Crafting With Mom...

Last weekend Mom and I tried out my new stamps.  The top 2 are Mom's and the bottom one is mine. For some reason my phone invented the writing on the bottom one.  Weird.  I did one more card but I didn't like how it turned out so I'll wait until I re-do it before posting it here.  I ADORE these stamps.  Have I justified getting more of them yet?  How many times do you have to use 1 stamp to justify its cost?

Those funky stamps!

I have had a couple of people ask me where I bought my oh so cute stamps that I talked about here.

They are Penney Torrente stamps and I bought them online at Running with Scissors Studio located in Victoria, BC.  Their shipping was super fast and very sturdy.

Although I haven't used them yet, I am packing them to bring to my extra long weekend (3.5 days!) October Scrapbook retreat!   Do you think I need more of them before I go?  hmmm....

Stamps that I am in love with...

I just received these stamps in the mail and adore them.  I haven't quite figured out what I will use them for yet but I can't wait.  LOL

I feel like I want the whole set now.  Please tell me what I can do with these and give me justification.  LOL

Valentine's Day Cards

The night before Valentine's day my 6 year old asked me if he would receive a Valentine from my husband and I.  I assured him that he would and ushered him off to bed.  I then promptly forgot all about it until just before 11pm when I was heading up to bed.  ACK!  What to do?  I dashed into the basement and found some pre-cut mini notecards from Stampin Up.  I quickly threw these 2 cards together.  Not my best work but they were done in less than 15 minutes.  LOL  

Camp Croppin' 2011

Have you heard about Camp Croppin?  It's a (mostly) yearly event that takes place in Calgary.  It's a fun, action-filled scrapbook weekend!

If you've come from my private blog, you know that scrapbook retreats are one of my favorite things so I am so excited to be going this year again after not having gone to this one in over 5 years.  

I didn't really plan on going for sure...  I was thinking about it and had sent the link to my scrappy-minded friends.  None of them jumped right in and said "Let's Go!" but it was a long time before registration so it didn't matter.  Then - out of the blue one night, a scrappy acquaintance sent me a message directly asking if I wanted to go.  Commitment happy I dove in with both feet and said yes.  I don't know my soon-to-be-roomie very well at all but she is enthusiastic about scrapbooking and that's all that counts.  I'm sure we will have a great time!

I have been to Camp Croppin 3 or 4 times before.  Is it sad that I've been to so many retreats that I don't remember for sure?  Some things that stood out about this one are: Sooo much energy and excitement - the girls putting it on are superb at that!  Lots of activities, contests, make n takes and draws going on.  Great classes with great product from great companies.  I remember one year a class coming out with a stack of patterned paper from the company!  The door prizes were plentiful and some of them were beyond belief.  Better yet - one of the best scrapbook stores I've shopped in is across the street. The only downside that I saw to the event was the lack of scrapbooking space.   This year - they've improved that! By only allowing 200 registrations - there are fewer people to a table and more space to work.

Looking forward to seeing how things have changed this year after being away from this event for so many years.  I'm also looking forward to seeing what my roomie thinks about it all  This is her first time!   I am hoping that my favorite parts of the weekend are still there.

If you are near Calgary or want a road trip, here is where you can find more info:
http://www.scrapbookersparadise.com/camp/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Camp-Croppin-2011/154330164619482


Don't delay though - registration is next Tuesday!!

Want to find out more about the store and learn some techniques?  Their blog is right here:
www.scrapbookersparadise.blogspot.com

See Cards Now

None of these are my ideas but they are all made by me!  All of these are scraplifted from the talented ladies at Splitcoaststampers although in some cases, modifications have been made.

Teeny Tiny Paint Can

I bought this about a week ago to store my ribbon scraps in.  It's just so cute!!

Love This Desk

I am totally hooked on a new-to-me blog called
http://creativeorganizing.typepad.com/

I read the first few entries and am now ignoring all new entries as I have gone back to read it all from the beginning!  I think I am caught up to some time in 2008 right now.  :)

One of the books she recommended for getting inspiration for your workspace was Pottery Barn's Workspaces.  I put it on hold at the library and was able to pick it up yesterday.  Although I am a fan of some Pottery Barn things from a distance - it's not a place that typically inspires me.  It probably helps that there is not one in my city. 

Typical for me - I've been jotting down the ideas that inspire me on a post-it....which I have since lost in my house.  LOL  I *think* it's trapped beside the fridge in that clutter hotspot but I haven't ventured over there to check yet.

Blah blah blah.  Anyway - when I saw this page - I got all revved up about it. Excuse the crappy photo but it's from my Blackberry:

Isn't it great? It is a raised glass top on a desk so you can tuck your most used supplies underneath or a scrapbook layout that you don't want disturbed.  I was so excited about it that I left the book open on my co-worker Mrs. Smith's desk so she could see it too.  Mrs Smith is a fellow office supply lover and thus, is totally understanding of my desk organizing worship.  She was acceptably excited as well.

You'd think that my organizational worship would mean that I have a neat desk.  No - then there would be no point in coveting the just out-of-reach perfectness of these desks.  Take a look at my desk right now:

Speaking of which - it's time to attack it....

A New Stamp Set and a Card

When I saw the post on Scrapbookers Paradise Ponderings advertising their Flouishes stamps back in February of 2010 I fell in love with the strawberries and the card that they made.   In May I had the opportunity to go to their store and bought the set for myself.  Finally in July I took the time to make a card with them.  I used a border punch to make the white border and yes, I screwed up on the corners but I don't think it is a big deal to the overall look.