One Year - In Loving Memory

Well today has brought back many thoughts and sad memories of what happened last year! Last year, early in the morning I got a phone call from my mom/dad letting us know that Opa had passed away early that morning. Being back in Alberta this past weekend especially had it's difficult moments since being on the farm there is so many things that you see that Opa always did. This of course makes the empty place in the family very noticable, I think especially for me since I'm not there everyday then I tend to notice/feel it more when I do go "home".

When we went to visit Oma, it is always hard because it is so noticable. Opa's chair is empty, you expect him to be there, to hear him say something and then he isn't which makes it hard. Also seeing her so sad and alone doesn't make it any easier! I am so glad that I was able to be there at Christmas time to see her, and let her know how much I still care. It also helps fill her day somewhat as well which is good.

Thursday night after we got there I gave her a quick call to let her know that we had arrived safely, and then asked if we could stop by the next morning. So Friday morning first thing we went to see her for about an hour, and then in the afternoon I went again without John for a while, since it is easier for her to speak dutch. Saturday afternoon she came to eat lunch at Mom and Dad's with all of us, then in the evening, Christmas Day, we went to eat dinner there with Tanya & Jacob. This of course helped fill her day a little as well. On Monday evening she stopped by, and of course we had to say good-bye since we were going to be leaving the next morning :(  So in the end I actually saw her quite a few times when I was there, which isn't to hard since she lives right next door to my parents as well.

Now at the end of this post I do want to mention one last thing. I can't believe that it has been a year since I received my permanant resident status, that very same day. I still have to say that it all seemed to have worked out in such an amazing way. Especially because that was the last thing I expected, being able to go to my Opa's funeral was the last thing I thought would happen, but amazingly it did.. I do think that the 29th is always going to be a day full of memories especially because so many things happened in such a short time. It makes me think of this text:

Isaiah 55:8-9 (King James Version)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Finally I've also added a picture of Opa & Oma with us on our wedding day.

Swaps

Well I'm not going to spill all the details on my blog yet, but I was really excited when the UPS man delivered my box of Stampin' Up! yesterday evening. As all demonstrators can before the mini comes out, I pre-ordered a few things from the Occassions Mini that comes out in January. Anyway, now comes the fun part! Challenging myself to come up with ideas for the card swap that I'm participating with several other demonstrators for ideas. Since I cleaned up most of the "mess/clutter" in my office the other day that means today is "HAPPY STAMPIN' DAY" :)

So I'm sure that everyone is super curious now, and that is a good thing! I'm going to leave it at this so that you will all really be excited when I finally show you what I came up with and what the sets look like!

Not feeling it?!?

Well, lately even though I've been doing a ton of bazaars/vendor/craft shows I haven't really been feeling the need to be spending a lot of time stamping. That isn't to say that I don't, but for some reason I just seem to have lost my mojo for a while, my stampin' mojo to be exact! I have made several projects lately as I'm sure you've seen a few of them on my blog so it is still there like it always is... but it just isn't the same. The reason I've been thinking about this lately is because I have several projects that I really should finish but they just don't seem to be getting there as quickly as I would like them too.. the biggest one being my wedding scrapbook.

Now I'm sure some of you may be wondering what I do to get the excitement back full force, so today I thought I would share what gets me going. I find that when I hit this slump the thing that gets me going again is listening to SU! video's online, for new products/techniques that are coming avaliable in our next mini catalogue. This time is definitely no exception, I'm definitely excited about some of the new fun products that we will be offering starting in January, and after watching a few video's today I am ready to tackle my stamping room tomorrow and start making things happen!

The truth about my stamping passion is that generally I find that somewhere along the line things kinda slow down and I don't spend as much time stamping and a month or so later I will be back at it. Which is ok with me because I usually find that I get ideas in the mean time. Right now I'm going through a bit of a slump but I still create whenever I feel the need or happen to need a card for an event. In the end no matter what happens that creativity is always there waiting to be unleashed!

The good thing about hitting the slump now and not later is... I've got several different events coming up in January that I'm going to have to prepare for. Baby Shower Invites to be made, decor for the baby shower especially since I have some fun ideas and I can't wait to make them happen! As well as several more workshops that I'm so excited to schedule for January, and of course since most of them will happen during Sale-A-Bration which makes it all the more exciting for my customers as well!

Anyway now that I've share this little tid-bit with you I'm off to bed so that I'm ready to tackle tomorrow head on! Also if you would like to see some of these exciting projects that I will be creating stick around and you will see them, or book your own workshop with me so that you can have fun with your own friends and get some ideas as well! Happy Stampin'!

Snowstorm

Well on Saturday after lunch our snow/rain storm started. Apparently for the typical weather here, it was a weird snowstorm since the snow didn't melt right away, especially since it was above freezing. It was super wet sticky, slushy snow which was fun. Anyway John decided that he was going to go out and shovel our sidewalk, but then when he was out there our neighbour offered to do ours since we have done his the last few times it snowed. So then when he didn't have to do that he figured why not build a snowman. After we got home later that night I took a picture, even though it was dark out, and it turned out it was sure a good thing that I did then rather than waiting till the morning! When I got up in the morning almost more than half the snow was already melted! :(

So here are the pics....

and the next morning.. poor mr. snowman had already fallen over, our plan for the next time it snows it to build him right on the wall leaning forward so that he will fall forward, just like Humpty Dumpty LOL :)

and today... it looks like we didn't even have a major snowstorm :(

More Digital-ly designed cards

Well, I've really started to get the hang of messing around in My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up! and am definitely loving every minute of it! After I did Christmas cards last year I didn't really touch it for a while, but then I started working on a photobook with wedding pictures for my parents. Which for the record isn't done yet, but it is a huge job! Then this year I designed our card which I already shared with you, and several cards for a friend so she had some options to pick from, as well as a two designs for my mom as of Monday. So now the part that I know you are all waiting for, the cards!

So those are the cards that I came up with for my mom, she ended up picking the first one, and just a little tip, if you are getting a 5x6 card printed, MDS (My Digital Studio) only has cards sized 5x7 so make sure you work with that extra inch allowance on the sides. That is why it has a bigger space on the one side.

Now for the cards that I designed for my friend.

So there they are, I'm sure I could come up with many more ideas, but for now since I don't have to I'm not going to!

Etching - Candle jars

Well at the Christmas Party that I attended at Becky's house on Saturday we etched a candle jar. You can buy one for very cheap in the dollar store so this project doesn't have to cost you a fortune either! Etching cream, well that is a bit of a different story but for a decent sized pot that will last you forever.. once you do the math it really isn't to bad! You will just be finding lots of things you can etch LOL :)

Anyway so what you will need:

- candle jar/glass container

- foam brush

- big shot/die

- vinyl

- etching cream

So what Becky had done for us was cut out shapes using out Bigz dies, she had flowers or the Latice die, as well as round or square jars. We peeled the backing off and put the vinyl onto the jar, then we went to apply etching cream over the vinyl. Let it dry for 10 minutes, and then washed it off with warm water as well as peel the vinyl off of our jars.

So here is the end result for mine:

Now as you can see mine isn't perfect, etching is an art that takes some practice so that you don't get streaks etc. So generally the first one is practice and from there you get better!

Now after I made this I thought to myself, how cute would it be to do one with snowflakes for winter/Christmas? So that is another fun idea!

My to do list: changes

Well my list is already shrinking! YAY! :) So here is what I've completed and then below that what still needs to be done!

1. Mail out Stampin' Up! items for customers
2. Mail out Nestie Gifts
3. Find a gift for exchange on Saturday
4. Go take some fun winter pictures, before the snow disappears (which it shouldn't if it stays coldish like it is now)
5. Make Croquetten! yummy, I'm already craving them! LOL :)

So I feel pretty good about that because I've got a pretty good start already! :) Now for the rest that still needs doing!
1.Mail out Christmas Cards
2.Scrapbook
3. Sew aprons
4. Sew Nursing Cover-ups(for gifts), and to sell on Etsy (already got one done,  now just the last one)
5. Finish Crochetting Hat
6. Finish current Quilt
7. Get family calender designed/printed!

So I guess still quite the list but at least it got shorter!!

Another ONE LAYER card!

Well I seem to be on a roll with "one layer" cards. Ever since I was challenged to come up with something, lately, I find that the one of the first ideas to cross my mind is.. hmm what could I do for a one layer card that is simple and I can use "this" stamp set for!

Anyway here is tonights card, I made them for a swap tomorrow with a group of Stampin' Up! demo's that live in the area. Tomorrow is the groups Christmas Party, and since I've kinda been adopted by them I am allowed to attend any events that she puts on for her group. This is great especially because my upline lives 2 1/2 hours away from me! So... enough said, and enough rambling, here are some pictures!

So as you can see very simple, two stamps and a ribbon to finish it all off!

Snow...

Well I finally decided to take a picture of our house in the snow, before all the snow melts again! Anyway I'm still kicking myself for not doing it a few days ago when there was snow everywhere, and frost on all the trees etc which made everything look so pretty! I'm really sad that things are starting to melt though, because that means that the snow's life here is short lived, once again :( Yes, I LOVE SNOW, and I know some of you reading this are thinking.. seriously?! what is wrong with her?! haha :) but you don't know what you miss until you hardly get any of it in a winter, and it just isn't the same without it! I'm saying that from experience now!

Also since I don't think I've posted a picture of the house after we painted the outside this fall now you can see what we did ;)

Decor Elements

Well I finally bit the bullet and decided to actually go ahead and put a Decor Element on my walls. Until today I hadn't gone there because we live in a rental, and eventually if we move I won't be able to take it along with me. Well I got over being sentimental about one of the ones that I've been keeping in my stash for someday, or for a frame and actually put it up on my wall! Here is what it looks like:

So there it is! Now also decided that since I'm getting over it I might as well order a nice tree for my other wall to help out and break it up a bit since it is way to big of a wall and way to bare right now! I'll post pictures of that once I get that all taken care of! In the mean time, why not order some fun Decor Elements (vinyl) for your own home from Stampin' Up!

Christmas Card - 2010

Well obviously I'm pretty excited about this otherwise I wouldn't be posting about it! LOL :) Anyway I used Stampin' Up!'s, My Digital Studio, once again, to design our Christmas card. I didn't have a lot of great pictures to choose from, but managed to find one that I liked and we looked nice on, so off to designing the card I went. I came up with one but it seemed to be missing something, so I asked my FIL what he though, he gave me a different idea which I took and tada.... Here is the end result minus full names etc :)

So for those of you who are getting one, well I guess you have now seen what you are getting. Also for those of you who like having fun designing cards, scrapbooking etc. Stampin' Up!s Digital program is currently 50% off, until tomorrow so HURRY and order your program! If you have any questions feel free to give me a shout!

Lists

Well I have decided that it is high time for a to do list, once again! I find that I start doing pretty great without a list for a while after I make one and complete several items on it, but then it slowly starts to peter-out again, much to my dismay!

Anyway enough of all this sitting around trying to decide what needs to be done next and then not doing a whole lot of anything, because I can't decide, or I decide that I really don't feel like doing what needs to be done, so there I sit bored stiff on my couch for days! So lists here I come once again!

1. Scrapbook
2. Mail out Christmas Cards
3. Mail out Stampin' Up! items for customers
4. Mail out Nestie Gifts
5. Find a gift for exchange on Saturday
6. Sew aprons
7. Sew Nursing Cover-ups(for gifts), and to sell on Etsy
8. Finish Crochetting Hat
9. Finish current Quilt
10. Go take some fun winter pictures, before the snow disappears (which it shouldn't if it stays coldish like it is now)
11. Get family calender designed/printed!
12. Make Croquetten! yummy, I'm already craving them! LOL :)

That is all I can think of right now so I figure that is a pretty good start of things that need doing!

Doily #2 finished

Well a few nights ago I finally finished my second doily, but then I needed to find liquid starch. Since I couldn't find that in Safeway where I bought it last time I decided to check when I did groceries in Win-Co. Anyway then that same evening I put it on the board to stretch/starch it.

Here it is:

Black Friday

So this was my second Black Friday that I was living in the U.S. and the first time that I went shopping on Black Friday! I'm sure some of you will wonder if I thought it was worth fighting the "crazy" people who were out there, and I think I have to say yes because I went to.............. HOBBY LOBBY! eeeek, I mean how could it not be worth my while when I went there after all! I bought some fabric and a few other little things, and had a whole lot of fun wandering through the decor section in the store dreaming about what I would use/how I would decorate my house if it was bigger!! I also fell in love with some lights that would look super in my living room on my tables, but a little out of our "winter" budget for now... so a someday they shall be for a while!

Anyway I was just looking online in the store to see if I could find the lamps that I really liked but they don't have half the selection online, so I guess I can't show you :( Anyway here is a picture of the fabric I bought!

Wishful Thinking..

Some days I wish I could be little again, it seems like you have so little to worry about when you are young! The sad thing about that is, you don't realize it! Anyway I just needed to get that out there :) Don't get me wrong I love being married etc. but minus the bills would be nice, (especially now that the weather is cold, the heating bill is no fun!)  haha.. I know dream on eh?!

Anyway hopefully it warms up a little tomorrow, because there is one thing I know that I hate, and that is being cold.. which it seems to have been for me the last few days :( Anyway enough said.. my little house is cold, and turning the heat up well that means a even more expensive bill so I guess I won't say anything else.

Also for my wonderful peeps who live in Alberta I feel for all of you because I know that it is oh so much colder over there at the moment.. which I can live with, if my heat bill wouldn't be so expensive LOL :)

I'm Dreaming of a White....

Christmas.. or I should probably say Thanksgiving :) I honestly am so excited about the snow that we are getting, it started yesterday afternoon for a bit, but it was too warm for it to stick and stay, towards evening it got colder, and by the time we got out of church it was starting to stick. Anyway right now I'm finally happy to say that I'm looking at a Winter Wonderland, and there is more snow falling!  Some of you may not know why I get so excited about snow, but I've always loved snow/winter and really miss that since I moved... we hardly get any snow here that stays for any length of time! So enough said.. here is a quick picture of what I'm looking at through my window!

and since I took this picture the flakes have gotten bigger I decided to take another picture for fun (which turned into two pictures) LOL :)

Paper Wreath

Well here is the project that I told you was a top secret! I got my order in today so I could finish it, since I ran out of the patterned papers that I was using. After I started and was about 1/2 way done I started wishing that I had used 3 patterns and not just two like I did, but I wasn't going to rip it all off and start over either. This wreath is going to replace the ribbon one that I have hanging above my piano, since that is a fall themed one.

So there it is! :) I'm super happy with how it turned out and love that I could make another different style wreath with Stampin' Up! produts!

edit: For those of you who would like to make one for yourself here are some instructions: http://theredthreadblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/paper-christmas-wreath-tutorial.html

I followed this tutorial which totally made my life easier, I also drew my own leaf so if you want that let me know and then I can forward you a PDF document with the pattern that I used.

Aprons

Well I've spent the last few days sewing up a storm.. I have had several aprons almost ready to go for a while. Two were almost ready to go.. I had to sew the last few small details onto them. Then I also had another one that was all ready to be sewn together (technically I have another one like that).. anyway so finally a few days ago I decided that enough was enough, I needed to get some more sewn for my etsy shop, and finish one for an order that I had. It is amazing what some motivation can do to get projects done!

Anyway so head on over to my store and check them out, better yet they need a home :)

Once I got the aprons done I decided to get going on some of my other sewing projects so right now I'm working on finishing my tablecloth's hem, which was another one of those projects that I kept putting off for not good reason. Anyway I have that all ironed and now I just need to sew the hem in, and top stitch the centre seams so off I go to get that done tonight yet!

Inspiration

Well I just realized that I haven't posted in a few days, which I guess is O.K.! LOL :) Anyway last week Saturday I got up bright and early, at 5:45 and was out of the door by 6:45 for a "bazaar" or a "craft fair". Anyway needless to say being up that early makes for a super long day, but on the bright side I spent it doing my favorite thing.. spreading the word about Stampin' Up! and working on building my business.

While I was there I was inspired by something that another vendor had hanging in her booth. Since I haven't found a tutorial for what I saw I can't show you my inspiration... and I'm not going to tell you what it was until I've had a chance to sit down and make one based on what I have found online! :) ::top secret:: haha

As for what I've been up to today? Well I've been searching online on Craigslist for more bazaars since I need to get more leads so I can build my business. I happened to find one for this week Saturday from 10-8 so that is going to make for a really long day but I'm hoping that it all works out in the end. After I did that I went over to Tiffanie's house to finalize her workshop, and get my massage :) This afternoon I have also spent some time working on creating cards since I decided that I am going to be taking several items along to sell at my booth so that I have something else to help cover the cost, and hopefully get a few more people to stop by rather than just running by like they are scared of SU! ;)

.. that all being said enough has been done for the day and I'm so ready for bed!

New Toy...

I'm actually pretty excited, because today I offically bought my first new toy for "kids" namely younger siblings and other children who come over to play. I found Puzzibits I didn't buy them from just any ordinary place online though.. I bought them through Totsy and got a special discount... so instead of paying more I paid less and actually got this tote full for $27. So next time I have some kids over that are old enough to play.. I can actually say that I finally bought them something to play with, and since I've never really seen it before, that should make their day great as well!

How I hate this weather!

All I can say is when we hit winter here I sure know! Fog, fog, and more fog.. ugh miserable kind of weather! I remember doing/saying this last year too.. I honestly think that sometimes snow would be better than fog, or I know it is! haha :) Oh well what can I say, I'll survive even though I really dislike this all!

I do think it is time to haul out my winter decor though, because this weather is definitely giving me the itch to do so, and that fact that all the stores are starting to get out all the winter products isn't helping me either. I'm just going to have to find the tote that I put it in for storage first! So... off I go to do something better than looking at the weather outside! :)

In Remembrance

So I'm sitting here on my couch racking my brains as to what I could possibly come up with for a card design for Remembrance/Veterans Day. I've got an idea, but I don't have the Stamp Set that I really need to make the card happen hmm now that is a problem. So I'll have to see what I can come up with, since I'm not buying something just because I decide that today I want to make 1 card with it, and then it will sit on my shelf and not get used for a long time again!

Once again, I would like to thank all those who fight/have fought in war(s) to protect our countries! In honour of them here is my favorite poem for Rememberance Day!

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

This poem has been one of my favorite since I was in fourth grade, when I had to do a art project with something related to Remembrance Day.

I'll be posting something else later today...

Wreath

Well I finally got a wreath for my front door.. YAY! I had wanted one for a long time already, but they aren't exactly cheap either, and I didn't want a very seasonal one, but wanted a berry one... well I got it today!

I temporarily put it on my door leading to the garage because it was already dark outside.. so there you have it!

Now.. the next day.. here it is on the outside door:

Workshop #1

Well last night I had my first SU! workshop as a U.S. demonstrator, and to say the least good times! I was slightly nervous about doing a workshop again, since it has been a long time since I've had to sit and do an official one. Probably getting close to 2 years ago... classes are different, and doing it with the church ladies for a fundraiser isn't the same because you don't expect to have to try make sales while doing that.  In the end, I had a great time even though panic hit about an hour before I had to leave for Tiffanie's house. I got everything done that needed to be done, and had a great time sharing and stamping with the ladies. One of her friends also tentatively booked a workshop for January which has me really excited, since she wants to do a valentines related one.. eek :)

Anyway, last night I demonstrated 3 projects plus the make 'n take for them, and I decided to share them with you all but the scrapbook page since I only did one of those. So for you, a card, a 3-D project, and the make 'n take which was another card.

Here they are:

I used the Candy Wrapper Die for the project below..

This was their make 'n take..

So there you go :)

Rag Quilt

Well my sister-in-law and I made a rag quilt for a fundraiser sale that we have for our school and mission every year. This took at bit of juggling of schedules but we managed to make it work.. between me cutting out all the squares and batting. Both or us sewing, and finally Cynthia clipping all the edges we got it done today! :) So here it is:

This quilt was the same pattern I used for the very first quilt that I made all by myself when I was in eleventh grade for Home-Ec, to get some extra credits. I debated about not posting a picture of it.. but since it is currently on the back of my couch again... since the weather has been getting cooler and it is great to be able to curl up on the couch with my quilt... LOL :) So here is a picture of that one...

As you can see I did add a little extra something.. the flowers on some of the big squares :)

I have to admit that I have learned a lot more about quilting in the past 9 years since I made my first project, and since I mentioned that one.. here is a picture of it as well.. yup it is picture posting day. This quillow is hand quilted, trust me not the greatest art work ever done but for a 13 1/2 year old who hated sewing I guess it wasn't to bad LOL :)

psst I just won't tell you what it looks like on the inside haha :)



Banana Facts

[Source: Today I Found Out]

Cards - Based on my Inspiration

Well I finally got around to making a few more cards using the inspiration that I used a little while ago. Anyway so these cards are no longer one layer cards but they give some ideas of how to use the inspiration for the one layer card and give them a little extra pizzaz! So here they are:

As you can see the first card on the top left is the first card I made using the inspiration. From there I came up with a few more. Simple.. and then one so that you can up-sell the punches that SU carries. So fun, quick and easy that who wouldn't want to make cards to give to their friends now!!

Oh and of course I can't forget this.. but you know those fantastic new pearls that SU! now carries? Well each card has one of them on there as well!

Cleaning - again!

Well I decided that today was the day to finish tackelling the 2nd room in our house aka: the office :) Anyway I had been debating about moving somethings around in there to see what would happen. In the end I moved something and put it right back, and in the process of doing that well this is the end result: MESS :( I'm not sure if it was better before I did all the re-arranging and then putting it back to it's original spot or not. Either way it is pretty depressing looking at all my "stuff" trying to figure out where I should put it. I know this much it sure isn't going back into cardboard SU! boxes if I can help it! I took it out of them for a reason, and don't want to have it in there again for another year before I decide to try do something about it!

My problem is, mainly my house is so small that is it hard trying to find places for everything with out keeping it sitting in a box :( I actually need another bookcase but don't know where I would put it if I got another one. Having another book case would solve the problem with half of my shelf storage in the closet being taken up with books.  My fabric needs a better home than a box.... don't know what though :(  One thing I do know is that someday when we get our own house, living in a little house is going to make me really know what I want/need in that house! LOL :)

Now I purposely took pictures of the mess for everyone to see so that I get it all cleaned up and can post end result pictures! haha  :) But.. not till it is all neat :)

Inspiration

Well, I've been getting emails that give me inspiration for cards. Usually I just look at them and leave them in a folder in my email, but since todays was super easy I figured I could quickly stamp sometime before leaving home this morning. So here is the inspiration:
 
and then obviously the card that I made:

So I followed the out-lay, kinda, sorta LOL :) Then after I had made this one layer card I though hmm what if I wanted to jazz it up a bit more, so.... of course I have to make another card or two to see what I could all do with the simple card to make it more fun/advanced!

Regional Projects

Well since I havn't shared the projects we made at Regionals yet I figured maybe I should :) We had six Make 'N Take's to complete during regionals and here they are: 4 cards, a cute little gift holder, and last but not least a scrapbook page. All super cute and fun projects using the stamp set that we got!

So there they are! :)

On to Act 3 - Recruit Crew

Well, today was the day that we had to send in our Report for Act 2, I have to admit I did not so great, which makes me sad. At the same time I'm excited because I know my Report for Act 3 will be all completed, because I have a workshop booked for it.

Today I spent some time on the phone, looking for some more Church Bazaars that I could possibly go to. I didn't have to much luck, but I did make a few flyers for one of the local schools. I decided that because HELLO how could the kids not have fun making the cute little Countdown favour boxes from the Holiday Mini, I would make a few flyers and bring them down to the school. Now I wait, and hopefully in the next week or so I hear from them. I spoke to the secretary and she was going to discuss it with the teachers. I decided that because I was doing it for a school, that maybe I would give them a little discount if they buy 4 packages. Mind you I tend not to do this, but once in a while.......I figure who knows, if it gets me 4 pkgs sold I'm super happy, then the fact that ALL those kids take them home.. hopefully another score for me! Now we wait!

Another event on my Calender...

So, today I decided that after talking to my upline, Julie last Friday that I would see what I could find out about Craft Bazaars. The interesting thing was that when I got an email in my inbox today from a Pampered Chef Rep. I decided to email her and ask her what she knew aka if she knew of any events. Well no sooner did I send her that email and I got a phone call within seconds from her. She gave me some helpful tips of where to start. So I looked on Craigslist and found two, of course they both happen to be on the same day which was really to bad, but it is what it is. Then it came down to making a decision, I decided to go with the one in Kennewick and see what happens from there. So another day booked on my calender, so now November 13th is taken as well! YAY :)

I won something - So exciting!

Well I've entered some odd # of contests on blogs for quilters hoping to win some fabric somewhere along the line. Well that dream came true when I saw that I had an email in my inbox this morning from Jera. She has a blog called Quilting In the Rain and has some fun projects posted on there as well. A little while ago when I found her blog I saw that she was having a give-away for some fabric. So I decided to enter and see what would happen. Never expecting to win something, but I did! I came in second place so that means I don't get to choose which jelly roll I want but hey at least I get something LOL :) Now I wait till she has time to mail it out to me! Eeek :)

Regional

Well, since my blog likes eating my posts I'm hoping that I can actually get this one posted and it doesn't eat it, because it is going to be a long update!

So since you already saw my swap for regional I'm not going to go into more detail on that one, other than to say that I finished it on Thursday morning the day I had to leave for Portland. I always seem to leave those things for the last minute and it was absolutely no different this time around. I only made 15 because I hate coming home with stacks and stack of swaps that just get shoved in my drawer and in the end I never look at them again! I do think that I got some nice ones in the end so that worked out pretty good. For a lot of the others I went to look at the board in the back with all the swaps from the swapdrop basket and took pictures of the ones that I liked!

Anyway Thursday afternoon I had hoped to get out of the door between 3:00 and 3:30 but knew that would probably be pushing it, and what would you know I didn't get out of the door till 3:50 LOL :) First stop was to fuel up so that I could make it to Portland and back without having to fuel up. There was actually some gorgeous scenery along the way and so I had to take some pictures because the leaves/colors were amazing!

So there you have it.. some pictures of the scenery.. pictures don't do it justice,  but at least you can get a bit of an idea!

Anyway so driving into Portland by yourself as you are trying to read a map, which the directions aren't telling you the same thing as the signs are proved to be a bit stressful. Every time when the road would split I would end up having a panic attack because I wasn't sure if I was going the right way or not LOL :) Anyway in the end it turned out that I sure did take the right exits at the right times etc. because I ended up at exit 302A with no problems :) YAY!  I had decided that for the first time ever I was going to share a room with some SU ladies that I had never met before, and I thought that was kinda scary as well.. because what if I didn't like one of them or all of them for that matter haha. Turns out I got along with them just fine!

When I got there we went out for dinner yet, since none of us had eaten, they decided to go to the Red Robin since that was just down the street. For me, well I told them to pick because I had never been and so if that is where they wanted to go then I was cool with that as well! Anyway Cathy told me then that the first Red Robin was started on the UW campus, which I thought was a fun little tid bit of info since John had gone to University there, and I've been there a few times myself! (on campus that is) After dinner we went back to the hotel and I helped Cathy finish her swaps, since she still had a "few" to do. Once they were done we just sat around and chatted for a little bit, and then off to bed. Sleeping proved to be a thing not to do that night, since I couldn't really get to sleep due to the Light-rail being right outside our hotel window.. so between the "trains" going by, and the cars driving over the tracks lets just say that I didn't get to much sleep that night :( It is a sad day when that happens haha :)

Anyway, the next morning we were up bright and early getting ready, so that we could be standing in line at the convention centre so we could be some of the first ones in the door so we could get good seats! Typical for any demonstrator even that I've attended so far! haha :) Anyway, we got right in the front few rows thanks to a little help from a fellow demonstrator who is in our SBStampers group since she was demoing, and could get in early!

So here is a picture of some new friends that I made Cathy, and Crystal. I should have gotten one taken of all of us.. but umm just to say I forgot so sad..

They were super busy mounting stamps so they didn't notice that I had taken this picture LOL :)

Anyway, as a demo like always when we attend a SU! even we get some fun stuff! LOL :) Anyway so we got a Make 'N Take package, with 6 projects, as well as a Stamp Set, which we use to make them. The set that we got this time was called Day of Gratitude. So here is a picture of this nice set...

The throughout the day Stampin' Up! had some really great topics/speakers which were very inspiring, and we also had some fabulous Prize Patrols of which I won a Stamp Set! YAAAY :D Anyway needless to say I was super excited to win something in the first Prize Patrol but sad at the same time, because I knew I couldn't do anything with the set. I had won the set called Fang-tastic, and since I don't do Halloween what was I ever going to do with the set. In the end I decided to wait it out and see if someone else from our group won something that I could possibly trade a set with. When someone did I was really happy, so I went over and spoke to her, and told her that I would never use the set, asking her if she wanted to trade, but making sure she knew that I wasn't pressuring her to swap sets in anyway. She had to laugh and she told me that if she did that I would have to live with it mounted her way haha :wink: because all the sets that were given in Prize Patrol were clear sets. Anyway she thought about it and about 15 minutes later she came to me and gave me her set Tags til Christmas, I was so unbelievably excited LOL :) So anyway here is a picture of the set: 

All complete with some fun pink ribbon.. I mean how can you go wrong when it has bold pink ribbon on it LOL :)

Anyway now some fun things that everyone in attendance got, a container of glitter brads and a Portland Pin, we were super duper excited when we got told we got a pin LOL.. and I'm sure lots of people who don't understand what gets us demonstrators so pumped about little things will roll there eyes at me/us, but there was a lot of cheering going on. I have to tell you that my hubby and SIL kinda rolled their eyes at me when they saw the pin, couldn't figure out why I was so excited about it. Anyway so here is a picture of the pin.. and then a peek at the brads as well!

Can you spot the pin that I got??

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Yup you guess it.. the Portland one of course! haha :) here is a closer look at the pin.. I love it, because I'm not one of these people who is all about the "green" movement because I think it is a bit over-rated, I figure yes we need to live responsibly but hello somethings are the way they are today as well, and you can't avoid them. Anyway enough said.. here you are.

I love that is says: I'M A STAMP HUGGER!

Finally here is a picture of our brads that we all got!

Another fun thing for me was that I also finally got to meet my U.S. upline, Julie Gunhus she was absolutely all I wanted her to be! LOL :) A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Thanks so much for passing her name on to me Lisa, I can't even begin to thank you enough!  So of course like at any event that Shelli Gardner - Stampin' Up! CEO attends you try to get a picture with her, and talk to her for a little bit, because hello it isn't every day that you get that opportunity. I told Julie that I wanted a picture with her, Shelli and me. So we go over there and waited a little while in line to get a picture and to be able to talk to her. Anyway, when we got there, Julie tells her that I'm her new downline, and that I am also a Canadian demonstrator etc. Anyway long story short Shelli was super excited, and had to give me several hugs LOL :) Anyway, in the end I spoke to her a few more times, and hope that I can make her dream for me come true. She told me that she expects me to do some big things, and some day she wants to see me be one of the top demonstrators.. LOL :) I'm sure she tells more people that, but she honestly couldn't get over the fact that right now I'm running a Canadian business, and an American business! To tell you the truth I'm amazed that things have been working out so well, so far anyway, too!  Anyway no more suspense here is the picture of us :)

Anyway so between everything that I got that day to take home, lets just say I'm a super duper pumped person right now! I'm so exciting about my business and can't wait to build it.. hold workshops.. stamps clubs in my home etc. Some of the amazing tips/ideas that we got definitely helped give me different ideas of great ways to incorperate booking statements, recruiting statements, and many more into my workshops. The biggest piece of info that I walked away with was that I need to learn how to make it sound/look like anyone can be a demonstartor, which is Glenda Travelstead's philosophy. She did a mock workshop for us, based on the basic demontrator template online. She was absolutly hilarious and oh so funny to watch/listen too!

Anyway a few more pictures of some of my favorite SU! people.. LOL, I've heard several of them speak at other events, and think they are both amazing!

Shannon West - who I've listened to more often lately due to the recruit crew

and also a picture of Shelli while she was up on stage..

 as well as the fun little box project that she demo'd for us!

 

So I think that is most of my story that I have to share with you. Here is a picture of the Convention Centre and then that is all I've got for you this time.

I have to admit not a picture of the whole place because it is huge! LOL :)