FLASH BACK FRIDAY - Hand Painted Poppies

Trying to get organized some days is impossible so I have decided to give myself a break on Fridays show some of my favourite cards, scrap booking pages and 3D projects I have done from the past. 

So welcome to my first Flashback Friday and enjoy!

It has been so long since I have posted so much has happened that I haven't really had the design bug in me. With the help of my Stampin Up friends I have been able to "Get Back to It" and with that my first project in a long time.

For this project I used the following:

White card stock final size 5" x 7" flat vertical
Pleasant Poppies Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Blender pens
Stampin Up Classic Ink
Text generated on computer

Stamp image using either Early Espresso or Soft Suede as outline, choose your colours for flowers  and buds and stems such as Tangerine Tango, Gumball Green and Lucky Limeade and accent with Soft Suede.

The key to the card is working in layers, light to dark and choosing where the lighting is coming from for me it was coming from the right so I made sure I accented with the Soft Suede on the left side. 

This is a fun project that doesn't require a lot of product and the effect is breathtaking.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wedding LOVE Scrapbook Page

Saving Memories One Wedding at a Time

I am not a big scrap book person not that I don't love to create them but I often find it hard for subject matter. I have no children and frankly I can only do so many pages of my fur babies. I do them of my trips but other than that unless there is a wedding or someone has a baby my designs are usually missing pictures until I find some to add. Yes, I have blank pages waiting for the perfect picture and that works for me.

Today's post is of my second cousin who got married last October. I loved the fact it had my favourite Aunt and Uncle along with my cousin (their granddaughter) in it and decided it needed scrapping.

For this project I used a mixture of Stampin' Up products and Teresa Collins - Carolina Breeze Collection which I absolutely love, grey is my new black. I found these wonderful rhinestone pins / buttons on Etsy and love the wooden letters from Studio Calico inked and varnished.

I didn't write anything other than adding the date as this was a gift for my Aunt and Uncle so I left blank so they could add their own message / memories. 

If you have never taken a cruise before and are interested in knowing what its all about then today's blog is for you. 

Luxury, Relaxation, Fun, and So Much More

I have been on a Carnival Cruise and trust me it was nothing like the one we are going on. If you are looking to party, get drunk and sleep all day then this is not the ship for you. But if you want to enjoy luxury, absolutely wonderful food, have fun with the many events and activities that happens every day then this is the cruise for you. Or you can just relax take in the sun, read a book and do nothing you will still have a fabulous time. This doesn't included the events that we have planned for the days at sea. From the moment we arrived on the ship till we departed the cruise it was fantastic. We took advantage of everything, from the restaurant selection to the spa, to the shows and casino trust me we were never bored.

Now you don't have to try everything and that's ok too you'll have a wonderful time enjoying the wonderful standard options that the ship has to offer. It's Free-styling at it's best! 

The following are a few images I took during out trip on the cruise ship the Norwegian Jewel sailing 11 days from Miami to Southern Caribbean.

What greeted us as we entered our mini suite complete luxury!

Our room so spacious, and did I mention the bed sheets 
oh my goodness like butter!

One of our excursions to swim with the stingrays! 
JC loved it me not so much.

This is the area where the stingrays come into the pen so that we
can play with them isn't the water beautiful.

As we came into port you realized just how high up you are,
we were on the 11th floor this was taken from our balcony.

Heading into to town for a day at the beach.

This is picture perfect and such an amazing place to spend the day!

People would leave there sail boats and take a dinging to 
shore so they could enjoy the waves and beautiful sand.

ST. LUCIA Pinton Mountain Dinner

Check out this little piece of heaven at Ladera

As we waited for our table we enjoyed a drink looking over the
hills and of course Pinton Mountain

Every few minutes we enjoyed a late afternoon shower of soft rain,
we are in a rainforest. As soon as it started it would stop
and the sun would come out. This is the famous Pinton Mountain.
So beautiful.

Rainbow in the water so pretty!

The following are a few images of the exterior / interior of the ship and a little friend I met on the island he loved getting his picture taken, and was a very good strutter! 

Questions Regarding Travel 

Stephanie Lough our Vacation Specialist at Pure Magic Vacations
Visit: http://www.puremagicvacations.ca/destinations/Home.aspx
Call: 1-613-543-3006
E-mail: stephanie@puremagicvacations.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieAtPureMagicVacations

Questions Regarding Events/Classes
Jo-Ann Pullen of www.studionoeight.com
Visit: www.studionoeight.com
Call: 1-613-818-6962
E-mail: cropandcruise2014@studionoeight.com

CROP & CRUISE SNEAK PEAK

Mini Scrap Book Using Crate Paper "The Pier"

Have you booked your trip yet for the Pure Magic Vacations Crop & Cruise Event this coming Feb? If not this should get your creative juices flowing and wanting to join us. Book soon you don't want to be disappointed. Here are the details

Crop and Cruise Details

Prices

Balcony Cabin $1134.01
Interior Cabin $933.01
Ocean View Cabin $1044.01

These Prices included all taxes, gov’t fees
All prices are based on double occupancy. Single supplements available at an additional charge

We can help find a cabin mate if needed.

Deposits are due by October 19th, 2014
Final payments are due December 3, 2014

• The cropping Fee will be $125 if you are bringing someone with you who does not wish to crop the fee will be waived for them.
• Classes will be provided by me and more information will be provided shortly
• There will be give-aways and sponsors and these will be added as we add them. Each cropper will get a bag of stuff.  

The Sneak Peak

Today's post is a tease, yes just a tease of what we will be doing during our 3 days at sea. 

here is a SNEAK PEAK - Mini-Scrapbook Album using "The Pier" from Crate Paper! This mini album measures 4" wide x 7" high, and will be ring bound, but don't think all the pages are that size there are many little secrets to this album that will tickle your creative jeans.

This album will hold mini pictures or cropped photo's also.
And yes those are sequence your seeing got to have some bling!

Loving the little message bubble paper clip wonder what it is hiding?

Cute little spread for a generous photo and some journalling and the circles
they too could have images there is no stopping what you can do.

I love this page also all the things that say fun room to stamp and journal.

Loving the kraft card stock from Papertrey Ink. with "The Pier" by Crate Paper!

Questions Regarding Travel 

Stephanie Lough our Vacation Specialist at Pure Magic Vacations
Visit: http://www.puremagicvacations.ca/destinations/Home.aspx
Call: 1-613-543-3006
E-mail: stephanie@puremagicvacations.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieAtPureMagicVacations

Questions Regarding Events/Classes
Jo-Ann Pullen of www.studionoeight.com
Visit: www.studionoeight.com
Call: 1-613-818-6962
E-mail: cropandcruise2014@studionoeight.com

Scrapbook Page Using My Digital Studio (MDS)

Have You Used My Digital Studio (MDS)?

As much as I love to use paper, stamps and yummy embellishments often I like to create using My Digital Studio (MDS). Or when I am in a pinch for a quick card, trust me this happens often, and then I add an embellishment and some ribbon and done.

Why do I love MDS?

I like the freedom, the creativity that it allows and the price. For this project I used the MDS Lemonade Stand Digital Disc that I received for FREE during Sale-a-bration 2013. I have to say this is one of my favourite lines because it is happy and bright and very versatile. 

Do you have MDS? What are your favourite reasons for using it? And leave me a link and show me your creations I would love to see them!

Do Not Disturb We Had to Much Fun!

I am always looking for different ways to help make each bride and groom wedding be as unique as they are. So I am always searching on pinterest, Google for ideas and ways to make their day special. On one of these searches an idea came up with regards to the couples guests. A unique idea that is so simple; customized door hangers for out of town guests. Why not keep the theme and funny going even when they sleep. 

Here is a sample of one that I have done remembering to keep it clean and simple and easy to read. What a great idea!

Invitation Etiquette for Showers, Parties and for Weddings

INVITATION ETIQUETTE

Ever wonder how you should address a shower invitation or when you should send out your invitations? Where here is a cheat sheet that gives you everything you need to know for your upcoming event(s).

How to Say Your Invited When

Common Wedding Verses

With today's divers couples trying to figure out how to say it can be a difficult thing. The following shows both a traditional and non-traditional way of saying your invited.

Crop & Cruise Update - Mini ScrapBook Class

Shopping for Crop & Cruise

So today I spent the day shopping for products for one of the projects we will doing on our days at sea. I am all about the mini scrapbook and because of the amount of time we have I felt this would be a fun project to do that would not be overwhelming.

Everything will be pre-cut so there won't be any issues getting this project complete and with the extras (embellishments) you are going receive you can shake it up. I design the project but you can add your own personal style by adding or change things to what you like. I am here to guide you with design techniques that you can take with you. 

The product line that I want to use is 

The Pier by Crate Paper

My why I love this paper line

• the 50's colours and style
• the adorable summer icons
  including popsicles, beach and pool must-haves, carousels, ice cream cones and balloons. 
• the adorable kraft paper
• the gold accents to make the palette pop!
• the choice of embellishments
• the fact that it isn't just a beach theme
• the ability to add other product lines easily
• reminds me of when I was a kid (no I wasn't born in the 50's) 

Be on the look out for different embellishments like

• chipboard slide frames, 
• the clothes pins with gold designs, 
• and of course, the paper! 
• pin-wheels pin-wheels pin-wheels 
• Thickers Funkidori so cool with little dots of gold

Look for more posts as I begin to design this class. I hope you enjoy what I chose for this Mini Scrapbook class be prepared for some fun and scrolling down will make you want to get out your flip-flops!!

Questions Regarding Travel 
Stephanie Lough our Vacation Specialist at Pure Magic Vacations
Visit: http://www.puremagicvacations.ca/destinations/Home.aspx
Call: 1-613-543-3006
E-mail: stephanie@puremagicvacations.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieAtPureMagicVacations

Questions Regarding Events/Classes
Jo-Ann Pullen of www.studionoeight.com
Visit: www.studionoeight.com
Call: 1-613-818-6962
E-mail: cropandcruise2014@studionoeight.com

The Ephemera Pack

The Ephemera Pack

Chipboard

Standouts Layered Stickers

Pinwheels & Flags

The Pier Double-Sided Cardstock 

Cuts 12"X12" Splash

The Pier Paper Pad 12"X12" 48/Sheets

24 Single-Sided Designs/2 Each

Addressing Wedding Envelopes - Etiquette Today

ADDRESSING ETIQUETTE

Come Cruise with Us on the Norwegian Breakaway

It's Official

As we start to plan and organize this trip I will be posting pictures and video's of what we will seeing and doing during our cruise. For 3 of the 7 days we will have tons of activities from "Welcome Meet and Greet", "PJ Party Night", "The Scrapbooking Challenge", "Card Swap", "Candy Bar" just to name a few.

First the Ship - Norwegian Breakaway

Last Friday it was confirmed that the ship we will be sailing on is one of the newer ships called the Breakaway, super excited about. A few years ago I did a 11 day cruise with my husband on the Norwegian Jewel and was spoiled rotten. So expect the trip of a life time! 

The following is information on the ship, a video and you can find out more at ncl.com 

As the largest and most innovate ship to ever home port in New York City, Norwegian Breakaway will sail to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda during the spring and summer. In the winter, she will sail to the warm tropics of the Caribbean and Bahamas & Florida. She is uniquely designed to capture the romance of travelling on the water, we've designed an industry-first open-air space to connect you with the ocean on The Waterfront. Indulge in 28 dining experiences, five towering watersides in our Aqua Park, plus be dazzled by spectacular fireworks display on every cruise.

"Cruises for Food Lovers" - Food & Wine - July 13, 2013

Seafood Specialist: Geoffrey Zakarian

Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Breakaway is one of the few cruises departing from New York City harbour. The on-board experience pays tribute to Manhattan with performances by the Rockettes and three seafood-centric spots by NYC chef Geoffrey Zakarian. We spoke with Zakarian about the challenge of cooking for a floating metropolis.

What’s the hardest thing about cooking on a cruise ship?
If you load up the ship on Monday, and you want to serve fresh fish on Friday, you have to plan. We solved that riddle by making sure we understand what we can freeze and what we can’t. The greatest sushi masters in the world will tell you that shrimp is best within 24 hours of being alive, and tuna should be aged five or six days.

What’s your all-time favourite seafood restaurant?
I'm a big fan of Milos, a great Greek restaurant in New York City. They know how to do seafood in a way that really extracts the utmost flavour. You don’t want to adulterate the fish.

Are you a big cruiser?
The inaugural cruise in May was my first. No pressure, right? I grew up in Massachusetts, so I enjoy water and boats—I mean, ships. You can’t say boat. They will get annoyed if you say boat. I got scolded once.

http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/cruises-for-food-lovers

Questions Regarding Travel
Stephanie Lough our Vacation Specialist at Pure Magic Vacations
Visit: http://www.puremagicvacations.ca/destinations/Home.aspx
Call: 1-613-543-3006
E-mail: Stephanie@puremagicvacations.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieAtPureMagicVacations

Questions Regarding Events/Classes
Jo-Ann Pullen of www.studionoeight.com
Visit: www.studionoeight.com
Call: 1-613-818-6962
E-mail: cropandcruise2014@studionoeight.com