I'm back!

No, not back in Utah, Silly...just back to bloggin'! I really planned to blog in Washington, DC and even brought my laptop, but the darn internet wouldn't connect for me there due to my filter. Ugh. I am now at my daughter's house in Chicago and the internet is working just fine. WOO HOO!I have so much to tell you and show you (lots of photos in this post..some kind of small so click on any photo to see it larger).

First of all, if you haven't made your guess yet on where you think Tannon will be serving his mission (closest guess gets a Close To My Heart scrapbook kit from me), then comment here now! We received word that his assignment has been sent. It should arrive at our home in Highland, UT tomorrow (Wednesday) and he plans to open it at 8:30 pm. I will be posting on Thursday morning with the place and who the winner is (that is, if that envelope really does arrive on Wednesday). If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, go back and read my post from July 4. It explains it all.

Secondly, my time in Washington, DC at the Close To My Heart National Convention was STINKIN' AWESOME! I had so much fun. If you know what any of the following things mean, you are one of my crazy partners in crime from Convention. If you don't, count your blessings. You are probably a mature, well-adjusted woman, unlike those of use who do {wink}. But, just for kicks, here are some of my favorite memories of Convention 2010: "Ooooh-liv-eeee-ah!", "I can't even make a fist!", "No one's feet, in the history of feet, have ever hurt as much as my feet hurt RIGHT NOW!", "Snort!" Seriously, I had so much fun 'filling my bucket' for the upcoming year with all kinds of new techniques and products and business ideas, re-connecting with people I love, meeting new people that I am sure I will love, and remembering what a GREAT company Close To My Heart is to be a part of. My buddies, Jody, Michelle, Tracey and Nichole and I spent one whole day sight seeing in our great nation's capitol. I am so proud to be an American!
George found time in his busy schedule to pose with Jody and I. Nice guy.

Me, Jody, Nichole and Michelle. Our feet were not yet hurting. 14 hours later we would be DYING!


After some SERIOUS drama, we got ourselves on the blue line on the Metro. Whew! This photo of Tracey is proof.

My oh-so-awesome Pacemaker team (at least those that were there). LOVE you guys!

Tracey and I after the closing banquet. This sweet friend kicked some tushie in the Album Contest. She won it all! Yeah, Tracey!

From DC I flew to Chicago to spend a week with my daughter and her little family. It is so great to see my granddaughter, Daci again (oh yeah, and Kori and Rick too {wink}) and get to know Chicago. We went straight downtown from the airport when they picked me up. Transformers 3 was filming and we walked all over trying to get a glimpse of some of the sets. In spite of a bunch of uptight security guards, we did see some cool things, including Ironside and the twins (Mudflaps and Skids). Chicago is a beautiful city and the people (not including Transformers 3 security guards) are sooooo nice! Last night we went back into the city where we met a high school friend of mine for dinner. It was so great to see you, Katie. I enjoyed every minute!

So, that about sums up my life since the last post. I will be returning back to Utah on Sunday and you can plan on seeing some artwork on Monday. I have been so excited to share all of the artwork with you that I have been working on the past several months for the class I was teaching at the CTMH Convention. It was top-secret until then, but now I can share it. YIPEEE! Also, here's a shout out to all the wonderful women who attended my class. You guys made it so much fun to teach!

I hope you all had a wonderful week! I have missed you.
Karen

Come Fly with Me!

Today it feels as if I have done nothing but fly from one place to another; from home to football camp at Brigham Young University (30 minute drive), to grab some lunch, back home for a meeting, back to BYU for more football camp, back home for dinner and crashed. Craziness. My house looks like a tornado went through it.

Since I haven't had time to make any fun artwork today (nor do laundry, dishes, make a bed, or even pick up the newspaper from the driveway), I thought with all of my 'flying' I should share this....a present I made for my son-in-law Rick a couple of years ago. He is an airplane enthusiast (or would that be fanatic?). My dear friend, Tracey had attended an air show in Ohio and taken some amazing photos (she rocks the camera). She generously made a cd of her pics for me to give to Rick. What you see here is a cd cover I decorated to give it to him in.

By the way, please don't think I am complaining. Even though I am exhausted, it's a good exhausted that comes from being part of my children's lives and being involved with the ladies at my church organization. I wouldn't trade these experiences for anything! I just wish I had more energy. But that is a whole other subject...

All supplies are Close To My Heart. Thanks for looking!

Happy Birthday, Tracey!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear friend, Tracey! Happy Birthday to you!

My friend, Tracey is such a blessing in my life and today is her birthday. I wanted to publicly let her know that I'm thinking of her today and am so grateful for our friendship.

Cupcakes Galore

Last week I posted photos of a darling papercrafted cupcake that my friend, Tracey M. created for my new granddaughter, Daci. Well, if you loved that one, I know you will love these as well! Jeanette Lynton, Close To My Heart's owner and founder received amazing papercrafted cupcakes for her birthday today made with exclusively Close To My Heart products from the people in the Art Department at Close To My Heart. Just click on the 'cupcakes' word above to see her post and all of the gorgeous papercrafted cupcakes . Prepare to be amazed!

Hey there, Cupcake!

How stinkin' cute is this? I KNOW! SOOOOO cute! Thanks to my dear friend, Tracey M. (she's pretty darn stinkin' cute herself as you can see in the photo) for this 'delicious treat', a paper crafted cupcake. This was the package I was waiting for on Thursday when I thought that it was Friday (see Friday's post). Now you see why the anticipation. When it was really Friday, the package arrived and did not fail to impress! This gift is actually for my daughter, Kori and her hubby, Rick and their new baby, Daci. Thanks to Tracey (which incidentally rhymes with Daci) for being such a creative and thoughtful friend. I think I must make one of these for myself! What kind of gift card should I attach for me? I think Dear Lizzie should do it! Most supplies are Close To My Heart...another reason this is to die for. Thanks, Trace!

Two Fridays

Ohhhh...TODAY is Friday! I went all day yesterday thinking it was Friday. A friend in Ohio (Hi, Tracey!) sent me a package 2 day priority mail on Wednesday. I thought it should arrive yesterday, since in my mind yesterday was Friday. I spent all day looking forward to receiving it, but when my mail lady came with no packages I was very sad. DUHHH! 2 Day Priority would be on FRIDAY, the REAL Friday, which is TODAY! So, I guess the good news is that I get 2 Fridays this week. Enjoy the photo of my 19 day old (not 20 day old) granddaughter, Daci! She makes me smile no matter what day it is! And, here's to hoping my package comes TODAY!