Valentine Stamps set and paper

The Love Me Much stamp set is available only in the new catalogue coming out in January. This stamp set and paper will be used in February 7th Valentine's Day class. If you with to purchase this stamp set please reply by Jan. 23rd.

January classes

Here is the schedule for January classes.Pictures of cards for each class will
be posted shortly.
Classes will be on Saturdays - from 10 - 12 and from 1 to 3.
Fees for classes start at $20.00. Supplies are extra. For some classes I will provide you with the opportunity to purchase a stamp set from Stampin' Up which will be reflected in the class fees. RSVP for those classes must be made 2 weeks prior to the start of the class to give me time to order the supplies from Stampin' Up.

Saturday, January 10 10-12 Thank you cards
1 - 3 Thank you cards

Saturday, January 17 No classes. I will be in Guelph at a "Stamp-4-Fun"

Saturday, January 24 10-12 Birthday cards
1-3 Birthday cards

Saturday, January 31 10-12 Valentine's Day Stepper Box (filled with chocolates)
Class fees $25.00
1-3 Valentine's Day Stepper Box

Saturday, February 7 10-12 Valentine's Day cards.

The stamp set "Love You Much" and the designerpaper "Candy Lane" will be used. Both of from the new catalogue coming out in Jan. 2009.
Class fee: $50.00 Please RSVP by January 23rd by 5 p.m.
If you do not wish to purchase the stamps, the class fee is $25.00.
Pictures of the stamp set and the paper will be posted shortly.

1-3 Valentine's Day Cards
Saturday, February 14 10-12 Family Day cards
1-3 Family Cay cards

Desk calendar - a Tree for all Seasons

I have to give Nancy LIttrell for this idea, but I loved it so much I had to try it. This desk calendar makes a great gift, or you can use it yourself.
These are photos of the 4 sides of this calendar. My calendar has winter and fall on the outside and spring and summer on the inside. When you're ready, re-tie the ribbon and you're ready for the next 6 months. All supplies are Stampin' Up except for the ribbons and embellishments. I used the "Tree for All Seasons" set to represent each season. It's currently on the retirement list so is only available until Jan. 18, 2009. I will be having a class on this calendar in January.

We need a giggle..

Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.
Could it be cardstock or chipboard or lace?
Or a Cricut, I said, with a smile on my face.
And that's when I heard him,
"Hi Santa, " I said
"You know....good little girls
should be in their beds."
"I know I should Santa,
and now I've got caught.
But I was just so excited
To see what you brought."
"Well, let's take a look
in this room where you work.
He shook his head quickly,
And left with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim
as he put it in gear.
"You've got enough crap,
I'll see you next year!"

Valentine's Day Cards

I must admit I'm getting tired. There is always so much to do to get ready for Christmas. It seems like I've been at this forever...and now I want it to be over with.
Jokingly I said to someone: "Give me an Easter egg for Christmas"...but maybe I meant it.
I've spent the day making Valentine's Day cards. I have entered a swap with Stampin' Up Canada Yahoo group to make 11 Valentine's Day card fronts using the new Stampin' Up Candy Lane Designer Series Paper, the "Love You Much" stamp set and the 3 hearts punch, so I thought I would get some practice while I was waiting for the order to arrive. These are the cards I've made so far.

How to use peel off stickers in different ways.

Peel off, or outline stickers are available in many colours, halographic effect, transparent, velvet effect, double emboss, matt finish, gloss finish, glitter effect, 3d medallion style and so on.
They cover every occasion, sentiment, design, season, event and event imaginable.
Different ways to use peel offs:
1. Just as they are - this is the most obvious. Just peel off the design and apply straight onto the paper to produce a very simnply BUT flat design. By using different papers, border and corner peel offs, you can produce basic cards.
2. Create 3D embellishments. To do this apply the peel off onto a piece of cards and then cut around the design leaving a 1-2 cm border all around. This embellishment can be applied to your card with a pop up or foam dot.This techniques is especially stunning on vellum - especially with butterflies, flowers and dragonflies.
3. With gel pens: Colour in the design with gel pens. They come in a variety of colours and finishes.
4. On acetate with glass paints/permanent markers: Place peel offs onto acetate and colour in with glass paints/markers to create a stained glass effect. The coloured items can than be trimmed and used in a variety of ways.
5. As stencils with watercolours: Apply some of a watercolour pen onto acetate. Then, with a paint brush, pick up some of the colour and apply across the peel off. When dry, lift up the peel off.
6. As stencils with chalk to create unique backgrounds. Peel off the sticker and place randomly on a white card. Pick up some chalk and apply across peel off. Remove peel off and place on another part of the card and repeat process until background done.
7. With glitter, fine coloured sand and accent beads.
There are many more ways to use this versatile item. How do you use peel offs?

A Challenge

One stamp - three cards - so far.
I was given another challenge, and here's what I've created so far. The stamp is called "Lady of Fall" and I must admit, initially I was taken aback. The stamp looks busy, but when I went to work with it I saw possibilities.

Brrr..I'm done

Brrr...Minus 18 degrees and counting. There was quite a bit of snow last night, and this morning when I went to Rosemere Manor for my final craft event, the road conditions were poor with blowing snow and whiteouts There were only two tire treads to follow on the highway as the snowploughs had not been out yet.
When the sky cleared, and the sun came out, the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful.
My craft shows are done now, so I can concentrate on my own Christmas preparation.

A Taste of Summer -

Today was a very snowy wintery day - not much accumulation, but enough to make the roads slippery.
I miss my garden - the colours, the scents-- I've been gardening for a long time and know the growing habits and names of most of the plants who bloom so faithfully evey year.
So, in the middle of all this whiteness, I got out the scrapbook of my garden, make some duplicates and podged them onto stone tiles using Stampin' Up rub-offs to put on the words. The effect is stunning!.
I actually started this as a gift for my daughter and her family. My daughter had sent me professionally done photographs of my 2 grandsons the family. I scanned them into my computer, enlarged them to the size I wanted, and podged them onto stone tiles. These I won't show as she views my blog and I don't want to spoil the surprise.
Enjoy a taste of summer...

Calendar Mouse

I can never find my calendar when I need it. The workspace for my computer is small so there's not much room for anything but the essentials. When I saw these mouse pads, my creative neurons fired. Idea!!! Why put a picture in them when you can stamp an image!!. And - bonus- there's a calendar at your 'mouse tips'. Sorry - I'm known for my puns and weird sense of humour.
They make great stocking stuffers, and gifts for teachers, people you volunteer- or anyone you know that has a computer. I volunteer at the Foot Clinic at Community Care, and this was a gift for the coordinator of the clinic. She absolutely loved it and proudly showed it to all her fellow workers.
I used the "Pick a Petal" and "Stem Sayings" from Stampin' Up to create these unique gifts.

Fundraiser for Community Care

Today, from 3 until 7p.m I vendored a craft show at the Canoe Museum- a fundraiser for Community Care Peterborough. What a terrific event- my best yet! I met so many people who I hadn't seen in a while - and people were in a buying mood.
AND, I won a free brunch for two at one of the cafe's downtown. Hmmm, now who to ask to accompany me.
Updates with pictures tomorrow.

Baby wipes - you used what???

Today I thought I'd show you an example of a card front I made using baby wipes and Stampin' Up reinkers on shiny cardstock. Re-inkers are for more than refreshening your ink pads. Use them to paint with, to dye ribbons to match the colour scheme of your project, and to create stunning backgrounds for your favourite stamp.