Today's The Last Day for Blog Candy!

My Goodness the Traffic Has Been Good But Only 10 Comments?

Wow ladies I am not sure how I got to 100K, looks like people are to shy to leave a comment for some Free Blog Candy. Today is your last day to leave a comment, if you don't want to leave what stamp set you would like to see as a wedding invitation, maybe leave a comment about what inspires you? I would love to give away all of the prizes so make sure if you visits that you leave a comment here

Big Thank You 100K and Climbing – FREE Blog Candy

Well it is hard to believe that when I started this blog I would ever reach 100K hits but we are almost there. So with this milestone I have decided to give away some FREE blog candy, and not just a few but lots! So lets celebrate! its not everyday that this happens well at least for me it doesn’t.

Thank you Section!

I would like to thank everyone who has visited my blog, who have left such beautiful comments, who have e-mailed me privately letting me know that I have inspired them by using a stamp set that they would never have bought to one that they were now going to buy. For me that is the best compliment.

For everyone who came to my Wedding Demonstrator Workshop or to those who ordered the To-Go-Kit, thank you for your orders.

To everyone who has sent prayers, concerns about my Dad and have gone out of there way to be there for me via Facebook; Twitter; blog; Stamping Connection or e-mail, I thank you also.

To the demonstrators who e-mail me asking questions (I hope I haven’t missed any) and those who I surprised when I actually call them to answer some of their questions. Thank you for your wonderful words of kindness.

And to my husband who supports me my endless habit and addiction, thank you for allowing me to spend endless hours at something I love.

So Here Is What You Can WIN And Of Course You Will Have To Work For It

To WIN you will need to leave a comment of which “NEW” stamp set(s) you would like to see as a wedding invitation for my upcoming Fall Workshop. The key word is NEW and can include stamps that made its way from our last mini to the NEW catalog.

NOTE: I have already chosen the stamps from this year’s catalogue that I am going to focus on for this falls workshop. If I draw your name for the Blog Candy if I chose the stamp set you have suggested you will receive a $20 e-coupon off your next purchase of my next Fall Wedding Demonstrator Workshop To-Go-Kit.

1. Blog Candy for Wedding Demonstrator Workshop Attendees and Demonstrator To-Go-Kits
If you attended my wedding workshop or if you purchased a To-Go Kit you could WIN a matching Wedding Guest Book based on the design of your choice. See sample Guest Book here.

2. FREE Blog Candy for Everyone Globally

Here is what you could WIN:

5 people will WIN my “Because I Care Purse and 5 Note Cards” see here

5 People will WIN “3 Stampin’ Up Charm Inserts”

• Chic Boutique Simply Adorned Insert for 1" x 1.25" Rectangle Charm see here
• Elements of Style with Tiny Tags for 1.25" x 2" Rectangle Charm see here
• Because I Care - Simply Adorned Jewelry for 1.25" x 2" Rectangle Charm see here
  

NOTE: Does not included jewelry.

5 People will WIN “Island Floral iPOD Carry Case” see here from Stampin Girl's Convention 2010 WOW SWAP

NOTE: Does not included iPOD.

Thank you for your support and I look forward to see your suggestions and comments.

Entry Deadline: Wednesday June 30, 2010 EDT

Its All About Colour - My Colour Picks for Up Coming Wedding Workshop

New SU Colours Are a Recipe for Change: Change = Good

When I went to OCA (Ontario College of Art) what seems like years ago one of the classes I took was all about colour. Yes a whole year about colour. I remember mixing and mixing trying to create just the right colour why we even created a colour book that had to be handed in at the end of the year for our final mark. I actually wish I still had it, those exercise though then a pain in the behind, I really did learn a lot.

Mixing colour is like a recipe really, just like baking a cake, little bit of this little bit of that add some black to make darker and some white to make lighter. This summer I plan on doing a painting or should I say 6 (10 x 10) paintings for our living room. One painting that will be done on six canvasses to make one painting. OK I can hear what your think why not just do one big painting and all I can say is I am obsessed right now with squares and dividing things. Just like the card I did below, doing it on 6 canvases allows me to shake it up. I can either put it on the wall the way it should be or I can mix it up depending on how it feels. So off I went to the art store to buy my 5 tubes of paint, Cyan (blue) Magenta (red) and yellow plus black and white. I have decided to challenge myself this summer to do it the traditional way mix up my own paint.

Last night I decided to create a wedding pallet of colours based on 4 seasons and a few themes that I want to do using our new SU colour pallets. And I thought I would share this with you in case you would like to try creating your own colour scheme.

Ever wonder what feelings are create from colours or what colours mean around the world here is a breakdown that I always find interesting.

Red
Excitement, energy, passion, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, love, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, aggression, all things intense and passionate.

Yellow
Joy, happiness, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, betrayal, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard.

Blue
Peace, tranquility, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, cold, technology, depression, appetite suppressant.

Orange
Energy, balance, warmth, enthusiasm, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.

Green
Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy, misfortune.

Purple
Royalty, spirituality, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning.

Gray
Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring.

Brown
Earth, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, stability, simplicity, and comfort.

White
Reverence, purity, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, birth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical, sterile.

Black
Power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, underground, good technical color, mourning, death (Western cultures).

There are various cultures who understand the need of colors in their own special manner.

Red
China - symbol of celebration and luck, used in many cultural ceremonies that range from funerals to weddings.
India - color of purity (used in wedding outfits).
United States - Christmas color when combined with green, Valentines Day when combined with pink, indicates stop (danger) at traffic lights.
Eastern cultures - signifies joy when combined with white.

Yellow
Asia - sacred, imperial.
Western cultures - joy, happiness.

Blue
China - associated with immortality.
Colombia - associated with soap.
Hindus - the color of Krishna.
Jews - holiness.
Middle East - protective color.

Note: Blue is often considered to be the safest global color.

Orange
Ireland - religious significance (Protestant).
United States - inexpensive goods, Halloween (with black).

Green
China - studies indicate this is not a good color choice for packaging, green hats mean a man's wife is cheating on him.
France - studies indicate this is not a good color choice for packaging.
India - the color of Islam.
Ireland - religious significance (Catholic).
Some tropical countries - associated with danger
United States - indicates go (safe) at traffic lights, environmental awareness, St. Patrick's Day, Christmas color (red and green).

Purple
Western cultures - royalty.

Brown
Colombia - discourages sales.

White
Eastern cultures - mourning, death.
Japan - white carnations signify death.
United States - purity (used in weddings).

Black
Western cultures - mourning, death.

Saffron
Hindu - sacred color. (orangish peach color)

Pastels Korea - trust. United States - spring, Easter; pale blue (baby blue) stands for an infant boy; pale pink stands for an infant girl.

Because I Care - 12 x12 Scrapbooking Swap

This coming weekend I am going to Stampin' Retreat that Kim Assaly is hosting this weekend see here. What is Riverfront Stampin' Retreat? Well first of all it is fun fun fun where we learn 24 stampin' techniques, by the riverfront view of Kim's Stampin' Studio. This retreat includes a 6×6 linen album, page protectors inserts, supplies & step by step instructions on how to create the samples. With some samples include the new in colors/color renovation & stamp sets from the preview 2010-2011 catalogue. I attended last years and I was blown away by how much I learned and how much fun I had so of course I had to attend this years retreat.

With the retreat we are also doing a swap, a full 12 x 12, a full card and a 3D swap. I have signed up for 2 of these 12 x 12 and the full card swap. Here is my swap page that I will be giving using the New level one stamp set Because I Care and the Medallion Background stamp.

Here is my recipe for this page:

Stamp Set: Because I Care

Card stock: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, Easy Espresso

Ink: Baja Breeze, Early Espresso (also Stampin' Write Marker Early Espresso, Old Olive, Baja Breeze)

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensional, Kraft 5/8 Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Decor Stencils Mostly Vintage, Cutter Kit, Sanding Blocks, Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, Dazzling Diamonds, uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, Blender Pens, Sponge Daubers, Linen Thread, Modern Label Extra-Large and Two-way Glue Pen.

Full page 12 x 12

Close-up of flower and hand writing.

Close-up of stenciling

Close-up of ribbon flowers and medallion.

Elegant Yet Simple - Simone and James July 2010

Welcome First Day of Summer and Another Happy Bride!

Today I am excited to post this absolutely stunning invitation for Simone and James.

This happy couple have decided to unite their love and family's in front of friends and family this coming July and I was thrilled to design their invitation for them. I work with Simone, she is a wonderful friend mother and soon to be wife, who would do anything for you and has. Simone and James have been together for as long as I have know her plus, which works out to be 10 years I think. They are a cute couple, and last Christmas James popped the question and Simone said yes. To say I was excited was a understatement, I mean I was Elaine from Seinfeld you know how she physically pushes people and yells "get out of here" minus the pushing. And then when I saw the ring well, trust me it is so beautiful and she deserves being spoiled.

When we met to talk about what she would like we decided to do two different design and with one of them a couple of variations. The first was an orchid theme, purple, greens, turquoises and the second more creams, simple no fuss. Here is the one that they chose, which is classy and elegant just like Simone.

Close-up of their monogram.






Close-up of the beautiful heart with glitter, ribbon and the scallop boarder.






The complete package, neat and tidy and ready to be mailed.

Because I Care - Simply Adorned Jewelry

OK I promise not to bore you anymore with this stamp set, but I can't help myself. Here is a piece I did for the Simply Adorned Jewelry. I used the 1 1/2" w x 2" h Beveled Glass Front Simply Adorned Charm and the 34" Simply Adorned Chain for this project.

Here is the recipe:

Stamp Set: Because I Care

Card stock: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze

Ink: Baja Breeze, Early Espresso (also Stampin' Write Marker Baja Breeze and Early Espresso)

Accessories: Textured Impressions Vintage Wallpaper, Stampin' Dimensional, Kraft 3/8 Taffeta Ribbon, 1 1/2" w x 2" h Beveled Glass Front Simply Adorned Charm and the 34" Simply Adorned Chain.

Artistic Etchings - Amour

Love Having the Baja Breeze Back Now Can Stop Hoarding It!

OK yesterday was such a fun day, I am proud to say that I finished another wedding invitation and can't wait to share it with you! But we must wait until the bride has a chance to send them out before posting to ensure that her guest are the first to see them. For the past few days I have been obsessed with Because I Care stamp so I thought I would take a breather and wear out another stamp that I pre-ordered Artistic Etchings which is part of Shelli's Signature Collections.

I love the Eiffel Tower in this set, I seem to be collecting anything these days to do with old Paris, jewellery, postcards, anything really. Here is my first card using this stamp set and again my colours are very simple, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze (thank god it came back now I don't have to hoard my paper) Early Espresso. I also used gold embossing powder, which is a first as I prefer silver but for some reason this needed to be gold, what do you think?

I also used our new ribbon 1/8 taffeta ribbon in of course Early Espresso and the Modern Extra Large Tab Punch.

Enjoy!

Because I Care Purse and 5 Note Cards

In May I attended our local Stampin' Girls Convention where we learn new ideas and techniques using Stampin' Up products. This year we also did a class and made a Purse and 5 Note Cards using Island Oasis DSP (Designer Series Paper). This class is perfect so I thought I would do my version of it using one of the new stamp sets from our NEW Stampin' Up Idea Book and Catalog "Because I Care" which is a Level One Hostess Set that you earn for FREE. Which means if you host a workshop, and your total sales are over $200-264.99 before taxes and shipping you can get this stamp for FREE and $20.00 of FREE product. How easy is that, if you would like to host a workshop e-mail me studiono8@hotmail.com

Here is the recipe for this card:

Stamp Set: Because I Care

Card stock: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze

Ink: Baja Breeze, Easy Espresso (also Stampin' Write Marker Baja Breeze and Easy Espresso, Wild Wasabi)

Accessories: Textured Impressions Vintage Wallpaper, Modern Label Extra-Large, Hemp Twine (natural), Stampin' Dimensional, Very Vanilla 3/8 Taffeta Ribbon


Purse with Ribbon Great Gift Idea!

Close-up of flower cut out, with glitter.



Three Note Cards Using Same Stamp Set though each is very different.



and the other final two.



I like to look at each stamp set in pieces and in some case I like to stamp the image and remove portions that give you something totally different like the one below. By doing this I give the stamp a totally different look that is very simple to do. Yet it looks very cool.





Here is a close-up of the images and the texture of the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.



This time I used the whole stamp as the background, which looks so much like toile which I absolutely love! Then I created a simple tag wrapped with twine and add a little accent and again a very different look.




Again using the whole stamp produces a lovely simple Thank You note.




I love how removing portions of the stamp gives such a fantastic graphic element, very simple yet beautiful.

And lets not forget that little flower, and the other stamps that come with these fantastic set, even these stamps alone produce a very lovely card.

Because I Care

WOW Stampin' Up! has Done it Again!

Yesterday was a day of celebration, fun and great times with good friends. The launch of Stampin' Ups! anticipated Idea Book and Catalog was finally here. And it was well worth the wait. As a demonstrator I get a sneak peak as to what is to come and a opportunity to purchase a limited number of items prior to being able to order. Just one of the many perks as a demonstrator.

Yesterday my pre-order arrived and I was super excited because that meant the girls that came to my Wine and Chocolate Fondue Catalog party could also do some Make and Takes. Let me tell you we had a ball, first we ended up having martini's instead of wine which kinda tells you what mood we were in. The giggles and oh my goshes as we browsed the catalog to the this is so yummmm as we drank our White Chocolate Truffle martini's, and then to our Cosmo's. Then we got down to business of making some cards and let loose using both Because I Care which is a Level 3 Hostess Set and Artistic Etchings both are absolutely beautiful. Today I am posting the Because I Care card and tomorrow the other using Artistic Etchings which I absolutely fell in love with also!

Here is the recipe for this card:

Stamp Set: Because I Care

Card stock: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze

Ink: Baja Breeze, Easy Espresso (also Stampin' Write Marker Baja Breeze and Easy Espresso, Wild Wasabi)

Assessories: Textured Impressions Vintage Wallpaper, Modern Label Extra-Large, Hemp Twine (natural), Stampin' Dimensional

Close-up for this I wanted to seperate the text "because" and I care so it stood out more.

Medallion Wedding Invitation

Today I am posting the invitation that matches the Medallion Wedding Guest Book. I so love the Medallion background stamp and I am so glad the it made it into the NEW Stampin Up! Idea Book and Catalogue 2010 -11. Tomorrow I am having a few demonstrators over for a Wine, Chocolate Fondue and Peak at the Catalogue. If your in the area feel free to drop by the more the merrier just remember to bring your own post-it-notes! I supply everything else.

I simple love this invitation, it has all the things I love, dark colours, bling and definitely elegance.

This is a close up showing the elegance of the font.



Here is the whole invitation, a little bling and some ribbon, beautiful.

Close-up of the Wedding Ceremony Program this one is not the traditional one but 4.25 wide by 11 high and prints one side only. Not all programs have to list everything that is happening simpler the better.

Close-up of the medallion and ribbon.

Favour box, very simple and will hold two truffles just nicely.

Back view of the favour box.

Medallion Wedding Guest Book

Customized Wedding Guest Books

I remember when I got married I had such a difficult time finding a guest book that wasn't well your traditional looking. It is amazing that on the market then they didn't have much to choose from. So of course I had to do my own and frankly if I had the tools available to me today then I would have done a much better job.

Over the next month I am going to do guest book designs for some of the wedding invitations that I have done. I will focus on the ones that I have done for my workshop first and then some of the others, let me know if there is a particular one that you would like to see.

With this I will be doing a Blog Give away to those who have purchased the To-Go-Kit and one for those who attended my workshop.

Here is my first guest book using the Medallion Stamp which was featured in the issue Aug 2009 Stampin Success see here.

Front of Book


Interior first welcome page



Guest Pages Top

Guest Pages Bottom Thank you!

Happy Anniversary Darling - 7 Years

Wow Another Wonderful Year!

It is hard to believe another year has gone by and I love you just as much as when we met but even more. How do I say to a man that is so brave, so smart so wonderful that I haven't already said. I love waking up to you in the morning, and I miss you terribly when your not by my side. And I know it is corny but you do complete me and you had me at HELLO! Thank you for everything you do! If I don't say it enough, I love you from the bottom of my heart.

As Paul McCartney c. 1970 wrote and we choose as our first dance on our wedding day. How true those words are for me too.

Maybe I'm Amazed

Baby I’m amazed at the way you love me all the time
Maybe I’m afraid of the way I love you
Baby I’m amazed at the the way you pulled me out of time
Hung me on a line
Maybe I’m amazed at the way I really need you

Baby I’m a man and maybe I’m a lonely man
Who’s in the middle of something
That he dosen’t really understand
Babe I’m a man and maybe you’re the only woman
Who could ever help me
Baby won’t you help to me understand

Baby I’m a man and maybe I’m a lonely man
Who’s in the middle of something
That he dosen’t really understand
Babe I’m a man and maybe you’re the only woman
Who could ever help me
Baby won’t you help me understand

Baby I’m amazed at the way you’re with me all the time
Maybe I’m afraid of the way I leave you
Baby I’m amazed at the way you help me sing my song
You right me when I’m wrong
Maybe I’m amazed at the way I really need you

Happy 52ND Anniversary Mom and Dad!

I would also like to say happy 52ND Anniversary to my Mom and Dad, who also were married on June 7, 1958 and are in love just as much today as they were 52 years ago.

Mom and Dad on their wedding day June 7, 1958, Ottawa, Ontario Canada.

One of the many photos of Mom and Dad when they were dating.

My Mom and Dad and me on my wedding day, June 7, 2003