"Give Yourself a Present" Challenge

The date on this blog says Tuesday, but I really am publishing this on Wednesday.

I have to share with you a letter I got from Stacy Julian a few weeks ago. (Stacy is the super energetic, creative gal who started Simple Scrapbooks magazine and is the force behind Big Picture Scrapbooking.)

Here is the letter:

"Imagine waking up on what would appear to be an ordinary Wednesday and checking in on a few of your favorite blogs to discover a most unusual and phenomenal occurrence--quite possibly the scrapbooking world's first-ever "blog blitz." Now before you ask--a blog blitz is a fairly new term that means lots of blogs doing the same thing at the same time. In my dictionary, the word blitz means a sudden or overwhelming onslaught. The result or response of a blitz depends of course on the nature of the onslaught--which, in this case will be overwhelmingly positive. On Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 I want to give everyone (okay--as many people as possible) a present--the gift of present-moment scrapbooking. I'm writing to invite you to help me infuse the scrapbooking blogosphere with this message of epic proportion:

Be Here Now!

As scrapbookers we spend so much time creating in the past and anticipating the future that we sometimes forget to live in the present. Your life is unfolding everyday, hour by hour, and you have the opportunity to live and be happy. Let's bring the scrapbooking world together in a fun and potentially perspective-shifting challenge to be more aware, more grateful and more engaged with this thing we call life."

Now here's Stacy Julian's "Give Yourself a Present" challenge!

You have everything you need right now to be vibrant and fully engaged in the creative process. Sometimes you just have to slow down, look around and realize it!

Here's what you do . . .

Snap ten photos of your life right now.

Compile these photos in a small, little album. (The Bazzill Mono-Mini album is perfect.)

Keep or carry this album with you (in your desk drawer or purse) for one year.

Promise to glance through the album every time you stumble upon it or pull it from your purse.

On October 1st, 2009, create a scrapbook page about your experience.


Don't worry --I'll remind you to create a page in a year. Just keep reading my blog!

How cool is this challenge! Love Stacy Julian and her philosophies about life.

So--here are the 10 photos (and a brief explanation of each photo) that are in my Bazzill Mono-Mini album that represent my life right now. They have all been taken within the past two weeks.

Football, football and more football. This game is basically dominating our lives right now. The boys and Coach Steve have practices Monday-Friday, then game nights on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Then, our favorite college team (BYU) plays on Saturday usually during the day. This is the first year that I can honestly say I get really excited for the games. Maybe it's because I understand the game better than I ever have--maybe it's because the weather has been especially warm. Here is the traditional "best friends on opposite teams photo." Collin and Cooper hang out and vacation together--but when it comes to football they are on opposing teams.



My blog below tells about the amazing opportunity I had to sing in a 350 member women's choir last Saturday. I'm still on cloud nine!



The cheerleaders decorated our door before the big homecoming football game. I about fell over when Kade asked if I wanted to take a photo with him and the sign before the sign got taken down. I'm training him well! By the way, they won their game 43-0!



Last year Kade and I traveled to Scotland. I lived in Scotland for 18 months as a missionary for my church when I was in my early 20s and I was so excited to show Kade my old stomping grounds. He wanted a kilt really bad and I told him if we got it he'd have to wear it to a dance sometime. Homecoming was the dance and here he is all decked out. Doesn't he look handsome? (And, I have to admit he was very brave!)



The local Chamber of Commerce gave me a sweet award at a luncheon. My husband and children were so supportive and came to the event. (It was several hundred women and just a handful of guys!) P.S. I promise Sage's dress isn't that short--just pulled up from being held.)



My high school friends have remained some of my dearest gal pals. We get together several times a year and it's always a good time. We are always there for each other.



I also am blessed with friends in an amazing neighborhood. We love chatting, going to chick flicks and of course eating chocolate!



Our family always has fun together. For Family Home Evening on September 29th, we went to a historical park and had a picnic, then toured the museum which was an old homestead. Our neighbors then invited us over for somemores. The weather has been perfect--80s in the day and 70s in the evening.



September 29th was the best Sunday ever. We go to church at 9:00 a.m. and everyone got to church on time! That afternoon we had a yummy crock pot chicken dish, then I had a three hour greatly-needed nap. We then went and fed ducks with our cousins, then I went on a leisurely walk with a friend. When we got home, a neighbor had brought over the most delicious peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Yummy again!



Steve and I both have large families. There are 23 grandchildren on the Bearnson side and the Downs side has 37. My kids simply adore their cousins. We are lucky enough to have Sam and Daniel live to close to us. I love this photo of Sam and Sage.



Okay--so that's the challenge. Stacy has given me permission to give away 25 Bazzill Mono Mini albums so you can create your own little "Give yourself a present" album. Simply write your name, hometown and state and I'll choose 25 names on Friday Oct. 3 at midnight (MST). I'll post the winners on Saturday.

Thanks for playing. It will be fun to see where this goes!

Sincerely,
Lisa B.

A Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity!

This past weekend a big dream came true! I've always wanted to sing in a large, really great choir--the Mormon Tabernacle Choir would be my first choice. On Saturday night, a world-wide meeting for the women of my church was held in the large conference center in Salt Lake City, Utah. And guess what? I was one of 350 women who were invited to sing in the choir. What an amazing experience--one that brings tears to my eyes and is hard to describe in words. You can see the choir (350 people--WOW!) and hear the songs by clicking here. I am in the upper right hand corner in the second verse of the first song. (Click "opening hymn" on the bottom of the screen.)

Here are some of my good friends who I was privileged to sing with:



I have a fun challenge from Stacy Julian that I'll be posting on October 1st. Stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Lisa B.

Winners of "Dream Come True" Contest. See the QVC Kits They Won!

I was so touched by all your "Dream Come True" comments. I laughed and cried and read everything from perfume, to potty training, to hugs and kisses, and even starting your own Family Home Evening. Thanks for sharing your hearts with me.

Along with revealing the winners, I'm gong to share some pages or cards that go along with each kit. Remember, these are some of the kits I'll most likely be selling next Tuesday.

Here are the randomly picked winners:

F04326
12 x 12 Scrapbook and Software TSV
SEI Today's Special Value Kit (see images and description below):

Stacy (Hockey)
Rhadona (Twins called to tell you they appreciate your family and church)

F05206
Holiday or Occasion Laser Cut Paperk
This kit includes die-cut papers (really cool), borders, accents, greeting cards and envelopes.
Each component is laser die-cut so the designs are really intricate.

Winners (one for each kit):
Preacher's Wife (getaway at the lake)
Linda M. (11-year-old son did the laundry)

This is Occasional:



This is Holiday:


F05205
Sweet Life Paper and Embellishments Kit

Fun kit that is all about candy and sweets. Embellishments include stickers, popsicle stick accents, layered chipboard, dimensional rub ons, faux leather and epoxy accents, varnished vellum punch outs, and much more.

The winner is:
Rachel (her child took first steps)

Here's a sample page from the kit:



F05404
Set of 3 Mini Holiday Albums

Three adorable seasonal holiday albums. Kit includes mini scrapbooks, coordinating embellishments and paper, die cuts, chipboard, stickers and reusable clear storage tote with ribbon and padded mailer envelope.

Winner:
Helen (More time for her and hubby to be together)

Here is a sample album from the kit:



Hot Point
F05231
Card Kit (Choice of Jingle Bells or Holly Jolly)

Everything you need to make your holiday cards: cards, embellishments, satin ribbons, photo corners, brads, etc.

Winner:
Shell (teacher helped her son get organized with his homework)

Here's a sample card:



F05302
Holiday or Word Occasion Choice of Kit


Adorable word albums (you get three) with stickers, die cuts, ribbon, and metal binder rings plus full color step by step instructions.

Winner:
Venkat (dinner with family)

This is from the All Occasion choice:



F05322
200 pc Paper Pad

Choice of Sucerie (pinks, greens, teal, brown, orange and coordinates) or Iris designs (purples, blues, yellows, greens and coordinates). Never before seen designs!

Winner:
Happy Mommy (dropped daughter off at college)

Sample from this kit:



F04934
Tinkering Inc. Paper

Really great embellishments and paper in hip modern colors and designs!

Winner:
Salsa Mama (unexpected job)

Sample Page:



And another page and card:



F05324
Scrapper Keeper

This is exclusive to QVC. It comes with an cloth-wrapped D-Ring binder, and loads of unique papers and embellishments. Love the colors!

Winner
Kerry (Her daughter said "thanks!)

Here's a sample:


F04755
Cards Pads

This kit makes 48 cards for any occasion! Love the colors and designs!

Winner
Lori O. (new job)

Congratulations to the winners. Contact vgrothe@ckmedia.com to claim your prize. Also mention which kit you won. Just one little disclaimer--I plan on selling all these kits next Tuesday September 23rd but sometimes broadcasting has to move items to another show. I can't guarantee that will be sold.

Just another reminder of the Creating Keepsakes times:

12:01-2:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. (one hour)
1:00 p.m. (two hours)

See you on Tuesday. Remember there's lots of new, new, new!

Sincerely,
Lisa

P.S. Several people asked why putting away the vacuum was the "worst" chore for two of our family members. Answer: The hose is very long (we have central vac) and the cupboard it goes in is a little hard to get to. Plus it has to be coiled up perfectly or it won't fit!

P.S.S. Check out Kerri Bradford's blog. She's giving away a fun Elsie kit that I also will be selling!

Winner

"Dreams Do Come True" QVC Contest! Plus QVC CK Shows for Tuesday Sept. 23rd.

Next Tuesday September 23rd is the biggest scrapbooking fair of the year on QVC! I kick off the event at 12:01 a.m. (EST) with an incredible Today's Special Value. Before I tell you about about this wonderful day, I want to tell you about an amazing experience I had last night.

In the Bearnson home, every Monday night is Family Night. It's the one night of the week where we always spend the evening together. We take turns teaching lessons, making treats and planning games. Sometimes we go out to eat, then to a fun movie. It really doesn't matter what we do--the important thing is we do it together. Last year, one of Kade's football coaches planned an emergency strategy meeting on Monday night. Kade raised his hand in front of all the players and said, "Sorry Coach, I can't be there. Tonight is Family Night and family means everything to me." His coach's wife told me about this a few weeks later. So--as you can see, family night is a really big deal around here.

Last night right before dinner, Brecken announced that she'd prepared a special message for our family. (Love this photo of Brecken in a poppy field).



What followed truly was a dream come true for me. Her entire message was about the value of work and how it takes everyone in the family to make the house function. She said how work is our primary means of both growth and happiness and how a family will be strengthened by working together. Also how individual members will gain self-esteem by realizing they can make a worthwhile contribution to the family.

Now for the good part! (No I didn't pay her to say this!) She said, "I've been noticing lately that Mom seems to be doing a lot of the work around here and we all need to pitch in and help out more." (I gave a silent cheer inside.) Steve and I expect a lot out of our kids in the way of chores but lately the three men in our family have been very wrapped up with football--games, practices, manning the concession stand for the booster club, rewatching games, planning new plays, etc. (Steve is Collin's freshman coach.) This is six days a week (we take a break on Sunday).

We then discussed what life would be like if no one did any work around our home--what would our house look like. Brecken then had everyone list their favorite chore and their worst chore and how we could help each other with the worst chore. The answers are priceless:

Sage:
Favorite: Mopping
Worst: Cleaning up dog poop

Brecken:
Favorite: Making bed
Worst: Putting vacuum cleaner away

Collin:
Favorite: Dusting
Worst: Keeping room clean

Kade:
Favorite: Vacuuming
Worst: Putting vacuum cleaner away

Lisa:
Favorite: Putting clean sheets on my kids beds
Worst: Laundry

Steve:
Favorite: Making bed
Worst: Putting dishwasher dishes away

How cute were these answers--scrapbook material for sure!

Now for the cool part--Brecken organized a system that she felt like will help things go smoother.

1. She assigned days of the week for laundry and will write reminder notes like this one if people forget. (The three older children do their own laundry.)



2. She and Steve worked out an allowance program for jobs that go beyond the call of duty.

3. At 8:00 p.m. each night, she set an alarm where everyone is warned to pick up their stuff. At 8:15 p.m. she gathers up the extra clutter and stores it in a basket in her closet. The person wanting the item back has to pay $1.00--this goes in a kitty for future family vacations.

4. She talked about having more fun when we do chores. Sunday night, Kade, Steve and I were at a meeting until 10:30 p.m. When we arrived home, the kitchen was clean, the floor had been swept, scriptures had been read and the three children had already had family prayer together. Brecken mentioned how cleaning the kitchen together was tons of fun because they sang songs and laughed the entire time.

5. One final quote that she shared was this:

"Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do you best will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know." Charles Kingsley

Okay--so this was my dream come true this week--one of my children noticing how we can work better together as a family. And--it was so much more powerful coming from her than me! And--today our home has been a lot less cluttered!

So--here's the contest. Between now and Friday night (midnight), notice how a dream has come true in your life and leave me a message. Maybe your toddler or puppy just became potty trained. Maybe your husband surprised you with some roses after work. Maybe your teenager gave you a hug and told you he loved you on the way out the door to school. Or in my case, maybe your 11-year-old daughter sat your family down and told how the house could be run more efficiently!

Now for the contest (and thanks for reading this long entry!). I've been working with the kits I'll be selling on QVC next week and they are wonderful! Most of the items in my five hours of shows are BRAND NEW!

Okay--so I am going to give two of the Today's Special Value kit away, plus eight other various other kits. I will announce the winners on my blog on Saturday. The winners will be randomly drawn--except the first person who posts a comment will automatically be a winner.

Now for more information about the Today's Special Value kit from SEI. This is the first ever traditional, hybrid and digital kit all in one. First of all you get a beautiful box and photo album filled with precut paper, preprinted diecuts, stickers, brads, ribbon and so to make an entire album. There's also a blueprint given for each page so this album can be put together in literally under an hour. There are two choices: Mirage



and Poppy. Here are some samples from my album:









After creating the hands on portion, you can include your own photos in the album. Or, you can use the premiere digital software, FotoFusion, that's included with the kit and make it a hybrid album--part traditional, part digital.



The software will format the photos, titles, captions and so on like this so they will fit in your album--no extra measuring or cropping.



Check out the text and fun images on some of the photos--all completely automatic. If you totally want to make it a digital kit, it's as easy as clicking a button. Seriously, I created two duplicate 8 x8 copies of the album thanks to the software. Now my dilemma of which child gets which page when I create a tactile album is gone--now all my children can instantly enjoy all their pages with their own album. Also included in the kit are two extra 8 x 8 albums for the extra pages you will print out.

If you take digital photos and have wanted to try your hand at creating hybrid or digital albums, this kit is for you. It's completely risk free to try a whole new way of scrapbooking.

The Creating Keepsakes hours on QVC on September 23rd are:

12:01 a.m (two-hour show) plus Today's Special Value kick of
10 a.m. (one-hour show)
1-3 p.m. (two hour show)

Okay, so leave a message on how a dream came true for you this week. I'll randomly choose 10 winners and post them on Saturday.

See you on the Q.

Sincerely,
Lisa B.

My 9/11 Memorial Hike

I know all of us remember where we were when we got the chilling news seven years ago. I was still asleep and the phone woke me up. My mom was anxious on the other line as she told me "America is under attack." I ran outside expecting to see airplanes overhead and bombs going off. When I saw nothing, I ran to the television. My mouth dropped to the ground and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. How could this happen? My little safe world somehow didn't feel very safe anymore. I cried and cried--I sat glued to the television. My whole body felt numb. I didn't feel like eating or sleeping. I wanted to get on the first plane to NYC and help out--but no planes were running.
We all lived through this horrific experience. Many live with the haunting memories on a daily basis. There were 2,975 fatalities excluding the 19 hikjackers. Four hundred and eleven of them were emergency workers.

That's why I got up at the crack of dawn and went on this memorial hike today--to remember the sacrifice made by so many that daunting day. This group of people went on the hike and it was organized by the man in the front with the vest on.



He was a firefighter in NYC and was in the second tower when it collapsed. Many of his best friends perished. After 9/11, he moved back to Utah and organized a hike up to Flag Rock in Farmington, Utah.

Before the hike began, we had two moments of silence at the times each plane hit each tower. The hike up to Flag Rock is exactly the same distance as the 110 floors of the twin towers. At the top is a flag on a beautiful pole which overlooks the valley. What an amazing site!





My coworker, Andrew Johnson, invited Angela (my sister) and me on the hike. Again--what a rewarding experience. So glad I went.



What were your thoughts today? I'd love to hear from you.

With gratitude,
Lisa B.

We have some winners!

Sorry for the day delay on announcing the winners. I was having internet problems!

LOVED reading all your descriptions on what you love about this time of year. Okay--so just had to show you one of the happiest things I've seen this fall. This is in my neighborhood.



It's the most adorable fruit and vegetable stand that I've ever seen. The best part of all--the entire crop was planted, watered, weeded and harvested by a group of 14 and 15 year old boys who go to the same church congregation. They donated three days a week all summer to the project and now man the booth several days a week. Okay--their corn is the BEST corn I've ever tasted. Aren't these just happy signs?







And this guy is pretty cute too!



How cool that these young boys have put so much time and effort into such a worthwhile project. I think they are using the money toward charity and for a scouting trip.

Thanks to so many scrapbookers who entered the contest. I choose 11 instead of 10 because I think the first person who posts should always be a winner!

If your name appears below, please contact vgrothe@ckmedia.com with your name and snail mail address. We'll promptly send you the September Kit of the Month!

1. Scott Whitney and Connor (11:51 a.m.--first winner)

2. Just Tammy (6:07 p.m.)

3. Kay (6:41 p.m.)

4. Val (1:44 p.m.)

5. Judy (4:05 p.m.)

6. Mary (12:48 p.m.)

7. Darcy (Ellisville, MO--4:51 p.m.)

8. Robin (6:00 p.m.)

9. CSCA (Suzi--12:03 p.m.)

10. Andrea (6:16 p.m.)

11. dhillman (1:27 p.m.)

Hope you're having a great Fall weekend!

Lisa

"Happy Fall" Contest!

Whew! What a busy Labor Day weekend! I got back on Friday from the Creative Photography Retreat in San Jose. What an amazing event. I couldn't believe the time and effort that went into every class--all the fun goodies, not to mention all the expert photographers who were teaching the classes. If you want to go from ho hum pictures to outstanding photos, this is the event for you. Join us in Stamford, Connecticut October 9-11th.

Kade had a big football game on Friday night and Collin also played last week. Both won their games which made for a happy Bearnson house!

Saturday was Steve's parents 50th wedding anniversary. We celebrated it in style at the White House in Bountiful (a beautiful reception center). We had a delicious Hawaiian dinner (thanks, Bamboo Hut), then a tearful program where we reminisced over 50 years of Jim and Rhea Bearnson's lives. Brecken and her cousin, Mallory, sang "For Good" from the musical Wicked--it was the perfect song to end a perfect evening. Just wanted to share a few photos that were taken for this event.







Again, the amazing Robin Johnson took the photos.

Okay--now on to this month's Kit of the Month! It's called Mix it Up and contains the coolest, most happenin' embellishments out there made out of milky-white acetate, foam, raw chipboard and printed chipboard. There are alphabets, arrows, borders, words, bird, house, plane, robot--and the list goes on and on.

Here is a page created by Allison Davis (I just want to hang this in my house!).



Here's how the acetate comes:



Also the printed chipboard:



Check out Loni Stevens and Kerri Bradford's blogs for more cool examples of the September Kit of the Month.

Also, I'm giving away 10 of these kits on this site. Just leave a "Happy Fall" thought by Friday Sept. 5th (midnight) and I'll randomly choose 10 winners on Saturday!

Have a great Wednesday.

LB