Stampin' & Scrappin' with Donna

WHAT A GREAT DAY!

Tuesdays and Thursdays you'll find me in my little stampin' room/office, working at my business - and today was just one of those warm fuzzy kind of days ... lots of activity, but lots of friends and fun too!

I started off pretty early with some alone time on the 'puter while hubby slept in. (That's the best time to compose blog posts, class descriptions and email replies ... when he isn't staring over my shoulder like he is right now! Hey, whadda-ya know - it worked; hubby has left the building, lol)

Next, I did a couple of scheduled calls with members of my team on Skype. This is a new offering to my downline and it's getting pretty popular, especially with the gals who live too far away to attend our monthly team meetings. I loved having the chance today to talk with them one-on-one, showing them some cards, storage tips, and getting caught up on their lives and businesses too. See ... warm & fuzzy!

Then my demonstrator pal Ruth Millard dropped by for lunch and an afternoon visit ... what a treat! She surprised me with a make & take project from her quilted card class, and she wasn't sure how far along I was in the unpacking stage, so she brought everything with her - punch, dimensionals, ink, EVERYTHING I needed to make this beautiful card:

Based on the Dresden Plate quilt pattern, using retired Designer Series papers and a greeting from the new 'Perfectly Penned" stamp set (pg. 154, IB&C) -this card really does look like it's been quilted once it has been run through the Big Shot using the "Square Lattice" embossing folder!

100% Stampin' Up! supplies were used on this project, as with all the projects I feature on my blog.

 

Right after Ruth left, hubby & I started to put up some much-needed shelves in my little stampin' room ... and we got to talking about moving one or two things around ... and well, by the time we were done, I don't think a single thing stayed in it's original space.

Here's some quick pics of my new layout - my flash didn't work on one, but that's the change I'm most happy about - my desk/stamp table is now facing the window - WAHOO!! Now I can stamp by natural light and get my fill of sunshine all at the same time!

All three photos were snapped from my doorway ... left side of the room (where my desk used to be), centre (window & desk) and then right side of the room). Nothing is sorted yet, but you get the idea. I'm hoping Ruth sees this blog post - she won't believe it's the same room we were huddled in all afternoon - it's much more spacious now! <grin>

cheers

WOO-HOO, I'M (A)LIVE!

Hubby & I are finally in our new house in our new town of Clifford, Ontario ... and my internet is up and running ... and I'm sitting right now in my new little stamping room (no more grand names like Stampin' Studio for me, lol) ... and you know what? It's really good to be live again; I've missed all of you sooooo much!

I'm a long way from being all set up so I can start creating again, but I'm gradually getting there. I only have a limited amount of hubby's time to help me, as he is also changing the house wiring, making our master bedroom and the main floor bathroom both larger, and hunting for his tools ... and that's just THIS WEEK'S to-do list!

I know he'd really rather be out in his new garage, organizing and building shelves to store all HIS stuff, especially now that the heatwave has moved on and it's tolerably nice outside again. I'm really lucky that he can spare any time at all for me and my stamps, so I don't want to push too much, kwim? <wink>

On the other hand, this Friday is July's Girls Night Out with the Guelph Stampers & Scrapbookers and I need to make some "We've Moved" cards - so the sooner the shelves and punch racks and ribbon holders are installed on my walls, the sooner I can find all the supplies I need to bring on Friday. Somehow I don't think my needs will be a strong motivator for hubby <grin>

If you'd like more info about the Guelph Stampers & Scrapbookers, check us out on www.Meetup.com - we welcome all paper crafters!

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

WAITING IS SOOOO HARD

There are only 2 days left of Stampin' Up!'s Summer Mini Catalogue ... and then ... WAHOO!!

I will finally be able to share the brand new Holiday Mini in all its glory ... and believe me, it IS glorious!! Hey, if you're free on Wednesday Sept.1st, why not come see for yourself!

HOLIDAY MIN OPEN HOUSE

WHERE: @ Donna's Stampin' Studio in Guelph, ON

WHEN: Sept 1st, between 1-4 pm & 7-10 pm

*****        ******        ******        ******        ******

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• You could win a FREE Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine!!!
• You'll get to see lots of new products and samples from the Holiday Mini Catalogue!!!
• You'll get to make a quick and easy project using products from the Holiday Mini!!!
• You can place your order (min $25)* from the Holiday Mini & get FREE Expedited Shipping!!!
• You can enjoy some refreshments while you check out my new Studio set-up!!!
• You can learn all about my Fall Classes and Clubs - and sign up for your favourites*!!!
• You can bring your friends* and introduce them to your passion for stamping!!!
• You can book your own Stamp Party* & earn Hostess freebies!!!
• You can join the Artful*Inkers* and get a FREE Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote!

*Earn extra tickets for the Big Shot draw by doing any or all of the *starred items

So mark it on your calendar, rearrange your schedule, get the in-laws to watch the kids .. and come on over for some HOLIDAY MINI fun! See you on Wednesday!!!

cheers

LAST DAY OF HOLIDAY HELPER EMAILS

Today the last of my twelve HOLIDAY HELPER emails has been sent out to everyone who subscribes to my newsletters.

I hope you have enjoyed receiving all of these holiday projects as much as I've enjoyed sending them out to you, and I hope your family's holiday season includes some time to craft together!

If you've been waiting for my monthly Samples newsletter, never fear ... I decided to hold it back until the HH emails had run their course. Look for November's Samples newsletter to arrive in your inbox on Saturday, Nov. 29th!

Happy Holidays!

A NEW STAMP STUDIO & A NEW FRUGAL APPROACH TO CRAFTING

HELLO STAMPERS!!!! I AM SOOOOO PUMPED!!!! (Can you tell?)

The saga of my new stampin' studio has come to the final chapter at last ... yep, as of Friday February 20, 2009 I have officially moved into my very own craft room! WAHOO!!!

Is it 100% finished? Of course not, but we're so close that I just HAD to start moving my stuff downstairs. My heart  was set on holding my first ever scrapbook crop in my New Studio and with my dear hubby's help, we pulled it off just in time for yesterday's event!

And can I just say, what a GLORIOUS luxury it is to have everything in one place and organized so that I can just reach for the exact item I need without hunting through box after box. [Insert Sigh of Contentment here]

In fact, I now firmly believe that having a dedicated & organized craft space is THE KEY to being able to create anything! It doesn't matter whether you have a whole room or just a crafty closet, as long as you can call it your own and you don't have to pack it all away when it's time to set the table for dinner, lol.

Here's my proof: As many of you know I haven't worked on my kids' school scrapbooks in more than six years ... well, yesterday I finished 3 grades in my daughter's album and 2 grades in my son's, for a total of FIFTEEN PAGES! The layouts just seemed to fly together BECAUSE I didn't have to spend time hauling it all out & searching for embellishments or adhesives or photos.

 Also, during the move downstairs I've discovered (duhh) that I own TONS of stuff - WAAAAY more than one person needs (even someone as passionate about paper crafts as I am!GRIN) By unpacking and organizing it all so that I can see it at a glance, I've discovered that I no longer have the urge to buy and horde new supplies ... instead, I'm excited about actually using up what I already have! Go figure.

So here's my FRUGAL STAMPER tip of the day: find a place to call your own, and organize/display all your crafting goodies ... it'll save you money and time in the long run, and your hobby will become much more enjoyable ... believe me!

How do you organize your stamps?

If you've been to a class at my Stampin' Pad, you know how I store my stamps - I have a wall of wooden cube-style shelves; each one is labeled with a different category of stamps: alphabets, backgrounds, word sets, Christmas, nature, kids' stuff, flowers, around the world, all four seasons, other holidays, nostalgia and friendly greetings. The categories are loosely based on the sections of Stampin' Up!'s Idea Book & Catalogue, but tweaked a little to suit my way of thinking. <grin>

I like to keep my SU stamps in their original containers & sets, and they stack nicely on these wooden cubes that I found at one of those warehouse clearance stores. Trouble is, I like to use stamps from several sets on one project, and as my collection grows, it's getting harder & harder to find a certain stamp among all the stacks.

Before I launch myself into a huge reorganizing of my stamp collection, I thought I'd throw the question out there - how do YOU store/organize YOUR stamps?

Please post a reply here or email me privately - I really want to know! In fact, everyone who replies will be entered into a draw for a Level 1 Hostess Gift, to be drawn on April 1st!

cheers,
Donna

PS - you can see part of my wall of stamp sets behind me in the photo to the left.