March 7 - San Juan

Since I am so far behind with my kiddo's albums that I will probably never get to traditionally scrapbooking our cruise, I decided I would give Close To My Heart's Studio J a try. Wow is all I can say. I was a little leary at first...but it was much easier than I thought it would be and once I got started I really was having a lot of fun.

You can get a double page layout done in about half an hour once you get the hang of things. I can do it from my bed, from my recliner, from my desk at work on my lunch hour, from my parent's house, etc. All you need is a network connection and access to my Close To My Heart website. It will be FREE to play with!! Does it get better than that?!?!

I plan to write up a post to explain what all it can do, etc. but for now you can enjoy my layouts from my cruise...hehehe. Studio J should be avaible to customers sometime this month. I will for sure let you know when you can start playing!!

Here's our first day of vacation. We flew in to San Juan, Puerto Rico around 11:45 and took a taxi to our hotel. We then sat and played euchre until the rest of our friends arrived who were staying in the same hotel. We then all piled in a taxi and headed out to meet another group of our friends at a local bar - The Video Bar.

**Studio J Layout featuring Floral Tapestry Paper Pack

Nathan's Thoughts...

My friend Jen posted this on her blog with her 4 year old's answers. I thought it was way cute and couldn't wait to see what Nathan had to say!

Here are the instructions:
Without ANY prompting, ask your child these questions and write down EXACTLY what he/she says. It is a great way to find out what he or she really thinks.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
I love you!!

2. What makes mom happy?
Me not saying mean things.

3. What makes mom sad?
When I say shut-up

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
When you tickle me.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
You like Scooby Doo.

6. How old is your mom?
28

7. How tall is your mom?
Jumps up and stretches as far as he can reach upward

8. What is mom's favorite thing to do?
Play Candyland with me.

9. What does mom do when you're not around?
Your sad.

10. If mom became famous, what will it be for????
Playing tag and hide and seek.

11. What is mom really good at?
Scrapbooking!!

12. What is mom not very good at?
I think your good at everything.

13. What does mom do for a job?
Scrapbooks.

14. What is mom's favorite food?
Mac and Cheese

15. What makes you proud of mom?
Playing with me.

16. If mom were a character, who would she be?
Scrapbook Girl

17. What do you and mom do together?
Play with each other.

18. How are you and mom the same?
Because we love each other.

19. How are you and mom different?
Because God made us different.

20. How do you know mom loves you?
Because we sit by each other, and play with books and play with cars and you say you love me.

21. What does mom like most about dad?
Not being mad at him and being married with each other.

22. Where is mom's favorite place to go?
At Grandma's

23. How old was mom when you were born?
I dunno.

Summer 2010 CTMH Open House...

Mark Your Calendars...Because you will want to join me on Sunday, May 2 at 1:00 at my home (Madison, WI). I will be hosting my Summer 2010 Close To My Heart Open House!! The Summer Idea Books just arrived via my favorite man in brown (UPS). WOOHOO!!

I will have snacks and beverages, chances to win great prizes every half hour, brand new products for your viewing pleasure in your FREE Idea Book just for attending, 4 cards for $5 (a sneak peak attached) and a Great Grand Prize. So come and have some fun on Sunday, May 2 at 1:00.

Please RSVP by Friday, May 1 so I make sure to have enough card supplies on-hand.

FYI...Want More Chances to Win the Grand Prize:

1 extra ticket - Be on-time
2 extra tickets - Bring a friend I have not done business with before
3 extra tickets - Donate to Operation Smile
4 extra tickets - Place an order of $50 or more
5 extra tickets - Book your own Home Gathering
A Special Gift - Sign up to become a Consultant

Live out of town and wish you could attend. Well you can!! I will send you your FREE Idea Book and Card Supplies!! E-mail Me!!

Don't miss out on all the fun. RSVP Today!!

Club Members: You get your Idea Books now...too bad you gotta wait to order from them until May 1st though...hehehe. :o) You still don't want to miss out on the Open House and a look at the new stuff up close and personal and make some great new cards.

I wanted to send out a HUGE thank you to all of you who round your Close To My Heart order totals up to the nearest dollar in support of Operation Smile. Jeanette Lynton posted this on her blog, and I thought I would share.

I received an amazing e-mail today from Operation Smile that’s left tears in my eyes and a prayer of gratitude in my heart. I wanted to share it with ALL OF YOU, as you are the reason Close To My Heart is able to be a major contributor to Operation Smile. The message comes from one of our friends at Operation Smile’s corporate headquarters, and it had the following subject line: “A big thank you message from the children of Rwanda!”

Here’s an excerpt from the e-mail:
Thank you so much for your extraordinary support. Once again and despite the economic downturn, you and the fabulous team at Close To My Heart seem to find a way to rise to the occasion and exceed your goals. With great pleasure, we wanted to share this tribute message with you in hopes of reminding you just how special you are to so many, especially the children around the world!

If you look closely, you’ll see some of these children are only a day or two post-surgery, while others are anxiously waiting their big day. By now, I’m sure, their smiles are as full and bright as the possibilities in their futures.

The following photo was included with the e-mail—if a picture is worth a thousand words, this one could write a book:

Life is good. YOU are good. Thank you for making great things possible.

CTMH's April Stamp of the Month - Flower Pot

April Stamp of the Month
Receive a FREE Stamp Set with your $100 purchase!

Flower Pot
D1409: (Set of 16) $22.95

Available: April 1 - April 30, 2009 only
(For more details click on the above image)