September 25, 2014

Fall/Thanksgiving challenge (and Inspired by Home Depot!)

Periodically, my upline, Allison, will issue a challenge to her team.  I love doing them - it inspires me to work outside my comfort zone and create something I likely wouldn't have done otherwise!

This week's challenge was Fall/Thanksgiving, and this is what I came up with!


The funny thing about this card is where my inspiration came from - my husband and I were driving by Home Depot recently and I said "Oh my god, I love the colour combination on that Home Depot sign!  I need to use that in a card!"  And my husband said "You mean orange and white?!"  I think he thought I was a crazy person.  (Well, more than usual, at least.)  They had this little sign out on the boulevard that was Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie, and Crushed Curry - how gorgeous is that combo?!  I added some gold, burlap, and Baked Brown Sugar to create the card above. 

Oh, and that background?  The Tiny Triangles embossing folder.  If you're not using your embossing folders as background stamps already, WHY NOT?!  Try it on your next card!




September 23, 2014

Stampin' Up Canada Conference - Calgary Edition!

Wow, WHAT a weekend!  The Stampin' Up Canada Conference was in town, and we demonstrators were treated with a Friday evening product playground, a Saturday morning business session, and a Saturday afternoon demonstrator party.  We had an AMAZING time!

These were our Friday night make-and-takes from the product playground.  Aren't they STUNNING?!  The method of making them was very cool, too - we rotated through tables, doing a step or two at each table and putting the parts into a bag.  I had no idea what the pieces would make until I got to the last station and assembled them - such a gorgeous surprise!  The Four Feathers stamp set and Framelits are a favourite of mine, for sure.


The Saturday business session was awesome - we had the pleasure of hearing Amy (Product Manager) and Jim (Business Development) from Stampin' Up's home office in Utah speak, and it was so interesting to hear about what they do and get their fabulous advice on working our businesses.  What a treat!

The Saturday afternoon demonstrator party was SO fun - we had a card contest, a game "show", giveaways and prizes, more make-and-takes, and a bunch of laughter!  These were the Saturday make-and-takes - I just love those little embossed eyeballs on the card!


This was my first Stampin' Up event and I felt woefully unprepared when my uplines gave me these little gifts - apparently I should have planned ahead so I could have reciprocated!  This was such a lovely little surprise - thanks so much, Kristine (left) and Allison (right) - aren't those little packages fabulous?


Speaking of uplines... mine might kill me when she sees that I posted this photo!  Sorry, Allison, but I still think we're FAB-U-LOUS.


I mentioned the card contest, right?  Demonstrators were asked to bring a card without text or sentiments to donate to the Ronald McDonald House (one of my favourite charities.)  This was my entry!


And lastly - Stampin' Up TOTALLY spoiled us with two stamp sets (for everyone!) and so many giveaways!   The Prize Patrol were a busy bunch!

I am SO glad I finally bit the bullet and decided to join Stampin' Up last month - it was been a phenomenal experience!  Think it might be for you, too?  Give me a shout - I'd love to chat!

Cheers! 


September 18, 2014

World Card Making Day CARD BUFFET in Calgary, AB - Registration now open!

I am SO excited to finally release details for my Card Buffet on World Card Making Day! 

Calgary crafters, this is the event for you!  Call your friends, clear your schedules, and contact me to register!  



September 15, 2014

Blingin' it up - Coastal Cabana and Gold

I'm so excited to share this card today.  I made it a little while ago and I don't know why I've held off for so long! 


My obsession with gold is bordering on dangerous lately - like Frank's Red Hot, I want to put that (stuff) on everything!  If someone would have told me a year ago that I'd be this in love with gold, I would have said they were crazy... but I seriously can't get enough.  And Coastal Cabana, of course, is my one true love... I will go into mourning when these In Colours retire! 


 I used the Hearts mask on the background of this card (embossed with gold.)  Those masks are such a fun addition to any craft stash - SUPER inexpensive and so versatile!  I just wiped my Versamark pad over the mask to get the hearts in place.


And the last little bit of bling - the tassel combines our Gold Sequin Trim, Gold Glimmer Paper, Gold Fancy Foil Vellum, Gold Baker's Twine, and some extra threads pulled out of the twine.  Phew!  

See you again soon!  I've got details for my World Card Making Day card buffet (in Calgary, AB on October 4th) coming up ASAP!