Stampin' & Scrappin' with Donna

THIS LAST YEAR HAS FLOWN BY

Yesterday the family gathered to celebrate Miss Norah's very first birthday. We marveled at how one little girl has the power to draw all of us together ... two years ago I didn't even know some of these people, and now I consider them all members of my extended family. She is one lucky girl to be sooo loved by so many.

The guest of honour, meanwhile, marveled at the silly antics we all went through .. fourteen people singing Happy Birthday to her and showering her with gifts ... it was a hoot to watch the puzzlement on her face as she looked from one person to the next.

 

But the best part was watching her "discover" chocolate cake ... when placed in front of her, she daintily poked her fingers into the icing and gingerly tasted the sugary icing for the first time in her life - an instant hit!

I have to confess that I didn't make my grandbaby's birthday card this year, so I can't share that card today ... instead, I have a photo of one of my favourite cards from the Make & Take session at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference, held back in January in San Antonio, TX.

With a little modification, I think this would make a great kid's birthday card - the rotating wheel could be stamped with numbers instead of kites ... then just twirl the wheel to the right number for a personalized birthday greeting. Oh, and check out the adorable closure on the envelope .. now how cute is that! (Stamp set is "Send Me Soaring", found on pg 37 of the Occasions Mini catalogue).

Until next time,

APPARENTLY, MARCH IS BABY MONTH

A year ago this month our family was blessed with our first grandbaby ... it's hard to believe she's already a year old, and at the same time I can't remember what life was like without her being a part of our family... I am in Grandma Heaven!

On the same day our granddaughter arrived last year, my cousin Sherrylee in St. Catherines became a grandmother for the first time too! Her little grandson is quite the handsome dude.

 

And my nephew's little angel celebrated her first birthday this March out in British Columbia with her big brother and sister.

Now fast forward to March of this year ... my cousin Marlene became a grandmother on March 2nd in Guelph, ON; ANOTHER cousin  (yes, I have a lot of cousins, lol) became a first-time daddy about week ago in London, ON (yay Scott!) and today a good friend and member of the Artful*Inkers team, Janessa, gave birth to her second child up in Barrie, ON!

Something tells me I've missed one in there somewhere ... no doubt I will hear about my forgetfulness, pronto.

It's doing me a world of good to hear about all these new little babies ... it reminds me that life goes on, even after someone you love passes away. I look forward to telling little Miss Norah all about her great-grandad someday.

Here's an adorable birth announcement card that I recently received from another friend, neighbour and team-mate, Joanna - celebrating the birth of her precious little girl in December.

This card was made using Stampin' Up! punches, cardstock and embossing folder ... inside is a picture of her sleeping beauty and all the details of her birthday.

Go ahead, click on the photo for a closer look. Now, how cute is that!

A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT...

That's an old saying my father used to say whenever someone didn't follow through on a promise and he had to hire someone else to do the work .... I used it with my kids too, but usually to say that they were too late with their chores so I did the work myself and kept their allowance (what a meanie I was!)

Today I use this old phrase with you to acknowledge that I dropped the ball yesterday - I DIDN'T send out the first of 12 Holiday Helper emails as promised, and I DIDN'T let you all know about Stampin' Up!'s pre-holiday ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA SALE which started yesterday - that was extra-bad of me because one of the items on sale was available only for the first 24 hours - phooey! I wonder how I can make that up to you? Keep reading...

I was totally out of commission due to a whopper of a migraine that conveniently started at the end of the Baby & Bump show on Sunday and finally faded away late last night. I remember all too much of Sunday night - being awake and in pain for most of it, but I really can't remember much about yesterday - I slept, medicated, drank water - then repeated the cycle all day long.

Today, other than some residual stiffness in my shoulders and neck, I'm back on my feet and working once again. You can expect the first TWO HOLIDAY HELPERS to be in your inbox by end of day today, and the rest will follow  - one each morning until they're done.

As for the ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA SALE - there are some pretty amazing specials, running from 20% to 60% savings on selected items, so it's definitely worth checking out!

Here's the link to view the flyer online

This event continues for 10 days - over the American Thanksgiving & Black Monday Sales - so we can enjoy some great savings up here in Canada too! Also included is a special offer for digital crafters: purchase MY DIGITAL STUDIO EXPRESS @ the regular price of $49.95 and you'll get your choice of a FREE Digital Download Bundle worth $42.00!! The bundle options are: 

Bundle #1: My Digital Studio Booster Pack  (item # 124484)

Bundle #2: Holiday Themed Downloads (item #129385)
    -Merry & Type Stamp Brush Set
    -Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper
    -Letters to Santa Embellishments
    -Baker's Twine
    -Dasher Stamp Brush
    -Holiday Harmony II Kit
    -Merry Delightful Digital Tape
    -25 & Counting Stamp Brush Set
    -Deck the Halls Designer Buttons
    -And a Happy New Year Photocard Template  

Bundle #3: Scrapbooking Themed Downloads (item #129386)
    -Day in the Lift Kit
    -Thoughtful Overlays Stamp Brush Set
    -Fun Flowers Shapes
    -Delightful Digital Tape
    -Sweet Details Alphabet & Numbers
    -Word Play Stamp Brush Set

To view a PDF of the images in each bundle, visit my online store and look under My Digital Studio Express.

The ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA prices are available whether you place an order with me through a workshop, over the phone or email, or online through my website (use the link above to make sure you're at MY store and get the PREFERRED pricing)

NOTE: Digital items MUST be ordered online through my store as they are delivered to you online immediately after your purchase. This includes the MY DIGITAL STUDIO EXPRESS software with the FREE bundle offer.

Now remember that very special offer that was only on the table for the first 24 hours (like, yesterday)? Here's what we missed:

• 20% off SIMPLY SCORED (Item 122334, pg 7 of Holiday Mini) - reg. price: $38.95
• 20% off SWEET PRESSED COOKIE STAMPS (Item 125152) - reg. price: $20.95

Those are two of our most popular new items right now - and I feel badly that I didn't let you know about the 24 hour sale yesterday, so here's what I'm going to do: Anyone who places an order of $50 or more in the next 9 days (during the Online Extravaganza) can also purchase either of yesterday's items at 20% off and I WILL PAY the difference. If your order is $100 or more, you can purchase BOTH of yesterday's items and I will pay the 20% difference.

Enjoy your holiday shopping, and if you are a newsletter subscriber, watch out for your first two Holiday Helpers to arrive in your inbox later today!

cheers,

IT'S THE MOST BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR!

A little change to the well-known lyrics of a certain holiday song ... but so appropriate!! (I hope I didn't just get that tune stuck in your head for the rest of the day; he,he,he)

Last Saturday's Craft Sale & Open House at ARC Industries in Guelph was a great day - thank you so much to everyone who stopped by! My sister, who many of you know has Downs Syndrome, works at ARC and she loves crafts so we made some gift tags and rustic wooden stars (my, she really liked the hammering part - who knew!) and a few other trinkets and we set up a booth together. It was a real joy to meet all the people from her workplace and to see her excitement each time we sold one of "her'" items - the money went into a separate tin and she happily went off to spend it at the other booths during lunch. We made some good memories that day!

I'm holding another Paper Medallion Wreath class this Thursday, this time at the Clifford Library. I've also been working on a wreath kit for my SCRAP IT paper crafting line ... it should be available to purchase next week.

Saturday the 19th is our 35th wedding anniversary; hubby will be spending the day sleeping and the night working, while I will be setting up a booth with my down-line Joanna at "Christmas in Clifford" to intice you all to buy our ready-made holiday cards, gifts and decorations. It's at the Community Centre from 10 am - 3 pm.

Sunday the 20th I'll be at the "Baby & Bump" show at Bingeman's in Kitchener ... this one's a really great show for moms, prospective moms, grandmas, aunties, babies & toddlers! All the vendors have baby/toddler related products and services, plus there's live entertainment, demonstrations, and a crawling baby race! Being a new grandma myself, I can't wait to do some Christmas shopping when I'm not busy teaching the sweet little mom & me project that I'm prepping today. I got into this show at the last minute; (it's not even on my events calendar yet!) so if you can spread the word to family and friends, I sure would appreciate it! Here's the Baby & Bump link for more information; hope to see you there!

And on Monday November 28 I'll be running my annual 20 Christmas Card Marathon class - make 20 different cards for the holidays using 1/2 a Simply Scrappin' kit - envelopes included; all for only $25. I've booked us lots of space at Crafters Cupboard in Guelph so we won't feel crowded like last year, lol. RSVP quick so I have time to order enough kits for you and your friends!

There are more shows and more classes in November, but I'd better get back to cutting and packaging cardstock right now, lol. Check out my calendar of events - hope to create something with you this month!

HAPPY, HAPPY NEWS

There sure is a lot to be happy about these days ...

First off, a BELATED Happy Canada Day to everyone up here in the Great White North, and a BELATED Happy Independence Day to all my friends, family and co-horts in the US! I hope EVERYONE had a relaxing, memory-filled long weekend ... without getting a sunburn!

More Happy News:

• The 2011-2012 IDEA BOOK & CATALOGUE from Stampin' Up! is now in effect, and it is FULL of wonderful new products that I for one can't wait to get my hands on! Well to be truthful, as a demonstrator I ALREADY have my hands on a few choice bits that I'll be showing off at my ....

• NEW CATTY LAUNCH AND ANNUAL TENT SALE (minus the tent) - it's this Saturday, July 9th from 10 am - 1 pm and since hubby & I are moving later this month, I'm throwing everything but the studio sink (wink) into this sale 'cause my new stamping space is about a quarter of the size of my current studio! So to encourage as much as possible to leave my home and go to yours, I'm giving it all away ...

• That's right! Fill your bag with retired embellishments, tools, stamps, card samples, grab bags of UFOs and soooo much more; then my assistants will tally up your total - and as long as you place an order from the new catalogue equal to or more than that total (before taxes and shipping) then you can take your bag of treasure home FOR FREE! And as if that wasn't enough happy news - guess who's coming to Saturday's sale?

• My daughter and granddaughter - WAHOO! Mel will be here with her delicious baking (a recently developed talent that surprised the heck out of her mother - who knew?) to help raise money for her entry fee into the WEEKEND TO END WOMENS' CANCERS ... and baby Norah will be here to delight and charm you all into buying her mommy's baked goods; buy a cookie and you get to hold the baby ... hmmm <wink>

Owl Hoot for Canada!

See you all on Saturday!!

PS: UFOs in my world are "unfinished objects" - and I have a ton of them to give away!

cheers

 

IT'S THE HAP-HAPPIEST TIME OF THE YEAR!

Hello! Did you miss me?

We're just back from an impromtu camping trip and family reunion (I do love having a flexible job so when hubby says, "Let's go" I can do a quick shuffle and follow him out the door, lol!). I organized some "Baby Triathalon" games at the reunion so that my little grandbaby would be able to participate this year <wink> and it was hilarious to see the adults on "Team Norah" trying to get her to make faces, build a tower out of sponges, and play baby soccer (picture Daddy holding her under her arms and swinging her body & feet at the ball .. it was a hoot!)

But now it's time to get back to work (or play, as hubby insists) ...

So what's up with today's title?

If you've been around me & Stampin' Up! for any length of time, you already know why I LOVE this time of year ... it's NEW CATALOGUE TIME!!!

At the end of June, I get to purge my stampin' space of all the lovelies that Stampin' Up! is retiring ... AND I've been given a demonstrator's sneak peek at the new 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalogue ... I even got to pre-order some of the amazing new stuff that will be filling the new catty's pages! (I love my job - I mean PLAY .. hubby's right, lol).

So, what about you ... when can you get your hands on all of these goodies?

Well, for starters, if you pre-ordered your new catalogue through me last month ... they're here, so come and get 'em!!

If you want a catalogue and didn't pre-order ... you'll just have to attend my NEW CATALOGUE LAUNCH on Saturday, July 9th, from 10 am to 1 pm! Yep, the big white tent sale is NOT on Canada Day this year, and actually you won't even see the white tent this year ... but everything else about this annual extravaganza will be in place:

• the first thing you see when you arrive at my house will be tables and tables of retired Stampin' Up! product: stamp sets, designer series papers, inks, wheels, embellishments, ribbons ... as well as misc. "things to stamp on", card stock salad bags, grab bags of retired card samples, old catalogues, a few non-Stampin' Up! stamps (gasp!) and some unfinished paper projects looking for a new home ... and it's all priced to go!
• when you arrive you can shop the tables and bag up your treasures; one of my helpers will total things up for you and hand you your shiny new copy of the 2011-2012 Catalogue and an order form.
• Then, come around the corner, find a seat in the shade and a cold lemonade and peruse the catty to your heart's content. Here's the exciting part: if you place an order on July 9th for the same amount of money as the retired goodies in your bag - then the whole bagful goes home with you FOR FREE!
• When you're ready to place your order, come on inside the house where I'll be waiting to assist you with totalling, taxes and payment options. If we have a line-up, you can do a quick make & take project using some of the brand new goodies from my pre-order while you wait your turn.
• And of course, it wouldn't be a Scrappin' with Donna Open House unless there was a draw, and prizes, and a display of new products and new projects, and a very special treat for those who sign up for one of my Fall clubs or classes, or for those who book an in-home workshop featuring the new catalogue!
• If you are interested, I will also be selling some fixtures from my Stampin' Studio/Classroom on July 9th ... stuff like tables, a counter top, storage containers, white boards, and more ... all the things that won't fit into my much smaller stampin' space in the new house. And since moving day is July 15th, any of these larger items will need to be taken home with you ... the Studio is the last room to be packed up - and I have to start the morning after this sale!
• Lastly, my daughter is participating in the "Weekend to End Women's Cancers" and to help her raise money for her hefty entry fee, we'll be selling individually wrapped baked goods, so please bring your appetite! Pledge sheets will also be on site, if this is a cause you'd like to support without the extra calories <grin>

Excited as I am for July 9th to roll around? It won't be long now ....

cheers,

 

A CHEERFUL TREAT

I just made this tri-fold card using MY DIGITAL STUDIO software from Stampin' Up! and the Level One Hostess reward, the CHEERFUL TREAT Digital CD ... and the most recent pictures of my grandbaby ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to try out MY DIGITAL STUDIO for yourself? Let's book an hour or so and I'll show you just how easy it is to design your own card, page, framed art, tag, newsletter, or book!

And if you like what we create in our time together, you can get it printed through Stampin' Up!'s professional services for 30% off - but only until May 31st, so call or email me soon to get your private MDS session!

cheers

BIG CHANGES COMIN' MY WAY, part one

Yep, our family has a lot of major changes in the works right now ... first off, we have a wonderful little granddaughter who lives two hours away, so whenever they're in town EVERYTHING else gets dropped while I get my granny-fix!

At the same time, hubby & I are packing up and moving to the country ... we've wanted to downsize and simplify for ages and since there will never be a PERFECT time or place to do that, we've decided to make those changes NOW, come-what-may.

I DEFINITELY want to continue offering paper crafting classes and workshops and Girls Night Out, so I've found me a new place to hang my crafty hat, so to speak ... it's right here in Guelph, and I know you are gonna love it:

Introducing the CRAFTERS CUPBOARD located at 340 Southgate Drive, Unit 3 in Guelph (N1G 3W6)

They have a retail store in front & a gigantic classroom out back - it's on the city bus route, it's fully accessible (no stairs) with a kitchenette (for coffee & tea) and lots of sturdy tables and comfy chairs .. in short, it's perfect!

I am already on their class schedule for May, and here's something new and exciting: all of my classes will be based on kits that I've put together, and those kits will also be available to purchase in the storefront - so if the class is scheduled on a date you can't attend, you can still buy the kit and make the projects at home!

There's more news ... from now on, my "Girls Night Out" and "Open Studio Days" are going to be combined with the Guelph Stampers & Scrapbookers Group on Meetup.com - on the last Friday of every month from 7-10 pm I've booked the Crafters Cupboard classroom for anyone who wants to come out and work on their UFOs (unfinished projects) while we visit, share crafty ideas, and make new friends!

I'll be collecting $5 from each person who attends to help cover the Meetup website fees, the room rental fee, plus coffee & tea (which is supplied by Crafters Cupboard - that's one less thing to bring in my car, leaving more room to bring my punches and Big Shot and stamps to share with y'all! WAHOO!)

So if you like the informal, crop-til-you-drop type setting, be sure to visit MeetUp.com and join the Guelph Stampers & Scrapbookers group - that way you'll receive emails about upcoming gatherings, meet new members online, and most importantly, you'll be able to RSVP your table for our monthly get-togethers! Our first meeting at our new location is on Friday May 27th, from 7-10 pm.

OK, that's enough about the big changes in my life ... for now <wink> ... I wanted to show you the adorable bag that my downline Diane Hilborn decorated, based on another that Linda Avery showed at last month's team meeting:

All the flowers were cut on the Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine using the Flower Folds Bigz Xl Die (#115970) and a large button or brad was covered with matching material and attached to the center of each flower.

SPOILER ALERT: if you are one of the pre-registered VIP Guests at this Saturday's STAMP & CROP OUT CANCER event ... wait til you see your goody bags, made by Samantha Forrest!

Oh, and if you didn't pre-register for the VIP treatment, you can still drop in to STAMP & CROP OUT CANCER this Saturday anytime between 10 am - 4 pm ... for just a $5 donation at the door, you can visit our Sponsors' tables, bid on their donations at the Silent Auction table, shop at the Crafty Clearance Table, and try your hand at our Make & Take project ... AND if you are there between 12:30 - 1:30 pm, you can STREAK FOR CANCER!

We'll be at 8 Royal Road, off Speedvale Ave West - upstairs in the cafeteria. All proceeds are going to the CANADIAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION (CBCF), so come on out and support a great cause while you pamper yourself on Mothers' Day weekend!

cheers,

Donna

A LITTLE IRISH DITTY FOR YOU

Happy St. Patrick's Day! We can all pretend to have a little Irish in us today, so think GREEN!

Here's a fun rendition of "Danny Boy" for you to enjoy, and as my friend Carole shared with me today, an Irish Blessing for you and yours:

"May you always have Walls for the winds, A roof for the rain, Tea beside the fire, Laughter to cheer you, Those you love near you, And all your heart might desire!

PS: No grandbaby yet, so you can still save 10% off your orders ... but only until baby makes his/her grand entrance into the world!

THE BIG DAY IS FINALLY HERE!

I've been counting down to March 15th ever since last December on the desk flip calendar that Stampin' Up! sells ... it only has 99 days on it or else I would have started the countdown nine months ago!

And now the BIG DAY is finally here! My baby girl is having a baby!!

Well, we might not see any action for a few more days, but at least her due date has arrived and momma and baby are in good health. Baby probably wants to see some more warm sunny days like we had today in Southern Ontario before he/she agrees to make her/his grand entrance.

So if you think I was suffering with the wait up til now ... you can imagine how tough it's gonna be as we go past the 15th, lol! March Madness, indeed! I need another mad idea to keep me from jumping out of my skin every time the phone rings, so here's what I have in mind for all of you ....

From today (March 15th) until the new little addition arrives, everyone who places an order gets 10% off their total*  - I know, I know ... babies can be up to 2 weeks overdue, but I'm willing to take that chance to let all of you celebrate with me and my family! The question is, are YOU willing to delay putting in your order and risk missing out on the 10% off!! <grin>

Here's one more incentive ... if my daughter gives birth on the same day your order is placed** then I will give you a free card kit of your choice, in ADDITION  to your 10% off!

(Orders can be emailed to me, phoned in or you can shop online through the link to my store at the top of this page. *TOTAL IS before shipping, handling & taxes are added on. **ORDER DATE is the date that I receive payment from you. Payment can be made by credit card, cheque or cash. Just keep in mind that once THE phone call comes, I'll be heading out of town for a few days - so I'll arrange an alternate drop off point if you choose to pay by cheque or cash.)

Let the celebrations begin!!!