Specials and Special Times

Ummm, HELLO! Where did the time go? How did I let a whole 9 days pass since my last post? I think the answer to that is that in those 9 days, we did the following:

• Kori and Rick and their 3 kiddos came into town from Chicago to be here for Dawson's farewell
• We threw a big baby shower for our Daysha
• Dawson gave his farewell talk at church (and Daysha sang a beautiful song as well)
• We had about 200 people come over for dinner afterward
• I taught 2 scrapbooking classes
• We organized and threw a big luau fund raiser for our youth at church (thank heavens I wasn't in charge of that, just part of the planning and execution)

So, now that I've given you my list of excuses, maybe I should share something fun.  Look out, this post is pretty darn photo heavy since I'm going to share some photos from a few of the events above, as well as some photos and artwork for this month's special with Close To My Heart.

First, let me refer to the photo at the beginning of the post. I made this 6" x 6" card using the beautiful June Stamp of the Month:  A Flowering Bunch.  For every $50 you spend in June, you can one of these sets for only $5 ($17.95 value).

June Stamp of the Month:  A Flowering Bunch (actual size of carrier sheet is 6" x 6")

Detail shot of card.  I did a little paper piecing on the flower and leaves.  After coloring them in with colored pencils, I added some Stardust Glitz Glimmer Gel on top.  I'm kind of like a raccoon that way. I love anything sparkly! Ink and paper colors are Whisper, Black and White Daisy.

Don't forget that there are 3 other specials going right now as well.  You can read about them here. 2 of the 3 specials benefit very worthy causes (the Thank You stamp {only $2.95, order #M1029} gives 100% of it's profits to the Red Cross relief efforts in Oklahoma and the Patriotic sets benefit our armed forces) and all of that can count toward getting a FREE chipboard banner in the third special: Make it a Banner Day! Again, read about all of them here. You can take advantage of all of the special on my website. If you are confused about any of the specials, just click on "Promotions" while you're there for a quick recap.

Now that we've gotten all of the dealios taken care of, if you're still with me, I wanted to share some of my fun activities this week:

Baby Shower Pics. The theme was "Daysha's Little Cupcake":

We took this before the shower. This is Daysha will her family (sisters, aunt, cousin, mom, mother-in-law {that's me} and sister-in-law {Kori}). Everyone here helped with the shower although it was thrown by Kori.  What a great bunch! We TOTALLY forgot to take pics of everyone who attended. There were TONS!

Kori and Daysha. I love my girls!

Kori, Easton and Daysha (the proud parents to be!)

Kori made her very first quilt for this little cupcake. We can't wait to meet her!

The treat table

Cupcakes galore...all made by Kori!

And cakes and cake pops too!

Pictures from Dawson's Farewell Party:

We had people wall to wall, all over the yard at tables and on blankets, and some even found their own spots in the shade. Fun was had by all!

The line to the food. It went out the door and down the street. Craziness!

People having fun in line.

My mom and grandma. Aren't they beautiful.  My grandma (left) is 94 years old!

Dawson getting a hug from his Grandpa Pedersen (Dan the Man's dad)

A little shade. Yay!

Eating in the shade

Daci found her own shade...under a table!

There are SO many more pics of the party and all of the people who came out to show their love for Dawson before he leaves on the 19th for his 2 year church mission to Australia. We are so very grateful.  I thought I'd spare you ALL of the photos! :)

Family Photos:
Lastly, after everyone left, we went down to the duck ponds and took a few family pics. These are just quickies we took on our phones.  The rest we just set up our camera on a tripod with a timer. We haven't had time to edit those yet I thought I'd share a few phone ones anyway...

The Boys

Dan the Man and I

Kori, Me, Daysha

Me, trying to show everyone where to stand. I'm good at giving orders.

The whole fam

Kori and Rick

My kiddos: Tannon, Dawson, Kori and Easton

Rick, Kori, Livvi, Street and Daci

June Specials with Close To My Heart

Card I created using the June Stamp of the Month (see #2 below for details and products used list)

Whew! May went by in a rush for me.  June is already here, and with it so many exciting specials with CTMH. I must admit, I'm a bit excited about a couple of other things in June as well...one of which is the fact that our daughter, her hubby and their 3 beautiful children arrive today for a visit!  YIPEEEEEE skipeeee!  I have lots to do before they get here this afternoon!  

So, without further ado, I'll share the June specials with you so I can go get all of the food ready for our cookout today and Dan the Man's birthday dinner tomorrow. 

I hope you'll take the time to read the whole post today. It's full of great deals and opportunities to help worthy causes!  There's a quick "sum it all up" after the explanations for the 4 specials at the end of the post in blue.

Here's what's happening in June with CTMH (note that if you participate in #3 and #4, your purchases support donations to worthy causes):
1.  It's a Banner Month!
2.  June Stamp of the Month
3.  Military Stamp Sets: Get Patriotic...Stamp Style!
4.  "Thank You" Continues to Support Oklahoma
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1.  It's a Banner Month!:  In June, Receive a free My Creations^® mini banner! Make it a “banner” day by placing a $25 order that includes a stamp set* to receive your free mini banner. The mini banner includes 10 chipboard pennants in 4 different shapes with 9 jump rings for hanging. Use the mini banner as a decoration for your parties and get-togethers this summer for many “banner” days!

*qualifying stamp sets are sets that have a SKU number that begins with A, B, C, D or E.  M and K stamps are not included. 

If you are shopping on my website and place an order of $25 or more (in which an A, B, C, D or E stamp set is included) this banner will automatically be added to your order.

 Before running straight to my website to take advantage of this special, keep reading. There are a few more you'll want to add!

2.  June Stamp of the Month:  I love this Summery stamp set and it's perfect for getting creative. You'll notice that the background to the card I created at the top of the post was made by stamping one of the outline stamps randomly in Whisper.  I also only added a pop of color by coloring the center of the flower with our awesome Alcohol-Based Markers.  I wanted to show you that you can stay simple with this set even though it is a lined stamp set, or you can get really creative and color everything in (watch for more examples of that here on my blog as the month continues).

Here's the set. It's only $5 ($17.95 value) with a $50 purchase. And, if you are already taking part in the "Banner Month" special above, you are half way there!  But, never fear...check out #3 and #4 below and they will help you easily get to that $50 mark (AND the money you spend on them will also be donated to some worth charities!). If you are ordering on my website, and spend the $50 (before shipping and tax), you'll be prompted to add this set before you check out for only $5.

JUNE STAMP OF THE MONTH:  A Flowering Bunch (carrier sheet actual size is 6" x 6")

CTMH Products used on the card made with the June Stamp of the Month at the Top of the Post:  June Stamp of the Month, Black Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, Whisper Cardstock, Sky Cardstock, Whisper Stamp Pad, Black Stamp Pad, Sky Exclusive Marker Duo, Slate Polka Dot Washi Tape, Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel.

3.  Military Stamp Sets:  Let’s Get Patriotic—Stamp Style!

 

Celebrate military service and promote patriotism with our new patriotic stamp sets—available only from June 1 to July 31, 2013. Three dollars from each B-size My Acrylix^® Courage stamp set and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix^® Home of the Brave stamp set will be donated to the USO, the leading, most recognized military-support and services organization in the country. Show your support with your own patriotic stamp set!

With Flag Day, Independence Day, Pioneer Day (here in Utah), and more right around the corner, now is the perfect time to celebrate military service and promote patriotism with these three new patriotic stamp sets.





Order them easily on my website with the following numbers (left to right): Home of the Brave (D1576), Strong and Free (Canada set, D1575) and Courage (B1437). 



4.  "Thank You" Continues to Support Oklahoma: If last week's tornadoes in Oklahoma weren't enough devastation, there were more last night! What? Crazy old Mother Nature!  My prayers are going out to all of the people of Oklahoma and their families. I have several team members living in the areas of devastation and have been communicating with them to make sure they are okay. I also lived in Oklahoma for a few years as a little girl, so watching this really hits close to home.

Close To My Heart has created a way to help! They are donating all profits from the sale of this brand, new stamp to the Red Cross Efforts toward the Oklahoma tornadoes through June 30.

This stamp is just $2.95, and you can easily order it here.  I love that price point because it allows you to order one for yourself and extra for your friends.  All the while knowing that you are helping the people in this storm-torn area.

So you see, as great as the National Scrapbooking Month specials were in May, CTMH made sure that June didn't come along and pale in comparison!  I love being  part of a company that cares so much for others!

What's the moral of this post today? Spend $50 (including one A-E stamp set), get the FREE My Creations Banner ($5.95 value), get the June Stamp of the Month for $5 ($17.95 value), add a Patriotic Stamp set or two to your order as well as the Thank You for Oklahoma (both of which can count toward your $50) and you will enjoy doing the following:

• Helping our troops with the donations made from your Patriotic stamp set purchases
• Helping Oklahoma with your Thank You purchase
• Getting over $73.90 in products for only $55

Have a great June! I plan to!

 

Today is the LAST DAY!

TODAY is the LAST DAY to order the May Stamp of the Month, the "Dream Pop" exclusive paper pack (see both specials here), and don't forget to order your "Thank You" stamp set for just $2.95 (with all profits going to benefit the Red Cross efforts for the Oklahoma Tornado. See that here ).

Here's the easiest way to get ALL THREE specials on just one order at the best price and biggest savings for you:

-Go to my website

-Click the 'shop' link

-Click the 'Special Promotions' tab and add the Tornado stamp set to your order.
-Order at least $37.05 more in products of choice (this will qualify you for the Dream Pop papers at only $10 and the May Stamp of the Month at only $5)

-This will bring up a pop-up box for the National Scrapbook Month special (Dream Pop papers) to add to your order

-This will bring up another pop-up box to add the May Pinwheel Stamp of the Month set to your order

BONUS FROM KAREN: Anyone who does this today, before the papers are gone, will receive a FREE full-color Dream Pop workshop guide (featuring the May Stamp of the Month) in the mail from me. 

 

Here are photos of the May specials:

Dream Pop Paper Pack

May Stamp of the Month

You can actually get this stamp set and have it help the efforts for Oklahoma through June, but you might as well let it help toward your Dream Pop and May Stamp of the Month qualfying purchase!

 

 

 

Help for Oklahoma and Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!  More on that in a minute...

First I wanted to say that I am so proud to represent a Close To My Heart, a company who cares about not only it's own consultants and customers, but for people in general. I have watched them step forward to help in Red Cross relief efforts with hurricanes, tsunamis, and now tornadoes. 

One hundred percent of profits from sales of this little single stamp set, "A True Thank You" (from May 23 to June 30) will be donated to the American Red Cross to aid tornado victims in Oklahoma. Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:  2" × 2" (Y1003).


You can order this set on my website with order #M1029. It's only $2.95. Snap up a few!  They are great little gifts!

And, while we're talking about caring about other people... back that HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY thought at the beginning of my post. Thank you to ALL those who have served our country and their families!  Special thanks today to my brother in law, Scott. Scott is on his 2nd one-year deployment in the last several years.  I have watched first hand his love for his country and the sacrifice it is for him (and his family) to leave for extended periods of time to protect our freedoms and leave a wife and 3 children at home without him.

April Stamp of the Month 5.5" x 4.25" Card

Here is yet another card I made with the beautiful April Stamp of the Month from Close To My Heart. Remember that, as always, you can click on any image in my post to see it larger and in more detail.

You can see how to make the patterned paper I stamped for the background of this card here. I really had fun with this stamp set and you can still order yours through April 30 only. You can get it at a discount or even FREE! Here's how:

• earn it FREE when you spend $100 or more (before shipping and tax)
• earn it for 75% off ($5.74) when you spend $75 or more (before shipping and tax)
• earn it for 50% off ($11.74) when you spend $50 or more (before shipping and tax)
• earn it for 25% off ($17.21) when you spend $25 or more (before shipping and tax)
• purchase it for full retail price ($22.95)

Just head to my website and if you want to purchase the stamp set for full price, enter item number D1455. If you are ordering other things and will earn it at a discount or free, you will be prompted to add it before you check out.

A few little reminders about other great Close To My Heart April specials:

1. Lovin' Level 1: During April, when you place an order of $100 on my website, you’ll receive one My Reflections^® Level 1 kit ($9.95 value) of your choice FREE. Choose from several popular Level 1 kits. You’ll also qualify for a free April Stamp of the Month ($22.95 value) set! Now that’s a deal. Start shopping on my website here.

2. Sparkle with Studio J Special: This April, it’s time to let your Studio J^® layouts shine with this exclusive, members-only campaign! Studio J members get free bling when they buy 10 layouts this month. Bling it up and bling it on with FREE packages (one of each) self-adhesive Sparkles and Opaques Pearl gems! Click here to start with Studio J.

3. Hope For Japan Stamp Set: This set is only available through April 30. 100% of the proceeds earned from this set go straight to the American Cross efforts in Japan. And....it's ONLY $5! Just enter item A1118.