Labour Day

In Canada Labour Day is traditionally celebrated the 1st Monday of September. 

Without the organized labour parties who worked so hard and fought to reduce inequality for workers and other freedoms we wouldn't have the opportunities we do today, such as weekends off, stat holidays, eight hour work days, and minimum wages.  

Labour Day used to be a time when Canadians celebrated their rights by holding parades and picnics organized by labour groups and trade unions.  That focus seems to have changed over the years and now Labour Day is more commonly  seen as the last weekend of the summer.  While it's certainly a time for relaxing, taking advantage of the remaining sunshine, visiting relatives, closing up the summer home, watching Canadian Football and golf, it should always be a time to remember those who fought for the benefits we have. 

I hope whatever your traditions and celebrations are that this Labour Day weekend has meaning, has been a good one and that you're enjoying it with your friends, family, co-workers and those that really matter.

HAPPY LABOUR DAY

Artisan Design Team - Stampin' Up! 2012

Every year at Convention a group of very special ladies are honoured for their creative achievements in paper crafting. These wonderful gals are the finalists  from the Stampin' Up! Design Team contest that is held each Spring. 

Demonstrators from all across United States and Canada are invited to submit samples of their work which must include five full cards, three scrapbook pages and two three-dimensional items such as frames, boxes, clothing etc.  I don't envy the SU judges that have to narrow down the hundreds of submissions to 20 finalists.............what a job! 

The final 10 Artisan Design Team members are announced at Awards Night during Convention, on the demonstrator website in July after convention, and they're each featured in the September issue of Stampin' Success. They even have their own Pinterest Board What an honour to be chosen and these gals sure earned the title as well as all the goodies that go with it (an Artisan Design Team memento, $500 cash, a $500 Stampin' Up! shopping spree, and a special invitation to attend an Artisan Design Team dinner held during Convention 2012). 

As finalists these demos will create and post 4 projects a month until next June.  I want to make sure that you have an opportunity to benefit from their talents and see these projects.  To make that easy for you, I'm including their blog links in this post, and I've updated my "Blogs I Follow" listing on my side bar to feature these links.   

 Here are the 10 finalists who earned this year's honour and who'll be sharing their wonderful talents until Convention next year. 

2012-13 Artisan Winners taking a well deserved bow at Convention.  Erica Cerwin, Cindy Beach, Wendy Wexler, Heidi King, Jane Lee, Marisa Gunn, Heather Summers, Jeanna Bohanen, Sarah Sagert and Amy Bollman.

2012-2013 Artisan Design Team Membership List

Amy Bollman	http://blog.bollman.ca/
Cindy Beach	http://stampspaperandink.typepad.com/
Erica Cerwin	http://pinkbuckaroodesigns.blogspot.com/
Heather Summers	http://www.stampwithheather.typepad.com/
Heidi King	http://stampinking.blogspot.com/
Jane Lee	http://janeleescards.blogspot.com/
Jeanna Bohanon	http://stamptimesomewhere.typepad.com/
Marisa E Gunn	http://dzinesbymeg.typepad.com/
Sarah Sagert	http://www.sarahsagert.stampinup.net/blog
Wendy Weixler	http://www.wickedlywonderfulcreations.blogspot.com/

It's Back to Spool Time

Maybe your kids are getting ready to go back to school, but at Stampin' Up!, they're preparing for Back to 'Spool'!

During September, you'll get a FREE package of 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon with every $50 purchase. Choose from any of the 2012-2014 In Colors—or spend $200 and get all five!   Click here to see this September 1-30th promotion.

Howl-o-ween Printer’s Tray Project Kit Extension

I’ve just learned that because of the terrific response Stampin’ Up! has received for this special offer, and because of the seasonality of the project kit, they are extending the Howl-o-ween Project Kit promotion through September 16, 2012!

It’s always more fun to stamp with friends! So if you enjoy crafting, would like to start your own home business and set your own hours, then join my Stampin' Up! team.

When you join my team by September 16, you'll get a Howl-o-ween Printer’s Tray project kit absolutely FREE—that's a $75 value! This exclusive kit contains the perfect elements of a spooktacular Halloween decoration!

Stampin' Up!'s New Demonstrator Starter Kit is completely customizable! Build your Starter Kit your way!  Here's what your $125 sign-up fee will get you:

• Your choice of up to $155 worth of any current Stampin' Up! products!
• A business supply pack valued at $70!
• A 20 percent discount on Stampin’ Up! products
• You'll be eligible for TWO Free months of the Demonstrator Business Web Services (DBWS) which includes your own business website and ONLINE Store.  The DBWS provides you with a blog, events calendar, monthly e-newsletter, project gallery, and e-cards.
• Free access to Stampin’ Connection SU's online website
• Invitations to Stampin’ Up! events—Regionals and Convention
• Fantastic new friendships you’ll forge and regular opportunities to get together and stamp.
• Oh and don't forget, your free Howl-O-Ween Printer's Tray Project (includes stamp set, Designer Series Paper, Tray and embellishments). 

Hope you'll join me............ for a Howling Good Time!

 

Christmas in August Class

Here's a snap shot of the cards we made on Sunday August 26th at my Christmas in August Card Class.

We had a lovely 4 hours of creative fun trying new techniques (Herringbone) and playing with the new Ornament Keepsake stamp set and framelit die bundle.  Oh and did I say there was lots of laughing!

I'll be repeating this class in September so if you're interested in participating let me know.  Cost is $20.00 however fee is waived when a minimum order of $25.00 is placed at the class.

I also have Holiday Catalogues on hand so if you are looking for new ideas, would like to host a party or workshop or just simply want to have a catalogue contact me for more information.



Love these Button Buddy Snowmen and the Mixed Medley Hostess Set.  Raspberry Ripple and Gumball Green card stock were used along with Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper.  A little touch of Silver Glimmer paper adds some sparkle to this card. 

Here's a closeup of the little Medallion made with the Mixed Medley Hostess Set.  Basic Rhinestones gives it a bit of bling and the Gumball Green 3/8" Stritched Satin Ribbon adds to the fun.  The sentiment is stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink.

This wonderful crazy quilt pattern called the "Herringbone Design", really livens up this Christmas card.  It was fun to make and everyone was dying to try it again with different DSP.  This one is made with the 4 different patterns from the Be of Good Cheer Designer Paper Series.  An ornament from the Ornament Keepsakes Bundle was used for the centre focal point in this card and some of the red glimmer cardstock adds some pizzazz.   

This card is a remake of the one I did for the Vernon Girls Night Out party a few weeks ago.  The only differences are that the small sheet of Glossy White cardstock has been embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder and a larger ribbon was used for the ornament. 

Our Ornament Keepsake card was a lot of fun to make. The card base is Pacific Point and a layer of Tempting Turquoise followed by a Whisper White layer that's been embossed using the Holiday Frame Embossing Folder.  It's so beautiful and this picture just doesn't capture the depth of the embossing.  The ornament was coloured with markers.  I used Basic Gray for the ornament cap, Tempting Turquoise for the base colour and Pacific Point was rolled around the ornament edges.   Basic Rhinestones were added at the base on each of the sides of the ornament and at the top of the cap.    

I discovered later in the day that I had a big finger print on the lens of my camera........duh, no wonder everything kept blurring.  So, apologies for this little blurred out shot of Ethel DeTemple and Sheri Lee with their versions of the Snowman cards.   What a fun time we had!

Remember I will be holding this class again in September so please check out my Event Calendar and register to attend.  It's a great way to start getting ready for the card season ahead! 

Happy Stamping!
 

Late Night Stampers Glenda Witt and Julie Fields

 

While updating my LNS Treasure Hunt Web Link  this evening I checked out a couple of fellow demonstrator's blogs.  The first was  Glenda Witt of GraphicallyInking. What a great site! 

Glenda recently posted a card using the Floral District DSP that I'm sure you'll love.  The  warm and vivid colours really caught my fancy and the sentiment from the Loving Thoughts stamp set  is simply "wonderful".  

Here's a glimpse at Glenda's card but you'll have to visit her site to get all the the details.  While there don't forget to leave a comment, check out the other awesome cards in her gallery and write down her Treasure Hunt Clue. 

The second LNS member that I'd like to highlight tonight is Julie Fields of Ribbons N' Julz blog.  Julie has created a delightful card called "Winter Ombre" using a sketch from "I Spy Sketches" and inspiration from the Stampin' Royalty site.  The stamp set, Four Seasons is a hostess set featured in the 2012/2013 Idea Book and Catalogue. 

I love the cool wintery blend of Island Indigo and Tempting Turquoise cardstocks and inks and I also love the embossing on velum that makes this card so special. In fact, just looking at this card makes me want to drop everything get out my Four Seasons set and ink it up!  Thanks for the inspiration Julie!   
Julie is also participating in the Treasure Hunt and has posted her clue, so you'll want to check it out.  Be sure to leave her a comment and let her know you came from my blog.

Remember the LNS Treasure Hunt is open to everyone so be sure to play along.  All of the links to the LNS Web Ring and Treasure Hunt are found on the page at the top of my blog header.  Happy Stamping and Treasure Hunting!

Penny

How Do You Make 31 into 45?

Change is good, right??? Well here’s some change in numbers that I think is really good! Honest!

Stampin’ Up!® has just announced to its demos that they’ve decided to extend the 31% Off Digital sale until September 14!   That’s turning 31 into 45 in a BIG WAY! 

Stampin’ Up!® recognizes that summer is a busy time and most of you are wrapping up summer stuff, getting everybody ready for back to school, back to work, etc.  Things are hectic and busy right now.  In fact if you’re like me, it’s hard to work on crafting projects in the summer when you want to be out in the sunshine and enjoying the outdoor activities that abound. 

Stampin’ Up!® realizes that this change doesn't go along with their little "31 theme," but . . . who cares? When we're talking SALE, 45 days is better than 31! Right?  In fact, they decided to extend the sale because demos like me and customers like you, asked for more time since there was so much going on in August with the release of MDS 2 at the same time.

Now everybody can have a little more breathing room to finish their projects to send off to the print services and take advantage of this great promotion.  Don't forget about the 31 digital content items on sale too. Make sure you check these out and snatch up your favorites before September 14.

I’m so relieved because I want to use the printing services so badly for my Convention Album and a little surprise album for my hubby’s birthday in October.  I just haven’t had the time to organize it and now with this extension I’ll be able to finish both.  Whew what a relief! 

Anyhow, keep an eye out for some new ads about this extension, they’ll be out  by September 1^st and I’ll keep you updated. 

Our intuitive digital design software features Stampin’ Up!’s exclusive artwork, colors, and templates. Be your own digital designer and create an array of photobooks, cards, calendars, slideshows, and more—which you can then print using Stampin’ Up!’s print services, or save to DVD, e-mail, or upload to the Internet.