Sneak Peak of June Kit of the Month!!

I'm so excited! My kids got out of school today and all I can say is "Hello, Summer--here we come!" I adore these months when I have the kids close by. I love the lazy schedules, no homework and all the fun summer sports. Kade is going to Peru for two weeks next Monday. He's hiking to Machu Picchu over the Inca Trail. He can't wait to go--he's my total outdoors kid.

I have had SO much fun putting together the June Kit of the Month. It's the most unique scrapbook I've ever made--love every aspect of it. Stacy Julian is the brainchild behind it and it's so clever.



It's called "A Penny for your Thoughts" which helps you document 10 important years from your past. First of all, decide on the 10 years that you want to highlight (this could include a birth, marriage, death, job change, graduation, dream trip, etc.). Remember to be real--some of the years may represent hardships. Next, collect a penny from that year and include it on the coin holder--this can go at the top or the bottom of your tin. (Brecken had a blast sorting through pennies trying to find the correct years.) Next, use the circular graph pages to highlight photos and journaling that show why you chose that particular year. The pocket pages store "pieces" of the story from that year--fact cards, connection tags, penny slips, connection tags, price tags (all included in the kit). Also included are label stickers to record important details on your pages and a date stamp. On my example, one of the years I chose was 2001--the year Sage was born. My journaling includes my emotions the night before she was born knowing this was the last time I'd feel life inside me, the joy I felt the first time I held her and the hardship of getting over the baby blues.

This adorable album fits inside the cutest embossed tin. This would be so fun to do at a neighborhood crop or with a circle of friends. You could then share each of your stories (and eat chocolate).

Thanks, Stacy J. for your creativity. You never cease to amaze me. You can order this kit starting June 1st at 9:00 a.m. MST.

I had a lovely lunch with my "Utah Contest Winner," Shannon Wolkins. She is one creative gal--just look at the cute dolls she made out of clay for me and my girls. I'm the one with scissors in my hand! Thanks, Shannon. I love having a new friend!




Have a great weekend. I'm off to my niece's graduation. I can't believe little Michal Ash is all grown up!

Sincerely,
Lisa

Cute Photos and Cool Stuff!

Hey Everyone!

I mentioned that I'd been in Ohio most of last week. I attended the wedding of my nephew, Garrett, and his high school sweetheart (they are now 22), Amanda. They are an adorable couple and I'm lucky because they'll be moving out to Utah so Garrett can go to school.



I had to show off my nieces--they were the flowergirls. So cute!!




Thanks to everyone for the neat messages and gifts for my 10 year anniversary on QVC. What an amazing experience--I can't believe my husband pulled off taking everyone out there and surprising me on air. The next day we all went and saw Wicked in NYC, then we stayed in Ocean City, NJ for a day. Fun times.

My friend, Amy Ketron, came for the occasion and hung out with my family. I had to show you the adorable "jelly belly" bottle she made for each of us. She said the bottles are from Starbucks drinks (purchased at the grocery store--you could do this with any type of cool beverage bottle) and she cut out the cute mini-scrapbooks (attached to the bottle) with her Wishblade (a Silhouette would work great too).



Sally Davis and Michele Ritchie presented me with this beautiful scrapbook. It's the story of how we all met (Sally's husband made a steak dinner for me and my sisters in Pennsylvania). It took them a year to complete--Love it!



Hope you're having a great week. Mine is jam packed. I'm in charge of a daddy-daughter date at church tonight, plus hosting an American Idol party. Collin has a basketball game, and Brecken has a huge state report due tomorrow (she has Minnesota--what a fun state!). Brecken's singing a solo at the Hope of American program tomorrow night, my friend Jamie has a bridal shower, I have a big hike to go on with my boys (they are going to hike in Peru for the first two weeks of June), plus loads of work deadlines. We are going to Indiana Jones on Saturday night with some friends, the cemetery on Sunday after church, Kyle's Eagle Court of Honor and Lagoon (a local amusement park) on Monday. Whew. I guess it's all self-chosen chaos and I love it. I wouldn't have life any other way!

Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend.

Be Safe!

Sincerely
Lisa

Winners of the Summer Contest

Wow--What a wonderful weekend. I just got back from Ohio from my Nephew's wedding and had a great time. I can't wait to share some of my photos with you. Here are the winners of the "What do you do in the summertime" contest. Please contact vgrothe@ckmedia.com with your snail mail address.

#33 mom2boys (Tammi) 12:30 p.m.
#37 Stsummers (Tanya S) 12:49 p.m.
#61 Lori 2:27 p.m.
#85 Conlon (Andrea in Springfield) 5:01 p.m.
#93 Emily 5:39 p.m.
#118 Kristine in NY 7:23 p.m.
#172 Lisa Mck (Lisa Mck in FL) 9:44 p.m
#269 chris a 1:29 p.m.
#302 Danielle 4:08 p.m.
#306 Jenn 7:32 p.m.

Also, several people have recently left me comments that require personal attention. Unfortunately I don't have a way to look up your information so if you do ask a question, please leave me an e-mail address and someone at CKMedia will get in touch with you.

Here are a few general questions that you have asked lately:

1. What is the line of paper from your mother/daughter crop in the May 2008 issue? Basic Grey's Sweet Pea (Allysa)

2. Where did you get your square "L" necklace? Dear Lizzie in Highland, Utah. For more information go Here.

3. Who are you rooting for on American Idol? Can you believe that American Idol is the only television show I watch and I'm totally addicted. I really like both the finalists but have to go for David Archuleta. His voice is so pure and he seems to be right on with almost every song. Plus--he only lives 30 minutes from me! Post me who you're rooting for. It will be fun to see who scrapbookers are going for. I'm having a big American Idol party at my house on Wed. night (with some of my neighbors). Stop by if you're in the area!!

Have a great Monday.

Lisa

Countdown Trivia

Looks like we chose two winners (another winner was chosen below).

The correct answer to the last Countdown Triva question is,
WordPerfect Editor in Chief!

The winner is "reese's pieces." Please e-mail vgrothe@ckmedia.com with your address and we'll send you your prize. Thanks to everyone for playing along.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Dear Mothers and Amazing Women Everywhere,

I just had to take this opportunity to thank you for being a part of my life. Everywhere I go, I meet wonderful women who are so full of grace, hope for the future and courage to face life's challenges. I read your comments and feel of your wonderful spirits. I wish I had the means to meet every one of you. I'd love to take you to lunch and soak in who you are. I know you're doing great things with your lives.

One of my friends, Heather D. White (a well known gal in the industry), gave me this beautiful plaque:



I love the message. Thanks, Heather (who is "retiring" from the industry--you will be missed).

I loved all your messages from my "Utah" contest. I want to take each of you to lunch! Hopefully our paths will meet at some point. I randomly choose one: Shannon (who wrote at 3:36 p.m.)--you're the winner! Can't wait to have some gal time with you at Food for Thought. Please leave your contact information for Pam at Davidandgoliath20022003@yahoo.com.

I've had the best mother's day week ever! Michael Lazorchak sent me these beautiful flowers. Just had to show them off:



Friday night I went with a friend to get a massage!

Then, yesterday I got up and saw my little Sage already outside with a friend looking like this:

It was a beautiful Spring day. Sage had a winter hat on--her friend had curlers in her hair. Both were rollerblading carrying bouquets of flowers from the wedding reception that was held the night before in our neighbor's yard. (Our neighbors told them take whatever flowers they wanted--and they did!) Sage was singing "The Phantom of the Opera" at the top of her lungs. I grabbed the camera and camcorder. These are the moments I want to remember all my life!



Also, Sage was sooooo brave. We were at a family gathering and Uncle Mike noticed a loose front tooth. He said everyone there would give her a dollar if he could pull it. She let him (it was a tough one to come out) and now is $17.00 richer. I love this photo of toothless little Sage.



Last night we got together at a park with my side of the family and ate and played wiffle ball (so much fun--you must go buy one. Great $3.00 investment). My 78-year-old mother was a hoot. She even slid for second base on one occasion!

This morning I got breakfast in bed, and now we're off to church. Then the Bearnson side of the family is coming over for dinner. Steve and Brecken are making chicken enchiladas. Yum!

I am so blessed.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Lisa

Win a KOTM!

Tell me what the most exciting thing you have planned for the kids in your life this summer and you may get your hands on the May KOTM, "Kids Play" for free! Ten random winners will be chosen from the eligible entries.

And once you get your kit, we would LOVE to see what you and your kids have done with it. I'll post my favorite photos here on the blog.
Have a great weekend!

"Happy Mother's Day" Utah Contest!

Hey Everyone!

All these contests have been so much fun! The last answer to the trivia question is "WordPerfect Magazine Editor in Chief." (This was my former job.) The winner is Becky@Shapirousa.net. Please contact Vgrothe@ckmedia.com to claim your prize!

By the way, what a wild weekend on QVC. For those of you who watched, you know my family surprised me by showing up LIVE on my 6:00 p.m. QVC show. It was a wonderful, very emotional experience. I'm anxious to share more details and also some of the cool scrapbook pages and presents that scrapbooking friends gave to me. I'm photographing everything, then will share them with you.

Okay, so if you live in the Utah area, I have a really fun contest for you. Tomorrow (Thursday May 8th) my family is being featured on Studio 5 (KSL Channel 5) at 11:00 a.m, 4:00 p.m. (news) and 5:00 p.m. (news). It's a special called "Utah's Favorite Moms" that Channel 5 is running all week. My girls are going to the studio with me and making two of our favorite recipes. My darling friend, Carrie Heaphy, whipped up these aprons us all to wear. The girls were modeling them this morning before they went to school. Aren't they cute!! Thanks, Carrie.




Okay--so here's the contest. I want to take one of you to lunch at my favorite restaurant ("Food For Thought" in Draper, Utah) and give you my two newest books. I love meeting new people and this will be so much fun! Simply watch one of tomorrow's shows and then drop me a note about something the girls or I did or said on the show (so I know you watched!). I'll choose a winner on Friday night and we'll set up the lunch. Sorry this contest is a little limited to my area!

I'll post all my neat surprises soon!

Sincerely,
Lisa

May KOTM

You are going to love, love, love the May Kit of the Month! With the summer months—and school breaks—just around the corner, this it just the thing to keep the kids entertained. You can see all the details here.

Plus, I wanted to share this fun video I did with my girls to show how much fun this kit is.