Save The Date...

I'm so excited about this new stamp set called Save The Date (Item D1386). You can see the complete stamp images on page 80 of the Fall/Winter Idea book. [Just follow the link on the right...see that book with the three girls on the front? go ahead and click it.] Anyway, back to why I love this stamp set: it's loaded with tags such as dates, seasons, holidays, and years going all the way to 2016. This makes it so easy for me to quickly add a time stamp to any scrapbook layout, such as this one of my little cutie on her 100th day of school.

See how I stamped JAN 2009 in the corner beneath that photo? I could have used January 2009 or New Year's 2009...yep, it's all in there.

And when you purchase this set, you're on your way to qualifying for a free Everyday Celebrations card kit. More details about that are on the right too.

Shoulder Tote Giveaway

That’s me sporting my new shoulder tote from Close To My Heart. It features cute top stitching and silver rivet accents. This handy bag comfortably holds 12” x 12” papers and even an album, with plenty of pockets for my smaller items. I love carrying my bag to crops and workshops.

On October 1st I’ll draw the name of one lucky winner who will receive an amazing tote just like this one absolutely FREE (retail value $29.95).

You will qualify to win this stylish bag when you do any of the following activities by September 30th —number of entries shown in ():

* Purchase or earn free the Everyday Celebrations card kit (1)
* Purchase or earn free the Stamp of the Month: Treasures (1)
* Purchase any size stamp set (1 each)
* Purchase the Jingle workshop kit, item G1002 (2)
* Bring an outside order to the September workshop / club (2)
* Join my Kit of the Month club (scrapbook club), or have a friend join if you’re already a member (3)
* Host a gathering or workshop (10) Workshop must be held by October 30, 2009
* Join my team and sign up to be a CTMH consultant (10)

Contact me or visit my website to place an order or to reserve a seat at a workshop this month.

Warm Wishes

Okay, so it's still over 100 degrees here in Arizona, but I couldn't wait to play with some new products from Close To My Heart.

Items used:

• Just for the Holidays stamp set (D1380)
• Creative Basics Jingle Collection (X5808)
• Flurry dimensional elements ((Z1225)
• Spring Blossom mini medley accents (Z1118)
• Creme Brulee designer ribbon (Z1131)
• White embossing powder (Z673)
• Juniper exclusive inks (Z2167)

Car Update

So here it is, the new smaller "family" car. It's a 2007 Nissan Sentra. I really enjoy driving it, and I'm having fun playing with the blue tooth phone feature. Let's hope I don't crash the car! LOL

Cars

I have been driving a 2001 Honda Odyssey since Sept. 2000. My husband made me promise to drive it for 10 years when we purchased it brand new with almost every option available. Nine years later, I must say it has been worth every penny. It has nearly 130,000 miles on it and still going strong.

My youngest goes to preschool 3 days a week this year. So for a few hours a day three days a week, if I drive anywhere, I'm the only one in a seven-passenger vehicle that gets about 16 mpg around town with the a/c running (which it usually is in Arizona). And when said preschooler is not in school, the same seven-passenger vehicle is carrying around the two of us. In fact, it's rare that I have need of seven seats. But it does happen at least once a week when we go to church, so I'm still in need of the van occassionally.

I have a bee in my bonnet to get a newer car for everyday driving, keeping the van for occassional maximum capacity...even though my 10 year commitment isn't up yet.

I thought I found a great deal on craigslist - a 2008 Nissa Versa with low miles and a low price tag. However, it had been sold before I got my hands on it.

I'll just keep looking. You should know I'm not very patient with bees in my bonnet.

Back to School

It's Back-To-School season in towns across America. My children start school this Wednesday. I'm thrilled for my first grader to learn math, and my third grader wants to write in cursive. I have a few milestones to celebrate this year. My oldest will leave home for college, I have one starting high school, and this is absolutely the last time I will be paying for preschool...my youngest will start his academic career as well. Eeeek!

So you'll see me and lots of other parents donning cameras as we send our little ones (and not-so-little ones) to the classroom. This year I plan to make a mini-album of all the photos I take of my kids on the first day. Maybe it will be my annual assignment.

Where Has the Time Gone?

I'm a little ashamed that my last post was nearly 2 months ago! Where HAS the time gone. I'm only a little ashamed because I've been selfish with my time reading books, swimming with the kids, watching movies, celebrating birthdays.

I just recently read "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford. It was an easy read and was a little predictable, but there were quite a few surprises. Having been born in the late 60s I am not too familiar with WWII history. This book addresses Japanese internment camps during the war. I felt conflicted with the situation: on the one had you can't tolerate the possiblity of spies, but on the other hand these are AMERICANS who happen to have Japanese roots. This injustice is quite disturbing to me. If you happen to read this book, let me know if you give it thumbs up or down.

I'm preparing for a great weekend getaway with my scrapbook buddies at a Close To My Heart leadership conference in Long Beach, California. I look forward to sharing new products and ideas when I return.