Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Curvy Box Christmas Craze

I'm a little late catching the Curvy Box punch art craze...but it is sooo fun!
I'm creating boxes for my Littlest to discover each morning. Started with a copy of a Panda, then a Turtle...made me think of 2 Turtle (Doves) and a Panda in a White Tree...so went with the idea...albeit not quite the right timing of the month. I figure I'll lead up to Christmas with the animals in the Manger. I'm quite partial to a couple of the ones I had to create and figure out on my own.
On the Fifth Day of Christmas: Gold Fish
and on the Seventh Day of Christmas: Swans a Swimming
I made a Canada Goose on the sixth day...but it didn't really incorporate the little Curvy Box, and as I spun the box around I saw how the curve would work for the Swan.
I die cut a number 2 for the curve of it's neck and used the Framelits : Flower Fair for some variation in the wings and for the head. The new Feather Dies were used for the rest of the feathers, and I just snipped the little golden crown by hand.
This one inspired my daughter to sing our version of the song through to the Seventh Day this morning before breakfast, we're having such fun discovering each new critter!

smiles,
Laurie

I'm getting excited about the idea of Spring creatures starting after this...I'm heading to Leadership in Florida with Stampin'Up! and thinking I need to host a Curvy Box swap...

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Project Life with Stampon'Up! ~ True memory keeping!

I'm going to share this post from the Home Office . It's exactly the way a group of us are feeling about Scrapbooking. We have gotten together just a couple times and had such success. We are tucking in photos from 5, 10,..15 years ago! One of us got 9 pages done in the 4 hours, that's just not the usual pace of scrapbooking for most of us! 

Getting the story told, and out of shoeboxes...pretty exciting!


PROJECT: CHANGE MY SCRAPBOOKING LIFE

I like making scrapbook pages . . . but I only spend a few days a year doing it. And I take photos pretty much every day. Soooooo it doesn’t take a math genius to realize that I will never “catch up” on my scrapbooking.
 Ever since Stampin’ Up! announced its Project Life line, I’ve wondered if this might be a good solution for me. So this weekend, I put it to the test. I grabbed a stack of adorable photos from fall 2007 (I mentioned that I’m behind, right?) and Stampin’ Up!’s Seasonal Snapshot Project Life Accessory Pack and Seasonal Snapshot Project Life Card Collection. I sat down and started playing . . . and in about half an hour I had an adorable layout that I am super proud of!
Brandi_crbblog_1
Here’s how it works
  1. Choose up to 10 photos for a layout.
  2. Pick page protectors that will work for your photos.
  3. Lay photos on page protectors; add cards in the open spaces. (I waited until I liked how they were arranged before sliding everything in.)
  4. Journal and accessorize!
Will I do this again? Absolutely! And I’ll be even faster next time. Now I could complete three or four layouts an hour.
Brandi_crbblog_3
I left my work station ready for this weekend. I left the lid off of my card pack and just put my stack of photos inside. Everything is safe and ready for me to come back to. And now that I know the system, I may even finish up my 2007 album this way.
One thing I am excited about is that these pages can go right in to my existing album, mixed in with my traditional scrapbook pages. They all fit in the same 12" x 12" binder.
Who else is a Project Life newbie? What tips do you have for me?
Happy memory keeping!
Brandi B.
Curriculum Developer & Trainer

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Stampin' Blendabilities News

After conducting extensive testing, Stampin’ Up! found that Stampin’ Blendabilities Markers work well with several of our Classic Stampin’ Pads.  The compatible colours are listed below:
Always Artichoke                            Baked Brown Sugar
Blushing Bride                                Calypso Coral
Coastal Cabana                              Crisp Cantaloupe
Crumb Cake                                   Crushed Curry
Daffodil Delight                               Garden Green
Hello Honey                                    Marina Mist
Melon Mambo                                 Lost Lagoon
Old Olive                                         Pear Pizzazz
Pink Pirouette                                 Pistachio Pudding
Pool Party                                       Pumpkin Pie
Sahara Sand                                   Smoky Slate
So Saffron                                       Soft Sky
Tangelo Twist                                  Tangerine Tango
Tempting Turquoise                         Wild Wasabi
Wisteria Wonder             
I'm kind of excited about this news! Sometimes you just want a softer look than a Black outline. I think Smoky Slate and Baked Brown Sugar will be a couple real go-tos. I'm also interested in playing with the greens for leaves and seeing how that turns out!

smiles,
Laurie

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Stampin'Up! Fall Events

I love the change of season, so was delighted when I saw this fabulous quote from a favourite book of mine, that sums it up quite perfectly!
 I love the colours of Autumn, how the leaves and underbrush change to hues of orange, yellow and ruby red, the blue of the sky seems different in every season, and the blue of Fall seems the richest and most vibrant. In Alberta, we don't have forests of Maples and Elms..so it's always a delight to capture Fall out East, where it seems their leaves take longer to change, don't all change at the same time and stay on their trees for more than a few days. Our golden glory of Alberta is beyond compare, but can be gone before you know it. Lucky for us, the colours extend to the ground and the underbrush makes up for the fallen leaves in it's own splendid show.
You can imagine my delight when I had the chance to head out East this past weekend!
I was really lucky to be asked to help out with Stampin'Up! at their Fall Events. I was a volunteer in Calgary for their weekend event and offered, teasingly, to come along to the next event in Truro, Nova Scotia. I found myself on a plane just a couple days later, heading to the East Coast of our beautiful nation, and Nova Scotia was in it's Fall Regalia!
 The Demos from the Maritimes are delightful! The room had a great energy, the creativity and business inspiration plentiful. Stampin'Up! is doing a great job of these events. Offering the sessions in multiple provinces at a low price to allow many demos the chance to take part. The Reward is rich, in camaraderie, inspiration, prizes, fun and free stamp sets!


...and swapping! Always a great source of new ideas and ways to use stamp sets and products!
Between Stampin'Up! Canada and the many volunteers across Canada helping out, these events are Fabulous! Be sure to check the dates of one near you and get signed up, so worth going to! 

smiles,
Laurie
You can be a guest on the Friday night portion ~ and if you like what you see, you could join the Fun! Start your own buiness: save some, earn some, play some ~ be a part of  something exciting! (and for a limited time, signing up will earn you free Designer Series Paper each month)
Interested in learning more, contact me...

Monday, September 15, 2014

How to use the Confetti Stars Border Punch Stampin' Up!



I saw this great video from Patty Bennett and I have to share it. I am loving the Confetti Star punch, but those first punches could have been so frustrating without this quick tip from her. The video includes a wonderful card she'll be swapping at Founder's Circle.







 I love the way she's showing the versatility of this wonderful kit sold in the Holiday catalogue. I'm thinking as Canadians we could start the Days of Gratitude on the first day of Autumn, September 23rd this year, and use it through to Thanksgiving and the week following, finishing on Friday!

I'm pretty sure two of these kits isn't going to be enough for me with all the ideas I'm finding for these fabulous little envelopes, besides the original intent!



If you want me to add a couple/three kits on to an order for you, let me know.



smiles,

Laurie



You can order online from my Canadian store by clicking right here! Thanks.


Sunday, September 14, 2014

Simply Created Kit~ Gratitude for Days Guest Post

Today's blog post is from Jen C., Concept Artist at Stampin' Up!

GRATITUDE FOR DAYS

There are some darling kits in the new holiday catalog. My personal favorite might be theGratitude for Days Simply Created Kit. I love the bright colors and patterns. The coordinating stamp set also has some great images.
I decided to play with the kit and explore ways to use it other than as a gratitude countdown. Here are a few ideas that I came up with while playing with this cute kit.
1. Add a little pocket and note to a treat or gift. I love being able to tuck a little message inside the pocket. And there are 30 of these cute clips in the kit that are perfect for attaching the pocket to your gift.

Gratitude For Days_crbQuick thanks tag
2. Create a little birthday “card” that holds both a message and a gift card. Use the number stickers to represent your recipient’s age. Stamp on the lined pocket card and add a sweet birthday wish. This is super-quick and easy.
Gratitude For Days_crbGift Card Pocket
3. Use it with Project Life. This kit coordinates beautifully with the Happiness Is Project Life Card Collection. If you cut down the pockets from the Gratitude for Days kit, they become 3" x 4" specialty cards—which you can then add as an interactive element to your Project Life layout. Insert the lined card in the pocket with journaling, or use it to store ticket stubs/memorabilia.
The coordinating stamp set is also great for memory keeping. It helps prompt journaling about things you’re grateful for.
Gratitude For Days_crbProject Life
I had a lot of fun playing with this kit. There are so many fun ways to use it!
Jen C.
Concept Artist

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Diamond Anniversary


My Mom and Dad have been married for 60 years, today!
It's been a love story right from their romantic start!
On their Diamond Anniversary,
 they remain a shining example of true love ~ unconditional and enduring!



Seemed appropriate to use some Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper to punch out the numbers and thinlit expression! The card base is the Brushed Silver. I added some rhinestones to the Petite Petals that I stamped in Smoky Slate and punched with the coordinating punch.  The wee little hearts are from the new Hearts Border punch. It made me happy pulling this card together, thinking of them and how to make it right. Their life has been one of love, for each other, for us kids and for all whom they know. Wishing them many happy returns of that love!

smiles,
Laurie



Thursday, September 4, 2014

Project Life by Stampin'Up! Combo Pages

I had a great month of working on some scrapbook pages. I don't know how that happened with how busy we were, but it was my go-to later in the night. I was taking a course called Stashbusters with Big Picture Classes and thoroughly enjoyed it. I pulled out my Project Life by Stampin'Up! supplies and finished my first pages ~ I will be running a class/club this Fall, so I'm happy to have gotten a start on this...pleased with the result, too!


I'm working on another group of photos to get put into an album from last year's Birthday celebration of my Littlest. I have made a fun traditional layout and mixing it with a couple pages of photos from the rest of the party.
I like the Project Life by Stampin'Up! idea for simply and fairly quickly putting older photos in their place! I love the idea of working on a weekly page currently, but the inital hurdle has me slowed up, so for now I'm content to getting started in doing it this way.
If you'd like to join me on this latest adventure, let me know. We can easily figure out a long distance idea, more ideally if you live nearby, come and create in a fun environment with other women, sharing the social side of it, too! Stampin'Up! has some of the best stamps to enhance the pages! I love them!

smiles,
Laurie


Want to see what's on hand for Project Life by Stampin'Up!

thanks for stopping by!

Monday, September 1, 2014

Happy Birthday card in Flamingo Lingo

I've been busy scappin' and having such fun putting pages together, but I took a bit of a pause to make this Birthday card for my Littlest.


It started from the Flamingo, then I knew I needed some sort of fancy fold or moving-type card. I love the way these side step cards display. A bunch of pennants seemed like a good idea, maybe because Sketched Birthday was sitting on my desk...adding in the couple from the Flamingo Lingo just made sense! Wooden skewers or a Sign post? The sign post lent well into the idea of the sand along the bottom. A little shape on the back fold is nice sometimes and I have been loving the Starburst framelits...that cut out, I wondered if the Kinda Eclectic would fit! Yay! a scattering of the flowers from Flamingo Lingo in Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight finished it off.
 We have been planning parties and celebrating for awhile, Birthdays are such fun!

smiles,
Laurie



Interested in creating something with any of these products?
You can shop online anytime, click here!

Project Life by Stampin'Up! is a great way to capture the everyday..or catch up with the years gone by in a simple, easy way! Ask me about it!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

DQ Miracle Treat Day August 14, 2014

DQ Celebrating 30 years as a proud supporter of the Children's Miracle Network!

On Thursday August 14th, 2014, all proceeds from every Blizzard® Treat purchased at participating DQ® stores will be donated to your local Children's Miracle Network® member hospital to help children in need.

Together we can provide hope and healing to sick and injured children in your community.


ABOUT CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK

Children's Miracle Network® raises funds for 170 children's hospitals, 14 of which are in Canada. These hospitals, in turn, use the money where it's needed the most. When a donation is given, it stays in the community, ensuring that every dollar is helping local children.
Funds raised have gone to support research and training, purchase life-saving equipment, and ensure excellence in care, all to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible.
Learn more at ChildrensMiracleNetwork.ca


We sure enjoy participating in this event! Head out to your local DQ and take part, too!

smiles,
Laurie

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Mamarazzi ~ Stampin'Up! Style

Inspired by a layout that used strips of washi tape as the background, I pulled out this fun DSP from Stampin'Up! called Flashback. Working with the Real Red and the Pool Party colours, I had the idea of working with the On Film Polaroid Framelits. I love the new camera called Snapshot, a single stamp, so added that in as an embellishment along with the frame from the On Film set. I have seen the cute heart from the new trio of punches used on the camera so added that along with a few rhinestones.
The journaling is on a simple oval that says "the Girls call me Mamarazzi ~ but how can I not record all the great places we go?!



smiles,
Laurie

Want something you see I've used? you can place your order here. Thanks. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, August 8, 2014

Inspired and Excited

I've been enjoying a class I'm taking this summer with Big Picture Classes called Super Stash*Busters.
As the title would suggest, it's encouraging us to pull out and use up old stash.
I have found Aly Dosdall quite inspiring and have sat down and created a few pages.



Pretty delighted to have pulled out embellishments from 10 - 12 years ago! And scrapping some Grad Reunion photos I had printed about 5 years ago. Aly gave us the layout sketch...I like the way we worked from the edges in.
 I used up quotes from those old Vellum Quote Stack books, does anyone remember those? (and still have them?)  I "had" to have them all, but this is the first I've ever used them I think. Coloured staples to attach them also came from-back-when, although those might be coming back! Fussy cut some flowers from the Sale-a-Bration paper pack from Stampin'Up! to create a couple more embellishments. The chipboard with  printed words is old stash. I anchored it all with die cuts using the brand new Party Pennant Bigz L die.

I created this card when she issued a challenge to make a card from what was lying about on our table from creating the latest page! I'm kind of pleased with how it turned out ~ mixing new with old. I pulled the Bravo stamp set off the shelf to make the panel and then using the SAB paper I'd pulled from my stash to work with for the page, fussy cutting some flowers to pop out in the lower right corner (sort of hard to see from the photo).


More old photos I'd printed, went into this layout. Took me awhile to come up with the layout style and embellishments. I do have a couple Harry Potter sticker sheets, so used a few on the page, made a couple new embellishments from the Glimmer paper and some dies. Used some velvet letter stickers from the stash I've been hoarding. I stamped images from Clockworks and Gorgeous Grunge in the background to smudge things a bit. The stars are actually inked through the new Decorative Masks SU has in their catalogue this year. I love the Hearts & Stars set!

 I haven't scrapped this much for many months...and I'm loving it.


smiles,
Laurie

Want to order anything you've seen me use? I have an online store for Canadians:
www.lauriel.stampinup.net
contact me if you have any questions.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Wicked Birthday Celebration

Just coming home from a wonderful celebration of my sister's birthday in Calgary.
Cary,myself and our Girls took Mom and my sister, Lynn, to the Jubilee to watch the touring Broadway Across Canada show of Wicked
It.Was.Sensational!

My Oldest made yummy cupcakes to help celebrate the occasion and then we all headed over to get our seats for the start of the show and be spellbound!

Her birthday card started out with the idea of some Diva type stamps and a simple layout...the images switched to fun stamps from the Happy Hour set, using markers and stamping off to get the fainter colour for the 'champagne martini'. I used a new paper pack from the Stampin'Up! catalogue called Confetti Celebraton. With Lynn's birthday in August, I went with the bitrhstone idea of Pistachio..and then played up her favourite fall colours and went with Cajun Craze instead of  Tangelo Twist as the accent colour...cutting some strips and tilting them at an angle for the background. A Starburst Framelit sets off the sentiment.

The Big Shot is on Special this month, if you don't own one yet, it's a great time to buy one ~ even the simplest card like this one gets a little punch from running a piece of paper through and transforming it. With  your purchase (click here) you get to select a framelit and stamp bundle! Value of over $40, at least.

smiles,
Laurie

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Summertime This and That

Having some fun mucking around and creating a couple pages for the Capture Class I'm hosting this summer.

This is one of the more 'scrapbook' style pages that the participants could work on. I had fun with Wordle and some product to make some layers. the new Designer Series Paper called Flashback is wonderful! and on sale right now  ~ if you buy three packs assorted styles (or not), you get to choose another pack for FREE! Details Here!



smiles,
Laurie

Monday, July 14, 2014

Capture It All with This and That!

Announcing my Second annual on-line class: Capture Life. With all that is Summer and with a neat twist to keep it exciting! We're going to crossover into the Fall!  Join me for 8 weeks of prompts and inspiration to create your very own This and That book! We'll start right after the August Long weekend!

Class cost is just $50 and includes your Journal, sticker sheets, 3 rolls of Washi tape and a fun new product from the Project Life collection, an Accessory Pack. Along with 3 weekly emails for the 8 weeks and an invite to a Special Facebook group!
I've been busy at work pulling together great new ideas to enjoy summer, 
to slow down the blur that these weeks become, 

reminders for us to pause and enjoy!



It's a class that's more than scrapbooking, I'll be giving prompts and ideas to actually make memories, too! 


And Ideas of how to quickly capture them in the simple This and That Journal, no fuss, just done!

We'll transition into Autumn with great ways to Capture Back to School traditions and routines ~ and for those without little ones heading back to school, ideas to reminisce about some of those days, along with ways to welcome Fall wonderfully into our daily life.
I made lots of suggestions in the last class for going out and doing things, capturing photos of activities and events as they happened, or looking for ways to capture the summer with photo prompts. I think we ended up remembering our childhood good times from summer.
 I'll incorporate all those things and bring in lots of new ideas for creating Lists and answering mini questionnaires to help in filling up the pages.  The Journal is a great place to jot thoughts and paste little mementos. I'll provide  inspiration for keeping your eyes open to the wonder of the ordinary, along with the extraordinary.
Keep in mind this quote: 


Awareness is a wonderful thing. 


I'm very excited to start this journey again with many of you! 

Sign up today, First five Ladies will get a Journalling pen!
Organize a group of your friends to join you ~ sign up as groups of 4 or more and I'll add in a rotary stamp for each of you ($9 value).
 Alumni from last year's class will receive the bonus of the Journalling pen if they sign up by Thursday, July 17. 

email me at: laurenzrose@gmail.com to sign up.

smiles
Laurie,

Laurie

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Life Documented ~ a Little of This and That

I have been busy working on a half dozen pages for the new class I'm announcing tomorrow...
...pages!?
 It's not a typo. I'm bringing back an updated version of my online class from last summer. Working with the new Documented This and That Journal, I'm planning on guiding the group through a series of activities over an 8 week course. Hoping to slow down Life a bit by living with intention and paying attention to the everyday ~ and then capturing some of it simply and hassle free in this great new book.
By joining this class you'll get great product to help capture the happenings in your life, 3 weekly emails and exclusive access to a  facebook group. This year, I will share my pages for inspiration and like last year share additional inspiration along the way.
I'm so excited!


One of the page prompts will be to put together a page (or two) of things you love.
 It could be a list form or a crazy, zany, eclectic spread like this.

Join me and savour the summer!

smiles,
Laurie

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Calgary Stampede 2014


Home from the Calgary Stampede! Always such fun! We plan our visit on Seniors Day and sometimes get lucky with smaller crowds riding the rides...it worked this year and we made good use of our wrist bands.


Ideal weather made for a wonderful time...we took a few breaks from the midway to enjoy a traditional Milk and "cookie" stop in the Ag area.

but not before goofing around in the stables a bit! : D
It was a first for my Littlest to go without her big sister, who is at a camp this year, but I think she grudgingly admitted that I did okay in joining her in the ride department. The Tilt a Whirl and Mega Drop for Kids might be our favourites...the Pharaoh's Fury is in the running though!

smiles,
Laurie

Thursday, June 26, 2014

End of Year ~ Perfect Blend

Last day of school! Excitement humming everywhere with end of school wrap up activities, finishing exams and awards... Today my Littlest earned a Class Award for Reading! During the year she has read more than 22,000 pages from stories! (with comprehension!) She and her best friend spurred each other on and shared in creating the award. Her teacher has been wonderful and she wrote in his card that he is the best 'toute le monde'.
He loves his Tim Hortons coffee, so it seemed a gift card and this little rendition would make a pretty Perfect year end school gift.

I stamped the image multiple times to create the cup, complete with slightly darker lid. He even commented on my creativity, copying the cup style! He really does love his Timmie's!

I came home after the ceremonies and set to work making a banner to help celebrate the start of summer...I'll grab a shot of it over the next couple days...It's a happy greeting in our entryway!

smiles,
Laurie

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Great Weekend with Friends

We ended up with wonderful weather on Saturday! Yay. The camping area is nestled in beautiful mountains. We hiked to some Falls, the kids kept busy with lots of things, including soccer.
 Later, there was a wedding reception in a nearby group campsite and they sent up the beautiful fire lanterns.
 A favourite part of any campout is sitting around the campfire. Good friends, good times. Under the full Friday the 13th Moon.


smiles,
Laurie

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Happy Father's Day



Stumbled upon this video, and thought it might be nice for Father's Day.
We're off for an annual Father's Day Campout ~ this time in the beautiful mountains at Kootenay Plains. Hoping for nice weather.

smiles,
Laurie

Friday, May 30, 2014

Wetlands Seascapes

Had great fun with these ladies. Donna attends my classes but usually just makes one card and then visits and enjoys the other ladies company...the last class she stepped it up...and this one, she surprised everyone, mostly herself by completing FOUR cards! : D

 I created the class using the Wetlands stamp set. Vickie actually sent me a few Pinterest pins to help design the class ~ this is such a great set for masculine cards. Great timing for Father's Day. We worked on a couple techniques, making the seascape cards! Gorgeous!
 I modified the wonderful Goose card to represent our returning Geese in the Spring...the card I was copying was done in Fall colours by Lisa Young.

smiles,
Laurie

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Starburst Sayings

I've been meaning to send a Thank you to Carrie Marcelin from the Calgary (Canada) Stampin'Up! office for over a year! She is awesome and is wonderful to me. ...I finally got my poop in a group and made this up for her. 
I used the great Thank you set in Photopolymer for the background...I attached the plastic sheet the stamps come on to my largest block and inked the entire set to make the 'random stamped' background.
Mixing circles and my latest favourite, Starburst Framelits, I put together the rest of the card. I even used the same circles to decorate the inside of the card and give space to write my thanks to her!

I was pleased with how it turned out, an original: by Me! : D

smiles,
Laurie

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Backyard Basics Class

Had a fun class using a retiring set Backyard Basics. Everything from the class on the three cards were on the Retiring Hit List...including this In-Colour that is on it's way out. This is a great set, very sorry to see it going.

Lets face it, although I'm all for change and new things...I'm sad to see all the components on this card on the way out. The embossing folders are favourites and this mini Doily! (boohoo)

smiles,
Laurie

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Beautiful Morning ~ Happy Easter!

Reflecting on the beauty of this wonderful morning! We are stumbling into Spring and I am fully appreciative of our above-freezing-temperatures and crystal, clear blue skies!







Hope you are enjoying a wonderful Easter weekend among family and friends, eating lots of chocolate and hunting for eggs!



smiles,

Laurie

Monday, March 10, 2014

Dancing with the Sun

I'm getting really good at writing half-written posts : D

I'll make this short, just to check in and share a video I just love..it's a bouncy-get-up-and-dance kind of video for me...but dancing near the computer because I also love all the sunshine shots throughout the video!
I guess maybe I am waiting for Spring with the rest of the "tired-of-snow" folks!
enjoy!




smiles,
Laurie

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Pursuit of Excellence

It's been a whirlwind of tv watching for me these past 16 days...From the Opening Ceremonies to Canada's first Olympic medals. Posting on facebook, along with everyone else, our heros.
...at times it was almost too much to keep track of for me, with the time difference and the Prime Time vs Real time, the Qualification runs, or "are these the finals" and "Have I seen some part of this heat yet!?" moments. Hours of watching. First the Team Skating and then so many of the programmes again for the individual events. Watching many of the speed skating, skiing and snowboarding events, run after run, and the decision between first and twentieth being about 2 seconds! Amazing to me. A few more hours of the finale of the Skating Gala tonight. My Canadian pride as the Canadians came together and joined hands together at the end to take their final bow! Classy!
Earlier this week, I posted one facebook status that I might need to train more for the next Olympics to have the stamina to sit for so much time in front of the television! I found it quite exhausting : D

I had an eye doctor appointment one of the first days and I told him he might need to give me some disposable contacts to make it through the special features and all the touching commercials that were making me cry! (in case you're not a contact wearer...crying leaves salt deposits on the lenses making them pretty uncomfortable pretty quickly!) He told me I'd be tired of them by the end..and there are a couple I'm almost done with! My Youngest learns a whole new repertoire of songs during the Olympics...
commercials are her absolute favourite part of any television programme!
Last Olympics, I made some fun cards with Olympic rings, ice skaters and featuring a great set Stampin'Up! had that year! I even had an Olympic themed kids class. As my kids get older, I keep saying it gets busier..and this year's Olympics are further proof of it, as I crafted none of that...
I did have a few classes and the gals had fun discussing their favourite moments as they put together some cute cards.

This wonderful card that one of my gals created from my card, changing up the colours.
 




and a version of this little Valentine I gave my Oldest.

Lots of good ideas while playing with all the great new sets and tools in the Occasions catalogue . Lots of the new stuff blends well with some of the classic sets from the Annual catalogue. Who doesn't love the Gorgeous Grunge set? and a favourite of mine is the Tape It set.
With Sale-a-Bration in full swing its a great time to pick up a few classic things from your wish list and earn a few of the wonderful free items in the little brochure !




With the Olympics wrapping up, I'm planning on harnessing some of the inspiring dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence by these greatest Athletes to achieve greatness myself! Initially, in the Little Things because:



and I think if we master the Little Things
we make the biggest difference
in the lives of those we love most,
ourselves included!
 
smiles,
Laurie