Come on out to Technique Class on Monday!

My class on Monday has the theme of cards with movement.  I thought I'd put out a teaser of one of the cards we will make.  Here's a darling card I case'd from a fellow demonstrator Heidi Tekonoff.  When you need to mail the card, the cute snowman folds down like this:

Then you can move the head and body so you can see the full snowman like this:

The circles #2 big shot die was perfect for creating the snowman.  I can't wait to show you this technique and hope you can come out to enjoy my technique class on Monday Dec.5th.  Bring a friend.  Learning a new stampin' technique while getting out for an evening.  It doesn't get better than that!  RSVP HERE

A great day.

I had a wonderful day today with my younger two kids.  First, we went to watch the Markham Santa Claus parade.  I think this was my best experience yet since the weather was relatively warm and my kids were old enough to sit on their own in their little lawn chairs and enjoy the show.  In previous years I would spend the time freezing and consoling freezing children or pushing strollers or having someone always climbing on my lap.  Second, I got to have a delicious 2 hour nap while my kids entertained themselves playing downstairs.  When I woke up, I was told that someone got hit with a hula hoop and there was crying but somehow they worked it out and by the time I woke up, they were the best of friends again and playing happily.  I don't know what the magic was today but the kids were so great and pleasant and fun.  I don't mean to make it sound like they are horrendous usually.  It's just that having a whole day of great manners and good behaviour is unusual.  Anyway, the kids are in bed now and I'm getting ready for a workshop tommorrow.  I can't wait to show one of the cute little cards I made using the pennant parade stamp set and the new in colours lucky limeade and island indigo.  Always when I'm getting ready for a workshop the delimma is how to keep it short and concise.  There is always more I want to show!  So, this was one of the cards I wanted to demonstrate but I just don't think I have time.  So, I'll just show it here.  I am enjoying the cherry cobbler, always artichoke combination.  My medallion stamp set has been doing a good job doubling as a wreath lately.

Spice Cake Beauty

I'm supposed to be getting the kids ready for school but I couldn't resist checking out what's new on Shelli Gardner's blog.  I saw these cards and I desperately want to run downstairs to my craft cave to copy them but alas that would be the wrong choice since I"m already frazzled in the morning getting all the kids ready and out the door for school.  Instead, I"m sharing them with you because maybe you have a moment to copy them or at least be inspired.  I"m hoping Shelli won't be offended that I"m putting her creations on my blog.
I love the whole Spice Cake product suite.  I've almost used all the fabric and the dsp which should speak to how much I've been using it.
Maybe later today I'll have a chance to play stamps...

A little bit of beauty

I wanted to share this card with you.  I case'd it right off the facebook page of my team stic girl Paula.  Isn't she talented?  I loved this card so much when I saw it like a month ago but it took until now for me to make it.  No matter how busy we all are, making time to make something beautiful is always worth it.  It's like a little pick me up in an otherwise busy, long day. 
Making something beautiful brightens my spirit.  I hope it brightens yours.  Just take a moment for yourself and craft a little something.  I know you'll be glad you did!
I actually made this card as a demonstration with my church small group friends.  One of our activities was to share our life story, significant events etc so that we could get to know each other better.  Kevin came up with the idea for me to share my life story while making a card, with the elements being metaphors for my significant life events.  Because this card had so many elements: the tearing, ribbon, embossing, sponging etc, it was a good choice.  If you want to hear about my life journey, just ask!  I'd be happy to share with you.
Recipie:
River rock , soft suede, pink pirouette, rose red, naturals ivory cardstock
first edition dsp
textured embossing frame
beautiful butterfly embosslit
pretty in pink satin ribbon

Extravaganza Sale is here!

The details are here! 
The simply scored tool and sweet pressed cookie stamps are on sale for only today!  I love the sweet pressed cookie stamps.  They are so fun and easy to use.  Even my kids can make cute cookies.

Take advantage of these deals and get some holiday shopping done!
Order on my online store or e-mail me with your order!
Happy shopping!

Scrappin' weekend

Last weekend I was away with a girlfriend scrapbooking all weekend.  It was great!  I got pretty caught up on the family memories.  For me, scrapbooking is a necessity that I do for my family.  All the pictures we take NEED to be in an album for us to look at and enjoy so we can remember all the treasured times we experience together.  I'm worried if I don't scrapbook, all we'll remember is that mom looks really cranky every morning when she's trying to get everyone off to school.
Here's a couple of my favorites:
This one uses the hostess exclusive cheerful treat DSP. 

This one uses the brights paper stack.  So fast and easy.

The pennant builder punch and co-ordinating stamp set is so fun!  If you want to start working on your family memories, make sure you come out to my memories matter class which is on November 25th this month and will then be on the last Thursday of every month.  I'd love to see you and help you preserve your family memories!

midnight crafting

So, my strategy for preparing for this craft fair is to leave everything to the last minute.  Last year I was crafting way in advance (meaning I started probably a month before).  It made it feel like I was preparing for forever and then last year, there were not very many people that came.  With the unpredictability of volume at a vendor fair, I figured it probably made more sense to not waste time preparing too early because I could better use that time sleeping or preparing for workshops or hanging out with the family.  I conciously accepted and decided that I would prefer staying up all night the day before rather than dragging it out for months ahead of time.


So, here I am at midnight getting all ready.  Really, I'm not as behind as I thought I would be. (which is why I"m taking a break blogging) I've got everything set for the things I"m selling at the table.  What I"m working on now is these little presentations I'm supposed to give during the day.  The organizer asked if I would do a couple of little stage presentations throughout the day.  I said "no problem" because that's the part I feel most comfortable with.  I can demonstrate cute little stamping tricks anytime.  Here's a little gift idea I'm going to show: stamping on a glass ornament. 

Of course you need a cute little box to put the ornament in...

This is the beginning prototype for my gift box class on December 5th.  I'm sure the final design will be even better!  Sign up and make your own handstamped ornament and decorated box. 

Okay, back to work for me!  Hubby taunted that he had finished reading his report cards and was going to bed.  I think I'll be done soon and can get some shut eye myself!

Snowman Kisses

I'm getting ready for a craft fair tommorrow.  Make sure you stop by and visit me.  It's a fundraiser fair for the Stouffville Igoma Partnership.  It is being held at Eastridge Church.  12485 Tenth Line, Stouffville, Ontario

I'm keeping it really simple this year.  I've got some new retired Stampin' Up! merchandise and some little goodies like these reindeer poop and snowman kisses.  The rhyme on the back of the snowman kisses says:

He's cute, he's cuddly and full of warm wishes.  Here's some heartfelt SNOWMAN KISSES!

I'm looking forward to a day of checking out the other vendor tables and meeting some new people. 

A reindeer punch!

Just thought I'd share some pictures of what I was working on today.  The cute two step owl punch helped me create reindeer.  I am getting ready for a craft fair on Saturday.  I figured I would make some cute little eye catching treats.  I am going to put these reindeer head as a topper on the small, narrow cellophane bags and fill them with jelly beans. In case you're wondering, the antlers are from the snowflake punch. 

 The two step owl punch is so versatile.  If you don't own it, you should!  It can also become penguins!  Here's a card swap I received from my roommate Erin at Convention.

Okay, I hope you enjoyed the inspiration and you all get crafting your own little creations for Christmas.  If you need any supplies for your Christmas crafting, don't forget to contact me!  I am putting in a group order this week on Friday!  Also, you can go to my website to see all my upcoming events and to shop online.

Private Class Fun

You will be hearing more about this in future newsletters but I am offering private card classes for you and your friends.  If you want to try something different from the regular workshop format, or my class times don't work for you, then the private card classes are perfect for you!  They are generally a mini stamp a stack with you and your friends.  Everyone leaves with a minimum of 4 beautiful cards and don't worry, you can earn hostess benefits too!

Here's a private Christmas card class I did recently for Cristina and her friends.  They were celebrating her birthday and thought it would be fun to make some cards together.  (Cristina is the sleep deprived new mother who is holding her card sideways!)  I think everyone had fun and they had beautiful cards to show off too!

Contact me today to book your private class!  Be one of the first to see the Occasions mini catalogue going live in January!  

We're a team!

So, last week was one of those crazy busy weeks full of workshops, classes, kids extracurricular activities and all that jazz.  With all my Stampin' events, Kevin was on duty a lot.  He doesn't complain but I see that it was wearing on him a bit.  This week is much better but I realized that I am scheduled to go away with a girlfriend on a scrapbooking weekend.  Kevin will be left alone with the kids again.  Hmmm, the guy is great but I"m recognizing he might have a rough go this weekend.  What to do?  I bought him an electronic present.  He's been eyeing a new e-reader.  In my ignorant mind, one e-reader is the same as the next and he already has one so why another?  But then I realized, that's probably what he thinks of my stamps.  You've got one, you've got em all.   So, since I couldn't be keeping him company this weekend, I figured he could be occupied with this gift.  I also made him a card which I case'd right off the demonstrator website.  I love this card so much it is going to be one of the cards at my sweet and simple class on November 25th.  It uses the Well Worn DSP and the Petite Pairs stamp set.  The colours are River Rock and Soft Suede. 

I really wanted this card to express how much I appreciate him and that even though there are seasons of busy-ness with Stampin' Up, there is no doubt in my mind that my family is the priority.  I never want him to think I don't care for him or the kids when I am out and busy stamping. 
I'm not sure if he totally got all the mushy sentiments that I was trying to convey but he sure likes his new e-reader.  He's been playing with it and reading the manual all night.  :-)

I'm getting ready for a club meeting and I wanted to show some different techniques with embossing folders.  I made a card which I liked.  I was quite pleased that I had come up with the design by myself but something seemed to be missing but I was still quite happy.  I showed hubby and he looked at it and said it was nice.  Then he said maybe it should have some glitter around it and I got so excited.  He was absolutely right!  I ran right down to my stamping area and put on the tombow glue and the silver glass glitter.  MUCH BETTER!

 I immediately (jokingly) asked him if he had ever considered being a stampin' up demonstrator since he had such a good eye.  I informed him that the free Big Shot promotion was ending tommorrow.  He smiled and told me that one Stampin' Up! demonstrator in the house was enough.  Grin.  It's fun to feel like we're a team. 
So, if you want to see the rest of this card, come on out to club on Monday night.  Let me know if you want to drop by.  $15 or free with $30 purchase.

Gently Falling Watercolour

Tonight's technique class is showcasing the watercolour technique. Here is a peek at one of the cards we are going to make.  I know typically people think of watercoloring as a technique done only with line image stamps but I am going to show how it can be done with solid image stamps too!
I am so proud of this card because I had a lot of fun making it and I came up with the idea myself.  I didn't copy from my vast resource of the demonstrator showcase.  Yea me.!  Whenever I come up with a card design that I didn't case from somewhere, I am always pleasantly surprised.
Everyone is welcome to come to technique class.  It's always the first Monday of the month.  Just make sure you RSVP so I have supplies for you.

sweet and simple

I am trying to be more consistent with my classes so you (and my family) know what to expect.  I want you to anticipate when you can come and stamp for your fun and relaxation.  I know it has been tough to plan to come to a class when my classes have pretty much been all over the map.
I have decided that every month I will always have a "sweet and simple" card class where you can come and stamp 4 cards for $15. (or free with a $30 purchase)  They will be fast and easy but will be beautiful enough that you can give it to anyone with pride.   Here's one of the cards from the past month's sweet and simple class.  Wisteria wonder is such a beautiful colour and it looks even better paired with basic grey.

You know what the best part of this class is?  Bring a friend and you get to stamp 8 cards for the same price!  Yes!  A double set of cards.
Plan ahead for a night out.  Come out to my sweet and simple class in November.  It is the last Friday of November.
For future, I expect that my sweet and simple class will be the last Thursday of every month.
Looking forward to stamping with you soon.