Hope your Fourth of July was great!

Hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July. Mine was spent having friends over for a BBQ and pool party. Then we went to "Stadium of Fire" last night with Hannah Montana, Blue Man Group and Glenn Beck. It was awesome and very patriotic. Then very late last night went to a BBQ and concert at a neighbor's house. I wanted to post photos but am leaving off and on for the next three weeks for various vacations. Today I leave with some friends (girls only trip) for St. George. We are going to see Les Miserables tonight.

My time spent at my friend's funeral in Zanesville, Ohio was emotional and memorable. Thanks to all the many people who were so kind to me and Lezley's family. We all felt very loved and I know by the amount of people who attended the funeral that Lezley was very loved too. Thanks to Valerie for the amazing plane ride over Zanesville--what an experience!

Remember life is so short--hug everyone you love (and even like!) today!

I'll try to keep you posted where I'm at.

Sincerely,
Lisa

Come to my "Lisa Bearnson Adventures" August 4th, 5th or 6th!!

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to invite you to a brand-new event called "Lisa Bearnson Adventures!" It will be held in my home state (Utah) and near my home town. It celebrates all the things I love the most and will be packed full of fun, creativity and celebration. And--my two adorable girls will even be there to sing a special song!

Here is the information straight from the web site:

Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall during a Creating Keepsakes photo shoot? Or get behind the scenes and check out where Making Memories and Rusty Pickle create their embellishments? Or where Scenic Route develops their new paper lines? Now is your chance to do all that and more at the NEW Lisa Bearnson Adventures!
You'll get the STAR treatment with Lisa as she takes you on a journey through some of her favorite things!
Beginning as soon as you register, the surprises and extras don't stop coming! We'll start by sending you one of Lisa's favorite books. It's an inspirational story that you're sure to enjoy. Many parts of the event tie into the book, so you'll want to be sure to read up before you get here!
When you arrive on Tuesday, you'll spend the day on an exclusive tour of some of Lisa's favorite scrapbook manufacturers. Hop on the bus in the morning and set off to:
SEE . . . the process of how their ideas become the products you love,
CREATE . . . a 6x6 album filled with pages designed especially for you by each manufacturer,
RECEIVE . . . goodies, keepsakes, and even a delicious lunch, and
SHOP . . . for great product at special event pricing.
Tuesday night will bring one of the highlights of the event, as you join Lisa again for an inspirational keynote & crop. An evening filled with emotion, fun, inspiration, and even more surprises--you will come away feeling enriched as a scrapbooker and individual. You don't want to miss it!
And - If you haven't had the opportunity to take a class from Creating Keepsakes, this is your chance! Wednesday morning you can attend fun, fresh A La Carte classes taught by CK staff. Check out the Excursion page for more details!
If you're up for even more, you can join Lisa for special excursions to some of her favorite area attractions. Lace up your hiking boots as Lisa leads the way on a trek to Timpanogos Cave. Or visit one of Utah's most popular tourist destinations as you tour Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Or take a leisurely stroll through Lisa's beloved gardens and learn how to take better outdoor photos from a professional photographer.
The best part is--you can customize your adventure to fit your schedule. Participate in everything, or just a few things--regardless it will be an experience you'll never forget!

Manufacturer Tours: $75 (4 manufacturers, projects, goodies & shopping)
Keynote and Crop: $50*
*If you participate in the manufacturer tours, you will receive a 50% discount off the Keynote admission price!
*If you are attending CKU-Provo, you will receive a 20% discount off the Keynote admission price!
Excursions: Pricing listed on Excursion Pages.
A La Carte classes: Pricing listed on Excursion Page

This is truly one event you don't want to miss. See you on the 4th, 5th and/or 6th!

Lisa Bearnson

You Seriously Won't Believe This!

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

Winners of Contest, Fun New Event and Other Cool Stuff!

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

"Can you Guess What My License Plate Means" Contest?

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

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