Lisa's Blog

Hey Everyone!

Wow--Today is the first day of our Summer break and what a day it's been! Kade left for Peru at 7:00 a.m., Sage went off to Sports Camp at 9:00 a.m. and Collin to Basketball Camp at 10:00 a.m. And, Brecken went to Lagoon for the day with a friend. Sage and I then spent the afternoon reading "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" by Kate DiCamillo (amazing book), practicing "telling time," and cleaning her room. I've also been trying to get on top of laundry (where does it all come from?) and getting ready to go to CKU-Houston. And--I've eaten nothing but amazing sugar cookies all day. Kade's friend, Ellie, made them for me! (Thanks, Ellie. I need the recipe!) Life is busy, busy, busy! I love it (okay--not the laundry!).

Also, I couldn't believe my dear friend and neighbor, Robyn Harris, made this for me!



She's an art teacher and makes all types of amazing things. She creates whimsical "statues" of people out of clay and this is the one she made for me. She got the photos off my blog and included words that she felt like described me. She wrote me a very sweet note which she tucked in the pocket of my dress. I love it! What a sweet, sweet thing! Thanks, Robyn. She's also the artist of these cool drawings of my children.





Okay--so now for the contest. A year and a half ago, I accidentally bought a car on E-Bay. That's right--a car! My husband and I had been looking at the Toyota FJ Cruiser and I'd called our local dealer and found out there was a six month waiting period for this SUV. Steve was at an all day meeting one Saturday and while he was gone I decided to see if there were any Cruisers on E-Bay (I'd never been on E-Bay in my life). I found one I loved and thought I was just "playing around" with some numbers. Two hours later, Steve got a message on his Blackberry saying we were the new owners of a FJ Cruiser! Steve called me and asked if I'd been on E-Bay. I told him "yes" but that I didn't make an official bid. He said, "Yes you did--we have a new car!" He was very sweet about it and had to fly to Reno, Nevada to get the car! It actually turned out great--good deal and we love the car!

Steve surprised me by getting license plates that say "CKMag." Since Kade has gotten his driver's license, he actually drives the car the most. We got quite a chuckle what people think "CKMag" means for him.

So--here's the contest. What does "CKMag" mean for me and what does "CKMag" mean for Kade?? Any answer will work--I'll choose 10 of you to send our adorable June Kit of the Month to (see post below). If you get it 100% right, I'll also put your name in for an extra drawing for one of my QVC kits (either flowers, bling, canvas, mini-album cards--something cool!).
The contest will close at midnight (MST) on Friday 6th.

Good Luck!

Lisa

Thanks for playing my "Meaning of my License Plate" game. You all are so smart. I really thought it would be harder for you--but most of you got it 100% right.

For me, the license plate CKMAG means Creating Keepsake Magazine.



When Kade's driving the FJ Cruiser, people think it means Chick Magnet!

Here is a photo of Kade with two of his favorite chicks--His half sister, Stefyn (third from right), and our neighbor, Taylor (second from right). Also, his brother, Collin (who thinks these gals are pretty cool too!).



Here are the winners:

June Kit of the Month plus a fun QVC product goes to the first poster who got it right:

BethB at 4:06 p.m.

Nine other winners for June Kit of the Month:

1. Arlamo 7:03 a.m.
2. Scrap4ea
3. Brend 4:48 p.m.
4. Queenconnie 5:24 a.m.
5. Mel 7:16 p.m.
6. Shannon 10:42
7. 2Stampis2b 5:08 p.m.
8. Diane 7:44 p.m.
9. Jane from CA 9:24

Please send your snail mail names and addresses to Vivian at vgrothe@ckmedia.com.

Also, I've received several customer support questions about past Kits of the Month. Please repost your questions to Vivian at vgrothe@ckmedia.com. Also, send future Kit of the Month questions to Vivian.

Now for some really fun news. Creating Keepsakes if launching a brand new event called Creative Photography Retreat. The first one will be in San Jose August 28th-30th and it's going to be a super fun, innovative event--all centered around taking better photos. Check out the web site here. Ali, Candace, Jessica and I would love to see you there!

One more thing. I have been asked to be one of the celebrity judges for Scrap-n-Crop's Project Scrapaway. Here's the scoop: 12 weekly challenges; 1 Grand Challenge; 5 Days timeline per challenge; 1 elimination per week. Lots of RAKS & Vouchers. This was inspired from the ever popular Project Runway show. This is a great way for scrappers in Asia and Australia to get involved!

Hope you're having a great week. I'm off to Lake Powell with my family and lots of friends--27 people will be on our house boat!!!

Talk to you next week!

Lisa

Hey Everyone!

I'm back from Lake Powell and WOW--what a week! If you ever want the vacation of a lifetime that will be enjoyed by every family member (any age), you really should consider renting a house boat on Lake Powell. The scenery is spectacular--the water warm and clear--and there's more shore line than in all of California.

Before I tell you what you seriously won't believe, I had to show off my little Sage. We decided to try her on water skis this year. We told her to lean back on her life jacket, bend her knees, keep the ski tips up and keep her arms straight. We didn't tell her to close her eyes but it must have worked--she got up on her first try!




Also, check out the scenery behind Collin--it totally looks like something out of a movie. Really--the prettiest place on earth!



Now for the experience that you won't believe. Several families from our neighborhood came with us including the Butters who have five children. We dry dock our house boat at a place called Off Shore Marina near Bullfrog. We got to the dry marina Thursday night and were looking forward to getting right on the water and finding our perfect place to park the boat. Instead we found out that the generator on the boat was completely gone--it had stopped working during the previous owner's week. We stayed the night on the house boat on dry land (about 20 minutes from the lake). (The house boats are on huge steel pyramids.) The older children slept on top while the adults slept in rooms on the boat. There were probably 50 other boats around us full of eager boaters also waiting to be launched the next day. In the morning, 11-year-old Allie Butters and her pillow were mysteriously missing off the top deck. We searched every square inch of the boat, then began asking other boaters. We searched at the restaurant, the gas station, the boat repair and rental shop, up the road, in the desert among the sage brush. We looked on other boats--and soon everyone at the marina was looking and praying. After what seemed like an eternity (at least an hour), we called the police. We continued to look and began feeling very scared. Suddenly one of the employees yelled "I found her, I found her!" She was sound asleep in the empty house boat just next door. She had walked in her sleep all the way to the ground (down some very steep steps). She had then gotten disoriented, crawled up the steel pyramid and over the gate on the wrong boat, was confused why everyone was gone, so went and crawled in the room she thought her parents were sleeping in not realizing it was the wrong boat. WHAT A RELIEF! Our prayers were answered! Needless to say her parents didn't let Allie sleep on the top the rest of the trip--they kept her under lock and key.



Now for the really amazing part. We were kinda bummed there was a generator problem and that we weren't able to get on the lake Thursday night. What a blessing in disguise. If we would have been on the lake with Allie sleepwalking the way she did, who knows what would have happened.

I can't quit thinking about this experience. Sometimes trials come that we all wish we didn't have. The important thing to remember is God always sees the big picture and knows what's best for our lives.

On a sad note, one of my dear scrapbooking friends, Lezley Laudenbacher, unexpectedly passed away early this morning. I met Lezley in her home in Zanesville, Ohio where she was crowned "Queen of the Crop" for the day. I showed up with tons of goodies and she provided lots of yummy food and chocolate galore. We became instant friends and she came to several CKUs and QVC live studio audiences. I talked her and her mother, Virginia, into coming to Utah two years ago--it was a first time on a plane for both of them. We had such a delightful time and had a blast at CKU-Provo. (Lezley is on the right.)




I am so lucky to have known Lezley and my heart is heavy tonight--I will miss my wonderful friend. I am so honored to have the opportunity to speak at her funeral.

Please say a prayer for the Laudenbacher family.

Sincerely,
Lisa