Get These Mojo Monday Cards From Me For FREE!

Would you like me to send you one of each of these cards for FREE? Well, you've got to act FAST. This offer expires at midnight on Wednesday, August 31 (MDT).

I made these cards using the Mojo Monday Sketch #206 from this week, and using the darling "Pair-a-Phrase" stamp set (see #6 below)

Here's how to get a set of these cards FREE from me:

1. Go to my website: http://leavealegacy.myctmh.com
2. Click on the catalog link in the lower right hand corner and pick out some goodies to buy. Make your list and check it twice!
   
3. Go back to my website (http://leavealegacy.myctmh.com) and click on "Shop Online"
4. Place an order of $70 or more (before shipping and tax)
5. Add the DARLING "Wicked" August Stamp of the Month ($17.95 value) for only $5 (you'll be prompted to do so before you check out)
6. Get the "A Typeface" stamp set ($6.95 value) for FREE with the "Extra, Extra" special that goes through midnight MDT on August 31 (Wed. night). You will be prompted to add this before the end of your order.
7. Get the "Pair-a-Phrase" double stamp set ($35.90 value) for FREE with the "National Stamping Month" special. This special goes through September 30, but if you want both the "A Typeface" stamp set and the "Pair-a-Phrase" stamp sets for FREE you have to order before midnight (MDT) Wednesday (Aug 31). You will be prompted to add this before the end of your order.
8. That's it! I will check my online orders after midnight and if you ordered and took advantage of both specials, I will send you one of each of these cards for FREE, as a special gift from me, on top of the already GREAT deals you got. When you spend $75 (before shipping and tax), you end up with over $130 in merchandise with these specials!

CTMH products used: Lucky Level 2 Paper Pack, Lucky My Stickease, Pair-a-Phrase Stamp Set, Black Stamp Pad, Watercolor Pencils, Blue Button Assortment, Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Cricut/CTMH Art Philosphy Cartridge, 3D Foam Tape.

Out of Commission, But Never Fear: Kindle is Here!

Dear Bloggin' Peeps,

I have done something to my back and can't do much standing or sitting. My bed and I are best buddies right now. I might not be able to post for a day or two. Hopefully it won't take any longer than that to be back to my obnoxious posting self!

I hope you all had a great weekend. It was my birthday on Saturday and I got spoiled! Luckily, my back didn't start hurting until early Sunday morning. Is there some sort of warning I should have read about that obsessing over a brand new Kindle that might explain my hurt back? I got one for my birthday on Saturday (I'm in LOVE! Thank you, Tracey Mason! I think I am now your slave for life.) and am already obsessed. Maybe my back just tried to give me an excuse to read that brand new Kindle. Note to self: explain to back that I'd rather feel guilty for reading than to have a valid excuse like this one.

I even have the CUTEST hot pink Kindle cover (thank you, Koribug!). THANK YOU to everyone (Dan-the-Man included who spent all day Saturday taking me to all my favorite places!) who made my birthday so special, with cards, gifts, Facebook comments, emails, lunch dates, and phone calls. I love you all! "Back" (oh, I crack myself up!) to bed I go. I'll be back to bloggin' before you know it. I'm counting on it!

Layouts and Cards Made With The Brand New "Believe" Collection

Wow! I can't believe it's been almost 5 days since I last posted. Where does the time go?

Today I thought I'd share some projects I made recently for a reward that 5 of my team members earned from me after completing a sales and recruiting challenge I issued. I am so proud of these five women (Lynette, Pam, Kris, Chrissy and Lucia) and the great job they are doing with their Close To My Heart businesses. I used the new "Believe" kit. Here is a photo of the finished display (feel free to click on the photo so you can see all the projects larger and in more detail). It includes a two-page 12" x 12" layout, two standard cards, and a 5" circle card, as well as a paper-swatch sample square of each of the papers in this kit. I used my new CTMH/Cricut "Art Philosophy" cartridge on every one of the projects, including the shaped papers and snowflakes in the layout, the circle card and snowflake cut-out on that, the shapes on the Santa card, and the shapes on the holly berries card. I love this cartridge and how it fits with so many of our stamps, as well as offering so many great shapes and borders that work great with almost any project! In fact, if you click here you can see all of the over 700 shapes and images on this cartridge.

I love this fun, bright and cheery kit for Christmas-time this year! You can purchase it, and so many other fun, quality Close To My Heart projects on my website, 24/7!

August Stamp of the Month Card

When I saw this card made with the August Stamp of the Month (Wicked), I literally gasped. I LOOOOOOOOVE it! I immediately asked my friend (and the creator of this amazing work of art) Vicki W. if I could share it on my blog. She graciously said, "YES!" Thank you, Vicki for the inspiration and for allowing me to share your 'wicked' artwork!

By the way, how cool is it that if you spend $50 (before shipping and tax), you get this stamp set for only $5. AND, if that weren't enough, you also get this set FREE ($6.95 value).

AND, if THAT weren't enough, spend a little bit more ($75 before shipping and tax) and get this double stamp set FREE ($35.90 value) as well.

These deals only intersect through August 31. Head to my website and order soon! Once you've spent $75, you'll be prompted to add all 3 sets before you check out.

The New CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge ROCKS!

Feel free to click on any photo in this post to see it larger and in more detail.

I am SOOOOO enjoying my new CTMH/Cricut Art Philsophy Collection. WOWZA! I think the 700 images on this baby are perfect. I think the way they fit with so many of our stamps (like in the 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" card I made here) is stupendous. I think the great looks you can get by combining the images with the coordinating Dimensional Elements chipboard that comes with it is awesome. I think it's just plain WONDERFUL!

Can you believe that for just $99 you get this cartridge (check out all of the wonderful images below), 3 "D" size stamp sets with coordinating images ($53.85 value), and 3 sheets of coordinating chipboard pieces ($13.15 value). What a great deal! On top of that, check out this post that shows you how by just buying the cartridge and adding the August Stamp of the Month for $5 ($17.95 value), you can get another $42.85 in stamp sets FREE!

Now, before I show you all of the images, let me tell you a bit about the what I used and how I made the 2 cards I shared today.

Card #1: Circle Card: I made a 4 1/2" circle/snowflake card (cut with the new Art Philosophy Cricut Collection) in Holiday Red cardstock on my cricut. I random stamped the front of the card with the Snowflakes Stamp Set in Holiday Red and White Daisy ink. I backed the front of the card in Sweet Leaf Cardstock and then added some White Daisy Cardstock (all paper from the Believe Level 2 Paper Pack) behind that and cut with a pair of large scallop scissors. I finished it off with a white flower button from the Basic Buttons Collection, a little bit of Colonial White Waxy Flax to thread my button, and a bow made of ribbon from the Green Ribbon Collection. Voila! Fast, Simple and Sweet!

Card #2: Shaped Standard Size Card: I started with one of our new White Daisy Die-Cut Cards and Envelopes. I used the cards on page 76 of the Idea Book as my inspiration. I used the papers from the Believe Level 2 Paper Pack. I cut the sentiment bracket and the holly leaves using the new Art Philosophy Cricut Collection, then stamped them in Topiary and Holiday Red inks with the coordinating stamps from the Holiday Cheer and A Holiday stamp sets. I added a gingham bow to top it off from the Red Ribbon Collection. Fast, Simple and Sweet!

Now that I've wet your whistle just a little bit, how about seeing the 700 images that come in this new Cricut/CTMH Art Philosophy Collection? Are you game? I hope so!


You can order any of these wonderful items on my website, 24/7!

More August Stamp of the Month Artwork

Here is some more artwork using the "wickedly gorgeous" August Stamp of the Month (Wicked). This art was created by the Close To My Heart art department. Aren't they talented? Wouldn't THAT be a fun job?!!!!

Be sure to check out yesterday's post to find out how to get the Stamp of the Month, as well as another over $40 in FREE stamp sets between now and the end of the month. You don't want to miss these specials.

3 BIG Specials for 2 BIG Weeks!

From August 15 - August 31 there are 3 STUPENDOUS SPECIALS that intersect with Close To My Heart. In fact, if you spend $75 (before shipping and tax) during this period of time, you earn over $40 in stamp sets FREE and another $17.95 stamp set for only $5! No foolin'!

Here's how it works:

1. Purchase $50 in product (before shipping and tax) and get the August Stamp of the Month (Wicked) for only $5 ($17.95 value). That $55 also counts toward the $75 in #3 below. The card at the beginning of the post is a standard size card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") that I made using this set (products used list at the end of this post).
2. When you spend the $50, and then the $5 for the Stamp of the Month (worth $17.95), you also get this darling "A Typeface" stamp set FREE ($6.95 value).
3. Add another $20 in product to your order, so you are spending $75 (before shipping and tax) and get Close To My Heart's first ever DOUBLE stamp set called "Pair-a-Phrase" (two of our "D" size stamp sheets, worth $17.95 each, for a total of $35.90 in value) FREE!

I even have a GREAT product suggestion for you that will qualify you for all 3 specials in one little purchase. How 'bout the brand new exclusive Close To My Heart/Cricut Art Philosophy Collection? For only $99, you get the cartridge (over 700 images!), 3 coordinating stamp sets (that can only be gotten in this collection and that coordinate with the images on the cartridge) and 3 sheets of Dimensional Element chipboard shapes (that also coordinate with the images on the cartridge).Call or email me to place your order (pedermom@aol.com, 801.360.9896) or head to my website, click on "Shop Online" and do it there. You will be prompted to add all 3 specials before you finish your order. I LOVE being part of such a generous company!

CTMH products used on the card at the top of the post using the August Stamp of the Month (Wicked): August Stamp of the Month, Colonial White Cards and Envelopes (50 value pack), Sunset Cardstock, Black Cardstock, Black Stamp Pad, Grey Wool Stamp Pad, Liquid Glass, Blues and Greens Sparkles Assortment, Black Ribbon Collection, 3D Foam Tape, Round Sponge.

September Play Group Pages (Typeset)

Layout #1 - "Learn"

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Layout #2 - "10 Things..."----------------

Layout #3 - "7 Days with Daci":

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Aloha, everyone! I'm feeling tropical this morning and wishing I were really on a beach today, not just in my daydreams...thus the "Aloha!" A girl can dream, right?

September's Play Group classes are right around the corner and I wanted to be sure to post and let you know everything you need to know in order to participate. If you are not familiar with my monthly Play Group scrapbooking classes, you can read all about them on the left side of my blog. Just scroll down until you see "Play Group Information." You can also click on any layout above to see it larger and in more detail.

In September we will be using the bold kit called "Typeset" for our three 2-page 12" x 12" layouts. As you can see in the photos above, almost any kind of photos look great on these pages, not just school photos!

If you want to participate, I need to hear from you no later than Saturday, August 27. You can call or email me at 801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com.

Class Dates and Times to choose from in American Fork, UT:
Tuesday, September 6, 10 am - 1 pm
Tuesday, September 6, 7-10 pm
Thursday, September 8, 10 am - 1 pm
Thursday, September 8, 7 -10 pm (this class is in Pleasant Grove, UT)

You can also host this workshop in your home (in Utah) with your friends during the month of September. If you are interested in doing that, please contact me (801.360,9896, pedermom@aol.com)

Remember, in order to attend, you only need to purchase the Basic Kit. Anything above and beyond that is totally up to you. This month, I suggest you consider the Better Kit. The few items I've added there make a huge difference to your pages. If you already have any of the items in the Better or Best kits, just bring them with you to class.

Typeset Shopping List

Basic Kit
Typeset Workshop on the Go (includes Typeset Level 2 paper pack, stamp set, milepost shapes, pearl paint, and instruction guide)
2 extra sheets of Bamboo Cardstock
Karen's cutting guide
Subtotal: $31.17
Total with shipping and tax: $35.76

Better Kit (I recommend this kit!) = Basic Package + the following items:
10 Things Pocket
Dimensional Elements Numbers
Bamboo Waxy Flax
Basic Buttons Assortment
Subtotal: $48.27
Total with shipping and tax: $55.37

Best Kit = Basic Package + Better Package + the following items:
Black Stamp Pad
Creme Brulee Stamp Pad
Juniper Stamp Pad
10 Things Stamp Set
Token Alphabet
Subtotal: $107.92*
Total with shipping and tax: $123.79

*At this level ($75 or more spent before shipping and tax), you qualify for the August Stamp of the Month (Wicked) for $5 ($17.95 value), the A Typeset Stamp Set for FREE ($6.95 value), and the National Stamping Month Double Stamp Set for FREE ($35.90 value)...that's over $60 FREE when you purchase at least $75 in August!

Call or email me to place your order and sign up for a class, or to schedule a class of your own for this workshop in your home with your friends and earn FREE Close To My Heart products (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com).

You can purchase these and other wonderful Close To My Heart products on my website, 24/7.

Journaling on your Layouts

You can always click on any image in my posts to see it larger and in more detail.

Do you ever get stuck when you are journaling on your layouts? I think sometimes we all do. We just think we need to do the who, what, where, when, why and how. Right? WRONG! Journaling is SO much more than that. I am passionate about the journaling on my layouts. Take for instance this layout of my son, Tannon (who is now 20!) in first grade (Sidenote: this is one of the layouts we will be making in my September Play Group classes. You will find more information about that on my blog later this week.). I could have just put "Tannon, 1st grade" on the layout. The first grade photo of him is cute. That would have been fine. What I did instead was journal something that was very important about first grade for Tannon. It affected who he became.

I personally feel that the journaling is what takes a layout from being a photo of an event or time in history to being a record of historical happenings for your family and its generations to come. I think what the layout says is MORE important for Tannon and the rest of my family (and their posterity) to read and understand than what you see. Am I making sense?

Taking just a bit more time when you journal so that your feelings about what you are scrapbooking, or what the event you are scrappin' meant to your family, or memories of the details of that event are on the layout makes a layout go from artistically fabulous, to heart-moving, tear-jerking, memory-making, family history AND artistically FABULOUS

Here is a photo of the journaling. You'll want to click on the photos to enlarge them and be able to read them.

Journaling from the left side of the layout (read this first):

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Journaling from right side of the layout (read this second):

Close To My Heart products used: Typeset Workshop on the Go Kit, Black Stamp Pad, Juniper Stamp Pad, Creme Brulee Stamp Pad, Token Alphabet Stamp Set, Cricut/CTMH Art Philosophy Collection.

You can shop for these and other wonderful products from the brand new Autumn/Winter Idea Book on my website 24/7. You can view the new Idea Book page-by-mouth-watering-page by clicking on the link on the left side of my blog.

Better Than Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

What is better than strawberry shortcake? THIS recipe! It's a family favorite and tastes EXTRA yummy in the Summer. I especially like to serve it at a family BBQ. I think it's taste offsets grilled chicken and hamburgers perfectly. Enjoy!

BETTER THAN STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
(Karen Pedersen)
makes a 9" x 13" pan

Make a 9" x 13" white cake (I personally like the Betty Crocker SuperMoist cake mix. Of course if you are a domestic diva, make your cake from scratch. I'm obviously not a domestic diva). Let cool.

Filling Layer:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 C. powdered sugar
1-8 oz. tub of cool whip

Beat together until smooth and spread on top of cake.

Topping Layer:
Strawberry Danish Dessert (can be found on the pudding aisle. Prepare as glaze, directions on box)
3-4 C. fresh strawberries, washed and sliced

Carefully fold strawberries into partially cooled Danish Dessert. Pour on top of Filling Layer. Cool in fridge at least an hour before serving. Keep in refrigerator.

Roxie Layout

I made this layout using our gorgeous new Roxie kit (LOVE that mix of plaids, florals and animal prints...sooo trendy and vogue!) for my journaling class at Convention. I feel so strongly that scrapping and journaling about the hard times in life, and the lessons we learn is JUST AS important as the happy times...maybe even more!

This layout chronicles our family 'adventure' into unemployment a few years ago, how it felt having to say good-bye to our home of 17 years, and the lessons I learned as we moved into our new home. If you click on any photo in this post, you can see it larger and in more detail. If you are interested in reading the journaling, you'll definitely have to click on that photo.

There are a few more detail shots below, but before we get to that, I wanted to let you know which amazing Close To My Heart products I used on this layout: Roxie Level 2 Paper Pack, Roxie Stickease, Pewter Mini-Medley Accents, Black Stamp Pad, Round Sponge, 3D Foam Tape. You can order these, and so many other wonderful CTMH products on my website 24/7!

Here are a few close-ups of different parts of the layout as well. These are much smaller photos (duh! I guess you can see that. lol) so if you want detail on them, you'll definitely want to click on them.