Tomorrow and the Power of Three

Tomorrow is a big day for THREE reasons:

Autumn/Winter Idea Book (live September 1)

1. The new Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter Idea Book will be live for you to order from, and there will be a link here on my site (on the left side) where you can easily view it page by page and then hop on over to my website to order anything you cannot live without.

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Front cover of the "Double Your Fun" Workshop project

2. It is the last day to sign up for my "Double Your Fun" Workshop* (details below). You can easily participate long distance if you want. That information is explained below (after the main part of this message) as well. Just call or email me to sign up (801.756.8797, pedermom@aol.com). If you are participating long distance, your packets will go in the mail on September 10.

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One of the three two page layouts we will be making at my September Play Group Classes using the Bella Kit

3. It is not the last day (that would be September 9), but is a good day to sign up to come to one of my Play Group Classes** this month. I have explained how they work below the information on the "Double Your Fun" workshop.

Play Group dates and times for September are:
Tuesday, September 15 from 10 am - 1 pm
Tuesday, September 15 from 7 - 10 pm.
Wednesday, September 16 from 10 am - 1 pm
Wednesday, September 16 from 7 - 10 pm

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*Double Your Fun Workshop Information
Date and Time: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 10 am - 1 pm or 7 - 10 pm
Or: Participate Long Distance
Cost: see below
Who can come: Anyone, and you can earn a prize by coming*
Where: Karen's home in Highland, UT

Workshop Kit Includes:
2 - My Creations 3-Ring Binders
2 - Memory Protectors Flip Flaps
1 - Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection (includes 16 B&T duos and 8 yds of ribbon)
2 - Animal Cookies Level 2 My Stickease Assortment
1 - Craft Buttons Summer
1 - pkg. hole reinforcers
1 - cutting guide
1 - set of detailed instructions, including photos of each part of the book
Karen's help and instruction in making your project

Customer Brings:
scissors
paper trimmer
adhesive
glue dots
standard hole punch

Workshop Cost:
*$59 if you attend in person (includes 2 book workshop kit)
*$64 if you participate long distance (still includes 2 book workshop kit, and also priority shipping)

*if you are a new customer I have never met or had an order from before, you will get a special prize in your workshop bag
*if you are a current customer and refer a friend who participates that I have never met before you will BOTH receive a special prize in your bag

SIGN UP TODAY AND DOUBLE YOUR FUN! Call or email me (888.756.9620, pedermom@aol.com)

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**Play Group Information: You must sign up for one of the September classes (as well as ordering your kit from me) by September 9. The kit choices are listed below. You can learn all about attending or joining Play Group by finding the "Play Group" section on the left side of my blog.

Basic Package
X7114B Bella Level 2 Paper Packet $12.95
X7114C Bella Level 2 MyStickease Assortment $4.95
Z1161 Foundry Tabs $3.95
1 yard of Hollyhock Stitched Ribbon $.50
1 Cutting Guide free from Karen
1 colored workshop guide $1.00
Subtotal: $23.35
Total with Shipping and Tax: $26.79

Better Package = Basic Package + this product
Z1119 Mini-Medley Accents Autumn Garden Collection $7.95
Z1155 Clear Buttons $6.50
Z1081 Colonial White Waxy Flax $3.95
Subtotal $41.75
Total with Shipping and Tax: $47.89

Best Package = Better Package + this product
C1361 My Acrylix Buttoned Together Stamp Set $18.95
E1007 My Acrylix Homestead Alphabet Stamp Set $34.95
Z2128 Hollyhock Stamp Pad $5.25
Z2147 Smokey Plum Stamp Pad $5.25
Z2118 Desert Sand Stamp Pad $5.25
Subtotal*: $111.40
Total with Shipping and Tax $127.78
*You get the Stamp of the Month ($22.95 value) absolutely FREE with this package

Finished

All done. Finished. Finito. No more kidney stones. Off I go to sleep for the next 30 days. Well, maybe just one. Thanks for all the get well wishes. You guys are the best.

Still...

Still here. Yep, those dam stones. No, I didn't swear. When you spell it like that it is actually a device that stops the flow of liquid, like the Hoover Dam. You know, like what I've got. Dam stones...stopping the flow of liquid, and killing me in the process.

Sticks and Stones...

What is that saying? "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me." Well, it keeps running through my mind this morning. At 11 pm last night I thought I had pulled a muscle in the right side of my lower back. I kept thinking, "Hmmm. How did I do that? All I have done for 2 days is celebrate my birthday, eat, watch movies, etc."

Well, it didn't take long for me to figure it out. By 1 am I was 'in labor.' No, Silly! I'm not having a baby. It's a kidney stone. I am one of the lucky people in the world who gets to deal with these every couple of years. It really is like giving birth only there is no miraculous baby at the end. Just a dumb old stone. Can I just tell you I'd rather give birth to a baby over this any day? If you have never experienced this 'joyful' thing, I hope you never do. If you have, I'm so sorry. It is truly some of the worst pain you will ever feel.

I chose this photo of a boulder because that is about the size I think this stone must be!

I am on a little respite right now. It moved a couple of hours ago and I can semi-function right now. So, lucky you! You got to hear about it. Who knows how loud I might be screaming in another 10 minutes. Due to this unforseen bit of bad luck, you might not see a post from me for a couple of days. It depends on how fast this puppy decides to pass. I hope all of you have a great day WITHOUT kidney stones today!

HB2Me!

Today is it. Today is the day. Today is the day I entered the world...43 years ago. I have to admit that I was NOT looking forward to this day. Not because I am worried about getting older. I don't mind that mostly (other than the fat and wrinkles, I quite like it). What I do mind is celebrating when honestly, it feels a little weird to celebrate a silly birthday when Dan has been out of work for over 10 months now.

But I truly did marry the man for me. He has been wonderful through this whole unemployment thing. I think he has had to cheer me up more the past 10 months than vice versa. I am so proud of him for keeping his chin up, continuing to apply for and interview for jobs, for keeping his self-esteem in tact when he has been down to the final 2 or 3 candidates and has not been chosen on several jobs, and for being industrious and beginning to create a company of our own. When I think about that, we have LOTS to celebrate. So, celebrate I have. I included a photo of us together before a football game last week just because I think the best birthday gift I have is my Dan-the-Man. He is and will always be my snuggly teddy bear (don't tell him I said that). I love you, Dan-o.

My mom, sisters and daughter took me to lunch yesterday at Chiles (if you have never eated their Molten Chocolate Cake you must before you die) and then showered me with gifts. Dan spent the day with me today, took me to lunch at one of my favorite non-healthy places (JCW's) where we ate until we could hardly walk, and even took me to the chick flick, "Julie, Julia" (which made me laugh and cry at the same time). "Who cares if we can't afford it," he says. "It's your birthday."

I did take pics yesterday of our girls' birthday lunch which I have included in this post. I also want to thank the dozens of friends who had birthday wishes in my email box waiting for me this morning, text messages on my phone, and cards and gifts in the mail. My goodness. What a blessed girl I am. My friend, Tracey, who just moved to Maine, even sent me a birthday box full of all kinds of fun Maine gifts, as well as two handmade camera straps for my camera. Trace, your box TOTALLY ROCKED, as do you. I thought of you today at the movie when Julie was cooking her live lobsters! I will have to take a photo of myself in the lobster hat Tracey sent and share it here with all of you.

Sunflowers

Alas, I decided it was time to move back to Summer. I've been posting quite a lot of Autumn and Christmas projects the past week or so with all of the fun new goodies that are coming out from Close To My Heart on September 1 (only 5 1/2 more days until the new Idea Book is RIGHT HERE on my blog!). I guess it's time to be 'present' and move back to Summer. I am excited for Autumn though. As much as I love the sunshine, I think I love Fall even more; the smell of the crisp air, the brilliant colors of the leaves in the canyon behind my house, the smells and tastes of pumkin and cider, and (I know you knew this was coming)...FOOTBALL! I digress. Back to Summer.

Jeanette Lynton's "Color Me Monday" combo this week made it easy to move right back to August with this beautiful color scheme (Close To My Heart colors: Sunflower, Indian Corn Blue, Olive and Desert Sand). The first thought I had when I saw it was "Sunflowers". So, to work I went. I used the 2Sketches4You pattern (Laura's sketch #33) as my guide and this is what I came up with.

Close To My Heart products used: Cottage Floral Stamp Set (B1306), Magic Moments Level 2 Paper Pack (X7101B), Tinkerin' Level 2 Paper Pack (X7109B), Back Country Level 2 Paper Pack (X7110B), Indian Corn Blue Stamp Pad (Z2130), Sunflower Stamp Pad (Z2150), Olive Stamp Pad (Z2137), Black Legacy Writers (4275), Corner Rounder (Z578), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Clear Buttons (Z1155), Colonial White Waxy Flax (Z1081).

Non-CTMH products: Offray ribbon

Click here to order from my website 24/7...even when you're picking sunflowers!

Thanks, Brandie!

I opened my blog this afternoon to a very sweet and fun award from my friend and one of my team members, Brandie. Thanks, Brandie!

Here are the rules of this award.
*pass this on to 7 bloggers who you feel are honest in their blogging
*list 10 honest things about yourself

The 7 bloggers I am passing this award on to are:
Roxanne (who is an honest blogger with opinions and thoughts I so enjoy reading)
Nona (who shares her triumphs and tragedies and lets me laugh and cry with her)
Brenda (who has an amazing attitude of gratitude, even during the tough times)
Melissa (who does a great job bloggin' about her business and making me laugh at the same time)
Tina (whose Florida adventures always make me wish I'm on the beach)
Kelli (who I miss having here in Utah. She was a customer who became a friend. I love reading about her life in AZ to keep up)
Laurie (who made me laugh this week with her adventures)

10 Honest Things about Me:
1. My birthday is this week and I don't feel like celebrating.
2. I have not weighed myself in over a year and don't plan to.
3. I think my husband is hot with his silver hair and tan.
4. I'd rather eat chocolate than almost anything else in the world.
5. I am not a lover of camping or fishing, but I will hunt now and then.
6. I cut 2 of my toes off in the lawn mower when I was 16 and I still miss them (not a pretty sight).
7. I am not a good loser.
8. I am a football fanatic, especially when a Pedersen (namely Easton, Tannon and Dawson) is playing.
9. I wish I had had about 2-3 more children.
10. The Harry Potter, Fablehaven and Twilight book series are some of my best guilty pleasures.

Have a great day!

Daci's First Football Game

I just heard this week about The Scrappiest, another sketch and challenge blog. CUTE sketch, right? Here's what I made using it as my guide. Have I mentioned how much I love being a grandma? Oh, yeah! I think I have! Rick and Kori decided to bring Daci to the pre-season scrimmage that both Tannon and Dawson were playing in on Aug. 15. Daci decided she likes football. It's a good thing. If she didn't I would be afraid she didn't really have Pedersen genes!

Close To My Heart products used: Black Cardstock (1388), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Silhouette Level 2 Paper Pack (X7090B), Whoops-a-Daisy Level 2 Paper Pack (X7099B), Corner Rounder (Z578), Designer Ribbon Rounds Black Collection (Z1034), Bubblegum Gingham Ribbon (retired)

Non-CTMH products used: Martha Stewart Daisies, Making Memories Mini-Shimmer Alpha, Large Scallop Scissors (manufacturer unknown).

Click here to order from my website 24/7, even when you're at a football game if you have your laptop!

I'm getting ahead of myself

I'm getting a little ahead of myself. I always seem to get excited about the next season before it even arrives. Why do we do that? Wish away what is? I don't know, but I did it again this morning. When I saw the Mojo Monday sketch (#101) I thought of a gorgeous new stamp set from Close To My Heart on September 1 called Many Thanks (D1371). Here it is 90 degrees outside in the middle of August and I have already moved on to Fall. Silly me!

Close To My Heart products used: Many Thanks Stamp Set (avail. 9/1, D1137), Back Country Level 2 Paper Pack (X7110B), Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Pack (X7095B), Goldrush Cardstock, Autumn Terracotta Cardstock, Chocolate Stamp Pad, Goldrush Stamp Pad, Autumn Terracotta Stamp Pad, Barn Red Stamp Pad,Watercolor Pencils (3505), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Black Legacy Writers (4275), Designer Ribbon Rounds Autumn Terracotta Collection (retired), Designer Ribbon Rounds Heartfelt Collection (retired), Rustic Edge Anchors (Z1287).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...even if it's Summer and you are wishing for Fall.

Jean, You're a Queen!

Thanks to my friend and customer, Jean B. for being so special! When she came to Play Group (my scrapbook classes) in August, she came bearing gifts. What a fun surprise! She brought me this gorgeous stamped tile and this very cute and functional little notepad. Jean, you're a queen! Thanks for making my day!

Faster, Simpler, Easier

This is my 2nd post today of a football layout. This one is of my Tannon in his varsity pre-season scrimmage. I am feelin' the football!

This is a shaped layout. The grey you see behind the shape is the sidewalk I took the picture on. After I took the photo, I realized it could look like I matted the layout on a sheet of grey cardstock. Sorry! I should have photographed it on white.

Anyhoo, I used the Pencil Lines Sketch (#149). I also used the Game On collection from Close To My Heart. I love this kit...neutral color scheme goes with any team's colors. The patterns of stars, stripes, newpaper prints, and a very subtle tone on tone net print all work with just about any sport, and so do the matching MyStickease. It's a MUST for anyone with kids who play ball [Paper pack is X7097B, $12.95 for 12 sheets of two sided patterned paper (B&T duos) and 10 sheets of coordinating cardstock--22 sheets of 12 x 12 paper in all. My Stickease is X7097C, $8.95 for four 6" x 12" sheets of stickease]. Having a house full of boys who play both basketball and football, and who played baseball through Jr. High, I am a mom with TONS of sports pictures...and this kit was just the ticket. I can create many different looks with this one kit, add in a little color here or there to bring out their team colors, and let the neutral colors of this kit compliment the photos without overpowering them. Sport photos often have lots going on in them and so many of the athletic papers I see in the stores are just too busy and take away from the action in the photos.

This was a very fast layout that worked up in about 30 minutes. I LOVE the artistic release of being really creative, but every once in a while it feels good just to whip a layout up in minutes. This was one of those times. The only products used on this layout were paper, stickers and a little bit of black ink to distress with. No stamping, no metal, no sewing, no coloring. Just plain paper and stickers. One of Close To My Heart's taglines is "Faster, Simpler, Easier." This sure fit the bill!

Close To My Heart products used: Game On Level 2 Paper Packet (X7097B-GREAT kit for almost any sport!), Game On MyStickease (X7097C), Black Stamp Pad (Z2105), Black Textured Cardstock (X5747)

Non-CTMH products used: Creative Imaginations Football Stickers

Click here to order from my website 24/7...just in time for football season!

Football is Life

I decided to sit down on a quiet Sunday afternoon and scrapbook some photos I took of Dawson a little over a week ago in the Lone Peak Freshman Pre-Season Scrimmage. I was inspired by 2 sketches I saw this week and decided to use them both and do a 2 page layout.


The left page (pg 1) is done using sketch #28 from Inspired Blueprints (released on their blog on 8-16-09).






The right page (pg 2) is based on the Creative Scrappers sketch #66. You can click on any of the photos to see them larger.

Close To My Heart products used: Black Cardstock (1388), Colonial White Cardstock (1386), Bamboo Stamp Pad (Z2103), Dimensional Elements On Target (avail. 9/1, Z1226)

Non-CTMH products used: Patterned paper from Paper Loft, Basic Grey Adhesive Ribbon, Creative Imaginations Football Stickers.

Click here to order from my website 24/7, but maybe not while you're playing football!

Home Is Where The Heart Is

One of the very cool things about being a Close To My Heart consultant is having access to the Stamp of the Month sets and some of the new papers and accessories earlier than the rest of the world at each new Idea Book release (the next one is September 1. Be watching the side of my blog that day for the link!).

When I saw this sketch at Card Patterns (#29) I knew exactly what stamp I wanted to use for the main image. It's part of the November Stamp of the Month set, "Around the Block." There is the cute little house outline and then several choices of doors, windows, window boxes, chimneys, roofs, shutters, sentiments, etc. to mix and match to make your home look just like you want. This set is available to order, earn at a discount, or even earn free during the month of November. I decided to use primary colors on this card because to me they felt happy and went with the "Home is where the heart is" saying. I also wanted to use this cute polka dot ribbon I just found and that way it matched (ribbon by Offray). I even covered my dimensional element heart with the ribbon and just cut around it. I like the way it turned out.

I decided to stamp my images in black and then color in with water color pencils, blend with a waterbrush and shade around edges with our grey flannel marker. Water color pencil tip: don't color in the whole area you want colored. Just use your pencil to color the parts you want darkest (like around the inside edges or just on one side) and use your waterbrush to pull the color from there into the rest of the area.

Close To My Heart products used: Around the Block (avail. 11/1-11/30, D1377), Sweet Home Level 2 Paper Pack (avail. 9/1, X7116B), Colonial White Cardstock (1388), Watercolor Pencils (3505), Waterbrush (1771), Dimensional Elements Fresh Shapes (Z1019), Black Stamp Pad (Z2105), Essential Brad Assortment (Z1219), Grey Flannel Marker (Z2324).

Click here to order from my website 24/7 (even when you're 'around the block').

Warm Fuzzies in the Mail

Don't you just LOVE the days when you open the mailbox and find a handstamped card from someone who cares about you there just waiting for you? It is one of the simple joys in life. Well, today was one of those days. I opened the mailbox to find this beautiful thank you card from Close To My Heart.

As many of you may remember, I created an album this summer that I donated to a silent auction for Operation Smile (the charity that Close To My Heart officially supports) put on by Close To My Heart (see the book in this post). I was thrilled enough that I was able to do something that helped to make a difference in the life of a child (my book went for approx. $100!), but on top of that, I received this card today. Not only was it handstamped, but it was a personal expression of thanks from a company with thousands of people working for them. The fact that they took the time to thank those of us who donated to the auction is extra special. And, it that weren't enough, it is hand signed by the owner and CEO of CTMH, Jeanette Lynton and all of the vice presidents as well. Thank you for the thank you, CTMH! It is such a privilege to be part of a company with so much 'heart.'

And, while we are on the 'thank you' subject, I'd love to take this moment to thank my customers. Many of you round up your order totals to the next dollar amount to be donated to Operation Smile. Last year, in those round ups alone, my customers paid for one entire surgery for one child. How cool is that? THANK YOU, 'Karen's Kustomers' for your support of this worthy charity too! Doesn't it feel good to know that something small that you did allowed something big to happen for someone else? Warm fuzzies all over!

Total Bummer

Last night did not turn out quite like we hoped. Lone Peak lost 30-9 to Bountiful. Total Bummer! The good news is that we moved the ball. The bad news was too many turnovers. The good news is that it is just one game. The bad news is that we still have a very tough schedule ahead. The good news is we can fix our mistakes and get better this week. More good than bad, I think. I admit I am not a very graceful loser and I really want a do-over. Tannon is bummed but believes we will be much better next week (we play Mountain Crest at their field).

Tannon had a good game at QB. He was 19-35 for 206 yards, one touchdown and one interception (darn!). He also rushed for about 25 yards.

The photos you see are from last night. There are a couple of Dan and I showing off my 'mom shirt.' We (the moms) had shirts made that said "Moms of the Knights" on the front and our son's last name on the back. The photo of Tannon (#10) was after he and the other captains met with the refs at the beginning of the game for the coin toss.

So, here's to a good effort, to a group of boys who gave their all, and to next week! Go Knights!

Are you ready for some football?

I am! Last Saturday was our inter-squad scrimmage but tonight is the real thing...the first Varsity game.

My son, Tannon (#10 in burgundy) is our quarterback and we are hoping and praying that he starts out the season well tonight and leads his team to a victory. Go Knights! Let's kick some Bountiful Braves tushie!

Dawson (#12 in white) is our freshman. He plays linebacker and tight end. We have one more week before his first game. Photography note: Yes, I know that you are supposed to have them running into the frame and not out, but sheesh, when they are moving so fast I am lucky to get them IN the frame. Sorry for breaking the photography 'rules.' I am learning. Sports photography is HARD!

Last Saturday was fun watching my boys out on the field preparing for their first games and feeling the excitement of the season. This week, I am feeling more than excitement. I am feeling some serious butterflies fluttering around in my tummy! Why, oh why did Tannon have to be a quarterback?