Beach Day - Ramos Family 2011

It's a good thing Brenna and her family still live close to an ocean!  They all love the water so much!  It was a great day in North Carolina!

Melanie and Hula

These photos are from one of Melanie's performances last year, June 2011.  Before the yearly show, the groups would go to area Hawaiian festivals and perform.  It was always a great day. 

Melanie's Favorite Restaurant

Melanie's favorite Mexican restaurant is El Ranchero in Claremont.   After a hard session of trick or treating, we headed over there for an early dinner.  She is one lucky little girl (or maybe we are the lucky ones), Miguel always gives her a serving of her favorite dessert.  She is always willing to share some of it with those at the table.

Splash Zone

What great fun my grandchildren had on our summer vacation in 2011!  They enjoyed swimming every day either in the pirate pool or in the ocean in Maui!  It was wonderful for me and Roy to share in their enjoyment.  You sometimes forget how the simple things, like digging in the sand, going down a slide and having sand in your suit make your summer vacation the best.

Scrapbook Expo Classes

I have been inspired by attending workshops at the Scrapbook Expo this past weekend in Anaheim! Here are a few examples of pages I created in some of the workshops.

The first two pages are titled "Simple Joys", the pictures I used were from our family vacation to Maui last July 2011.  I enjoyed the time we spent at the pools and beaches.  What a joy it was to be there together as a family! 

The next set is titled "Enjoy the Little Things" and we did!   Shopping at the Maui Swap Meet, hanging out at and on the Banyan Tree and Little Rudy enjoying the pirate ship at the resort! 

And, finally "Unforgettable Moments"........a beautiful Maui sunset and in the photo are Michael, Melanie and Isabel.  The next one is Heather with her most favorites nieces!   The great colors of the papers worked so well with my photos!  My goal for this year is to finish the photos from 2011!

You and Me / National Scrapbooking Month!

May is National Scrapbooking Month and Close to My Heart is offering this amazing kit!  Please take a look at the video on my blog and if you're interested in purchasing this kit and/or participating in a workshop on May 14th , 10:00 a.m. let me know!

March CTMH Special

Best Stamps on the Block

At Close To My Heart, we know we've got the best clear stamps and blocks —and we'll prove it! Throughout March, when you or your customers buy My Acrylix® stamps, we'll give you a free My Acrylix® block. Not only will you have the best stamps on the block, you'll have the best block, too! Just purchase $25 US/$30 CAN in stamps and you can choose from two of our most versatile sizes: 3" x 3" (Y1006) or 2" x 6 1/2" (Y1010).

Workshop on the Go - Wings

 Here are a few examples of the layouts which were created by Anne (above) and Sheryl (below).  Chris and Sharyn just have to add their photos.  I'm glad they had a great time and we'll be getting together in March for the Sweetheart Workshop on the Go! 

Three Crockett Girls

What a bunch of pretty girls!!  It's too bad that I only had a shot of Paula's head...but it's very pretty!  I just can't believe how quickly time has flown!  Chloe is "almost" a pre-teen now!  Robin hasn't changed a bit; even after having three more babies!  My Las Vegas family are just a bunch of wonderful, crazy people. 

Baby Chloe

Chloe was the first grandchild in our group of friends!  She is the granddaughter of my very, very dear friend/sister, Paula Crockett!  This was also taken the day of the other page (Crockett Boys).  It's always fun being the "first" and her grandma and grandpa sure loved spoiling this little one (and the others too as they came along).  This little girl is very special to our family.  When she was a little older, she was the flower girl in Brenna and Rudy's wedding!  Love you Chloe and I hope we can see you when we're in Las Vegas in February!