Buy 9, Get #10 Free

Close To My Heart's Studio J special in January is "buy 9 layouts, get the 10th free." I've been taking advantage of this and just placed my order for 20 layouts today. It's a great way to keep up with scrapbooking in a fun, easy way using the CTMH online program.

In the next 10 days, I have a feeling it'll be easy for me to create another set of 10 layouts too.

If this is a scrapbooking method that may appeal to you (especially to "catch up" with your memory books), check it out by visiting my business web site:  http://janeehaas.myctmh.com  

Click on the Studio J link in the left column and give it a try!

Happy New Year and My Bucket List Too

DH and I rang in the new year at our friends' home -- and somehow we were able to stay awake to see the ball fall. That's quite a feat for us! We enjoyed a delicious meal, good wine, fun games, and lots of chatter.

I pray that your 2012 is full of God's blessings!

This past year I didn't have much time in my creative space, and I haven't posted any art for so long, but I hope that changes in the new year, 'cause I really miss getting sticky and inky!

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

Joy comes in our lives when we have something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. (Let's make that "someone to love and someone to hope for!") Remember the JOY acronym: Jesus, Others, Yourself.

How well God understands us and knows what is best for us at all times.  Ephesians 1:8 TLB

A sense of humor can help you overlook the unattractive, tolerate the unpleasant, cope with the unexpected, and smile through the unbearable.

Smile! Laugh! Enjoy the present. It's God's gift to us!

I've started a 2012 bucket list ... and yes, exercising is on it, as is reading more books, but so are some more really FUN things to do! I'll post about it soon. What's on YOUR bucket list?

My Dear Friend, Wendy ...

is Unforgettable.

She lived her life to the fullest.
She was "Jesus with skin on" to others.
She was one of the best teachers ever.
She laughed. She cared. She cried. She shared.
She walked her talk.
What an example Wendy was for me and others who knew her!

Cancer invaded her body. But cancer didn't rule or consume her.
Her love for her Lord, her family, her students, and her friends gave her life reason and purpose.

She's at perfect peace with Jesus now. Last week He called her to leave this earth and be with Him. Though sad for her family to lose her in this world, I'm so happy to know and to trust the promise Jesus gives to all who believe in Him:

"I am the resurrection and the life...he who believes in Me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die." (John 11:25-26)  As a Christian, I trust God's promise that Jesus has prepared our heavenly home for us!

Two years ago when Wendy and her family visited us, we made cards together. She liked the Unforgettable papers and colors. I snapped this photo of her holding one of her cards. She's truly an unforgettable sister-friend.