Hike - Day One

Honestly, I live in paradise. My town may be small and remote but check out my back yard. Well, not exactly my back yard but darn close...the drive to the trailhead for this hike was a mere 20 minutes. Cindy and Julianne were here this week from Arizona and rather than sit and scrapbook (like we had planned), we took off for the mountains. Remember my last post where I mentioned we could have used some M&M's? Well, this was the hike. We made it on our own fortitude and determination, even though we didn't know exactly how far our destination was (and we had no food). Here's some good old fashioned advice: Don't bother asking anyone on the trail how far the lake is...know it yourself! Ya see, one person will tell you it's just over the next hill and another person will tell you it's another hour. Neither were right on this hike. Then there's my husband who would tell you....."Ah, it's not about the destination...it's the journey." Hmmm, isn't that my motto for this blog? I sort of forgot about that on the trail.

Anyway, we had such a great time together. The scenery was unspeakably beautiful. Bishop is known for its spectacular mountains, hiking, fishing, and year-round outdoor recreation. I think you'll see why shortly.

It took us about an hour to hike to this lake, Long Lake. It's just one of the many beautiful lakes out of Bishop Creek. The trail was uphill all the way, but not as steep as our hike on Day Two. (Seriously, it really was uphill...I promise!) Stay tuned for Day Two...that hike was the bomb!


Do you see Julianne perched on the rock in the background? She and my daughter, Jessica, were pretty funny. Julianne didn't want to go but Jessica made her. What troopers!

Don't laugh at my hat, okay? It's floppy, I know, I know...BUT...it keeps the sun off my face and out of my eyes. (Less wrinkles, I'm hoping!) In my August scrapbook classes, the theme of our layout is "No One Is Quite Like Me." My goofy, floppy hat is what makes me...well...me.

Can you tell we're excited to have made it?? (The girls made me remove my hat for the picture. They're no fun!)

I'll see you in the next post with a few more images from Day Two!

Coulda Used Some of This Today!

A hike on a beautiful, sunny August day seemed like a good idea. So we got a little bit of a late start...what's the big deal? Well...turns out that I don't hike enough. Because if I did, I would have taken some chocolate...or peanuts...or a granola bar...or something to energize my weary legs trekking back down the trail. I'll write more about our hike later...for now, I have a Chocolate Lover's Survival Kit idea to show you! I could have used one of these today.



My friend (and upline), Karen, gave me a darling treat like this one last week when we were attending Leadership. It made me feel thought of and I had a late night treat to munch on. (Isn't it a great feeling to know someone is thinking of you? I need to do that more...)

The ladies in one of my monthly card classes LOVE, LOVE, LOVE chocolate so this little project was the perfect recipe for a fun, chocolate-filled evening this week. Here's the basic instructions to create your own Chocolate Lover's Survival Kit:

Cardstock: 2 1/2" x 12"
Coordinating B&T paper: 2 1/2" x 12"
Cardstock and/or B&T paper: 3" circle for collar

Cut each out and fold in half. Layer the B&T paper over cardstock. Insert package of M&M's. Staple to the top edge of layered cardstock/B&T paper (one of the open ends). Fold circle in half and attach to the back of cardstock/B&T paper with double stick tape or glue dot. Close the packet all together by folding the circle to the front. Secure with glue dot.

Of course, you'll want to add an extra touch of class by distressing the cardstock and/or B&T paper. The cute little poem on the front reads:

The Chocolate Lover's Survival Kit
At the first sign of anger, eat a RED one.
Eat a BLUE one to minimize depression.
To relieve stress, eat a GREEN one.
If you feel a headache coming on, eat an ORANGE one.
Eat a YELLOW one to cheer you up.
You can eat the BROWN ones at any time.
If all symptoms occur at the same time, EAT THE WHOLE BAG!

My Favorite Things - Side 2

I have a brilliant friend! Artistic, too. I wish I could be just like her but that wouldn't make me......well, me. So, I have to be happy just being me and being inspired by her creativity. Like this layout...how darling is this! It's the second side to the My Favorite Things layout that we made in my monthly scrapbook group. You know those little leaflets that occasionally come in the mail, advertising different paper crafts? Well, her eye caught this one and she hung on to it for years. Kinda like all of those wonderful papers I hang on to, waiting for just the right photographs to use or journaling that will compliment the theme. Some things are just timeless!


I never cease to be amazed at how all of my wonderful ladies can take the same papers, the same inks, same design and turn it into a work of art. Ahh, so much fun to watch!


For this layout, we used Daydream Paper Pack (#X7108B), Homestead Alphabet (#E1007), and inks in Lilac Mist, Blush, and Sweet Leaf.

See you soon!

My Favorite Things - Side 1

I mentioned in a previous post that my monthly scrapbook groups are scrapbooking about themselves this year. One of our themes was My Favorite Things. When I designed the pages, I remember walking through my yard thinking what some of my favorite things are...the smell of flowers, their bright colors, the pond we put in this year, great music while cleaning, naps on Sunday afternoon, our annual family vacation to Pismo Beach, scrapbooking and stamping with friends, and the list goes on and on. What was so neat was how the theme got me to thinking! I do have a lot of favorite things in my life. Here is the first side of the layout. There's lots of room in the lower left section for photos! Watch for the second side in the next day or two. It's the greatest.

I love photographing flowers! Can you guess where this photograph of sunflowers was taken? Hint: It's at an amusement park in California. Post your guess in the comment section of this post - I'd love to know your guess!















Another of my favorite things are the friendships I have with other consultants. Although we may not see each other but once or twice a year, they have a special place in my heart. Here's a fun photo of my friend, downline and sister-consultant, Kristina.


When I feel the need for inspiration, I enjoy watching the latest episodes of Close To My Heart TV. Take a few minutes and treat yourself to some incredible inspiration! Watch the current episode or any of the archived episodes. Whatever you choose, you'll be in for a treat.

Until next time!

What A Trip! What A Conference!

Traveling is always so much fun! (Lots of work, too!) I love going to new places, seeing new things, and meeting new people. It can also be stressful so going with an attitude of gratitude makes it much more enjoyable. On my trip to Long Beach this past week for the annual Close To My Heart Leadership Conference, I spent oh, probably 3 1/2 to 4 hours in traffic on the LA freeways. Talk about trying my patience. I now know how easy it is to rear-end someone in that kind of traffic...the poor fellow in front of me made the mistake of glancing down at his cellphone and accelerating at the same time. Not a good idea...

I have some incredible announcements to share with you so grab something cool to drink, pull up a chair (and a friend!) and be prepared to be WOWED!

To begin with, check out this amazing layout. It's the beginning of something so big and wonderful that you'll pop with excitement!

Announcement 1: Studio J

The folks at Close To My Heart corporate office are absolutely brilliant. Beginning in early 2010, you will have the opportunity to scrapbook online in a digital environment. This, however, isn't any old digital environment...it is exclusively a Close To My Heart digital environment where, with a click of the mouse you can add your photographs to any of 40 exclusive Close To My Heart layouts, add embellishments such as My Stickease, change the color of your paper and ribbon or reposition your title. It's completely amazing...and that's just the beginning! With the look and feel of classic Close To My Heart scrapbooking, you're sure to grow your scrapbooks much quicker. I plan to incorporate both classic and studio designing in my scrapbooks. I hope you'll join me.

For a preview of what's to come, head on over to Close To My Heart's homepage and click on Studio J. The excitement begins now...!

Announcement 2: August Customer Special

Close To My Heart extends a big Thank You to its loyal customers this month by way of FREE products. With any $100 purchase, you will receive the August Stamp of the Month, It's Your Day, along with a FREE package of My Reflections Background & Texture paper AND free tax and shipping/handling. You won't want to put this off, though...the offer is effective from August 3 - 17. Take advantage of it by calling me (760)873-3994, e-mailing me, or placing your order online at my http://laurie.myctmh.com/ website.

One of the best things about being a Close To My Heart consultant is being able to spend time with my sister consultants. Over the years many of them have become my not only my friends but also my inspiration. I love these people! I'll post some photos of some of my friends tomorrow along with some highlights of the Director's dinner.

Until then!

No More Excuses!

There are no more excuses for not having time to scrapbook! One of the most exciting announcements of our Leadership Conference was made today. I'm excited to share a whole new world of scrapbooking with you...Studio Scrapbooking. This online experience will be like none other and you will have more time to enjoy Classic Scrapbooking. With Studio Scrapbooking, all of your scrapbooking will be done in the digital world. With Classic Scrapbooking, nothing changes...scrapbooking is as wonderful as it's always been. You can choose to do one or the other or a combination of both. More details will be forthcoming but for now, I'd like to share a Studio Scrapbook layout example that was given to consultants a short time ago. Yes, this is all done on the computer!
















Watch for special online training sessions where I will introduce you to this new method of scrapbooking with Close To My Heart.

I'm off to spend the evening with my sister consultants at Disneyland...thank you Close To My Heart for treating me to a fun evening!

Laurie

Leadership News!

Lots of great things are happening at the Close To My Heart Leadership Conference here in Long Beach, CA. Where do I start when there are so many fabulous announcements to make?!

The new Fall/Winter 2009 Idea Book is a huge hit and with tons of new products, you'll be as anxious to have it in your hands as I was. It has been redesigned and you're going to love, love, love it! Several of our products have also been redesigned. My favorite it the new Soft Set Eyelet Tool. Ladies in my workshop groups...we're going to be doing a lot more setting of eyelets!

The most exciting news is that Close To My Heart is introducing an online digital scrapbooking product. If you don't think you have time to scrapbook, you'll think again after the debut of Studio J! More details to come.

Here's my friend, Chris, and I beaming ear to ear because we were all given a beautiful organizational tote! (I love the perks of being a consultant:)



Who knew that 15 years later I'd be celebrating an anniversary with Close To My Heart? I received this beautiful pin as a thank you for my loyalty and service to Close To My Heart. Can't wait to see what the next 15 years bring!



For now, I've got to get back to class so I don't miss a thing. California Adventures awaits us tonight as we have dinner and off to enjoy some rides.

More to come! So long until next time!
Laurie