Wednesday, July 18, 2012

CTMH Convention ROCKED!

I am back from Dallas, Texas and our annual Close To My Heart Convention.  OMG, all I can say is WOW!  Every year I wonder how they are going to amaze me and every year they totally out-do themselves!!
There are just soooo many wonderful new things to share, I'm not even sure where to begin...

How about with a sneak peak of the newest Idea Book?  You will be able to order out of it beginning on August 1st.  Want a copy of it?  Just let me know and I'll get you one :)
Want to know some of what's inside that new Idea Book?  I just bet you do...how about a brand new, exclusive to CTMH Cricut Artiste Collection!  Yep, you get all this for just $99 - or better yet, book your party in August and use your 1/2 price hostess rewards to purchase it!  Yessiree, Bob!  It could be yours for only $49.50 :)  It has 698 brand new images for you to use.
Do you like Studio J?  Now you are going to like it even more!  Membership fees have gone away and now they make it even faster, simpler, and easier for you.  Try it out for FREE, just click here to get started.  Be sure to let me know if you have any questions at all!

Is organization your thing - or maybe you need some organization...we have just the ticket for you.  You will want to see our brand new organizers and accessory boxes.  They are awesome!

Pigment inks?  WE now have mini pigment ink pads that will be just perfect for decorating your home decor items.  Yes, you heard me correctly, I said Home Decor  Items!  This is right up my alley as I love, love, love to do these types of items.  Just wait till you see what I have to show you! 

We also have come out with some brand new alcohol ink based markers that are perfect for coloring in your stamped images.  I can hardly wait to get my hands on these and start playing :)

There is so much more, but I will wait as this post is getting so long.  I'm sorry, but I get so excited I can hardly contain myself :)

Stay tuned for more pictures of new (and old) stuff :)

Happy Scrappin'



PS-Check out these awesome new Damask Bags we got just for attending Convention! 
 Would you like to get one for FREE?  When you sign up to be a Consultant starting in August, you can get one (while supplies last) included in the cost of your New Consultant Kit - which is only $49!! Ask me for more details - I would love to have you on my team :)

Thursday, July 12, 2012

More summer fun

The weekend before the 4th was also spent with my family at the lake.  What a beautiful day it was (although quite HOT).  Yes, I said HOT!  We had over a week of very hot and humid weather (and yes, I do still live in Wisconsin!)  Our weather was hotter here than down south even!

Anyway, here are a few pictures of our fun...
Here are a couple more recipes for you, too.  The first is for S'more Bites.  They were so easy to make and much neater to eat than the originals.  Just as good, minus the campfire.
7  whole graham crackers (1 cup finely crushed)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
4 bars (1.55 oz each) milk chocolate candy, divided
12 large marshmallows
 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place graham crackers into a large resealable plastic bag. Finely crush into crumbs. Combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and butter in a small bowl.
Place 1 tablespoon of crumb mixture in each cup of a mini muffin pan. Firmly press crumbs to form shallow cups. Bake 4-5 minutes or until edges are bubbling. (I discovered how easy it was to form the shells by using my cookie scoop - 1 scoopful was just the right amount and the back of the scoop worked well to press them into the tin).
Meanwhile, break two of the candy bars into rectangles. Remove pan from oven; place one rectangle into each cup.
 Cut marshmallows in half crosswise using shears dipped in cold water. Place one marshmallow half, cut-side down, into each cup. Return to oven 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows are slightly softened. Remove pans from oven to cooling rack; cool 15 minutes. Carefully remove cups from pan. Cool completely.

Break remaining candy bars and place in small microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 20 seconds. Dip the top of each marshmallow in melted chocolate. Turn top-side up and let stand 40 to 60 minutes or until set. Makes 24 cups.
The next recipe is for Sand Pudding.  You've heard of Dirt Cake?  Well, same idea only it looks like sand instead of dirt.

1 pkg Vanilla Wafers
3 or 4 Oreos
8 oz Cream Cheese
1/4 C Butter
2/3 C powdered sugar
2 small pkgs French Vanilla pudding mix
2 3/4 C Milk
12 oz Cool Whip

Crush Oreos and Vanilla Wafers in a food processor.  In a separate bowl, cream together softened 8 oz cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. In another bowl, mix pudding with milk.  Add to cream cheese mixture.  Fold in cool whip.  Layer into buckets with sand, pudding, sand etc. 
 
I found both of these recipes on Pinterest...imagine that!
 
Happy Scrappin'
 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

4th of July

As you are reading this, I am on my way to Dallas, Texas for our Close To My Heart Annual Convention.  I can hardly wait to spend time with all my "sistas" and to learn, learn, learn.  I will have lots of fun new stuff for you when I get back!!
I hope everyone had a great 4th of July.  It is a bittersweet holiday for me as the 5th marked 3 years since my daughter passed away.  I refuse to let it get me down, though.  I had a wonderful day with my family.  My 3 nieces mean the world to me and I couldn't love them any more than if they were my own!
We made a trip up north to visit Grant and Lori at the campground (and play in the pool) and then headed even further north to visit with Mom and Norm.  We missed out on the big picnic, but got to relax and visit a little anyway :)
 Isn't my Mom the crafty one?  She had these firecrackers all over!
Mr. Eagle even came to visit us :)
I made some Rice Krispie bars to bring along and I thought I'd share the recipe with you.  I know, I know...you're thinking, (what in the world, have I never made them before, don't you think I know how?)  Well, let me tell you, these are better than your average Krispie bars.  There is a little addition to them that just makes them all the better.  You may never go back to plain old Krispie bars again!
3 Tbsp. butter
1 10 oz. bag mini marshmallows
1/3 cup yellow cake mix (dry, not mixed into a batter)
6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
1 (1.75 oz.) container sprinkles

Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat and add marshmallows. Stir until they begin to melt, adding in (dry) cake mix one spoonful at a time so its combined. Stir in cereal so it is completely coated with marshmallow mixture. Sprinkle in half of the sprinkles and mix. Press into a baking dish (any size will do) and top with remaining sprinkles. Let sit for about 30 minutes before cutting.

I told you, they're good :)

Happy Scrappin'


Monday, July 9, 2012

Live Out Loud

Today's post brings you the July Stamp of the Month, Live Out Loud.  The artwork is courtesy of my friend Rachel.  She did a fabulous job using the Stella papers.
Contact me or click here to order your Stamp of the Month - and don't forget about the Perfect Pairs deal going on this month, too.  (Scroll down to yesterday's post to read all about it.)

Happy Scrappin'

Sunday, July 8, 2012

The Perfect Pair

Place an online order of $75 or more in July and
we’ll send you a popular paper packet and coordinating
accessory—a Perfect Pair—for free! That’s
a retail value of up to $17.90! Different Perfect
Pairs are available on different dates throughout
the month so you’ll want to place more than one
qualifying order to snatch several Perfect Pairs.
Place your order early in the availability
period, as the promotion is while supplies last.
Here are the details about the pairs you get depending on the dates you order:
July 1–5 Mischief Paper Packet (X7144B) and Midnight Felt Shapes (Z1462) $15.90
July 6–10 Dreamin’ Paper Packet (X7142B) and Harvest Charms (Z1633) $14.90
July 11–15 Fanfare Paper Packet (X7138B) and Fanfare Level 2 Assortment (Z1400) $17.90
July 16–20 Lucky Paper Packet (X7137B) and Lucky My Stickease® Assortment (X7137C) $17.90
July 21–25 Mayberry Paper Packet (X7136B) and Mayberry My Stickease® Assortment (X7136C) $17.90
July 26–29 Sophia Paper Packet (X7131B) and Sophia My Stickease® Assortment (X7131C) $17.90
July 30–31 Believe Paper Packet (X7145B) and Holiday Pockets (Z1486) OR Wonderland Paper Packet (X7146B) and Wonderland My Stickease® Assortment (X7146C)                                                   $14.90

Just click here to start ordering :)


Happy Scrappin'