Back From the Hike--The Good, The Bad, The Ugly! Plus Fun Contest for you to Enter!

I did it! Yep--I really did it! This morning I looked up at Mount Timpanogos looming over my home and really can't believe that I was at the top of the highest peak just two days ago. But, it wasn't without its challenges! (Dang it--why is there always a trial?) A bunch of gals in my neighborhood, along with Steve, Brecken and our beagle, Maggie, started out in the wee hours of the morning on the 13-14 mile hike. We got to the trailhead and the parking lot was full. (It's very popular to begin hiking at midnight with flashlights and arrive at the top in time for the sunrise.) We ended up parking a quarter mile from the trail just on the side of the road. The first half of the hike was wonderful--a beautiful, lush trail that is intermediate to hike.




Then the rocks and steep cliffs began. We were climbing up trails that were all rock and slate.





After several hours of climbing (and a few times when I wondered why I was doing this), we made it to the top! We were all completely wiped but the incredible views of the valley below made it worth it.






That's when disaster started. Brecken had just decided two days before to go on the hike so we had to scramble for some shoes for her to wear. I found some hiking boots that I purchased for myself but have always hurt my feet. They felt great on Brecken's feet while walking around the house but climbing up the mountain was a different story--they killed her feet. So, at the top she took them off and I think would have gone barefoot down the trail. I felt bad for her so I traded them for my shoes but then every step down was excruciating for me. (Today I feel like my toes are going to fall off.) I was so relieved to see this little building at the parking lot. It meant we were finally down!



We were all REALLY tired and ready to get home to a hot shower and hot meal (the peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch didn't quite cut it). Imagine our utter shock when we got to our car and it had been towed. It was so early in the morning that we missed the sign that said "Parking on turnouts only." However, it didn't say anything about getting ticketed and towed! We were all so frustrated--none of our cell phones worked to call anyone for help. A nice man (thanks, Steve) gave us a ride and then I bumped into my dear childhood friend, Paula Palmer, who let us borrow her car. The story continues but the details are so many and very complicated. Let's just say Steve didn't get down the mountain until after dark--he stayed behind to help someone down. It cost $264.00 to get our car out of being impounded plus we have a hefty fine for the ticket. (Let me just get on my soap box and say I'm not against giving tickets or towing a car. I am against impounding a car when you're high on a mountain, there's no cell phone service, no signs that say your car will be ticketed and towed, and no other options given to park.)

Lesson learned--nothing will ever go 100% smooth in life. But the beautiful vistas made the sore body and hefty bill all worth it!

Now for the fun contest--lots of prizes to win!

Today is the beginning of a huge craft/scrapbooking giveaway on vanillajoy.com, a blog about parenting and crafting ideas. A new contest will be announced every day, run for 4 days, and be for about $100 worth of stuff. Today's contest is for a Cricut from Provo Craft! During the rest of the week you can enter to win products from EK Success, Creative Memories, Making Memories, Fiskars, Gorillapod, Sizzix, Creative Options, and Ribbon Ring - click here to see the giveaway schedule.

Happy Monday!

Lisa B.

Ticking Off a Bucket List Item--I'm Hiking Mt. Timpanogos Tomorrow!

I've grown up in the Wasatch Mountains my whole life. I've hiked to Timp Cave and on other trails numerous times. But--I've never taken the plunge and hiked the big mountain that shadows my home. It's an all day hike (13-14 miles) and the top is at an elevation of 11, 749 feet. Mount Timpanogos is the most popular mountain hiking destination in Utah. Timpanogos has everything that a hiker could wish for including an alpine lake, a small glacier, waterfalls, high alpine meadows, wildflowers, a herd of Rocky Mountain Goats plus some moose and an easily accessible summit. There is also the wreckage of an Air Force B-25 for the really adventurous.



I've always wanted to do it--just never wanted to devote an entire Saturday to this activity plus suffer the pains of sore feet and an aching body. I realized a few weeks ago that I'm not getting any younger and that I need to do this hike--it's been on my "bucket list" for a long time. So--tomorrow is the day! Steve, Kade and Brecken are coming along, plus several gals in our neighborhood. Wish me luck and I'll send you a signal with a mirror from the top!

Also, Kade is playing in his first big varsity game tonight for the 2008 season. It's against my hubby's old school--Bountiful High. All the parents created an "ad" for our senior players for the program. Check out the one for Kade (he won't see it until the program comes out--it's a surprise!).



Robin Johnson is the most amazing photographer around. She snapped this photo last week during the photo shoot, then created this ad. Love the results, Robin! Check out her web site here.

And--Go Knights!!

Have a great Friday and I'll let you know how tomorrow goes!

Lisa B.

Look Who Was In My Neighborhood! Plus Fun Giveaway Contest!

Can you believe that the first ever Scrapbooker of the Year (2006), CD Muckosky, was staying in my neighborhood? CD lives in Canada so I was so surprised to see her here in Utah just blocks away from where I live! She was staying with Michelle Coleman, owner and designer of Little Dreamer Designs. The two were concocting amazing projects for their upcoming scrapbooking tour to Europe. I hung out with them two nights in a row--just couldn't get enough of their laughter and amazing projects. Honestly two of the most creative gals I've met in the industry. If you live in Europe and want to go to one of their classes this fall, e-mail either CD at muckosky@gmail.com or Michelle at Michelle@littledreamerdesigns.com.

Now here's for the fun giveaway. One of my friends and also another creative genius in the industry has started a blog. That's right! The one and only Kerri Bradford (former Hall of Fame winner) is sharing her talents with us online. One of her favorite kits ever is the June Kit of the Month by Stacy Julian (she worked with Stacy on the development of this kit). Kerri is giving away two of these "A Penny For Your Thoughts" kits. But be quick--you have to leave a comment on her blog by tomorrow morning to be eligible to win.

Hope you're having a Wonderful Wednesday.

Lisa

Pretty in Pink

One of the things we work hard to do with the Kit of the Month is to provide some flexibility so that you can adapt them to your own way of scrapbooking. (You don't always have to follow the instructions exactly.) And the Photo Folders are no exception. I love what Ana did with this kit. She loves bright colors, especially pink, so she took the Photo Folders kit and added her personal touch with just a little pink paint.

Ana has more examples on her blog and coming soon in the gallery.

My house is eerily quiet!

I've been teary eyed all morning. Yep--today was the big day. My kids are back to class once more.





My house is eerily quiet except for the sound of the dryer. The neighborhood is silent except for the hum of a lawn mower. I'm sure in a week or two I'll find this new routine kinda nice. But for today I miss the chaos, fun and no routines that summer brings. Here are some photos I quickly snapped this morning. (Of course my better digital camera decided not to work but fortunately I have a backup.)









I just visited with a dear neighbor, Kristy, and her young 9-year-old daughter, Jane. Kristy just had her fifth child a little over two weeks ago. A few days before her baby was born, her daughter was feeling sick with a sore throat. They took her in for a strep test but it came back negative. The baby was born and Jane was still feeling ill. They took her in blood tests and discovered she has a rare case of leukemia. She is now going through chemo therapy. As I visited with mom, baby and Jane, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotion as I watched the three of them together. Kristy and her husband are an amazing couple and have so much faith that all will turn out well. Life is so short. What a reminder that we don't know what the future holds for us--two and a half weeks have completely changed their lives. Please say an extra prayer for Kristy, Jane and family.

I spent Friday night and almost the entire day Saturday with my family and a very talented photographer, Robin Johnson. She captured "A Day in the Life of the Bearnson Family" by just following us around and capturing our daily routine. I'm so exited to share the photos with you in an upcoming issue of Creating Keepsakes.

Hope your day is going great. I guess it's "Happy Back to School" from me!

Sincerely,
Lisa

Whew! What a Week!

Hello Everyone!

Long time, no write! Life has been coming at me fast--so busy, busy, busy. Last week was amazing! It started early Monday morning with a hike up to Timp Cave (so proud of you gals and Michael--not an easy hike!), a tour of Temple Square and a walk around Thanksgiving Point Gardens with several scrapbookers who'd come in for the Lisa Bearnson Adventure. We then started out early Tuesday morning with bus tours to Making Memories, Rusty Pickle, Scenic Route Paper Company and Creating Keepsakes. That night we had a fun crop and keynote speech at the Thanksgiving Point barn. Thanks to everyone who came--you truly are "Stargirls" and "Starboys." We are seriously looking at doing it again next year. In fact, we are considering taking it on the road. Shoot me a message if there's a place you'd like us to come. Here are some photos from the event:

This is a photo of my sister, Angela, and my boss, Dave. Both were guides on the tour.



Here is my dear friend, Pam Gebhardt, who has been so supportive since day one of Creating Keepsakes.



Wednesday night I had the pleasure of hosting the Scrapbooker of the Year bash. All five of the finalists were simply amazing. I loved meeting each one of them.



Mandy Douglas was crowned the 2008 Scrapbooker of the Year. Here Brian and I hand her the $10,000.00 check. When asked what she was going to do with the money she said: "My hubby and I are going to have some fun!"



Next it was off to CKU-Provo. A bunch of my friends came to this event (from all over--Italy, New Zealand, Illinois and Montana). Everyone LOVES the new CKU format. You must join us at one of these events!



Now it's back to reality--my kids are going back to school next Monday and we've got to get some school shopping done. I'm sad--the summer has gone so fast. The boys are busy with football practice. Kade has been going to practice two to three times a day.

Just a few other things. You might be lucky enough to find a Creating Keepsakes Golden Ticket!



There are a bunch randomly placed in the kit of the month for this month (August), as well as the upcoming September and October kits. If you receive a golden ticket in a kit that you order, you will win all sorts of prizes like all the latest and greatest CK books and the CKU in a Box kit. Plus, you'll be entered to win the ultimate prize--a trip for two to Utah for three days and two nights. You'll tour the CKMedia office, spend an afternoon with me (I'll even show you my scrapbook room), get a sneak peak of upcoming kits we're working on, meet the editors and even get all of the 2009 kits of the month for free!

Also, I hope you've taken the opportunity to get the August Kit of the Month.



My friend, Dana Lyman, came up with the concept for the Photo Folders and they are brilliant. This kit allows you to scrapbook an entire year in just a few hours. Talk about great presentation! These 8x8 "scrapbooks" come in two different styles that fold up neatly and store in a cute little magazine holder. You’ll get all sorts of goodies to create fun scrapbooks— from double-sided cardstock to creative tags to fabulous transparencies. The possibilities are endless . . . and you’ll have plenty left over to play with on other projects too! Give them as a gift to a grandparent, create an album for each child, or scrapbook a trip and display them on your coffee table. You can even display individual albums like a picture frame!

Hope you're enjoying the last few weeks of summer.

Sincerely,
Lisa

Back to Reality!!

It has been a few weeks since I've posted. We've been on a major vacation and now it's back to reality--laundry, laundry and more laundry, work deadlines, cooking dinner, football practices, etc. What a great time we had!

If you've never been to Ocean City, NJ, you must go! What an amazing place! We stayed at a beautiful condo (thanks, Ellie!) two blocks from the beach and boardwalk. We had a blast playing in the sand, catching the rays and body surfing. This photo captures a perfect moment in time.



Also, how darling is this? My coworker, Kim, came to the beach for a day with her daughter, Morgan. We couldn't believe Sage and Morgan had matching swimming suits on!



We rented bikes for the week and loved riding around the island on our cruisers.



Loved meeting fellow scrapbooker, Therese, and her family in Ocean City!

We also went to my friend's brother's Barmitzvah celebration on her dad's private beach. Wow--total celebrating in style.



We went to NYC for a day and toured the city and went to Mary Poppins. I highly recommend this Broadway play--excellent!



The boys had to come home after a week for football practice and a Especially For Youth conference with our church. The girls and I went on to Baltimore to visit Amy Ketron and her family.

We dressed like this when we went to the most famous cafe in Baltimore--Cafe Hon.



Elementary school kids had made self portraits like these all over the restaurant. Very clever!



Loved meeting all the scrapbookers at ScrapMasters in Bel Air, Maryland (this is the coolest store with a cafe inside it--you must go). Also all the croppers at the television station the next day.

Our last stop was in Lancaster where we stayed with two old-order Amish families. Brecken stayed with the Riehl's and Sage and I stayed with my dear friend Barbara Fisher. It was cute--I went to check on Brecken one day and she had Amish clothes on, they'd done her hair in Amish rolls in a bun and she was out milking the cows and sweeping up manure. What an experience. I celebrated Rumspringer with Elmer Lee (Barbara's 16-year-old son) which was a once in a lifetime experience.

Loved meeting Christina--another fellow scrapbooker--in Lancaster.

Well--I'd better go put my third to the last load of laundry in.

I have a busy week next week--Backyard Adventures with Lisa Bearnson and CKU. Hope to see you there.

Enjoy the last month of summer.

Lisa B.

East Coast Here I Come! I'd love to meet you!

Hey Everyone!

I'm back from my "girls only" trip down to Southern Utah. Wow--what an adventure! Saturday night we went to the Tuacahn and saw Les Miserables--the best I've ever seen (and I've see it 10 times). Truly very emotional. If you live in the area, you must go see it. Life altering! Monday night we went to Sound of Music--still good but didn't have the energy of Les Miserables.

Monday we also hiked the Narrows at Zion National Park. Here we are with our hiking sticks and water up to our waist. Really an adventure--great for family fun too. (We rented special water socks and shoes plus a walking stick which made it more enjoyable.)




Friday we're off to Ocean City, NJ for a week. Our family will be attending my friend's (Gladys Hedaya) brother's barmitzva celebration. We are excited.

I'll also be in the Baltimore/DC area on Saturday July 19th-Tuesday July 22nd. I'd love to meet you on Saturday night (the 19th) from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Scrapmasters in Bel Air. Here is the address and phone number:

564 Baltimore Pike
Bel Air MD 21014
410-638-2301
ww.scrap-masters.com

After our Baltimore trip, we'll spend a few days staying with our Amish friends in Lancaster, then will return home.

Hope your summer is going well.

If you're in Ocean City, Baltimore or Lancaster, come say hi!

Lisa