Merry Christmas one and all from our family to yours!!
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My Digital Studio Challenge - Color Combo 2
 
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With only a couple sleeps left until the main elf makes his trip from the North pole, this is the culminating post of my 10 weeks of Christmas series.  These weekly posts have done many things for me.... extended what I considered the holiday season, made me think outside the box (and around the box too), pushed me to be creative even when I didn't feel like it, highlighted what I enjoy about the holidays, and connect with you. Thank you so much for being a part of my journey to Christmas!!


I don't know about you, but every year I take a ton of pictures;  some of our favourite traditions, funny moments, snow play days, skating, family and friends, Santa and the kids, and of course, gift opening craziness.  This year I have made up a special squash book using the Merry Moments Simply Scrapping Kit to display and keep some of my favourite holiday photos.  Here it is:
What do you think?  It may look like there is a lot happening with those pictures. How does it all go together you ask?  Well, to help illustrate I went back to my fabulous videoing skills and walked through the book.  Take a look! 
Now what do you think?  I think I can't wait to put all my fave pics in there :)

I am planning to offer this as a class after the new year (Thursday December 3rd at 7pm).  The class will come with half of a Simply Scrapping Kit, champagne glitter paper, cherry cobbler seam binding, linen thread, and *NEW* ribbon from the spring catalog! 
If you would like a Merry Memories squash book for your special holiday photos please RSVP by December 2nd. 

What was that?  Did I mention a Spring Catalog?  But it's not even Christmas yet?  I know. I know. For those who are itching to get their hands on it shoot me an email and I will get one to you during the holidays.  It may that while you are sipping cocoa and watching the snow fall you can flip through the new catalog and dream of sunny spring days. 

Happy Stamping!

 
 
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Well, I may be a day late (and likely a dollar short too, I suppose) but here is the 10 Weeks of Christmas post #9.  As it happens, the boys and I brought out the decorations and decked our tree this evening.      
We opted to decorate our tree with all of our homemade and memory keeper ornaments this year. Our memory keeper ornaments include "Baby's First Christmas" ornaments, ornaments with pictures of the kids, and I try to get the boys an ornament every year, so those are up there too. We also started a tradition of trying to buy a Christmas ornament whenever we go somewhere new - this year we got one when we made a family trip through Jasper National Park, one from Stampin' Up Convention, and one from Las Vegas! I love that now when we decorate our tree we can reflect on all those family memories. 

I wanted to share with you all a few easy-to-make Christmas tree ornaments that can be made and given as gifts  or made with your kids to enjoy year after year. 
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Salt dough ornaments stamped in ink with Stampin' Up Cookie Stamps. Kudos go to Jill Buehler for these.
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Glass ornament filled with curled First Edition Paper and Glimmer Paper topped with a Scalloped Tulle bow. Kudos to Desiree Spenst for this beauty.
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Glass ball filled with curled red paper, wrapped with Glimmer Paper coloured black and a Silver Glimmer belt buckle. Kudos to Becky Fleck.
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Varied strips of designer series paper and a strip of red cardstock held with mini brads at the top and bottom. Kudos to Holly Finney for this great gift.
Those are some pretty ornaments that won't break the bank to create and give this holiday season. 
Lastly, I wanted to share y favourite photo from our tree decorating sess this evening.  This is Chae wearing his newly created "moose hat", of course with his hands as the antlers.  He didn't participate too long, but was all smiles while he did.  My older son, Liam, actually did most of the decorating while dancing and listening to not deck the halls..... Gangnam Style, of course. I didn't realize it was a holiday song, but hey....it worked and why not ;) 
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Happy Holidays!
 
Those who have read the intro to me and my life will be aware that I spend the winter months freezing and cheering in various ice arenas throughout the province of BC (and sometimes even  beyond).  This past weekend was much like the rest - full of hockey. Liam's team, the Kelowna Vipers, participated in a tournament in Lumby and went undefeated through the round robin (first three games) and Liam, who plays goalie went through all three games with no goals against!! That means he didn't let in a single goal.  They went on to the championship game and it was a nail-biter!  The game was tied after the final period and went to a shootout. My heart was so relieved that Jack, the other goalie was in net for the shootout.  Still tied after the shootout, so we went on to sudden death shootout and won!
Here is the scrapbook page that I created with his team photo right after they won. Don't you love the overlay behind the picture? To me it looks just like the ice after it has been skated on. Liam is the goalie that is laying down on the right side.  He was feeling more than awesome after they won and absolutely adores his brand new trophy.   
   
 
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If there is one thing I know about this time of year it is how complicated things can be.  Christmas holidays can mean more more stuff to do, more people to see, and less time to fit it all in. Family can be complicated.  Coordinating schedules can be complicated. Gift-giving can be complicated. I hope that todays 10 Weeks of Christmas Post #8 will uncomplicate things, even just a tad for you this year. 

If you have seen the holiday catalog, you have no doubt taken notice of the gorgeous decoration hanging on the cover.  The re-creation of this decoration from scratch will require extensive investment in time and effort that many of us do not have.    But, never fear!

To uncomplicate the holidays, Stampin' Up has released a limited number of kits which include all the pieces (already stamped and cut!) to make 10 of these beautiful ornaments for only $17.95!!  All you need (in addition to the kit) is a glue gun, adhesive glue stick, and scissors. 

I plan to make these beauties and give them to colleagues, teachers, and coaches as a little token of my holiday spirit.
Order now so you will have plenty of time to make them for Christmas gifting—or for your family tree! Online orders available here or give me a call and let me know that you want a Ornamental Elegance Kit. 

 
Me and Stampin' Up are on the same page. They are thinking about how you can wrap up all your holiday goodies too. Check out these great bundles. 
 
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It is time for 10 weeks of Christmas post #7! That means that it is only 4 weeks until Christmas! I always vow that I will start my Christmas shopping in July and be done by October, but here I am again. Four weeks to go and barely anything hid in my closet...Again! 
Maybe I'm putting the cart before the horse, but I've already got some great ideas on how to wrap up my presents this year.  For those that know me, I am very much about Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. And perhaps even more so around this time of the year, so here are my  ideas for getting things all wrapped up all while saving the environment. 

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For those of you who have received a Stampin Up delivery you will know that the ites come with your very own free wrapping paper! Well, it's actually plain brown shipping paper so that your precious items don't shift too much and get banged around.  BUT, with a few stamps and some tulle, you can make your own beautiful wrapping paper.  For this pretty package I straightened out some of the shipping paper on my desk and then stamped all over using the Daydream Medallions stamp set with Real Red, Soft Suede, and Chocolate Chip inks. Then I wrapped it around the box and topped it off with a double bow using Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Tulle Ribbon.  The tag I attached is using the Delightful Decorations set.  I would be thrilled to receive a package like this under the tree. Wouldn't you?    

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For those who prefer to stick things in a bag with some tissue paper how about making your own using paper lunch bags.  I cut off the serrated top and added Organza Ribbon for handles.  To decorate the front I cut a window sheet and stamped it with the Mixed Bunch stamp set in Staz-On white ink.  I added a little bit of designer paper on the left. On the right I cut glimmer paper into a snowflake using the Snow Flurry Big Shot Die and added a Vintage Faceted Designer Button and the simple tag.  What a cute way to wrap a little gift for a teacher or a coach or a colleague.  And these are definitely re-usable.  

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Here is my bag that I will be re-using again and again through the years.  It uses one piece of the Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric.  The bag is made using one fat quarter folded in half, so it ends up being approximately 17" tall and 14" wide.  But, if you wanted you could cut the fabric in half and make 2 small drawstring bags for little gifts.  For the drawstring I used the Organza Ribbon again.  Remember that the fabric comes with three pices of designer fabric, so I ended up making 6 of them. And I finished them all in an hour! If you are interested in mmy pattern, just email me and I will be happy to send you my instructions.  These great fabric drawstring bags will make wrapping up things super quick this year and for the next several years too. I will probably even use them for birthday presents, since the pattern isn't exclusively Christmasy. 

To help you get your Christmas all wrapped up, you can win some BLOG CANDY from me.  Post a comment and I will choose one person to win a package of the Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric FREE!! 

 
Yep, you know it and I know it. The signs are everywhere. Up and down the main street, in the papers, in the event sections of websites, you are being invited to them on Facebook. It is CRAFT FAIR SEASON! 
I, for one, love craft fairs.  Probably because I love handmade items, and supporting local artisans and entrepreneurs, and seeing people I know, and eating craft fair goodies, and finding the perfect gift for the hard-to-buy-for people.  Yeah, I've got a lot of reasons to like craft fairs.  So, no big surprise then that I got to be craft fair seller rather than just a craft fair buyer this year.  Here was my set up today at the Black Mountain Craft Fair. 
I brought Christmas cards, gift card holders, tea wallets, fabric drawstring bags, Christmas cards, treat bags, wine tags, wine charms, did I mention Christmas cards?  Customers also had the opportunity to order an Advent calendar, sign up for the next Stampers Dozen Class, check out some digitally made calendars, and browse the catalogs.  What do you think of the display? Of the items?  Too much? Too little? I'd love to hear what you think, just leave a comment below. 
Here is a slightly closer up picture. 
Of course, a great time was had by all and I'm really looking forward to the next one which is a United Way fundraiser on Wednesday evening from 5-8 being held at Brain Trust - #11 - 368 Industrial Avenue in Kelowna.  Tickets are $15 and there will be wine tasting, appetizers, and of course great shopping. Get your tickets today and we'll see you there!
 
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For 10 Weeks of Christmas Post #6 I wanted to ask when does it "feel like Christmas" to you?  When the snow flies? When the tree is up? When Wal-Mart is open 24 hours a day?  Getting dressed for the first Christmas party? When family shows up? While you're in the midst of wrapping on Christmas Eve? 
For my oldest son, Liam, I think it feels like Christmas when we pull out the advent calendar.  That is when the countdown can really begin.  This year I have made a new advent calendar with Stampin Up products and I am excited to share it with you.      

The advent calendars use the Big Shot PeekaBoo Frames Die and are adhered to the front of a mini muffin pan! So, behind each of the doors is a little cubby hole for items that you choose.  Here are a couple of creative ideas for things to put behind each window. 1. Traditional treats and chocolates scattered with notes to places where other larger presents are hid. 2. Notes with things to do as a family like movie night, decorate the tree, make Christmas cookies, go tobogannings 3.  Pieces of a puzzle or a toy that the child will be able to put together after all the windows are open.   

Each cubby hole is marked with a stamped number from the 25 & Counting stamp set (50% off during the Online Extravaganza until November 28th). Both of these calendars use paper from the Festival of Prints Designer Paper Stack. 

I am happy to be able to offer you the opportunity to order your family Advent Calendar for $40.  Calendars will be available to order until November 29th. Please let me know if you would prefer Green and Red or Red and Blue.
 
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Ready! Set! SHOP!!
That's right it is time to get your Christmas shopping list out and get once-a-year deep discounts. 25-50% on stamps, punches, embellishments, and My Digital Studio!

Today only there is 20% off the Big Shot! This never happens! If this item is on your wish list call me today before 8pm.

The items in the photos below are on sale until next Wednesday, November 28th.  There is no minimum purchase and you can buy additional products from any of the current catalogs on the same order. 
There is something for everyone on your list!

If you are interested in joining my team as a demonstrator there are even greater discounts you can enjoy. Contact me for more information. 
Happy Shopping!