Card Sketch Challenge ~ #1

This is not only a Card Sketch Challenge but also a chance to win some "Blog Candy" I will post mine soon but wanted to get this up so you all can be thinking of some awesome idea's. The sketch is from PageMaps June CardMaps.

So create your card based on this sketch and email it to me at buzabouts@myctmh.com by August 15th. I will upload all the submissions by the 16th and the voting can commence. Place your vote by making a comment with the final upload of submissions indicating your vote. Call your friends and get them to vote as well. :)

Voting is over as of the 23rd (that's a good week) and the winner will be announced on the 24th. I will post the winner's blog candy winnings as well.

Rules:

1.) rules...what are rules. No rules the sky's the limit.

Teach Your Kids about the Olympics ~ Todays Athletes, Tomorrows Ambassadors

This is an opportunity for young children to get acquainted with the Olympic Games, but most importantly the central message during the activities is one of friendship and peace. People playing and working together in peace and friendship makes for a better and beautiful world.

Activity #1: What are the Olympic Games? Many people from many countries get together to play games and celebrate friendship, unity and sports every four years. There are Summer Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games. The games take place in a different country. The first Olympic games originated in Greece, a beautiful country in Europe - show this on a map or globe. Tell the children they are going to have their own Kids Olympic Day Games. Visit the Olympic Games Web site and share with the children some great Olympic pictures and a little history of the games.

Activity #2: Make an Olympic Flag - A Flag of Friends Explain that this is a very special flag - the Olympic Flag: 1. It has five interlocking colored rings (circles) on a white background. 2. The rings represent the 5 major land areas of the world - show these land areas on a map or globe. 3. The rings are interlocked to show friendship among the nations. Activity #3: Making an Olympic Medal - Focus on Circle Shape Athletes in the Olympic games receive medals for winning games, such as running, swimming, jumping and many other sports. Today every one is a medal winner of friendship. Now let's go to the games! Create your own medals from construction paper and make a hole to insert a ribbon about 18 to 24 inches long. Purchase inexpensive ribbon that has red, blue, white stripes or use any ribbon you have at your disposal.

SCRAPBOOKING MOMENT: Group Picture Taking This is a good time to gather the children with their Olympic flags and medals and make a group picture or individual pictures before the games. The children will be too tired after the games.

Activity #4: Olympic Games Here are just a few game ideas. These need to be conducted outdoors or in a large and safe ventilated area. Materials: balloons (1 per child), a few craft feathers (craft store), drinking straws, Easter plastic eggs and plastic spoons.

Game 1: The Drinking Straw Race Each racer holds a bent drinking straw between his or her nose and upper lip. Make a demonstration. The children curl their lip to hold it tight. See who can run to the finish line without losing the straw. Make sure it is a short distance.

Game 2: The Balloon Between the Knee Race Inflate the balloon, but not too much so that it fits comfortably between the knees of the child. Have the children put the balloon between their knees and run or hop to the fish line.

Game 3: Hug-the-Balloon-Friend Relay Place a balloon between two children's tummies. Have the children hug each other tight and move sideways to the finish line without dropping the balloon.

Game 4: Birdie Feather Race Have the children take off one shoe and sock on one foot. Tuck a feather between two toes. The children will walk to the finish line without losing the feather. If they do lose it they go back to the start and try again. This can also be done with both feet (older children) and instruct them to walk like ducks.

Say Good Bye to Summer with Sandal Cookies

Just follow the footprints to find out where these scrumptious cookies have disappeared to!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

1 18-oz. roll sugar cookie dough

2/3 cup flour 1 16-oz. can vanilla frosting

Various icing dyes Rolling pin

Cookie sheet

WHAT TO DO:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour the cookie sheet.

Knead the dough and flour together until smooth.

Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness, and then cut into flip-flop shapes.

Transfer the cookies to the prepared cookie sheet.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

Frost the top of each cookie into the shape of a sandal.

August Stamp of the Month

This card was created by Jane O'Leary, using the Close To My Heart August Stamp of the Month, Free Spirit.

Soar through summer with artful words and designs that create wonderful feelings of independence and originality. The livin' is free and easy with these cheerful stamps.

Click on this link if you'd like to view a slide show of more artwork: Free Spirit

UPS Memo

UPS Memo To: Drivers and Security
Date: June 26th , 2007
Subject: Crazy Close To My Heart Consultants!

This time of the year has come around once again. Close To My Heart is releasing the New Idea Book and Catalog. Please be extremely cautious of Close To My Heart Consultants (CTMHCs) for the next two weeks.

How to Deliver the New Idea Book and Catalog:
1. Be sure you have fixed your squeaky brakes - if not, park your truck two blocks away so the CTMHC can not hear you coming.
2. Put in your earplugs and secure your safety glasses.
3. If you see children looking out the window, put your finger up to your lips and say "SHHHH".. They are on a "lookout" for you and are being paid to "alert" their mothers (CTMHCs) when they see you coming to the door.
4. Approach the front door and very quietly, set the package down in front of the door (Make sure you place it in FRONT so when she opens the door, the box will be in the way and give you a little more time to escape).
5. Back up as far as you can and reach for the doorbell, (BE READY TO RUN !!!). Ring the doorbell and make a mad dash back to your truck and drive away....DO NOT LOOK BACK !!!

The UPS corporation is informing you of this because in the past years, CTMHCs have been known to scream at the top of their lungs with excitement and try to tackle you with hugs for delivering their catalogs. After you have been smothered with appreciation for getting them their catalogs on time, watch out for flying packaging material as they will open up the box before you have had a chance to leave, or they have gone inside. They have also been know to drive up next to you at a stop light in their mini vans and SUVs and ask if you have a package for them. Turn up your radio and pretend you cannot hear them. Do not let them approach your delivery truck at an intersection. CTMHCs have been know to stop traffic and throw all your packages off the trucks until they find their new Idea Book and catalog.

Best of luck to you with this mission, and remember: Let's Be Safe Out There!!!!!

Non - Directors Dinner (Olive Garden - San Diego, CA)

While at Leadership this last weekend we decided to head off onto our own "Special" dinner. Directors and up were whisked of via Limo's to a private Zoo train tour and dinner. We whisked ourselves off to Olive Garden to partake in our own little celebration. We celebrated the Directors we will become.

I have to say it was a night to remember with good food and awesome conversation with friends. Although distance separates many of us (even one in England) we still take the opportunity to rejuvenate ourselves of each other. Three Acrylix Chix, three Hot Hearts and one String of Hearts unit members in attendance. Hey we can all say we are the great or great great grand kids of the infamous Karen Morris.

The view from the conference was an astounding one of the Marina. It reminded me of my Grandfather and his time living on his boat the "Sea Nile" up in Northern California. I don't know how my Grandmother handled it all those years. Summers on the boat and winters in a mobile home. YUCK...but then again it was just the two of them. I think I need to try and find some photo's of those times and do some scrapbooking so my kids can see what a hoot my Grandfather was.

I will share more photo's as they come in from all my picture taking friends. The above photo's were shared with me by Jennifer.

My San Diego Trip

I flew out of the DFW airport early am on Thursday and got back late in the evening on Sunday. I had a wonderful time in San Diego where I participated in a Leadership Conference for the scrapbooking company I work with.

I learned so much while I was there. The weather was refreshing and I was able to totally get a rejuvenation. Although I didn't get much sleep I did come home tired but rejuvenated. The company lavished us with goodies. I felt like a queen. I stayed at the Bay Club Hotel & Marina

We had the opportunity to listen to Lyn Conway, President and founder of A Fresh Perspective. She was dynamic and had a unique way of saying things that just really hit home for me.

I had the opportunity to visit with friends that I haven't seen in nearly a year. I got a chance to create some fun artwork using new product that will be released in September. I searched and searched for "Sticky Boy" but alas could not find his sticky little self. psst...I have to say Pam did find him in the women's room actually stuck to the seat of the toilet. Good thing she looked before she sat down. Sticky Boy is our Acrylic Mascot. He was our introduction to the wonderful world of Acrylic Stamps and remains the sticky in our drive. I'll have to create some artwork of him (as I did find 3 sticky boys at convention in Salt Lake City, UT in 2006). I will also share some photo's of my trip as soon as someone shares them with me...as my CAMERA died on the trip to San Diego and I was camera less the whole weekend. However, I have awesome friends who shared theirs with me. Thank you - Tricia, Pollyanna, Jennifer and Sundi. I owe you big time!!!