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.

Watch for a DEAL-A-DAY in June

LOVE A GREAT DEAL? HOW ABOUT 30 GREAT DEALS?
Close To My Heart has a daily deal for you in June. Each and every day a product
special will be available through my website only that day and only while supplies last. Irresistible shipping discounts are included! Read on to find out how you could win extra CTMH goodies.

Watch for popular products offered FREE when you order your favorite stamp set (excludes personalized stamps and the Stamp of the Month). Simply add the stamp set of your choice to your shopping cart, and you will be prompted to add the free item offered that day.

On select days in June you can purchase a specially priced mystery box filled with great goodies. I can’t tell you exactly what is included in the goodie box - that would spoil the fun, but contents will vary by box and include both current and retired favorite stamp sets, paper kits, embellishments, and other great products. These goodies boxes will all have different pricing of at least 50% off retail, with some at even deeper discounts! You can purchase boxes on different dates and receive a wide variety of differing products!

Look for the June Deal-a-Day link in the online shopping section of my website to see that day's deal. Deals are available for 23 hours beginning on the day announced and while supplies last. New deals are posted at 8:00 a.m. (9:00 a.m. mountain time) each day and expires the following day at 7:00 a.m.

There is a healthy stock these products available, so you don’t need to “rush the doors” just be aware that the special pricing is available on that day only.

Discounted shipping as low as $3 is available when orders meet all Deal-a-Day guidelines. In order to receive this great shipping discount, ONLY Deal-a-Day qualifying items may be in the shopping cart at checkout. Additional purchases will need to be made separately. Mystery box shipping costs vary between $6 and $10 and represent only a fraction of the value of the contents.

As an added bonus each online purchase in June will qualify you for an entry into a drawing for a $20 CTMH gift certificate.

Check back often to stock up on your scrapbooking and cardmaking supplies at a discount.

Tax and shipping/handling may apply.

Wishes Do Come True

If you like to make cards, but need a little inspiration this may be just what you've been wishing for. Created by Close To My Heart founder, Jeanette Lynton, Wishes is a hardbound book of new patterns including circle cards and bulk cards. The three bulk card patterns help you make 8, 12, or 16 cards getting the most use out of your papers and your time. The full-color artwork and tips & techniques will get your creative juices flowing. Order yours today for just $29.95 (Wishes Card Confidence Program, Item 9033). You can purchase right from my website, or contact me to place an order.