Punch Storage

Don't you just love the new design of Stampin' Up! punches? If you are looking for a storage option, here is a great idea... made in Canada.

Order yours soon at the limited price of just $40 CDN (+shipping)... prices go up January 1, 2011.

Punch Rack 36

Check it out at this LINK

O Christmas Tree!!

Our tree is up :)

We started a new tradition... Chinese food on tree decorating night. I have sworn off Chinese food because it is so incredibly bad for you. But deep down I still enjoy it, and Steve absolutely loves it! So, even though I haven't had Chinese Food for probably over 2 years, I thought we could do it just once a year on the night we decorate for Christmas.

Here's the view out my front door last night.

And the view inside my house:


Pulling the tree out of the box and setting it up.... yes, we are most definitely an artificial tree family. I don't have any desire to have a real tree, and I know there are some people that feel like it's not Christmas if the tree is fake! To each, their own, I guess!!

Steve and Scott fluffing up the branches.

Putting on the flags. There are Canadian flags and Norwegian flags. Growing up, we always had Norwegian flags on our tree, and I have carried on that tradition... it also makes for a good divider for the kids' sections of the tree - where they are allowed to decorate. It's an easy way to keep the peace - we don't get any fights about someone decorating on another person's side!!!

Todd was standing on a stool, and he couldn't reach high enough for his angel, so I held his hand and he leaned into the tree and reached up!

Elise got the backside of the tree... she didn't even seem to notice that her part of the tree was the least visible. In the coming years, we'll have to rotate who gets the sweet spot on the tree!

Scott reaching up to put on the star - he couldn't get it straight, and wouldn't let Steve lift him, so Steve straightened it, but Scott still technically put the star on!


After it was done, I was trying to get the kids to smile. Todd's was forced, Scott was in tears (because he couldn't get the star on straight) and Elise had an unknown expression on her face. I said, "C'mon, Elise, you look sick." At that, all 3 of them burst out laughing, and this was the best picture of the night!

A mismatched, mishmash, hodgepodge tree... full of childhood loveliness and decorations that are decades old. It's a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and the kids decorated the whole thing (with the exception of the lights and flags). It's OUR tree!

When the room lights are low and the tree is lit up.... who cares if our tree won't make it into a magazine, it is a special thing for a child to be allowed to decorate the tree. One ornament got broken, but that won't ruin Christmas....

May you enjoy the countdown to Christmas, and remember the real reason we celebrate!

My Digital Studio

There are two ways to get Stampin' Up!'s fabulous digital creating software right now...

#1 - Buy it at half price (for 9 days only!!!)
#2 - Buy the starter kit that includes MDS at half off the regular starter kit price!

If you are interested in either of these options, please let me know!

Here is a card I made this evening. Once the software is set up and you take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with all it's functions... it is really a cinch to use. This card literally took me only 5 minutes to make. I love this software, and it is so user friendly. I just purchased a bunch of the downloads as well, which are added on with just a couple clicks as soon as your order is submitted.

Take a look at my previous post to see the note on current specials. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me and ask away!! Happy stamping, and happy digital creating, too :)

Online Spectacular

Just in time for Christmas.... check out the online Spectacular! With savings of up to 50% off, you'll want to check out my website and save on everything from stamps to fabric to embellishments and wall decor. There is something for everyone!

Click HERE for all the details.

Note - in order to get the best shipping rate, orders must be placed through my website - here's the link: Sarah's Stampin' Website!
*note - both links take you to my site. Prices apply to Canadian shoppers only.

Stampin' Great Deals...

Don't miss your chance to get all the goodies in the starter kit, or the MDS software + kit (My Digital Studio) for JUST $107.50. What an amazing price. (Regular price MDS is 106.95, so this means you are getting the software PLUS the starter kit for just 55 cents more than MDS alone!) WOW!

This great opportunity is only offered until the end of the month. Don't miss out... contact me today!

Here is a link to the promo flyer... STARTER KIT SPECIAL

If you decide to do this (if you've been the least interested in getting MDS, this is an offer that won't likely repeat!), just head to my website HERE and the sign-up password is freedom. Just type in "freedom" when they ask for the code and you'll be all set. I look forward to having you on my team!

I've been busy...

Over the last several weeks, I have been busy getting ready for a craft fair that I was selling cards and gifts at this evening. It was a lot of fun, and it was a fundraiser for the elementary school a couple of my friends' kids go to... so that is a great cause! I haven't been in a craft fair for a few years, and it was great to be behind a table again. I think I will sign up for a few next year, and maybe even keep my ears open for some in the Spring.

Anyway, over the next few days, I will share some of the projects that I was selling... some are still available for sale if you need some stocking stuffers or cards!! Just in time for Christmas. But for tonight - here's a picture of me at my table :) Thanks, Karen for stopping by and taking my picture!

My Family

We took this today on a family walk at Othello Tunnels. Some other ones are going to be potential Christmas card photos... this one was just so-so, though, so I don't think it will make the cut. But still thought we did ok to get everyone looking at the camera and smiling at the same time!

All I can say is...

WOW!
When people think I have a lot of stuff....
I might just have to direct them to this gal's photos.
Isn't this craft room
AMAZING?!
Inspires me to beautify mine a bit more.
Mine is function,
but it's not really beauty.
Maybe I'll have to take that on as a
winter project!

Click on the link below:

Celebrate Creativity's Amazing Craft Space

Dress-up Fun!

Last night for Halloween, we went out to our old neighbourhood to visit a bunch of old friends. We found about 10 people at home and caught up on the happenings of our old turf. We never trick-or-treat at strangers' houses, or even in our current subdivision... first off, the kids don't need that much candy, and we've never done it, so the kids don't know any different... and there are...

too. many. people!!!

It's also become tradition for us to visit Steve's parents after we've been to a few houses. His brother and fam were there, too, so we got to see their little tricksters, too!

In our family, we had a Sheriff, a Nun, a Pirate, a Hockey Player and one Tigger :)

Easy Bag

Here's one more bag to share from last weekend... it is just basically squares sewn together with handles. Elise picked the fabric for her piano bag, so that's what this one is for. This is the easiest bag ever. To stiffen it up, I added flannel between the layers. I am thinking of sewing up a few of these (maybe a touch bigger) to have as reusable shopping bags. We are pretty good at recycling, but every time we go shopping, I get a pang of guilt for all the plastic bags we use. We have a few reusable bags, but not nearly enough for a big shop!

The inside. The bag is reversible, but Elise said she liked the all-blue side best.

Squash Soup

I don't often share recipes on here... it's not really my thing, and there are so many awesome cooking blogs out there, you hardly need me to add my 2 cents on food! If anything, my husband should have a food blog, not me!

But, after getting some squash from my parents' garden this Fall, I thought I would make some soup. I had some in a restaurant awhile ago, and it was so good. So, I Googled "Butternut Squash Soup." I am not sure what kind of squash this was, but I figured it would do even if it wasn't an official Butternut!!

I'll put the link to the recipe I used below. I changed a few things... I used Onion soup mix instead of the chicken stock, and I used green onions instead of a regular onion. I also added some corn. Other than that, I think it was pretty much the same. I could have used a bunch more baby carrots, but I only had a few, that's why my picture isn't quite as lusciously orange as the one on the link. Before I put the squash cubes in the pot, I cut it in half, took out the seeds, then put the halves in a big bowl with a cup of water and microwaved it for 9 minutes. This softened it up really well, and then I was able to peel it with no trouble at all. Steve and Elise loved it... the boys endured it, but I think it was more the thought of squash soup that did them in, rather than the taste!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Phoebe Bag

I am so excited... I made a "Phoebe Bag by Rebeka Lambert" and it turned out GREAT!!!

The directions are wonderful, and they are free! I bought this fabric to use on a different bag pattern, but when I saw this bag, I liked it a lot better than my original choice. The only thing I would change is the kind of clasp I used. I sewed in a magnet in the front of the bag and the flap, but it isn't strong enough, so to reinforce this, I will probably add a small snap on that flap, too.


I love it when a plan comes together! I sewed this whole bag with invisible thread, and while it is a pain to fill a bobbin with this thread, I sure love how it covers your sewing sins - especially on the top stitching portion.


LOVING this bag... I think I will now make one in every colour :)

Are you part of the "Bag Ladies Strike Again" facebook group? If not... why not?!!! There are tons of free online links to patterns in the Discussion pages, and the collaborative talent on the site is astounding. Join today and be inspired to sew something, or share photos of some of your recent projects! There are over 40 sewers that have already joined the group, and the discussions are not just about bags, but any kind of sewing project you can imagine!

Rag Quilt Purse

A couple months ago, I started this Rag Quilt Purse. When I started it, I didn't own the Scallop Square Clear Bigz die from Stampin' Up!, so I just cut my squares 4 inches big.

The next one I make will be done with the Bigz die, for sure! At the bottom of this post, I will include a couple links on how to make this purse.


Rag Quilt Purse Tutorial
Part One
Part One add on
Part Two

And here is a video that you might like that showcases a whole bunch of beautiful rag quilt purses. I am going to make a bigger one next time.
Lots of rag quilt bags!!

Caramel Apples

My boys are part of a Pioneer Club in town. Later this month there will be a Fall Funfair, and I was asked to bring some caramel apples. So.... since I've never made caramel apples, I quickly checked out the process on YouTube and realized it is a piece of cake!

As a family, we decided that we needed a practice run. After all that.... I find out that we will be using a different kind of caramel, so you just drape a big sheet of caramel over the apples and melt it on there. Oh well, this old-fashioned process was a pretty fun family activity, and may just have me hooked on caramel apples for the season!!!

Do you make caramel apples? What is your favourite kind of apple to use? The Granny Smith in this picture is Steve's. The rest of these are Gala apples that I picked up at the Apple barn last week :)





We melted the caramel in the microwave... next time I would do it over the stove. The first couple apples covered fine, but then the caramel cooled really quickly.

After they were set a bit the first night, we cut into them like we saw the guy on the Home Shopping network do! Everyone got one taste, and the rest of the apple had to wait until morning.

Apple Barn

Last week, I got to accompany Todd's class on their field trip to the Apple Barn. It was a great afternoon of tasting apples and apple cider, tractor riding, pumpkin choosing, listening, playing and learning. The kids had a great time, and I am so glad I went along.


Tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch... the kids were allowed to choose one pumpkin each, but the rule was they had to be able to carry it themselves :)


Loved all the different colours and textures...

The apple sorter from the '50s... still works great!


Todd and his buddy heading out to get their pumpkins... can't you just hear them sayin, "You been farmin' long?!"

Photos

Click on the link to see a few pictures of my babies... these were taken in August for the "Imagine Kids" photo book being created by Revival Arts Studios.

My Kids' Photos.

Science World

Do you ever start something, think you finished it, and then come back later (and in this case... days later!) only to find out you didn't even come close to finishing it? Well, I was SURE I finished this post.... nope! I just found it in drafts. Oops!

So.... our trip to Science World.

The kids had fun, but it is a bit of a schmoz at SW right now because they are doing major renovations, and a lot of the space that had exhibits is blocked off. But we were there on a great deal of a Family pass, so I wasn't going to complain!

And.... for what we saw, we enjoyed. Here are a few pics to highlight our day.... The live shows were excellent - we caught the last three of them.


Todd volunteered during the Electricity show. He held a light bulb as it lit up.


So, then Elise volunteered. She didn't know it, but she had volunteered to be the grounding rod for a big static electric shock!

Then, later in the day... Todd volunteered again. This time during the "Science Surprises" show.

So... Elise volunteered again, too. (you saw that coming, right?!!!) She got to sling-shot a chicken to the 2nd floor, and this pretty much made her year!

Todd loved this oversized piece of "plastic cheese."

Scott found a frog statue to pose on...



Outside (I think this area is called False Creek, but I am not for sure on that) there was a playground that the kids got their sillies out on before our ride back home.

Then there was some more posing and photos... It was a great Family Fun Day.

Just like the sign...

My Gems.