Guest Speaker Sale-A-Bration Smackdown

Yesterday was a fantastic day, I was the guest speaker at Sale-A-Bration Smackdown for local demonstrators and customers. Basically we get together and learn new ideas and techniques and of course the make-and-takes can't forget them. This was organized by the ever so lovely Marlayne from SparkleDaisy Stamping Thank you Marlayne! 

Over the next few days I will be showing you what I created for this event and what I talked about. This was my very first time as a guest speaker but I have to tell you the ladies made me feel so at ease and so welcomed that it was like a walk in the park. I will also show you the fantastic make-and-takes that we made.

Over the next few weeks I will also be posting my Sneak Peaks for this years Wedding Invitation Workshop. So there are lots of things going on over here in the studio.

Dreaming = Creative = Pillow

Creating for me is like breathing, cut off the creativity cuts the oxigen to my brain, not good. Most of the ideas I have been getting lately have come from dreams I have had. For example, many of the wedding invitations that I have designed come from dreams and anything 3D too.

Generally I don't sleep through the night, mostly a couple of hours. If I am having a creative dream I make sure that I have paper close by and a pen and flashlight so I can jot down what ever it was that I dreamed. Now for most of you, you probably think I am nuts and you might be right but if I don't write it down chances are I won't remember it and that just can't happen.

I love the fact that not only are Stampin Up's Classic Ink Colours fantastic but they also offer a Craft version for many of them that can be used for everthing else that isnt paper. This opens even more possibilites of creating items other than cards of scrapbooking.

I have always wanted to stamp on fabric and I have been dreaming of doing a pillow for so long it seems. Again another one of those dreams. So as one of my projects to "Show and Tell" for Sale-A-Bration Smackdown I designed this pillow using Stampin Up Products!

NOTE: Instructional and supplies PDF to follow.

Creative Escape Weekend Retreat - Oct 1 – 3, 2010 Le Viceroy Auberge & Spa

This weekend I will be attending an event that I have been looking forward to since the beginning of the summer "The Creative Escape Weekend Retreat". This event is going to be so much fun not only are we staying at a fantastic place see here but its a weekend just being creative and relaxing.

We also get:

• A Fabulous Goodie bag with $60 in Stampin' Up! product from the Fall Holiday Mini catalogue.
• We'll design fabulous make and takes that you will make using your goodie bag products!
• Two breakfasts, one 4 course Lunch and a 5 course dinner!!
• Access to the Nordic Baths on Saturday from 4 – 7 pm!! Spa Treatments available for extra fees
• A Candy Bar to help the creative juices flow! lol!
• Pillow gifts throughout the weekend
• 4 demonstrations during the weekend
• 4 optional classes (for additional fees)
• Space to work on your creative projects! 2 people per 6" table
• Draws for fabulous Stampin' Up! products from the holiday mini.

Use of our Stampin' Up! inks, punches, stamps, Big Shot and dies!!!

Plus I get to spend a weekend with friends I have met through Stampin Up, and do nothing but have fun!

To help get myself in the mood I decided to create a little something for each person who is attending so I came up with a these cute little vintage treat boxes all using Stampin Up products. I like to call it the Late Night Emergency Snack Attack. These treats are full of everything you need for a sugar fix, all you need is a glass of cold ice milk. See the recipe here.

I made enough for 40 people and baked 6 trays of Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars and trust me my husband has been enjoying one almost every night I have been making them. So if you are attending this weekend retreat don't for get to get your little treat!

Late Night Emergency Snack Attack Just Aadd Milk

What I used:

• Riding Hood Red, Crumble Cake, Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Riding Hood Red, Early Expresso ink
• Lover Letter Designer Series Paper
• Decorative Label Extra-Large (mini), Modern Label Extra-Large, Petal Card Extra-Large Double Punch
• 5/8 Satin Ribbon Expresso
• Artistic Etchings, Notably Ornate, Bella Toile Stamps
• Antique Brads, Basic Rhinestones