Crop-a-Looza

I have heard about these all weekend long crop fests, and have to admit, never really contemplated attending. However, my friend Karen asked if I would like to be a vendor at their retreat at beautiful Elmhurst. Let's just say...I am so glad I went....I had a wonderful time. Karen and Lisa had everything so well organized, the venue was beautiful and I got to play and stamp with alot of new stamping friends.

If you get a chance to go to an event like this...here are some tips from me to you!
* plan your projects, I had a list of what I needed and wanted to accomplish and I am so glad I planned ahead.
* take your camara...there were so many lovely projects and designs techniques (insert sad face, I forgot my camara!)
* Use ziplock bags to plan your pages or cards, and make a list of all the supplies you need. (that way you won't take 20 ink pads, and only use 6, voice of experience)
* Be open to sharing your stuff...the simple gesture of leaving my punches out, was so appreciated.
* Have fun..I sure did, and as soon as the next date is set, I will let you know. Nilestown will be the next venue, 2 days in April, not overnight.

The cards pictured were made using some left over designer paper. The DSP was cut at 3 x 4.25, and the matte is cut at 4.25 x 3.5.

Great way to use up some DSP for fast and easy card giving.

What would you do with a $175.00 SU gift certificate?

Buy a big shot? Order the new My digital studio? Stock up on the basics?

Here is how you can "win" a $175.00 gift certificate from Stampin Up. Buy the project pictured here, the little bag with 2 cards, and you will get a "square". There are 40 projects available. Once all the projects are sold, I will draw a number...and the first prize is the $175.00 Gift Cert. That's not all, I will draw another number, and that person will win a $25.00 gift certificate, but not stopping there, the 3rd number drawn will win $20.00 in free merchandise, and if that isn't enough, the 4th number out will win a level one hostess set from this years catty, or mini!

Project cost is $5.00

Numbers 4, and 22 are already taken...so email me soon, and I will get your project to you.

Happy Thanksgiving

Take time and count your blessings today. Family, friends, the abundance of my blessings are many. Enjoy your weekend, and if I had taken my camara with me this weekend I would be showing you some cards I made...but that will have to wait till tues...
We are closing up our trailer, and while it is a little cool, the leaves are lovely, and it is nice to get away one final time.

Some interesting tidbits..The native peoples of the Americas held ceremonies and festivals to celebrate the completion and bounty of the harvest long before European explorers and settlers arrived in what is now Canada. Early European thanksgivings were held to give thanks for some special fortune. An early example is the ceremony the explorer Martin Frobisher held in 1578 after he had survived the long journey in his quest to find a northern passage from Europe to Asia.

Many thanksgivings were held following noteworthy events during the 18th century. Refugees fleeing the civil war in the United States brought the custom of an annual thanksgiving festival to Canada. From 1879, Thanksgiving Day was held every year but the date varied and there was a special theme each year. The theme was the "Blessings of an abundant harvest" for many years. However, Queen Victoria's golden and diamond jubilees and King Edward VII's coronation formed the theme in later years.

From the end of the First World War until 1930, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving Day were celebrated on the Monday closest to November 11, the anniversary of the official end of hostilities in World War I. In 1931, Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day and Thanksgiving Day was moved to a Monday in October. Since 1957, Thanksgiving Day has always been held on the second Monday in October.

25 years ago today....

I was walking down the aisle to marry my "Guy"....time sure does fly...2 beautiful daughters, lots of love and laughter. It was Thanksgiving weekend, and day much like today...sunny to start, cooler, a little rain...but overall a wonderful day! A wonderful life!

Join me in a toast to another 25 years together.

Create for a Cure

Thank you so much to the 41 Ladies who helped us raise over $1100 to fight breast cancer. We also need to thank our sponsors TD Canada Trust, and my wonderful hubby who works for East Elgin Concrete Forming LTD. The donation from East Elgin enabled us once again to offer a Big Shot as the grand prize.

Congrats to Linda who was our luck lady. Very fitting as Linda is fighting cancer, we were delighted that you were the winning ticket holder.

Here are some of the projects we made. Each lady made 12 cards, a treat bag, and had the chance to do 2 more special projects.

Lisa and I are already making plans for a spring version of this event, and I am also running a "Toys for Tots" event, near the end of November...watch this blog for more details.

It really is true that the more you give the more you get, and I am so grateful for the support, fun and energy that we created yesterday. God Bless you all and make sure you actually put stamps on those envelopes and mail those beautiful cards you made!!!