New Colours!

So exciting!  Stampin' Up announced this week that several colours will be retiring and some of our favourite "in colours" will become regular SU colours.  While I will miss a few of the oldies I am looking forward to the change.

Creating the Perfect Storm

It's been a loooong time since my last post and I have lots of good reasons.  The best is because of my amazing new venture.  I am starting an all-star cheerleading gym in Edmonton.  Along with cheer we will have tumbling, dance and fitness.  Check out our website at www.perfectstormathletics.com!
Our Name
The Perfect Storm is the simultaneous occurrence of specific events which, if taken individually, would be far less powerful than the storm which results from their combination. Rare by their very nature, it is only through the union of all the ideal elements that we create….  The Perfect Storm.

Make a Difference

I {Heart} Hearts Makes a Difference for Haiti Disaster Relief

From now until February 28, 2010, for every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set you buy, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.  Contact me to purchase your set.

This card uses two products featured in the Sale-a-Bration mini: Whimsical Words and the new border punch.  You can get one for FREE with a $65 order between now and the end of March or spend $130 and get them both...there is no limit!  This card is quick and easy to make.  Cardstock is Melon Mambo and uses the coordinating ribbon and whisper white for the layer.  This stamp set is retired but any heart set could easily be used.  

Got Milk?

These little milk cartons are just the cutest!  And they are so easy to make.  (The key is using your bone folder.)  They are made using the milk carton die for the Big Shot.  I love that you can make one with a "card size" piece of cardstock - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  These ones were made using Ruby Red and some PSD from a prints pack.  Hearts are from the SU punch.  Added a library clip to the top and a tag made with the Modern Label and Word Window punches.

Chalkboard Technique

Can you believe this is the first time I have done the chalkboard technique?!  It's so easy but so pretty.  Using white craft ink stamp your image on black cardstock.  While the ink is still wet use a sponge dauber or Q-tip to add colour with the Stampin' pastels.  Once the ink is dry wipe off excess pastel (chalk) with a tissue or swiffer cloth.  And that's it!  This card is 5x5 and uses the Priceless set as well as the Whimsical Words from Sale-a-bration.  I used the pastel colours Taken with Teal, Lavender Lace and Pink Passion and the teal and lavender cardstock.

Love My Tree

I love SU's decor elements! I had contemplated getting this tree for our room for months and finally did a few weeks ago. I am so glad! I love it! This is the largest one in black. I think I am going to add some red paper or fabric behind the frame to make the word LOVE stand out a little better and to add some colour. I also have decor elements in my kids' rooms and my studio. They are really quite easy to use (some easier than others) and look so fantastic. If you have been thinking about getting some but weren't sure...go for it!

Happy New Year!

Wow, another year has come and gone. With a new year I thought it was time for a new layout. I have been searching and playing and FINALLY found this one. I love it! I love snowmen and for the most part winter is cool (no pun intended). Living in Alberta I have to put up with lots of cold and snow so this background is perfect. I am hoping to get back to some more regular posts this year. Things get so hectic that I rarely have time but I am hoping this year to MAKE time. I am planning to go down to part time with my regular job and there are some exciting opportunities for me on the horizon...only time will tell what I end up deciding to do. Anyway, I wish you all good health and much happiness in 2010. This picture was taken a couple days ago on my back deck. This is our beautiful view! We look onto a pond and a horse ranch is on the other side of the trees across the lake. I absolutely love it when it's all frosty like this.

Simple Gifts

These are 2 of the simple gifts I put together this year for some of the teachers at my kids' schools. Now that Parker is in middle school he has several teachers and Jenna has a music teacher, library teacher, gym teacher, and a teacher assistant that works in her classroom. These are great as little thank you's and also work well as hostess gifts. The Deer Friends ones are chocolate covered peppermint patties. The candles are so simple to make. Stamp a snowflake image on tissue paper, cut it out and punch a small hole in the middle. Place the image on the candle with the wick thru the hole. Use your heat tool to melt the image into the wax and when it's still liquid sprinkle some dazzling diamonds on top. I have tested these candles and you can burn them, but as always, do not leave burning candles unattended! Both are packaged in SU cello bags and I used the top note die for the bag toppers.

Three for Three!

We made this great little gift card holders on Sunday. I got the pattern from Angie Juda (Chic n Scratch). I made one small modification. Hers called for a piece of cardstock 11" by 4 1/2". I changed it to 4 1/4" so we could get 2 out of a single piece of cardstock. She has a tutorial on her blog. They are very quick and easy to make.