Dallas, TX and CTMH Convention...HERE I COME! (Artwork photos too!)

Dallas, Texas

I look forward to the Close To My Heart Convention every single year...even after almost 20 years with the company. The fun, friendship, motivation, excitement about new products, instruction and comraderie just CAN'T BE BEAT!  I leave tomorrow morning for 5 days in Dallas, TX. I can hardly wait!

Last year Covention was in Anaheim at Disneyland.  Every year I think that Close To My Heart couldn't possibly out-do what they did the last year, and every year they do. I can't wait to see what they have in store for us in Dallas! Here I am with two of my CTMH friends in front of the stage before opening session one morning.

Lisa, Christine and I before opening session.  These ladies are people I only see at Convention. They inspire me with their kind hearts and over-the-top artistic talent.

I am teaching at the Extravaganza (artwork classes) event again this year on the last day of Convention. I'm so excited!  The last month has been crazy, I tell you...just CRAZY!  I have been preparing for my class (I get to use brand, spankin' new products in my class!), creating artwork 24/7, and getting everything ready for our annual Convention Team Meeting. My team of consultants is called "The Pacemakers" ('cause we keep THE HEART pumpin'!) and we are scattered across the United States. Last count I had consultants in 28 states.  You should consider joining us!  You can find out more about becoming a consultant here.  Convention is a time when all of the consultants spread across the country can get together, enjoy each other's company, and put a name to that email address!  I love our annual Convention Team Meeting.

Last year at Convention our team had a 'pajama party' and had a blast. Here we all are in our polka dotted pajama pants (thank you, Lynette K. for making them!) and team shirts. Everyone was walking around getting information from each other in a 'get to know you' game.

I can't share anything I am using in my class until after Convention, but I thought you may enjoy this layout of my darling granddaughter, Daci from a color class I taught a couple of years ago.

Analogous Color Scheme with blues, greens and yellows

In that same class, I did layouts of my 3 handsome boys: Easton, Tannon and Dawson to illustrate different color combos:

Monochromatic Color Scheme with different shades of orange

Complimentary Color Scheme with muted reds and greens

Analogous Color Scheme with blues and greens

In the midst of all of this Convention preparation, we have been in and out of town the past several weeks with football and basketball camps and tournaments for Dawson, visiting our son, Easton and his wife, Daysha, and going to watch Daysha perform in Hairspray and Aladdin at Tuachan.

Aladdin: Daysha is front left

Hairspray: Daysha is front right

Dawson at the Ute Shoot: the University of Utah's 7 on 7 tootball tournament

Dawson warming up before one of his Summer basketball tournament games

Be sure you check out this post and this post to be reminded of the awesome Close To My Heart specials this month. You don't want to miss "Perfect Pairs"!

I will set up a post for later this week to post while I'm gone to update you on which "Perfect Pairs" are free this week as well as some July Stamp of the Month ("Live Out Loud") artwork. "See" you then!