Disneyland, Here I Come!

I'm headed out today to the annual Close To My Heart National Convention. This year we are in Disneyland at the Disneyland Hotel! WOO HOO!

I'm so excited about all that I will learn, to see the wonderful ladies on my team who are also attending, to see so many of my CTMH friends that I only see once a year at Convention, and for the classes I am teaching (LOTS of artwork to share when I get home).

I will be missing in action here on my blog until after I return. The earliest you'll probably see a post from me again is Tuesday, July 19.

Have a wonderful week! Mickey and I sure will!

July Stamp of the Month 5 1/2" x 4 1/2" Card

I hope you haven't had enough of the July Stamp of the Month yet, because I definitely have not. If I didn't need to work on creating more projects for my class at the Close To My Heart National Convention (at Disneyland) next week, I would be playing with this set again today. I just LOVE it!

This card uses some great CTMH products: July Stamp of the Month (American Celebration), White Daisy Cardstock, Cranberry Cardstock, Outdoor Denim Cardstock, Desert Sand Stamp Pad, Versamark Pad, White Daisy Embossing Powder, Kraft Color-Ready Borders, Stars Dimensional Elements, Booksmart Dimensional Elements, Basic Brad Assortment, Sparkles: Red, Pink and Purple Assortment, Striped Ribbon (retired).

You can find out more about the Stamp of the Month, and this month's wonderful "Bang For Your Buck" special by clicking here. To order these, or any other WONDERFUL CTMH products, you can shop on my website 24/7.

July Stamp of the Month Happy Mail Card

As you can tell, I am LOVIN' the July Stamp of the Month. My friend and downline, Brenda Rose sent me this 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" card last week. THANK YOU, Brenda. I love it! You are so thoughtful and there are so many fun details on this card; like the clear button tied with waxy flax, and the fussy cut stars topped with sparkles in their centers, and the double layered star focal point, the items you popped with 3D foam tape, and how you cleverly used both sides of the same patterned paper duo! You have such an attention to detail.

Click here for more information on how to get this month's Stamp of the Month. While you're there, you can also read about Close To My Heart's awesome "Bang For Your Buck" July special. Then head to my website 24/7 to shop your heart out!

July Stamp of the Month and Fanfare Layout

I made this layout of Dawson a couple of weeks ago. I used the July Stamp of the Month and the Fanfare paper pack. Feel free to click on the photo to see it larger and in more detail.

For more information on how to get this stamp set (available during July only), click here.

CTMH products used: July Stamp of the Month (American Celebration), Fanfare Level 2 Paper Pack, Game On Paper Pack (retired), Black Stamp Pad, Black Waxy Flax, Dimensional Elements Numbers (retired), Dimensional Elements Monograms - "O" Collection, Dimensional Elements Monograms - "N" Collection, Liquid Glass, Blue Buttons Collection, Round Sponge, 1 1/4" Circle Punch.

Non-CTMH products used: Striped Ribbon (bought at Hobby Lobby)

Click here to enter my website and shop for these or other great products 24/7...even while watching your boy play some football. Have a wonderful Summer day! I'm off to teach 2 scrapbook Play Group classes today. I love my job!

August Play Group Layouts and Class Information (Miracle)

Layout #1 - "Pure Joy":-----------------

Layout #2 - "Park It":------------------

Layout #3 - "You Are My Miracle":
----------------

Hello, everyone! August's Play Group classes are right around the corner and I wanted to be sure to post and let you know everything you need to know in order to participate. If you are not familiar with my monthly Play Group Scrapbooking Classes, you can read all about them on the left side of my blog. Just scroll down until you see "Play Group Information." You can also click on any layout above to see it larger and in more detail.

In August we will be using the soft and sweet kit called "Miracle" for our three 2-page 12" x 12" layouts. As you can see in the photos above, outdoor photos look great on these pages, whether subtle and subdued or bright. Both look great!

If you want to participate, I need to hear from you no later than Saturday, July 30. You can call or email me at 801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com.

Class Dates and Times to choose from in American Fork, UT:
Tuesday, August 9, 10 am - 1 pm
Tuesday, August 9, 7-10 pm
Thursday, August 11, 10 am - 1 pm
Thursday, August 11, 7 -10 pm
You can also host this workshop in your home (in Utah) with your friends during the month of August as well. If you are interested in doing that, please contact me (801.360,9896, pedermom@aol.com)

Remember, in order to attend, you only need to purchase the Basic Kit. Anything above and beyond that is totally up to you. This month, I suggest you consider the Better Kit. The few items I've added there make a huge difference to your pages. If you already have any of the items in the Better or Best kits, just bring them with you to class.

Basic Kit*

• Miracle Workshop on the Go Packet (includes stamp set, Miracle Level 2 Paper Pack, Kraft Color Ready Borders, Workshop Guide, Cutting Guide)
• 1 extra sheet of Bamboo Cardstock

Total with shipping and tax: $34.93 (or round up to $35.00 and I'll donate the difference to Operation Smile)

Better Kit** = Basic Kit + the following products:

• Miracle MyStickease
• Wooden Buttons Assortment
• Sweet Leaf Bulk Ribbon (10 yds)
• Colonial White Waxy Flax

Total with shipping and tax: $61.09 (or round up to $62.00 and I'll donate the difference to Operation Smile)

Best Kit*** = Basic + Better Kits + the following products (all of the products below will be at the workshop for you to use. If you want your own to keep, you may want to consider the BEST KIT):

• Large Chocolate Alphabet
• Chocolate Stamp Pad
• Twilight Stamp Pad
• Sanding Kit
• Stylus

Total with shipping and tax: $124.33 (or round up to $125.00 and I'll donate the difference to Operation Smile)

*at this level you qualify for the Stamp of the Month at 25% off (regularly $22.95, only $17.21 with the discount)
**at this level you qualify for the Stamp of the Month at 50% off (regularly $22.95, only $11.48 with the discount)
***at this level you qualify for the Stamp of the Month FREE

Aunt Sheila's Famous Potato Salad

My Aunt Sheila makes the world's best potato salad. I'm telling you, there is nothing like it. We all beg her to make it for EVERY family event. She gave me the recipe a long time ago, and since we weren't celebrating with her family this 4th, I made it myself. I'm not sure it's quite as good as Sheila's but it's still pretty yummy.

Aunt Sheila's Famous Potato Salad (serves 6)

• 6 medium-large potatoes (best if you have a couple of different kinds, like red, yukon gold, bakers, etc)
• 6 large eggs
• 2 large dill pickles
• 2 large celery stalks
• 3 green onions (unless you are cooking for Dan Pedersen. In that case leave these out.)
  
• 1 C. mayo
• 1 C. miracle whip
• 1 Tbs. prepared mustard
• 1/8 - 1/4 C. dill pickle juice
• salt and pepper
• paprika

1. Wash potatoes and boil in their jackets (skins) until tender but not too soft.
2. Hard boil eggs.
3. Peel eggs and then put both potatoes (still in their jackets) and eggs in the fridge for 30 minutes.
4. After they have spent their 30 minutes in the fridge, peel potatoes and cut into bite size pieces and slice eggs.
5. Chop pickles and celery and onions.
6. Carefully fold all of these together in a large bowl.
7. To make sauce, in another container mix miracle whip, mustard, pickle juice, salt and pepper. Carefully fold into potato mixture.
8. Sprinkle top with paprika and pepper. Refrigerate for at least an hour before eating. YUM!

We sure enjoyed our 4th of July BBQ. I hope you had fun eating and celebrating at your house as well!

4th of July Card and Happy 4th!

Happy Independence Day! I am so grateful to live in this great land of the United States of America, so grateful for the men and women who had the courage and fortitude to fight for and begin this great nation, so grateful for those that continue to serve so that it can remain a land of freedoms, and so grateful that I can raise my children in a place where they are free to choose what they want to do with their lives, how they want to worship, and to become whoever they want to be.

I thought I'd celebrate with you today by sharing another card I made with Close To My Heart's July Stamp of the Month (American Celebration). Not only are the images in the stamp set awesome, but so are the textures within the images. I used the large 'star-full-of-stars' to stamp on top of one of my chipboard stars and the flag stripes on the other. Cool beans! Friday's post gives you all the details on how to get this set.

Here is the image of the stamp set. I just love it!

Other CTMH products used on this card: White Daisy Cardstock, Cranberry Cardstock, Outdoor Denim Cardstock, Heavenly Blue Cardstock, Outdoor Denim Stamp Pad, Stars Dimensional Elements, Booksmart Dimensional Elements, Spray Pen, Kraft Color Ready Borders, Chocolate Waxy Flax, Blue Brad Assortment, Blue Buttons Assortment, Corner Rounder.

Non-CTMH products used: Deco-Art White All-Purpose Acrylic Paint (mixed with water in the spray pen).

Here is a quick, 3-minute tutorial on the Spray Pen. I love this little tool!


You can order any of these wonderful CTMH products on my website, 24/7...even on Independence Day! I hope yours if full of freedom and festive fun!

July Close To My Heart Special and Stamp of the Month

Happy July! I love July...full of celebrations, fireworks, food and fun! I'm excited to tell you how Close To My Heart has decided to celebrate.

1. With a great "Bang For Your Buck" special: "Bang For Your Buck" is sure to send your heart soaring! Simply put, when you make a minimum purchase of $50 (before shipping and tax) from the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book, you can add a bonus item for $1. You can choose from 5 items, each valued at $8.95. Those items are:

• Creative Basics Mistletoe Collection
• Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection
• My Originals Bits and Pieces Card Kit
• My Originals It's Your Day Card Kit
• My Originals Around the Holidays Card Kit

2. With a GORGEOUS Stamp of the Month (D1458 - American Celebration): I have been having soooooo much fun with this stamp set! Today you see a card I made with it and incorporated a fun technique (feel free to click on the photo to see it larger and in more detail).

How To: First I embossed the stars from the Stamp of the Month Set on White Daisy Cardstock (and on the Dimensional Element Star) with a Versamark Pad and Heavenly Blue Embossing Powder. Then I used a Round Sponge and first dabbed Cranberry Ink in random places and then filled in the rest by dabbing Outdoor Denim Ink. Pretty cool, right? The image of the carrier sheet the stamps come on that you see here is 6" x 6" in actual size.

Other CTMH products used: Outdoor Denim Cardstock, Sparkles-Red, Pink & Purple Assortment, Corner Rounder

Non-CTMH products used: Striped Ribbon (found it at Hobby Lobby, can't remember the brand)

I'll be sharing more artwork I've created with this set throughout the month. Stay tuned!

You can get this set, during July only, in one of the following ways:

• 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)

You can take advantage of both of these wonderful deals on my website (24/7...even during holidays) during the month of July, or by contacting me directly (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com)

Paper Roses

I have spent the last day making paper roses until my fingers cramped. I made 30 of these little puppies, 10 from a 12" Cranberry Cardstock circle (finished size is about 3", depending on how tightly you wrap it), 10 from a 9" Blush Cardstock circle (finished size is about 2 1/2", depending on how tightly you wrap it), and 10 from a 6" White Daisy Cardstock circle (finished size is about 1 1/2", depending on how tightly you wrap it), all sponged with Chocolate Ink and painted with Glitter Gel, and all for a special project for the Close To My Heart National Convention in 2 weeks. My fingers are cramping and covered with Liquid Glass (the adhesive I like best for these flowers), and I'm sticking to everything but it was worth it. I'm happy with how they turned out. WOO HOO! Aren't they COOL?

My friend, Tracey Mason, is the QUEEN of these flowers (she taught me) and has made a great video tutorial that will give you all that you need to make them just like her.

After watching, if there are any supplies you need to start 'flowering', click here to enter my website. Have fun!

July Play Group Layouts and Class Information (Fanfare)

Layout #1 - "Enjoy This Happy Day":

--------------------

Layout #2: Daysha's Graduation:
---------------------

Layout #3: Cool Dude (inspired by the WONDERFUL Joanne Walton):

Hello, everyone! July's classes are right around the corner and I wanted to be sure to post and let you know everything you need to know in order to participate. If you are not familiar with my monthly Play Group Scrapbooking Classes, you can read all about them on the left side of my blog. Just scroll down until you see "Play Group Information." You can click on any layout above to see it larger and in more detail.

This month we are using the fun and festive Fanfare kit. I love this kit for Summer, celebrations, 4th of July, sports, awards, graduations, and so much more. I think you will too!

If you want to participate, I need to hear from you no later than Thursday, June 30. You can call or email me at 801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com.

Class Dates and Times to choose from in American Fork, UT:
Tuesday, July 5, 10 am - 1 pm
Tuesday, July 5, 7-10 pm
Thursday, July 7, 10 am - 1 pm
Thursday, July 7, 7 -10 pm
You can also host this workshop in your home (in Utah) with your friends during the month of July or August. If you are interested in doing that, please contact me (801.360,9896, pedermom@aol.com)

Remember, in order to attend, you only need to purchase the Basic Kit. Anything above and beyond that is totally up to you. This month, I suggest you consider the Better Kit. The few items I've added there make a huge difference to your pages. If you have any of the items in the Better or Best kits already, just bring them with you to class.

Basic Kit:

• Fanfare Workshop on the Go Kit (includes Stamp Set, Fanfare Level 2 Paper Pack, Blue Buttons Collection, Neutral Embroidery Floss Collection)
• 1 extra sheet of White Daisy Cardstock

Total with shipping and tax: $34.93*

Better Kit = Basic Kit + the following products:

• Fanfare My Stickease
  
• Blue Ribbon Collection
• Fanfare Level 2 Assortment

Total with shipping and tax: $53.10*

Best Kit = Basic and Better Kits + the following products:

• 2" Scallop Punch
• Corner Rounder
• Round Sponge
• Bingo Alphabet
• Black Stamp Pad
• Pacifica Stamp Pad
• Cranberry Pad

Total with shipping and tax: $125.20** (and you get the Stamp of the Month FREE!)

*at this level you qualify for the Stamp of the Month at 25% off (regularly $22.95, only $17.21 with the discount)
**at this level you qualify for the Stamp of the Month FREE