Project Life + Tradiditonal Scrapbooking=Memory Keeping Bliss

Hi Stampers!  If you're an avid paper crafter, you will know that an important person in the biz, Heidi Swapp and her family, recently suffered a devastating loss when her 16 year old son passed away. Heidi has been posting a lot about the importance of preserving your memories after this incident.  What she has shared has spoke to me on a deep level.  It's so important to take pictures and PRINT those pictures!  Don't get caught with loads of them on your phone that magically disappear after an update or on a hard drive that crashes.  Seriously people, print those pictures and put them in albums to enjoy.  There is nothing better than sitting down with a photo album and just remembering both the good times and the not so good times.
 
Lately my kids have been taking photo albums off our shelves and looking through them.  They love to see what Kevin and I looked like "in the old days" (seriously, we are not that old!!!), to see where we lived, what we drove and what we did.  They have also noticed a big gap in our memories where scrapbooking and memory keeping was pushed to the bottom of my priority list.  My youngest son especially notices this with the lack of pages in his album!  Because of this, I am determined to get our memories into albums and Project Life is going to help me do just this!

In my Memory Keeping Club, we are combining Project Life with traditional Scrapbooking to create quick and easy layouts.  They had a good chuckle over my mistake on my sample layout this last month.  This is what happens when you are scrapbooking memories from 10 years ago....

I have pictures of my oldest son when he was 2 (he's now 13) on this page with today's dates.  Oops!!!  Needless to say, while this layout was sitting on my desk waiting to be fixed I changed my mind a little about parts of it (so club ladies, if you're looking at these pics wondering why your layout is a little different this is why!).

First of all, I fixed my mistake!

Here's what the whole layout looks like.  This month we used the PL #3 page protector in the assorted pack and some English Garden DSP for our layouts.

I am loving combining the ease of Project Life memory keeping with Traditional Scrapbooking! Here's a look at the journaling card I did for my layout!  In keeping with the planting flowers theme, I used the Handpicked Framelits to make a little banner and cut out that cute little garden shovel!

As I was making up this layout I was remembering the day we planted those tulip bulbs.  My boy was so excited to dig the holes and put them in the ground. And, he was very impatient at waiting for them to grow!  I also remember the look on his face when we finally saw the little green shoots of new plants and then when they bloomed!  We no longer live at that house, and I found myself wondering if the people that live there now still enjoy those flowers coming up every year like we did or if they planted something else in that spot.

Peeps, it's time.  It's time to print your pictures and enjoy remembering. Whether you have kids or not, whether you're married or single, whether you are creative or not...it's important.  I can help you do this quickly and easily with Project Life.  Seriously, it's as easy as sliding pictures into pockets...that's it!  Check out all the Project Life products in my online store and then contact me to order (or ask questions, or for help getting started, or to join my Memory Keeping club).

Have an inspired day!

Using Clear Blocks to make a Watercolor Background

Hi Stampers!  It's been a while, hasn't it? To say things have been challenging around my house would be an understatement!  We've experienced a health scare with our youngest son, a busy end of the school year and big changes with my husband and his back injury.  Family is number one for me and while I still continued my clubs and some classes, the good 'ole blog took a seat on the back burner for a while. 

I'm happy to say that our youngest son is fine and after a lot of testing and doctor visits we found out we are dealing with something not as serious as we first thought.  Phew!  And, while my husband's back is not better and he is still not back at work, there is hope!  He's participating in an intense back to work program where they are helping him learn how to manage his pain without the help of narcotics and strengthen his muscles so that he will be able to go back to work....although it will be much different that it was before he was injured.  The down side is that he is away from us for the summer, but there is a silver lining!  He's in the beautiful rocky mountains and we get to go visit him often! And, so we begin adjusting to our new normal yet again.

Another wonderful thing that happened was that I was able to attend Stampin' Up!'s annual convention.  I saw my friends from all over North America, learned some new techniques, played with new products and had my bucket filled by my buddies.  I came home feeling inspired and ready to hit the ground running!  One of the things I did while at Convention was participate in an organized swap!  I had to make 80 cards for this swap and I'm thrilled with the 80 cards I got in return...so many beautiful cards and so much inspiration from a group of uber talented ladies!  So, this is the journey of a swap card with a video on the technique at the end!

So what does it take to make 80 swap cards?  80 sheets of cardstock (Blushing Bride, Basic Black & Whisper White), a roll of Everyday Chic washi tape, a package of Old Olive Baker's Twine, 240 gold sequins, 160 inches of Blushing Bride ribbon, and a roll and a half of the new Tear & Tape adhesive!

All the parts and pieces ready to assemble!

Adding Washi Tape!  I had just enough of the design I chose from the Everyday Chic washi tape!

That's a lot of Tear & Tape backing!  After making 80 cards, I can say I LOVE this new adhesive!

Phew....80 cards done and ready to swap!

I was surprised that after 80+ cards I wasn't sick of this card.  I love the way it turned out and I love that each one was a little different because of the technique I did.

As promised, I have a video for you showing how to do the technique.

Here's another close up of the technique as well as another card I did with my stamp clubs using the same technique.

Well, that's all for today!  Thanks for hanging in there with me for this looooong post. I hope that I've inspired you to do this fun technique on a card of your own.  If you do try it, I would love it if you linked to your card in the comments so I can see your creation.

As always, if you are in Canada and need a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I would be happy to help you out!  Contact me for more info or just head on over to my online store to order the supplies you need to recreate the cards I've shown today!

Have an inspired day!

A Broken Heart

Those of you who read my blog regularly know that about a year and a half ago I suddenly lost a close friend and it rocked my world.  You can read about it here and here.  Well, today my world was rocked again.  My friend's widow tragically passed away yesterday in a scuba diving accident.  Him and his girls were spending the long weekend in BC relaxing.  I am numb with grief once again.  I can't believe that someone we just saw and talked to is gone.  Just when life was seeming "normal" after losing their mom, those two girls are now orphans and having to deal with the loss of another parent.  My heart breaks for them and for the extended family.

I am thankful that Kevin was able to come out of the hospital today and we can spend the day together sharing memories.  And, I know that my boys are in good hands with my mom until Kevin and I can get home tomorrow and comfort them too because I know all three of them are sad for their friends today.

I'm going to close by sharing a card I made yesterday at my friend Rose's house.  Kevin's night nurses were absolutely fantastic while he was in the hospital and he asked me to make some cards for them.  I chose to use nice soft colors (Pink Pirouette, So Saffron and a new In Color, Pistachio Pudding).

Hug your loved ones tight, tell those who mean the most to you that you love them, keep in touch with old friends, be kind and thoughtful and live with no regrets because you never know when something will happen that can change everything in an instant...you never know when something tragic will happen and someone you talked to just a few days ago will be gone.

What a Week!

This last week has been a crazy emotional roller coaster!  My husband and I celebrated our 14th anniversary by driving 2 hours away from home for him to have a spinal fusion surgery done.  We were both nervous about the surgery.  And, to top it off, it was a busy week for me trying to get everything done that I needed to before his surgery and the 5 days I would be spending away from home and my sweet boys while with him until he's ready to come home.

I'm happy to say that his surgery went well and he is now on the long road to recovery.  He's still in the hospital, and will be for another couple days, but I've already noticed an improvement in the way he walks!  And, he has told me that his nerve pain is better (not gone, but much better) and he has some feeling back in his foot already!  Yay!  I am trying to be super positive that he will make a full recovery and be good as new in the next few months.

While in Calgary, I visited with my good friend Rose.  I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with her and her family and then I got to join her stamp club!!!!  I had a blast being the "student" that evening and meeting her club members.  They were all so welcoming and sweet!  It was wonderful getting to know all of them!

Like I did with my clubs this month, Rose's projects were a mix of retiring product and some sneak peeks of new stuff!

We made a fun box using the retiring Fancy Favor Box.  This is a die that I will definitely be missing a lot when it's gone!

We also used some fun new products...a new color (Strawberry Slush), 2 new stamp sets and the super fun new Simply Pressed Clay and the Clay Molds.  I made a button!!!!  So fun!

We also did 2 cards, but I'm only going to show you one today!  I'm saving the other because my clubs are going to make it next month with some super fun new products.

This card uses some of the Spring Catalog products (get them while you can...the Spring Catalog is done at the end of the month!) and a retiring color (Not Quite Navy).

It was a fun evening spent with a great friend...just what I needed!

Have an inspired day!

Slowly but Surely!

I have a little update for you today!  Yesterday I went to get my incision checked and the stitches out.  Turns out my stitches are dissolvable, so they clipped the ends super close to my skin and the rest inside will dissolve in the next month or so.  My doc said because of the kind of stitch used that the way it was done by the surgeon, I will have a "pretty scar"!  It's still pretty sore and swollen, but it's healing nicely.  I still have 4 more weeks of taking it easy with my left wrist, so slowly but surely I will get use of that wrist back.  And, hopefully by the end of those 4 weeks, I will have feeling in my thumb!

There was a little spot where the stitches didn't hold and the incision split, so I have to keep that part covered for a bit, but other than that it's looking good!

Because of the complications which resulted in a longer recovery time, I've had to push my August plans to September and beyond!  *sigh*...My stamp room is calling me!!!  I did keep my one club scheduled this month and had them to a super easy project which required very little prep for me (like just making a sample and pulling paper out of my drawer for them to cut!).

My good friend Connie (you can find her blog here) gave me permission to use her idea for quick and simple cards.  And, they were a hit!  As my club girls were finishing their cards I heard quite a few of them comment how easy it was to make 4 fun cards and that they would be doing this again!  I've gotta say, it about killed me not to sponge the edges (because I can't hold my paper or sponge to do that yet) or make a box or something to put them in!!!!  Baby steps, right?!?!?

Well, that's all for today.  I've been making swap cards for 2 weeks now (with the help of my kiddos...they love bog shotting for me!!!) because I can only do a little at a time and I need to get them finished and mailed off.  I don't think it's ever taken me this long to make swap cards, but I'm happy with the result and my kids have been happy to help me make them!

Have an inspired day!

Update

Hi everyone!  This will be my last post for a little while.  In my recent videos, you may have noticed a lump on my left wrist.  Well, today I had surgery to have it removed and can't use my left hand very much for a while until it heals a bit.

I didn't realize how much I used my left hand on a daily basis until the lump grew and even more now that I can't use it.  In any case, it's putting a damper on my stamping...I can't even open my container of pain medication by myself, or cut my own meat and typing is a very slow one handed process!!!!  On the plus side, I'm not allowed to do dishes until my stitches come out!!!

So, bear with me for a while so I can heal and get back to creating and making videos for you!!!

Have an inspired day!

Have an inspired day

Time Flies

Wow!  Has it really been that long since I last posted?  This spring has been so busy for us this year with all three of our boys being in baseball.  We were at the ball diamonds 4-5 days a week with two of those days one of us going one direction with kids and the other going a different direction with the other kid!  Crazy!  It was a good season though...here's a peek!

That's what has been keeping me away from my office and my blog!!!  Well, that and end of school year craziness.  I'm starting to think that June is busier than Christmas time!  I actually ran out of space on my calendar with all the school stuff going on that I've had to remember this month!!!  I do have some stuff to share with you though...and I have some posts set up for the next little while.  So, without further adieu, here's my project for today!

Last week at my downline Stamp & Share, we talked about the Getting Started Collection and did some stamping and creating with it.  I did a mini mock workshop using just he getting started colors and showed some fun and simple projects.  This was one of them...and everyone who came that night got one of these to take home (cause I appreciate them taking time out of their busy lives to come to our downline events). 

I filled one of our 1x8 cello bags with some Easter Candy Corn and then made a simple wrap to go around part of the bag.

I made the wrap with the Two Tags die (you know how much I love that die!) and embellished with some stamping, punching and a little piece of our new stitched grosgrain ribbon (in Daffodil Delight).  Super cute!

At the Stamp  & Share, I also had a challenge for my downline members.  You will want to check back tomorrow to see what their challenge was and how you can help me with their challenge!

Have an inspired day!

Stampin' & Campin'

We went off to Writing on Stone for May Long this year for some camping and relaxing.  We have learned to go East on May Long to avoid snow, and this year was no different!  We had wonderful weather and had a blast hanging out together.

I had some new stamps and stuff to play with, so I packed a little (sort of!) bag to bring with me and one afternoon got to work playing!

First I had to put my new stamps together!

And, it's stamping time!

Yep, I'm stamping with a glass.  I forgot my blocks, so I used a glass...works great in a pinch...but don't look too close or you'll see all my gray hairs!!!!

All done!

Here's a closer look at my card.  I used one of the Notecards with envelopes and just did a simple one layer card with new In Colors.

I actually stamped a few cards before I got too hot and packed my stuff up.  I will share those in the coming days.  For now, I will leave you with a little photo collage of our camping trip that weekend.

That's all for today!  Have an inspired day!

Where, Oh Where Has Lisa Been?

Hello all!  Were you starting to wonder where I was?  It's been a busy week preparing for upcoming shows, work around the house and getting ready for the big Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip to Disney World!

Like I said, I was prepping for upcoming shows.  Last weekend I participated in the local Children's Festival.  Sherri and I were busy making stuff for our display, but we had the most fun with play dough!  We featured the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps at the Children's Festival and we let the kids play with them with play dough!

That's me playing play dough just as the doors were opening!  I learnt a few things that day...

1.  Mixing thousands of kids with cotton candy, ice cream, cupcakes and loads of candy results in a LOT of VERY sticky fingers!  We were smart and had lots of play dough to switch out throughout the day and at the end of the day it went in the garbage!!!!
2.  Rolling, kneading and stamping play dough for 6-7 hours is a GREAT workout for your hands and forearms!!!  My hands and forearms were sore the next day!
3.  Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps are super popular!  Thanks to all the people who bought cookie stamps from me on Saturday.

We will be at the Diva Show this Friday (Fritz Sick Center, 5-9pm) with a little different display...no play dough for the grown ups!  Stop by and see us if you can!

A couple weeks ago, Kevin and I started the big job of fixing the landscaping in our front yard.  Really, we should have done it right 3 years ago when we first did it, but we didn't and it's been bugging us ever since.  I guess that's what happens when you are dealing with back surgeries, moving and little kids!  Here's a few before and after pictures.

Before

We dug out the flower beds and removed the top soil and some of the clay we have for soil here until we were about 6-8 inches down...we filled the truck about 5 times!  Once that was done, we filled it in with bark mulch.  We chose that because it repels weeds (yahoo!) and retains moisture, which is important in the summer when it's so dry here!  And, because it's so deep, they guarantee it won't blow away...another big plus in Lethbridge!

After

After...I still have a little spot to plant whatever kind of flowers I want each year.

After

We are so happy with how it looks now and can't wait for our plants to get bigger!  There's buds on all the trees and shrubs and the flowering plants have also started sprouting.  A little rain and some nice sunny days and it will all be greened up...hopefully by the time we get back from Disney!  And then we are going to tackle the back yard and staining the fence, front steps and decks...oh, and I have to plant my garden!  Busy spring for us!

But, you probably stopped by to see some stamping, right?  Well, one of the other things I  have been busy with is making table tags for the Diva Show.  These are cute little somethings that identify which vendor is at which table.  Since it's a Diva Show and we just got a super cute purse die, Sherri and I decided it would be perfect to make some purses.

We made about 80 of them!  The show coordinator requested pink, so we used up our Blushing Bride stuff (because it's retiring) and then had to use some Pretty In Pink and Pink Pirouette to get them all done!  They are pretty basic.  We cut the purse out of cardstock and stamped it with Soft Suede ink using the rose bunch stamp from the Elements of Style set.  A little ribbon for a handle (attached with some brads) and a fun flower accent finished off with a pearl just makes them so cute!  We then attached a little banner with each vendor name.

I am absolutely in love with all of them!  They're gonna look super cute on the tables!  Don't forget to stop by and say hi tomorrow night.  We will be at the Fritz Sick Center from 5-9...and admission is FREE!!!!

That's all for today!  Have an inspired day!

The Cat is Out of the Bag......

I can't believe it's been a week since I last posted.  My kiddos are out of school this week for Easter holidays and they have taken up most of my time!  I have barely even been in my craft room this week...gasp!  I'm a little excited for them to go back to school on Monday so I can get back to my routine...stamping and blogging!

Most of you know that I earned the Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip last year and it seems like forever, but we're finally getting ready to go on our trip!  We flat out lied to our kids and told them I didn't earn it so that we could surprise them.  And, we managed to keep it a secret until yesterday, when our travel documents arrived...I let them open the package!

It was funny to watch!  They were a bit confused as to why I was letting them open a "princess package", but once we explained they were so excited!  We then showed them their park passes!  This is the face of three boys super excited to go on a trip and fly on a plane!!!!

And, this is what I was excited about...

Name tags (the kids were a bit sad that they don't have name tags too!), luggage tags, plane tickets and all the information we need during our stay with Stampin' Up! in Orlando!

I will be back with some stamping tomorrow.  Have an inspired day!