Happy times at the Ladies Retreat Weekend

What an exciting weekend! We just completed another great Ladies Retreat Weekend.

I run this relaxing, fun weekend with a girlfriend. Anyone who wants a break from the stresses of life is welcome to attend and work on whatever they would like: stamping, scrapbooking, knitting, reading. An awesome swag bag and delicious meals are included.  This time we even had an optional Christmas card class that people could sign up for.
It was another great weekend.  Consider coming to our next Ladies Retreat Weekend scheduled for April 10th.
As an unexpected surprise, the hotel manager called and said that he would give us a larger room with large windows.  The natural light was a real treat.

Included in the retreat were little handmade gifts.  (the pouch held flavoured hot chocolate)

Did I mention the yummy food?

This great weekend is only possible because of the helping hands of my partner and fellow demonstrator, Julie and of course all the wonderful ladies who came out!

Thankful today and everyday!

Love that thanksgiving weekend is a reason to slow down and reflect on the blessings in life.
To be honest, I love to do that regularly, not just once a year.  It's rejuvenating to count our blessings so to speak.
One of the biggest blessings in my life is my family.  They bring so much growth and love in my life.  We enjoyed a fun thanksgiving dinner today with my brother and his family.  We even got a chance to take the kids to the park.  The colours on the tree were stunning.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to do a segment on Rogers Daytime.  Preparing for the segment gave me an opportunity to play with the Gratitude for Days Kit.  I saw it in the catalogue and thought it was a neat idea but it was totally different and enlightening playing and putting the kit together.  It's an easy kit and I love the idea that I can have my family journal their thankful thoughts. I don't care that thanksgiving is almost over.  We can still journal a thankful thought or experience everyday. As I said, thankfulness should not be reserved just for thanksgiving weekend!
Here's the link to watch the tv segment.  Hope it inspires you to do some crafting! Why not make something that means something?
Here's a close up of some of the items I had on display for the TV segment.

Gratitude for Days Simply Created Kit, stamped with the Gratitude for Days stamp set.

The tag is the Merry Everything Stamp set with the co-ordinating note tag punch.

A candle that I decorated with the For All Things Stamp set.

A pretty card that I CASE'd from my friend and fellow demonstrator Lisa Curcio.

It involves the "kissing" technique.  We made it at our last club/technique class night. 

Inspired?  Shop now on my online store.  Click on any of the images below to take you right to my store! 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

For All Things Stamp a Stack

Come on out and Stamp a stack of cards using the beautiful For All Things stamp set.  You'll get to make 8 cards of four different designs.  You'll also get to take the stamp set home with you!
A great class for a great price of $37 (includes clear mount stamp set)

You'll go home with cards perfect for thank you or thinking of you.

RSVP required by October 15th at the latest!

Stamping time for me!

Life has been full! Our family returned from a summer service project in Thunder Bay and then I dove right into the August session of Kids Can Craft Camp!

Those experiences were great but I admit that every now and then I would glance longingly at a big box of preorder holiday product that I had no time to play with. 

Once kids camp was over, (and I got some sleep) I made time to sit down in the craft cave and create. 

Here's a couple of creations:

This card uses the Seasonally Scattered stamp set. I just inked the stamp up with tangerine tango and crushed curry markers and stamped onto the white notecard. A few gold sequins and gold twine finished it up. Simple makes me happy!

This card uses a beautiful soon to be released set called For All Things.  This stamp set co-ordinaries with the Color Me Autumn Designer Series Paper

What a relief to finally have some time to myself for some stampin therapy.

Hope you get some time for some stampin therapy too!