Gathering of Family, Celebration and Happy Birthday to My Niece

Paper Trees, Good Food, Family & A Sweet 16 Birthday!

This Xmas we have so much to be blessed and happy for. This year we hosted for both of our families. With my brother and his wife Lynne and nephew Matthew in Nova Scotia visiting Lynne's parents this holiday season. We thought it would be great to have both our families together and make it one big celebration. Here are a few shots of everyone having a good time just being together, and isn't that what it is all about?

I would also like to wish my absolutely beautiful niece a Happy Sweet 16th Birthday, she shares her birthday every year with Christ and this year we wanted to make sure that she enjoyed her special day too, with singing and a special dessert. Happy Birthday my sweet Yolene!

Table center pieces made out of Candy Cane DS paper from Stampin Up. A little work but well worth the time and effort!

My Mom and Dad Pullen. Doesn't Dad look fantastic! 8 months after his brain surgery and radiation he looks absolutely fantastic. Mom unfortunately is suffering from the flu and was forced to wear a mask, of course not while she was eating. Poor her we kept on picking on her not to touch anything so we all could stay health.

Mother and Father Louiseize enjoying a good dinner and family fun, thank you for the champagne!

Two of my three crazy brother-in-laws, Jean on the left and Andrea on the right, gosh I love you guys, always so thoughtful and very good appetites! Andrea your silly!

My other brother-in-law Robert and sister-in-law Edith. Thank you for the care package as always it chalked full of goodies, we look forward to a late night snack!

My darling niece Yolene, who yesterday celebrated her Sweet 16th Birthday, she is a beautiful women and makes me smile. Thank you Yolene for allowing us to be part of your life. Next to her is my crazy husband who you already know. Thank you for all your help yesterday, you were amazing as always!

All of us together celebrating such a wonderful day it was. I hope that you enjoyed a wonderful day with your family!

Happy Holidays from us to you!

REMINDER: 2011 Calendar Workshop or Purchase Calendar PDF Instructions Today!

REMINDER CLASSES ARE FILLING UP! 

CAN'T MAKE THE CLASS YOU CAN NOW PURCHASE THE PDF.

It's hard to believe that the new year is fast approaching why not celebrate the coming new year with my 2011 Calendar Workshop? There are three dates to choose from, and it promises to be one of my best ones yet.  

For this workshop we will be using Always Elegant Stamp Set, Elegance, Elegant Soirere Designer Series Paper, Elegant Lines, Decorative Label XL Punch, Dotted Scalloped Ribbon Boarder, Scalloped Edge Boarder, 3/8 Taffeta Ribbon and Basic Pearls. 

I am also offering this workshop in PDF format also for those who can't make it. This tutorial contains instructions, sketches and templates to complete one calendar. The tutorial will be e-mailed to you as an Adobe PDF file following your purchase.

The 35$ fee includes all the supplies necessary (except for your adhesive) to make one calendar. Please bring your own favorite adhesive all others will be supplied. Spend $50 CAN before taxes and get the class for $25.


Three dates to choose from:
Tuesday December 28, 2010
Wednesday December 29, 2010
Sunday January 2, 2010

Time: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
 
Location: 144 Patterson Cres. Carleton Place, Ontario 

Space is limited so register today. Simply click on the Buy Now button to register today.

NOTE: Only those who have paid in advance for the event through the PayPal button will be registered. You don't need a PayPal account to register; simply click on the button below and follow the instructions. 

Cancellations: 48-hours notice is required for ALL cancellations a refund in the form of a credit for a future class will be given. No refund will be given after this 48-hours notice and no re-schedule will be allowed.

2011 Calendar Instructions PDF $10.00

Can't make the workshop no problem you can still purchase the instructions. 2011 Calendar Instructions PDF includes supply list, pictures, diagrams, and complete Calendar that you can print on your home computer.

2011 Calendar Instructions PDF

Join Me for the Workshop

Using Always Elegant Stamp Set, Elegance, Elegant Soirere Designer Series Paper, Elegant Lines, Decorative Label XL Punch, Dotted Scalloped Ribbon Boarder, Scalloped Edge Boarder, 3/8 Taffeta Ribbon and Basic Pearls.    

Workshop Dates

Tues. Dec. 28, 2010 $35.00 Wed. Dec. 29, 2010 $35.00 Sun. Jan. 2, 2011 $35.00

Welcome Winston!

Happy Sunday!

Today we picked up our newest addition, Winston a three year old pug. He is an absolute doll, who will surely give Gadget and Holly a run for their money, and frankly they need it. We would like to thank Andrea and Rob for allowing us to adopt Winston and make him a part of our home. We know how hard it must be to let him go but want you to know that he will have a good home here, with lots of love. Anytime you want to visit please do so, we would love to have you!

I will post more pics soon, once Winston has checked out every nook and cranny. Right now he is at my feet taking a little break. Holly and Gadget are not sure what is going on, but so far like the idea of having another brother to boss around.



The gangs all here!

Happy Birthday to You - Year of Flowers Mums

Happy Tuesday! It is blowing here like crazy not snow just the wind and it howls.  Just a quick share today, most you know how much I just love my neighbours, we are so blessed to have them. Well Lee-Anne's birthday was yesterday, Happy Birthday Love! Again... Lee-Anne and I are so much alike, in so many ways that it scares us too. So for her special birthday I did her this card, I must say I think it is so beautiful. Just like her.

Enjoy!

A Little Country Chair 1 x 1 Charm Swap

The Little Country Chair

There isn't anything you can't do in a 1 x 1 square, you just have to think outside of the box.

Last month I joined a 1 x 1 Charm Swap that Carol McFarland put together via Stampin Connect and I can't wait to get mine back. The only thing is I forgot to put return postage on my package and now have to send stamps so I can get my package returned LOL. This just shows you what kind of week I have had.

I named my swap "A Little Country Chair". I love stamps that are different anything with chairs, benches and stools I have. I am not sure exactly why but when I first saw "Have a Seat" in the 2010-11 IDEA BOOK & CATALOGUE I had to get it. I love the uniqueness of it, and the fact that you can add little things like a bird or a cup of tea on it or even a flower makes it so cute. To me a chair is always inviting, and there is so many things you can do with it. You can rest in it, read in it, hold a cup of tea on it. You can use it for storage, to hold a door open, you can stand on it to get something up high or put two together and make fort with it.

For this little piece of art I used the following:

1. Have a Seat Stamp Set
2. Charming Stamp Set
3. Very Vanilla Card stock
4. Vellum Card stock
5. Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink
6. Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
7. Eyelets Antique Brass
8. Basic Rhinestones
9. Linen Thread
10. Heart Small
11. Vintage Wallpaper
12. Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink Illuminate Top Coat

1 x 1 Charm with chain with the insert inside plus the packaging that I did for each one. Each charm is held onto the background using clear photo corners so that it can be removed easily without ripping.

View of the back of my charm showing the embossing and twine.

The Paper Purse Or Is It

So Real You Just Might Want to Throw a Compact In It



I like when I find a pattern of something make it then fall in love with it all over again. The project I did today has to be one of my favorites and so easy to make. All you need is one 12 x 12 sheet of paper, some contrasting paper, ribbon and some bling and you have a gift bag that anyone would keep.

This would be great as a birthday gift for a young girl or even for a bridal gift, I mean tell me you couldn't add a little somethin somethin in this. For me I will be creating some cards and decorating some votive holders to go inside these pics will follow tomorrow more than likely.

Close-up of flower on purse using flower die, Antique Brads, Basic Grey Ribbon

 Front view of Purse isn't this absolutely beautiful!

Side view of Purse which does hold at least 5 - 10 cards and two glass votive.



TOUR OF MY STUDIO AND WORKSHOP: Deck the Halls Scrapbook Tin

Workshops = Clean Studio

One of the things that I like about having workshops other than getting together with the girls is it gives me a reason to get off my ^&*%$ and tidy up. I must admit I don't put things away but one thing I am learning from my absolutely wonderful neighbour is that it takes a second to put it away after using but hours to clean up the big mess after. So for the month of December I am making my own challenge of putting things away once I am done and going through all those boxes that I have thrown things into cause I was to lazy to put away.

So here is the tour of my studio, enjoy and if you have any questions let me know.

All nice and clean set-up for my workshop Deck the Halls Scrapbook Tin yesterday what a great afternoon with the girls.

I have the best windows allow natural light in, and the shelves are great to display my work and collection of my favorite things, like birdhouses, lanterns, and vases all things that I like to use in my photo shoots. I also have three magnet boards that allow me to change things up on a whim right now it is all about holidays! I also have my chef cart, yes I have a food cart in my studio that I roll around, its great to hold things I use all the time, like my ink pads, etc. Do you see all those Zip lock bags hanging off the cart? This is something I started to do when I found them at Walmart, I thing Marlyn told me about them. I use those for every project I am working on, I have about 8 of them and then hold everything that I need to work on that project, this way if I get bored with one project I can easily work on another one and it keeps me nice and neat. And those metal carts I love them, I bought those years ago at Costco, I love the wheels they are so cool and industrial like my chef cart!

I am everything about Paris, even though when I went there years ago I didn't have a very good impression of romance and history, but the 80's were another time and things have changed since then. This is where I print things and is a continuation of the the above picture again allowing me to display samples, a picture of my husband in Scotland, I love metal wire objects, such as birdcages, dress forms, lanterns and of course the Eiffel tower, why even my pillow is displayed more as a decor. All of my furniture is from IKEA, except for the work station, I love the module feel, clean lines and the metal feel about them.

Just a close-up showing my collection of things on the shelf most of these items have been used in one of my photo shoots at least once.

This is where I do my computer work, I do all my fun creative things at my work table which is in the middle of my studio. I need lost of room, mostly because I don't clean-up after myself but this is going to be my New Years resolution. I must clean up every time I leave my studio. It will be a challenge, maybe I should do a pool as to how long it will take for me to go back to my bad habits?

Come to one of my workshops and I reward you with my Chocolate, Chocolate, with more Chocolate, extra moist bunt cake. I swear the girls were working even faster know that this was yet to come! LOL, trust me you haven't tasted cake until you try this one, recipe to come.

And here are Lisa, Kim (though I wanted to call her Jennifer) and Donna with there wonderful projects complete. They did a fantastic job! Just look at those smiles! I will be offering this workshop again in December classes are small so it is more personal maximum spots available is 4.

REMINDER: Deck the Halls Scrapbook Tin - Workshop Sunday November 28, 2010

Hey Ladies Just 2 spaces Left for my Deck the Halls Scrapbook Tin - Workshop Sunday November 28, 2010

Every wonder what to do with old DVD containers or even new ones? Well what about a DVD scrapbook, yes you read it right a DVD scrapbook.

I don't know if you do this but every time I am out shopping I look for things that I can make other things out of. I bought these awhile ago from an online company but also found them here in the city and could not resist. You could use a plastic one, clear or like me for this project I used a metal DVD's tins. 

For this workshop I will be using Deck the Halls (DS) from the Mini Catalog and like my picture frame I posted the other day, I went with the same style on the outside and on the inside I used one side for photos and the reverse side I designed it for journaling.

Front of Tin

Open the cover, and you have a lovely message along with a tab and ribbon to open the entire project.

"In the eyes of children we find the

Joy of Christmas

In their hearts we feel the meaning"

The following are the interior pages 1 - 2

Pages 3 - 4

Close-up of page 4

Pages 5 - 6

Pages 1 - 4 open showing how it folds out

Opened tin showing photo side of scrapbook

Opened tin showing the opposite side back for journaling

Sample of Journal pages and back of tin

This will make an absolutely one of a kind gift, for anyone and is so simple to make just add photos.

The 45$ fee includes all the supplies necessary (except for your adhesive) to make one Scrapbook Tin. Please bring your own favorite adhesive all others will be supplied. Spend $50 CAN before taxes and get the class for $25.

When: Sunday November 28, 2010
Time: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: 144 Patterson Cres. Carleton Place, Ontario


Space is limited so register today. Simply click on the Buy Now button to register today.


NOTE: Only those who have paid in advance for the event through the PayPal button will be registered. You don't need a PayPal account to register; simply click on the button below and follow the instructions.


Cancellations: 48-hours notice is required for ALL cancellations a refund in the form of a credit for a future class will be given. No refund will be given after this 48-hours notice and no re-schedule will be allowed.

Number of Guests

Guest 1 $45.00 Guest 2 $90.00 Guest 3 $135.00

Elements of Style - For the Two of You - Thank You!

Thank You, XIEXIE, SPASIBO, GRACIAS.Grazie, Mahalo, Merci, Danke, Arigato, Dhanyawaad, Asante 

Over the past 8 months we have learned a lot of things. The biggest being that "Life can be a matter of moments". Holding grudges, being mad and not saying what has to be said is a waste, a waste of moments. Same can be said for thanking someone who has done or even said something special.

People just don't say thank you anymore, have you noticed this? I mean a real one, one where you sit down and writing how someones kindness made your day. How even just the little things make someone smile. How hard is it to do this?

My theory is we have lost this with the introduction of the Internet, texting and even more so with our fast past lives. I find that even the simplest things have gone to the wayside, reading a good book, taking a long bath with candles, sitting and having a good glass of wine. What has happened that we can't take a little time and do these things anymore.

In the good old days "wink, wink" this simple task of sending a thank you "note" was a tradition for sending messages of fortune and goodwill on slips of papyrus. These were the first known greetings exchanged in Chinese and Egyptian culture. In the 1400s, Europeans practiced exchanging notes as a new way of social expression, writing on paper and hand delivering greeting cards locally. Today, well there are e-card, emotionless greeting cards that someone else created. But then I guess that's better than nothing...

This week I would like to challenge you with making a thank you card. Then mail it (remember that red box or if your in the US a blue one at the end of the street corner, that is called a mailbox) to someone who has made you smile, made you think, or made you feel better.

But remember to take a picture and share it with me here, I would love to see what you created.

Just a Quick Post Today

Happy Friday,

Sorry I haven't posted much this week, work has been very busy and I haven't had much "creative home time". This weekend though I am going to a 12 hour crop in the county of Beckwith. This will be the second 12 hour crop I have attended but funny unlike most I never make it to 12 hours. LOL!

Anyway this weekend I am working on a few projects that I plan on getting into the "can" basically finished so I can post next week. Look for some great 3D WOW projects that I hope you will simple love, cards and possibly a Simply Adorned designs to get you in the gift giving mood.

For those of you who know me moving to this house has been the best things next to my wonderful husband, but with this move came our wonderful neighbours Lee-Anne and Gary. Such kindred spirits, I truly feel we were meant to meet. Lee-Anne I like to say is my addictive twin, there is so much we both like that sometimes it is very scary how similar we are.

Today's post is an Anniversary card I did for them to help celebrated their 20th Anniversary, yes twenty, hard to believe. The love that they share is something very rare and this card says it all for me about them.

Happy Anniversary Lee-Anne and Gary you are such a wonderful couple!

Two cups of hot tea, shared on a bench two people in love...

JOY Christmas Wall Canvas - Workshop

Enough of Deck the Hall's

OK I can hear you now, "enough with the Deck the Halls Designer Series paper", but I really can't help myself. So be patient with me as I continue on my journey of having fun with Deck the Halls. Next week I promise after the next project (and your going to love it) I will promise to do something else using different paper etc.

For this workshop using you guessed it Deck the Hall Designer Series paper create a 8" x 8" canvas art. Like the Picture Frame see here and the Scrap booking Tin see here continue to enjoy the vintage look and feel using canvas.

For this design I tried a few different techniques the first is embossing on twill tape ribbon, not the easiest but I do like the effect. Next time I will try using satin ribbon and see how that works.

The second is designing using vellum letters. I cut out letters using vellum cardstock then I used the Big Shot and a embossing folder and passed it through getting a very cool embossed look. Then I took those letters and a sponge dauber and with Early Espresso I coloured each letter rubbing lighter to change the colour and harder on the embossed part to get darker effect.

I will try this again later using larger letters or shapes to see what I get, but so far I love the look. What do you think?

This canvas art is perfect for anyone in your family, so simple and fun to create you will want to make more than one. You can either hang it on a wall or sit on a table or even a easel.

The 45$ fee includes all the supplies necessary (except for your adhesive) to make one canvas art. Spend $50 CAN before taxes and get the class for $25.

When: Saturday November 27, 2010
Time: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: 144 Patterson Cres. Carleton Place, Ontario

Space is limited so register today. Simply click on the Buy Now button to register today.

NOTE: Only those who have paid in advance for the event through the PayPal button will be registered. You don't need a PayPal account to register; simply click on the button below and follow the instructions.

Cancellations: 48-hours notice is required for ALL cancellations a refund in the form of a credit for a future class will be given. No refund will be given after this 48-hours notice and no re-schedule will be allowed.

Number of Guests

Guest 1 $45.00 Guest 2 $90.00 Guest 3 $135.00