With All My Heart

Hey, "Yes Girls"!! This is so exciting. I haven't used my blog in quite a while and now here I am, excited to share and I cannot wait to read all of your blogs.

The verse this week was a great one for me. My life has gotten a little off-track lately. I have not been attending church for quite some time now and I have been praying and asking God for clarity in this area for a long time and just don't feel that I have heard Him yet. Another major thing going for me is that my youngest child turned 16 and has been driving since January. He is very active at school and has lots of friends (I am so proud of him!!), but he is gone a lot and I have to face the fact that being a"mommy" is over. I will always be a mom but my three incredible, independent babies really don't need a "mommy" anymore. And being a mommy has been my main focus for 29 years (I had my first baby at age 16 and then spread them out pretty far apart) So, the question ringing in my head is..."Now What??"

So, this week as I spent time with God and pondered how to love him with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength, He watered my being with some foundational truths. He reminded me how very much HE loves me. He calls me His own. He loves me unconditionally. He loves me with grace, mercy, tenderness and passion. I don't have to DO anything to be loved by Him. Even when I mess up, even when I'm lazy, broken, rude, unhappy and just plain wrong.....HE STILL LOVES ME!!!!


It's hard for me to even understand that kind of love. I can relate it to the way I love my children. I really can't imagine them doing anything that could make me not love them. But I know God's love is even purer, even sweeter, even bigger than that. So, as He poured His love into me this week, reminding me at every turn of my day that He Had me covered in grace and mercy.............I realized MY heart was BURSTING with love for HIM.

So, I think that sometimes when I'm trying to love God, like really working on how I'm loving Him and if it's enough or in the right ways, I am missing the point. Those are times I need to re-learn, re-remember how very much He loves me because when the truth is re-planted in my heart - then loving Him with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength isn't optional, isn't something I'm working on, it's just reality. How can I not love my Father who loves me with no boundaries, no conditions, no reservations. I am a BELOVED child of the King of Kings. WOW!!!!

I hope this blesses some of you as I have been so blessed this week by the honesty and encouragement on the blog and in my Facebook group. Have a great weekend and remember God loves YOU!!!

Mojo Monday 229

Here is my entry for MOJO Monday 229. I wanted to try the stripes but I don't really like the way they look so random. The colors are better in real life and since this is a card for my hubby, I used "guy" colors.

Disconnected and Disillusioned

It seems in February I get the urge to post on this little blog that I started so long ago. I had such good intentions and it is so invigorating for me to be creative and yet I so rarely find time to do it. This year, I painted a few things and made a few cards but overall, I have just worked, kept house, chauffeured Conner around and tried to balance it all. How? I don't think I will ever understand how to balance.

Right now, I am struggling with relationships or maybe the lack of them to be more accurate. I am disillusioned with our church-going experience once again. I find it so disappointing to attempt to establish new relationships within our church body and having no reciprocation. Chuck and I have invited people to our home or out to eat on multiple occasions. I tried to start a ladies meeting that would center on getting to know each other and just spending time together. But, none of these gestures have resulted in returned interest or invitations. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel that people are purposefully rejecting us. It is just that everyone is busy, everyone has established relationships. People do not reach out - do not even return the reaching out that is extended to them. All of this is not much different than in the rest of the world. Just busy and self-centered lives. I too am often guilty of this way of existence.  But the thing that is so just not working for me, is going to church and listening to all the teachings that center around  a Christ - like life. Week after week we sit in our pews and listen to teaching about Christ and his life and what that demonstrated to us. We learn how he went to the homes of believers and shared meals with them, we learn how he was never too tired to have people around him. We learn how he demonstrated God's love to his disciples by investing time and openness in them. Then we arise from our pew, shake a few hands, go off to eat lunch alone and see each other at the next pew-gathering session. At least, when I am at work or the grocery store or the band parents meetings, people talk and laugh and then we all leave and go on our way but no one just spent an hour telling us how we should walk through life together and love and encourage each other only to continue going about life in our alone and selfish ways. I find the hypocrisy to be repulsive at times.

I realize this sounds so negative. I also realize that when I hear people talk like this, I often think that it has everything to do with their own choices. And I am not denying that my choices have a part to play here. The frustrating thing is that I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I can't discern if I need to behave differently, expect less, join more organized activities and quite pursuing personal relationships or what?? I am really pretty tired of trying to figure it out. So, I am in "give-up" mode only I am trying to look at it as "surrender" mode. I have asked for revelation from God. I have asked Him to expose my wrong thinking or wrong attitude. I am open to seeing it differently. In the meantime, I am working on honoring the relationships he has placed in my life. I am accepting invitations and extending some. I am working on enjoying life as is.

We are not attending church right now. We are enjoying relaxing together, watching the birds at the feeder on Sunday mornings and focusing on how extremely blessed we are. I am currently looking for a book to read that may help lighten my negative thinking about relationships in churches. It's funny because no one except myself will read this but maybe it will be helpful for me to look back at this at some point. (next February), since that seems to be my blogging month. Maybe the Lord will add some light to this issue for me and I can share how it has evolved.

MOJO MONDAY Week 177

Here is my version of the Mojo Sketch for this week. This was a tough sketch for me. I was happy to use this stamp set though. I haven't used it much. It is the Childhood Portrait Stamp set from Close To My Heart. I used an old paper pack called Perfect Day which is one of my all time favs from CTMH. I ended up liking the card and being pleased with the results.

Chuck and I are leaving for a romantic weekend at the Lake tomorrow and I cannot wait. I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's weekend too!

Snow Days

Well, today is my second snow day. Tomorrow and Friday will be double shifts for me to make up being off the past two days. So, today I spent a little time in my craft room playing. I got some new copic markers and I am really not very good with them yet but I will keep practicing. In the meantime, I put this card together for the Wednesday Stamp Club at My Favorite Things. The sketch this week was so cute. You can find it here:http://www.mftstamps.com/blog/. You have to upload your card to a gallery at Splitcoast Stampers which I did not find easy to do but I did finally manage to get it to the right spot. I am waiting to see all the new stuff from CHA and then I am going to order some more stamps from MFT. They are stickin adorable. Hope you enjoy the card. Stay warm!!

MOJO MONDAY Week 174

Here is my version of this week's sketch. I followed the sketch perfectly this time because I loved it so much. I used Twitterpated papers and a sentiment from the "So Sweet" stamp set from Close To My Heart. I like to do simple but striking cards sometimes and I feel this is one of those kind of cards. I am loving playing along with the sketches. It has been a long time since I added stamping as a regular activity in my busy week, but it is refreshing to be doing something "just for me". Have a blessed week everyone!

MOJO MONDAY Week 173

This is my entry for Mojo Monday Week 173. I used "That's Amore" papers and "A Sip" stamp set both from Close To My Heart. I embossed the cup, steam and spoon in bronze. It is better in real life. I like the way it turned it out. Thanks for looking!!

Grace Wall Hanging

Well, it's "hump day". I have told my kids that for years on Wednesday's and it always makes them smile. I have been a little under the weather this week but I am really going to try to post here more often. So, today, I am sharing a wall hanging that I gave my mother and father-in-law for Christmas. This wall hanging is a chipboard base that I purchased from acidfree.com. I love their stuff. I covered it with paper from the Grace paper pack from Close To My Heart. I used the stamp set Treasure Life from CTMH for the top sentiment and the bottom sentiment is from the stamp set Around The Block from CTMH. I added some flowers, buttons, hemp and satin ribbon and WAH-LAH. I don't really know if my mother-in-law liked it or not, but I always try to make something from the heart for Chuck's family each Christmas.
Happy Scrappin" ya-all!

February Flex Club & Workshop Projects

When I originally started this blog, I thought that I would keep it up to date. You know, posting several times a week, showing off artwork, maybe even posting instructions for additional projects. I wanted it to be a place that people could check back often and find new and interesting stuff. Well, I have failed miserably and am not sure that anyone ever comes here. But, I am not going to give up. Sometimes, you just have to keep trying and maybe sooner or later, you will succeed at what you have envisioned.

I am posting all of my February Flex Club and Workshop Projects. I am trying something new and offering people several options for joining me to create great Close To My Heart projects. I am having an Open Club & Workshop night the second Tuesday and fourth Monday of each month. All you have to do is call or email to reserve a spot and you can come and paper-craft the night away! You can choose to do a project that is FREE with a $25.00 or more purchase and that will count towards rewards for you. Basically, if you order $25.00 or more six times, the seventh $25.00 is FREE. OR... You can choose to do the workshop project which is a flat-fee make it and take it project. You do not have to purchase anything and do not earn rewards if you choose the workshop project - it is just like coming to a workshop! (People who are working on earning rewards can have the option of choosing the workshop project but they must add an additional purchase to add up to the $25.00 requirement.) Feel free to email or call with any questions.

I have the projects and details listed below:

3 CARDS - FREE W/$25.00 PURCHASE:

SINGLE PAGE LAYOUT - FREE W/$25.00 PURCHASE

MINI ALBUM - 10 PAGES TOTAL - $15.00 - YOU WILL HAVE LEFTOVER PAPER AND EMBELLISHMENTS TO TAKE HOME

So, give me a call or email and reserve your spot today! There are a limited number of spots for each projects so the sooner, the better.

Sue Shockley

314-795-2962

shock@fidnet.com

MOJO MONDAY 116

This is my first challenge ever. I have been watching all the fun for awhile and decided that this was a perfect chance to enter. I love this sketch. I used CTMH stamp set New Fallen Snow and CTMH Aspen paper. I added a little bling and did a little pop-dot magic and this is what I came up with. I never feel like my artwork can compare to a lot of the other stampers out there in blog land but I love to try and sometimes I feel pretty good about my attempts.

October and November Club Layouts

Well, November is our final club month for 2009. December is just too busy to try to fit club in. We will all meet on our regular nights in January and there will be a new idea book!! Close To My Heart knows how to start the New Year off right!! I will be scheduling an "Embellishments Workshop" in January so be watching your email or checking back on this blog for the details. In the meantime, have a wonderful, blessed and safe Holiday season.

Here, finally, are Octobers club layouts. This was a simple layout with no new techniques but it would be perfect for some vintage photos or any photos using sepia tone. I am waiting to put pictures on mine until I get some printed in the sepia tone.

Remember, you can click on any photo to enlarge it.

Here is the club layout for this month. We are using "Stickles" to add that bling on the ornaments. All of the ornaments are pop-dotted off the page. The sentiment and snowflake on the tag are pop-dotted off as well. I love, love, love that "Christmas Trinkets" stamp set!!

Last 2 Christmas Cards

Happy Friday!! Scrapbooking Club tonight! FUN.....I truly enjoy getting together with woman that enjoy preserving memories for their loved ones. We all have a common bond that ties us together..... We love our families, we love our lives enough to use our God-given creativeness to scrapbook the precious moments we have. It is really a blessing to me to have met and gotten to know so many wonderful people since starting my Close To My Heart business. I am so lucky!!

Here is a little "thank-you" gift that I am giving all of my club members tonight. It is the last night of their club together. Most of them are starting over next month along with a few new members but I wanted them to know how much I appreciate them so this is just a little something to let them know. These are the final 2 cards that we will be making for the Christmas Card Workshop. The first workshop is FULL but never fear..........there is another one with plenty of openings available on October 27th. Call or email today to sign up!!Remember if you click on any of the pictures in my blog, you can see them larger.

September Club Layout

This month in Hostess club we are using the new Twitterpated paper pack and the Many Thanks stamp set. This is my favorite new paper. We are learning a cool technique called emerging colors. You can see a close-up of it on the second picture below. We are also using the Rock-n-Roll stamping technique and the blending pen to color the veins on our leaves.

I used pictures that show a few different events that are traditional for the Fall season for our family. One thing I love about this paper is that although I am using it for "Fall-ish" pics, you can use it for anything at all. It is so versatile. The color combo in this paper is just plain fabulous.

Next month, we will be using the "Grace" papers also featured in the Fall/Winter Idea Book. I hope to have those pages posted early next week. Stay tuned..........

Happy Scrappin',


CLICK ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE

Christmas Card Workshop

It has been way to long since I posted anything on my blog!! The summer flew by and it was fun but busy. The kids are already back in school and the leaves are just beginning to turn colors. I absolutely love Fall. It is my favorite time of year and a BIG part of that is the upcoming HOLIDAYS. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I am excited to announce my 2009 Christmas Card Workshop. We will be making 12 cards. There are 6 different designs and you will make 2 of each design. I have pictures of 4 of the cards and I am still working on the other 2. We will be embossing, using glitter, some new patterns and lots of "bling" on our cards this year. I am using the color scheme and paper from the new "JINGLE" paper pack shown in the Fall/Winter Idea Book which just came out on September 1st.

Here are the details:
Date: Tuesday October 20th
Time: 6:30pm - 9pm
Cost: $15.00
There is room for 8 people and I will need your payment to reserve your spot. You can mail or deliver a check/cash or call me with your debit/credit number and I will reserve your spot. If you are mailing a check, you can call or email to let me know it is on the way and I will hold your spot for 3 days.(That is usually the longest it takes to get a check in the mail.)

Please feel free to email or call me with any questions you have. We always have loads of fun and everyone goes home with completed projects.

My email is: shock@fidnet.com
Phone: 314-795-2962
If this workshop fills up, I will add another date. So, if you can't make it on the 2oth but would like to come, let me know.

click any picture to enlarge

I am planning another workshop in November which will include making a small mini-album and one or two other gift items. These could really help your gift-giving budget out this year so keep checking back.

If you want to know more about Close To My Heart, scrapbooking or stamping, please feel free to call or email. Thank-you all for visiting my blog and I will try to keep it more updated with artwork and musings.

July Workshop and Other Stuff

Summer is in full swing now! I am enjoying open windows and my garden. Conner is in summer school band and so we are still getting up early (I am not a morning person), but it is helping me stay on task and get stuff accomplished. I had a car accident on Thursday and am without a vehicle for a while but everyone was ok and I am so grateful to our gracious Father for His protection.

I am posting my July workshop today. It is a 6"x6" Display Album. It has 24 complete pages. I used the Emporium Paper Pack and Stickease and also some dimensional chipboard elements along with stamps, flowers, brads and other embellishments.

This album will be a keepsake for you or a cherished gift for someone special. I have posted a few pictures so you can get an idea of what to expect but I won't post all 24 pages as that would take too long!

Details:
Thursday, July 30th 6:30 - 9:30pm
My house
Cost: $28.00
8 spots available - must be signed up and paid by July 12th.
Don't wait until the last minute as these workshops have been filling quickly!!
Call: 314-795-2962 or email: shock@fidnet.com
click on any picture to enlarge

Here is the June club layout. I used Moon Doggie papers, the Post Card-Travel Series and Extreme Happiness Stamp Sets. We are paper piecing the surf hut. I love this paper and have 4 years worth of beach pictures that need scrapping! As if that's not enough, we are going again in July. I can't wait. I always feel God's presence so strongly at the ocean. It's absolutely amazing!

I forgot to post my picture of artwork using the June stamp of the month, so check back next week and I will add it.

Enjoy the sunshine,

Sue