Twins Layout and Make It From Your Heart

With August drawing to a close, so are the August Specials from Close To My Heart. Be sure to check out my last post for a list of them so you don't miss out.

Today I thought I'd share another of my projects that was selected to be part of the new Make It From Your Heart publication. It's a layout of the our beautiful twin grand babies. The twins are actually here visiting us right now and it's hard to believe that over 7 months have passed since these newborn photos were taken. Street and Livvi are now chubby, full of personality, mobile (oh dear!) and so busy! Look at them at 6 months old:

Street and Livvi at 6 months.

The photo of the Twins layout I used for this post is pretty sad. Sorry! Before I turned all of the projects in to Close To My Heart I meant to  photograph them well for my records and it just didn't happen with this one. I am not sure how I let that slip.  Hopefully you can see well enough. You can also see this layout on page 17, using pattern #6, in Make It From Your Heart volume 1.  This awesome publication is only $7.95 and is filled to the brim with sixteen two-page layout patterns, two one-page layout patterns, and twelve card patterns...not to mention beautiful artwork.  It's a must have for sure!

I used a couple of different paper packs for this layout.  I used papers from the Avonlea Kit and from the Pear and Partridge Kit.  You may have noticed that I even used the "genealogy paper" from the Avonlea Kit as the bases for my pages. I love the subtle background on this paper. I also  used several different colors of cardstock:  Whisper (new color), Sorbet, Cocoa and Colonial White.  I used buttons from our Blue Button Collection and threaded them with Chocolate Waxy Flax.  I spelled the word 'twins' by using our Dimensional Elements Monograms. I sponged them with Cocoa Ink and then used my Colonial White Stamp Pad to stamp the music notes from the Universal Backgrounds Stamp Set on them.  I also sponged the edges of all of the papers on the layout with Cocoa Ink.

I recommend the new, very affordable Make it From Your Heart publication. It is filled with fresh new patterns for layouts and cards!

A Free Damask Bag and a Damask Stamp Set to Match

I just had to post today to remind you that you have 4 more days to take advantage of 2 August specials (#'s 1 and 2 below) with Close To My Heart. I also thought I'd reminder you of the September National Stamping Month Special (#3 below) that CTMH began early on August 15.

That's lots to celebrate, don't you think? Speaking of celebrating, we have been celebrating around my house since last Thursday. Tannon got home from his mission (see the last few posts), Kori, Rick and their kiddos are here for a few weeks, Easton and Daysha came up to spend some time with us, we took family photos (can't wait to see them!), we had Tannon's Welcome Home Open House on Sunday (hundreds came!) and yesterday was my birthday (39 again).  Dan fixed all of us a beautiful dinner.  He asked me earlier this week if I could pick anything I wanted for my birthday, what would it be. I quickly answered. I just want you to be patient and not complain during family photos (is that something you would love from your husbands too?) and pamper me all day on my birthday.  I am exhausted from all of this celebrating. He came through with flying colors!  Thank you, Dan-the-Man!

My grandkids (Daci, Livvi and Street) and I.  They all came for my birthday dinner last night.

 With all of our celebrating, I find it quite appropriate that there is so much to celebrate and take advantage of with CTMH in the next few days. Here we go....

1.  "It's In The Bag!":  When you sign up to be a Close To My Heart Consultant in August (for as little as a $49 kit...which includes over $130 in product!), you will receive a FREE Damask Tote Bag (retail value of $50) while supplies last. This handy, attractive tote with the Close To My Heart logo lets everyone know you are a CTMH Independent Consultant--with class and style! Choose the $49 New Consultant Essentials Kit or the $99 Master Kit which includes more supplies and tools and CTMH will send you a tote bag free--only in August and only while supplies last. Sign up on my website here. I would LOVE to have you join my team this month! I'm committed to helping you reach your goals!

By the way, hurry quickly. When these bags are gone, they are gone.  The stock is getting low (less than 18% left as of yesterday) so if you are contemplating signing up, you will want to do it right away so you don't miss out!

2. August Stamp of the Month:  If you are a damask lover like me, you will NEED this set. I had fun creating several things with it the other day (which I will be sharing throughout the month) and love how it stamps up!  This set is available only during the month of August and is only $5 with a $50 (before shipping and tax) order.  If you are ordering on my website, you will be prompted to add this gorgeous set before you check out.  Lovin' it!

Here is the awesome stamp set (the actual size of the carrier sheet is 6" x 6"):

The 4" x 4" card you see at the top of the post was made using this set. I embossed the stamp you see in the lower bottom corner  of the carrier sheet above with my Versamark Pad and Black Embossing Powder on one of our Dimensional Elements Hearts.  I then opened my Cotton Candy Pad and rubbed the heart with it.  The Musical Background you see was stamped on White Daisy Cardstock with our Black Archival Pad. This stamp comes from one of my all time favorite stamp sets, "Universal Backgrounds". It's a must-have.  I added a Black Gingham Bow and Sponged the edges of the note background piece with my trusty Cotton Candy Pad. The sentiment piece is stamped with one of the awesome stamps in the "A Little Thanks" stamp set.  To top it off, I added a couple of Clear Sparkles and then mounted everything on a 4" x 4" Black Cardstock Card. Voila!  There you have it, a perfect gift card!

While we're at it, let me remind you about the National Scrapbooking Month special:

3.  September is National Stamping Month and as usual, Close To My Heart started the celebration a little early.  They are celebrating by offering you this gorgeous double stamp set (value of $35.90) for only $5 with a $35 purchase (Before shipping and tax. Clearance items don't apply). Start shopping on my website. You'll be prompted to add this stamp set (and the awesome August Stamp of the Month if you spend $50..this set is valued at $17.95) for only $5 before you check out.

Have a great day, everyone!  I'm off to a fun day of shopping and lunch with my sweet daughter, Kori. She is in town for a few more weeks and wanted to take me out to a fun day to celebrate my birthday.

He's Home

He's home. We are just a little bit excited. The pictures say it all.  The only pic that we didn't get that I am so sad about was his hug with his Dad. I don't know how we missed it and Dan would never ASK to have his picture taken. No way.  In fact, he is usually the one trying to figure out how NOT to have his picture taken.  When I downloaded these I realized he really succeeded. Darn! The photo of the group has everyone in it that went to the airport to meet Tannon on his return except for Kori, who was taking the picture.  That's all the writing I'm doing today. I have 2 years worth of catching up to do with my boy.

Please forgive the horrible pictures. The lighting in the airport is NOT conducive to good picture taking.  We all look more than a little yellow. Oh well.

Kori and I waiting and waiting and waiting for that plane to land.

All of us waiting (except for Kori, who was taking the photo). l-r: Cousin Paige, Aunt Cindy, Me (the mamma!), Dawson (brother), Uncle Steve, Rick (Kori's hubby), Daci (Kori's daughter), Aunt Gaylyne, Dan-the-Man (the papi), Grandma O, Grandpa P, Grandpa O and in front: Cousin Griffin.

Coming down the escalator.  At this point my heart was pounding out of my chest. I did at least wait for him to reach the bottom of the stairs before I ran in for the hug.

The first T-Man hug in 2 years

Trying not to do the ugly cry

Bros:  Tannon and Dawson

Daci, Kori, Tannon and Rick (the twins were with Rick's parents asleep)

Tannon and Jacob, best friends since 4th grade

Since Easton and Daysha couldn't make the 3 hour trip until Sunday (Easton has football and Daysha is performing), we face-timed the return with them instead.

Today is the Day!

Tannon, age 19...just before he left for his mission

Today is the day!  After 2 years serving a mission for our church in Malaga, Spain, our son, Tannon Dane Pedersen is returning.  We have missed him so much but are so proud of him and the choice he made to serve the Lord and put aside everything else in his life for 2 years.  I can hardly wait to wrap my arms around this boy for my first Tan-Man hug in a very long time. I can't wait to cook him dinner and have him tell me how much he appreciates it (he's my best at that). I can't wait to hear him walking through the house singing High School Musical and Backstreet Boys songs (yes, he loves both of them!). I can't wait to see him make his silly faces, or to hear his jokes. He fills our home with energy and hilarity!  I'm so glad we get him for several weeks before he heads out to school.

I have been running to and from my computer all morning watching the Delta tracker.  His plane is over the Atlantic right now but landing in NYC in about an hour!  Tonight, when he lands in Salt Lake City and gets off the plane cannot come quickly enough for me. I have been sitting here all morning switching between the Delta tracker and all of my photos of him growing up. Here are a few that made me cry:

approx. 8 months

first grade

6 years old

9th grade

9th grade

Junior year

Okay, enough of this. I do need to go mop the floor and vacuum and make some of his favorite cookies. Have a great day, everyone! I have no doubt that I will!

Real Men Wear Pink Layout and Make It From Your Heart

Several months ago I was asked to create some artwork for the new publication called "Make It From Your Heart."  I was honored, and I admit, more than a little bit stressed about the project. I knew what I made would be going into a Close To My Heart how-to publication and I wanted to be sure my art was CTMH publication worthy. I was honored that four of my layouts (pgs. 17 {Twins}, 19 {both the Soulmates and Real Men Wear Pink layout}, and 31 {My Children...and no, that's not my family. I just made the layout}) as well as four of my cards (all 4 on pgs. 44-45) were chosen for the book.

I thought I'd begin sharing that artwork here on my blog a little at a time. Today I chose the "Real Men Wear Pink" layout because TOMORROW is the day that this son, Tannon comes home from his 2 year mission for our church to Spain. I haven't seen this kid in 2 whole years and am so excited to meet  him at the airport tomorrow and smother him with hugs.  I woke up this morning, got out of bed, and immediately began singing "Tomorrow" from Annie at the top of my lungs...much to Dan and Dawson's dismay (Sidenote: These dudes are not morning people. I am.).  I didn't even feel bad. Nope, not one little bit.

I didn't realize when I photographed this layout (top photo) that there was a bit of a glare on some of the tags.  These detail shots should fix that so you can read them. Feel free to click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail. And don't worry, there is no glare on them in the "Make It From Your Heart" book.  CTMH's photographers are much better than mine (i.e. me).

Back to the publication, you know, that "Make It From Your Heart" publication I've been talking about. This little dandy can be  yours for only $7.95.  It includes 16 two-page layout patterns, 4 one-page layout patterns, and 12 card patterns.  That's 32 patterns for only $7.95, which comes down to only .25 per pattern.  What a bargain.  You can order it on my website here.

Be sure to check out my last post to see how you can get a $40 shopping spree from me!  Hurry because this offer ends at midnight on Saturday (Aug. 25).  Have a great day. I'm off to clean my house and sing "Tomorrow" some more.

Win a $40 Shopping Spree + Artwork from the new Artiste Cricut Collection

One of my very favorite new items in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book is the Close To My Heart/Cricut Artiste Collection Cartridge and coordinating stamp sets and chipboard pieces.  I am in love, love, love!

CTMH/Cricut Artiste Collection

How would YOU like to purchase this collection and have a one in three chance at a $40 shopping spree for FREE + any item in the catalog at half-price?  Not too shabby!


Here's how it works:

• Call or email me with your order for the Cricut Artiste Collection (only $99 for a value of over $130 worth of products). You cannot take advantage of this special by ordering on my website or by putting it on your Play Group order. It has to be a separate order you place by calling or emailing me.  Deadline is Saturday, August 25 at 5 pm MST. That only gives you 5 days. Vie me a call or email me right away (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com)

•  I will enter your name in a drawing. For every three collections purchased I will draw one of the tickets and that lucky ticket will get a $40 shopping spree of items in the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book as well as any 1 item of their choice in the Idea Book at half price.

•  I will be drawing for my prize winners on Monday, August 27 and will announce the winners here on my blog that day.

"Why?" you may ask, "Why would you offer this deal?"  The answer is because I love the fact that I can!  I want you, my valued customers, to have a chance at some of the brand new items in the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book that just came out for FREE, while getting one of my favorite items, the new Artiste Collection at the same time.  Once you have it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!
 
Now let me give you a few more details about this awesome cartridge and collection. The Cricut^® Artiste cartridge includes 700 images that help you create themed projects, interactive cards, 3-D items, party ensembles and more! Did you know that most cartridges only have 60-80 images and sell for approximately $40-60?  In addition to the 700 images, the cartridge comes with three exclusive stamp sets and three Dimensional Elements chipboard sheets designed to coordinate with cartridge images.

Just for fun, here are a few items I created with this cartridge:

Do you love the shape the "wedding kisses" words are centered on?  I used the "x" key with the Accent 4 button to create this shape.

How about these place cards?  The card, and the placket were created using the "2" key and the Card and Accent 2 butons.

The card and envelope for this wedding dinner invitation were made using the "x" key and the Card button.

Here is a sampling of the keypad options. Feel free to click on any of them to see them larger and in more detail.

Every Day Life Scrapbooking Inspiration Video

Yesterday I shared the awesome double stamp set ($35.90 value...yours for only $5 with a $35 order) that Close To My Heart has created to celebrate National Stamping Month.  Check out that post here.  Today, I thought I'd share a video that is full of fun and inspiration of ways to use this set.  Enjoy!

Double Stamp Set for $5 with Close To My Heart, a Layout and a Thank You Card

Layout made by Brenda Rose

September is National Stamping Month and as usual, Close To My Heart started the celebration a little early.  They are celebrating by offering you this gorgeous double stamp set (value of $35.90) for only $5 with a $35 purchase (Before shipping and tax. Clearance items don't apply). Start shopping on my website. You'll be prompted to add this stamp set (and the awesome August Stamp of the Month if you spend $50..this set is valued at $17.95) for only $5 before you check out.

My uber-talented friend, Brenda Rose made the dynamite layout you see at the top of the post using the stamp set and graciously allowed me to share it with you here on my blog today. Be sure to click on her name to browse her wonderful blog too. Feel free to click on the photo to see the layout larger and in more detail. Trust me, you'll want to see every little detail.  This layout is FABULOUS...with a capital everything!

How stinking cute is the National Stamping Month double set? Each carrier sheet is 6" x 6" in size.

And, not to be forgotten, here is the wonderful August Stamp of the Month set that can be  yours for only $5 ($17.95 value) with a $50 order (Before shipping and tax. Clearance items don't apply.).  Think about it, spend $50 and qualify for both sets at $5. That's spending $60 and getting $103.85 in products.  Not too shabby!

August Stamp of the Month - Baroque Borders.  Actual size of carrier sheet is 6" x 6".

Here is a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card I made with this set. I used the August Stamp of the Month and A Little Thanks stamp sets.  I embossed everything with my Versamark Pad and White Daisy Embossing Powder on Black Cardstock.  I rubbed one of my Heart Dimensional Elements with my Cotton Candy Stamp Pad to color it and then topped that off with one of our Clear Sparkles. A little bit of Black Gingham Ribbon (currently on clearance!) was the perfect finishing touch. I mounted everything on one of our White Daisy Cards (come with envelopes...great deal!).  I really like how it turned out.

Have a great day! Oh, and if you are looking for some more great bargains, check out yesterday's post!