I'm back!

I'm back! I'm finally back! After 2 1/2 hours on the phone today with my internet provider we FINALLY got things up and running. Whew. Who knew getting back online was going to be such a chore? Definitely not me. I'm so glad we were able to finally figure out the problems and here I sit at my beloved iMac typing away to all of you.

We are getting moved in and settled and Springville is already beginning to feel like home. Thank you, Springvillians, or Springvillites, or whatever you call yourselves, for the warm welcome. I'm not sure I have met this many nice people all in one place before in my life.

Two of my sweet friends, and members of my Close To My Heart team brightened my day a couple of days ago with some GORGEOUS roses and lilies and the sweetest card ever. Since I have not had 2 seconds to even THINK about creating, I thought I'd share their beautiful gift and card with you. Thank you, Lynette and Nicole for being who you are. I love you both so much and am so blessed to call you friends.

Please don't mind the 'stuff' in the background. Moving is a mess and there is 'stuff' everywhere. I think you can probably tell my priorities by what was sitting on my counter and what is on my wall. I got my big kitchen clock hung (that way I always know how many minutes until the next episode of American Idol...lol) and my candy jars are out so that I can grab a treat each time I walk past. What more does a girl really need?

My VERY Fun Weekend at Team Builders

Close To My Heart ROCKS! I know I say that all the time, and guess what: I MEAN it all the time.

I just spent the last several days at a wonderful conference called Team Builders. CTMH invited their leaders to come and give input and provide perspective as they proposed changes and enhancements in policies and procedures to make CTMH an even BETTER place to be. How awesome is that?

In addition to proposal meetings, Q&A sessions, business classes, and updates from the Executive Team of the company, we also did some creating, some serious eating and had some even more serious fun!

The first two photos here are of a beautiful clip pin that the CTMH Art Studio created for me. They actually created one for each of the 60 consultants there. Each pin was one-of-a-kind. I am so excited to pin in on a lapel, on a necklace, a hat, and so many other things. Stinkin' cute!:

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Here I am with two of my amazing Director downline, Pam on the left and Lynette in the middle. These two ladies are more than downline, they are dear friends that I love with all my heart!------------------
Here are two more cute friends: Monica and Jody. Monica is pregnant with #7 (I know! Unbelievable, right?). Jody is one of my 'forever roomies'.----------------

Another of my 'forever roomies,' beautiful Michelle with sweet Tracy

Thanks to my 'forever roomies', Jody and Michelle for making my stay as wonderful as every event I spend with them. Thanks to my two Director downline, Pam and Lynette for sharing this event with me and for being the awesome leaders that you are. Thanks to all of my CTMH friends, that are really my CTMH family for being so amazing. Thanks to CTMH (especially Jeanette!) for spoiling us rotten. Believe it or not, they didn't even charge a registration fee for this event. It was so important to them that the leaders were there to brainstorm and take part that they not only didn't charge a registration fee, but they showered us with free gifts and meals. We even had a private dinner at the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building with delicious food and a breath-taking view of the Salt Lake LDS Temple (see top photo for the group of ladies at my dinner table, and a few of the smaller photos below for the view). Unbelievable!

Sharryl and Jody enjoying the view at dinner:

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Tracy and Michelle doing the same:

Art and Soul, another Cruise, a Sack, a Dance, and I Love You, Lynette!

The new Art & Soul webisode (Cutting and Color Confidence) is up and running on my website...and it's a good-un! Check it out by clicking here. In 12 short minutes, among other things, you'll learn:

• how to add dimension to stamped images with your cutting knife (and how to make a cuter than cute non-Halloween layout using the Hooligans papers)
  
• how to cut your memory protectors to accomodate interactive page elements
• ideas for combining and using the delicious 8 new colors in the Summer Palette
• a little sneak peek into Magic (my new favorite toy!)

I also thought I'd share a beautiful card given to me by one of my downline, and bestest buddies, Lynette K. How this girl does it, I'll never know. She is such a wonderful and supportive wife to a husband who is battling (and I do mean BATTLING...he's a warrior!) cancer, an amazing mother to 4 very busy and involved kiddos, a outstanding business-woman with Close To My Heart, and one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I know. I did a little favor for Lynette and her family one day and she took the time to make this gorgeous card for me to say "Thanks." LOVE YOU, Lynette! I'm sending big virtual hugs and kisses your way!

Here is a photo of Lynette and I on one of the many Close To My Heart cruises we have earned together. This one was Alaska (Hmm. I wonder what lipstick I was wearing. I like it!). And, while I'm on the subject of cruises, I want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who attend my Play Group scrappin' classes, purchase through my website and/or who are on my CTMH Team. As of yesterday, it is official. I have now earned my 8th cruise with Close To My Heart (the Caribbean Epic Cruise). From Hawaii to Alaska, the Eastern to the Western Caribbean, and Mexico to the Mediterranean, I have been there...all thanks to a wonderful company that rewards their consultants generously. I have been so fortunate to be able to spend several cruises with my hubby, Dan-the-Man, take each of my children on their 'own' cruise, and take my whole family on an Alaskan cruise.

This layout is one I did after spending time in 2005 on a CTMH Eastern Caribbean cruise with my son, Tannon. The sand and water in St. Johns (US Virgin Islands) was A-MA-ZING! I've never seen anything like it. You can see this layout larger and in more detail if you click on the photo.

Oh, and last but not least, it's been a fun week with Dawson. He had a good game last week (see photo of his sack below...he's #10 - kickin' #4's trash), and plays again today. Have I ever mentioned how much we love football at our house? I guess I have a time or two.

Also, the Homecoming Dance is coming up in a few weeks. Dawson decided he wanted to ask a girl named Crystal. To ask her, he filled a mason jar with rice and we carefully printed his name on one of the grains of rice (that was a trick, let me tell you!). We put that little rice grain in with all the others and attached a poem and he rang her doorbell and ran. I'm such a dork because I forgot to take photos, but here is the poem we wrote:

Crystal,

A jar of rice
Is really nice.

But there is more to see
And that is the key.

It's kind of a game
So search for my name.

A magnifying glass
Will help with the task.

Homecoming with me?
I'm down on one knee.

Please say yes.
I won't settle for less.

FUN?
We'll be on that like white on rice!

Crystal called him a few hours later, after digging through that rice and finding his name, to tell him he was a geek, good naturedly (is that a word?) of course. Yes, we are geeks, but we have lots of geek fun!

Have a great day! I plan to!

Thank You, Lynette!

My sweet friend and downline with Close To My Heart, Lynette brought this 5" x 7" card by the other day. Isn't it gorgeous! She is super-talented and has added so much to my life through her example of never-ending energy, enthusiasm, and a standard of excellence in everything she does. You can visit Lynette's blog here.

I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and creativity of others this week! Thank you to the dozens of you who have left cards and gifts on my doorstep, sent beautiful cards that have arrived in my mailbox, or who have emailed me heartfelt greetings. I thought for the next couple of days I would share a just a few of the hand made cards and items that have come my way.

Close To My Heart products used: Heartfelt Christmas Stamp Set (C1378), Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7115B), Juniper Stamp Pad (Z2165), Tulip Marker (Z2366), Black Legacy Writers (4275), Designer Ribbon Rounds Cranberry Collection (Z1209), Pretty Pins (Z1148), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Adhesive Backed Pearls (no longer available)

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially when you are inspired by the kindness of others.

Lynette, you rock! I love ya, girlfriend!