Hi everyone!

I continue to suffer from NCUD (New Camera Upload Disorder - photo of me is courtesy of Ann C.) and so unfortunately I have nothing new stamping-wise to show you here. Just you wait until I unleash my 8 zillion Arizona rock pictures at you... I'm sure you'll be bored to tears. (Just kidding -- I think.)



So instead I'm going to steal my friend Josée's group picture of us at the Founder's Circle trip, just so you have something pretty to look at. Aren't I sweet?


Anyhoo, there are 2 events going on this weekend I wanted to share with you if you're in the Toronto area:

Saturday afternoon is the scrapbooking class from 1-3pm, where we'll be making some fun layouts and playing with accessories and paper. There's still space and you are welcome to RSVP your spot if you'd like to attend (COST: $24.95 per person, or FREE with a $75 order placed today. My Demos & Club members receive $5 off class fee).

Later on at 4pm will be my "Canadians, INK!" group meeting at 4pm. Demonstrators from my team are encouraged to come and stamp, chat, laugh and learn together... plus they'll be the first to see my swaps and NEW STAMPS from the "Founder's Circle" trip.

If you're NOT a demonstrator but still want to come and see what we're all about, I invite you to attend anyway! Simply RSVP and I'll be glad to hold a spot open for you.

My kids have a PA day on Friday so I'll be out & about with them and hopefully enjoying some nice weather, but I'll do my best to have lots of lovely things to post online for you over the weekend.

HAPPY STAMPING!
- Caroline

...and happy to be back in Toronto with my family & friends! Of course I had a wonderful time (with both highs & lows), but I'll share more about that in the days to come.

I'll be spending the rest of the week catching up on emails, phone messages and sorting through the 9 boxes of SU product that arrived while I was gone (oie), and of course preparing for all the fun classes & events I have coming up.

In the meantime, I'm stealing Susan Paterson's group photo of the Canadian demonstrators posing at the park in Kanab, UT... you can't see it very well in the photo but the entire ground is composed of chopped up excess rubber (both red & purple!). It makes for a soft landing when you jump off the swings!!

Once I've figured out how to upload photos with my brand new smokin' camera, I'll treat you to some fun pictures and VIDEOS of what I saw.

Until then, happy stamping!
- Caroline


3rd row - top: Lynsay Mahon, Marlayne Hardy, Joan Banman Cristo, Tamye Dunbar, Caroline LeBel (me!)
2nd row - middle: Laura Robinson, Karen Duke, Christy Harsch, Alicia Ryckman, Shelli Gardner
bottom - Maryse Morneau, Josee Smuck, Nancy Gauthier, Susan Paterson
missing - Marika Lemay

Good morning from Phoenix, AZ!

Last Tuesday, I posted a Blog Candy give-away on my blog, where I asked participants to share their favorite birthday memory. 51 of you left me a comment, and I loved reading everything you shared with me!

I have randomly drawn one winner who wrote the following:

"Oooooh! I can't remember how old I was, but since my birthday is in June, I routinely got pulled from school before it ended for our family vacation to Nova Scotia. I remember sitting in my uncle's dining room eating lobster... MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM"

Congratulations to Christyne (Queen of the Virtual Crop) ! We'll take care of the arrangements to get that ribbon to you when I'm home next week :)


So what am I doing here in Phoenix anyways? I flew in last night, connecting in Detroit with Marika & some friends from Ottawa (Josee & Marlayne) and we made it in to the hotel at 10:30pm local time (1:30am our time), after first having gotten on the wrong shuttle & showing up at the wrong hotel. OIE! To say we're tired is an understatement. But hey, that's why we opted to fly in a day early, so to better accustom our bodies to the wicked time difference. It's nothing a good breakfast, a quickie nap & then dip in the pool can't fix, right?

Today we'll be meeting the entire Founder's Circle group at the Radisson hotel, where we'll enjoy dinner & an overnight stay, before we begin our travels tomorrow to Lake Powell. Said travelling includes lunch and a shopping trip enroute, so you won't hear any complaining from me!



When we arrive in Page, AZ, we'll be staying at the Lake Powell Resort and since my laptop died a slow and painful death last month (and I'm currently working off this hotel's computer), I will probably be out of touch until return to Toronto next week. I'm hoping to cadge some internet time off a buddy's computer, since I might go into email withdrawal if I can't log in at least once a day.

Some of the things on our agenda are the Pyjama Party and Business Share, card swapping, a trip to Stampin' Up!'s new manufacturing facilities with a Make & Take (of course), and a boat tour of Antelope Canyon. I will NOT be doing the helicopter ride that Nancy tried to rubber-arm me into, no way José! Puk, puk, puk.... that's me, a big fat chicken.

Anyhow, enough chit chatting...I'm off to enjoy some much needed R&R with my stampin' gals and I'll be back to you next week. Please leave me a comment so I know you stopped by! :)

Ciao ciao & happy stamping!
- Caroline

Those of you who are on my e-newsletter list were privy to a fun birthday card contest this past month, and as promised, here are scans of some cards I received. Many thanks to you all for these lovely birthday wishes!

Pree A.



Margaret H.

Kathy I.

Joyce T.

Jennifer T.

Susan I.

Deanna T.

Tonie S.

Cheryl F.


Denise R.

Gillian E.

Ann S.




















My daughter Serena randomly drew the following name as the winner: GILLIAN E. Congrats to you, Gillian! I'll be sure to hand over the "Outlined For Fun" set when we see each other next :)

Remember, you still have all of today to fill out your entry for the Birthday Blog Candy draw as I'll be drawing that winner tomorrow morning. I fly out to Phoenix in a two hours so I'm off to finish my mad-cap packing!!

Happy Stamping!
- Caroline

Ahhh, Mary Brown.

Way back in the olden days... before SCS and the world of stamping blogs, it was a real chore to find honest to goodness Stampin' Up! card samples on the web. There were a few dedicated galleries like Nutt'N'Honey and Patstamps, but they were few and far between. When the stampinup.net demonstrator websites first came available in the fall of 2002, I remember compiling a list of all the ones I could find, just so I could look at their art galleries on a regular basis for extra inspiration. I would save all these samples to my hard drive, make CD's, all that fun stuff.

One name really stood out to me right from the beginning, and it's a simple enough one but loaded full of stamping talent. Say it with me now.. Mary Brown.

Mary's artwork really appealed to me and the more I saw of it, the more I liked. SU obviously loved her stuff too since it was often showcased on the display boards at Regionals, Convention & on Stampers Showcase. She had the greated little "Cute As a Bug" series of cards that tickled me big time. Anyhoo, I finally met her in person at the 2005 Convention in SLC and it was a HUGE moment for me. She was SOOOO nice, and SOOOO kind, and didn't seem to mind my stalker-like mentality.

Imagine my utter thrill when on the very first day of Convention this year, the very first morning I walk in to the Convention Centre to line up for Memento Mall, but practically the first face I saw was Mary's!!! And to make it crazier, she pulled out this awesome journal she'd made and gave it to me. TO ME! If it looks like I have tears in my eyes in this picture, well that's because I did. I felt like a million bucks!!


Since Convention ended, I've had this journal up on display in my studio and I've had numerous people "ooh and "ahh" over it. Ladies, I'm sorry to say the journal is being retired from public life and won't be around for you to look at it anymore.

Instead, I'm adopting this as my "Founder's Circle" journal so I can bring it to Arizona next week as I write down my thoughts and observations, plus all the great info from the Business Share night. I can't think of anything nicer to bring with me than a piece made by this remarkable stamper.

So Mary Brown, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, you "dear kind and wonderful friend", you!

- Caroline

Here are the remaining 5 cards we are doing today at my Holiday 10 card camp.. please click on images to enlarge. You can also go to yesterday's blog entry to see the other 5.

The "To Go" kits will be available for mail out or pick-up beginning Monday September 17. If you aren't able to make today's class (don't live in Toronto or just couldn't make it), this is a fantastic way to get 10 great holiday cards, all hand-stamped and sure to please the lucky recipients. These are only available while supplies last, so order yours soon!


Happy stamping,
- Caroline








Inspiration for the final one was from a Convention swap card by Vida Luth of Moline, IL -- I just changed it a round a little by crimping the Night of Navy strip and adding Bravo Burgundy squares as an additional layer.

Hello everyone!

As promised, here are some of the samples for this Saturday's Holiday 10 card camp. I hope to post the remaining 5 cards tomorrow morning.

If you are interested in attending or purchasing the cards "To-Go" (all stamped and ready to assemble), please call or email me.

I must say, I'm LOVING reading all about everyone's birthday memories (part of my blog candy giveaway), so keep them coming.

HAPPY STAMPING!
- Caroline

Nothing like celebrating a happy birthday today to make a girl want to share the luuuuuuuv. Since I'm already running one birthday contest for my Canadian Newsletter subscribers, I thought "why not something for my faithful blog readers?" And why not indeed! So far I've received several beautifully stamped birthday cards (and some luscious & decadent body stuff from Deanna who spoiled me!) and I'll be scanning & uploading them all on Tuesday after the draw.

But back to the prize!

All you need to do to get a chance at winning this yummy package of "Rustic Retreat" Ribbon Originals (which retired in last year's Stampin' Up! catalogue), is write me a comment below, sharing one of your FAVORITE birthday memories.

On Wednesday morning I'll check in from Phoenix where I'll be for the Founder's Circle retreat (get it? "retreat"? "rustic retreat"? Ah, I kill myself sometimes!) and I'll post the randomly selected winner then.

This tasty piece of Blog Candy was brought to you by the wonderful number 38!

Happy Stamping,
- Caroline, who is off to scrapbook the rest of the day. Yippeee!

I must say... I'm enjoying my birthday week tremendously, and loving how my kids & hubby have been spoiling me with little treats (like coffee in bed... mmmmmmm). For those of you participating in my Birthday contest, you still have until Monday September 17th to get your stamped card to me and get a chance at winning that "Outlined For Fun" stamp set. All cards received will be posted here on the blog the morning of Tuesday Sept 18 before I leave on my Founder's Circle retreat, and my daughter Serena will draw the winner.

I just wanted to comment on a couple of NEW classes & promotions that are coming up. I've updated my classes webpage (see left side of blog for permanant link) with all my stamp camps & events from now through DECEMBER. What can I say, I'm truly a Virgo who really likes to plan things out :)

Coming up this Saturday is the 1st of 4 different "Holiday 10 Card Camps", with a different one happening each month until Christmas. I plan on posting some more of the cards that we'll be making up later on this week, but here's one using "The Snowflake Spot" for now (just click on the image to enlarge, and then you can laugh at the 120 scalloped embellishments just ready to go on my swap cards!).

I only have ONE spot left for the 1pm time, but several for the 3:30pm time slot. "Canadians, INK!" demonstrators, please note that there will NOT be an evening class offered this month so you are welcome to attend during the afternoon at the same low price as always (demo listings HERE).

Some of the newly added classes being offered are:

- Masculine Card Camp (Thursday October 18)
- “Fast & Fun Notes” Stamp-A-Stack (Thursday November 15)
- Silk Scarves Stamp Camp (Thursday November 22)

You'll also find in the class listings some stamp camps involving the "Just For You" punch box, the Pretties Kits, Simply Scrapping kits, Christmas gift tags, several scrapbooking dates and much more.

If there's something special YOU want, why not ask me and we'll try to set things up? I'm also thinking of adding a "Mommy & Me" stamp class listing during the Winter school break -- please email me or comment here if you think that's something you'd like to participate in. Also, do you know about my Classes-To-Go option? If you don't live in Toronto or the GTA, you can always opt to have the class sent to you, with all the pieces pre-stamped and ready for you to assemble.

Okay, enough about the classes and lets move on to the promotions! There are 2 new promos coming up in October and 2 promotions finishing in September.

"Fall Frenzy"

This 30-40% off selected stamp sets promotion goes until the end of September, all details HERE.

The "Choose Your Family" Promotion:

Before I leave for the Founder's Circle retreat next week, I will have one last Information Night on Friday Sept 14 at 7:30pm. I welcomed several new demonstrators this past month who are taking advantage of the great Ink Pads Promotion (hi Carolynn & Kristina!) but remember, it's only good until Friday Sept 28, so please contact me for details or read my Demonstrator Info Page to learn more.

World Card Making Day "Simply Sent Kits"

From October 4-8, you can order any of the "Simply Sent" card kits (shown on pages 12-14 of the "Fall-Winter" 2007 Collection) for 25% off their regular price. I will be featuring one of these sets in person at my WCMD events on Staursay October 6th, so you can see how fabulous these sets really are.

"Holiday Glitz" Card Kits

This promotion was JUST released today and will begine October 1 but only WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! I've loaded the flyer HERE for you to check it out, and I must say that this will be one awesome way for you to get your holiday cards done in a SNAP :). Your card kit includes all the pre-cut materials and accessories to make 15 cards & envelopes - you just need to stamp them and put them together. Cool, eh? I'll show one of these completed sample cards at the October Stampers Club night for everyone to see.

Well, that was MORE than enough typing for me today, so I'm saying adieu for now, and I'm off to get some fun stamping done before I run off to pick up the kids from school.

HAPPY STAMPING!
- Caroline

Happy First-Week-Of-School, everyone!

Here are the Stampers Club projects for September.. we're been having fun :)

This first card uses "Pick-A-Petal" (which is also my featured stamp set of the month) in an neat out-of-the-box kind of way. I CASE'd this unique idea from a convention swap from talented Kathy Hilden of Shelby Twp, MI, who had in turn credited "butternutsage" of SCS for HER inspiration as well. Ah... we stampers do so love to share. My contribution to making this card my own was using snippets of the Scallop punch as "tufts" of hair :P
























Next are the little boxes using a chipboard centre, the "Circle of Friendship" set, the new "Apple Cider" designer paper from the Holiday mini catalogue, plus a Wild Wasabi crimped handle (held in place with Vintage brads).

























Last but not least are the jumbo clip bookmarks, or you can even add magnets to the back so you can stick your noteholder up on the fridge (to keep hold of coupons, etc). Everyone has a choice to make theirs from either "Bodacious Bouquet" or else "Office Accoutrements" and we added a fun Rhinestone brad to the centre, just for a little bling. Those "Canadians, INK!" gals on my team might recognize these as similar to the ones we made at our recent Quarterly Demo Stamp Camp.























Club meetings are tons of fun, and a great way to get out monthly to do some stamping and play with new techniques and accessories! If you’re reading this and you live in Toronto, ON or surrounding areas (Mississauga, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Markham, Richmond Hill, etc.) and want to see what Stampers Club is all about, give me a call or visit my Club Info page. First-time guests are always FREE!

Happy Stamping,
- Caroline

It's that time of year again, and Stampin' Up! has released a glorious Holiday Mini Catalogue for us to enjoy. You'll find autumn, Halloween, Thanksgiving, winter & Christmas sets and wheels a-plenty, plus some fabulous new accessories, ribbons and designer papers to play with.

As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, September also brings a great "Fall Frenzy" promotion with some fun seasonal sets at 30-40% off (please click HERE for all the details), one of which is a new set from the Holiday Mini catalogue (Stem Silhouettes - set of 6). September is also the final month of the "Choose Your Family" promotion where you receive a whole complete family of Classic Ink pads when you order the Demonstrator Starter Kit.

It's the Labour Day long weekend and I'll be enjoying these last few days of summer with the kids, but next week they go back to school so I'll be back with samples of some of my upcoming classes, my e-newsletter, an update on my Birthday Card contest and more. So stay tuned!

HAPPY STAMPING!
- Caroline