Creatique Candy Time - "A Little Story Told"

When you think of telling a story, we think often of the meaning behind that particular story. I'm an admitted avid reader personally. My point is that I find inspiration within stories. Because only within a book can I tend to get lost in a moment that well, each individual experiences or perceives the meaning in a different way. I had this professor Lois Hart in college, she always had books lying around her home. Our first Literature class she had me read a book by Maya Angelo called "Why The Caged Bird Sings". That book evoked so much emotion, a portrait within my mind that at the moment I can't seem to find the words to explain. What I can say is that inspired by that experience and course, I've always kept my heart open to other opportunities.
So we have "Blogtoberfest" going and I have been recuperating from an infection. I know sounds yucky don't it? Well it shouldn't because it is that time of the year. I wanted to do something new and creative because I just enjoy playing around in my photobucket account and today was also K's school picture day. So what better than to create a story of the pictures I took but in a different and unique way then I ever have before. "Portrait In Progress" kind of thing. So without further ado here is "A Little Story Told"
Click on the slideshow for Album.There are so many different ways that you can tell a story or share something creative even when your feeling a little bit under the weather.  Our precious little Miracle truly inspires me everyday.  She makes me want to be a better Mother in so many ways.  I'm so far from being the perfect Mom but I do my best to teach her about reading, creating, and using our inner heart's to help others.  Here is one of my Favorites Taken:

"CREATIQUE CANDY" Time...

Since there was not a "Technique Tuesday" taught this week.  I'm wanting to give some Creatique Candy away!  YAY, it is something I've been really holding back on so I'm really excited to share it. Only one other lucky person will have this card I created.  If you would LOVE to have this card...all you have to do is leave a comment about your favorite story, book, song, phrase, anything really, to be entered into the drawing.  The winner will be announced on October 26th @ 6:30 pm MST -7:00 during my LIVE "Technique Tuesday" broadcast on the Creatique Innovationz Ustream Channel.  You won't want to miss it.  I'm going to be designing a glass "krafty block" an really neat gift idea.  Stay Tuned for more...

Flipped My Top - Big Time! My Ustream Online Class...

The first class is now over....Whoosh that was a biggy!  Thank YOU sooo much for coming out to support me.  It was an extra special opportunity for me to get my feet wet since the inspiration to do so came from YOU & of course CU-OL. :)  You can still click on my CU-OL button to get creating on some extraordinary classes that were taught.  
Now on to the goodies!  I had a Fun experience with everyone who attended.  Next time I will check my sound settings so it is better.  Portrait in Progress right?  I don't want to keep you in suspense because there are a couple of things I want to share with you.  You will find the Creatique Candy Comment winners within the slideshow so pay close attention.  You will have until Tuesday September 28, 2010 10:00pm MST to e-mail me with your name and address for these lil fellers to have arrive in their new home! 

My next Live Ustream class will be taught on Tuesday September 28, 2010. You can view the class on my Ustream Channel @: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/creatique-innovationz 

You can view my supply list @: http://creatiqueinnovationz.myctmh.com/MyCTMH/Events.aspx?PageID=183&eID=573256

Here is My Favorite Card I created yesterday that shows my LOVE of reading!

Recipe:

X7123B “Cherry-O” Paperpack

Z2166 Tulip Exclusive Inks Pad

Z2117 Crystal Blue Exclusive Inks Pad

Z2153 Sweet Leaf Exclusive Inks Pad

B1348 “Bowl of Cherries” Exclusive WOTG “Cherry-O” FREE stamp set!

Z1319 Opaques “Cherry-O”

Z1320 Mini-Medley Tulip Collection

Z1102 Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon

Z1114 Piercing Tool Kit

Z1294 Sanding Kit

Z1208 Soft Eyelet Tool

Z1229 Chocolate Soft Eyelet

Z1151 3-D Foam Tape

Z534 Micro-Tip Scissors

1514 Tombow Mono Adhesive

How To Paper Measurements:

1. The base of the card is measured as 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". 2. To create the pocket base you want to make sure your using a 4 1/4" x 12", take a bone folder and fold the base in half.

3. Cutting: Fold Facing to the Right open up the card lay flat up against your trimmer, you will cut 3" off of the top of the card. This will leave a V shape when holding it up.

4. Place the folded edge to the left of your trimmer and cut at the 5 1/2" mark.

Congrats you now have a pocket card base.

5. You will then need 2 pieces of 3" x 4 1/4" of cardstock or pattern paper for the top and bottom half of the front of your card base. (I combo layered with our B&T paper & cardstock)

6. Swing Mechanism: Very important that you have aligned your top layer up against the top to see how much adhesive you need to apply to the inside bottom that should flip down. (the 3" piece for the pocket)  **If your using the pocket for a bookmark or tag etc. you want to make sure that you place that over the top 3" piece and below the bottom 3" flip up prior to adding your adhesive to the bottom portion. Remove Bookmark or tag.**

7. Use a piercing tool, make sure that your overlapping pieces are together poke a whole and place a brad less than 1/4" from the left side and that the pieces are all overlapping.

Now You Can Embellish Away & Share...Tune In For Technique Tuesday For More Creatique Candy Give-Aways! I have a homeless Card that would love to take a trip. 

Just look for the Mr. Linky post after my Live classes and You could be an owner of one of my Creatique Innovationz exclusive handmade gifts.

Feeling Confident & Accomplished...

    Wow...I'm actually feeling really confident now that I've gotten all of my Create & Takes completed from Convention 2010 in Washington DC.  I actually opt for the partial create & take classes because I want to be able to add my touch to things.  I have to admit these were very difficult as I wasn't in attendance on the flip flap Magic:Mesmerize lay-outs.  I'm pretty proud of myself for how they turned out though. :)
    On another note...I've been working on getting some slideshows prepared from my trip in DC.  I had a blast there as I spent some time with my Daddy & Sandra during my stay.  I loved meeting all the people I did even during travels & restaurants etc.  
    I'm always amazed at how people touch my life in so many ways.  I have lots of creativity flowing now that I did these so I'm getting ready to work on our National Stamping Month promotion "Triple Play"!  Now, I already started the stamping part...garsh I wished I would of done so in brighter light then my flowers would be centered.  Anyhow, figured I hadn't posted in a while & wanted to share what I did in DC so till next time....

New Year - Exciting Things To Share!!!

I Love being a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant.  Each new quarter brings New & exciting things to share with my Followers, Customers, Family & Friends.  I always post the slideshow to view under My Story link within my web-site.  However, why not post this to my Blog too?  I mean honestly most of those that follow me know me already & Those that are NEW to Creatique Innovationz can at times find inspiration in some of the artwork I create or even in the plethora of projects that our Incredible Art Department create for the launch of the new product line features.
This time I wanted to incorporate the offerings of our Exclusive Party Hostess Collections, Petite Perks that can be earned in a variety of ways, Artwork from our Incredible Art Department featuring the new 4 Exclusive paperpacks...& last but not the least the incredible New Consultant Kit for Joining Team Creatique Innovationz with an option to view the Scrapbooking & Cardmaking Bonus Options.  Because I LOVE Close To My Heart so much...this time I made sure to put Hearts all around the gorgeous slideshow...There is nothing I love more than the hard dedicated work that all of the team and department members put into helping my business become successful.  My Heartfelt Thank You Close To My Heart!

Christmas & December 2009!

This was a very difficult month for me... well the term "Agoraphobic" can only describe what I'm personally going through.  I have felt such an overwhelming since of being "lost" & literally panic at the thought of getting into my car & going anywhere.  With the whole wide-world at my fingertips I find I crawl into the walls of the info-highway much safer than the "real" world lately.  It is a story that is time to share.  Just because I constantly hear "Nichole You can do it!" or "Nichole, We Miss YOU!" or "Nichole, it is easy just get up & motivate." - While all of these calls, letters, messages, e-mails, cards, letters...& the like keep pouring in.  I find myself drawing more inwards.  
  Yes it is very hard to believe considering how extremely out-going I am & How Blessed I have been through-out my life.  I can't explain it & I have no answers for what has happened.  In fact I try to mule through my mind many a times where & when it all started to happen.  The issues with my breasts did not help matters...being torn in 20 different directions perhaps or the fact that it is time to admit to the world "I CAN NOT DO IT ALL" is probably more in order.  I know I'm not the only one who has felt this way.  

  In fact...it is crippling, trying, exhausting, & most of all....it affects all those that I love deeply around me.  All I can say is that time will heal whatever started this spiral of desolation I've imposed upon myself. However, I thought it important to share because despite How Easy it can be for some...it is not so easy when put into these shoes to wear. Now I understand what others go through more so now than ever.  Being dubbed a Self Proclaimed "Survivor" in which I am if only my entire story were to be told.  I would think that I could just pick-up & go like normal, as I always have.  Maybe it is the Holiday Blues, or Missing my Family terribly.  Whatever, that reason is that I find and repair...be rest assured all will know when I'm back! :O)

  My Slideshow was probably not the appropriate place to put this but figured it would have the attention it deserved in understanding my world as I live in currently.  Having that said without further ado...
  We had our first snowfall that actually stuck to the ground.  Kaedyn had her Christmas Program, Alec registered for Basketball, I created a "Veranda" card playgroup for January & Random family pics of the Holiday...that about sums it up.  I really do look forward to using the best medicine I have & that is Close To My Heart.  When I create I find I'm in an entirely different world with inspirational CTMH Sisters.  It is something that pulled me from an abyss before & without question saved my life.  I'm quite sure as I pour over my new Idea Book pages...it renews that sense of belonging with my fellow sisters here & abroad fighting for our freedoms.  I LOVE YOU ALL!!!   

Picture Day!!!

Oh How I love Picture Day!!! She enjoys posing in all kinds of ways...Taylor Swift is her idol! Short & Sweet for da first time ever. :)

Football Season Has Begun!

Alec has played football for the last 3 years. To our surprise it is one sport of the many that he does that he enjoys the most. The best part is this year he is actually playing for his school team.

Rightfully he worked hard to earn a spot on the Varsity team. Above all else he understands and acknowledges the important ingredients of being in such a special position as he is above all else a "STUDENT" - "Athlete"... With that said he knows he has to maintain his grades in order to participate. That means no missing assignments. We are so very proud of him and I can not wait to scrapbook his football season in whole - after Wrestling starts. :)

Among his 8th grade desires in sports as in previous years, Alec will also be on the Wrestling, Snowboard, Basketball, and Track & Field Teams for the Eagle Colts. He is quite the lil sports monster and rightfully earns every bit as he is above all else a team player, has incredible sportsmanship, participates in his community, very active in church and has many duties to his scouts as well. So his commitments ride out everyday of the week and we all support his tireless efforts. Plus he gives us many memories to scrap and share for his future generations. We are very proud of you SON!!!

Various LBC Pics First 48 Hours! & Leadership 2009 Pix!

Just some Kandid photos taken of our first two days...Of course I still have lots more to share...Were headed to the pacific aquarium today! I have to say the delight was the "Rocky Road" Dipped apples from the Chocolate Factory! Incredible...If you have a chance to taste them go for it...2nd best is the funnel cake! 3rd...well stay tunned. :)

So I said to stay tuned...I had to add back to this post as I updated the slideshow to share some of my precious moments with my CTMH Family!

To Judith, Helen, Melissa, Sarita, Tammy, Amy & my many supporters in the CTMH Family...I wished we would of had the chance to meet up with all of you for a photo op. :( I miss you endearingly. I have comfort in knowing that WE'RE on our way to DC 2010...All of my love to you & this was an extrodinary experience for me as I'm sure with all of you. My Heart & My love for all that you have done to contribute to my successes thus far. Moocho HUGS & my hats off to you ladies!

2008 What We Do & Various Experiences & Travels To Share!

So This is What WE do!!! Places we have traveled together and various experiences we have shared as a family over the last 2008 Year! From Building and taking down Silo's, Travels to Disneyland, Floating the Boise River, South Dakota to visit family, & well just a few lil snapshots of the Kidlings that I so enjoyed taking! :)