This afternoon I used the "Loonies for Littles" kit (benefiting Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Canada) to create a 40 page brag book... man, was that fun!

We'll be making this book on Friday June 13th, so it's not too late to contact me to order your kit and help benefit this great cause -- Stampin' Up! is donating $2 to BBBSCA for each kit purchased.

** Please note, only 1 spot is left for this class, email me to grab it!! **

The Loonies for Littles Stampin' Kit includes the following:

• Exclusive double-mounted Good Together stamp set


• One 5" x 5" On Board Art Journal


• Two sheets of double-sided Designer Series paper from Boho Blend Simply Scrappin'


• Three sheets of self-adhesive die cuts from Boho Blend Simply Scrappin'


• Four sheets of 12" x 12" textured card stock


• Two Classic Stampin' Spots: 1 Old Olive, 1 Pumpkin Pie


• Full-color insert with photos of projects, along with step-by-step instructions


• One 12x12 Craft Keeper

Here are some pics I took for you -- enjoy :)

What's WITH Toronto weather anyways? This May has just been lousy, with maybe 2 nice days in the whole month, sheesh.

It's lightly raining outside, so I'm just hoping that it settles down before 3:30 :(

Here are two more cards I've just stamped while praying for better weather. If you're interested in attending the class, please click here for more info.




















The Beautiful You card was inspired by Debbie Jaeger.

Happy stamping!

Okay, I should clarify that it's an ANTI-rain dance that I'm stamping here! My kids' big annual FamilyFest is this afternoon and we're hoping desperately that it does NOT rain. I think in the last 6 years it's rained at least half the time. Oie! So I'm stamping up a storm to keep the rain at bay :)

These are cards for tomorrow's 10 card class... enjoy!




























...cards inspired by Angie Brailsford (Dilly Dally), Marilyn Goodrich (Baroque Motifs) and Michelle Rahal (Simply Said)

Do you have weddings to attend nearly every weekend during the spring and summer months? I keep hearing from my friends and customers about all the weddings they're going to, plus some of the more brave (crazy???!?) among them are actually stamping all the invitations and ephemera that accompanies the bridal season.

No, they're not realllllly crazy, or if they are... then so was I, since I stamped all my wedding invites too. It's a wacky story that I sometimes share at workshops when I tell them about what a pathetic newbie I was way back in the day. Let's just say my very FIRST foray into stamping was pretty sad (hehehe). Maybe I'll be brave enough to share it with y'all someday!

Anyhow, here are 3 of the 4 projects we're doing at my Wedding Cards & Favours class tonight. The first is a sour cream container made of vellum and embossed in white with the Tres Chic background stamp, complete with a tafetta ribbon and small stamped tag. These favours are excellent to create to fill with rice (to tear open and sprinkle on the newlyweds) or else to fill with such as potpourri, wildflower seeds, little bonbons... you name it! They're also amazingly easy and super inexpensive to create.

















Next is a card using She's All That from the Occasions mini catalogue, with the bride image as its focal point. The Tres Chic background was VersaMarked in the background and I used a variety of the flowers & rhinestone brads. Add a judicious amount of glitter, and you have a perfect card to use for a wedding shower invitation, save the date, wedding gift card, whatever you like.
























Here is another way to help customize your table settings using the wedding colours, either at a sit down dinner or throw in some cutlery as well for a shower -- create a napkin holder using our Designer Series papers! Super easy, and the sky's the limit on the colour scheme. Elegant, traditional, whimsical, funky ... you pick!






















Don't forget about our personalized stamps, for you can get one with the bride
and grooms names and wedding date made up. It would be a nice thing to incorporate in the favours -- and someone could buy them a new address stamp for the "Mr
& Mrs" from the wish list!

Happy stamping,

Many times I've written about how much I love being a demonstrator, and how Stampin' Up! has brought such wonderful changes/ friends/ adventure/ growth, etc to my life. But I'm just one little person among many, with her own particular set of circumstances and life experiences. And of course I know that while this choice won't be the right one for everyone, I wanted to share a little with you from those for whom it is :)

So I asked some of the gals on my team from all across our great country to write a sentence or two about why they love being demonstrators, and here's what they wrote:

"I'm a really social person, being a Stampin' Up demonstrator allows me to share a part of me that is the most exciting part - my individual creativity. Being part of a great team, meeting new friends, encouraging new customers and attending Stampin' Up events are also fun perks." - Dina, Ontario

"I love being a demonstrator for Stampin' Up because it allows me to be me without boundaries. When I can create a card with my own personal twist and share this excitement with my girls, it's just priceless." - Anna, Alberta

"I really love to share my ideas with my customers but also love seeing how they change up my ideas and layouts!" - Ann, Ontario

"I love being a demonstrator because I want to share my love of stamping with other people and meet new friends. Also, I love all the perks SU give just for being a demonstrator." - Deanna, British Columbia

“I love being a demonstrator because it gives me the opportunity to help others uncover and explore their personal creativity. As a stamper myself, it’s also a real treat to be among the first to receive a new catalogue and learn about upcoming specials.” - Carolynn, Ontario

"J'aime etre démonstratrice Stampin' Up! parce que j'ai ainsi l'immense privilege de travailler et de faire ce que j'aime! Je partage la créativité et je suis payée pour le faire. De plus, je rencontre beaucoup d'autres passionnées comme moi, ca remplit ma vie! (I love being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator because I have the immense priveledge on working doing something I love! I get to share my creativity, all while being paid for it. As well, I get to meet other enthusists like myself, which fills my life with joy.)" - Marika, Quebec

I became a demonstrator at the first just for the discount and then have continued for the products and also the wonderful friendships I have made over the years. - Cheryl, Ontario


How about you? If you're a demonstrator who loves what she does, please share some of the reasons why below in my comments field. I'd love to read your responses!!!

Happy stamping,

If you want to see some examples of stamping on furniture for home décor, check out this article HERE which features Stampin' Up!'s lovely CEO and co-founder Shelli Gardner!

You'll want to be sure to scroll to the end to see the pictures -- beautiful! It makes me want to take out my Baroque Motifs stamp and go crazy.

Happy stamping,
Caroline

Here are some of the stamping projects brought by last Saturday from some of the gals in our "Canadians, INK!" team. I can't wait to share their talent with you!

Here's Laurie's seed shaker card...






















Maria's Iris folding card...























Carol's Stamp-A-Ma-Jig'd card....























Dina's Meandering book....
















and Krista with the stamped tile!
























I wish I had a picture of Corinna's Build-A-Brad bracelet to show you, but I forgot to steal it off her wrist so oh well. It was gorgeous enough to inspire me to add that class to my August calendar, so we can all make some this summer too -- Woohooo!

Happy stamping,


p.s. a special shout out to the latest gals who joined my team this month, taking advantage of the great special that's going on this month: Lee-Anne, Gerri and Wendy. Welcome to the family! :)

Here you go!

You can't see it very well due to the strong shadow (not that I'm complaining about the sun, no no no no....) but there's a wee red bead in the centre of the elephant's flower.
























This second card was strongly inspired by one I received on the recent Bermuda Cruise, swapped with Terri Mungeon. I'm sure she'll kill me if I post the picture of her with a spoon balancing off her nose, so I'll leave it at that for today :)













Happy stamping!

First off, let me share 3 of the 5 cards we'll be making at tomorrow's Birthday Cards class, 'cuz one can never have enough birthday cards on hand!

























But better yet, here's a picture of the amazing studio housewarming present Dina gave me this weekend at our team meeting: it's a fabulous wall-hanging she made using chipboard coasters of our group name, "Canadians, INK!".

Isn't it the coolest thing ever? Here's a close-up of part so you can see the level of detail it has. THANK YOU, DINA - I LOVE IT!





















Here's Dina with Carol's daughter, Courtney... we love playing "pass-the-baby" at our meetings -- LOL!

Happy stamping,

While prepping for tomorrow's tile class, I just *had* to try out my new Sneak Peek set "Fresh Cuts" out on the marble.

Oooooh, I like!!!!! :) How about you?

Happy stamping!

This Saturday afternoon, we will be stamping on marble tiles to create 4 coasters and a matching tag. This is actually a really fun and easy type of project, where you can let your imagination go wild and do all kinds of tile stamping. We'll be using Stazon inks, Craft (pigment inks), Stampin' Pastels and even Sharpies :)

Here are just 2 of the tiles I recently made, one using the "Noble Deer" set and the second with the "French Flair" background and a sentiment from its matching set, "Carte Postale". Please click on image if you would like to enlarge it



I have spaces available for Saturday afternoon's class (1 pm at my Toronto studio) == please visit my Classes & Events page for more details and to RSVP.

Happy stamping!
Caroline


P.S. My Family Treasures Ini Scrapbook class is tomorrow (Friday)... I have spots for the 7pm class if you would like to join us!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Here are the other 2 projects we'll be making at the Carousel Cards class on Wednesday night! I still have space open... please let me know if you are interested in attending.

The first 2 images are of a chocolate treat holder, using the Carousel Note scored and folded, then belly-banded (is that a word) with Ginger Blossoms Designer Paper and a matching pouch on the inside for the chocolate.

The card uses half of a Carousel Note trimmed and layered on a traditional size card... with some paperpiercing, use of the Die-Cut Blooms, some Iridescent Ice embossing of the sentiment, and a fun beaded Build-A-Brad!




If you missed the first sample I posted for the class, you can see it here.

Happy stamping,

Here is one of the 3 cards we will be making using the new Carousel Notes from the Occasions Mini Catalogue.

These wonderful jumbo die-cut scalloped circle cards are so much fun, and come in Groovy Guava, Soft Sky and Wild Wasabi -- all of which are in our 2007/8 "In Color" palette. They measure about 6" x 6" and even come with matching Chocolate Chip envelopes!

COST: $19.95 for class, includes 3 completed jumbo cards with envelopes and 3 extra Carousel Notes for you to take home and play with!

RSVP your spot

Happy stamping,

It's the Victoria Day long weekend here, and what better time to offer you faithful blog readers a super duper special sale than right now?!?!

Please note, this offer will only be good until midnight Tuesday May 20th (to accomodate those of you who read your blog updates at work..hehe) and is available to Canadian customers only.

I'll be enjoying time with my family & 2 year old niece Sarah this weekend (that's her pictured below with my daughter Serena, son Morgan and my SIL Lisa) .. I hope you get the chance to enjoy this long weekend as well!






* DESIGNER SERIES PAPER: $10.00 (reg. $12.04) pages 168-171

* SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' KITS: $20.00 (reg. $24.13) pages 172-175

* STAMPIN' PASTELS: $25.00 (reg. $29.71) page 183

* PRETTIES KIT: $30 (reg. $36.22) page 188

* CRAFTER'S TOOL KIT: $40 (reg. $48.31) page 189

* TABLETOP PAPER CUTTER: $45 (reg. $55.75) page 184

* MANY MARVELOUS MARKERS: $125 (reg. $152.47) page 183

* STAMPIN' UP! STARTER KIT: $208 (reg. $260) + BONUS Hodgepodge Hardware Kit + your choice of either:

• new Fresh Cut stamp set and coordinating Fresh-Cut Notes or


• "Loonies For Littles" Kit

Please contact me by email or phone (416-694-4074/1-866-694-4074) to take advantage of these special offers before May 20th!