Here it is!

Here it is! The post you've been waiting for, and for almost a week I might add! Sorry! I meant to only make you wait 3 or 4 days and then the week slipped away from me.

The good news is that I have been taking pics like crazy of all of the activities that have kept me away from the computer so I have lots of good bloggin' material for the next few weeks. Stay tuned.

Back to the reason for this post. Yeah. That's it! My "Double the Fun" Workshop. I'd LOVE to have you participate. As you can see, I have included a few photos of the book here for you to see.

The reason this workshop is "Double the Fun" is because you will have everything you need included in the kit to be able to make TWO of these darling My Creations 3-Ring Binders (each book will include 5 page dividers and 15 photo sleeves when you are done). You can sign up yourself to make both books so that you have one to keep and one to give away (start thinking Christmas early!) or you can sign up with a friend and split the cost and the packet at the workshop and have fun making them together. Either way, it's DOUBLE THE FUN!

This darling book is perfect for baby photos, photos of your family, photos of you and your significant other, photos of your pet, almost anything!

Date and Time: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 10 am - 1 pm or 7 - 10 pm
Or: Participate Long Distance
Cost: see below
Who can come: Anyone, and you can earn a prize by coming*
Where: Karen's home in Highland, UT

Workshop Kit Includes:
2 - My Creations 3-Ring Binders
2 - Memory Protectors Flip Flaps
1 - Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection (includes 16 B&T duos and 8 yds of ribbon)
2 - Animal Cookies Level 2 My Stickease Assortment
1 - Craft Buttons Summer
1 - pkg. hole reinforcers
1 - cutting guide
1 - set of detailed instructions, including photos of each part of the book
Karen's help and instruction in making your project

Customer Brings:
scissors
paper trimmer
adhesive
glue dots
standard hole punch

Workshop Cost:
*$59 if you attend in person (includes 2 book workshop kit)
*$64 if you participate long distance (still includes 2 book workshop kit, and also priority shipping)

*if you are a new customer I have never met or had an order from before, you will get a special prize in your workshop bag
*if you are a current customer and refer a friend who participates that I have never met before you will BOTH receive a special prize in your bag

SIGN UP TODAY AND DOUBLE YOUR FUN! Call or email me (888.756.9620, pedermom@aol.com)

Own It!

Nope! This isn't it. This is not the full information on the 'Double the Fun' workshop teaser I posted yesterday. But, I promise it's coming soon. This week in fact. So, keep checking back.

In the meantime, I have some more to share...









Our Close To My Heart Leadership Conference theme this year was "Own It!" I loved this theme because it is a theme I try really hard to live by not only in my business, but in life. I believe in personal responsibility, in choosing how we will act, react, and feel. I believe whatever we are involved in is whatever we choose to make it. I believe in being present and enjoying the moment, in owning it! I think "Own It!" will be my new personal philosphy. At a time when not only do I have my own Close To My Heart business, but when Dan and I are about to embark on a brand new business adventure together, I can't think of a better theme. I think I might add a little "baby" to the end though. You know, like "Own It, Baby!"...kind of like, "Work It, Baby!" I don't know...just a little more personality and spunk, don-cha think? lol.

OK, back to the purpose of this post. I thought I'd share a 2 page layout I did of some of the photos I took at Leadership. I actually used a different sketch challenge for each page but I feel they work beautifully together. I hope you have as much fun looking at them as I did making them. I LOVE reliving my life as I scrapbook it!

Page one (left side) was made using the Got Sketch pattern while page two (right side) was made with the Inspired Blueprints sketch.

Close To My Heart products used: Black Cardstock (1386), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Animal Cookies L2 Paper Pack (X7112B), Animal Cookies L2 MyStickease (X7112C), On Target Dimensional Elements (Z1226, available September 1), Perennials Dimensional Elements (Z1139), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151).

Non-CTMH products used: EKSuccess letter stickers

Click here to order from my website 24/7...and then you'll "OWN IT!" (lol).

A Little Sneak Peek at "Double the Fun!"

What do you think? Cute or what? I will be announcing my "Double the Flavor. Double the Fun!" workshop featuring this cute photo album in the next few days. You can even participate long distance! It's so cute, so fast, and so easy. Close To My Heart has a tagline that explains exactly what this workshop is: "Faster, Simpler, Easier" or FSE for short. Stay tuned and be watching for more information here on my blog in the next couple of days.

Wondering why this workshop is called "Double the Flavor. Double the Fun!"? You're not getting the answer THAT easy. That will be part of my post when I announce the workshop. So, be watching the next couple of days...

Until then...

Our Summer Sweetheart

This is my 2nd post today. Be sure to check out the first.

I made this layout in response to a challenge from Pagemaps. I know you will be surprised (NOT!) that I chose to feature my little granddaughter, Daci. The theme was summer and this is what I came up with. Her cute skirt, which was made for her by her other grandma (talented seamstress and quilter) was my color inspiration. Because of the many patterns and colors in her little skirt, I chose paper from several different paper packs to achieve the look I wanted. Have you ever thought to do this? Just because something comes in a kit or package doesn't mean it can only be used with those things. Get creative! Try combining colors and patterns from several kits and you might be surprised what you come up with!

By the way, don't ya just LOVE that little tongue. More times than not it pokes out when she is especially happy.

Close To My Heart products used: Hollyhock Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, Brown Bag Cardstock, Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Pack, Animal Cookies Level 2 Paper Pack, Let's Get Together Level 2 Paper Pack, Chocolate Stamp Pad, Designer Ribbon Rounds Hollyhock Collection (Z1122), Designer Ribbon Rounds Ricrac Collection (Z1052), Clear Buttons (Z1155), Watermelon Waxy Flax (retired), Colonial White Waxy Flax (Z1081),Dimensional Elements Perennials (Z1139), Dimensional Elements Fresh Shapes (Z1019), Dimensional Elements Large Hearts (from a promotion from last year), Color Ready Alphabet-Bold (X5749), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Delta Ceramcoat Magnolia White Paint (Z1293)

Non-CTMH Products: Martha Stewart Daisy Stickers

Click here to order from my website 24/7...even when playing with your summer sweetheart!

MORE to share!

I told you I had more to share today, and here I go! Feel free to click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail. I know there are a few that you will want to see every detail on!

I thought I'd start first with a photo of a BEAUTIFUL Studio J layout (see yesterday's post about that). As you can see, it has the same amazing Close To My Heart signature look. You are going to LOVE this new program. I can hardly wait! Feel free to click on the layout to see it larger and in finer detail. Can you believe this is digital? Studio J Scrapbooking is going to be a huge hit!

Next I wanted to share some of the beautiful things that several of my Close To My Heart friends brought me. The first photo is of a few little cards. Thank you to Melissa, Denise, Sue and Jeanette for these beautiful cards and the chocolate treat (the "Time to Create" card is filled with a chocolate treat.












The next photos are of a fun and functional desk calendar made for me by my sweet Mac-lovin' friend, Shari. Don't you love it? It's in a card format. The front, back and insides of the card all have one quarter of the year on them. The card comes with a base that slides in the bottom as a stand to sit it on your desk and use as the world's cutest desk calendar. THANKS, Shari! I think I feel a workshop comin' on!











































I also had to share a photo of some of my team and I who attended (you guys rock, Pacemakers!) My team name is The Pacemakers because We Keep THE HEART (as in Close To My Heart) Pumpin'! We had so much fun, learned so much, and came home energized and ready to take our businesses to the next level. Thanks to all 11 Pacemakers who attended (missing from photo is Kris. Sorry, Kris! We couldn't find you when we were taking pics).








Last but not least is a photo of my roomie buds and I (the 4 musketeers) and one of each of them. There is one silly one in there of Jody. She tied a bow from a gift around her head and I snapped a pic. What are you going to do, girl? Fly here and beat me up?

So Much To Share!!!!!

I'm home-back from Close To My Heart's Leadership Conference in Long Beach, CA! What an amazing week. As much fun as I had, I still missed my bloggin' friends!

I have lots of announcements and great photos of artwork in this email so keep readin'! Remember, you can always click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail.

1. THE BIGGIE! (Studio J)
First of all (drum roll please..........) the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:
Close To My Heart has come up with their own classy answer to digital scrapbook called Studio J. Studio J will be released some time in the first quarter of 2010. In the meantime, take a look at this: www.studioj.com. There is a GREAT video (get out your kleenex) that is only two and half minutes long as well as a list of questions and answers about the program. Trust me, even though waiting a few months is hard, this will DEFINITELY be something that is worth the wait! I'll share a photo or two of one of the great layouts you could choose to make on Studio J in the next few days.

2. Top 5!: While in Long Beach, I entered a Close To My Heart contest called "Three Takes on One Pattern". We were to create 3 cards that looked very different using the same pattern, one of Close To My Heart's AWESOME patterns from their new card how-to book "Wishes". The pattern was called "TopBand". I was so excited to be chosen as one of the top 5 entries. WOO HOO! Here are my cards (click on any photo to see it larger):








































3. August Special (Customer Thanks-A-bration): From August 3 (Monday morning) through August 17 Close To My Heart is running a very special Special called "Customer Thanks-a-bration". Here's how it works: If you place a $100 order (before shipping and tax) between August 3 and August 17 you will receive the August Stamp of the Month (It's Your Day, $22.95 value) and a My Reflections Level 2 paper packet ($12.95) absolutely FREE! (free paper packet will vary with order). You can take advantage of this special by calling or emailing me (801.756.8797, pedermom@aol.com) or on my website (http://leavealegacy.myctmh.com).

4. August Stamp of the Month: I mentioned above how you can earn it absolutely FREE this month ($22.95 value). Here is some GREAT artwork made by the Close To My Heart art studio using this stamp set and I will be posting more over the next few days made by me and some of the members of my team (which you can be a part of. Just ask me!). Click here to order.

5. Operation Smile Art: One more thing I was involved in at CTMH's Leadership Conference was a silent auction. I was called a few weeks before I left and asked to make something that could be auctioned off in a charity auction for Operation Smile (GREAT charity that is partially supported through Close To My Heart customers and consultants). My art item went for about $100. I was thrilled. One surgery to repair a child's facial deformity that is done through this charity costs about $244. I was able, through my artwork, to pay for over 40% of one surgery. What a GREAT feeling. Here are photos of the mini-scrapbook that I donated. This book is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and has 5 dividers inside and 4" x 6" page protectors to hold whatever photos you want to include.
Close To My Heart products used: My Creations 3 Ring Binder (Z1141), Memory Protectors Flip Flaps (Z4114), Butterfly Kiss Stamp Set (C1299), Celebrate Life Stamp Set (C1287), Argyle Backgrounds Stamp Set (D1325), Perfect Day Level 2 Paper Pack (X7100B), That's Amore Level 2 Paper Pack (X7107B), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Black Stamp Pad (Z2105), Pastel Pencils (Z922), Designer Ribbon Rounds Blush Collection (Z1138), White Daisy Organdy Ribbon (Z100).

I'm off to look at the brand new Autumn/Winter Idea Book that we got at Leadership Conference. This better-than-ever Idea Book will go live for you on the left side of my blog on September 1. In the meantime, don't forget that you can view the current Summer Idea Book just by clicking on the photo of it on the left side of my blog (green with a hiker guy on the front) or by clicking here.

Click here to order from my website, 24/7...even when you're blogging!

Sing Along With Me...

and Elton John (I just changed the words a bit):

I'm leaving on a jet plane
But I know when I'll be back again.
On Sunday
I'm so excited to go......

Off to Close To My Heart Leadership Conference I go today. Hi-ho, Hi-ho, it's off to California I go (sing along...from Snow White). OK, so I'm singing WAY too much lately.

Anyhoo, I won't be posting while I'm gone. I'll be back on Sunday and back to bloggin' Monday morning. "See" you all then.





P.S. Be sure to read yesterday's post. You still have 3 days to take advantage of this month's "Favorite Five" special from Close To My Heart. Click here to enter my website.

So Stinkin' Excited...Join Me!

"Tomorrow, tomorrow, I'll start my day tomorrow with a flight a-new. Tomorrow, tomorrow, it soon will be tomorrow and be MY day! 'Til then I hope your day is HAPPY, 'til then I hope you're feelin' SNAPPY!" (Did you pick up the fact that you were supposed to be singing this to the Mr. Rogers song tune? If not, start over and try again. Yes, I'm feeling silly today).

Tomorrow is the day I leave for Close To My Heart's Leadership Conference in Long Beach CA. I'm so excited! No only will I get to see some of the fun new things that will be coming out in the Fall/Winter Idea Book (will be released for customers on September 1), learn some great new techniques in stamping and scrapbooking, but I get to spend time with all of my Close To My Heart friends. I have several of my team members attending too and I am so proud of them for what they are all doing with their CTMH businesses.

Have I ever told you how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my job? Every month when I receive my commission check for my team sales and my personal sales, I thank my lucky stars that I get to do something I love, with people I love, with high-quality products I love, and make such GREAT money doing it.

The photo you see here at the top is a picture of me with 3 of my dearest friends in the whole wide world. They are CTMH buddies (l-r: Michelle, Michelle, Jody, me). None of them would be part of my life without my CTMH business. They have become like sisters to me and I can't imagine my life without them in it!

I posted at the beginning of the month the special that Close To My Heart is running this month. It's an AWESOME special if you have every thought about becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant. I have posted those details again below. If you are interested in signing up, it's EASY, PEASY, LEMON SQUEASY. Just click here and then click on 'Your Opportunities', scroll to the bottom of that page and click on the link to become a consultant, then fill out the online form. Like I said, I'll be gone for the next few days at my CTMH Leadership Conference, but when I get home on Sunday afternoon I'll check to see if anyone has signed up while I was gone and contact you RIGHT AWAY!

Here are the details:
There is a very special "Favorite Five" campaign this month with Close To My Heart. Anyone who signs up to be a Close To My Consultant between July 1 and July 31 will receive an extra 5 items in their already amazing new consultant kit. Here is the list to choose from. Oh, and guess what...it's free! On top of the items being free, there is no shipping and handling added, nor tax. WOW! If you've ever thought of starting your own Close To My Heart business, NOW is the time. I would love to have you on my team. We are called "The Pacemakers" because we keep "The Heart" (as in Close To My Heart) pumpin'! I provide lots of training and support (in person team meetings, conference calls, emails, one on one calls, artwork swaps, etc) to help you succeed with your business. To sign up, just head to my website (http://leavealegacy.myctmh.com), click on "Your Opportunities" and then on the "click here" link at the bottom of that page. Signing up is EASY!
Choose your “favorite five” from this list of products
My Acrylix® Thank You Stamp Set (retail value $22.95)
Magic Moments Scrapbook Kit (retail value $34.95)
Basic Textured Cardstock Combo Pack (retail value $14.95)
Life Delights Memory Showcase (retail value $12.95)
My Originals® Hello Birdie Card Kit (retail value $12.95)
Creative Basics™ Silhouette Collection (retail value $8.95)
HeartFelt™ Whimsy Die-Cuts (retail value $9.95)
All-Out Adventure Rub-Ons (retail value $9.95)
Window Charms™ Squares (retail value $9.95)

To take advantage of this GREAT promotion, head to my website (http://leavealegacy.myctmh.com), click on ‘Your Opportunities’ and then “click here’ at the bottom of that page. I’d love to have you on my team! We are called The Pacemakers because we keep “The Heart” (as in Close To My Heart) pumpin’! We have lots of fun and I offer lots of training and support to help you make your business a success!

Hello!

I had so much fun making this card using this week's sketch 25 over at Card Patterns.

All products are Close To My Heart.

Our Little Star

This is my 2nd post today. If you are in need of a giggle, you'll want to be sure and scroll down to the first one. Oh my!

I just finished making this layout using the Inspired Blueprints sketch #26. Of course, I did have a great subject to work with. Kori did a great job using my camera (tee hee) to take these darling pictures of Daci when she was visiting last Friday (the 24th). You can click on the photos of the layout if you'd like to see it larger.

I used the Color Me Monday color combo from Jeanette Lynton's blog as inspiration too. This week's Close To My Heart colors were: Moonstruck, Heavenly Blue, Outdoor Denim and White Daisy. As you can see, I added a touch of Cranberry too.

Close To My Heart products used: Outdoor Denim Cardstock (1275), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Heavenly Blue Cardstock (1285), Stardust Level 2 Paper Pack (X7109B), Red Sparkles (retired, but you can easily make any color you want by coloring our clear sparkles with any color sharpie marker! Clear Sparkles order number is Z1104), Heavenly Blue Stamp Pad (Z2126), Round Sponge (Z697), Dimensional Elements Fresh Shapes (Z1019), Color Ready Alphabet Bold (X5750), Sanding Kit (Z1294).

Other products used: My Mind's Eye Parade Accessory Sheet

Click here to order from my website 24/7...even when you're looking at the stars!