medications anymore, and that I also don't need to take a few others for blood pressure or high cholesterol.  My family roots as far as these issues are concerned, are set deep in the quagmire of heart disease and the above two.  diabetes has not plagued any of my family that I know of.  So, there you have it!  Fun stuff, huh? 

Well, I hope to post some new cards within the next day or two, so don't go to far away.  Thanks for being there - I appreciate all your shoulders!  It's time to eat something!

Testing, testing, this is only a test!

Please excuse any duplicate postings that you may receive from me!  I don't know about you, but all my photos and images have disappeared from my blog, and I have to reload them.  In order for me to know if it is working, I have to post a photo.  So you may receive something that has a duplicate photo you've seen before, or a duplicate posting.  Please disregard and I will post again when I have it fixed.  Thanks!