As I was preparing my cards for this Saturday's Big Shot projects class, I was so inspired by the Mojo Monday 155 sketch challenge that I just had to run with it!


My colour combo for this card was predicated by the Sweet & Sour Specialty Designer Paper that I chose to use: Peach Parfait, So Saffron and Rose Red.

I love this paper not just for the cool patterns and sparky colour combos, but also for the cool glossy designs you find on one of the sides.

I'll be demoing how you can make your own glossy designer papers at our October 'Palooza event -- it's super easy and is a great effect.

The center flower was made by using 2 different DSP cut-outs of the Daisies #2 die, and then adding a Very Vanilla button from the Deck The Halls Big Designer Buttons collection to the centre on a Stampin' Dimensional.

A little punched-out flower from the Boho Blossoms punch and some rhinestone bling and it's done!

Saturday's Big Shot class is at 1pm - so be sure to RSVP if you want to join me!

Labels: Big Shot, classes, Mojo Mondays, Sketch Challenge

(Don't forget that today is Monday, and my weekly stamping newsletter goes out
-- this week's project are cool sunflowers! Click here to subscribe...)

There's a lot of fun stamping going on this week at the studio, and I hope that some of you will be joining in on it:

Wednesday (6-9pm), Thursday (6-9pm) and Friday (1-9pm) are all my Open Stamping Nights, where anyone can come to stamp with us, not just the Stampers Club gals.

We'll be making 3 different projects on these days:

• a gorgeous Lovely As a Tree card featuring the Dryer Sheet technique
  
• a French Foliage card using masking & sponging and
  
• crazy adorable "bug" critters favours using the Sweet Treat cups.

You're welcome to RSVP for any of these 3 dates... cost of the class is FREE with a $25 order placed that night, and don't forget my free shipping special is on right now too!

I'm still accepting sign-ups for another Stampers Club group, so if you want to join up and receive FREE hostess merchandise and sets plus have a super time with other stampers, this could be great fun! Contact me for deets....

Saturday's 1pm class is my monthly Big Shot class where we'll be using my favourite die-cutting machine to make lots of cool projects:

• one using the new Candy Wrapper die
  
• making an adorable baby bib card using the Scallop Circle die
  
• a Halloween card using the Spider Web Textured Impressions Embossing folder
  
• and one more bonus project.

Cost is $25 for the class which INCLUDES a 10 yard spool of the "Raven Lace Trim” from the Holiday Mini Catalogue! (RSVP)


Last but not least, our monthly Canadians, INK! Team Gathering is on Saturday evening at 7pm. This is a chance for our peeps to get together, share new techniques, stamp some fun projects and enjoy our time together.

Be sure to RSVP if you are in Toronto and would like to know more about the fun demonstrators have.

Labels: Canadians INK team meeting, classes

My birthday celebrations start at home this week, as our family has a fun tradition of celebrating each day leading up to one's birthday. So I figured, why not spread all this birthday joy to my beloved customers by offering a perennial favourite:
FREE SHIPPING!

All Canadian Stampin' Up! orders placed with me from now until midnight Monday September 20th will qualify not only for my free shipping special, but also EXPEDITED SHIPPING through FedEx, which means you'll be getting spoiled with super fast delivery.

You'll also receive my 22 page September tutorial for the Just Believe Stationary Kit!

You can place your order in person, by email or just drop me a line. If you prefer to place your order online, I'll simply refund the shipping costs via e-payment or personal cheque, your choice.

Please note: Orders over $65 can ship direct to you, under $65 will be sent to my studio for local pick-up.

Don't forget that there's still time to join in my Birthday Card Contest. I've received some gorgeous cards already and look forward to featuring them here on the blog between Sept 14 and 19, while I'm away at Founders Circle!

P.S. On a personal note, I want to thank everyone who sent us good wishes and prayed for the safe return our our beloved snake Patty. Our silly little corn snake had escaped her vivarium by squeezing out through a weak link in the mesh top over a week ago and we tore our home apart looking for her.

She was eventually found 2 nights ago when Brent was reaching into the washing machine to move the clothes into the dryer. He spotted something moving between the drum and the side of the machine and yelled in surprise. She'd obviously crawled up from UNDER the machine...luckily she wasn't actually being washed with the clothes - LOL! It was just nice and warm under there. We are SO happy she's safe and fine!!!!!!!

Labels: Free Shipping Special

Today found me hunting around for another sketch challenge to play with, and POOF! like magic into my inbox came Gretchen Barron's Wicked Cool Sketch (SSC167) from Stamping 411.

Rather than get too frou-frou with it, I kept to very simple lines to go with the fresh & modern appeal of the paper.

Boy, I've really been on a kick with the Candy Cane Christmas DSP . You would think that since I just finished designing 10 projects using it for Stampin' Palooza that I'd be tired of it by now but, nope! not yet :) Ask me again if I still feel that way on October 3rd, though -- LOL!


Happy stamping on the long weekend,
Caroline

Labels: Sketch Challenge, Stampin Palooza Holiday Blitz

I was super excited to try Connie & Mary's latest sketch challenge (CCMC114).

It was a little tricky combining all the different elements together, shape-wise, but what made it easier was using the new "Candy Cane Christmas" Specialty Designer paper from the Holiday mini catalogue. Yum Yum!

You see how big the Blushing Bride button is? It's part of the assortment of 4 colours worth of Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons

Unfortunately the photo of the card doesn't do justice to the paper itself or the Glimmer Brads that are holding the snowflakes in place -- the red glitter is so fabulous in real life! I guess you just need to get your mitts on some to see what I'm talking about, or else I can show you tomorrow in person at my Holiday Mini Catalogue Open House event.

Ahh, there we go -- a close up should help out. See what I mean? It's just fabulous how much sparkle and shine there is on this paper!

For our Holiday Blitz 'Palooza event in october, all 10 of our projects are themed around the Candy Cane Christmas suite of products from the: from the stamp set and Designer paper to the Glimmer brads and satin ribbons. We're even using Stampin' Up!'s new 100% cotton fabric as well in one of them!

Big thanks are going out to both Connie and Mary for providing us with a great sketch challenge to play with. I'll definitely be back for more!

Labels: A Cute Christmas, Sketch Challenge

It's time for another STAMPIN' PALOOZA event!

Come join us in Toronto on Saturday October 2nd for a fun-filled day where you'll stamp all day, learn new techniques and make 10 fabulous holiday themed projects to take home.

Great food, stamping fun with friends, prizes, demonstrations, goody bags & more are all included in your registration fee. Please note, attendance is limited to 60 people so register soon :)

• You'll get a brand new 9 piece stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalogue called "A Cute Christmas". Demonstrators can even select a special ticket option that does not include the stamp set, so that they can order it themselves.
  
  
  

• 10 Fantastic Make & Takes: We will have 10 holiday themed projects for you to make, including a christmas clock, holiday planner, fabric covered candy gift jar, cards, tags and more! (see supply list here)
  
  
• Continental breakfast, lunch, ice cream sundae bar and beverages will be provided for you. I promise you won't go hungry!
  
  
• A goody bag at the door with everything you'll need to make the day a success including pen, notepad, photos & instructions for your make & takes AND a few other surprises thrown in!
  
  
• WOW & Technique demonstrations: We've got some great presenters with neat things to show you, and you'll get to see them up close & personal and ask any questions you might have.
  
  
• SIZZIX BIG SHOT MACHINE GIVEAWAY: If you love cardmaking and scrapbooking, learn more about this fabulous die-cutting machine. One lucky person will win one for themselves!
  
  

• Cardfront Swapping (optional). You can get some great new ideas by participating in this cardfront swaps with other attendees.
  
  
• HUNDREDS of dollars in stamping-related prizes!
  
  
• Access to our sale table which will include retired stamping products and card kits.
  
  
• A FABULOUS DAY OUT with other crafters, doing what you love and having FUN!
  

Labels: Stampin Palooza Holiday Blitz

I am so happy to announce that due to my amazing new "Canadians, INK!" team members, I was lucky enough to earn a special incentive from Stampin' Up!

For the entire month of September, I get to offer to all my customers a FREE upgrade to EXPEDITED SHIPPING on all their orders, thanks to my recruiting achievements in August. Isn't that fabulous??

So go ahead... stock up on all the fabulous new goodies you need, and either place your order online or through me and your order will automatically get put into a special queue for super fast delivery. WOOOHOOOOO!!

Don't forget, you also receive from me September's new 22 page tutorial for the "Just Believe" Stationary Set as a special bonus... I just love my customers and hugely appreciate your loyalty and support the past 8 years I've been a demonstrator :)

Labels: Expedited Shipping, Founder's Circle

So, I got up my nerve to participate in a sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers (#SC296) and had an absolute blast doing it. I can tell already that these can be addictive, as I'm already itching to do another

I'm so happy with it in fact, that I'm be offering this card as one of the 10 we'll be making at my Sept 25 Holiday 10 Card Class! I'm hoping my class peeps will like it as much as I do :)


The colour combination I chose was Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler -- all predicated off the Deck the Halls DSP I picked for the card.

A few other key elements were the bird from A Cardinal Christmas, the torn cardstock vellum layer around him and of course those fabulous new Antique Brads. I didn't know which of them to choose for the card... they all looked so good to me!

So tell me, what are your favorite sketch challenges to partipate in? I'd love to learn more!



*NEW* "Deck The Halls" 8 Card Kit

Your card kit will include enough materials to create recreate this card 8 times, saving you all the time and energy in designing, measuring and cutting things up!

You will receive all the cardstock bases and various size layers, Designer paper pieces, assorted Antique brads and envelopes, however you will need to supply the stamps and inks yourself. Let your imagination go wild!

• A few suggested holiday stamp sets: A Cardinal Christmas, Angelic Joy, Snow Swirled
  
• Suggested Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Shipping Options - Canada only

Pick-up $15.00 Mailed out $19.00

Labels: 296, Card kits for sale, Sketch Challenge

Have you ever needed a note card and not had one on hand? It’s frustrating, right?

Imagine the delight you will feel each time you open your stationery set and can send out one of these beautiful ready-to-go notes. Or maybe the pleasure of giving the perfect personal gift to your sister, mom, friend, co-worker, or teacher?

Experience the joy of handwritten notes and how they help keep you connected with friends and family in a heartfelt way that email just can’t duplicate.

In this 22 page tutorial, you will learn how to make:

• 4 Note Cards with coordinating envelopes
  
• 4 Mini Notes with coordinating envelopes
  
• One Stationary Box with dividers
  
• Bonus#1 Printable Note Card and Mini Note Envelope Templates
  
• Bonus#2 Stamp-a-ma-jig Instructions

This project features the beautiful Just Believe stamp set and Texture Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel. Unique, yet simple, details and stylish colors combine to create a stationary set that is perfect for notes any time of year.

Anyone placing an order in September will be sent this tutorial as a free "thank you" gift from me. Contact me today to join the fun and get a jump on your letter writing and gift giving!

Labels: Free tutorial

Yippeee... it's September 1 so that means our new Holiday Mini Catalogue 2010 has been released to the public and is available for you to order from!

View the Stampin' Supplies list here to see which products were used for which projects...

At 44 pages, it is chock full of fabulous new sets, accessories, Décor Elements to use in your home decorating, Big Shot dies, FABRIC and so much more.

The Holiday Mini concentrates on the upcoming holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and then Valentine's Day... not that I'm thinking THAT far ahead yet.

If you've looked at my upcoming Class schedule for this fall, you'll see that most classes include some fun free product from this catalogue, such as the new Champagne glass glitter at our first Holiday 10 Card class of the season, or else a Musical Holiday Card & a Design-A-House kit at the Holiday 3-D projects class in November. This is a great way for you to come out and have fun stamping with us all while getting new goodies at the same time :) I call that multi-tasking at its best!

Don't forget that there are 2 new fabulous new holiday-themed Hostess sets being offered: Northern Hearts & Peaceful Season. I can't wait to get my inky little hands on them and I've heard from several of you who have seen the mini in person already who concur. Did you know there are a few different ways you can earn these free? Let me know if you want to know more details about hosting a stamping party, placing a qualifying order or even joining a monthly Stamping group!

PREFER A PRINT COPY TO HOLD IN YOUR HOT LITTLE HANDS? If you live in Canada and would like me to send you your very own copy of the new Holiday Mini, please send me an email and I'd be happy to help. Note: If you have a customer relationship with another Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please contact them directly for your copy.

Also, if you are in Toronto/GTA area this long weekend, I'm hosting a FREE Holiday Mini Open House & Retired Stamps Sale on Saturday Sept 4 from 10am - 4pm. There will be great deals to be had as well as a free Make & Take using new product.. please be sure to RSVP if you can make it!

Labels: Holiday Mini Catalogue 2010

All new demos who order their Starter Kit during this special promotion period will all receive a gorgeous FREE craft tote (valued at $49.95)!

Here's a bit of a description for you:

• 100% twill nylon exterior; 100% nylon interior
  
• Dimensions: 15-3/4" x 7-5/8" x 8-7/8"
  
• Includes attachable shoulder strap for easy transport
  
• Center section fits 12" x 12" card stock, Craft Keepers, and Paper Cutter
  
• Outside pockets fit extra-large punches perfectly
  
• Outside flap pockets offer secure spot for accessories
  
• Back zipper pocket holds up to seven Stampin' Pads

Did you know you can live anywhere in Canada and still be part of my team? Absolutely! I support demonstrators all across the country, from Vancouver, BC to Fredericton, NB and points in between!

Whether you are looking for a great discount or maybe you want to make Stampin' Up a successful home business for you, I'd love to have you as part of my team!

For the first TEN people that sign up with me in the month of September, I have an additional stamp set gift for you... contact me for more details! So if you would like more information about what's included in either of our 2 Starter Kits or about the perks of becoming a demonstrator, please let me know!

Labels: Canadians INK team, Demonstrators, Starter Kit

(((Happy sigh)))

I actually took some time today to do some stamping that was NOT for a class, NOT for an online project, NOT for a team meeting, swap, tutorial or anything else work related - strictly something made out of love to give to my bestest friend.

So Christyne, off you go now.... no peeking!

I didn't buy Timeless Treasures myself but instead received it with a bunch of other new ones from Stampin' Up as part of my 2010 awards -- yay, who doesn't like free stamps??!!!

Since this set was out of my usual style, I was a little hesitant about using it. Then I was inspired by a card I saw by Heidi Saks on SplitCoastStampers recently and the cup idea stayed in my mind.

I think the use of our new 1/2 Inch Crochet Trim Chantilly paired with the "Deck the Halls" Holiday mini DSP and vintage-looking Antique brads turned out really nice.

I also added some extra texture by using the Square Lattice embossing folder on the Cherry Cobbler cardstock.

Let me know what you think, and then I'll post how she liked it when I give it to her on Thursday! Just because she's my "older sister" (hehehe), I'm hoping she doesn't take the sentiment the wrong way :)

Labels: vintage style

Yup, just noticed a bunch of great new items being offered on the Clearance Rack of Stampin' Up!'s online store... be sure to avoid disappointment and grab these before they run out!

Offer is valid anywhere in Canada so have fun shopping.... :)

Labels: Clearance Rack, specials

My birthday is just a few short weeks away, so I'm once again holding a BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST for my blog readers!

How old will I be on September 13, you might ask? Well, I'm thinking that 39 + S&H is a good answer to give... what do you think?!


Here's how the contest works:

Send me a card wishing me a happy birthday and I'll put you in a draw to win your very own Level 2 Hostess set, Cute By the Inch!

This variety of fun square-inch graphics provides great options for decorating mini messages. Pair this set with our brand new Petal Card punch, which scores mini envelope flaps as it punches, and all you have to do is stamp, punch, and fold, and you’re on your way to sending some seriously cool salutations. Plus, the images in this set work great for creating all kinds of accents for your projects.

Just send a card to me so that I receive it NO LATER THAN Monday September 13, 2010:

Caroline LeBel
2243A Danforth Ave
Rear Studio
Toronto, ON
M4C 1K4

I fly out for my 2010 Founders Circle incentive trip on Tuesday the 14th, so I'll be holding the draw Monday afternoon after the mail has been delivered, and posting the winners name HERE on my blog.

Ready for the fine print?
One entry per person please and you must be living in Canada to participate. While I would LOVE to get cards from other Stampin' Up! demonstrators, unfortunately you're not allowed to play in the contest this time. I still love you, though -- hope you still love me! :)

Labels: contest

Here's one more card sample for you from my Sympathy/Thinking of You cards class.

I had someone ask me to "please use the tree stamp in the Thoughts & Prayers stamp set" so of course I had to oblige!

I chose a colour palette from the Neutrals family: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede and Early Espresso, with an accent of gold from the new Champagne Glass.

If you don't recognize the name, that's okay... it's something new that comes out September 1 in the new Holiday Mini catalogue. I just applied it to the card as a final step using out 2-way glue pen to stick it on.

I used the Scallop Trim Corner Punch on the 4 corners of both the Very Vanilla and Soft Suede cardstock layers, as I really liked how it turned out layered together.


On Monday, I'll be sending out to my newsletter subscribers the instructions for a new project using the new Day of Gratitude stamp set from the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalogue.

This new colour combination is a great one for autumn, using Cajun Craze, Early Espresso and Old Olive.

By the way, if you aren't receiving my weekly newsletters -- why not? It's FREE and you can sign up right HERE to get yours sent out every Monday.

This project was shared with us by Stampin' Up! in our monthly demonstrator magazine, Stampin' Success. I love flipping through it as soon as it arrives in the mail and seeing the gorgeous new cards and reading the cool articles they publish -- I'm always hugely inspired!

If you want more information about some more of the perks of becoming a demonstrator yourself, let me know :)

Labels: Demonstrators, newsletter, Sympathy and Thinking of You card, Thoughts and Prayers