And on a personal note ...

I cut my hair! What would possess me to do such a thing? For the shortest cut I've had in many, many years? Well, it's called "Locks of Love" and here's what they do:

"Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers."

I donated my hair in honor of Dr. O, our dear friend and the grandfather of my goddaughter. He is a cancer survivor, and in his case, bald is sexy. :~) If you would like to help, and don't have 10 inches of hair to donate, there are other ways to give! Check them out here. And the finished product looks like this!

Quick! Get the "Mistletoe"!

I confess - with every new release of the "Idea Book," I have a new favorite paper packet. And for the Autumn/Winter 2010 "Idea Book," this paper is the one that wins my heart. It is elegant and old-fashioned, and features some of my most-loved colors in the CTMH palette: Cocoa, Cranberry, Garden Green and New England Ivy. The color combination is perfect for setting off holiday pictures, and has a warm that makes me think of sipping hot chocolate in front of the wood stove. I love the accompanying "My Stickease," which has all sorts of traditional Christmas and winter images. Also be sure to check out the new winter My Acrylix stamp sets - there are a bunch of them! Some of my favorites: "A Sip" (A1109 - only $7.95!), "Captured Moments" (C1423), "I Believe" (C1427) and "St. Nick" (B1356).

Where are the "Hooligans"?

The Hooligans are right here! And how scary cute they are!! This new Autumn/Winter paper packet is all about Halloween, and features four new colors: Gypsy, Lagoon, Pear and Sunset. Get our soft felt "Hooligans" monsters to embellish your layouts. They are adhesive-backed and made to go with this paper packet. We also have new Halloweeen stamp sets! Check out "Spookey Alley" (D1439) and "Fright Night" (B1359) to add to your scrapbook pages and cards.

"Olivia" feels like Fall!

Also new in our Autumn/Winter "Idea Book" is Oliva. Featuring three of our newly introduced colors and an old favorite (Barn Red, Pear, Smoothie and Sunset), the rich color palette lends itself to any fall project. You are going to LOVE this color combination! Pear is such a great new green. I've used this packet for several cards, and I'll post them on the blog. You will fall in love with this new packet just like I did!

Introducing ... "Magnifique"!

From the NEW Close to My Heart Autumn/Winter "Idea Book" comes "Magnifique"! I have to tell you, I've worked with this kit already, and it is SO beautiful! It really evokes the feel and colors of winter. Speaking of colors, it also uses several of our brand new colors, just introduced in this new Idea Book. Featuring Chocolate, Lagoon, Pacifica and Sky, it has look and feel that will suit all sorts of new projects. As you can see from the art work, the paper and our new stamp set "Circle of Love" have peacocks on them. BEAUTIFUL!