Creative Blogger Award

I was honored and surprised to receive a message from the talented, Becca Whitman letting me know she would like to nominate me for the Creative Blogger Award.  Becca does beautiful work. Check out her blog.
The Creative Blogger Award is an invitation to join a blog hop where you answer four questions about your creative process.  As you take the tour, I hope it introduces you to some new bloggers.  The list below of previous nominees is pretty inspiring. 


Becca Whitman Hansi Brittain Marie Flayer Jody Gustafson Amy Moore Karen Day Brenda Rose Vicki Wizniuk Kelly Janes Amie Kiger Katy Donaldson Taylor
Now for the questions...

What am I currently working on? I am currently working on some cards for my team. 

 

 

In my Close To My Heart business (I am a Senior Executive Director), I make cards for team members every month. I send cards to the top 3 sellers in my 1st team, 2nd team, 3rd team and 4th team. I also send cards to anyone who sells $1000 or more that month, anyone on my 1st team who promotes, and to the top recruiter on my 1st team.  That usually translates into a lot of cards, but I love doing it!  As I am making the cards I am thinking about the Consultants on my team and how grateful I am for each of them and what they add to my life.  The cards are usually made with the upcoming Stamp of the Month, so the ones I am working on right now are being made with the darling December Stamp of the Month (Cutie Pie).  This photo is a sneak peek of that set. You'll be able to see this project and many more made with this set on my blog in December. Stop back by!

 

How does my work differ from others in its genre?  I've been asked this question before and it's a tough one!  It's hard to be objective about your own work. I'm not really sure how I differ, but I can say some things I really like and try to bring into my work:

• bold titles on my layouts
• something that really catches your eye and makes my page/card unique
• when scrapbooking, I try to make the photos the centerpiece and to embellish and decorate my pages in a way that enhances the photos, but doesn't take away from them.
• I love fun and different color combos 
• I also love monochromatic projects.
• I LOOOOOOOVE embossing. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the oreos on this card were embossed to look like real cookies.

 

Why do I create what I do?   First of all, I LOVE to be creative. I love the whole process of thinking of color combos, deciding how to lay things out, and how to embellish. I even love the process of journaling and putting life and memories to the artwork I've created.  All of that is true and part of why I create, but the BIGGEST reason is that I love my family. I want to beautifully preserve the memories and experiences we have shared for not only them, but generations to come. Long after I'm gone I hope that people will look at my books and learn about my family and me.

 

How does my creative process work?  That's another hard question! I am not sure.  Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and think of an idea. Other times I look at a photo and a color combo will pop into my head.  Other times I see a throw pillow or fabric at a home decor store and just know I want to bring that feeling to a card or scrapbook page.  I guess my creative process works by living life. I am always inspired by colors, textures and design I see in nature, in home design stores and magazines, or in fashion. I love the beauty that this world holds and get so excited to try to bring that beauty into my own creations.  Several years ago, I made a scrapbook page that was wholly inspired by a gift bag I had.

 

This project was inpspired by some wrapping paper I saw that was full of lines and arrows and words in bold fonts. I incorporated all of those qualities into this Autumn Layout.

 

 

 

Now that I've shared a little about me, it's time for me to nominate another blogger.  It is my great pleasure to announce that Paige Doleki has agreed to be the next stop on your tour. 

 

 

Beautiful Blogger

Thanks so much to Lori at Organized Chaos for giving me the "Beautiful Blogger" award. I am honored that she enjoys my blog. After checkign it out this morning, I can say that hers is pretty awesome, too!

Here is how this award works:

• Say thanks to the one who sent it to you (I did that above).
• Tell us 7 things about you (see below).
  
• Pass it to 15 followers/friends (see below).

I am going to cheat and only send it to 5 of my favorite bloggers. I hope this doesn't get me put in jail or anything. :)

Seven things about me (I'm trying to think of things I have never mentioned on my blog before, things you probably don't already know about me)
1. I was Mrs. Utah 1995
2. I got married at 18 (gasp!) and everyone told me that it would never last. Here we are 2 short months shy of 25 years, and still going strong.
3. After everyone told me it would never last, they ALL said it over and over again when we got pregnant 3 months after we got married.
4. Our first wedding anniversary was spent at a nice restaurant with me sitting so far from the table (thanks to my VERY large, pregnant tummy) that I spilled everything on my stomach trying to get it from the table to my mouth!
5. My most embarrassing moment: Once a date took me swimming. As I was climbing the ladder out of the pool, with him behind me, he said, "Karen, you have a hole in the back of your swimsuit." Okay, embarrassing enough. I went to the restroom to check and noticed that it was more than a hole. The back end of my swimsuit had come unstitched and my whole rear end was exposed! OH MY! I'm glad I can laugh about it now.
6. I have lived in 9 different states (West Virginia, Utah, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Colorado, New Mexico, Kentucky, Idaho, California).
7. I like to fold laundry. I know, weird!

I am passing this award on to the following 5 bloggers:
*Kori at Streebor (my daughter): LOVE your blog, my dear! I love seeing all of the darling pics of Daci any time I want. When you guys move this summer, I will depend on this blog even more. I refuse to cry as I'm writing this!
*Cheryl at CherylJuneGirl. Her art continually inspires me. As if that weren't enough, she is one of those people you just KNOW is wonderful without even having to meet her. It shines through in the words she shares on her blog.
*Shari at Shari Froemming's Blog: Thanks for being a wonderful friend, organization guru, and all around great person. LOVE YOU, girlfriend!
*Tracey at Tracey Mason's Studio: My good buddy! Your art and photography continually amaze me. And as much as I love ya, you have to know that JACOB beats Edward hands down, every time! Thanks for your friendship and sense of humor.
*Carma at Stamp with Heart: Carma is one of my wonderful downline with Close To My Heart. She is also a dear friend. Carma, I'm so proud of the great things you are doing with your business!

Thanks again, Lori! I am excited to begin following your awesome blog!

One Word Answers

Thanks to my sweet friend, Jennifer Bonhart for awarding me this fun prize. Jennifer, you rock!

I choose to pass this award on to six of my favorite bloggers:
1. Kori
2. Lynette
3. Nicole
4. Susann
5. Jill
6. Sue

The Rules are:
1. You can only use ONE word for each answer.
2. Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers!
3. Alert them that you have given them this award!
4. HAVE FUN!!!

1. Where is your cell phone? downstairs
2. Your hair? hat
3. Your mother? Grandma's
4. Your father? game
5. Your favorite food? Mexican
6. Your dream last night? sad
7. Your favorite drink? water
8. Your dream/goal? eternitywithfamily (come on! That's only one word, right?)
9. What room are you in? office
10. Your hobby scrappin'
11. Your fear? snakes
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
13. Where were you last night? game
14. Something that you aren't? anorexic
15. Muffins? poppyseed
16. Wish list item? shutters
17. Where did you grow up? South Carolina
18. Last thing you did? cards
19. What are you wearing? sweats
20. Your TV? on
21. Your Pets? Tarje'
22. Friends? yes
23. Your life? awesome!
24. Your mood? content
25. Missing Someone? Easton
26. vehicle? Civic
27. Something your not wearing? makeup
28. Your favorite store? Nordy's
29. Your favorite color? red
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? yesterday
32. Your best friend? Dan-o
33. One place that I go to over and over? church
34. One person who emails me regularly? Kori
35. Favorite place to eat? home

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!

THANK YOU!

Thank you to Laurel and Jennifer. I am always excited when someone thinks my blog deserves an award. The Idyllhours Blog Award is the BFF Award (Blogger's Favorite Friend).

The rules of this award are:
*accept the award by commenting on the blog of the person that gave it to you
*pass it on to five others
*reveal 5 things you enjoy doing

The five people I have chosen to award this BFF to are:
Lucia
Jill
Lynette
Bren
Tracey

5 Things I Enjoy Doing:
*Watching my boys play ball
*Tending my little granddaughter, Daci
*Scrappin' and Stampin'
*Movie nights with Dan the Man
*Reading a good book while cuddling in my favorite blankie

Many Thanks!

Mucho Thanks! Since receiving the "One Lovely Blog" award on June 14, I have also received the award from Scrapbooking Mom of Three, Melissa, Melanie and Melissa. WOW! I am so honored that so many people enjoy my blog. Thanks, ladies!

I passed on my award to 1o people in my June 14 post, so be sure to check out that post and visit their awesome blogs.

Happy Day!

Thank you, Kim!

Thanks to Kim over at memoriesinthyme.blogspot. com for awarding me this "One Lovely Blog" award. I proudly accept and will now pass it on.

The rules for this one are:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. (I hope it's OK that I only awarded 10. I just received and passed on several blog awards in the past couple of weeks).

Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are my choices (in no particular order):
1. Kori (www.streebor.blogspot.com)
2. Carly (www.carlyskitchen.blogspot.com)
3. Kim (www.kimberjepperson.blogspot.com)
4. Jennifer (www.thecraftingdivainme.blogspot.com)
5. Helen (www.hookedonstamping.com)
6. Lucia (www.luciasscrappinandstampin.blogspot.com)
7. Kelly (www.kjsstamppad.blogspot.com)
8. Tina (www.missgingerdots.blogspot.com)
9. Amy (www.amylizschultz.blogspot.com)
10. Bren (www.theinspirationinstitute.com)

Thank you, thank you!

Thank you to Jamie Harder for my very first blog awards. I woke up this morning and there was a message from Jamie letting me know that she had presented me with both of these awards. I will first explain the 2 awards and then list who I have chosen to pass the awards on to after the descriptions. There are so many of you who deserve these awards that choosing was hard, but I hope you will enjoy visiting the blogs of those I have chosen. Thanks to ALL of you who visit my blog and help to make it a success!

The Friend Award comes with the following description to be added and passed along. "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prices are cut, even more friendships are propogated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to 8 bloggers who much choose 8 more and include this cleverly-written text in the body of their award."

The Lemonade Stand Award.
The rules of this award
*comment on this blog
*cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog
*nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude
*link to your nominees within your blog post
*comment on their blogs to let them know they received the award
*link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation

Friend Award Recipients:
1. Happy Days (Amy). I love reading your fun and cheerful blog.
2. Oh Fiddlesticks (Jenny) You have the cutest sense of humor.
3. Streebor (Kori and Rick) I love reading about my daughter and her little family. Kori and Rick made us the most beautiful grandbaby ever.
4. Carly's Kitchen (Carly) You inspire me with your love of baking and the tasty and beautiful creations you make.
5. Happiness is a Choice (Roxanne) I love the way your brain works. I am always entertained and have cause to think and reflect after reading one of your posts.
6. My Fabulous Family (Kelli) I miss you since you moved and love keeping up with you and your family here.
7. Treasure Your Memories (Lynette) I'm so proud that you are one of my downline with Close To My Heart.
8. The Carter Clan (Wendy) As busy as our lives have become, I'm so happy that I can see your family bloom and grow on your blog.

Lemonade Stand Award Recipients:
1. Tracey Mason's Studio (Tracey) One of my best buds and sooooo talented.
2. I Love Ink (Mindy) I'm so proud you are one of my downline with Close To My Heart.
3. Wizard's Hangout (Vicki) I am always inspired by your artwork.
4. Fabulously Artsy (Tresa) I don't know if there is a more creative person on the face of the earth.
5. Rose Blossom Legacies (Brenda) Not only are you a beautiful artist, but your kindness and sensitivity come through on your blog.
6. Scrap Crazy Diva (Jaime) It's been so much fun to get to know you blogging lately!
7. Nona's Pearls of Wisdom (Nona) I have loved seeing into your heart through your blog.
8. Scrapbook Life (Amy) I was honored to serve on the Close To My Heart Advisory Board with you and am even more honored to call you 'friend.'
9. Miss GingerDots Blogspot (Tina) You are one of my CTMH heroes and a special friend too!
10. Stampin' All Day (Kelly) I am always inspired by your beautiful artwork.

Thanks again, Jamie for your kindess. I am honored! Check out all of these fun blogs, everyone. I know you will love them as much as I do.