Makeup to mud in 3 seconds flat

Crop & Create Winnipeg

The time is so close to start registering for the event in Winnipeg. Woohoo! I can't wait. Such a great time I am going to have with old friends and can't wait to make new ones.  Like I've mentioned before, each event in each city is tailored towards the actual city. We are doing our best to make each one unique, special and fun! 

If you are in the Toronto Greater area, you can still register for the Markham event in January here.

But let's discuss Winnipeg! We have a few new teachers travelling in for this one, and I am sooooo pumped!

Here's the details:

Crop & Create - Winnipeg (click for more details)

We are excited to invite 150 of our closest friends to join us in Winnipeg  for two days of inspiration, education and pure fun! Come crop and create with some of the best teachers in paper crafting. Join Becky Fleck from PageMaps, experts Vicki Boutin, Kelly Goree, Kathy Thompson and join special guest Caroline Lau from Maya Road for fabulous  classes that are full of tips, tricks and techniques for every level. With 24 hours of cropping time, a chocoholic feast, great prizes, special make n’ takes and so much more, this exclusive event promises to be a weekend all about creating with our closest friends…YOU...and one that is not to be missed!  Oh wait, did we mention there will be a marketplace with 6 great stores too?  And did we mention that the Marketplace will be open to the public?  Yes, Crop & Create Winnipeg is going to be a very special Crop & Create event!  We can’t wait to see you there.

March 23-24, 2012

Delta Hotel, Winnipeg
Registration opens December 5th!

Early Bird rate is only $139! 

Our two new teachers are:

Caroline Lau- Owner of Maya Road

This is so cool to have Caroline Lau join us in Winnipeg. She worked with us at Scrapfest in the Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine booth. The lineups to meet her and take her make 'n takes were HUGE! She completely went out of all her demos, and I can vouch for it, they ROCKED!!!! I made myself 3 new luggage tags, a few rockin zipper pins, sadly I missed out on a few others. Lord knows I tried to slip in and quickly make all her demos, but man our booth was SWAMPED! Like never a minute to slip away. So a weekend with Caroline was fun!!! I LOVED looking at her beautiful mini albums! Maya Road ROCKS!!!

Check out the Maya Road blog: (psst, right now is a MASSIVE WAREHOUSE SALE you might want in on. Just sayin')

 

Kathy Thompson- writer for Scrapbook & Cards Today

How exciting is this? Like Canada's rockstar of photography instruction. I think the most sought after photographer known for her distinct eye in detail when taking a photo and timeless style, but then also being able to create show-stopping clean graphic design layouts. It was no wonder that a few years ago American Crafts snapped her up that fast. Now YOU can follow her as well in her regular article “Photography for Today’s Scrapbooker”  in Scrapbook & Cards Today! I can't wait to meet her in person, I have admired her for a very long time!!!!! 

Want to follow her  blog? Here's the link...prepare to be inspired!!!!!

 

 

And the rest of the fabulous educator team (these girls are with us for quite a few shows! Rock on!)

Becky Fleck: owner & designer of Page Maps, Editor of Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine

 

Becky is the master of creating scrapbook & card sketches that are realistic, offering both simple and detailed sketches also offering them in all different ways; double page, single, multi-photo, single photos. They simply are the greatest guide for scrapbookers. Her classes are awesome helping inspire you to interpret sketches in ways that are easy to understand. I LOVED the layouts she taught in Saskatoon, and at Scrapfest. Yummy! I can't wait to see the new layouts she came up with for Winnipeg. Speaking of which, have you seen how Sheri Reguly was inspired by Becky? If you haven't check out THIS post, I think you will be pleasantly inspired to try this sketch, I know I am. (actually I'm almost done it, teehee, hard to stop when you are excited to create!)

where to find Becky: Page Maps blog

Kelly Goree- designer for Basic Grey & regular contributor/writer for Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine

Southern charm is the best way to describe her. Her classes a full of such great tips and ideas. She has a very classic style, and the subtle little tips she teaches add such punch to a layout.

I simply adore Kelly and have had a blast working with her a few times, great giggles, fun times! My favourite part about Kelly is how she gives you such a peak into her own life through her teaching and her blog. She is an amazing football mom, who can take FANTASTIC photos, **envy**, if you don't believe me, check out the fabulous NEW 2012 Calendar that is the perfect gift for yourself or the scrapbooker in your life.  She is one of the designers in it. 

Kelly's blog

 

Vicki Boutin: designs for many industry manufacturers & now Author!

Vicki is one heck of an awesome girl!!!!! I have taken many of her classes, and am lucky to call her a dear friend. Her classes always offer so many details. You will learn a CRAZY amount of stuff, seriously. My house is filled with her home decor classes, and I am constantly getting compliments on them. 

Her layouts too will give you such an insight to what her book will be like. Can't wait till it comes out!!!!!  I really like how her layouts always have a great flow to them. 

 

her blog:

 

Kimber Mc Gray-4 time Best Selling Author & fabby designer over at Jillibean Soup

 

I got to know Kimber more in Saskatoon and boy did she have us laughing!!!! This girl is funny, totally crack me up! (However, she did help pull a practical joke on me, so need some good ideas to return the favour. lol)

Anyways, everyone knows I don't always feel that card making comes naturally to me. I tell you this though, it DOES come natural to her! Her cards are like little miniature works of art that **almost** dance for you. seriously. They move, they pop, they slide they spin. They ROCK!  I LOVE that you walk away with so many realistic ideas and ones that are totally created with practicality in mind; great costs and time spent on them. 

her blog

In Winnipeg we are offering  something a little different. We have a big marketplace, with many vendors in their own ballroom. We are so excited that stores from all over Manitoba will be joining us. This room will be for our crop attendees as well anyone who would like to come and shop the best of Manitoba in one room! Yes we are bringing them to YOU! Cool. come and go as you like, we hope you find something you like.

 

***** Just a tip, if you are even thinking of taking a class, don't hesitate signing up. I was hoping to get a kit from the last crop & create classes and they were all sold out!!!!!

Now that was a long post,so sorry. I just couldn't wait to share, I am PUMPED!!!!!

 

Update on Forrest Television (lol)

Again, our household has a few more changes, Jim starts a new work contract this week for the new BHP mine. Serious work till March. We are STOKED! Of course sad that he is working out of town again, HOWEVER, it is only 1 hr away and we can always zip out to see him. Plus it has benefits. Finding him housing proved to be a little tiresome, however, it did work out. He is boarding at a sweet elderly ladies house who apparently has some good dry humour, she had Jim giggling quite a bit, and of course I had myself a good laugh when she told him her rules. No fornicating or using her stove or he's out. Apparently she had bad experiences with both scenarios with previous houseguests. I told Jim I think we could abstain. lol. Never thought I would hear that line ever again in my life, especially not being married almost 12 years. lol.

**On another note, we went out to the farm to finish the doorway for the igloo...wait for it...the glue gun wouldn't work! EI YI YI!!! Another one apparently bites the dust. It was so warm too. darn! But we did get one row done.

Check back later this week for my Angry Birds invites, they are cute! Sorry I just didn't get them uploaded today, just a huge checklist to complete before Jim leaves again.

On another note, I have some classes coming up at the Scrapbook Studio (343-0550) in the next few weeks. Phone the store if you are interested.

Tomorrow's class is all about Tattered Angels. We are going to glimmer mist lot's of different surfaces, learn misting techniques, and make some new flowers I've never taught before. EXCITING! Pretty hands-on, don't wear your best clothes. This class is NOT an advanced class, it is consumer friendly meaning you get out of it what you put in it. I will teach the proper ways to spray, give tips, it will be constant handson techniques, bringing in masks, creating backgrounds. I am there to answer any questions you may have. If you want to step it up and try out some things, please do, I want it fun and can't wait to see what we create! You will also walk away with 2 full size bottles to keep practising and creating at home. SUHWEET!

Here's a few sneaks for the other classes:

Mistletoe Ball: December 4th 1pm

HO! HO! HO!-  An Echo Park Christmas class- In this class we will make 4 layouts. One double page, and 2 single pages. I will also give you the sketch of both single pages in case you want to turn those into double pages... BONUS! PLus, can I share a secret? Everyone in this class is getting the entire Echo Park Collection pack and matching epoxy brad set (and they are GORGEOUS). Limited numbers though!!! So check and see if there is room.

Plus I am sooooo excited about my upcoming classes in the New Year. The Monthly Art Journal one has me REALLY tickled! But you know me, I'm never happy unless I'm creating art, so you will continue seeing layouts, and altered stuff from me.

Well, must go, so many things to keep checking off my list for today!

 

 

 

Igloo pt.2

so if you have been following our igloo building adventure (this post) we are almost done. Only the entrance way archway needs to be complete, but we ran out of daylight.

but we put a light in it and man was it cool! Unbelievably, it was sooo warm, I really truly was putting th insulating foam in the cracks wearing only a tshirt. I am really pumped to see how it holds out for winter.

 

One more day and a few more jugs and we will be finished!Everyone has asked us for instructions, I will write them once we are complete. There are a ew things we would change. Lessons learned. But if you are considering it, start saving jugs now. It tool us almost 2 years to save and that was with LOT'S of family & friends saving for us.

Here's few more Hallowe'en moments I want to share with you guys...

I can't believe how many pumpkins we saw that looked like this. Gave me a giggle, kinda grotesque but funny.

This pumpkin was neat.

Here were a few of our little house decorations IN the house.

I forgot to show you my fave house from Monday. LOVE it!!!!

Well must go get ready for the night. It's family movie night at our school. Can't wait! we are watching Rio. a cute little movie.

 

it all started with a little request from Jager...

when he was in preschool. Mom, can we build an igloo? The Gr.1 class did, and I want an igloo. So I thought, why not, who am I to say no? So we are coming on almost 2 years and we have saved milk jugs FOREVER!!!! My poor parents shed was almost impossible to get into. The process of rinsing the jugs, letting them air out, and then putting the lids back on and putting them in the bags became something all of our family could do in our sleep now.

Well this past Thanksgiving weekend, we started the feat of igloo building. A few tools of course had to be purchased. high intensity glue guns, hundreds of glue sticks, the hunt for the perfect flooring. Afterall we wanted it to last in the weather and the kids not to get slivers.

Then began the long process of hauling all the bags to the "location".

It is nestled in my parents backyard, between beautiful trees and fence. And the best part, we can see into it from the kitchen window. That is called strategic planning. So now, my dad give the kids their first lesson in geometry. creating circles with a marker and a string once they find the middle. Their igloo has a diameter of 8ft. you know roughly the perfect party size to hold all the kids. lol

One other thing I would like to point out, we did have an excellent engineer on site to figure out the figurings!!!! Thank goodness for dads. I happen to think I am very blessed, but when I see him with my kids, man I realize how lucky they are. Imagine, grandparents that wantt o be a part of their ives, ones that watch their sports games, or tae kwon do, ones that come to their birthdays, ones that just well PARTICPATE in our kids lives. THANK you mom & dad. They always say it takes a village to raise a child, well I think my kids are blessed to have you guys in their lives.

Once we drew out our guide right on the panelling. We got out the glue guns and used the hottest setting as possible and away we went and glued the jugs right to the wood. 

Everybody had a job. Jager was the glue man. We went through over 225 glue sticks so far, so having him close by was a necessity. We were changing glue sticks almost every 5 jugs. Riley was actually getting very good at gluing and blowing the jugs up with the air compressor.

but there is always time to be funny...

of course then pipsqueak wants a picture. (during this time you can see how productive I was. lol. I easily get sidetracked.) And of course this is the day our little 3yr old decided she was riding a bike with no training wheels. Woohoo!!! So armed with a helmet and mojo we helped her practice. Such determination. She did pretty good, At least at the farm, the ground seems softer, not like city concrete/pavement. She only has a few bruises.

To keep the kids busy instead of getting bored, we asked them to practice their adding and subtracting. We actually didn't know Jager could count that high. insert HUGe proud parent moment here. We had them arrange the jugs into groups of ten.  Let's just say this is only the first dump of jugs, we made 5 more car loads. lol.

progress is starting to be made. Kids are getting excited!

4 levels so far, 3 hrs later. we are on a roll. Then the light starts to disappear, we break a glue gun, decided to call it quits. Mom of course has an amazing feast ready for us to eat. I LOVE my MOM. holey camoley the lady can cook! 

Day 2. We are back at it, now with more glue and a new glue gun. Being in use for hours upon hours, really kicked the glue gun in the butt. You can really see progress now. The sides are tilting in more, the door is starting to be formed. However, we did a slight miscalculation, next time make your seventh layer a little more tilted. Otherwise it gets taller . Not a bad thing, you just need WAY more milk jugs.

of course, new day, so that means new photos. lol. Today Jager is Batman. Nothing like a good ole black garbage bag to do the trick. 

Serious, the end is in site??????

little pipsqueak was getting settled right in. Jager now had a new job, making sure all the lids were on. He wanted to be in charge of this so he knew which colours were next to each other. He is thoughtful that way. Just like when he made his birthday guest list, he said he was going to invite a group of girls to play with his fave because he couldn't always be there to play with her. He'd have to entertain everyone.

Speaking of birthdays, man do they suck or what??? First off, what's your policy on inviting the kids that don't invite yours? Recently my kids weren't invited to a party, and maybe we were just forgotten, who knows. always give the benefit of the doubt. However, it SUCKS seeing my kids sad that they didn't go. It is actually the worst feeling ever. So of course, now they don't want those kids at their parties. ei yi yi. the drama starts so early. I can totally understand if you are only having a tiny amount of kids, but really when you had 45 guests???? Anyways, a real eye opener. And so I will abide their wishes and only invite those they want at their party. I thought we should've extended the invitation. However, the kids said, "mom there's no point".  Jager goes, "but we've been invited every year". Riley goes, "yeah probably cause they just wanted gifts from us. "We give good gifts. uggh! HEART BROKE, over and over! Not sure what I'm more upset about, the sadness my kids feel for being left out, or the fact that Riley is becoming "hardened to how some people behave nasty". I want his innocence still.

Anyways, I distinctly remember my husband saying this idea was all mine, and he'd watch us build it. I laughed, knowing full well he was excited to see the outcome and that he'd never sit for a minute. He is that awesome, help always kind of guy. The look of seriousness, probably fixing my mistakes. lol I make lot's.

This would be, my "wife is driving me crazy look". he makes me laugh all the time. More likely I can't repeat what he just said, but of course I was fully smiling.

as you can see, our igloo now stand at approximately 5 ft+ tall. Most likely between 6-7ft upon completion. HOWEVER, we RAN OUT OF milk jugs. Who'd have thought over 500 jugs would not be enough. So I am making a request to any local peeps, please save me you milk jugs, just give them a rinse, save the lids and I will come pick them up!!!! I f you are a scrapbooker maybe I can thank you with supplies! We want to finish it before snowfall, and think we are about 60 jugs short. THANKS SO VERY VERY much!!!!!

I will show the completed igloo when I can. thanks for tuning into our latest family adventure.  We are living the life, experimenting, making mistakes, having fun and living in the moment...are you?