SU Birthday Celebration Continues!

This looks like one amazing year for Stampin' Up. In honour of the 20th Anniversary, there will be promotions right, left, and center. This latest promotion begins October 1st and continues through October 31st. This promotion applies to a specific group of birthday themed stamps. To see exactly which sets this promotion refers to, click on the image to see the SU link. The best part about this promotion is that you only have to purchase $20 in catalogue merchandise and then you can purchase as many of the stamp sets as you want at the discounted price. Also note that in the bottom of the flyer there is a promotion on the larger sized aquapainter for $8.50. This specific part of the flyer is only available while supplies last so take of advantage quickly:). Again, just a reminder that this sale starts October 1st!

Crop Night Full!

Just to let everyone know that the Crop Night on October 24th is now full! I've heard that these nights were popular but I obviously didn't understand how popular! If this is something you were interested and hadn't RSVP'd yet, please let me know and if there is enough interest I'll schedule two each month!

Tonight is my first Marker Club and as only one lovely lady registered, I'm going to make it extra special for her! I can't wait to show you tomorrow what we made! (new technique learned and instant gift all in one night!) Technique Club has one spot left if anyone is interested.

Thanks so much for all of your well wishes,; you have no idea how much they mean to me and my family:)

Final Days for Never Seen Before Promotion!

Just a reminder that we are in the last three days of this promotion! The stamp sets included in this have easily become part of my favourites list! By clicking on the image you can see a complete list of the stamp sets as well as their discounted prices. As an added bonus, anyone who places an $20 or more order which includes one of these stamp sets between now and September 30th will also receive a free Stampin' Write Marker of your choice!

Back in Hospital...

Well, I must say that I never thought I'd write a blog entry while sitting in Children's Hospital, but this seems to be our reality right now. Sean and I decided to leave our children for the first time since Joe was born 4 and half years ago. We went away this last weekend on a short 3 night cruise around Vancouver Island. Let me rephrase that... we tried to:) We had to take a float plane home from Victoria on Sunday morning as my parents called to say that Joe had been taken by the Infant Transport Unit to Children's Hospital. His seizures have been getting worse over the past three weeks and have now progressed to Grand Mal seizures. Unfortunately, some have gone over 5 minutes long and have needed drugs to stop them. He is such a little trooper. We have been here since Sunday and will have to stay until they find a medicine that controls his seizures and doesn't have any crazy side effects on him. Sean has insisted that I head home tonight for my Bags and Tags Class as he figures that some sense of "normal" in our lives can't hurt right now. So, please don't think that I am a horrific mother if I continue crafting as this all goes on. I think it is my way of keeping sane:) (that is as sane as I can be for just being Angela:) I reminded again and again as I look around me at all of these amazing children how much more difficult life can be. Joe's situation is not life threatening and although life may change we still have our little boy!

First Club Night

Last night was the first meeting of my Technique Club, and tell me I'm biased, but it is one awesome group of women. I think the part that I enjoyed the most was that although I was the one teaching the technique, we all learnt so much from each other. I love the way that everyone's artistic talents appear. Last night's class was all using the Brayered Sky technique to create three cards. As I had never used my Fresh Cut Notes, I decided that it was time to break them in. I love the way that they work with the Five Petal Flower Punch, and the Fresh Cut Stamp Set is perfect too! These are a great thing to have if you have to create a last minute card! There are still 2 places left in this club if it interests you to have a girls night out, learn some new techniques, and go home with a few new cards for your stash!

A School Teacher's Dream!

In my school, all of the intermediate teachers (grade 4-7) have a primary (grade K-3) class for buddies. We do activities together once a month to encourage relationships between older and younger students and to encourage caring and compassionate behaviour and leadership skills towards those younger than you. As a Grade 6/7 teacher, I often struggle with ideas for age appropriate activities to do with our buddy classses. I came across this idea on Patty's blog yesterday, and I absolutely fell in love! I made this adorable face in under 5 minutes (which equates to 30min for a 6 year old). I was able to make the entire thing using my Big Shot Pennant Die and Birds and Blooms Sizzlits Set, Scallop Punch, 3/4 inch circle punch, and 1/2 inch circle punch. I used a sponge dauber for the cheeks and to edge the nose before I put it on. Joe was my assistant as he punched out all of the scallops and turned the crank on the Big Shot for all the other components! I'm off the try the reindeer that Patty so kindly emailed me the picture of.

Let's Celebrate World Card Making Day!

October 4th is World Card Making Day... and you thought I was making that up! In honour of this day (which I think should become a recognized holiday here in BC:) Stampin' Up is offering a promotion on the Simply Sent Card Kits and Card Elements during the week of October 4th- 11th! By clicking on the image, you will be taken directly to Stampin' Up's flyer on this promo! You will receive 20% off the items on Pg 176-177 of the catalogue.

As a teacher, I feel it very important to recognize this day of importance, LOL, how pathetic of an excuse was that???? Anyway, I will be holding a Stamp-a-Stack Class on Wednesday October 8th from 7:30- 10:30pm. For $15 we will make 15 cards (5 designs, three of each design). The themes choices on these cards will include: Halloween, Birthday, Condolence, Thank You, and Christmas, Anniversary, Congratulations, and New Baby. This is a great way to get your card supply prepped for upcoming events. (no more spending $6 a card for the last minute card from the drugstore)

World Card Making Day Stamp-a-Stack

Wednesday October 8th

7:30-10:30pm

$15 for 15 cards

Registration limited, so call/ email to reserve your spot!

Not as Lazy as it May Appear!

Although it may look like I'm not doing much right now, I actually have got a ton done! The only problem is that by the time that I emerge from my "playroom" at 9:30pm, the lighting is not optimal for taking pictures! I have three cards that I'm really excited about showing you, but I refuse to ruin the surprise for people in my Technique Club. (we'll be making all 3 on Wed the 17th at Club night!) There are still 3 spaces left, so if you're someone who knows they'll spend $25 a month for the next 8 months, then this is for you! You'll receive the hostess benefits ($20 in free merchandise and a free Level I hostess set) on one of the eight months! If you committ to spending $50 a month, I'll even let you choose 2 of the hostess months! We'll always complete at least 2 cards, ususally 3, applying a new technique that you learn that night. If for some reason you can't make it, you are welcome to come on "Crop Night" to complete your cards for free! If neither of those times work for you, I'll put your card supplies away and you can pick them up with your order to complete at home. (I'll post pictures of club cards after club night has been held)

This was a card that I cased on one of the first nights after school had started. My brain was too fried to create, but I knew I needed some unwind time so I decided to case! I love the Kraft paper in this card. It is so fitting with the Inspired by Nature stamp set!

Online Ordering is Up and Running!

As of Tues Sept. 9th, you are now officially able to order through my Online Ordering System. make sure that you bookmark my Demonstrator Business Website http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/northshorestamper/ and click on the link in the top right corner, "Shop Now". This allows you the convenience of placing an order at all times, day or night:) Just remember that if there is a particular special I am offering that is not directly though Stampin' Up, you will have to place your order with me to receive your discount. All other Stampin' Up offered promotions will be applied directly to your order. Another reminder is that when you order through me you avoid paying the minimum $9.95 shipping charge that applies to all orders under $100. I am able to avoid this by placing several orers together to get over this minimum amount. If you have a larger order this won't apply as shipping is always 10%, but if you just want a few things make sure to let me know and I'll order for you at reduced shipping. As an added incentive... the first 5 people to place an order of $100 or more through my website will receive a $10 gift certificate for free merchandise.

Card Organizer is here!

Well... I finished it! I made this card organizer for very selfish reasons; in the rush of daily life people's birthday's, anniversary's, etc. often sneak up on me! I thought that this was a way to sort my cards as I make them. This way, when I make that "perfect male card" I can put it in the appropriate pocket and be ready when the time comes! The only difference between this organizer and the one that we will be making in class is that your organizer will include two pages of lined cardstock at the beginning with the months on them to record whose birthday falls in which month. We will also have a ribbon closure to match the DSP. (both of these were suggestions of my hubby:) You've got to love that he actually pays attention to me when I ask him what he thinks of my projects! LOL I will post the pictures of these two additions as soon I complete my second organizer. (practice makes perfect:)

Card Organizer Class

Monday October 20th 7:00-10:00pm

(This is not a difficult class, but a little more time consuming than usual)

Cost : $40

You will get all materials needed to complete the project:

• One package of Designer Series Paper (your choice of colours $11.75 )
• 12 Sheets of 12 X 12 Card Stock (Your choice of colours $5.38 value)
• One Anywhere Glue Stick ($2.47 value)
• Sticky Strip ($8.25 value)
• One Sanding Block ($2.25 value)
• enough chipboard to make your cover letters and front/ back cover of your organizer ($6 value)
• Bind-It-All Coil
• Use of my Bind-It-All Machine to bind your organizer
• Use of my Big Shot Machine to make chipboard letters for your cover

*Note the cost of the class is cheaper than ordering these supplies individually with taxes and shipping... so the class is essentially free!

Here it is With the New Colours! (Last day for Registration)

Carousel Notes Purse Class (*$36)

Sunday, September 14th7:00-9:30pm
You get:·

1 package of Designer Series Paper of your choice ($11.95)

· 4 feet of ribbon, your choice of 5/8 grosgrain colours

· 1 package sticky tape ($8.25)· 4 pieces of textured card stock, your colour choice ($2.32)

· 8 jumbo eyelets ($1.18)

· One package of Carousel Notes ($13.95)

You will make:

· One completed Carousel Notes purse of whatever theme you choose

You will take home

enough materials to complete up to 3 more Carousel Notes Purses as well as have extra envelopes and DSP.

*Note that the cost of the class is less than the value of the materials and there is also no shipping or taxes!

RSVP by September 7th to ensure arrival of supplies prior to class!

Big Shot is Here!

Customers can now officially order their Big Shot through Stampin' Up and it is amazing! I thought I'd make it a little easier for you to justify making this big purchase(teehee) From now until the end of September, any customer who orders the Starter Kit will receive their choice of die (up to $24 value) for free, as well as a Level I hostess set and $20 in free merchandise! If you choose the Special Edition Starter Kit with Bag, you will receive TWO dies for free (up to $24 value each) as well as a Level I Hostess Set and $25 in free merchandise! As an added bonus, the first customer to order using this promotion from me will also receive the crease pad for FREE ! ($11.25 value). Remember, this promotion is through me and not through Stampin' Up so to receive it make sure you order directly through me and not online ordering! Just wait until you see my new project, you'll have to have it! By clicking on the photo of the Big Shot you can access Stampin' Up's Big Shot catalogue which is in the Holiday Mini Occasions catalogue!

Keeping you on the edge of your seats...

Okay, I am working on the coolest 3-D project! I can't post it yet because it is not PERFECT yet! I promise to have it up by Sunday night if not earlier! This will be a great Christmas Gift! Definitely a class on this one!

On another note, as of Tuesday, Stampin' Up will be offering online ordering! This is not a means of replacing me as I won't let you get rid of me that easily...teehee. It will just allow you the convenience of placing your order at all times of the day. The only thing to remember is that if I'm offering a special specific to me and not through Stampin' Up, you'll have to place your order directly through me to receive your discount! Check it out on Tuesday afternoon by accessing my SU website at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/northshorestamper.

Your Holiday Mini Catalogue should be arriving any day now if you are one of my customers. If for some reason you don't get yours give me a call... it is awesome! All of the info on the new Big Shot is in it as well. I'll be putting up a fabulous offer on the new Big Shot this weekend so if this is something you're contemplating purchasing let me know!

Now... back to work on my project:)

(I just realized this post says an awful lot without saying anything at all:)

This One's For You Kelly:)

Pistachio Macaroons
2 egg whites
½ cup of sugar
1 ¼ cups coarsely ground pistachios
1 ½ cups shredded coconut
4 oz dark chocolate (65-70%)
¼ cup whipping cream

Preheat oven to 350°. In medium bowl, mix egg whites, sugar, pistachios, and coconut. Form into 1 ½” balls. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet. Flatten slightly. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool. Heat cream in small sauce pan over medium to high heat until bubbles form. Add chocolate, stir until smooth. Dip each macaroon in chocolate. Place in fridge until chocolate sets.

If you were able to make it to my Open House, this is the recipe for the macaroons that my mom made for me! You gotta love moms!

Yet Another Reason to get the Catalogue!

Not only does the new catalogue show off all of the amazing products available through Stampin' Up, it is also an endless source of inspiration for cards, scrapbook pages, and other papercrafts! I cased this card from the catalogue changing a few minor details. I love the Bella's Blooms stampset and coordinating wheel, as well as the new Satin ribbon that is Kiwi Kiss on one side and Very Vanilla on the other! On a rather predictable note, guess what I used to make the chocolate chip scallops... you got it... my favourite scallop border punch:)

I Survived my First Day!

I did more than survive my first day back at school; I enjoyed it! Much as I miss my angel class from last year; I will admit, I had a blast with my new class today! They are FABULOUS! (Don't worry my darlings from last year, no one could ever replace you:) I will admit however, that I am exhausted. Lastnight Sean asked if I was going to head up to bed after we got the boys to sleep, but I've definitely got in the habit of unwinding in my craft room. For the past couple of nights I've been working on a great little 3-D project that I'm going to call my Dictionary (in honour of being back at school). This is a fabulous little scrapbook using the Define Your Life stampset, my BigShot, and chipboard letters that I made myself! (oh how I love my Big Shot). This was using my new Washington Apple Designer Series Paper!