Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack!! Wow!

Ever wondered what happens to Stampin' Up product once it retires? The stamp sets are basically made to order, so once they are gone, they are gone for good, but accessories and stuff? In the past they had apparently gathered dust in the storerooms in Utah, but not for long. For the first time ever Stampin' Up! has launched a new section of the online store called THE CLEARANCE RACK!! How cool is that? Now you can get your hands on older SU stuff while supplies last! These purchase can only be made through my Online ordering system and not directly with me as availability changes frequently. But don't delay, check out the goods now, and check back often as this is now a regular feature of the online shop. Simply visit my online store (http://blairmoch.stampinup.net) and click on Shop now and then Clearance Rack (on the left handside of the page) to view the current products available. And the best part, the items will ship right to your door!!

Cheers,

Brown Paper packages....it's been a long time!

Once upon a time I started a feature called "Brown Paper Packages". The plan was that every Monday I would show you 5 projects that stood out for me as something special and worth sharing. There are so many creative people out there in blog land, some who even have stamp sets that I don't have! Shocking eh? It feel like I have millions!!! LOL But honestly, I do try and hold back sometimes!! :)

I would like to try and bring this feature back. So please give me your feedback. Oh, and just in case you are wondering why "Brown Paper Packages"? Come on, you know the song..... "Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things......"


Hope you enjoy this weeks picks. I don't have any specific method for choosing them, just stuff that catches my eye. I hope you like them as much as I do! And look forward to this feature every Monday morning!

clipped from understandblue.blogspot.com

clipped from www.stampinchic.com

clipped from www.kreativejewels.com

clipped from stampingaddict.blogspot.com

clipped from andreawalford.com

Cheers,

I'm back!!!! Miss me??

Sorry for the long absence, we have been going crazy around here! But my computer is fixed, and I am back!!

I thought I would finally post the pictures from September club projects! I have some what changed the format of my clubs and I am still looking for new members. Anyone who signs up to join my club (5 months remaining) will get a FREE classic ink pad of their choice! Let me know if you are interested. As always the monthly clubs are technique based and each month club members will make 2-3 projects and a technique card in a 6x6 page protector. It's sort of like making and collecting trading cards!! :)
Here is our first one. The technique is Rock n' Roll. If you click on the picture you will see that the decoration was stamped first in red and then the edges were rolled in chocolate chip to create a unique two toned image. FUN!

We made a Christmas card using this technique and the awesome Delightful Decorations set and the new Ornament punch from the Holiday Mini!

The card also uses some of the Merry Moments Designer Series paper. I love how this paper makes the ornaments look as though they are hanging in a Christmas tree!!
The ornaments were stamped using the Rock n' Roll technique and then punched out with the Ornament punch. They were then "suspended" by the new silver elastic cord also from the Mini. At only $6.95 this item really packs a punch. It comes in either silver or gold and you get 25 yards of it! All of my Xmas presents will have tags attached with this stuff!

The second card we made was a Thanksgiving card. We used Stampin' Write markers to colour the image in to achieve another multi-coloured look. The stamp is from the new Wandering Words set from, you guessed it, the Mini!!
The colour scheme for this card was inspired by the Autumn Traditions Designer Series paper and uses Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, Ruby Red and Always Articoke. The More Mustard piece was dry embosed using the Texturz plate Perfect details and the Big Shot! This is a really simple card and the layout could be used for any type of card and any occasion. Just change up the stamp and the colours and voila! Infact you could do this for all the stamps in the Wandering words set! Oooooooh, I am going to have to try that!! :) I can picture them now! I want to go and play as soon as I am done this post!! LOL!

The last thing we made was a Halloween treat thingie (for lack of a better name) using the fabulous new Sweet Centres Stamp set and the Sweet Treat cups!

This set is awesome! And works for so many holidays! Halloween, Christmas, Valentines day, generic cards & it makes the sweet treat cup into a flower too! The cups themselves come 12 in a pack for only $3.95 and can be filled with almost anything! This same project could also be mounted on a lollipop stick! Cute eh?? LOVE it!

Hope you enjoyed these projects. If you did, why not concider joining one of my clubs? We always have a blast! And in one of the months, you get to be the hostess and earn a ton of free stuff!!

Speaking of Hostesses and the free stuff they can earn. Right now (until the end of November) all hostesses who's workshop totals $330 or more can choose any item from the Holiday Mini Catalogue for only $14! (excludes the digital studio software). It can be anything, Big Shot dies, stamp sets, the new Simply adorned customizable charms, ANYTHING!!! Contact me today to book your own private class and earn your wishlist for FREE!!

Cheers,

I am still here!!

Sorry guys,

It has been forever!! I have been so busy booking workshops etc, and then I have been having computer problems, hence why I haven't posted.

I think I will have the computer problems fixed tonight and I will post some stuff for you. Sorry for the delays!!!!

Hope you can forgive me.

Cheers,

Happy Anniversary to me!!

And to Ed of course as well!!! 4 years ago today Ed and I were married in a BEAUTIFUL outdoor ceremony!! It was the happiest day of my life! And the most perfect wedding ever! But then I am fairly certain that all brides say that. Anyhow, it was the day I married my best friend, the man of my dreams, my ED!

Happy Anniversary my sweet!!

And a celebration would not be a celebration without a DEAL!! So from today until Sept. 7th (Sunday) I will be offering FREE Shipping to anyone who places and order with me!!! Contact me directly to place your order. Orders online will not be eligible for the special.

Since it is our Anniversary, I of course made Ed a card.

This card uses the new "Sweet Centers" set but because I wanted the "I love you" in the centre I didn't use a treat cup. This set is amazingly versatile. For the clouds I simply punched out a scallop circle from some scraps and sponged them using my sponge daubers and my Bashful Blue & Tempting Turquoise ink. Love that effect!

Products used:
Stampin' Up "Sweet Centers" stamp set, "Teeny Tiny Wishes"
Stampin' Up Card stock- Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White.
Stampin' Up Ink- Bashful Blue, Real Red, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Night of Navy, Basic Black, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa.
Accessories:Scallop Circle punch (for cloud template), sponge daubers.

I am whisking my husband away to a beautiful B&B in Guelph, Ontario for the evening, therefore I will process any orders you send me upon my return! Have a great weekend!!

Cheers,

The Holiday Mini is here!!!!!

That's right! It's Holiday Mini Time! From now until January 4th, you can purchase items from this catalogue. Some of the highlights of the new catalogue are:

• 2 new hostess sets for qualifying workshops
• Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas & Valentine's day products
• NEW Build-a-Bear products- stamps, dies for the Big Shot & paper
• NEW Simply Adorned- create your own jewelry
• NEW Digital Studio software- Digital paper crafting at it's best!!

Click here to view the catalogue online. All of my customers should have received a copy in the mail by now, if you did not, contact me for your copy today!

I thought I would show you a card made with one of the very cool new sets/products available in the Mini. Sorry for the quality of the picture, I took it with my iPhone because I was too lazy to go and get my real camera. Anyhow, picture quality aside, how cool is this?? The set is called "Sweet Centers" and is designed to coordinate with the NEW Sweet Treat cups. They are self adhesive plastic dome cups. And they can be used for soooooo many things, snowglobes, treats, shakers, windows and more!! The best part is, that the "Sweet Centers" set has a little something for almost any occasion, Halloween, Valentine's Day, Christmas (ornament top), flower and Hot air balloon. I look forward to showing more things you can do with this set in the future. Demo's all over the place have been making all sorts of cool things! Contact me now to order yours! These make great party favours or gifts for the classroom. The possiblities are endless!!!


Cheers,

Back in the city!

I had an absolutely AMAZING weekend at camp!! The weather was horrible (cold & raining) but that didn't seem to matter. I was however VERY glad that I purchased a pair of rain boots at Canadian Tire on the way up!

Here are a few pictures of the weekend........ This first one is of me and some of my closest friends from camp. Left to Right, Me, Jenny, Kaaren & Katherine. Notice how wet we look!! Oh well, it was still so great to be there. We are standing on the porch of the main lodge. Jenny was visiting from Dublin, Ireland (she's originally from Toronto) and I hadn't seen her in over 5 years. Kaaren drove up from Rochester, NY (originally from Cleavland, OH). Katherine and I actually see each other quite a bit as we are both in the Toronto area, but it was so great to spend that time with them as a group. Jenny, Katherine and I were in the same cabin together since 1984! They are by far some of my oldest and dearest friends. For those of you who went to summer camp, you will know the joy of camp friends.

This next picture was taken at one of the meals, I think that this was our hillarious dinner. We couldn't stop laughing! From left to right, Kaaren, Me, Katherine, Cris & Leslie. Cris and Leslie were campers of mine and I had the absolute privilage of being on staff with them as well. It was sooo cool just hanging out and laughing with everyone. I don't think I have laughed that hard in a LONG time!

And the last picture I am going to share with you today is from the card workshop I did on Saturday afternoon. I had 20 women sign up for this workshop, and all of them had a blast!!! I love stamping, obviously, and it was so great to bring it to some of my camp friends. Oh and notice the wollen hat (or touque as us Canadian's call them). It was really that cold!!!

Hopefully I will get back to the creative stamping today. I will post some stuff again tomorrow.

I am missing camp already, thankful for all the wonderful people who I have met over the years, and glad for some new friends this weekend too! I can't wait for the 90th reunion in 5 years!!!

Cheers,

Off to Algonquin Park for the weekend

Hi Everyone,

I am just giving everyone a heads up that I will away in Algonquin Provincial Park for the weekend at my Camp reunion. I went to Camp Tanamakoon from the age of 8 until I was in my mid-twenties and that's the camp that my daughter Kieran goes to now. Well this year is the 85th Anniversary of the camp and the alumni like to celebrate by visiting the camp for a weekend of reminiscing and wishing we were kids at camp again. I am really excited because not only is my sister flying in from Newfoundland, Canada but I get to go with my two best friends from my camp days, one who lives in Ireland now. I can't wait! And I am getting the opportunity to do a workshop up there as well. So I get to go to my favorite place and share my favorite hobby! FUN! Needless to say however, I will not be posting this weekend as I will not have cell phone or computer access while I am there and I didn't get a chance to set up some postings before going as I have been packing tonight, and my sister arrives tomorrow night and she wants to visit some things in Toronto as she is only here for a short visit.

Tonight I want share with you a beautiful project using our Chipboard album and the Decor Stencils.

The great thing about our chipboard albums is that you can decorate them however you want! You can personalize them or make them suite any event or home decor.

Paper

• More Mustard card stock
• Rich Razzleberry card stock
• Very Vanilla card stock
• Thoroughly Modern Designer Series paper
• On Board 8-1/2" x 8-1/2" Album

Ink

• More Mustard Craft Stampin' Pad

Accessories & Tools

• Rich Razzleberry 1/2" polka-dot grosgrain ribbon
• Flourish Décor Stencil
• Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Sizzix Big Shot
• Beautiful Butterfly Bigz die
• Sponge daubers

I will be back next week with pictures of the projects I did with the camp girls, and I will share some pictures of my favorite place! Until then, don't forget that the Starter Kit special continues until August 31st. If you wish to sign up on my team visit my stampin' up website and click "Join". The password is Canadian. If you have any issues or questions feel free to call the Demonstrator support line for Stampin' Up! at 1-800-Stampup or contact me Sunday evening or on Monday. And remember that the first 5 people who sign up under the current promotion will get to choose a FREE stamp set from the Holiday Mini catalogue to be released Sept 1st. This offer is available only through me.

Click this link to view the Starter Kit specials.

Cheers,

Saturday's RazzleDazzle event

Hey everyone!

I had an amazing time on Saturday at Alicia Ryckman's RazzleDazzle event! We had fabulous Make n'takes, one of which I will be sharing with you soon, as a part of a Christmas class I have planned. The demonstrations were incredible. Wow! Can I tell you how talented these women are!!!!! I was in awe the whole day. And the highlight had to be the guest speaker. It was none other than Ronda Wade, who if you are not part of the Stampin' Up! world was the #1 Demonstrator in the US for 2008!!! Amazing! I learnt a TON of ideas for improving my business from her, and will be sharing them with my team "The Hive".

Speaking of my team, you have until the end of the month to take advantage of the Starter Kit promo's, both the Mini Kit for $105 or the standard Kit with the Bonus In-colour pack for only $269!!! And if you sign up with me, I will through in a FREE stamp set from the new Holiday Mini Catalogue!!!! Wow! Contact me today for more info or to sign up!

So I thought I would share with you some pictures from Saturday.

This picture is of the Canadian, Ink! team members at the event, from left to right, Me, Nancy, Caroline & Debbie.

The next one is Caroline holding up a display board so that I could photograph it! Silly girl, hard to tell that she was nursing a cold!!

Cheers,

Off to the RazzleDazzle event in London!

Hey guys,

just a quick one to share with you my swap card (and final card for the Big Shot class from last night) for today's RazzleDazzle event in London. I have my camera with me and will be taking lots of pictures of the display boards. I will post them for you later this week.

This card uses the Patterns #2 Texturz plate and the "Autumn Harvest" stamp set. I love this set because it comes with a Jack-o-lantern face that you can stamp on the pumpkins to use them for Halloween projects. The sentiment is from the "Holiday Best" Hostess Level 1 set. The main colour on this card is Dusty Durango, one of the In-Colours. I think I will be using it a ton on fall cards this year. I love it.

Cheers,

The other Xmas cards and a Winner!!

Hi Guys,

It's finally Friday!! This week could not have come to an end any earlier!! I have so much going on this weekend that I am looking forward to, that the work week was just getting in the way! Tonight is my Big Shot & Christmas in August classes, yes two in one day, I am a glutton for punishment!! Tomorrow I am heading off to London for a all day Stampin' Event called RazzleDazzle. I am really looking forward to it!! I finished my swaps last night, so now I am totally ready!! Tomorrow is going to be an early one though, I have to pick Caroline up at 6am!! It takes a few hours to get to London from Toronto. And then last, but definatly not least, Kieran comes home from camp on Sunday!!!! I have missed her so much, and can't wait to hear all about her month at camp!

Just a quick note, last night was a weird one here in Toronto. A bunch of tornado's touched down all over the place, which like never happens here. One of the tornado's touched down within about a block of some very close friends, but thankfully they only lost their power for a bit. No harm came to them or their home. We barely noticed what was going on because after a lovely Sushi dinner with my Brother & Sister-in-law, my husband Ed and I headed over to Bayview Village because the Gap was having an special 40th anniversary party and my Friend Dave's Band "See Spot Run" was playing there. It was fun to see him playing in a store (funny actually) and we got our hands on some smokin' great deals on some clothes for the kids!!

Okay, now back to the whole reason you are here, to see the last two Xmas cards for my Christmas in August class tonight.

This First card uses the "Season of Joy" set. This was actually one of the first sets I ever purchased from SU. I had intended to make my Xmas cards with it last year. And then I got addicted, and had many sets to choose from, and I actually made my cards using "Lovely as a Tree", go figure, that was a set I didn't even think I liked when I first saw it! Anyhow, this is using classic Xmas colours, Real Red & Handsome Hunter. I coloured the stamp with my markers.

The last card for the class tonight uses "Tree Trimmings" and "Holiday Best". I feel in love with this set as soon as I saw it. I love the vintage ornaments. This is a square card because I wanted to use my Scallop Circle die for the Big Shot. The Very Vanilla circle was cut using my Circle Scissor Plus.

Oh and one last thing before I go, I promised a winner for my 100 Blog post contest, and based on Random.org my random number was 1!!!

Congrats to Kathy!! Contact me via email so that I can get you your prize!!

Have a great weekend everyone, and I will be back tomorrow with the Swap card, and final card for my Big Shot class.

Cheers,

Another PPA Challenge and a sneak-peak of my Big Shot class

Hi Guys,

It's Thursday time for another Pal Paper Arts Challenge. This week is "Anything but a card" and it just so happened that I created a matchbox for Halloween for my Big Shot class on Friday.

This adorable little box uses the Matchbox die for the Sizziz Big Shot and the new Cast-a-spell Designer Paper from the current catalogue. I have also adorned it with some Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain ribbon attached with a black brad from the vintage brads. The sentiment is stamped on a tag from the Matchbox die and is from the "Holiday Best" hostess set. I coloured it with my Old Olive, Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers. Too cute!

This next card showcases the Butterflies Die and the top note. Yes, that is the top note die, but it is run through the Big Shot twice! How cool is that? I have used the Razzleberry Lemonade Patterned paper for this card and the colours Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo & Crushed Curry. The sentiment is from my FAV sentiment set "Teeny Tiny Wishes" and I just adore that Modern Label punch!

The last card I am going to share with you today also uses the Top note die and this time is is punched twice. Once using Bashful Blue and the second time using some Night of Navy DSP from the Hostess Pattern Paper pack. The adorable little birds is from the Sizzlets set "Birds & Blooms" and the "Peace" sentiment is from the Decorative Strip Die. Lots of dies on this one. And what a pretty Christmas/Seasonal card.

I will share the last card with you on Saturday as it is also my swap card for the RazzleDazzle event that I am attending in London that day. So I want to wait to post the card.

There is still space remaining for my Xmas Card & Big Shot class this Friday, cost for each is $20 or $35 if you wish to take both. I will be posting the remaining Xmas cards for you tomorrow along with the WINNER from my "100 Posts contest".....finally.....sorry for the wait guys, I have been sooooooo busy getting ready for the two classes and the Saturday event.

Cheers,