For all those asking, YES I am again heading to CHA in LA this weekend for the biggest, best, blingiest craft show ever along with my partner in crime Christy Riopel!!!!
And YES we will be partying and playing with the Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine Team!! We even rented a bus to tour LA with many of the other Canadians that will be there... can't imagine that there will be ANY trouble that follows us on that adventure!!!
And YES I am on the hunt for my Top Picks from CHA 2012 so if you see something online you would like me to check out (like this new Bo Bunny line!!), leave a comment and I'll try to go see, touch, smell, and photograph it for you (I draw the line at licking... usually!!)
And YES I am also on the hunt for Splendiferous Sponsors for our Crop and Cruise HAWAIIevent in November this year!!! I can't wait to take a closer look at this line called "Tropical Travelogue" from Graphic 45!!!
So the only CHA thing I am not a clear YES on is if I should try again to interview Tim Holtz!! If you don't know what happened last time, you can go HERE to read about it!!!
And YES we are planning another super fun GIVEAWAY event from CHA where all you need to do is comment, answer questions and participate on our blogs from the comfort of your home!! More details will follow, but we may as well get started even though we don't fly out until Saturday!! So...
Question #1: Should I attempt another Tim Holtz interview? Why or why not?
YES, we will have delicious homemade food again (this year we will also serve a light breakfast of delectables in addition to lunch, supper and snacks!!)
YES, we will have strong abled guys to help carry all your crop supplies in and back out to your cars (and shovel the snow and start and scrape your cars!!)
YES, we will again run an on-site garage sale for attendees and the public (so please start gathering your donations now to bring along to the event!!)
YES, we will offer optional add-on classes taught by our hosts and instructors (will post these as they become available... meanwhile let us know what you'd like to learn!)
YES, 100% of your registration fee and ALL spending at the event will go towards building a home for a very needy family in Mexico!! Have fun and change lives!!
Registration opens Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 at 5am!!!
This book, "Heaven is for Real" landed in my hands through a friend and after reading it, I immediately went out to buy my own copy (found it at Costco). I have the tendency to collect too many books, so I'm more careful now and only invest in ones that deserve the "real estate" on my book shelf... this one was a no brainer!!
It's the true story of a little boy Colton (age 3) who almost died and while in the hospital, went to Heaven and met God, Jesus, his great grandpa Pop (who he had never met) and a sister (who he didn't know even existed as his mother had suffered a miscarriage years earlier and had never shared with him). The details this little boy presented to his parents in the months after his hospital ordeal floored them and convinced them that their little boy did experience something special!!
Colton is now 11 years old and although some of his 3-4 year old memories have faded (whose memory doesn't fade through the years!), he still holds to what he saw and learned in Heaven and his Dad wrote the story. Here's an interview they did on the Today show recently...
I'm getting Brad and my kids to read it too (Justin read it in about 3 hours last night from start to finish!) as it has a LOT to ponder. I was reading it while on my elliptical and burst into tears thinking about getting to see my grandma's again (btw... apparently adults in Heaven are a younger version of themselves! Wooo hoooo!!), I'll get to see my friend Tammy that died when I was 12, Brad's little brother that died as a baby and a host of other friends and family. My favourite part is the hope it offers those who have lost a child... "Jesus REALLY loves children" says Colton :)
So I have TWO exciting things coming up that just so happen to have the very SAME deadline of:
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The FIRST... I'm writing another article for Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine called, "Life's BIG little Lessons" and am having sooooo much fun with it!! And we'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to see your submissions!!! They can be funny life lessons (like this layout Christy Riopel did about our friendship... one of my favourites EVER of hers as it so accurately portrays our crazy beautiful friendship)
or it can be a more serious life lesson (like this one I did for another CS article on Scrapbooking Your Faith... another one of my favourite layouts that I now have displayed in my scrap room as a daily reminder)
Either way, I'd love to hear what you think are "Life's BIG little Lessons" and if you can put it on a layout and submit it for the article, even better!!!! Just get them in by Sunday, Jan. 15!!!
And SECOND... I'm planning on heading back to Mexico this July to build more homes for needy families and am hoping to bring along others who wish to join us!!!! Wanna come????!!!!! WARNING: it will change your life :)
If you want more info, you can go HERE or you can always contact me as I'd love to tell you more!! But the deadline to apply is Sunday, Jan. 15 so you don't have much time!!!
AND... if you can't go, but are interested in helping out support the project, we will be doing some fundraisers again including... wait for it...
Last year we raised $7001 and I am soooooo excited to see what this year's event will bring in and who I will get to play all day with!! Remember, 100% of your event registration and 100% of your spending at the event goes towards building needy homes and schools for those in some pretty sad living conditions in Mexico. I already have tears and goosebumps just writing about it :)
I have a few exciting "Babies" to introduce you to leading up to Christmas!!!! First is this little guy Newton that came to visit me in my "oh-so-close-to-being-ready-studio" this week...
He definitely has a great set of lungs we got to enjoy!!! But it was just pure pleasure to see my friend enjoying the arrival of her new addition (welcome to motherhood Rose!!)
My second baby...
This new addition just arrived in my home this week!!!! It's an Elliptical trainer that my brother who owns Fifth Avenue Club has blessed us with!!!!! I have been woefully leaving exercise out of my life this past year so I'm hoping and praying this will help!! I tried it out yesterday and although it felt like I was going to DIE after only 3 minutes, I pushed through it and ended up going 30!!! And it felt sooooo good!! It will definitely help leading up to my knee surgery and following as well!! So a
HUGE THANKS
to my brother at Fifth Avenue Club (check out his new website) and be sure to check out his club if you work downtown!! It is the BEST PRIVATELY OWNED fitness centre downtown... known for it's Friendly, Personalized Service!!!
So my third baby is directly related to Christmas...
I love Christmas. I really do. It is truly my favourite time of the year.
And no, it's not just because of the gifts (although I do enjoy both the giving and receiving part!) and it's not just because the kids are off school (and I get to sleep in!) or the extra time I get to enjoy with my extended family (we get along great, so no stress there and I love filling my home with them!)
... and it's not just because of all the awesome food (although I am sooooo stoked that Christy Riopelhas invited our family over for one of her infamous dinners!). It's not even the music (I can and will listen to Christmas music all year) nor is it the decorating and pretty lights and bling all though my home (which I adore and have had up since mid Nov!!)
As awesome as all that is, Christmas for me is simply a beautiful reminder of why I am here on this earth... to celebrate my Jesus... the true reason for the season as the saying goes!
Our pastor showed this funny video in church on Sunday... how Jesus' birth would have been handled with today's social media... check it... it's great for a good laugh!!!
So my third baby is baby Jesus... and I have to say sometimes it's hard amidst all the hustle and bustle of Christmas to stay focussed on the why we even have Christmas.
I heard a sad statistic on the news last week... Christmas day holds one of the highest suicide rates of the year. :(
My heart aches for those who don't have the hope and faith that there is a reason for EVERYONE to be here on this earth... no matter what... no matter the trials... no matter the burdens... no matter the disappointments... EVERYONE... even YOU... especially YOU :)
I have had a most blessed life and I have had heartache and struggle as well... but no matter what, I try to keep my eyes on my Jesus. At Christmas, I get to see this Nativity Scene we built (I bought the "action figures" and my brother did the manger, but I did "Isaac's Inn" and "Meshach's Market")...
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
I love that this verse was written hundreds of years before Jesus was even born and I love that it describes Him as a Wonderful Counsellor (I use him a LOT when I'm struggling with life), and Mighty God (He has proven Himself to be more powerful than I could imagine in situations I thought there was no hope), and my favourite... Prince of Peace. Peace in this world is soooo underrated... and I'm not talking between countries (although that is important too), but I'm more referring to the peace in your heart... in my heart... through tough times when it makes no sense to have it... the peace that passes understanding... but it's there for me through Him... and it can be for you to :)
Anyways, those are my 3 "Babies"to introduce you to... my heart's cry is that each of you have a most blessed Christmas with family, friends, good food (including some awesome chocolate "sumthin"), but my greatest wish for you is that you all find inner...
Watch Breakfast Television Thursday, Dec. 8 at 8:10am for my
Top Christmas Crafts and Gifts
for the crafter in your life!!!
#1 Stocking Stuffers (under $20)
My daughter Lindsey made these cute little snowman candy bars one night while I was out!! What a great little gift for teachers, friends, neighbours, etc.!!
Click HERE for instructions on the Snowman Candy Bars!
I love anything and everything glittery at Christmas so I made this beautiful snowflake ornament with some assorted bits and pieces (felt snowflake from Michaels, trinket from Bo Bunny, bling from an old candle holder and Craft and Glitz has recently come out with a NEW CHUNKY GLITTER)!!!
Click HERE for more information on Craft and Glitz Glitter!
Give the gift that keeps giving all year... a subscription to Canada's BEST scrapbooking magazine!!!!
Click HERE for information on Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine!
#2 Projects, Kits & Classes (under $50)
MondayNightClass.ca has come out with a fantastic idea book called "Perfect Page Patterns" based on their fantastic kits!! Just imagine receiving a MondayNightClass.ca Kit along with this idea book!!
Be sure to visit your local scrapbooking stores to find the above and below Bo Bunny, TwiddleyBitz and Tim Holtz goodies as well as great CLASSES (like a Canvas Class on Dec. 12 at Scrapbooker's Paradise) you can take yourself or give for Christmas!!
Scrapbooker's Paradise
Macleod Plaza
#20 - 9250 Macleod Trail S Calgary
Crowfoot Crossing
#45 Crowfoot Terrace NW Calgary
Scrapbookers Bliss
Lincoln Park Centre
#22 - 14 Richard Way SW Calgary
#3 Upcoming EVENTS!!!
Studies show that the joy from an "experience" lasts longer than a tangible gift so why not give an event to someone this Christmas!! Click on the image to learn more about each of these amazing events!!
BTW... I'm teaching two different Photography Classes at the Cropaganza event in Red Deer and you can sign up for just the classes without attending the entire event!! Give the gift of a Photography Class this Christmas :)
Hopefully this gives you some great ideas for your own wishlist this Christmas as well as ideas for the other crafters in your life :)
We are stoked to have these past Crop and Cruise instructors back on board with us by popular demand!!!! Not only are they ridiculously talented (you will learn TONS and TONS of the industry's best TIPS and TRICKS just hanging with them and taking their classes), but they are also more fun than we can even put into words!!! And if a picture's worth a thousand words, check these out from the last time the three of us were together to get an inkling of what's in store in Hawaii:
And as a special bonus, we will also teach you the top ways to wear Hawaiian leis...
The "Roman"
The "Bam Bam"
and the "Scrunchie"!!!
Watch HERE over the next week as we introduce each of these ladies a little better... we promise that their passion for crafting, photography and sharing their heart and soul with you will be inspiring!!! We invite you to join us on this ultimate adventure!!
Guess what one of my next BIG REVEALS is going to be????!!!!!
My NEW STUDIO!!!!!!!
This is just a "sneak peek" of what I've been working VERY hard to get ready!! I did a "test run" this past week with this cutie patootie and absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this new look!!!!
Since moving over a year ago, I haven't really been doing any "official" studio shoots because I have been planning, dreaming, creating and collecting "FUN STUFF" for my NEW studio and working on my NEW website!!! And it's oh so close to all coming together!!!
So this little "test run" has done two things... first, it has just reaffirmed how much I miss doing creative and unique portraits in a studio and second, it's inspired me to get'r done!!!! Not sure if it will be in time for Christmas, but at the very least, I'll have gift certificates available!!
I have met Donna Downey at CHA, but never had a chance to take one of her classes, but I hear they are amazing!! And I can speak first hand about the talent of the others instructors and can't say enough about what each one brings to the craft table!!! As for myself, I will be teaching a brand new photography class and am so excited to have this (see below picture) as part of our venue... a full wall of natural light with such beautiful potential for photos!!
And speaking of venue... take a peek at the rooms we will be staying in...
Not only is it a FULL weekend away (3 days!), but the "Stay and Play" package includes your crop space for 3 days, hotel room for 2 nights, 4 meals and a late night hot lunch right at the hotel, a goodie bag, door prizes and a ton of fun ALL for only $290!!! You don't ever need to leave the building!! Thinking THIS is the perfect Christmas gift for you and/or the scrapbooker in your life!!
So be sure to check it all out and register soon at
in November 2012 is getting SUPER exciting!!! We already have just under 40 people from all across Canada planning to come and it is going to be a seriously HOT TROPICAL PARTY!!!
And guess who our
FEATURED INSTRUCTORS
are going to be????
If you don't already know, I'll give you a hint (if you already know... shhhhh just for awhile to let some others have fun guessing :)
All I can say is this next Crop and Cruise I get to plark (AKA "Work and Play, but more play than work") with my dream team in Hawaii!!! These ladies are not only seriously talented, artistic and internationally experienced teachers, but splendiferously FUN to hang with as well!!!!
It was soooo very much fun to reunite the crafting team of myself with Christine Collier and Christy Riopel for another fun TV segment!!! It's been way too long!!!
So each of us agreed to come up with some fun crafting ideas and here they are!!!
Christine created a fabulous necklace and earings set (blinged up with glittery Mod Podge), some oh "sew" cute felt critters (click HERE for instructions) and a bowl full of eyeballs (styrofoam balls with coloured reinforcements and some red inking effects!)
Christy crafted a stack of treat boxes (from Michael's) and I complimented it with a ghostly lollipop (perfect for young kids to make for their classmates using a white napkin and orange yarn) and a witches shoe that can also hold treats (perfect for the teacher). Click HERE for the instructions for the shoes.
Halloween is definitely NOT my favourite holiday, but I must say I LOVED the elegant decor that Christy came up with... the hats are made with Crate Paper and some lacy embellishments, the rocks were painted with Christy's favourite paint:ChromaColour... then written on with a white Sharpie marker.
Her willow decor was my favourite not only because it had bling, but I can see using this idea for all sorts of holidays and seasons!!!
And her daughters helped put some fun Apothecary jars together (poison is simple food colouring)!!
And my "Speciman Jars" were inspired from HERE and were both disgusting and yet intriguing!! The "Albino Jellyfish Stingers" are simply strands from a hot glue gun, the "Pickled Brains and Eyeballs" is cauliflower and peeled grapes (yes I sat and peeled grapes!) and the "Unknown Specimen" is one of those "mega grow" creatures that grows 600% when put in water. This picture was taken less than 24 hours and apparently it will continue to grow for 3 days so perhaps I'll post an updated picture when it's finished!!! Looks creepy enough for me already though!!! And I darkened the water simply with assorted amounts of coffee grinds :) Easy Peasy!!!
Finally, the "Bleeding Candles" were super quick, easy and inexpensive!! I simply used black acrylic paint to paint red candles then added some small spiders on the holder for extra ickiness and voila!!!!
And now I'm soooooo ready to start thinking about Christmas as that IS my favourite holiday of the year!!
