CANADA'S OLYMPIC MEDALS AT VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPIC GAMES

First of all you should know I can't play ANY sport without embarrassing myself. But I love to watch them! It must have come from growing up with two older brothers and a mother that would knit to the play by play of the World Series on radio!

So having the Olympics in Canada is thrilling, as I've already mentioned. In honour of that I've created a card to keep track of our Canadian medals - not the most important part of the Games, but definitely an interesting one!

Here it is before we won any medals on Day One:

And here it is on Day Two:

Yay for Jennifer Heil, she won the Women's Moguls Freestyle Silver Medal!!!

HAPPY ST. VALENTINE'S DAY!

St. Valentine's Day at last!

This is a card I made using the new tiny heart punch in the Occasions Mini. I've found so many uses for this little heart. Whatever I've made for Valentines or someone I love,  I've added a few extra little hearts to spice it up (or cover those inevitable mistakes!!)

I hope you celebrate Valentine's day - If there is no one to do something special for you, please do something special for someone who needs your love and kindness.

2010 OLYMPIC GAMES!

Last night was the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada - it was spectacular. I spent part of Friday watching the final leg of the Torch Run, and then the ceremonies. My thoughts go out to the Georgia team and the family of the Olympian that was killed in his training run. A sad reminder of the danger that accompanies the glory of the games.

I am thrilled that the Olympics are being held in Canada, and you'll probably hear me mention it often in the next two weeks!

Although I know it would inspiring to be in Vancouver, I am happy to watch the games on TV where I can catch all the 'instant replays' and listen to the commentators give background info.

I wish everyone from every country Good Luck, and all I have to say is

GO, CANADA, GO!

WINGED SPRING

This is a set I made with directions from Jackie Topa (love her stuff!) It has all the spring colours I love plus it uses the Eggcellent Eggs kit and the Extra Large Two Step Bird punch from the Occasions Mini.

Isn't the fence just sooo cute!

It's hard to believe that some of these designs were made with the bird punch, but then Jackie is a whiz with punches!!

The borders are so easy and pretty using the Eggcellent Eggs kit, and I love the rhinestones.

Enjoy!

MOM & ME CLASS

I held my first Mom & Me class in Elmsdale last weekend and I'm thrilled because the kids all want to do another one!

This is what we did this month, with a Valentine's theme of course!

Each participant made four of each of the small valentines for a total of twelve, then we made the container for them. The large card was made for a special adult - Mom or Dad, a teacher, or a special relative. Finally we finished off with the candy bag and topper.

All of the kids did a great job on their project!

VINTAGE WITH BLING

One of my favourite sets in the Occasions Mini catalogue is Vintage Vogue, along with the Very Vintage jumbo wheel. And when you combine it with gold glitter - well, I must confess - I really like the result:

I took this photograph with an 'Orchid Opulence' background, looks pretty in real life but throws the colours off in photographs.

I used Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede, and Very Vanilla cardstock, Soft Suede ink, and our Fine Galaxy Gold glitter. The sentiment is from the Well Scripted set, also in the Occasions Mini. The ribbon is the Pretty in Pink 5/8" satin.

The ruffle around the sentiment was made using the Scallop Trim Border punch, running it through the crimper and then gathering it around the oval. The crimper really helps to make this possible.

Hope you like it!

MORE VALENTINE CARDS

Did you miss me? I've just returned from the Leadership Conference in Phoenix, and it was amazing! I have lots to share but first I want to show you two cards I created just before I left. This first card features the "Sending Love" Specialty paper in the Occasions Mini (page 13) This paper is gorgeous and comes complete with glitter! I experimented with mixing the bold designs and I really like how it turned out. The card stock colours used are Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, and Very Vanilla. I also used the Scallop Border punch that you can earn for free from the Sale-A-Bration catalogue, and the Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch from the Occasions Mini. The sentiment is also a new set from the Occasions mini called "Well Scripted".

The next card uses the same "Sending Love" DSP, but I used a smaller print along with card stock in Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, and Very Vanilla. I used the Pinking Hearts Border punch, and retired satin ribbon in Chocolate Chip (we have new satin ribbons in the Occasions Mini in a whole variety of colours but they aren't quite as wide.) The flowers are from Flower Fushion in the retired colour Pink Pirouette, held together with a Real Red brad. The sentiment is again from "Well Scripted". There are lots of beautiful new products in the Occasions Mini so be sure to take a look! Call or email me to place an order.

Soon I'll be posting photos of swaps I received at Leadership, so stay tuned!

3-D Swap

I've only managed to pull together one 3-D item to swap, but I really like it. It's a style we used in a Christmas class, but this time I used a Valentine theme.

This is a combination card/mini album, and I used one sheet from the truly divine "Sending Love Specialty" paper in the Occasions Mini. One side of each sheet has glitter - I love it!! The other cardstock used is Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla, and Real Red.

Inside I used punched hearts and borders, stamped messages, and love quotes I printed on cardstock using my computer printer.

I also used some of the new "Sweet Pea Stitched Felt". There are 52 pieces in five colours to mix and match. And although I used a lot of embellishments there is still room for personal messages or photos!

On the last page I attached a pocket which holds four 'Love Coupons' - always fun!

And I stapled ribbons to one end of the coupons so they are easy to remove.

I hope you like this fun little folder.

Carol

Last Swap Card

This card is as soft as the previous Valentine card was bold. The colours used are Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink, and Very Vanilla, with a touch of Chocolate Chip ribbon to anchor it all.

Again I used the "Scallop Trim" corner punch and the polka dot impressions folder (both in the new Occasions mini). I also used one of the dies from the Sizzlit 4-pak "Lots of Tags", and the stamp set is "Charming". I used a sponge dauber and Pretty in Pink pastel to sponge the flower design.

Another Card to Swap

This card is for a Valentine Swap and I like the dramatic combination of Real Red, Basic Black, and Whisper White. There's nothing shy about this card!

The stamp set used is "A Happy Heart", plus the new "Scallop Trim Border" punch (you're going to see a lot of this one!). The background is the "Finial Press" textured impressions folder, and the hearts in the Scallop Circle Punch are found in the new Occasions mini.

When you lift the flap of the 'tic tac toe' design, you find the message.

Hope you like it!

Carol

Leadership Swaps

In the next few days I'll be sharing with you a variety of cards that I've made to 'swap' at the Stampin' Up!Leadership Convention. And that also means I'll have a whole new batch of cards to show you when I get back too!

The first one uses a new Occasions Mini stamp set called "Garden From the Heart". Most of you know that flowers and gardens are close to my heart so this set was a 'definite'. I've used the spring garden colours of Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, and Very Vanilla. I've also used the new "Scallaop Trim Border" punch from the Sale-A-Bration catalogue - you can obtain it by placing a $65 order and choose it as your treat! (See the Sale-A-Bration and Mini Occasion catalogues by clicking on the icons on the right hand column.) The matching corner punch is in the Occasions Mini, along with the butterly embosslit.

Oops! Forgot to mention the raised polka dot background is made with the new "Perfect Polka Dots" textured impressions folder.
Hope you like it!

Carol

It's Still the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Wow, just get over Christmas and the New Year celebrations and we're still having fun. The new Occasions Mini catalogue and the Sale-A-Bration catalogue go live on Tuesday! And there are so many neat new things to check out! Like gorgeous new punches...and beautiful Valentine DSP... and of course new stamps, but they are more than new - they are also available with Clear Blocks!!!

Now I'm a traditional kind of gal, and thought I'd try out a set of the clear block stamps just so I could give you my honest opinion... WELL, I Love Them!!! And it doesn't hurt a bit that they are less expensive than the traditional wooden block style (both styles are available in new stamp sets).

I'm off to Leadership this week, but if I can get my camera working I'll be giving you photos of the new products and cards I have made with them. Until then - take a peek at the catalogues (see - they are over there on the right hand column). If you want a copy of your own just let me know and you can pick them up at my studio!

ESPECIALLY FOR BIG SHOT OWNERS!

Wow - lots of treats for Big Shot owners, plus new colours of Decor Elements Vinyl! Visit my on-line Stampin' Up! store site to order. Simply click on 'order now' then click on the '12 days of holiday sales' in the left column. Or you can contact me to place your order. Have fun!

Things to Remember:

The sale begins Friday, December 11, 2009, 12:01 AM (MT), and ends Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 11:50 PM (MT).

Discounts range between 15-25 percent.

All items on sale can be purchased for all 12 days.

There are no quantity limits.

There are no qualifiers to receive the discount.

For online orders, discounts will be reflected in the "regular price"; "catalogue price" will show the non-discounted price.

Isn't it Pretty!

I've just had a new Blog banner designed by Laycock Designs, and I love it. Michelle is a fantastic designer and offers a multitude of services. You can visit her at http://www.laycockdesigns.com/. Tell her I sent you!

LAST MINUTE GIFTS

There are only 17 days left until Christmas! Can you believe it!
Do you still have loved ones to buy gifts for? Me too. Stampin' Up! has some last minute gift ideas, and if you contact me by December 10th (Thursday) they will arrive in time!


My Digital Studio is a great gift for all ages! They will love making scrapbook pages, cards, and calendars for themselves and friends using the simple software. Plus when you order this exciting software suite, you'll receive a free Décor Elements piece valued up to $22.95!

Simply Sent card kits are a great ready-to-wrap gift and have everything you need to complete 10 cards. This is the perfect last-minute gift for card makers or people you think may like making cards!

Anyone who has a Big Shot will want the Alphabet Simple Letters Bigz die. It can cut through a variety of materials including vinyl, chipboard, and felt. This makes a great gift for a seamstress who would like to sew custom appliquéd pieces on her projects, someone who wants to create her own vinyl phrases to personalize their home décor, or any paper crafter who uses letters. And when you purchase this item, you qualify for a free Décor Elements piece valued up to $22.95!

Add the final touch to your gift that says "I was thinking of you when I bought this gift" by personalizing it with Décor Elements. Add an Upsy Daisy Décor Elements to a laptop or cut it apart and apply it to a cell phone. Put all of the toys from Santa together in one container and add the So Many Toys Décor Elements to it, or use individual letters to add monograms and names to your gifts. These extra special touches won't go unnoticed.

Something different, something special, something to solve your shopping problems. You can order directly on-line or contact me through email or phone.

BUT - if you're looking for something for yourself, mark Friday, December 11 on your calendar as Stampin' Up! is releasing the 12 Days of Holiday Sales with many never-before-discounted items!