Paper Party Promo

November 1st, the Paper Party Promotion starts!

Buy 3 packs of Designer Series Paper and receive 1 Free.
I can hardly wait ...

Anyway, are you wondering what colours coordinate with the Designer Paper Packs?

Apple Cider - Close to Cocoa, Really Rust, River Rock & Wild Wasabi
Brocade Backgrounds - Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive & River Rock
Blizzard - Bashful Blue & Chocolate Chip
Cerise - Real Red & Very Vanilla
Charbon - Basic Gray & Very Vanilla
Creepy Crawly - Basic Black, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie & Really Rust
Cutie Pie - Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Red & So Saffron
Darling Doodles - Brocade Blue, Groovy Guava, Rose Red & Wild Wasabi
Dashing - Old Olive, Real Red, River Rock & Very Vanilla
Fall Flowers - Old Olive, Really Rust, Sahara Sand & Soft Sky
Flowers For You - Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose & Tempting Turquoise
( I used this for my Altered Clipboard shown below)
LeJardin - River Rock, Soft Sky, So Saffron & Very Vanilla
Linen Prints - Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Pink Passion
Notations #2 - More Mustard, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi
Outlaw - Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla
Petals & Paisleys - Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron & Taken with Teal
Porcelain Prints - Blue Bayou, River Rock & Wild Wasabi
Uptown - Almost Amethyst, Basic Gray, So Saffron & Wild Wasabi
Wintergreen - Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow & Soft Sky
Porcelain Prints - Blue Bayou, River Rock & Wild Wasabi
Uptown - Almost Amethyst, Basic Gray, So Saffron & Wild Wasabi
Wintergreen - Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow & Soft Sky

P.S. Kim, this is for you!

Errol

I am sure some of you are wondering why I have a wooden duck on my blog. Well, this is Errol. Just a note before I start - some people think I embellish my stories (like my cards and scrapbook pages) to make them funny ... but this really happened.

My son dislocated his left hip on May 1st when a much larger "classmate" pile drove him when he was on the ground and trying to get up (that's another story). I got the call at work, had to call an ambulance ... yadda yadda or this will drag on. Anyway, he was in a wheelchair for a while and had a follow-up appointment at the hospital with the orthapaedic surgeon. We went into the gift shop because I saw a stepping stone that caught my eye. I kept telling him to be careful because there was so much breakable stuff and he was in a wheelchair.

So, I see this wooden duck - not something I would buy but he had a sign on his neck that said "My name is Errol" and he had other wooden duck friends with him on the shelf. So being inquizative I wondered, are they all called Errol or do they have different names? So I pick up the duck. His beak gets stuck on the shelf bracket and knocks the next duck, that duck hits the next duck and so on and so on until Errol falls off the shelf. He hits the floor and breaks his foot. There is a sign posted "If it gets broken consider it sold". So I go to the counter with Errol, explain what happened to the volunteer and pay over $30 for this wooden duck I didn't even like.

We leave the shop and my son says "Oh yeah Mom and you told me to be careful".

So we are in the car on the way home laughing our guts out. He thought I should have just left. I explained that that wasn't the right thing to do. Then I said "I heard of "Disco Duck" but never "Domino Duck". I almost had to stop the car several times while we cracked a gut. Dillon's idea was to tape his foot up and give it to someone for Christmas. And when I got home and told the story over again to my in-laws (who flew here to help care for my son so we could go to work) and my husband, they also broke into laughter. If my in-laws receive a duck for Christmas they will be suspicious and I am tempted to send him just for a joke.

So, I paid over $30 for a stupid duck that I didn't want but we have had numerous episodes of laughter over it (well worth it).

By the way, on the next trip to the hospital we checked the other ducks and they do all have different names - but we love Errol. And I can't bear to fix his broke foot.

Altered Clipboard 1

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This is my first altered clipboard. It features Stampin' Up Designer Paper that is the November promotion detailed below.

I used Modge Podge to attach the paper to the clipboard. Because I used Classic Ink Pads for the embellishments, I gave those areas a light coat of Krylon Clear Matte Finish first to prevent the ink from running. When it was dry, I applied 2 coats of Modge Podge over the entire clipboard. When that dried, I applied a finish coat of the Krylon spray.

The alphabet letters were cut with my Cricut.

I sponged the edges of the clipboard and the paper.

To keep the clip open, I used a cable tie and put painter's tape on the main metal piece to protect it while I was applying the top coats.

I have completed several others - each one unique but they are Christmas gifts so I can't show you till after Dec. 25th (in case the receipients are visiting my blog).

Hail

It has been wet and gloomy all weekend but this was unexpected.
Yes, that is hail on my patio chair.
Cross your fingers that it's temporary and that the trick or treaters have a nice night on Wednesday.

Destiny

This is our new pet Cockatiel.

He says "Pretty Girl" and whistles like he's chasing girls. He says "Step Up" because we say it to him a million times.

They are great pets. I would recommend one to anybody.

This bird was hand raised so he loves to be in the middle of whats going on all the time.

My son and him share the same slice of cantalope - one on each end.

Blue Mountain, Collingwood

Here is a peak at the early colours of Ontario in the fall. This is a photo of the Blue Mountain resort in Collingwood. What a great place! I had a one-bedroom hotel room with full kitchen and balcony. I slept like a baby and felt very pampered in all that space just for me.
I had my first pita at Pita Pit and sampled a Beaver Tail - don't worry, no animals were harmed in this tasty treat. Beaver Tails are actually like flattened donuts with scrumptous toppings.
Note: Ontarians would never harm a beaver (it's our provincial animal).

Build a Bear

So how many Bears can you get into a HONDA RIDGELINE?

I mentioned before that I was attending a conference that included donations of teddy bears to the local hospital. Here is a look at what happened. The truck bed and the truck cab are full of bears! Oh the love.

I made my bears at Build-a-Bear at the Vaughan Mills Shopping Mall and had a great time.

Nice truck too!

Dazzling Flowers

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This card was inspired by the Queen of all Stamping Things, JAN TINK.

It was one of the projects in our first Marker Club class. The flowers have packing tape applied to the back to add dazzling diamonds in the centres. The faux stitching is done with a Basic Black Stampin' Up Marker. The card also features several punches: Scallop, small & large oval, 3/4" circle and corner punch. The size is 5x5 square. You may also notice some of the In Color cardstock: Purely Pomegranate & Wild Wasabi.

How sweet is that?

Chow for Now!

Margie

You've Been Boo'd

Well, here is my "You've Been Boo'd" story. (See the package details below)
I filled the treat bags with candy, Halloween pencils, a candy apple, a glow stick on a string, the poem and the sign and set out to be sneaky. Then I parked on my sister's street which has a slight bend just after her house. I approached the house carefully - ducking so they couldn't see me at the door. They were home so I rang the door and ran like a bat out of ----. I kept looking back to see if I had made it and then drove away. I was chuckling all the way home.
My sister called the next day to say "Boo". How did she know it was me?
A neighbour called her to tell her that she saw a lady park down the street, leave something and then run. She hoped it was something good but just in case, she had a description of the car and a partial license plate. LOL
Thank goodness for caring neighbours.
My sister said that this 'prank' had me written all over it but she wanted to make sure before she gave my nephew his treats.

Mini Pumpkin Cakes 1

See the recipe below

Mini Pumpkin Cakes 2

See the photo above. Looks yummy!

Fall

You will have to click on the recipes to make them large enough to read.

I love this time of year when the leaves are changing colour. It makes me crave soups, the smell of baking and candles burning.

Time to get the crock pot out!

Fruit 'O' Lantern

Creative idea!

Apple Pumpkin Soup

Here is a recipe I found in a magazine:

APPLE PUMPKIN SOUP
(6 servings)

1/2 cup Apple Juice Concentrate (thawed)
1 Apple (washed, cored & diced)
1 large Onion (diced)
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Curry Powder
5 cups Chicken or Vegetable Stock
3 cups Pumpkin Puree (not pie filling)
1 cup Evaporated Skim Milk or Half & Half
1 dash Paprika (for garnish)

1) Once the stock has simmered, saute onions in olive oil for about 3 minutes. Add the diced apple and saute for 2 more minutes. Sprinkle with curry powder and saute for 1 minute longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
2) Put half the onion/apple saute in a large pot. Add the stock and pumpkin puree. Bring this mix to a boil, turn down the heat and simmer gently for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
3) Meanwhile, put the other half of the apple/onion saute (keeping a little for the garnish) and the apple juice in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Add to the soup pot. Add evaporated milk and continue cooking until the soup is very hot. Do not boil again.
4) Serve the soup garnished with a spoonful of the apple/onion saute and a dash of paprika.

Paper Party Promo

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Pick a pack of Pretty Papers

This is a new Stampin' Up customer special from November 1 - 30th

Buy 3 packs of Designer Series Paper and get 1 FREE ($13.50 Value)

No limits and No restrictions

What a great time to stock up on your paper crafting supplies or buy some Christmas gifts for the special crafters in your life.
The Designer Series paper is 12x12 and features patterns printed on both sides. See page 170 to 173 of the Fall & Winter Catalogue and Page 12 & 19 of the Holiday Mini for all the pretty patterned papers to choose from.

• Outlaw & Apple Cider Designer Series Paper packs feature warm desert colours and coordinate beautifully with the Boho West collection of stamps (True Friend, Fabulous Flowers, Wanted and Bronc Buster) and accessories.
• Brocade Background & Le Jardin Designer Series Paper packs have rich hues that blend beautifully with the Tapestry collection of stamps (Illuminations, Brocade Basics, Baroque Motifs & Sweet Sampler) and accessories.
• Notations No. 2 Designer Series Paper will help create colourful and contemporary projects for your corner office.
• Holiday Harmony & Wintergreen Designer Series Paper packs are sure to create warm holiday projects.
• Prints Designer Series Papers come in 16 of the most popular colours including 4 of this seasons In Colour collection.

Contact me for more information.

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Flower Card

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Simply Scrappin' Kits are not only for scrapbooking. You can also use them to make cards. These kits include 12x12 Card Stock, 12x12 Patterned Paper and sheets of Self-Adhesive Die Cuts. The project possibilities are endless. See a few samples I created here.

Enjoy Your Day Cards

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Baby Cards

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Flower Cards

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

OCTOBER

FLOWER: CALENDULA
BIRTHSTONE: OPAL

HOLIDAYS:

OCT. 8 - THANKSGIVING (Canada)

OCT. 16 - NATIONAL BOSS'S DAY

OCT. 28 - NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY !!!

OCT. 31 - HALLOWEEN

Definition: Huffing

HUFFING: When you colour on a stamp with markers, you need to "Huff" on the rubber (like the big, bad wolf) before stamping. This means to breathe heavily onto the rubber so that the moisture from your breath re-moistens the ink on the stamp. Then stamp your card stock.

Build-A-Bear

I went to the Build-A-Bear store in the Vaughan Mills Mall today. What a great place! I never knew that Teddy Bears could have their own personalities. You can add clothes and accessories.
I am attending a conference next week in my full-time work life and we are donating Teddy Bears to the local area Emergency Services. So I stuffed bears, placed a heart inside each of them, made a wish for the children that will receive them and then printed their birth certificates.
It was a fun experience and the staff there were great.
I hope they will all find loving homes.

Spotlight on Dry Embossing

DRY EMBOSSING

Definition:
Dry embossing, also called relief embossing, is done by tracing a stencil with a special tool, called a stylus. The result is a stunning, raised pattern on the object you are embossing.

What do you need to start?
Cardstock, paper or vellum, a stylus, a template and a light table is also helpful.

Here are the steps:

1) Secure the template to a light source with a piece of tape.
2) Place the paper over the template, positioning it so the image is where you want it.
3) Using a stylus, gently press the paper through the open areas of the template. This produces the raised image.

Tips:
Rub waxed paper on the surface of your paper first. This helps the stylus glide smoothly and helps to prevents tears in your paper.

Options:
1) Use the negative images of chipboard as a template.
2) Add colour to your raised image by repositioning the template over the image on the front side of the paper using a sponge dauber and Stampin' Pads or Stampin' Pastels.
3) Try dry embossing textured paper.


Mix the Stampin' Up Stamp sets and Classy Brass templates to coordinate your projects with our exclusive coloured cardstock and designer paper.
See the two projects below that feature this technique.

I will be advertising special classes that feature this technique by e-mail invitation.

HAPPY STAMPIN'

Dry Emboss - Christmas Tree

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

From Hamilton Regionals

This card was dry embossed on vellum cardstock using the PRICELESS CLASSY BRASS TEMPLATE. You get this image by using only portions of the swirl at a time while repositioning it on the paper. Dazzling diamonds and a rhinestone brad were added to give it some holiday bling. WOW!