Dawsie, Dawsie, Dawsie...

...where-oh-where did the last 17 years go? Can't you just hear The Brady Bunch and "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!" running through your brains after that title?

My little "Dawsie-Boy" turned 17 earlier this month. It was during our big move and I didn't have a computer and internet set up at that point with which to pay homage to him on my blog that day, so I am doing it now. I took these photos of Dawson about a month ago and I just love them.

Dawson was such a great caboose kiddo. He is so full of fun, is so sweet to me, and just an all-around joy in our lives. Last night we were talking and I told him about something hard health-wise that I went through a few years ago that I had never told him about. He said, "Mother! Why didn't you tell me when you were going through it?" My response was, "Because, I didn't want you to worry or think of me as less than your strong mamma." He replied, "That's silly! I could have helped you through it." And there you go. That's my Daws, Daws. I love this kid. I can't believe he's 17 and will graduate from high school in 2 short years.

Happy belated birthday, Dawson! I love you extra muchly!

And, Happy Easter to all of you. My heart is filled with gratitude for the ultimate gift from my Savior of his Atonement. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to live with Him forever through this gift.

May National Scrapbook Month Graduation Card and Daysha's Graduation

What a special day yesterday was! Our daughter-in-law, Daysha graduated with her bachelor's degree in Music/Dance/Theater from Brigham Young University. What a talented girl she is, and she's even humble about it to boot! We were so proud of her. You won't see Dan-the-Man in any of the photos since he had some appointments he couldn't miss at work, so Easton and I were to the only 'reps' from the Pedersen family. Daysha's family was all there to support her though and they are such a great group of people. No wonder Daysha is so wonderful. And yes, those ARE crutches Easton is on in the photos. On the last day of Spring Ball before the Spring Scrimmage at SUU a little over a week ago he broke his ankle. UGH! Luckily he should be back up and running in a few months; in plenty of time for the football season in the Fall.

I made Daysha this card with the stamp set I referred to in my last post (the one that comes in the Close To My Heart May National Scrapbooking Month Kit). "Dreams" is stamped on the inside. I'm soooooo in love with this stamp set and the kit it comes in. On May 1 you'll get to see the whole kit for yourselves right here on my blog. Be sure to check back on that day. You won't want to miss it!

CTMH products used: National Scrapbooking Month Kit {available 5/1-5/31, 2011), Chocolate Stamp Pad, Smoothie Stamp Pad, Legacy Writers, Round Sponge.

Daysha will spend the Summer performing Mon.-Sat. evenings in the gorgeous Tuachan outdoor ampitheater in St. George, UT in 2 musicals: Grease and Little Mermaid. You can get tickets here. I am most excited to see her in Grease, where she will be playing Cha Cha. Daysha, we are so glad you are part of our family and CONGRATS on your graduation.

Masculine Card: "Follow Your Dreams"

Is this stamp set to-die-for, or what? I love it! And, YOU can get it too....but not until May in Close To My Heart's National Scrapbook Month Kit. Did you know that May is National Scrapbook Month? Nope? Well, now you do! I just thought I'd show you a sneak peekie of the stamp set that comes in the GORGEOUS scrapbook kit to wet your whistle.

This card is masculine, simple and sweet. I made it in about 3 minutes for my Missionary Man, Tan(non). I usually don't do simple very well, so I'm pretty darn proud of myself.

Close To My Heart products used: National Scrapbook Month Kit (available May 1-31), Colonial White Cardstock, Indian Corn Blue Cardstock, Autumn Terracotta Cardstock, Cocoa Stamp Pad, Autumn Terracotta Stamp Pad, Indian Corn Blue Stamp Pad, Round Sponge.

Click here to order from my website 24/7!

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.

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?

I'm Alive!

I just wanted to let you all know that I'm alive. We are in the middle of the move and right now I don't have my computer and internet set up yet. It might be a few more days so bear with me. I haven't forgotten blogging or commenting on yours. I just have only had access to a computer for about 5 minutes here and there the past 3 days.

I hope you are all having a wonderful week. I look forward to getting back to blogland!

Karen

Missing my Missionary

It's hard to believe that Tannon has been out for about 6 months now on his 2-year church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) mission to Spain. While we are at home thinking, "6 down, 18 to go," he is thinking, "6 gone already? I only have 18 left!" He is loving what he is doing and we are so very proud of him.

As we are moving this week I have been packing boxes of Tannon's trophies from high school sports and photos of him playing QB and shooting hoops. Oh, how I miss this athletically gifted child. How I miss his goofy sense of humor and zest for life!

Here is an exerpt from a recent letter we got,

"Gosh, it was a great week. I love it! Being a missionary is unreal. Even though sometimes I miss you guys and home and wish I was playing ball with Easton and watching Dawson become the next unreal all-state athlete in Utah, I just remember I’m doing what the Lord wants and I wouldn’t change that for anything. I love missionary life! I love teaching people the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s just so legit!"

And that is why we are so willing to send our boys away for 2 years at 19 years of age. That is why missing them is so worth it!

Another 3.5" x 8" April Stamp of the Month Card

I have been making tons of 3.5" x 8" cards lately. I love these little puppies. Not only do they fit simply in a legal size envelope to mail, they also cut easily from a standard (8.5" x 11") sheet of cardstock. Just cut a 7" x 8" piece and fold in half on the 7" side. You'll have enough cardstock left for stamping on pieces and using them to layer. Cool beans!

For this card (click on the photo to see it larger and in more detail) I experimented with a technique that I think I might have made up. If I didn't then I've never seen nor been taught it before, so at least let me THINK I made it up (lol). I kind of just made it up as I went along. For the middle strip this is what I did:

1. Embossed the stamped image from Close To My Heart's April Stamp of the Month with the Versamark Pad and White Daisy Embossing Powder on White Daisy Cardstock.
2. Filled my Spray Pen up to the first line with Chocolate Re-Inker and then to the third line with water.
3. Sprayed the embossed paper lightly with the above mixture until I got the desired look. Hint: if you want a soft look with light spray marks like my card, be sure to hold your spray pen about 6-8 inches away from the paper you are spraying and press the nozzle fast.
4. I used my Heat Gun to dry this quickly.
5. I then used my Waterbrush and picked up color from my Cotton Candy Stamp Pad and my Pear Stamp Pad to color in the flowers.

The Chocolate Cardstock that I used in the background is stamped tone-on-tone with the butterfly image from the stamp set with Chocolate Ink.

Isn't this stamp set beautiful (actual size of the carrier sheet is 6" x 6")? Well it can be yours in April only at a discount or even FREE ($22.95 value)! Click here to find out how. You can also get a FREE Level 1 Kit ($9.95 value) this month too. The link I gave you will give you those details too!

You can order any of these products, and so many more on my website...24/7!

Don't forget: When watching a video on my site, you'll want to first scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page to my play list and click on the 'pause' button. This way you can listen to the video without the music playing at the same time.

Enjoy this awesome video from Close To My Heart! You'll love the "On This Day" stamp set (pictured here) and the fun ideas shared in this just over 2 minute tutorial.



Close To My Heart products used in this video: On This Day Stamp Set, Kraft Cardstock, Twilight Cardstock, Bamboo Cardstock, Chocolate Stamp Pad, Twilight Stamp Pad, Micro-Tip Scissors (trust me...the BEST scissors in town!).

Click HERE to enter my website and order any of these wonderful products, and more...24/7!

Happy Mail from Allison B.

Yesterday I mentioned that I would share some more Happy Mail today. Friday night, after spending the day in Springville getting Dawson registered in school, transferring our utilities, etc. I was exhausted and little bit emotional, I came home to the BESTEST surprise on my doorstep.

THANK YOU, Allison (isn't she the cutest?) for the gorgeous tulips, which felt like Spring amidst all the snow, for the yummy Cadbury eggs (my fave!) and the beautiful hand-made card. Thank you even more for your wonderful friendship. I will miss having you less than a block away. I'll miss our monthly visits. When I was released as the Relief Society President (women's organization) at church last Summer, Allison took my place. She has done a wonderful job, and this is a girl with 5 small children and a hubby that works long hours. I don't know how she does it! If we weren't close enough friends already, sharing this Relief Society experience has bonded us for a lifetime.

Allison used the Sophia Papers from Close To My Heart to make this gorgeous card. You can order those papers and so many more wonderful products on my website.

Side-note: I was so proud of my Dawsie-Boy (No, he does not love it when I call him that. Yes, I still do it anyway.) on Friday. He was so positive about the whole thing. After we got him all registered at Springville High School, we walked around the school to help him figure out where his classes were and so many kids stopped and met him and introduced themselves. The administrators couldn't have been kinder and more helpful. It was a great experience and Dawson has such a positive outlook on moving and changing high schools. Yeah, Dawsie-Boy! Thanks for setting a wonderful example for your old mom!