MoJo monday winner

Here's some pictures I received from Pei Pei since she played my Mojo Monday contest that I posted on March 18th. Pei Pei is always so great about sending me pictures to inspire me but for some reason I always have problems with her pictures getting posted the wrong direction and I don't know how to correct it so then I end up deleting the post because it looks so strange posting sideways cards. (As you all know, I am severely technologically challenged). I am so sorry the picture is sideways but I LOVE it so much that I am leaving it here for all of you to enjoy(albeit sideways). Notice she used the cracked glass technique and the butterflies are so beautiful. I'm guessing the base is elegant eggplant?.

Thanks Pei Pei for playing. You will get the sale-a-bration ice cream parlour buttons to enjoy on your future projects.

So many things to share.

I've been so busy with so many good things I truly don't know if I can jam it into one post. First, hubby is back from his ten days in Nicaragua. He did have a remarkable time but it is great to have him back. I was busy on Friday night setting up for stamp camp and I came home late Friday night figuring he would already be asleep but he had invited some friends over and they were chatting and eating Congee Queen food. They looked so happy together and I know they haven't gotten together for awhile so I snapped a picture. Our first ever Stamp Camp on Saturday was great fun. I love giving out loads of prizes and I love seeing a whole room of people crafting! I was busy mingling and organizing so I forgot to take pictures! Shame on me! Here's a couple that I did take.

I'm sure some of you want to see pictures of the make n take projects and the workshop wow projects.

There are so many pictures and I know I can't post them all tonight but here's some of the scrapbook make n takes:

I have a favourite workshop wow project but I haven't taken a picture of it yet. It won't look as good in the picture I bet but I do plan on taking a picture and posting it for you later.

Everyone seemed to have a really nice time and if you missed it this time around, make sure you talk to someone who was able to attend so you can hear all about it.

Tonight I had my second ever Stampin' Up! family night. This is an evening where I share about how I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and what the journey has been like for me. People ask questions and there are snacks and make n takes, of course.

I just thought I would share one of the make n take projects. It's super simple but it can be done with supplies that you get as a part of the starter kit during sale-a-bration. The starter kit during sale-a-bration is discounted to only $182 no tax, no shipping and it includes an additional $60 bundle. What a deal!

So much more to share but I must go to bed. I will post more soon.

Don't forget, only a few days left until the last day of sale-a-bration on March 31st!

Strength and Hope

Oh Wow! I didn't realize it's been so long since I last posted! I've been super busy getting ready for Stamp camp this Saturday. It's the first time I"ve done anything this large and comprehensive. The day will include a full lunch, loads of door prizes, 3 wow breakout sessions, and different make and takes depending if you're in the card track or the scrapbooking track. All I can say is that I will be hauling a whole lot of stuff down to the Yorkland school.


Speaking of big events, I"m in the process of planning my first event fundraiser. Stampin' Up! is releasing a new stamp set in the summer mini called "Strength and Hope" and two dollars from every set sold will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Since this set has not yet been released, I am not allowed to show the set images on the internet but I can show projects made with this set. I love the script and the butterfly images of this set.


Here is a card using this set.
Make sure you seize the opportunity to take part in this fundraiser to contribute to this cause while getting 3 beautiful make n takes and the stamp set.
Here's the details:
Date: May 14th
Time drop in 10-2
Cost: $35 includes strength and hope stamp set (clear mount), 3 make n takes, tea, pink frosted cupcakes!
Your registration fee also includes a $10 donation to the Breast Health Centre at Markham Stouffville hospital
RSVP: Registration and payment by April 30th

Come on out and invite friends. No stamping experience is necessary. The more registrants, the greater the difference we can make!

Don't worry if you can't make the date, I can still provide you the make n take paper so you can do the projects and home. Unforuntately I can't save any cupcakes for you, though!
RSVP by e-mailing me now.

Springtime smiles

Can you believe Easter is coming up fast? Here's a card swap sample I received that is perfect for spring or Easter wishes.

The crumb cake and baja breeze are a great colour combination. Enjoy the small details like the tulip embossing on the cardstock and well as the subtle background pattern. The beautiful springtime vintage dsp also adds some interest without being too distracting.

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE Stampin' Up!'s artwork and colours?

Priceless Wow

Do any of you remember when I used priceless at every class and club? Well, when I first started as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, this was my go to set for everything. Frankly, I didn't have very many sets when I started off. I dusted it off today as I am eagerly getting ready for the upcoming Stamp Camp. Today was such a happy day. The sun is shining, I got to do some stamping, I'm cooking steak and sweet potatos for dinner, and Kevin is due home tommorrow. A good day indeed.

There will be some workshop wow presentations at the stamp camp and I will be doing a little breakout session on ribbon and fabric. If this card looks like it's missing something, it's because it is. Those of you who are coming to stamp camp on Saturday will get to see the simple but "wow" factor with the ribbon. I didn't want to spoil the surprise so here is the card without the ribbon. I still wanted to show it because I thought the colour combo was interesting. (I got the combo from the colour coach) Old olive, night of navy and pretty in pink.

The second card

I know most of you know that when I sit down to make a card, I usually make two. Here's the second one that came out of my playtime yesterday

The funky four set is another possible sale-a-bration freebie choice. I think those mushrooms are so funny! I just inked them up with the markers (chocolate chip, so saffron, old olive and tempting turqoise). I picked those colours because the dsp told me so!

Jazz it up a bit with the ticket corner punch and a little brights button. A perfect cute little card for anyone.

A little contest, just for fun

Can you believe sale-a-bration is almost done? The chance to get free stamps/accessories with every $60 purchase ends after March 31st. It went by so fast this year!!! Maybe I was just too busy to really sit down and play and enjoy my sale-a-bration sets.

I decided to play today because I received an e-mail from one of my new friends I met at leadership. We have been continuing to stay in touch to give each other stampin' ideas and just to encourage one another. Lauren e-mailed a Mojo Monday sketch and shared some of the cards her customers made with the sketch. I"ve heard about this Mojo Monday thing but I've never gone to the website. Wowzeee!!! This is going to be one of my favourite blogs. Check it out at http://www.mojomonday.blogspot.com/

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to have a little contest with those of you who check my blog. Here's the sketch

Email me a picture of a card that you make following this sketch and you will be entered into a draw for the sale-a-bration ice cream parlour buttons. (so cute!)

(Team S.T.I.C girls, you know I care for you, but you won't be eligible for the prize. Of course still send me your creations, though!) This contest closes March 25th. I can't wait to see your creations.

Here's mine to get your mojo flowing...

I'm using the playdate dsp and the stamp set is from the sale-a-bration set: punch bunch. Okay, the contest is on! Send your creations to : genevieve.ko@sympatico.ca

p.s. (I know some of you will ask: do I have to use only current SU product? The answer is no, just use whatever you've got!)

A lot of product, a discounted price, an opportunity to earn money!

Joining the Stampin' Up! family is as easy as ever. Just sign up on my website by clicking on start my own business. This is a great time because you will receive 15% off the starter kit and a $60 bonus bundle. If you want to ask questions, contact me or come to my family night on Monday March 28th.

Marina Friends

Here's a card that I made earlier in the month when I received my Stampin' Success magazine (a free magazine that Stampin' Up! sends to demonstrators). I saw the picture in the magazine and then copied it. I love that bird image on the friends 24-7 set.

The cardstock is marina mist and crumb cake. The ink is early espresso for the bird, second generation marina mist for the flourish and crumb cake for the wheelbackground.

Sorry my pictures are so fuzzy. My camera ran out of batteries so I have to use my phone to take pictures. (I can't find the batteries anywhere...that's hubby's department)

I am surviving while Kevin is gone. The fuzzy pictures as well as being unable to print from my computer (printer ran out of ink) are just small inconveniences with his absence. I can tell that he is really having an extraordinary experience on the mission trip to Nicaragua so I'm very glad he went. Doesn't mean I can't wait for him to come home, though. To see what he's been up to, feel free to check his blog.

Loads of Love

A workshop hostess requested that I demonstrate the watercolour crayons and pastels. I pulled out my Loads of Love Stamp set and made this. I really enjoy how the watercolour crayons give depth that can't be achieved with the markers. Also, this is done with whisper white paper and blender pens. No watercolour paper needed!

Yes, a pacific point pick up truck...hubby is still on my mind. I'm going to give him this card when he gets home.

My daughter started a fever yesterday morning and was miserable all day. A wonderful way to start of the march break (not). Thankfully she seems to be perking up a bit but with a sick little one, I realize how much I take my hubby for granted considering he is not home now. I'm sure there is someone in your life that you can give a "love you just because" card.

If you would like to see the watercolour crayons in action, make sure to book a workshop with me!

The journey begins

I have been so busy with many things that there hasn't been time to breathe or post! The sale-a-bration workshops continue. Sale-a-bration has traditionally been a busy time of year but this year is even more so. I don't know whether because it is just natural growth of the business or a result of my enhanced enthusiasm. Maybe a bit of both!?

Here's a card that a recent hostess showed me. She had come to my sale-a-bration sneak peek event at the beginning of the year and mentioned that she wanted to make a specific project related to an organization she supports in Africa. Here's what she came up with. Isn't it great?

The paradise stamp set and inspired by nature stamp set work so well together.

Kevin left this morning for his mission down to Nicaragua. 2am he left the house. To keep tabs on what he is up to, check out his blog. I think he is going to try to maintain it if he has access to the internet.

I felt so forlorn when he left. It didn't help that he pointed out that this was like our long distance dating university days. "See you in two weeks" It brought back all those days when I would be at school but miss him so much. I really don't think we've been apart for 10 days since those university days. Groan. I am such a sap!

Anyway, thankfully, he is now in Nicaragua. They have a long drive from the capital to the area where they will be serving but I"m sure he's full of energy. Here he is with one of the pastors of our church.

I'm looking forward to a relaxing march break! (even if I am missing my husband!)

Another workshop card

Here's another make n take workshop card from this weekend. It's showing off how easy it is to use the springtime vintage dsp. A little bit of tearing on the edges just adds to the charm of this card. It uses the clearly for you stamp set. I used old olive marker and not quite navy marker on the image. The sentiment is from the level 2 occasions mini hostess set called something to celebrate. So fast, so easy!

I can't resist showing off the cupcakes that the hostess made for her guests. Trust me, they taste as delicious as they look. Don't get the wrong idea! You don't need to make beautiful snacks if you host a workshop...I'll eat whatever snacks are put out!

friendly owl

I've been super busy with workshops this weekend and will be doing quite a few more over the next week. No surprise that everyone wants to take advantage of sale-a-bration before it's over! I would love to show you all the different cards I've demo'd at the workshops but now they're gone because I give my demos to the hostesses. Here's a couple of samples using the sale-a-bration products of punch bunch and the ice cream parlor paper. That owl is so funny! I've been asking guests at the workshops to name the owl since clearly he needs a name. His expression just looks like he has a personality so he needs a name. So far he's been named Joe, Oscar and Olgovy. I wonder what he'll be named this afternoon!

Punch bunch was one of the most popular sale-a-bration picks this year. Make sure you get yours with your $60 purchase before this great sale is over!

Clear Mount Comments

It's time to have a frank clear mount conversation. It's no secret that I am a wood mount fan mostly because when I'm ready to stamp, I don't want anything to slow me down. The need to mount the rubber on the clear block is just an extra step I don't like to do. As well, I have had problems with the rubber falling off my clear block at the most inopportune times. (I know, I know, this doesn't seem to happen to anyone else but me...I was watching all those clear mount junkies at leadership and none of them seemed to have any problems!)
I have considered going solely wood but there are some significant benefits to clear mount such as the ability to see through the block for positioning and the cheaper price.
So, here are the tips I've learned to try to keep my rubber securely on my clear block when stamping.
I thought I would share these tips thinking maybe, just maybe, I am not the only one who has problems...

1) Make sure the clear block and cling back of the stamp is clean. Do everything possible to prevent hand oils from getting onto the block face or the cling back.

2) If needed use windex or stampin' mist to clean the block and cling backing.

3) To adhere the stamp to the block, first place the stamp rubber down on the table then huff on the block then press the block onto the cling backing.

If these do not solve your problems then you can resort to my new strategy: I have placed a little bit of two way glue pen on the cling backing. I waited to make sure that the two way glue was dry and then it's perfect. That little extra bit of non-permanent stickiness is all that is needed. Now I am happier with my clear mount stamps.
Two way glue pen is a girls best friend. So many uses for this little inexpensive crafting tool.
**Did you know? Two way glue is named as such because it can be used two ways:
1) when first applied it is blue and gives a permanent bond.
2) When applied and left to dry it turns clear and then it gives a "post it note" kind of bond.