Monday, September 27, 2010

Annual GI Cancer Research Fundraiser


Come join me and the Simply Stars team in a fun event to raise money for GI Cancer Research.
Every year Heather raises money in memory of her Dad and we have a lot of fun while contributing to a worthy cause.
Date: Saturday, October 16, 2010
Time: 2 seatings 9:30am pr 1:00pm
Cost: $40

Includes: the adorable stamp set Holiday Happiness. 1 sheet of dimensionals, instructions and materials to make 12 projects - 6 cards, 2 adorable packages and 4 tags, door prize ticket, tastey treats and more.
Contact me at dale.livingston@sympatico.ca if you would like to particiate in this fabulous event.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Su! Regionals Hamilton

A few ladies from the Simply Stars team at the Hamilton Convention Centre.

Before having my picture taken with Shelli, I had to give her a hug and let her know she is a celebrity to me. I admire her for so many reasons but mostly for her passion of bringing people together who are passionate about rubber.

What a fun and fabulous weekend I had attending Stampin' Up! Regionals in Hamilton.

Stampin' Up! holds motivation/business seminars once a year in each region and I have been privledged to attend for the past two years because the have been close to where I live - to only have a one hour drive is awesome; some ladies have a 4-5 hour drive to attend but it is worth it.

A group of Simply Stars team members head to Hamilton on Friday afternoon for the event and participated in a small (80 people) stamping event held by our fearless and talented leader, Heather Summers (#1 demonstrator of the year in Canada- yeah).

I met so many new people at this intimate event outside our own team; how rewarding is that to make new friends who share the same passion in stamping as I do. I even met a few terrifice people (I think of them as celebrities) from Stampin' Up! home office; Mark, Carrie and Shannon - what wonderful people!

Saturdays even was extra special as we had Shelli Gardner - CEO and Co-Founder of Stampin' Up! present and motivate us with stamping and business ideas. Shelli is a warm,. caring individual who is passionate about stamping and helping others to inspire, create and grow!

If you have ever thought of becoming a Stampin' Up! as a hobby or to make an extra income, to make new friendsa dn to share what you love, click on the side bar for more information on the Tote-ally awesome opportunity running from September 1 through October 18, 2010 and receive a free craft tote (a $49.05 value) when you join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator. You will reeceive a value of $375 in Stampin' Up! product for only $215.
If you live in Canada a wish to take advantage of this offer contact me via email and I would love to answer any questions you may have and get you started on a wonderful journey.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Extra, Extra, Hostess Promotion


Extra! Extra! Stampin' Up! hostesses can earn and EXTRA $35 to use toward Stampin' Up! products of their choice when they host a workshop totalling $450 or more!
From July 27 to August 31, this extra benefit is included along with the standard hostess benefits you receive when you host a workshop. The standard hostess benefit include:
-a free 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue worth #11.95
-free stamp sets exclusive to hostesses (with qualifying orders; select from the products on pages 10-16 of the Idea Book & Catalogue)
-Free Stampin' Up! products of your choice
For example if your host a workshop and total sales are between $450-$459 you would earn $45 free Stampin' Up! merchandise plus $35 Extra, Extra hostess awards on top of the hostess stamp set and catalogue.
This Extra! Extra! promotion is only being offered for a limited time so contact me today to schedule your workshop.

Remembering Paris by Vintage Stamping



My DH was in Paris last week (yes without me...on business) and so this is where my inspiration came from for todays post.
We were in Paris on vacation a yeart ago and it is such a beautiful city; I could live there.
When I think of Paris, vintage comes to mind becasue of the history and beautiful archietecture. As I mentioned in my previous post, I love the vintage look and desire to do more of it and become better at it. These cards use a lot of different stamp sets to layer multiple images on the the cardstock and it is so much fun to do. Another technique I used is sponging on the edges as well as rubbing on the stamped image to make it look old. I am pleased with the finished look of my cards and look forward to doing more.
Recipe:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings, Because I Care, Very Vintage Wheel, Vintage Vogue, French Script, Charming
Paper: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
Embellishments: dimensionals, sponging, kraft taffeta ribbon, modern label punch. small heart punch

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Learning Vintage Style Cards

I love the look of vintage cards but I have to admit I am not very good at it.
I think I first fell in love with the old and yet romantic look of vintage from Kimbery...she is so talented and funny, (I had the privilege of meeting her in Cambridge a few years ago) full of wisdom and inspiration.
I had this idea of what I wanted to do and finally gave it a whirl. I am happy with the way it turned out. Since this was for my husbands birthday and I knew he would not appreciate it, I didn't add the beautiful lace ribbon but next time for sure.
Recipe:

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Colour and Layout Challenge


I am certain that everyone in the stamping world knows or has heard of Heather Summers and how extremely talented and super nice she is.
Before Heather went off to Convention this week , she put a challenge on her blog using this layout and also a colour challenge using Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and Pacific Point. It was optional to use the clour challenge incorporated in the layout challenge or simply keep them seperate and use it as two challenges.
As you may be aware, I had gone back to school part time and am now taking the summer off to be with my children (they are teens but I just want to spend time with them) as this may be the last summer off as I hope to have a job next year. Ooop, I got off track there anyways, I seemed to have lost my creative mojo and being challenged with a layout design is exactly what I need to get my creative juices flowing throw my veins again. Not to mention it also justifies purchasing new items from the new catalogue.
If you have not seen the new catalogue, be sure to visit my side bar and click on the catalogue.
If you do not have a demonstrator and would like more information or to place an order, plese contact me and I would be happy to help you.
Recipe:
Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly #111564
Well Scripted #117072
Ink: Rich Razzleberry #115658
Pacific Point #111837
Old Olive #102277
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry #115316
Pacific Point #111350
Old Olive # 100702
Whisper White #100730
Embellishments: Silver Brads #104336
Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack #118309
Butterfly Punch #119848

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

I am Rusty!


I attended out Simply Stars downline meeting last night, and did it feel good-actually it felt great. It was good to see all the ladies, share a lot of laughs and get my feet wet in stamping again. I made one card and it took me forever, couldn't believe one could get out of practice.

I have been so consumed with school work and have not pulled out my stamps since Christmas (gasp). I am thinking that I need a break from school, take the summer off and stamp but if I do that then I may get out of the study mode...what to do!

I am looking forward to the new colour renovation, the colours are great.

I have to show you the adorable felt cup holder Heather prepared as out Make n' Take. Heather used the Baskets and Blooms die and we cut off the handle, added a little blanket stitching for detail and "x" stitching to join the two pieces and added a few felt flowers. The "Sweet Pea Stitched Felt" #117266 $11.95 is from the Occassions Mini which you can still order from until April 30, 2010.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

M.I.A.

I just thought I would catch all my follwers up on what I have been up to and why I haven't been posting.
I have gone back to school, part time , but the coarse is intense and considering I haven't been in school for over twenty five years, I am rusty and overwhelmed.
If I am caught up and need to create, I will certainly post but they will be far a few between....for now anyways.
Thanks for you understanding.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Disaster Relief for Haiti



From now until February 28th, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set to the Red Cross for Haiti Relief and Disaster Fund.
You can help make a difference.
#117010 $35.95 Wood Mount
#118571 $24.95 Clear Mount

Friday, December 18, 2009

Using up the old making room for the new.


I remember seeing these adorable ornaments on Kimbery's blog last Christmas and thought I would make some to use up some retired materials I have (remember I like to collect pretty things in case they no longer make it). I am thinking if I whip up a box using the backing of the DSP packages, I could give these away to a neighbour.
The ornaments were purchased from a craft store and the top is removed and I inserted about twelve rolled strips of paper (1/2" x 6" wrapped around my paper piercer). I added a snowflake felt flurry to the top for added appeal. If you look real close, I even added some retired rub-ons to one side of the ornament.
In case I don't make another post before December 25th (kids are home from school for Christmas Break) I wish all my followers a very Merry Christmas filled with sparkle, joy, and warm memories and a Happy New Year filled with stamping and new goodies from the Celebration/Occassions Mini which starts January 4th, 2010.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

NSR







Todays post is not stamping related but it is pretty cute; actually I should have had it on video because it is a shining example of the curious kitten.
Jazz, our almost six month old kitty is extremely playful and fiesty. She loves to get after the laundry.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

From My Secret Santa





I almost forgot the my gift I received from my Secret Santa at our Christmas Down Line Party.
Leslie made this adorable package and the goodies inside as well. Thanks Leslie, they were very yummy.
When I chose this gift from under the tree and held it in my hands, I thought they were the wooden block Stampin' Up! have in the Holiday Mini. To my surprise they opened up.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Simply Perfect

As I mentioned earlier this week, Heather prepared a 'Make and Take" for each one of her team members attending the Christmas Dinner a week ago. Can you believe it? It is so adorable and would be appropriate for a guy or girl. Now the Tim Horton mug did not come with the package but everything including the candy/chocolate did; Heather is so sweet, kind, thoughtful and so caring. You know, adding a Tim mug and/or Tim card to this adorable package would be perfect.
I love the colour combination Heather chose for this make n' take; Soft Suede and Kraft. The chocolate bar wrapper is the perfect addition to a good cup of coffee, hot chocolate or while stamping.

This kraft envelope (didn't know SU offered kraft envelopes) houses a package of hot chocolate waiting to be enjoyed of a cold snowy day.

Now the Strawberry Kiwi candy cane is pretty yummy, but imagine a traditional candy cane in this wrapping used to stir the hot chocolate. The wrapping for the candy cane is made from the Two Tags Die.

Candy Cane Hershey Kisses (7 of them) in a small cello bag fits perfectly with a Top Note topper. What I especially love about this is the small piece of cardstock that is stamped and inserted into the cello bag as a backer.
Thank You Heather for this Special Gift of Love.