A Real Roadie!

To say I'd ever been on a real road trip would likely be a stretch of the truth. Yes, we've gone back and forth to see family or I've attended various Close To My Heart functions that required extensive traveling, but those trips have a sameness in that they follow the same highways and biways in both directions. So I say they don't count! I'm happy to share that we just returned home from a real honest-to-goodness road trip where we didn't have a specific destination at a specific time. It was great. Not only did we survive but we didn't have any mishaps or get lost more than twice. Not bad for a real roadie!

My husband Joe, myself, and our unemployed, still-to-young-to-leave-behind daughter all took off from California to drive to Washington State to see our son. We made it up there in not 1 single day, like my son makes the trip home (crazy, I say!), but we took a little over a day and a half. It was well worth it because we took some routes that were off the beaten path and saw some beautiful country. The highlights for me had to do with photography...which will eventually make it centerstage in my scrapbooks! Or better yet, in a big print on my wall. Because I wasn't driving, I could be a lookey-lou and scout out barns, fences, fields of wildflowers, and the like then jot down the location so I could sweet-talk my husband/driver into stopping at those locales on the way home. I'd say I got about 50% of the bargain, probably less. That's better than being disappointed altogether! But guess what? I'm going again! BY MYSELF! (Someday:-)


I'd be remiss in not mentioning that the best part of the trip was spending time with our son and his girlfriend. His home sits in a clearing in the middle of a forest...I call it the Enchanted Forest...that way I don't get too spooked.

My daughter and I weren't too far away from his home and I was photographing wildflowers and tree stumps when my daughter yelled from the car, "Mom, a bear!" That was the last thing I expected to find but then again, I'm from California and well, a tanned bum toting a surfboard might have been a more familiar - and less threatening - image. The big guy stood about 100 feet in front of us just staring us down. I made sure I had time to finish making my photographs before jumping in the car for a feeling of safety. Does a heavy tripod make a good self-defense weapon?? Soon after, he wandered over to the side of the road before disappearing in the brush. I learned one good lesson on this roadie...when visiting the great Northwest, keep one eye out for BEARS!

Thinking what we had really seen was just an overgrown dog, when we returned to our son's home, he quickly requested the "evidence", doubting two girls could tell the difference between a bear and a dog. You just watch us!

Our roadie took us to my friend, Chris Green's house for a delicious pizza lunch with her family. The only other time I've been with Chris has been during Close To My Heart events (we're both consultants) so this was really special. We could have reminisced about the Mediterranean Cruise for hours but I'll bet that both our husbands would have fallen asleep. So, we made our visit short and sweet and we'll continue sharing the fun memories the next time we are together.

Lastly, I am so blessed that we were able to take the time to create warm, wonderful, and special memories with those we love and miss dearly. (Brandon, move back closer soon, eh? I'll even come and get you!)

To close, I'm including one more darling divider from my Recipe Book Album that I promised a while back. As you'll begin to see, they are all similar but each with their own character. Hope you enjoy!

CTMH TV

Sometimes I love computer technology and sometimes I hate it! When my computer is slow or my printer blocks up, computer technology is my least favorite thing at the moment. When everything is humming along like a slick little sportscar, it's my best friend and I'm HAPPY! Today I choose to be grateful for computer technology, mostly because everything is working fine but also because I get to watch the latest episode of CTMH TV!

No matter where you live in this big ol' world, we can all use computer technology to tune in at least once a month and view the latest and greatest in the stamping and scrapbooking world via CTMH TV. Presented by Jeanette Lynton, the founder and CEO of Close To My Heart, each 6-9 minute presentation focuses on a main project, including in-depth instruction and full visuals. In the latest episode, you'll learn how to add a splash of ink, a dash of glitter, and add a touch of creativity as you learn how to create inspiring projects that will make your summer sparkle! Also in this episode of Art & Soul you’ll learn a faux tearing technique, tips for adding white details that pop, and glitter ideas that will make your pages gleam. Take a walk down memory lane with Jeanette as she compares her scrapbooking pages from “then” and “now.”

Click here and you'll go right to the current episode of Art and Soul. While you're there, be sure to check out past episodes. Well, okay...before you go, I guess you'd better grab a tall class of icy cold lemonade, get comfy, and prepare to be wowed!

I'll be away from my computer for a few days but who knows, I may surprise you and post anyway.

See you again soon!

Recipe Book Add On

A few days I posted a photograph showing a beautiful recipe book idea. This project was for a large workshop so I had to cut paper for multiple recipe books. Once I designed the original, cutting the background and texture paper and cardstock for the workshop was a cinch! Over the next few weeks, I'll add the insert pages. There are 5 all together and I'm sure you'll find them to be not only simple to recreate but very pretty, indeed! Here's the first insert pages:

As a reminder, I used the following Close To My Heart products:

~Z1141 My Creations 3-Ring Binder
~X7114B Bella Paper Pack
~D1367 Bon Appetit Stamp Set
~ D1364 Recipe Box Stamp Set

Stamp pads used include Close To My Heart's Exclusive Inks™ in the following colors: Z2147 Smokey Plum, Z2128 Hollyhock, Z2137 Olive. Don't you just love the grapes and leaves stamp set? It's an all-time classic and one of my favorites.

Everyone should have friends like our dear friends, Guy and Melissa. (This is me with Melissa, not Guy!) We spent a few days with them over the 4th of July. Melissa makes an outrageous Oreo Cookie Cheesecake. I'll share that recipe with you here, especially since today's post features a page from the recipe book.

Melissa's Oreo Cookie Cheesecake

Process in food processor (or smash by hand in a ziploc bag):

2 cups Oreo Cookies, including whites
4 tablespoons butter

Pat with spoon in 9" springform pan.

Beat:
4 - 8oz. pkgs. cream cheese
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons flour

Add: 4 whole eggs and 3 egg yolks. Beat until mixed. Stir in additional crushed Oreo Cookies. Pour in pan. Top with whole Oreo Cookies. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes then reduce oven to 225 degrees and bake additional 50 minutes. When knife inserted in cheesecake comes out clean, turn off oven and let cheesecake sit in over for 15 minutes. Take out after 15 minutes, let cool, then refrigerate. Top with 2 cups sour cream and 1/4 cup sugar.
Notes: Get yourself plenty of Oreos! Two bags should suffice. We ran short of Oreos but I had some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups on hand so I chopped those up and threw them in with the Oreos. Yummy!

We're getting excited for the annual fireworks display tomorrow night at the Bishop Airport. Families gather in the early evening for BBQing, playing games, and setting off "legal" fireworks before the big fireworks production sponsored by our volunteer fire department. The awesome show is set to patriotic music is the perfect ending to a great summer day.


Projects celebrating America's July 4th holiday should include Close To My Heart's traditional patriotic colors such as those shown in the swatches on the left. Additionally, several of our scrapbook kits are perfect for your 4th of July photographs. I might suggest the following themes:

Animal Cookies
Back Country
Blue Ribbon
Route 66

All of these themes are available in Level 1 Scrapbook Kits (4 pre-printed pages with 2 sheets of My Stickease), Level 2 Paper Packs (cardstock and patterned paper), and My Stickease. You can see each of the themes in the current Idea Book or view them at my http://www.laurie.myctmh.com/ website. (Pssst...you can place your order there, too!)

Are you prepared to take photographs at your 4th of July celebrations? I hope so! Here are some tips to help you achieve great fireworks photos.

Tip 1: If shooting with a point-and-shoot camera, check to see if there is a 'fireworks' setting. If so, use it!
Tip 2: Watch your backgrounds. Shoot low and into the sky if possible. Watch for errant objects in the background that might distract from the fireworks.
Tip 3: You'll be using a slow shutter speed so if possible, use a tripod.
Tip 4: Shoot verticals and horizontals. Watch to see that your horizons are horizontal!
Tip 5: If your camera has a shutter lag (that annoying time between pressing the shutter button and when the exposure is actually taken), anticipating the action may result in more successful images. Press the shutter just before the fireworks explode.
Tip 6: Switch your flash to OFF.

Now go out and have fun!

If you're looking for a quick and easy gift, one that will deliver something thoughtful and creative, and be a treasure for years to come, why not make a family recipe book?


The following Close To My Heart items were used to create this lovely recipe book:


~Z1141 My Creations 3-Ring Binder
~X7114B Bella Paper Pack
~D1367 Bon Appetit Stamp Set
~ D1364 Recipe Box Stamp Set

Directions:
1. Cut a piece of Bella B&T paper to fit front of binder.
2. Cut a 2nd piece long enough that will cover the back and side of the album and wrap around to the front.
3. On the end that wraps to the front (the pink shown on the left), fold and crease back to the left as shown. Glue in place.
4. Stamp as desired.

The 3-Ring binder has 5 tabbed inserts than can be used as recipe category separators. Cover each insert with any coordinating Bella B&T paper and stamp as desired.

Gift-giving suggestion: Make several recipe books and give as gifts for the holidays.

I'm excited to share the July Constant Campaign with you. You'll want to give a "high five" for the FAVORITE FIVE! Join Close To My Heart as a new consultant anytime between July 1 - 31, 2009 and you'll receive your choice of FIVE additional select products absolutely FREE. Here's a flyer with more details...be sure to check it out. It's a heck of a deal so don't delay! To sign up, visit my MyCTMH website then click on Your Opportunities then "click here" at the bottom of that page. The sign-up process is super easy and quick. As always, don't hesitate to e-mail me with any questions.

FIVE REASONS WHY I LOVE BEING A
CLOSE TO MY HEART CONSULTANT

1. Earning $$ doing something I love!
2. Raising a family while contributing financially.
3. Friends have become customers and customers have become friends.
4. The cruises!
5. Supporting my second love, photography.

Along with a new month comes a new Stamp of the Month. It's a great one, too. But then again, is there ever a month where we don't have a great Stamp of the Month? Remember that each Idea Book includes 4 months of Stamp of the Month specials. You'll always find them on the inside back cover.

I love surprises and although I don't get many sprung on me these days, I know my Deal - A - Day with Close To My Heart will be a fun surprise. I find myself anticipating that excitement each day! Don't get the day pass by without visiting my http://www.laurie.myctmh.com/ website for today's Deal - A - Day offer!

I spent a good part of my weeked working to beautify my lovely yard and I think I succeeded! I can't wait to show you the serene photos of our new backyard pond. From the first shovel's dig to the final plant in the ground around the water's edge, I have photos to remember it each step of the way. I can't wait to make this project a layout or two in my All About My Life scrapbook that I'm doing for me...and just me.