Look Ma, No Butterflies! ( CAS, Fun party, upcoming workshops!!)

If you look through my posts, it becomes glaringly obvious that I have a penchant for butterflies. And flowers. But I used neither of these images on the cards or layout I made today. Yay me.

I had a CTMH party.
Seven ladies.
2 hours.
Strawberry yogurt cake and coffee.
Laughter.
A card and a 2 page zoo/jungle layout.
Heart to heart conversations.
And nary a butterfly.
Yep, it was a successful day : )

I forgot to take pictures of the awesome layouts "my girls" created.  I had the basic layout  all set, but they were free to alter any way they wanted.  Lotsa creativity in the group!
After a walk with the Handsome Husband this evening, I played with the scraps and made a card for the Clean and Simple challenge. Even though CAS is typically my style, I kept wanting to embellish more:

 This next one is what we made at the party/gathering/workshop. 

And one more with the scraps:

   For those in my area, I will be starting something new, beginning in October.  CTMH now has Workshop on the Go kits. Each kit includes an exclusive acryllic stamp set, a paper pack (12 gorgeous papers with 10 coordinating pieces of cardstock) and set of coordinating embellishments.  Also included is a "how to" guide for making a couple of layouts and a few cards.  We will be spending 4 hours together as a group, working to get the layouts and/or cards finished.  This means girl time, craft time and the guarantee of at least a couple of layouts completed each month! What I like best about the workshops/parties is getting together with girl friends. The creations are merely icing on the cake.

 The cost of the kit is $29.95 plus tax and S/H (this comes to $35.95)   If you are interested in joining one of the two groups (1st Saturday of the month from 10 AM  until 2 PM and the 2nd Friday of the month from 7 PM until 11 PM)   contact me ASAP to get into the group that you want, as there are limited spots, and several people have already chosen a day. I will need payment NLT September 20th.

 Here's the kit for October:

https://orders.closetomyheart.com/CTMHConsultants/TrainingAcademy/workshops/pdf/2010/autumn/hooligans_scrapbooking_flyer_us.pdf

Remember, in addition to the four scrapbooking pages, you can make cards as well - the how-to-guide provides instructions for both.

And finally...an Alyssa update.  I think her first message came when she was still feeling jet lag and was overwhelmed with the reality of what she is embarking on.  Later I received another message and she sounded like she was having fun.

I've been strangely unemotional.  I think some of y'all have cried more than I have.  I wondered about this and finally realized: I asked for this.  I went before my Creator and Sustainer and asked Him to do a work, to change a rebellious, hurting heart into one that knew the joy of the Lord and sought to obey His calling.  He did abundantly above all that I asked.  How can I complain? How can I be overly sad?  I miss my girl, but I'm excited for her and refuse to let the enemy steal the joy of knowing she is going to be ministering to desperate people, in the most humble way...just like my Savior did.  Honestly? I'm a little jealous.

Thanks for stopping by, 

Marie with a : )