Dress it up!!

Have you noticed that there are some pretty beautiful blogs out there these days? I wanted one!!! So, I went to The Background Fairy and got myself one! If you want to check out all the great designs (and they're FREE!!!) for your blog, just click the link in this post, or the link will always be in the top left hand side of my blog, for as long as I am using their free designs.

Poppin' Pastels

When I signed up to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator close to 5 years ago, the pastels were one of the things in my starter kit. I love my pastels, but I go in spurts of using them. But they are really a great value because you get all 48 regular SU! colours, and with a set of blender pens, you can colour in your projects to match your paper, and accessories, even if you don't have all the markers or ink colours. Pastels can also be used dry, and the set comes with little applicators, but you can also use regular Q-tips.

But, another fun thing to do with your pastels is a technique called "Poppin' Pastels." You just stamp your image in Versamark and then with a sponge or other applicator and watch the image appear before your eyes!! The images on the red paper below have been stamped in Versamark as well, and they just give a watermark effect.... Versamark is a pretty cool product, too!

Here is a sample of this... one of my card club projects from last week.

Valentine's Card

I don't know about you, but I am ready to move onto Spring! But no such luck... we are experiencing yet another downfall of snow, and the Valley is white again. Pretty, but that's it!

So, here's a Valentine's card that I made with my Stamper's Club last Wednesday. We used the Valentine's bundle, which is on sale until the end of January, at 20% off... and the yellow in the letters was achieved with the Bleaching technique.

Terrific Technique

On Thursday evening, I had the first night of my new "Beyond the Basics" club. All the ladies that are in this club have been in at least one of my previous clubs, and for a couple of these gals, this is their fourth club with me! Wow - talk about loyalty - thanks so much ladies!!!

One of the projects we made was this View-Master card. Check out the tutorial on Splitcoaststampers HERE.

Pre-buy class

I have a pre-buy class coming up on February 12th, and it was listed as TBA because I wanted to pick a set from the new catalogue. I love the set for this class... it's called "Trendy Trees" and starting tomorrow, you will be able to see it on page 91 of the online catalogue. The class is $30.00, and we'll be making 4 projects with this set. Please contact me if you would like to sign up for this class... I need to know by February 2nd so I have time to order enough sets.

The rest of the picture!!

Remember the sneak peek I gave a couple days ago? Well, here are the finished projects... no pics yet, but I have several hundred on hand, so I am sure that it won't take long to find some to fill these spots!

I loved what Leanne did on her page tonight, she put a 5X7 on the left side of the black layout, close to the bottom, and then let the circles "float" above the image as well, rather than just along the left hand side. The title was "just me and my dad" and the pics were all of her hubby and son. Sure wish I remembered to take a pic of it before she left with her masterpiece. (If you post a pic of yours, let me know please, Leanne, then I can add a link!).

Look what I've got!!

It's here - the new Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer 2009 Catalogue. It's beautiful! If you are in one of my clubs, you will receive one for free. If you would like to buy one, they are $10.00 each. To have me ship anywhere in Canada, the cost is $16.00 each.

A Teaser...

This Thursday I am having a scrapbooking class. We will be making 2 double layouts... here is a little teaser for you - pieces of the pages we'll be making - the pages are using the 2008-2009 In Colors. There is still room, so email me if you are in the area and want to come to a fun evening of scrapbooking.

Who? YOU!! And invite a friend... please RSVP by Wednesday night.
What? Treasure the Memories, Scrapbook class $15.00 - everything included
Where? My house
When? Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009 from 7:00 - 9:00pm
Why? Because you will get 2 double layouts done in an evening, and you just have to add the pictures!!!
How? It's easy! Your kits will be all ready to go and all you need to bring is your favourite basic adhesive.

stampinsars(AT)hotmail.com

Sweet Stems

Here is another card from my stamping Friday night.... this card is pretty self-explanatory, but both the set and paper are going to be in the upcoming catalogue. I coloured the flowers using ink and blender pens. And a final thought... I LOVE this ribbon! It is the double sided Kiwi/Vanilla silk ribbon and I think it suits this paper perfectly.

Our Visitors ☺

On Thursday night, my cousin and her friend came to stay overnight. They were on their way down to the states for the weekend, and almost had to cancel their plans due to the heavy flooding situation in Washington State right now. I saw some of it on the news and couldn't believe the destruction. But thankfully, I heard today that they got to their destination safely last night and are having a great time!

Here are a few pics....

Maren and Katie picking out a stamp set from my retired sets baskets!! They are both stampers and loved it that I said pick a set... Steve was happy to see some of it head out the door, too!

The kids attacked the girls as soon as they came in the door... but they were great about it, and returned the favour in tickles! Yep, the kids were pretty wound up before bedtime!

Earlier in the day, on Thursday, we had this scene (below) in the office... nice, eh?! The fans on the computer were acting up, so Steve took them into the shop. Seems to be working fine, so I think that they just needed to have a good cleaning. I wouldn't know where to start inside the computer, but I sure like using it, so I'm grateful that there are people that find building and fixing computers "fun"!! A couple years ago our computer completely crashed, and it had the smell to go with it... I thought everything was toast - but the guys at the computer shop replaced stuff, cleaned stuff, and saved ALL my pictures, which of course I hadn't backed up to discs... but I have now!!!

Treasure the Memories

Scrapbooking class
My house
Thursday, January 15th
7:00 - 9:00 pm

Do you love to preserve memories through scrapbooking? Do you find it hard to make the time? Do you want some fun and fresh ideas for your pages? Then this class is perfect for you! We'll make 2 double 12X12 layouts (so 4 pages in all) and the cost is just $15.00. Book your spot today! Email me at stampinsars(AT)hotmail.com

Retiring Accessories

The retiring accessories list is here!! If you want to ensure your order is up to date, or you are out of town, I invite you to place an online order at my website... http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinsars/ or if you want to order with me, please email me at stampinsars(AT)hotmail.com and I will place orders as I receive enough to fill an order. So, you are only guaranteed availability if you order online, but I will do my best if you order via email.

This list will be updated daily, and items in orange are no longer available.

Item # Product Description Availability
111377 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS ROOF GARDEN
112012 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS SEASON TO SHARE
112088 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS TRUE ELEGANCE
102782 ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 12X12
104188 ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 6X6
105384 ALBUM LINEN POST MELLOW MOSS 6X6*
104516 ALBUM LINEN POST NAVY 6X6
105381 ALBUM LINEN POST REAL RED 6X6*
103977 BUTTONS BOLD BRIGHTS*
103978 BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS
103981 BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS & NEUTRALS
105446 BUTTONS RICH REGALS
105445 BUTTONS SOFT SUBTLES
103604 DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 12X12
102174 DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 8 1/2X11
112465 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BANBURY
112462 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GEORGIA PEACH
112463 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GHOSTLY GREETINGS
112040 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GREEN TEA
112470 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAIKU
112460 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAWAII PAPAYA
112469 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HOLIDAY TREASURES
112458 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER JUNIOR VARSITY
112459 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MAINE BLUEBERRY
112466 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MUIRFIELD
112149 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PARISIAN SUMMER
112467 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PRESTWICK
111355 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SUMMER PICNIC
112039 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER WINDSOR KNOT
106523 ENVELOPE TEMPLATE FIVE-IN-ONE CARD COVER
104104 ENVELOPE TEMPLATE MINI
107298 ENVELOPES CONFETTI WHITE MEDIUM
110695 ENVELOPES OPEN END KRAFT SMALL
109115 ENVELOPES OPEN END VERY VANILLA SMALL
103372 METAL EDGE TAGS ALUMINUM WHITE SQUARE
107925 ON BOARD BITTY BOOK*
109190 ON BOARD CLIPBOARD 9X9*
109180 ON BOARD SIMON UPPER
112086 ON BOARD SOMETHING SEASONAL
107923 PAGE PROTECTORS RING 3.25 X 3.25
104942 PUNCH 1/4 INCH CIRCLE
104943 PUNCH 1/4 INCH SQUARE
107273 PUNCH 3/4 INCH SQUARE
104389 PUNCH DOUBLE CIRCLE*
100391 PUNCH HANDHELD 1/8 INCH CIRCLE
104830 RIBBON GINGHAM CARAMEL
104829 RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT BLUE
104828 RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT PINK
104831 RIBBON GINGHAM MOSS
109037 RIBBON GROSGRAIN MORE MUSTARD 1/4 INCH
110282 RUB ON ANCHORED
111806 RUB ON CHILLS & THRILLS
111805 RUB ON SCHOOL DAYS
111417 RUB ON WORD FLURRIES
110283 RUB ONS TAKE NOTE
112193 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN I WISH
112186 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN PINA COLADA
112068 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUMMER HOME
112043 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN U R SWEET
112061 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN WINTER RETREAT
112016 SIMPLY SENT CARD ELEMENTS HANDMADE HOLIDAY
109868 SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT LIFELONG NOTES
103647 STAMPIN STORE MINI
105813 WRITE ME A MEMORY FONT CD VOL II
107212 MATEYS MAP
106749 BRIGHT BULBS
109672 BRONCO
104100 MAKING TRACKS
108978 SANDY SHELLS
110332 SNOW
101233 SNOWFLAKE
109694 SWEET STARS
111249 TAKE A NUMBER


*This item is discounted and included on the Inventory Blowout.

Inventory Blowout!!!

Inventory Blowout

Order ONLINE at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinsars/ click the "SHOP NOW" button at the top under my name, and start saving!!

There are other specials on right now - Love you Much bundle and the Retiring stamp sets. Check it all out at my website!

From January 5-18, get a variety of retired, retiring, and current Stampin' Up! products up to 50% off regular prices!

To see the full line of sale items, please click HERE

Happy New Year!

2008 was great.... As I look back at the year behind me, I feel so blessed. There were lots of family times, dates and weekends away with Steve, dates with each of my kids, and lots of gatherings with friends.

Also, as I look back at 2008, I feel so blessed to have made a lot of new friends. Some through stamping, some in my neighbourhood, and some in my church. I had the joy of helping plan our Klassen (Steve's mom's side of the fam) family Reunion in July, and we got to celebrate with our friends Derek and Crystal that got married in October.

I got to spend time with friends stamping, and I went on several coffee dates with girlfriends as well! One highlight was our half-week with my sister Louise and her family when we met up in Salmon Arm to go camping.

And my little girl getting potty trained is really high on my list as well!

2008 was the year that claimed my grandpa, and I feel blessed to have had so many years with him, and that he got to meet and get to know all of my kids.

I want to wish you all a very Happy, Healthy and wonderful New Year, and may you be truly blessed in 2009!