SU comes to Hamilton! Fall Regionals 2010!

Yesterday was the Stampin' Up! Fall Regionals in Hamilton, Ontario. Which happens to be less than 1/2 hour from my house. So of course I HAD to go!! And I am sooooo glad I did. It is definately one of the many perks of becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, and this is the first official event I have ever attended. Now I can't wait to go to Leadership in Nashville, TN in January.

And one of the coolest part of going to Regionals are all the freebies we get (plus getting to see all of our SU friends too!) oh and did I mention that Shelli Gardner, CEO and founder of SU was there???

Here are the make n'takes and stamp set we got for attending.The stamp set is Day of Gratitude from the Holiday Mini. It's really beautiful. And we had 6 fabulous make n'takes to work on. I didn't get a chance to work on them yesterday, because I was chosen to be one of the 3 Demostrator helpers for the day. It was a huge honour to be chosen and I had a blast helping out. Thanks to my co-helpers Mary-Louise & Ellen for making it a truly fun experience. I did find some time today to make everything so I will show you pictures in the days to come. So come back often to see everything we made with this set.

That's not the only FREE stuff I got. I got a Logo apron that I had to wear as a helper, and I got to keep it. Believe it or not, but it's my first black SU logo apron, so I will wear it with pride. We got a Hamilton Regionals button for attending and at one point they announced that we would all get a package of Glimmer Brads!! Rock on! I love those brads from the mini!! Oh and the best FREEBIE announced was actually in the form of a special promotion just for Regional attendees.....

If we recruit someone from now to Oct. 17th both myself and any new recruits get the not yet released AWESOMELY ADORABLE new stamp set called Eat Chocolate that will be in the next Occasions Mini Catalogue!!!!!! So, in addition to getting over $400 in SU products AND the Greenhouse Gala Tote (a $49.95 value) AND an additional FREE stamp set of your choice from the Holiday Mini (a special bonus for joining my team only) for ONLY $215 you will ALSO get the NEW Eat Chocolate Stamp set!!!! Wow!! What a deal!! I wish I could re-join to get all those awesome things!

I can't show you the stamp set (plus I don't have one yet) but I can show you some pictures of projects made with it.

Contact me TODAY to take advantage of this VERY limited time offer!!



Cheers,

Card from the Aberfoyle Fall Fair

I thought I would show you the card we made at the Aberfoyle Fall Fair last weekend. This has to be one of my favorite Make n'takes ever!! I totally copied the idea from Ronda Wade, in fact it was this card that made me want to buy the stamp set Autumn Splendor. When I first saw it in last years Holiday Mini catalogue I didn't think much of it, until I saw this card. It really is stunning. One thing that a number of people noticed and commented on last Saturday was the beautiful clean crisp image that this stamp product. In fact it seemed that the men pointed this out the most. Well honestly that is a true testament to the fabulous quality stamps, and deeply etched images that Stampin' Up! produces. All things are not created equal, and SU's stamps are really top quality compared to a lot of the rubber & acrylic stamps on the market. Anyhow, just thought I would toot the SU horn for a bit.

Products used: All Stampin' Up
Stamp sets: Autumn Splendor, Grateful Greetings
Card stock: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive.
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Cheers,

Wanna see something from the Open House this Saturday??

Here is something seriously cute that we are making at my Open House this Saturday. If you are able to make it please RSVP.

Isn't he just the cutest thing ever?? It'a bookmark that folds over your page. The bookmark is made using the Two Tags die for the Big Shot but you first fold a piece of paper in half and then place it on the die so that you don't cut the top of the book mark. It's kind of hard to explain, much easier to see in person. So come on by the Open House this saturday and I can show you!!

The Owl is the new Owl punch and I LOVE him! Honestly at first I thought "oh, this is going to be so fiddly" but he's not at all! He's really easy to assemble. I have also incorporated a few of our new colours with this project, Crumb Cake (formerly Kraft), Cherry Cobble & Early Espresso. And the tummy on the Owl is our returning in colour Baja Breeze!

Here's a picture of him in a book doing his job! Don't you just want to make one of these??? These little book marks make the best presents for Teachers, Grand-parents, kids, really anyone who loves to read, and still reads REAL books, not the digital kind (I have to admit I am a digital convert......... I love my new Kobo!!). But I still have some real books, like cookbooks, and this is a reference book on Direct Selling that I am reading. So these bookmarks coming in super handy even for me!

RSVP for my Open House this Saturday and learn how to make these super quick, super easy gifts!



Cheers,

Who's coming to my Open House this weekend??

Hope to see you there!! :)

Cheers,

Grand Manan 2010

I promised you the pictures of my trip. Just click on the picture below to be brought to the full album. Enjoy! If you have any questions don't hesitate to post a comment and I will answer them as soon as I can.




Cheers,

Open House and Sale this SATURDAY!!!!

Many of you have expressed a HUGE interest in my Open House and Sale this weekend. And for good reason. I am selling off all my retired stamp sets, paper, punches, ink pads and MORE! You won't want to miss this one. For every dollar you spend on retired products, you get the same value in NEW catalogue (or Mini) purchases!! So if you spend $20 on my retired stuff, you get $20 to spend in NEW stuff!! How cool is that????? Now is absolutely the time to stock up on stuff for the holidays!!

Here are a few pictures of the stuff for sale:

















See, there is LOTS of yummy stuff for sale!! Markers, re-inkers and so much more!! None of this stuff is available for purchase from Stampin' Up! anymore, so if there is something you want, you had better come check it out. Sale is based on first come first served. Please come to the first door on the walk-way.

Saturday, Sept, 18th form 10 to 5pm. Please RSVP ASAP!!


Cheers,

New Holiday Mini!!

Hi Everyone,

I had a fantastic Saturday at the Aberfoyle Fall Fair! I met a bunch of lovely people, and can't wait for them to join me at some of my upcoming events!!

In the meantime, and I am sorry for the delay on this, I would like to post for you the FABULOUS holiday mini!!!

There are some awesome new stuff in this catty. Some of my personal favs are:

• FABRIC in extra large Fat Quarters that match our designer paper!!!
• 2 new embossing folders for the Big Shot, one with a spiders web and one with snowflakes
• New products like waffle paper and lace trim!! YUM!
• New Big Shot dies
• Cards that play Xmas music or that are recordable
• Chip board houses!
• And Advent calendar kit!
• New PUNCHES!!! One is an XL Label that matches an awesome new Xmas Stamp set
• Letter Press plates!!!
  

I could literal list everything in the mini, but you are much better to see it for yourself. I had an issue with my automatic mailer, so if you didn't receive yours in the mail and you are a regular customer of mine, please let me know so that I can send you your copy ASAP.

Or visit me this SATURDAY from 10 to 5 for my New Catalogue, Holiday Mini & 2-for-1 Sale!!!

We will be doing:

• 3 make n'takes featuring ALL NEW products!!!
• Door Prize Draw with LOT OF GOODIES to give away!!!
• 2-for-1 Sale of all my retired products- Stamp sets, Ink Pads, Re-inkers, Paper and MORE!!
  

For the 2-for-1 sale, whatever you purchase from my retired stock you get the same value in NEW Catalogue merchandise!! AWESOME!!

Please RSVP ASAP to ensure I have enough stuff for everyone!!! Hope to see you there.

Cheers,

I'm back & a donation today!

Sorry about the long hiatus!! First we went camping for a week with my sister from Pennsylvania and her family, and some friends of ours to Owen Sound and Tobermory, Ontario. If you haven't been to those area's before you must check them out. I will post some pictures in the next few days. After that my daughter got back from camp and then my husband and I flew out to the East Coast for a mini vacation and 5th Anniversary celebration. We went to Grand Manan, New Brunswick. Now, most of you will not have heard of it. It's a small island in the Bay of Fundy off the coast of Maine & New Brunswick. You have a to take a 1 1/2 ferry from Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick just to get there! It has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. I will post some pictures from that trip two in the next few days.

Let's move on to today's posting. Today I present to you a donation to the D.A.D Project. The D.A.D (Drawing a Day) Project is the brain child of two sisters, Serena & Emily. It is an ongoing, online, art-based fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, the largest national charitable funder of cancer research in Canada. Each day one of the sisters posts an original drawing they have done, and then they make that item available as a print in their etsy shop. Each friday they feature a different artist and I am honoured that today they are featuring a item made by me!

I have donated this beautiful Artistic Etchings Card Folder & card set with all proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society. The folder contains 2 handmade cards (blank with no sentiment) and 4 handmade notecards, blank with stamped images. The folder is also handmade and all materials are Stampin' Up!.

Head over to their blog to find out more or to purchase this one of a kind gift for only $20 plus shipping and handling.

Tomorrow I will be at the Aberfoyle Fall Fair, so if you are in the area please stop by and say hi. I will be selling Rag Quilt bag kits, handmade cards, catalogues and will have a make n'take as well. Aberfoyle is located South of Guelph, Ontario. If you are interested in getting directions contact me for more information.


Cheers,

Going camping!!

Hi everyone!

The weather in Ontario has finally cooled down to a manageable temperature. Thankfully, as my family and I are on our way to Owen Sound to do some camping. No tents, I am way out of camping practice, but we have rented a cute little cabin. Should be really fun!

But that mean's that I won't be posting when I am gone. Try not to miss me too much! I will be back on the weekend with pictures of my upcoming Page-a-grade Scrapbook class!!! Check out my event page for more info.

Also, before I let you go, I just wanted to extend a warm welcome to my newest member of the Be Canadian Stampers Group!! Welcome WANDA!! So glad you finally took the plunge!

If you think you would love to join a fun group of stampers why not join my team? Click here for more info.

Cheers,

MDS for weddings

As posted earlier, I did some decor work for a friends wedding. I used MDS (My Digital Studio) to make table signs and a seating chart.

Well, the bride wanted to put together a collage of pictures that would be printed out and put in her thank you cards. So this is what I came up with.
I love the flexibility of MDS. I love what I can do with it. Boy what I wouldn't give to get married over again (to the same man of course) just so I could make all sorts of fun things for my wedding. This was really easy too, I used one of the card templates, just adjusted the size of the pictures a bit for a more geometric design, added a few stamps, some text and VOILA!

Aren't Lesley & Mike an adorable couple? And their wedding, if I do say so myself was stunning!! :)

This would make a great photo invitation (but use engagement shots instead) or baby announcements, save the date cards etc!! The possibilities are after all endless! You are only limited by your own creativity or by those around you! Thank goodness the Internet is full of wonderfully talented people!!



Cheers,

You know how I love a good challenge!

My life seems to always be about challenges these days.

1. Challenges with my weight and my love of food and wine
2. Challenges with my family, being tested hourly by that of a 2 1/2 year old son
3. Challenges with my marriage, it's hard when your better half is working in a different city
4. Challenges with my business and finding the right work life balance

I am happy to report however that I have made significant progress in many of these areas.

1. I started back at Weight Watchers last week and after 1 full week on the program I have already lost 8lbs!
2. A new found strength from within (due largely to the fact that I have decided to step up all aspects of my life) have me less frustrated, and calmer when he isn't. Not sure it's having an effect on him yet, but my throat is happier with less yelling!
3. Looks like this is the last trip to Winnipeg Ed has to take! But I am still keeping my fingers crossed, you never know! Plus we have booked a trip to the East Coast to visit a wonderful secluded Island in the Bay of Fundy called Grand Manan. I can't wait to sit on a cliff watching the ocean roll by!
4. My business in the new area is picking up. Everyday I am meeting new people, and making new contacts. I have also scheduled work nights so that I can stay ahead of the tasks and spend less time crunching at the last minute before a class, event etc.

So today, I have a sense of accomplishment. Things are moving forward. And life is pretty good!

Shelli Gardner the CEO and founder of Stampin' Up! posts monthly challenges on her blog, open to both Demo's and customers alike. I haven't participated in a while. Thought I would give this month's challenge a go. It's all about using the Colour Coach to find new and innovative colour combos. And stepping out of your comfort zone.

I have had an idea to use the Elements of style flowers on Marina Mist for a few weeks now. It sort of has a Wedgwood thing about it. But I knew it need to be grounded by another colour. So I pulled out the Colour Coach and tried out a bunch of different colours. Well, it so happens that my fav new colour, Cherry Cobbler was the winner.

And since I got my Holiday Mini sneak peak items today, I thought I would just have to play with the new Cherry Cobbler Seam binding ribbon! Yum! It has a wonderful sheen to it, and it is light and airy. Just lovely. Sorry my bow looks like junk! My eyes are heavy with lack of sleep. The sentiment was framed by a layering of punches. The Designer Label, 1" circle ad the small oval punch bring it all together.

Anyhow, it's very much time for me to go to sleep. I can barely look at the computer screen.

Don't have a Colour Coach yet? Visit my online store to order one today!


Cheers,

Change of date!

Due to the fact that so many are taking vacations right now, I have decided to change the date of my New Catty Open house and 2-for-1 Retired product sale to Saturday, Sept. 18th. And now it's a preview of the Holiday Mini Catty too!! I will have a whole table set out displaying some of the fabulous products from the new mini.

This just gives me even more time to make this an event you wont want to miss! Please RSVP for this event.

Cheers,

Sorry I have been so quiet, and PPA!

My family has abandoned me this week (husband in Winnipeg, son at Grandma's, daughter at camp) and I have been extremely busy getting ready for my Martini Party tonight. So sorry for the lack of posts.

I made a card to send to my daughter at camp. This is actually her stamp set. It arrived the day after she left. She earned it for helping me organize my stamp sets. She did a ton of work stamping them into my binder, sorting them into categories and then punching out little colour dots (based on categories) and adhere those to the sets. Then she put them in my cabinets so that they can be easily found. It was a TON of work and I would never have got it done without her. So since she wanted this set so badly, she asked me to make her a card with it.

As it turns out, this card would work well for a boy too. And so it works well with this weeks PPA challenge- KISS Masculine. Not sure this card is really a KISS card, but it didn't take me long at all. I simply stamped the little monsters with Pear Pizzaz, Concord Crush & Pumpkin pie, highlighted them with my blender pens and ink from my ink pads and voila!

I hope she likes it!!

Cheers,

Off to Camp day!!

We have had a busy weekend around here, packing everyone up. Everyone but me that is! My husband Ed is off to Winnipeg, AGAIN! My son Alexander is off to Grandma's for a week and my daughter Kieran is off to CAMP!! If I could join one of them it would be Kieran. Kieran goes to a fabulous girls camp in Algonquin Provincial Park (one of the most beautiful places on earth) called Camp Tanamakoon. I went to Tanamakoon when I was a kid right up into my twenties (I was a counselor for many many years). Now Kieran goes. This is her 5th summer and she goes for all of August. I won't get to see her or hear her voice for a whole month! I can't tell you how much I look forward to getting a letter in the mail!! It is one of the most wonderful and nurturing places you could ever send your daughter. If you have some, you should check it out. It is the single most important gift my parents ever gave me. It, more than anything else I ever did helped shaped me to be the woman, mother and person I am today. And I am so thankful that I can give her this same gift as well.

Since I have been so busy packing everyone up, and have had no time to play. This week however will be dedicated to Stampin' Up! Lots of fun things happening around here. Tuesday night is my FREE crop night (RSVP if you would like to come) and Friday is my Martini Party/Card class! I can't wait!

I will leave you with a picture of Kieran going to camp last year, but will make sure to take some new ones this year too! I can't believe how young she looks in this picture! Can you see the excitement??

I will be back tomorrow with the winner of my Card Class Blog candy tomorrow. Until then.........

Cheers,

Want to see what we are making at my Open House???

Well, part of it anyhow............

My New Catalogue Open House and 2-for-1 Retired Sale is on August 14th from 10am to 5pm. You are not going to want to miss this event!!! One of the things we will be making is this adorable little pail.

This is a super simple favour for a party, wedding, shower etc. Right now the pail is empty, but when you come to my Open House you get to fill it with a yummy treat that you will not want to miss out on.

To give you a true picture of how little this cutie is, I have included a picture with a re-inker! Too cute!!

I got these pails from www.many-thanks.ca

If you want to make one of this, RSVP for my open house!! Hope to see you there!

Cheers,

Last Chance to Rejoin!!!

Time is ticking away!!! You have only until the 31st to get your paperwork to Calgary for this awesome offer to all former SU demonstrators! You can rejoin for only $45!!! How insane is that? $45 gets you the business supplies to get started again, and you get to immediately take advantage of all the awesome stuff SU offers like discounts on products, sneak peek and pre-orders (Holiday Mini pre-ordering starts August 1st!!!). Don't forget FREEBIES, HOSTESS BENEFITS, SU EVENTS (Regional event in Hamilton on Sept. 25th-registration begins Aug. 4th).

Don't delay, contact me immediately to get the ball rolling! I would hate for you to miss out on this incredible offer!

Back tomorrow with a fun project that we will be making at my OPEN HOUSE on August 14th! Save the date, you won't want to miss this one!!

Cheers,

Stampin' Up! is coming to Hamilton!!

This past week marked the annual Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. I unfortunately couldn't go....... :( It's just too far away and with the move and all this year I just couldn't swing it.



Anyhow at Convention they announced some Regional events in the near future, and guess what, they are coming to Hamilton, Ontario!!!!!



I would love to go to Hamilton with a big bunch of people. There is even talk of a sleep over at my place and some fun in my studio!!



So, want to join me? I am sure that this event will be a sell-out. It's easy, you just need to join my team!!!



How do you do that? Visit my team page for all the info about being on my team and for a link to sign up!



And if you wait until August 1st to do it, you will get EXPEDITED shipping on all your orders in Septemember!! This is a new feature for Canadian Demos! Be one of the first to experience it.



And to sweet the pot, if you join my team I will also give you a FREE stamp set from the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalogue!! I already have a copy of it and can begin ordering my goodies on August 1st- one of the many demo perks!



You can choose between a Standard Starter Kit or the Digital + Starter kit. Both are fabulous and contain lots of stampin' goodies for your enjoyment!

Ang the best part? Both are only $215!!! That's $54 cheeper than last year and it's a better selection of products!!

What exactly are in the Starter kits?

The standard Starter Kit includes :
Five complete stamp sets (including a clear-mount set and clear-mount block)
A Stampin' Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge
Assortment of Designer Series paper and card stock
Four Classic Stampin' Pads
Two Stampin' Write markers
VersaMark Pad
Whisper White 5/8" satin ribbon
Songbird Décor Elements and applicator
Adhesives
Blender pen
Stamping sponge
Stampin' Scrub and Mist
Box of Idea Book & Catalogues
Business forms and tools

The Digital+ Starter Kit includes:
My Digital Studio software suite
Three complete stamp sets (including a clear-mount set and clear-mount block)
Assortment of card stock
Four Classic Stampin' Pads
Two Stampin' Write markers
Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
Brights Designer buttons
Songbird Décor Elements and applicator
Adhesives
Stampin' Scrub and Mist
Box of Idea Book & Catalogues
Business forms and tools


And many of the items are customizable. Only want to join for the discount? No worries, I will buy the Business supplies from you! Contact me for more info!

Hope you can join me in Hamilton!



Cheers,

Wedding Decor, Stampin' Up! style!!

I had mentioned that I did a friends wedding decor at the beginning of July. Well, I got some of the pictures from her yesterday and thought I would share them with you. Sometimes it really amazes me what you can do with a little paper.This first picture is of the whole room, if you look closely you will see butterflies on the glasses, signs on the tables and napkin rings. Lets look at those details........
Here are the butterflies on the glasses. Her colours were orange & Brown so I used a mix of Only Orange, Pumpkin Pie, Dusty Durango and Cameo Coral. The butterflies were cut out with my Beautiful Butterflies die and my Big Shot. I then cut notches in them to fit onto the glasses. The Bride and her bridesmaids wrote everyone's name on the butterfly for the place cards.The napkin rings were made with the same combination of card stock out of 2 scallop circles. You snip down the scallops on the top one, add a circle to the middle in So Saffron and cover it with Dazzling Diamonds! Voila! The base of the ring is a piece of Chocolate Chip card stock wrapped in White Satin ribbon.
The bride didn't want her tables numbered so they picked a bunch of Love Songs and gave each table a number. I created the sign in MDS printed it out on Whisper White card stock and mounted it on some Pumpkin Pie. I affixed a butterfly in the top corner from the same card stock colours as the place cards.
The Bride wanted a Sweets buffet for her guests to enjoy. So I was asked to make a sign for that table too, again using MDS and printed on Whisper White card stock.
She also wanted a Branch to decorate her guest book/cake table. I got the branch from my backyard, spray painted it gold. I took a clay pot, painted it orange and filled it with the paper that comes with our Stampin' Up! shipments. This was perfect for holding the branch once I made a whole in the centre of it with some scissors. I wrapped some White satin ribbon around the top and affixed one of the flowers from the napkin rings. On the branch I added paper roses and more butterflies.
And last but not least was the Seating Chart. I really enjoyed making this! I created it using a combination of MDS, MS Publisher and Photoshop Elements. I then formated it for a 24 x 36 poster size and had my friendly neighbourhood printing shop print and foam core mount it. This was not a cheep option, but well worth it for the final look.

All of these elements were easy to make. It just takes a little time and some creativity. I really enjoyed doing it, and would love to do more in the future.

Cheers,