Gone, but not forgotten...

Sadly, my last post was in February.  And since it's been a long time since my last blog the website has changed =/  Change is good, I keep telling myself and it makes me grow =)

After attending the 2012 CTMH Convention in Dallas, TX I am fully charged and ready to embrace all of the wonderful changes that Close To My Heart has in store for me and my customers (or blog stalkers - LOL)

Right now, I am in the process of unpacking my supplies that I had to take to convention and I plan to post pictures of my April 2012 workshop (yes, I feel I must post pics before I can move forward).  Then, I will post pictures of the awesome create and take projects I completed at convention.

Sooooo.....stay tuned!!

MTV Turns 30!!!

MTV first aired, August 1, 1981.  The first video was "Video Killed The Radio Star"  by the Buggles.  I think this is what defined the 80's and has made it the best decade EVER!  (in my opinion, of course!)  MTV used to air music videos 24/7 and began to evolve in 1985 with game shows, then in 1992 .... reality TV .... Oh the horror!!  I hate reality TV!

In 1981 I was 8 years old when MTV was born and it has left a lasting impression on my taste of music and my LOVE of music videos.

The first "original" VJ's:  Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman, JJ Jackson, Martha Quinn, Nina Blackwood.

Thank goodness for satellite radio, cause I still listen to the 80's!!

The Green Lantern!!

Okay, so I am a super-hero dork!  If you know me, then you already know this - and it's not new "news".  Well, I am anxiously awaiting The Green Lantern movie staring Ryan Reynolds.  He has become one of my favorite actors.  I find him to be very witty.  I have to say my favorite movie is Blade Trinity.  I absolutely love him in that movie!  I have already informed my hubby that if he does not take me to the movies, I will go by myself!  Come June 17th you will find me at the nearest theater watching The Green Lantern in 3-D.

Possible SNOW on Friday!!!!

SNOW??? What is that? It's that white fluffy stuff that is so pretty when it first falls and then turns to black mush as it starts to melt. Well, we are anticipating Snow Thursday PM / Friday AM. It is predicted that 1-3 inches of snow will fall. It is time to charge your cameras and make sure your SD cards are empty so you can capture your Snowy Memories. Last year I did a workshop and scrapped my snow pictures. Some people may think that snow is not a big deal, but in South Texas it is!!! Snow in Texas is a great phenomenon!!! Texans can't drive in it. When we see snow our world stops and we look at it falling from the sky, like it is a great big secret. Who knows, maybe it is the good Lord sprinkling Powdered Sugar on us to make us sweeter!!

Bundle up, stay warm and remeber the P's: Plants, Pets, People

Santa Visits!!!

Poncho Clause visited us at the Villarreal's!! He had gifts for everyone! He even took time out of his busy schedule to pose for pictures.

My 2010 Christmas Card

I would like to share with you my 2010 Christmas Card. I was not able to create cards last year, since my Uncle was in a car accident in November and was laid to rest on Christmas Eve. Even though I would take my supplies and work on them while I would sit in the waiting room, they were never completed. So this year I wanted to make my cards special. I used the C1427 I Believe stamp set. There are alot of things I believe in: Love, Hope, Karma, and of course.....Santa!!! Without the jolly 'ole man, gifts could not be delivered to children all over the world. (Yes, I still Believe!)

Products used:

Creative Basics: Mistletoe

New England Ivy Cardstock

Cranberry Cardstock

Bamboo Cardstock

Chobolate Ink

Prismta Glitter

Bonding Memories Glue Pen

Opaques: Pearl

Cranberry Brads

Microtip Scissors

3-D Foam Tape

Originals:

Heartfelt Classic (pg. 71)

C1427 I Believe

D1388 Card Chatter - Christmas

Season Premier Week!!

Who has favorite TV shows?

I have to admit, I have A LOT of them. I am glad that someone invented DVR. Without it, I would be glued to the TV (literally!)

I was very excited about my two favorite shows coming back (I have many, but these rank #1 and #2). My #1 show is Glee. I laugh at the silliness of the movie and I love the banter between Will Shuester and Sue Sylvester. I tune every week to see the Glee Club break out into song and dance and to hear the cracks Sue makes about Will's hair.

My #2 show is NCIS. I have to admit, I didn't watch this one beginning with the 1st season. I just recently fell in love with Gibbs, Abby, McGee, Ziva, and DeNozo. They make a great team!

I also watch: Supernatural (this is season 6, and it's last); Smallville (this is season 10, and it's last); Two and a Half Men; How I Met Your Mother; Vampire Diaries; NCIS LA; Criminal Minds; CSI NY and a couple more that I am forgetting!

What ever your favorite show may be, enjoy Premier Week!

CTMH Convention @ Washington, DC

The Close To My Heart Convention was held in Washington DC this year. So we decided to take a road trip. We left Wharton on Friday, July 2nd and didn't return home until Monday, July 12th. My friend Bryan Crosswhite and his wife Melissa hosted us for most of our trip. Then we moved over to the Gaylord National Harbor on the Potomac. While we were with Bryan and Melissa we did A LOT of sight-seeing. This picture of the Marine Corps Memorial was one of my favorites. Mostly because I have family that was in the Marine Corps.

When the convention began on Thursday, July 8th Mom and I were so excited!! We learned about all of the new and exciting changes that will happen with Close To My Heart.

Corey Haim (Dec. 23, 1971 - March 10, 2010)

Today is a sad day....one of my favorite 80's icons has passed away. Haim was 1/2 of the "Two Corey's". (Corey Haim & Corey Feldman) My favorite Haim movie is The Lost Boys (1987). I watched that movie over and over and over again, I even own it on DVD. My older brother had the soundtrack and I used to take it from his room so I could listen to the songs. I also remember him in License To Drive (1988). I watched that movie a couple of months ago and just laughed - as it brought back some of my childhood memories. I also laughed because it is a really corny movie!!! But I loved it anyway. Haim was not able to overcome his addiction. RIP

My Uncle Roel Villarreal

On Thursday, November 12, 2009 - my Uncle Roel was involved in a major auto accident. He was leaving his sub-division and turning left on Barker-Cypress when a BMW ran a red light and t-boned him. Needless to say, he sustained several internal injuries which resulted in him being life-flighted to Memorial Hermann (TMC). You may or may not know my Uncle Roel so let me tell you a little about him. I spent MANY summers in Kingsville with my Aunt, Uncle and Cousin. They became my second family and have become a big part of my life. (Thanks mom for always letting me spend time with your sister!!) My unlce is very relaxed and laid back. He retired from Kingsville A&M about 2 years ago. He was the Director of Financial Aide. Many people know him as "Mr. V" My Aunt and Uncle relocated to Houston. I see them pretty often. So when I heard about his accident, my heart dropped. I could only imagine how my aunt and cousin were feeling. As soon as my work day was over My Uncle Danny, Aunt Gloria and I headed to Memorial Hermann. I spent the rest of the weekend going back and forth to the hospital. Another work-week has started and my thoughts and prayers are with my aunt and cousin. If you are interested in following his progress you can go to: http://www.mistervsjourney.blogspot.com/ Delena has been blogging and keeping everyone updated. I am sure they are flooded with call and texts and e-mails. If you are reading this, please keep my Uncle Roel in your prayers. I believe in the power of prayer!!

My message to everyone is......drive with both hands and keep your eyes on the road! I realize in this day and age everyone is multi-tasking and is VERY distracted when they are behind the drivers seat. It does not pay to be in a rush or to be distracted. My Uncle Roel was going for breakfast and now his world has changed. And not only his world but my aunt's and cousin's. He is 65 and retired. He should be enjoying life and now he has a long road to recovery.

Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

My 36th Birthday

I celebrated my 36th birthday on Friday, October 30th. I started out by taking the day off. I went to my neice's Halloween Party at school....picked her up and then we headed off to get Mani/Pedi's. She LOVED it!! Then we started making our way to the restaurant. I made a pit stop at Best Buy and bought the latest Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, and AFI CD's. (yes, I buy the whole CD and I LOVE Alternative music!!!) Then we ended up at Mi Casa in Pecan Grove. I had an awesome time and I want to thank my family and friends that showed up to celebrate with me. I had an awesome time. After that, some of my friends and I headed off to the "after" party. As we started making our way home we stopped at Waffle House and had breakfast. This was the best birthday!!

Patrick Swayze (08/18/1952 - 09/14/2009)

I am so behind on posting....but wanted to take time to remeber Patrick Swayze. I have to say the most memorable role he played (for me) is Dirty Dancing. I loved that movie. I can't believe that it was 1987 when the movie debuted and I was only in the 7th grade. I loved the chemistry between him and Jennifer Grey. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner!" I can still hear him sing "She's Like The Wind".

My other favorite movies are Point Break and To Wong Foo.

You will be greatly missed!

When Melrose Place Ruled the World!!

Okay, so I was updating my FaceBook last night when I came across an advertisement for the NEW Melrose Place. What?? Was my first reaction. Seriously, a NEW Melrose Place? What could possibly be better than the original which, first aired July 8, 1992 and ran for 7 seasons. I didn't think anything of it. I made a comment on my FB and that was it...never thought of it again. Until my BFF called me and reminded me that it was on TV. Wow! Boy did that bring back memories of us watching Melrose Place faithfully EVERY Monday night! Oh how I loved the night time soap. I couldn't get enough of the the twists and turns and the lying, cheating and back stabbing. Amanda Woodward (Heather Locklear) was a "Guest" star all 7 seasons! She was my favorite character.
Michael Mancini and SyndeyAndrews were on last night's first Pilot episode. Wow! It does not look like they have aged one bit! I would love to drink from their fountain of youth. Poor Sydney never got a break and she was so misunderstood. I can't believe that she was on the first NEW Melrose Place episode. She was killed in a car accident on her wedding day in the Series Finale (May 24, 1999). I guess talking to my BFF on the phone and watching the NEW Melrose Place I missed the whole conversation where Micheal Mancini helped FAKE her death. And she lived.....only to die, again! Poor Sydney!

So here's to the NEW Melrose Place. I doubt it will ever live up to the original. I may try to suffer thru a few of the episodes to see if I can get into it. Honestly, I would rather buy the original Melrose Place series on DVD and watch them all at once. I already have season 1 and have alread watched it. Now, I need to buy seasons 2-7.

Michael Jackson: The King of Pop

August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

Paying tribute to Michael Jackson. I grew up listening to his music and even had posters of him on my wall. As he got older…he got weirder and weirder…but I choose to remember him as he was from my childhood. I LOVED his Thriller album and still have it on CD. His music has been playing on the radio all day….. He has forever changed dancing, music and videos.