Just call me Julie...

While swapping cards at the CTMH Mix & Mingle event at Convention I ran into someone who exclaimed "I saw this card! I read your blog!" I was shocked, to say the least! It came on the heels of an ongoing, umm, "discussion" between Mike & me about blogging. More specifically, about anyone reading my blog (because it turns out even some long-time friends didn't know I had one.)

As you can imagine, I was very excited! Despite being on roaming since I left NY (for reasons unknown) I called Mike right after this happened and blurted out "I have a reader!!" After I explained what happened in a coherent manner and without that shrill voice he loves so much, Mike laughed at me. Literally.

And then called me Julie. As in the movie "Julie & Julia." You can probably guess what my response was. So, add "Julie" to the list of names he now (mockingly) calls me when I am crafting.

Huge waves & hugs to Janelle for recognizing my card at Convention! (I hope it was better in person than it looked on here!!) You really made my night at the Mix & Mingle - THANK YOU!!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Retiring

No, not me. I wish. Not Mike either. He wishes. Eight of CTMH's current colors are being retired, so if any of them are your favorites or "go to's" you'll want to start ordering your paper, etc. (You can do this via the link to my website if you choose.) Once a color is retired, it is "while supplies last." I always recommend purchasing a reinker if you already have the stamp pad, that way you can continue to use the color for quite some time for stamping, coloring images, etc..

The retirees are: Ocean, Watermelon, Clover Meadow, Hydrangea, Orange, Star Spangled Blue, Citrus Leaf, and Bubblegum.

The new colors are FANTASTIC! I have to say, I love them! Sneak peaks coming as soon as I make something. (We all know what that means..."don't hold your breath," lol!!)

As always, thanks for looking!

Drum roll please.....

I did it! I finally finished all 80 of my swap cards. I am now thinking I don't have enough, but I am out of the photo corners and, more importantly, time. I was told that the cards "should" have layers, an embellishment, use new(er) products, should not contain anything already retired, and shows at least one technique. Then there was straight cuts, straight stamping, neither of which I do well. And so, I present to you my very first CTMH Convention 2010 Swap Card:

Recipe: CTMH - Passages B&T; Desert Sand & Barn Red CS; Cocoa, Barn Red, & Versamark Inks; Antique Copper Brads & Mini Medley corners; Live Inspired (I think) stamp set; Originals template, adapted; Clear Detail Embossing Powder; EK Success border punch. I used heat embossing and the "ghosting" technique from the Wishes book as my technique(s.) This sample used UTEE, the detail worked much better!

So...what do you think? Bad photo, I know, but do you think it will get a decent review from the swap snobs? Mind you, this is also my first "real" swap. Tell me...I can take it!!

Thanks to the stifling heat I will be heading to Lancaster, PA for a little supply shopping at some of my favorite Amish & Mennonite stores there, then head down to DC. Keeps me out of the sun, frees up some time on the way back for stops elsewhere.

I'll report back the week after Convention. Hope to learn new things to share!

As always, thanks for stopping by!