A bit behind...again!

Amid all the birthday and last-week of school craziness this week I have, once again, neglected to show you a couple of fabulous new projects from Craft Project Central.  Check them out:

Magnetic Memo Board Gift Ensemble designed by Jen Arkfeld

This project is a creative way to organize your messages and notes all in one handy location – and it’s cute too! It includes a magnetic memo board, magnets, and a removable notepad. 

Birthday Basics Party Pack designed by Anjii Rempel

Do you love hosting parties?  Like to make your own customized decorations, invitations, favors and thank you cards?  Then here is a great project for you!  This project includes a banner with cute clay balloons, mine-cupcake decor, invitations and thank you cards and favors for your goodie bags!!

Both of these projects are included in your June subscription to Craft Project Central.  Head on over and subscribe and then remember to stop by Jen and Anjii's blogs to show them some love.

Also a quick reminder to leave me a comment with your guess as to my swap card theme posted here.  You could win some sweet stamping swag!  Leave your comment  by June 30th to be eligible!

Up to my eyeballs!

...in swaps for convention!!  I am under a deadline to get 77 swaps done for a pre-convention event I am participating in.  They have to be in Utah by July 7th...and I just started on them!  Fortunately I work pretty quickly and I am well on my way to completing them...now I just need my order to arrive so I have the rest of the supplies I need to finish them.  I thought you might like to see what I came up with....there is a theme for the swap, but I'm not telling you what it is.  You have to guess ;)

Any-occasion card featuring the Post Card background stamp and the Postage Due and Lovely Little Labels stamp sets.

SO much sponging on this one (think x77)...but I love the soft, shabby-chic look of it.  I hope my fellow swappers like it too!  Can you guess the theme?  Since yesterday was my birthday, I'm feeling rather festive, so I think it's time for some blog candy.  Leave me a comment with your guess for the theme.  I will choose one winner from the correct guesses...the winner will receive a prize package that includes several of the products I used on this card: Remember This and That Rotary Stamp, Simply Pressed Clay, Tea Lace Doilies and Vintage Trinkets.  The deadline to enter the contest is this Sunday, June 30th.  I will announce the winner in my blog post on July 1st...Canada Day!  Good luck...oh, and multiple entries are ok ;)

Best Birthday Present EVER!!

Today is my birthday and yesterday I received the best birthday present I could ever hope for...the announcement that my son's school has been saved from closure!!  You may recall a couple of weeks ago I appealed to all of you to consider donating what you could to help meet a lofty fundraising goal of $81,000.00 in just 9 days.  I am thrilled to tell you that the grand total hit in excess of $115,000.00!!!  That kind of money in that short a time-frame is nothing short of miraculous.  We are so thankful!  The church voted this past Sunday to reopen the school for next fall and we are filled with hope and are excited about a new life for the school.  Thanks SO MUCH to all who made a donation or sent prayers our way. 
I want to show you the gifts I made for each of the staff at the school to thank them for the love and care they have shown my son and for their dedication to the school.  Check it out...

Pretty Packages for some wonderful teachers featuring the Chalk Talk stamp set and Framelits and the new Beautifully Baroque embossing folder.

Inside each package was a Simply Adorned chain and pendant.  These are retired but are still available for a steal on the Clearance Rack!

Pendant featuring Epic Day DSP, Papillon Poutpourri stamp set and Charming stamp set (retired)

I am so pleased with the way these turned out.  I really hope the staff like them, though if they don't they can easily swap out the insert for a family photo or other artwork.  On the back side of the pendant I stamped the following sentiment from the Trust God stamp set: "Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly; leave the rest to God."  Each of those women do all of these things and I thought it was the perfect sentiment to include.  We are so blessed to have our son taught by such a wonderful group of teachers.  The fact that he gets to continue under their care next year is worth more to me than anything money can buy.  This is a very happy birthday, indeed!

Christmas in...June?

Christmas in July has become one of my favourite blog features over the past couple of years.  And this year will be no exception, as I have been dreaming in vivid colour, making my wishlist from the new Holiday catalogue!  But today I have a Christmas card for you...exactly six months till Christmas Eve!  Check it out:

Christmas Card featuring the Happy Day and the A Round Array stamp sets with sentiment from More Merry Messages.

I have to admit I was a wee bit dismayed when I saw there were no Christmas-specific stamp sets in the new Annual Catalogue.  Christmas is my thing and I truly do make Christmas cards all year long, so not having new Christmas stamp sets to play with until the Holiday catalogue pre-order was alarming.  So, I set to work designing Christmas cards using sets that may not have been designed specifically for that holiday.  It has really sparked my creativity and, I am proud to say, I am thrilled with the results so far!  This card uses two sets with beautiful medallion images that pass quite nicely for snowflakes when embossed in silver on a white background.  The larger image is from the Happy Day set and the smaller is from A Round Array.  The sentiment is from the carry-over set More Merry Messages.  I am SO glad that set it still around, as it is full of great holiday greetings and sentiments.  I layered the stamped panel on a mat of Coastal Cabana and then adhered it to a Smoky Slate card base.  I love the shimmer and sparkle of this card so much I am making a bunch for a swap I am participating in at Convention!  Who needs holiday stamps, when there are so many great sets that do double duty?!?

The end is in sight!

One more week left till summer officially begins for me!  Classes are finished and exams have begun and so has the marking frenzy that accompanies the end of the school year and report card season.  When I think about how much work I have to do between now and next Friday I start to panic a little, but then I remember that it will all be worth it this time next weekend when I am enjoying the first day of my summer holidays! 
Today I have another cute project from my fellow designers over at Craft Project Central.  Check it out:

Spring Gardening Ensemble designed by Michelle Wecksler

It’s time to dig in the dirt and enjoy the growth and abundance of Spring!!!!  What better way to express your appreciation than to share this Spring Gardening Ensemble with someone! This ensemble features a decoupage clay pot, a burlap seed packet holder, a small gift card and some adorable heat-embossed ladybug rocks to ornament your garden.  How cute would this project be to give as a teacher thank-you gift?  I know at least one teacher who would be thrilled to receive this ensemble *grin*.  To access the tutorial for this project visit Craft Project Central and subscribe to June.  For just $10 you'll receive 10 full-colour step-by-step tutorials that you'll be able to access to download and/or print for a full 12 months.  A great deal for so much inspiration!

A Little Americana

Many of you likely know I am Canadian, but today I have a project that is truly American.  It is the latest offering from Craft Project Central...

Patriotic Wreath designed by Heidi King

This blossom patriotic wreath is perfect decor for the summer!  Put it on your door or add it to the wall! A great gift for that 4th of July BBQ!  I plan to omit the blue and make one in honour of Canada Day, which we celebrate July 1st.  Change up the colors and theme and you have a beautiful wreath and matching card for any occasion any time of the year! I can't wait until school is finished and I have time to make one of these!  To access the tutorial for this project visit Craft Project Central and subscribe to June. 
I am furiously marking exams and grading papers, trying to finish up before the end of next week.  I have had no time to stamp, but I am dreaming of convention swaps, which I will be sure to share with you soon.  Hang in there...school's almost out for the summer...then its stampin' time!!

A New Take

If you're looking for The Twisted Challenge Blog Hop click HERE

Last week at my monthly techniques group we did a card that was a remake of one I designed a while back.  I wanted to show them the Puzzle Piece Emboss Resist technique so this is the card I designed to do it:

Birthday card featuring the Puzzle Piece Resist technique with the Creative Elements and Best of Birthdays stamp sets.

I essentially CASE'd myself from this card.  I changed up the colour scheme for a more dramatic look.  Isn't it amazing how just changing the colours can completely alter the look of a project?  For this version I used Smoky Slate, Melon Mambo and Basic Black.  I really love the way the pink pops against the neutral tones.  Next time you're stuck for an idea, try reworking something you've already done...you might just surprise yourself!

Happy Father's Day!

If you are looking for the Twisted Challenge Blog Hop, click HERE

First let me wish my own dad and my wonderful husband a very happy Father's Day.  Our big plans kind of went south in a hurry as I came down with a case of food poisoning last night.  I have never been so violently ill and nauseous.  There went my lovely breakfast in bed and the dinner with my folks.  Rats!  I am still pretty woosy, but at least am upright enough to write this post...though it will be a short one.
I have a new project from Craft Project Central to show you today...

Get Well Gift Ensemble designed by Julie Wadlinger

Somehow this project is very appropriate, given the last 24 hours I've lived!  No one likes getting sick, let alone in the Summer!  Here is a little Get Well Ensemble that includes a tissue box cover, bag of cough drops and a matching get well card to complete the ensemble.  This get well gift is sure to get your sick friend on the way to recovery!  Change up the theme of the project and make pretty tissue box covers to coordinate with every room in your house!  To access the tutorial for this project visit Craft Project Central and subscribe to June.  
Now to announce the winner of my free month's subscription Facebook giveaway...the winner is:

Tobi Oluwole

Congratulations Tobi...I'll be in touch with details about your subscription.

Have a great Sunday, everyone! 

Today is the day!

Announcing a brand new challenge blog to inspire your creativity!  I am so excited to be part of the design team for The Technique Twist!

Come join the fun!

This fun new blog is where we take challenges to the next level! Our goal is to see you go beyond the norm and push your creative boundaries!  Best of all, we want you to have FUN & learn something new! :)  To celebrate our launch we are hosting a blog hop.  You'll find the list and details at the bottom of this post.  

Now for the projects!  Our first technique challenge is Blown Ink.  I have to admit I had never tried this one before, but I sure am glad I did!  I played around and came up with two completely different looks that I just love.  Check them out:

Blown Ink Technique Sample 1

Blown Ink Technique Sample 2

 Cool, huh?  So, are you ready for the how-to?  For the background on the first sample I blew drops of reinker from directly above using a drinking straw and very controlled puffs of air to get as uniform a look as possible. When I was happy with the colour and pattern, I did the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique over top so the whole thing sparkles.  I used the new In-colours for my pallette:  Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush and Coastal Cabana and then added some Daffodil Delight for a bit of pop.  I thought it looked very psychedelic, so I pulled out a long retired stamp called Extreme Guitar for the focal image.  The sentiment is from a long-retired Hostess set called Perfect Words.  It was a hit with my 6-year old son who is like a magpie with anything sparkly.  I could barely wrest it out of his hands long enough to take a picture LOL!
For the background on the second sample I used watercolour paper that I spritzed with water first to allow me more control over how my ink spread when I blew it.  Then I used Tempting Turquoise, Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Real Red and Rich Razzleberry reinkers and blew drops across the damp paper to get the rainbow backgroud.  Kind of a blend of Reinker Splash technique and Blown Ink. The butterflies are from the Papillon Potpourri set and the sentiment comes from the One in A Million set.
What I loved about playing with this technique was the fact that I had no plan in mind for either card.  I just played and played and the cards kind of designed themselves!
Now for the Blog Hop details.  Listed below you'll see a series of links to each designer's blog.  Be sure to check out all of their work... you'll be surprised at how many different looks you can get with just one technique.  There's even a little incentive to participate in the Hop.  As you navigate the blog hop, be sure to leave a comment on each designer's post.  If you do, you'll be entered into a draw for some fabulous Stampin' Up! swag!  There will be one randomly chosen winner who will receive a truckload of great product.  My contribution to the  swag bag is the recently-retired Snow Much Fun stamp set 

and a package of Silver Glimmer paper.  

Perfect for getting a head start on your Christmas crafting this summer. So...start hopping!

It's our first challenge at The Technique Twist Challenge blog & what better way to celebrate than with a blog hop!  To enter, leave a comment on each blog for your chance to win a great prize pack!

The Technique Twist Challenge 01:Blown Ink

Jessica

Julz

Lauri

Leena (you are here!)

Pam

 We'll randomly draw one name as our winner out of all the entries! Contest ends on June 26, 2013 at 11:59pm ET. Good luck!

Late Again!

Wow!  I am really behind the 8-ball this week!  I was to have posted the latest offering from CPC yesterday but was so caught up in the drama around my son's school I completely forgot.  My sincerest apologies to Christy Fulk who designed this terrific mini album:

Mosaic Flip Flop Album designed by Christy Fulk

Isn't that cute?  I am so going to make a couple of these to give as gifts for some moms-to-be I know!  This is such a fun album to make!  There are eight 6" x 6" pages in this album, along with eight half page flaps.  Everyone will love how the pages "flip flop" when looking through it.  The album features the new  Mosaic Madness stamp set and the new Quatrefancy Specialty Designers Series Paper (DSP). You can access the tutorial for this project either by visiting Craft Project Central and subscribing to June or by liking my Facebook page and entering my draw for a free subscription.  If you choose the latter, be sure to do it by the 15th.  I'll be announcing a winner on the 16th!
Now for an update on the status of the fundraising effort to save my son's school.  Firstly, a HUGE thank you to all who made donations.  I am very touched and humbled by the generosity of so many of my stamping friends.  We raised an unbelievable $109,762.00 is just 9 days!!  That is well beyond our goal of $81,000.  The difficulty now is that several of the students who had pre-registered in March have chosen to go elsewhere due to all the uncertainty.  We are currently 3 students short of what is needed to balance the books.  As I type this post, the church officials are meeting to decide whether a vote should be taken to reopen the school.  We are all hoping and praying for a positive outcome.  We are confident that given another year we can turn the school's finances around and make it self-sustaining.  We don't know when a final decision will be made.  I will be sure to keep you all posted!

D-Day

Today is the day we will find out if our efforts to raise enough funds to save my son's school from closure have been enough.  At 4:00 pm this afternoon the school will announce the final totals.  We all are on pins and needles waiting.  This has been one of the most difficult periods ever for our family and many others who love this school.  Through it all we have been clinging to the knowledge that everything happens for a reason and that though we may not understand at the time, all will be made clear one day.  With that in mind, I made this card:

Encouragement card featuring the new Really Good Greetings and Dictionary stamp sets.

I used the Puzzle Piece Emboss Resist technique on this card...in fact we'll be making this tonight at my monthly techniques class.  I used the new Backyard Basics Framelits to die cut the butterfly...love that set!  I also used the Chalk Talk Framelits for the label behind the sentiment.  I am very quickly falling in love with the new Chevron ribbon...so elegant!  I used it here in Smoky Slate, which pairs perfectly with Coastal Cabana for a calming, serene pallette.
I will let you all know tomorrow what the decision is.  I know several of you have generously made donations and for that I am truly grateful.  If you haven't donated and are willing and able you can do so by clicking the DONATE button HERE.
Thank you...please keep my son and our family in your prayers today.

A Whirlwind Weekend!

Here it is Monday again and I don't know where my weekend went!  It was a whirlwind of running around with Max, and prepping and setting up for an event on Saturday and then being at the actual event today.  What a nutty life I lead!  I need to go back to work for a break...a class full of teenagers is calm and peaceful compared to the last week in this household!  Sadly I had NO time to stamp at all but I do have a new project to share with you from one of my fellow designers at Craft Project Central.  Check it out:

Cupcake box gift set designed by Amanda Corbett

Do you need a really bright and fun gift to celebrate someone’s birthday? Well this set has it all for you! There are instructions to create this fun pink card, gift bag, and cupcake box set that is sure to make anyone’s day!  I have a ton of birthdays coming up in the next few weeks...including my own!  I would LOVE to receive this cute ensemble!  So, head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to June so you can make it for me will ya? LOL  Seriously, this is a too-cute set that just about anyone would love to recieve.  Don't forget that you can win your month's subscription for free by liking my Facebook page.  I'll be drawing one winner from all the likes I receive by June 15th.  That's coming up this Saturday, so be sure and like me today.
I also want to remind you to check out my updated Retired Stamp Yard Sale page for great deals on retired stamps, dies, punches and more.  All of the proceeds from the sale of these items will go to help save my son's school from closure.  We're getting closer to our goal of $81,000.00 and every little bit helps!

I'm late!

I've been so distracted with all the drama surrounding the potential closure of my son's school that I have neglected my blog the last couple of days.  I'm late posting the latest project from CPC...my sincerest apologies to Monika Davis for not posting  this sooner.  Check out her fantastic project:

CREATE wallhanging designed by Monika Davis

Make this beautiful wall hanging for your crafty friends or family, or just to decorate your own craft room or office.  If making for a gift, be sure to make the matching card for an impressive gift ensemble!  This project makes for a fun class, club or camp project as well!!  To access the tutorial for this project visit Craft Project Central and subscribe to June or LIKE my Facebook page to be entered in a draw to win your month's subscription for free!
Don't forget to check out my Retired Stamp Yard Sale page to see if there is anything from your wishlist there.  All proceeds from the sale of these products are going to help save my son's school from closure.

A Plea

Today's post is a plea to all of my readers. I need your help.  More importantly my son and the 70+ other students who attend his wonderful school need your help.

We received the news this past Monday evening that his school, Temple Baptist Christian Academy, would be closing at the end of next week unless we, as parents, could raise $81,000.00 by June 13th.  Some parents are able to just write a cheque for their share of the shortfall, others are not that fortunate.  All of us have pledged to do whatever we possibly can to raise the funds to save the school.  That is where you all come in.  I have posted my newly retired items for sale on my Retired Stamp Yard Sale page.  There are dozens of stamp sets, dies, ink pads, markers, reinkers, punches and more for sale.  All of the proceeds from any items sold between now and June 12th will go toward the effort to save my son's school.  Please have a look at the list.  If there is something there you would like let me know, but please, please do so before June 12th.  We have to have the cash in-hand by the 13th or the doors will close forever.

This is one way that I can help out...it is the least I can do after my son emptied his piggy bank and said "Here Mommy...will this be enough to save my school?"  Talk about a heart breaker!  He is devastated at the thought of his school closing...he loves it so much, as do we.  The staff there are simply wonderful and have loved, cared for and taught Maxwell as if he was their own.  Today we celebrated his Kindergarten graduation and we are praying it is not the last one that will ever be held at Temple.  Please consider making a purchase.  If you are able I would also invite you to make  a donation through the school's website.  There is link there to a Paypal account that has been set up by the school for this fundraising effort.

 I know this doesn't affect any of you one bit, but you could be changing the life of my son and 70+ other children as you help to save their school.  No amount is too small.  If each of my followers donated just $5 (about the price of a cup of Starbucks) we would have over $1000 toward our goal.  If were are unsuccessful and the school does, in fact, close all donations will be fully refunded.  Donations made by Canadians will be issued tax receipts.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this post.  I will keep you updated on the progress of the fundraising effort.

Chalk Talk for Dad

Today I have another masculine project for you.  I always find myself focusing on Man-cards at this time of year, with Father's Day just a couple of weeks away.  The layout of this card was based on this month's new sketch for my Monthly Sketch Inspiration.  Here is the sketch:

Man Card featuring the Hearts A-flutter and Chalk Talk stamp sets and Soho Subway DSP

Inside view with sentiment from Delightful Dozen

Soho Subway DSP is quickly becoming a go-to for masculine cards for me.  I just love the colour pallette and patterns.  It made putting this project together a piece of cake.  Give this sketch a try...I am looking forward to playing with it more this month.  I'll be sure to show you what I come up with!

A New Project with New Products!

Here is the latest offering from Craft Project Central designer Julie Beltramo...

Gingham Garden Sugar Scrub Gift Set designed by Jule Beltramo

I love the new Gingham Garden DSP!  Such pretty patterns and colours!  This luxurious Sugar Scrub in a jar is a super easy "two-ingredient recipe" that you can make as a quick summer gift for a friend or neighbor!  After making the scrub and decorating the jar, it’s a perfect fit in the slip-wrapped Kraft Gift Box – simple and so sweet!  (I love the white flower on the belly band! So pretty!!) Then make the coordinating card to go with it all to complete your pretty gift ensemble!
To access the tutorial for this and NINE other projects this month, simply head over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to June. You can also enter to win the month's subscription for free by liking my Facebook Page.  I'll choose a winner and annouce on the 16th.  Good luck!

So...whaddya think?

I'm dying to know what you all think of the new catalogue!  You've had the weekend to browse and complile your wish lists...so what are your must-haves?  The most popular items at my Open House last Saturday were most definitely the new Simply Pressed Clay and molds.  Very cool new product with tons of possibilities!  My new favourite colour is fast-becoming Coastal Cabana.  I love, love, love it!!  Here is a card I made this weekend using my new fav and a couple of others that are rapidly finding their way to the top of my go-to list:

Wedding card featuring the Happy Day and Label Love stamp sets.

I can not wait for my new catty order to arrive next week, but in the meantime I'm having fun playing with the pre-order and incentive items I've received.  The beautiful medallion on this card is from the Happy Day set...just gorgeous!  I stamped it in Crushed Curry (stamped off), Coastal Cabana (also stamped off) and Smoky Slate.  I also heat embossed one image in pewter.  The sentiment, from the Label Love set, is also heat embossed in pewter and punched out using the Artisan Label punch.  I layered the focal image on a Tea Lace Doily.  Since I don't yet have any Crushed Curry ribbon, I cheated and used some Daffodil Delight seam binding...I think it is close enough that it works ok.  (Did I mention I can't wait for my order to arrive?!?)  The Smoky Slate background layer is embossed with the Modern Mosaic TIEF.  I layered the whole thing on a Basic Gray card base. 
Don't forget to LIKE my Facebook page to be entered in my draw for a free month's subscription to Craft Project Central.  I will be making the draw on June 16th...Father's Day!
The last order of business today is to announce the winner of my Open House door prize.  My impartial judge, Max, drew the winner yesterday.  Congratulations go to...

Chris Light!!

Stay tuned for more prizes later this month...my birthday is coming and there's nothing I like more than birthday surprises ;)

As if the new catalogue launch weren't enough, Stampin' Up! has also announced a great new promotion!

Grab Your Greetings Promotion

 

Sale: 25 percent off three of our greeting sets!

Dates: May 31-June 30, 2013

Sale Price	Retail Price	Description	Item
$21.71	$28.95	Sassy Salutations Wood-Mount Stamp Set	132070
$16.46	$21.95	Sassy Salutations Clear-Mount Stamp Set	126707
$18.71	$24.95	Sweet Essentials Wood-Mount Stamp Set	132085
$13.46	$17.95	Sweet Essentials Clear-Mount Stamp Set	126457
$26.96	$35.95	Petite Pairs Wood-Mount Stamp Set	128706
$19.46	$25.95	Petite Pairs Clear-Mount Stamp Set	122497

How awesome is that???  These are three of my go-to sets for sentiments.  If you don't already own these ones you'll definitely want to add them to your new catalogue order!

Now for a project!  I am back to designing for Craft Project Central again this month and my project is the very first one in the line-up!  Check it out:

My Dad Printer's Tray and card...the perfect Father's Day gift for the kids to give Dad!

 My son worships his Dad.  He looks just like him and wants so badly to  be just like him.  I thought it would be fun to create a project that featured Daddy through a his eyes.  I even left a space for Max to draw a picture of something he likes to do with Daddy...of course he drew the two of them wrestling with Max sitting on Daddy's head (yup, my hubby's a trooper!).  I used the new Soho Subway DSP as the starting point for this project.  I just love the colours and patterns in that pack...perfect for masculine projects.  I used several different sets as well as my Typeset Alphabet dies as well.  This was a really fun project to create!  To access the tutorial head over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to June or click HERE to LIKE my Facebook page to be entered into my drawing for a free month's subscription.  I'll be making the draw on June 16th...Father's Day!!

Now I'm off to get ready for my new catalogue Open House today.  Stop by between 1:00 and 5:00 if you can.  I'd love to see you!