Bad, bad blogger....

Okay, so, I thought that I would have all this time to post everyday leading up to Christmas......and then reality set in. And so, as a matter of fact, did exhaustion!! These last few months have been NUTS! And because of it I am barely in the Christmas spirit. I think I need to go downtown and wander around the Eaton Centre, that always helps!

Anyhow, I wanted to apologize for not keeping up with things lately. I will try, when I can to post as regularly as possible. It might mean pics from my iphone, but then that is better than nothing right?

I hope your lead up to Xmas is going well. I will try and get back here later today to post pictures from this weeks club.

Did I mention that I have changed things around with Club for the time being?

1. No set Hostess- all people who submit a qualifying order of more than $25 on one of the two club days (Thursday or Friday in the second week of the month) are entered into a draw to win the Hostess Benefits! December's big winner was DONNA M!
2. No Commitment, you can do it one month, and not another! How cool is that?? You just need to let me know by Monday of the club week if you wish to participate.

Let me know if you want to get in the game for January! Jan will be an exciting month! Things to look forward to are:

1. SALE-A-BRATION!!
2. NEW Occasions Mini Catalogue (customers of mine can expect theirs in the mail by the end of Dec)
3. SALE-A-BRATION Open House event!!!!!! Always a FREE event! (date TBD)
4. Mystery Hostess Club
5. NEW monthly 6 card class (dates TBD)

Happy Stampin' everyone!

Cheers,

Countdown to Christmas Day 2!!

Last night my kids got to open their first box of their advent calendar. Xander got a wind-up Crocodile that flips, Kieran got a package of eyelets. She was very excited to have her very own. She is a girl after her mom's heart. Tonight they got treats. Kieran a lindt chocolate snowman and Xander some fruit chews. But he wanted her chocolate!

Now for your advent treat! Today's card is a very very simple one that uses the Christmas Jingle Simply scrapin' kit. These kits are great for scrapbooking or you can use one kit to make countless cards! In the kit you get textured 12x12 card stock, 12x12 double sided patterned paper and die cut card stock stickers! The only other thing needed to make this card is some of the fabulous Old Olive 1-1/4" striped grograin ribbon. Simple and beautiful!

Products used:
Stampin' Up Card stock- Old Olive
Stampin' Up Simply scrapin' kit- Christmas Jingle
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Old Olive 1-1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon.


Just a heads up that if you are planning to buy any stampin' Christmas presents for those crafters on your list please do so by Dec. 8th to ensure that they arrive before Xmas. Things are already slowing down at Stampin' Up because of the American Thanksgiving Holiday and now all the demonstrators are placing our pre-orders for the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalogue and Sale-a-bration! They are only a month away! That's one of the HUGE perks of being a demonstrator. We get to order the new stuff a month before it is officially on sale! How cool is that? And we collectively earned 20% off the order (that's on top of our regular demo discount!). I LOVE being a Stampin' Up demonstrator! Want to join my team? Contact me today! The first person to join my team this month will get the very popular Level 2 hostess set "Christmas Punches"!

Cheers,

Missed out on the Holiday Extravaganza bundles???

Never fear, because the sale has been extended until tomorrow!! Available only directly through me, not via my Online Ordering System.

Contact me TODAY to take advantage of these awesome deals! Perfect for you, or the card maker/crafter in your life.

Click here to view my previous post with all the details.

Cheers,

Countdown to Christmas Day 1

Welcome to DAY 1 of my countdown to Christmas where I will be featuring Christmas and Holiday projects from now until December 25th! Visit me daily for ideas and inspiration. Consider it your very own crafting Advent Calendar. For even more content sign-up to receive my newsletter (click the newsletter link on my blog).

I can't believe that it is December already. And what do you know, but we were graced with a fine layer of snow on the ground this morning. It has all melted away now but I am sure it will be back again soon!

On the topic of Advent calendars, I thought I would share with you the Advent Calendar that I made for my children. There is a little box for each day under my little tree. Each box is labeled with a number and tied with a bow. Inside are all sorts of little goodies. Sometimes they get a little present of sorts (thanks to the Dollar store) or sometimes it is a goodie to eat! They just never know until they open it! As I kid I LOVED my advent calendar and it was just one of those cheesy chocolate ones. I know my KIDS adore this one!

And now I will leave you with a card idea. Don't forget to send your Xmas cards soon. Here is the Canada Post Suggested mailing dates:

OUTSIDE CANADA
LETTERS/CARDS		PARCELS
	I'm ready early...	Took me longer than I thought...		I'm at last minute...
Mailing to...	Letter-post	Air Parcel	XpresspostTM	PriorityTM Worldwide
Africa	November 23	November 23	December 1	December 16
Asia	December 1	December 1	December 7	December 18
Australia	December 1	-	December 7	December 17
Caribbean	December 1	December 1	December 7	December 18
Central/South America	November 23	November 23	December 1	December 18
Europe	December 1	December 1	December 7	December 19
Middle East	December 1	December 1	December 7	December 18
New Zealand	December 1	-	December 7	December 17
USA	December 14	December 4**	December 14	December 21

WITHIN CANADA
HOLIDAY CARDS			HOLIDAY PACKAGES
Local delivery	Within my province	Outside my province	I want the most economical service Regular Parcel	Took me longer than I thought Xpresspost™	I'm at the last minute Priority™ Next A.M.*
December 18	December 17	December 16	December 11	December 22	December 23

Products used:
Stampin' Up "Jolliest Time of the Year" stamp set, "Season of Joy" stamp set, "Many Merry Messages" stamp set
Stampin' Up Card stock- Old Olive, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue.
Stampin' Up Ink- Basic Black and various other Stamp pads to colour (Real Red, Brocade Blue, etc).
Accessories: Aquapainter Versamark pad, paper piercer & mat pack, Boho Blossom punch, Pretties kit, Stampin' Dimensionals, corner rounder punch.


Cheers,

House is sold & Holiday Extravaganza!

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to pop in an let you know that I sold my house! And it has not been any less crazy around here! Now we have the new task of trying to find a new house! We have a really long closing so I am not too worried about it. It's fun actually. Much more fun than cleaning and packing up all your crap! :)

Anyhow, just wanted to remind everyone that today is the last chance to get the Holiday Extravaganza items! If you haven't checked it out, you should! There are great bundles available at AWESOME prices! For example you can get the following:

Heart to Heart Bundle for only $34.95! It includes the "Love you much" stamp set, the Heart to Heart punch and the 1/2" Pretty in Pink striped grosgrain ribbon!! It would cost you $70 to buy these individually. That's 50% off the regular cost! Its a great chance to get an early start on your Valentine's day cards!!

But that's not the only thing available, check out the deals! There are tons of different bundles and other discounted products. Stamp sets, ribbon, buttons & brads, glitter and punches! Stock up for yourself or for Christmas presents, but shop now because the sale ends TODAY!!!!
To place an order either visit my online shop or email me to place an order directly.

Stay tuned tomorrow for my count down to Christmas. Consider it an advent calendar of deals, ideas and more!


Cheers,

Santa's Workshop Christmas Gift Sale is today

Hope to see you there!!!!

Cheers,

Club projects, and Santa's Workshop

Hey All,

I just wanted to pop in quickly and share with you my projects for Club this week and give you a reminder about Santa's Workshop.
I really appologize for the pictures, but one of the hazzards of living out of boxes, is that you don't know where anything is, and I couldn't find my camera last night. So once again I had to post an iPhone pic. Anyhow, we are only making 2 projects this month because they are a little more involved. The Technique this month is sponging. This tag was made almost entirly using the Big Shot. A piece of cardboard was cut out using the Top Note die, and the birds and flowers are from the Birds and Blooms sizlet dies. The ribbon used is the Sleigh Bells ribbon from the Mini. The sentiment is from the All Holidays set. The inspiration for this tag comes from Andrea Walford's blog from last Christmas.

The second project is all Blair. I have been wanting to make a snowglobe out of the treat cups since I first saw them. I however, packed my white glitter which was to be snow, so instead we stamped the snowflakes from the Hostess level 2 set called Holiday punches and them punched them out using the Boho Blossoms punch. This card uses a lot of stamp sets. The snowman is from the level 2 hostess set from the Holiday Mini, as well as the snowflakes on the Night of Navy piece. The Trees in the background are from Lovely as a Tree. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. The base of the globe is from Sweet Centres. It is actually the ornament top but we cut off the hook part.

Anyhow, just a reminder about Santa's Workshop this Sunday! 14 vendors, one stop Xmas shopping and chance to WIN a gift basket worth OVER $300!!! Hope to see you there.


Cheers,

My house is on the market & Event reminders!

It is official, my house is on the market! It has been a crazy two weeks getting it ready, but in the end I think (or rather hope) that it is worth it. We will know better next week if we get any offers! (*crosses her fingers*)

Life however continues in the mean time. I have LOTS of events coming up. Registration for my Christmas Stamp-a-stack is still open. 16 cards $39 (or FREE with a $100 order placed that day). Join me on Nov. 28th at 1pm. You even get to check out my NEW stamping studio (of sorts). I have been relegated to the basement as we staged our house for sale, but it's a good thing for sure. Now all my stuff and the work area are in the same place. I LOVE it! I am starting to get excited for my new home (even though we haven't picked it out yet) because I will get my very own Stampin' Studio!! Can't wait! I will take some pictures of the new space later this week.

Just a reminder that my Christmas Gift sale is on Sunday at 1pm in the Banbury Community Centre. Drop by if you can. There will be a HUGE gift basket to draw for valued at over $300!! I have organized 14 Direct Sales vendors who will have tons of things for sale! Visit my table for an additional door prize draw and a Christmas Make n'take. The vendors included are:

Stampin' Up
Creative Memories
Close to my Heart
Avon
Mary Kay
Optionelle
Fashions that Move
Discovery Toys
Pampered Chef
Epicure Selections
Partylite
Stella and Dot
Silpada Jewlery
Tupperware

Hope to see you there!



Cheers,

My first ever Christmas Stamp-a-stack!

What's a Stamp-a-stack you ask? It's a great opportunity to make a bunch of cards, and I do all the prep work for you!! Come to my place on Nov. 28th at 1pm to make 16 cards! Wow! We will be making 4 of each of 4 different designs!! Cost for the Stamp-a-stack is $39 or FREE with a $100 order placed that day.

RSVP now to book your spots, space is limited.

We will be making a variation on this card. I actually sent these out as my Xmas cards last year. It's hard to see from the picture but the white paper on the bottom of the card is actually Shimmer paper. It's sooo beautiful in person. This card can also be changed around with a different sentiment to send to people who don't celebrate Christmas too!

Hope to see you there!


Cheers,

The 2009 Hobby Show

I had a great time on Sunday at the 2009 Hobby Show! Thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth. It was really great meeting you and chatting with such great people.

I just wanted to give you a reminder of some of my upcoming events:

Technique Club has been moved to Wednesday, Nov. 18th and Friday, Nov. 20th. Club members, please RSVP for the date you will be attending.

Santa's Workshop is on Sunday, Nov. 22nd from 1 to 4pm at the Banbury Community Centre (120 Banbury Rd- Leslie and Lawrence Ave E). We have 15 fabulous vendors to make your Christmas Shopping a breeze, and don't forget about the AWESOME Door Prize give away! We have oodles of stuff from each of the vendors totaling over $300 in prizes to be won!!!!!

Stamp-a-stack space is limited for this awesome event so book now! Cost is $39 or FREE with a $100 order placed that day. We will be making 4 cards of each of the 4 designs for a total of 16 cards!!!!! AWESOME.

I thought I would share with you a card today. This card uses the adorable Holiday Line Up stamp set as well as Season of Joy for the "fa la la la la". The fa la la is part of a larger stamp with a whole bunch of words. To stamp just the part you wish, you colour that part of the stamp with our fabulous Stampin' Write Markers.

Products used:
Stampin' Up "Holiday Line-up" stamp set, "Season of Joy" stamp set
Stampin' Up Card stock- Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White, Bashful Blue.
Stampin' Up Ink- Basic Black and various Stampin' Write markers (Real Red, Brocade Blue, Old Olive, Barely Banana, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip etc).
Accessories: Scallop edge punch, Earth Element Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals.

Cheers,

Join me at the Hobby Show tomorrow

Hey everyone!

It's a BEAUTIFUL day in Toronto! Hard to believe it is early November! I was standing outside in a t-shirt today.

Tomorrow I will be at the Hobby Show all day tomorrow. Drop by and visit me for a make n'take door & door prize draw. I will also be doing a seminar on Scrapbooking 101 at noon.

I hope to see you there.

Cheers,

Have you done all your Xmas shopping yet???

Don't worry, neither have I! I have barely even given it consideration. Well thankfully Stampin' Up has a solution......

The Stampin' Up Gift Giving Guide!!!!

The Holiday gift giving guide is full of options for all of the hard to buy for people on your list. And as a bonus, for every $65 your purchase from the Gift Giving guide, you get a free Decor Element ($22.95 value)!! Keep it for yourself, or give it as a gift!!!

And as my bonus to you, for everyone who purchases a minimum of $65 from the gift giving guide will get a FREE Decor Elements Applicator tool!!!!

See, didn't I just make your day????

Cheers,

Just checking in......

Life is NUTS! I am currently taking a quick break from packing up all of my belongings, to clear my house out to get it on the market! I am going to say this right now........ "I AM NEVER GOING TO DO THIS EVER AGAIN!!". I have no idea how some people move every few years! This is HELL! Then again, I am not only sorting through our stuff, but my parents stuff, and even some of my grand-parents stuff because this house has been in our family for over 50 years, since it was first built! But, I keep on thinking about the light at the end of the tunnel, which is a larger home, more space for everyone, and my new Stamping studio!! YES!

Anyhow, thought I would share something with you today. It's another card made with my Digital studio. This one uses the most amazing Medallion stamp which is an add-on to the program and an absolute must have! The beauty of the digital program, is that you can adjust the size of the image. I can make the medallion as large or small as I want!

The colours I am using are Pretty in Pink, Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip.

What do you think?

Just an update on Santa's Workshop, I am now up to 12 confirmed vendors! Make sure to join us on Nov. 22nd!!! It's going to be a fantastic sale! See you then.

Cheers,

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone!!

Let's hope the weather is okay for Trick or Treating tonight! My kids are very excited. Okay, well Xander a little less so, because he doesn't have a clue about the whole thing, but I am sure he will enjoy it once in the moment.

I thought I would share with you a card made with My Digital Studio. As easy as it was to make a scrapbook page, it was even easier to make a card! I absolutely love using this program. I can think of so many practical applications to card making in this way. Think about how easy it would be to make hundreds of custom Christmas card designs? And never mind digital cards, think card designer....

Ever found yourself cursing because you were trying to make a card, but it didn't quite work out as planned but you wasted a ton of materials making it? Why not design it in my digital studio first! No waste and beautiful cards every time. I know that's an benefit that I will be taking HUGE advantage of!

Happy Halloween everyone! Eat, drink be scary!

Cheers,

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Hey Guys,

I haven't been missing, just busy like crazy! We are actually in the process of selling out house! So it's been very very very crazy around here. And on top of that, it is my most favorite time of the year............... Halloween!

So in honour of Halloween I thought that I would share with you my first My Digital Studio page layout!!!

I created this page using Stampin' Up's NEW My Digital Studio!!! And can I tell you how easy it was to create? I love this this new software. It is the best Digital Paper Crafting solution ever! Not only can you create Digital & Hybrid scrapbooking pages, but you can also create cards (in a variety of dimensions), calendars, slideshows and videos! The best part is that all the colours and images coordinate with everything Stampin' Up! And you can even print your projects as photo books etc using Stampin' Up's print services!! Talk about an all-round digital solution!

I hope you enjoy this preview. I will be showing you more as I get a chance to play with this awesome product.

Want to get your own copy? MDS sells for $106.95, however if you host a private class with me in November or December you can earn the software for FREE! Contact me to book your private class today!

Cheers,

Santa's Workshop Christmas Gift Sale!!!

Finally, my big announcement! I have organized a HUGE Christmas Gift sale that will feature over 10 different vendors representing a HUGE range of products. One stop Christmas shopping!

Vendors attending represent some of the following companies with more to be confirmed in the days to come: Stampin' Up, Silpada, Pampered Chef, Epicure Selections, Optionelle, Creative Memories, Mary Kay, Fashions that Move and Tupperware!

Join me at this awesome event. I am holding it at the Banbury Community Centre (120 Banbury Rd.) in Don Mills (Leslie & Lawrence Ave. E). The event runs from 1 to 4pm and is FREE to attend! Come by, take care of your Christmas shopping and enter to win a HUGE gift basket featuring products from all the vendors valued at over $200!!!

Can't wait to see you there!!!!!!

Cheers,

New Deal of the week!

Hey Guys,

Wow! It's Monday again, and my vacation is officially over :( Oh well, only a few weeks until my birthday and then less than 2 months until Christmas!! I love this time of year.

I owe you a brown paper packages, stay tuned! I will get to it some point this week. Oh, and stay tuned tomorrow for a SPECIAL announcement!

First things first- the new Deal of the week is HARDWARE!

1/2 inch Library Clips for only $5.49 (regular price $9.75)












Circle Designer Brads for only $5.49 (regular price $8.50)












Basic Jumbo Grommets for only $6.49 (regular price $9.50)












Mini Library Clips for only $12.99 (regular price $18.95)









Cheers,

Awesome 6 Card class on Sunday!

Hi Guys,

FINALLY!! The pictures of my AWESOME 6 card class. This is the first class of this kind that I have offered, but I have wanted to do one for some time.

When: Sunday, Oct. 18th at 1pm
Cost: $29

And not only will be be making 6 cards, all using the Merry Moments Designer Paper, but we will also be making an awesome card folder to put them in!!! What a great gift idea! Or keep it for yourself. I would have a hard time giving it away, it's too awesome!! :)

I still have a few spots left, space is limited so contact me immediately! You don't want to miss out.

Oh, and I almost forgot, the cost includes a pack of the Merry Moments Designer paper, that is used to make the cards and folder, but you get to keep ALL the left overs, and there are a ton!!!! You will be able to make bunch of cards with the rest.

Like what you see? Let me know, I would be happy to design more classes like these.

Cheers,

Technique Club day!!!

I know I have talked about how much I love and look forward to my Technique Club. It is just a fun group of women and I love their enthusiasm. If you would like to join one of my clubs, please let me know. You wont regret it! Not only do you get to come over to my place once a month to make awesome stuff, but you get to be the hostess one of the months and earn LOTS of free stuff! We have some great Hostess Promotions running right now, so why not join?

Here are the projects for this months club. Two of them feature sets from the Holiday Mini. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

The first card features the BEAUTIFUL serene snowflakes set and is also my entry in to this weeks Pal Paper Arts Challenge.

I wanted to see if Silver, gold & chocolate chip worked together and boy do they ever!! I ADORE this card! I wanted to experiment with some non-traditional colours. The main snowflake is heat embossed in Silver. The background snowflakes are stamped on Very Vanilla using Platinum Shimmer paint, Gold ink and Chocolate Chip. I have even used some Brushed gold paper for framing the sentiment and main snowflake. Oh and under the sentiment is a touch of Silver elastic cord.

This second card was inspired by this card by Kristen Kennedy. I love the colour combo. I changed it up a bit and substituted Melon Mambo for the Rose Red. I used the Patterned Pines Level 1 hostess set from the Mini as well as I created a little embellishment with the snowflake from the set and the Jumbo snowflake punch and a clear Rhinestone brad! I think it's quite a beauty, I hope the girls like it too.

The last project is Halloween Treat pouch. It was one the first things I learnt to make with Stampin' Up Products and probally the reason I became addicted. It is soooooo easy and can modified based on the paper and stamp set you use for almost any occassion, holiday or event! I hope the girls like making them!

Sorry that I don't have the samples of this weekends 6 card class up yet, but I have been very busy working on something, that I can't quite share with you yet. But I will say that it is a fun event of some kind in November....... stay tuned.


Cheers,