Have you checked out Stampin' Up lately?

Seeing that my wreaths are all sold...Goodness...I figured I better update my blog again.

My dear friend Chrissann recently became a demonstrator for Stampin' Up and hosted her first card workshop last weekend. It had been a few years since I last looked at a Stampin' Up catalogue, or played with their stamps and inks. They really are of high quality and design.

Needless to say I've built a rather large wish list.

Who could resist this lovely Christmas stamp set (I've already got a different one on it's way with a matching punch, but this was definitely a contender):

And then there's this die cut for my new Big Shot (I'm totally ordering this next):

And I've decided to slowly purchase pretty much all of their inks (in craft style so I can emboss with them) starting with my favourite colour combo - Earth Elements:

This punch is a must have, along with all of their circle punches:

Oh, and this darling Pendant Park stamp set ... so cute:

Who can resist their vinyl wall art either. I'm sure I can find a spot for this in my home somewhere:

I'm going to host a workshop in the spring, so start saving your pennies and let me know if you'd be interested in attending.

An Old Hobby - Revisited

I finally got around to putting the Halloween decorations put away a few days ago, which led to a reorganizing of our laundry/storage room. I came across a couple of bins of craft supplies from years ago; pre-scrapbooking days. A few things were immediately put into the donation pile, a few things were put into the "to-alter or repurpose" pile and a few other things inspired me to create a couple of things I haven't made in a long time.

I used to have a wreath passion. In fact, I still kind of do. (** see upcoming issue of Simply Handmade for the latest creation) But back in the day, I would buy a variety of ornaments and other wreath making picks and props, a few fake pine wreaths (always on sale) and make wreaths. I gave away many as gifts, but now I've put a few on Craigslist. The latest ones I made a couple of nights ago I did with what I have on hand, I don't want to buy any new things as I wanted to clear out the supplies to create more storage for other things. If you know anyone in the market for a wreath, send them my way.

Frosted (large wreath) - $30

Canadiana (small wreath) - $25

These other three were ones that I've had in storage for a few years, but also need to move out of my house.

Snow and Ice (small wreath) - $30

Rustic Traditional (large wreath) - $35

Victorian (small wreath) - $30

It's Official...

Okay, so I've known for a few days, but I didn't want to share until it was officially announced on The Inspired Scrapper blog. So go check it out...click here.

I'm uber-excited to be on the Design Team for this fantastic scrapbook challenge blog. I am going to be working with some of Canada's most talented scrapbook artists...some familiar and favourite people and a few new faces and friends that I can't wait to get to know better.

I have been needing to be a part of something in this field again since I stopped working at Pick of the Patch and feel so motivated again to be creating more and playing with my paper and glue again more regularly.

Here are the projects I submitted for the design team call...

And yes, my kids do really use these altered tins. The labels are getting a bit bent up, but I love how much quicker it is to tidy up after arts and crafts and the kids can get what they need off the shelf too without digging through a bunch of things.

Vegas Part 2

Cheesy Tourist Trips, you know the ones you dreaded as a teenager? Well, that's my second reason why you should rent a car when you are in Vegas. I don't know why, but I was interested in heading out to the Hoover Dam. Thankfully everyone else was into it too. It's about an hour out of Vegas, easy to find and well worth the drive.

Because I had no idea how they managed to build a dam of this size in the 1930s, or why they attempted to do it (it is considered one of America's Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders), we also checked out the visitor information centre, worth the $8.00 price tag.

Things I learned at the Hoover Dam...

1. There is enough cement in the Dam, spillways and turbine towers to build a two lane highway between San Fransisco and New York City, or a sidewalk along the Equator.

2. When you go to the Dam, you experience a time change of one hour when you are either in Nevada or Arizona.

3. Electricity was a bi-product of building the Dam. It was built in order to control the flow of water and aid the farms along the Colorado so they would no longer experience flood and drought seasons.

4. The river had to be diverted in four areas before the Dam could be built. The diversion tunnelling crews would compete during their 8 hour shifts for which team could tunnel the furthest during their shift.

It's a pretty neat place. Although we were there just last weekend, I think the best time to see it would be during the floods in the spring when the spillways might be working to let the water flow and keeping the waters from getting too high in Lake Mead. (Check out the high water line).

Also, they are currently building a bridge that will bypass the dam, which looks like it is going to be pretty stunning itself.

As for the cheesy tourist bit, take a pass on the gift shop, unless you want to hear things like, "Are you buying that dam souvenir?", "Can you please sign this dam receipt", and "Have a dam nice day".

Check it Out!

Have you got your copy of the Holidays Idea Book from Scrapbook Trends yet? I have mine and the first thing I did was to go and find this...

It's on page 50. And it's mine.

I was so excited when the brown UPS truck pulled up in front of our house. The package contained my returned advent calendar, two copies (sorry folks, the extra copy is already spoken for) of the Holidays book, a sweet pile of Creative Imaginations products and some Basic Grey Bling-it-on.

I have one more publication due this year and hopefully next year continues to bring happy mail.

Vegas Part 1

We just got back after 4 fabulous nights in Las Vegas. It's the second time Doug and I have been down there together and it never ceases to amaze us how much there is to see and do. I knew that I wanted to get off the strip a couple of times while were there because I wanted to see what else Vegas had to offer. I was not disappointed. One of the highlights of our weekend was Red Rock Canyon National Park.

One afternoon, we jumped in the car with the Sutherlands and took off to Red Rock. We knew there was a gorgeous casino in the area and that it was named because of a big red rock out in the desert, what we didn't know was just how spectacular it was. The rock is truly red due to the high levels of iron in it. What is amazing though is the line of red through the rock, leaving the top a pale yellow in some area and how little red is in the surrounding rocky mountains. We didn't have the proper footwear to hike on the rocks, but there are a variety of hikes ranging from easy/moderate to strenuous that we will definitely come prepared to do next time. It is also set up for rock climbing and there were dozen of people on the rock faces as well.

I couldn't get over the contasting colours of the rock and sky (these are unedited, straight out of the camera shots)
Oh and I loved this palm just at the side of the road.
My dear husband climbed onto this impossibly pointed rock. I couldn't watch. He literally scrambled up it from a fence, I'm pretty sure this isn't allowed.

And then another one that I wouldn't join him on. I couldn't have gotten on it, but would have had no idea how to get down again.

And then finally a safer one with me.

This shot I got as we drove the 13 mile scenic route around the park. Stunning.

Next time you're in Vegas, rent a car, go to Red Rock Canyon. It's stunning. We followed it up with a visit to the Casino for a bite to eat; LBS is an awesome place to grab a burger. And then some shopping in the area before a little more slot play. In the next couple of days, I'll post another reason, you'll want to rent a car next time you're in Vegas.

If Young Children Could Talk

...here is what they might say:

My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection whenever I make my bed, draw a picture, or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so I can keep up with you.

My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely. Don’t restrict me unnecessarily.

Housework will always be there. I’m only little for a short time-please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.

My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs. Don’t nag me all day long…treat me as you would like to be treated.

I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do, by holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by, and disciplining me in a loving manner.

I need your encouragement to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I’ll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of me.

Please don’t do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn’t quite measure up to your expectations. I know it’s hard, but please don’t try to compare me with my brother or my sister.

Please don’t be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it’s a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.

I found this over at my friend Heather's blog and it was definitely a reminder that I needed. I thought if I needed this reminder, chances are that you do too.