Smooth Sailing!

Well, report cards are done and my HUGE stamp-a-stack classes have come and gone! I said that like my SAS classes were a chore...they aren't... prepping is when I'm ridiculous and plan cards with 7 layers:( What was I thinking???? The worst part was that one of the cards that I chose to do had a 1 1/4 inch square matted on a 1 3/8 inch square (x3) on each card and I had to prep 63 of them!!!!!!!! Anyone familiar with SU will notice that those measurements match the square punches and that is not a coincidence. After I started prepping and realized what I'd done as far as the layers on the card went, I quickly adjusted measurements to match a punch:) This was a card that I CASED from Alison Solven. I absolutely love the colours in this card. Watch for frequent posts this week as I get some "me" time:)

PS I should have taken pictures lastnight... as people become more comfortable with cardmaking they become more and more creative. I had a new group of stampers for my SAS lastnight and the cards they were making were stunning! They became more and more creative as the night went on (and the wine glasses emptied...teehee). It was a fun "night out" for them and "night in" for me. This is a great opportunity for a "Girls Night" if you're ever interested!

Girlie Page

This was the second scrapbook page that I designed at my crop night.  Anna has a four year old daughter so I wanted to make something girlie, which I don't often have the opportunity to do.  The part I love is that the Close to Cocoa keeps it from being too girlie.  I love the new eyelet border punch; it dresses things up a little more than the regular scallop punch does.  Looking back at the photo, I wish that I would have added to the piece of Pink Pirouette ribbon that is around the Close to Cocoa strip.  Oh well... next time!  I thought that the Riding Hood Red mat and the DSP mat could be used for photos and the Top Note die could be used for journalling.  

What a Night!

Lastnight's crop was so much fun!  Why you ask?  Well, it was small, but that wasn't the fun part; the people there were all scrapbookers, not cardmakers.  This forced me to rethink my monthly make-n-take that I do.  As any of you scrapbookers are aware, when you are into a spread, the last thing that you want to do when you get on a roll is take time out to complete a small project that you may or may not use again. What I decided to do lastnight as a thank you to my new scrapbookers that are attending crop nights was to make them a 12x12 page that they could take home and put into their scrapbooks.  All they had to do was add the photos and the journalling.  Both women have young children so I decided to make one a "Bug page" for one of their little boys who particularly likes to hunt for ants.  I'll share tomorrow the page that I made for the other woman's three year old daughter.  Photos can be put on the black and polka dot mounts and the journalling is meant to go on the Baja Breeze Top Note.  All of the bugs in the background were done with a Versamark pad.  I love the fact that I can create my own background that is suited to my theme without having to go out and spend money on new print paper.  I used the Urban Oasis DSP that I used on my sister's card for this as well.

Excuse to Pull Out Something New

Well, tomorrow is my sister's birthday!  As a child that meant that the count down was beginning because my sister and I have our birthdays 9 days apart.  Our actual birthdays are only 12 months and 9 days apart!  I still look at my mother in amazement when I think of her finding out she was pregnant with me when my sister was only 2 1/2 months old.  It is exhausting having the boys 17 months apart so I really can't imagine 12 months!  

I loved the saying on this stamp, if you can't read it from the photo is says, "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."  I thought this was especially appropriate for my sister as she is one of those people who does it all!  It is from the gorgeous stamp set called "Fifth Avenue Floral" which you'll notice coordinates perfectly with the Urban Oasis DSP.  You probably can't see it from the photo, but I covered the center of the Kiwi Kiss flower that I painted with my aqua painter with crystal effects and then added the clear microbeads.  I love the way it finishes the flower.  I had a real sense of accomplishment after making this card as it was the first one in awhile that I liked and didn't CASE.  Funny how you need to find a card to break your rut!

Lastnight I had my niece and nephew for a sleepover, and I had planned for them to make their mom's birthday card lastnight, but after spending the day skiing with my sis and brother-in-law they were only capable of flopping on the couch.  I forgot to photograph the card that I ended up making for them to give her, but maybe I'll sneak a picture tomorrow night when we're at her house.  

Technique Club

As usual, tonight was one of my favourite nights in the month!  I love technique club and the women in it.  These women have become great friends over the course of the past six months.  Tonight one of the techniques that we were working on was watercolouring with the SU Watercolour Pencil Crayons and an Aquapainter.  We stamped the flower on Watercolour Paper and then used the pencils to colour key points of the flower.  The aquapainter pulls the colour out of those areas to paint the rest of the flower in a very beautiful and soft way.  Much to my ladies dismay, they had to cut the flower out themselves.  (they love their punches and the fact that they eliminate cutting things out:)  We popped the flower up on dimensionals, added some ribbon and voila!  I have a plan to improve this card, but we'll see how it goes!  Thanks again for a great night ladies!

What a Response!

I am thrilled that you liked the Trendy Trees Class opportunity so much!  It is now full and I have two private events booked as well!  It is so nice to have that type of overwhelming feedback about a new type of class!  Look for one coming up next month with another stamp set to be included!  Feel free to email me if you would still like to set up a private event with you and some of your girlfriends...remember... for every 2 new friends you introduce me to at your your private event, you will earn a sale-a-bration set!

Trendy Trees Class

Don't miss out on this great deal!  Many Stampin' Up demos offer stamp sets as part of their class cost and I thought that I would give it a go!  As it is my first time running a class like this I decided to make it a great deal for you.  For only $25 you will receive the gorgeous new Trendy Trees Stamp Set, as well as make a card case and 6 cards to put in it.  The card case is the last picture and is actually made using an empty stamp case!  This class is limited to 8 spaces and 6 of them filled up within hours of me sending this newsletter out to my customers lastnight.  You will also be able as a special purchase, to get the Stamp-a-ma-jig for only $12 with this class if you order it at the time of registering.   Call me to grab those last couple spots!  If the date and time don't work for you then contact me re: "A Girls' Night Out";  I can do this class for you and some friends if you can put together a group of at least 6!

Date:  Thursday March 5th

Time: 7-9:30pm

Cost: $25

Add ons:  Stamp-a-ma-jig  $12 including s/h & taxes  (regularly $14.95 + s/h and taxes)

We've got a Winner!

Congratulations Dena, you won the blog candy!  Would you please email me privately with your contact info so that I can get your gift out to you!  Thanks so much for everyone's comments.  It keeps me motivated knowing that you are all out there checking what I'm up to.  Your comments were lovely to read... do someone else the same favour... tell someone you wouldn't normally tell what you like about them... it gave me a wonderful feeling seeing your comments!

Stamper's Block

Normally, I love it when my husband works nights.  Okay, wait a minute, that sounded awful!  I enjoy it when my husband works nights because after I put my little angels to bed, I head down to my room and stamp without feeling guilty for neglecting my amazing husband:)  The past two nights have been a complete strike out though.  It doesn't seem to matter what brilliant idea I have to start with, it just doesn't come out right.  Two nights of stamping and all I have to show for it is this card which actually required no stamping other than the sentiment! (and I don't even like the card that much!)  I think that tomorrow night will involve some browsing and casing from Splitcoast to get me back on track!

Blog candy at last! Sorry it took so long.

I fully intended to post this photo the other night, but I have been in a bit of a "chaos mode" lately.  My report cards are due in two weeks and I had my Stationery Box Class lastnight which involved a fair bit of prep.  My blog candy for the 10000 hit mark includes a roll of saffron ribbon from the new Sale-a-bration ribbon bundle, a stamp set, gold embossing powder and a package of the metallic eyelets.  Thanks again for coming to look.  I really look forward to reading your comments.  Remember, the only way to get a chance to win is to leave a comment.

On my way to 10 000 hits!

Wow, is time ever flying; I feel like I just hit the 5000 hit milestone!  Watch out for some blog candy tonight as I head towards 10 000 hits!   Remember that in order to be entered in the draw you need to leave comments and I will enter your name for each comment you leave between today and the time that I hit 10 000!

Sunshine Garden Simply Scrappin'

This coming Thursday is my Simply Scrappin' Stationery Box Class, and I thought that I would share some of my samples with you.  This is a fabulous class for beginners to paper crafting and experienced crafters alike.  I was able to make all of this using only a few minor additions to the kit and there is still plenty left over to make two more complete sets.  The ladies will be making 6 A2 notecards, 4 3x3 notecards and 6 gift tags.

The class on Thursday February 12th is full, but as I've had a few other requests for the class, I will be holding it again on April 2nd.  There are only 5 spots left so let me know if you'd like one of them.

Font of You!

I absolutely adore this new stamp set.  This was my first kick at the can with it and although I wasn't thrilled with the card, I definitely had fun playing with the stamp set.  I couldn't resist using the Baja Breeze and the Kiwi Kiss as they had that fresh rain feel that I was looking for.  I also used my new texture plate on the background.  I think that I may try and remake this card tomorrow using some DSP and possibly stamping the umbrella in white craft ink on BB cardstock and then embossing with white EP.  Why is it so easy to see the changes that you want to make while you're sitting two floors away from your craft room.  I'm really looking forward to using the coffee cup image with some Chocolate Chip, Kraft and Close to Cocoa.  Tomorrow night is my Love You Much Bundle appreciation class so I won't make promises as to how much extra time I'll get, but hopefully I'll have a new card on Monday to post!

One Stamp at a Time

I don't know if you noticed something different on the last page of your catalogue, but Stampin' Up is trying something new this time around.  The final page of the new Spring/ Summer catty has single stamps that you can buy.  I think for many people, they find a stamp that they love and end up purchasing the set only to find out that they only really love the one stamp in the set.  This is one of those stamps.  I know that had I seen it in a set I would have loved it, but other stamps in a set would pale in comparison.  This particular stamp is called Flowers in Silhouette.  If you have found yourself in love with the new DSP Urban Oasis, then this is the stamp for you.  This is the gorgeous flower that appears on the Kraft and black DSP.  The sentiment is from the set Thank You Kindly.  This card is one of the selections in my upcoming stamp-a-stack.  It is already full, but I am in the process of adding another in the first two weeks of March.  If you wanted your name added to this waitlist drop me a line!

If you see one of these... be happy!

As I mentioned yesterday, my sister-in-law was celebrating her birthday.  She has one of those wonderful husbands who understands (or should I say, tolerates) her stamping addiction.  He called me before her birthday to request a gift certificate for part of her present.  I have this thing against giving people a gift certificate for stamping materials unless they are in a homemade card or gift certificate holder and as I doubted that he was going to be making either one I put together a quick one using some of my new supplies and some of my old.  The DSP is from the retired set Autumn Vine.  This is the DSP that actually made me pull some Sage Shadow from the package and I have since fallen in love.  I got use my new border punch and white organza.  The bow is not just a decoration, but actually holds the little folder closed.

Remember, you can pass on my info to your hubbies and families and we can always make sure that you get what you want for birthdays, Valentine's Day etc.  If your loved ones are really stuck and short for time then a gift certificate is a great option.  Just pretend you're surprised when they pull out one of these folders!

Happy Birthday Mugs!

First, let me start by saying that I cased this card and committed the ultimate Faux Pas of not writing down where I got.  I do apologize as this card is not my idea... just one that I thought was very beautiful and fitting for a wonderful person in my life.  If it's yours please let me know and I'll give you credit:)

I just wanted to do a special post because today is my sister-in-law's birthday!  She is one of the most amazing women I know.  Megan has faced more than her share of hardship in a very short time and yet she never ceases to amaze me with her strength and optimism.  She has become one of my most cherished friends and I wanted her to know that.  You can't laugh, but I credit my stamping/ scrapbooking for this as it gave Megan and I a common interest where we've been able to spend so much quality time together.  She is an amazing mother, wife, sister, and friend and I am privileged to have her in my life!  Happy Birthday Auntie Mugs!

Gotta Love the Alliteration

Without even seeing these stamp sets I knew that I would love them.  You see, I had an english teacher in highschool that made me absolutely love the english language.  Joe Paynter is one of the reasons that I went in to teaching.  He was phenomenal.  Now that I've gushed, I'll explain.  The two stamp sets used in the simple card are Trendy Trees and Funky Forest.  Don't you just love those names?  I wanted to give the Funky Forest wheel a try tonight and this was the card I came up with.  The swirls on the Very Vanilla card stock are from the Trendy Trees set as well as the sentiment.  Watch out this week for a way to get this stamp set from me in March!

February's Stamp Set Giveaway!

Here it is... the February giveaway!  This is one of the new Level I Hostess Sets called, God's Beauty.  I hope you like it!  Remember, for every $25 purchased in a month, your name goes in the draw.  There is no limit to how many times your name can be entered other than the obvious... Visa limit:)

And the Winner is...

Well, seeing as today is February 1st I thought that I should do my January draw.  I wish that I could lie and tell you that I took it this morning, as Joe is in PJ's when I took this picture.  Unfortunately, I only took it 5 minutes ago, which makes it 4:15pm here in North Vancouver.  Today was a miserable day, more snow/ rain at our house; so we all lay low today.  Neither one of the boys is dressed yet, much to their father's chagrin.

Anyway, the part you're really waiting for is the winner of the stamp set... Dorothy! I will make sure that you get it this week!  Remember that the only way to get your name in this draw is with a $25 or more purchase (initial club order of $25 don't count).  Every $25 increment after that gets you another ticket.  Watch for February's stamp set to be posted tonight!

It's Getting Better All the Time!

Today is the start of Sale-a-bration! By clicking on the image down the left had side margin of my blog, you should be taken so SU's Sale-a-bration flyer.  Make sure when you place your order between now and March 31st that you pick out your free sets from this flyer for every $60 in catty merchandise that you order.

On an even more exciting note, SU is offering the same promotion that they offered last year when I signed up as a demo.  The Starter Kit is 15% off!  So you pay only $209 to get $335 in Stampin' Merchandise plus $75 in business supplies.  On top of that you pay no shipping on the Starter Kit and during Sale-a-bration you get to pick any stamp set (up to $56.95 in value) from the catalogue for free.

I Can't Believe He's Two!

My adorable nephew Jack had his second birthday party yesterday!  In my mind, it feels like he was just born, but considering his sister will be one in a matter of four months I guess it only makes sense that he's turning two.  Yes, you read that right, my sister-in-law's children are only 16 months apart.  I thought that Sean and I were crazy having ours 17 months apart, but now it just gets easier as the boys have a built in best friend.

This was the card that I made for Jack using the Simple Birthday Thanks stamp.  I love using the brads for the sprinkles on the cupcake.  I ran the base of the cupcake through my paper crimper to give it the same texture as the cups that we put the batter in.  I love this DSP from the Sale-a-bration set!  As of today you can get this DSP for free with a $60 order.  It's hard to see, but I used the Texturz plate to put the little polka dots on the Old Olive background.  The DSP actually has Certainly Celery in it, but I love the contrast between the two.