Father Gerald Gostling makes a stop in Scarborough

My Mother-In-Law's cousin Father Gostling works in South Africa. He made a short visit to Toronto and the family were there to meet him. We met at Leisure World Senior's residence where Aunt Marguerite lives.

Father Gerald was kind enough to share some stories and video about his work with us.

Thanks Mum for making all the arrangements. We had an enjoyable and informative afternoon.

It won't be like this for long

A little while ago I caught an Oprah Winfrey show with Daruis Rucker (Hootie and the Blowfish fame) singing a song titled It won't be this way for long.

This afternoon we were at a family gathering as a tribute to Father Gerald who is working in South Africa. He was able to visit for a short time and talked about his work in the townships about 2 1/2 hours outside of Johannesburg. As I watched my 12 year old be Father Gerald's AV man and holding a conversation about the origin of mankind I was reminded how quickly our children grow up. Just thought I'd share this song for any of you who are as sentimental as I am right now.

Litterless lunch day tomorrow

In support of Earth Day Jenna is packing a litterless lunch tomorrow. I seems like a little thing but a lot of little things add up to a lot.

My 12 year old ordered his new laptop

Aaron is so excited. He just made the biggest purchase of his life. He took his babysitting money and purchased a laptop recommended by his cousin the computer expert. It will be shipped within 12 business days and there was an extra 20% off today.

When I was 12, I sure wasn't buying anything woth nearly as much. I didn't make $5 per hour babysitting either and certainly didn't have a babysitting job every school day. Congratulations Aaron, Mom and Dad are proud of you!

Happy Earth Day

Hope you all had a chance to see how precious our Earth is today!

Dove Sleepover for Self Esteem

My son Aaron told me about Dove's sleepover for self esteem. He heard about it on YTV. He told me its important for every girl to like themselves just the way they are.

On Saturday May 2, 2009 thousands of girls will be having a sleepover for self esteem. Although its not very far away, Jenna and I are going to host our own. Aaron will be away at a birthday party of his own so its perfect. We can have a girls night. I'm sure Arthur won't mind because its for a good cause.

We will be working on invitations and the decorations over the next few days and will post what we come up with.

We'd like to challenge you to participate in your own way!

Its never been easier to become a Stampin Up Demonstrator

Three Easy Payments Option for the Starter Kit
During economically challenging times, most of us tighten our budgets. Some expenditures that were once comfortable might now stretch a budget thin. We don't want anyone's efforts to budget wisely to become a barrier to joining Stampin' Up!, especially considering the wonderful benefits--personal and economical--being a demonstrator can bring. This is why we've introduced a Three Easy Payments option for the Starter Kit. For a limited time, (March 13-April 30, 2009) with a partial initial payment, when you sign up to be a demonstrator, you can receive the Starter Kit right away and get your business running. Two subsequent monthly payments take care of the rest. How it Works.
Contact me. I'll help you with any questions you have and help you submit the required forms. Check out my Stampin Up Website.

4" 2010 Chipboard Calendar

By popular demand I have modified a Maya Road 4" calendar suitable for chipboard coasters to 2010

Click here to download word version

Click here to download pdf version

if asked for a password it is spring

I will post a pdf file later and also post it at Splitcoaststampers.

For Wishblade fans, free .gsd files

This post is for those of you who are looking for free .gsd files. I have posted a few over the past year but have found some sites done by very generous people who are much more creative than I am. If you know of any others, please leave a comment with the link.

http://einnej.typepad.com/einnej/gsd-files.html

http://mamawslegacy.com/cut/cut.html

http://gsdjunkie.blogspot.com/

http://risalenee.blogspot.com/

http://www.ilovecraftrobo.com/

http://www.littlebit.com/cutter/cutter_files_index.html

Lovely as a tree

Went to a Children's Hospital Change Bandit Fund Raiser put on by Stacey Leggate in Thedford. This card was done using what was left over after cutting the top note sizzix die and using it as a template to sponge on the green for grass and blue for sky. The stamp is Lovely as a Tree which has been in the Stampin Up Catalogue for years and has appeared on numerous cards before. I really like Stacey's updated version of it. Thanks for a fun evening for a good cause.

Easter 2009

It feels good to get a scrapbook page done. It seems like forever since I have done one. The Easter Bunny brought us some cool treats so I added a Easter 09 Treat book to pull out and take a closer look at.

Supplies used:

Stampin Up Kiwi textured cardstock

Raspberry Tart Designer Paper

Border Eyelet Punch

Wagonful of Fun stamp set out of the Occasions Mini

Rose Red 1/4" grossgrain ribbon

Earth Elements markers

Blender pens

Other acetate for booklet cover and pocket on bottom of left page

Zutter 3/4" coil binding

12" watercolour paper

assorted ribbon, brads, nailheads, staples,

Black archival ink

Retired Easter stamp from CTMH

Image Tree Number stamps

Sweet Stems Faux Silk Purse and Card Class

Have a great time creating this elegant purse and card set and enjoy the excitement when you give it as a gift to someone special…even yourself! You’ll also have fun learning the great Faux Silk Technique that you can use to enhance all kinds of projects with supplies you already have!

In this class, you will make:
· One Accordion Style Purse to hold cards
· Four coordinating cards with envelopes

Class Information
Date: Wednesday May 6 , 2009
Register By: April 30, 2009
Time: 7-10 pm
Class Fee: $15.00 per person
These projects feature the Sweet Stems and Thank You Kindly stamp sets and Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper (DSP). The projects feature the elegant Faux Silk Technique and rich bright colors. All the inspiration you need to make beautiful and thoughtful gifts. Once you’ve had a great time making this set challenge yourself to make another set using the same layouts and just changing the colors and DSP you use, you’ll enjoy the creative process and the results!These projects feature the Sweet Stems and Thank You Kindly stamp sets and Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper (DSP). The projects feature the elegant Faux Silk Technique and rich bright colors. All the inspiration you need to make beautiful and thoughtful gifts. Once you’ve had a great time making this set challenge yourself to make another set using the same layouts and just changing the colors and DSP you use, you’ll enjoy the creative process and the results!

Masculine Mix n' Match Card and Box Class

This handy card set combines great masculine cards with ready-to-add mix n’ match greetings all stored in a handsome box! Have a great time creating this set and you will be prepared with those ever elusive masculine cards perfect for any occasion!
In this class, you will make:
• One box to hold cards
• One bag with eight greeting tags
• Four coordinating cards with envelopes
These projects feature the Sincere Salutations stamp set, Key Tag Punch and To the Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP). The projects showcase the handsome new corduroy buttons with simple designs and earthy colors perfect for masculine cards.

Tuesday May 19, 2009 1-3 or Tuesday May 19, 2009 7-10 pm

$15.00 per person Contact me to register

Instructions for Mermaid using Stampin Up Punches

A few days ago I posted a Mermaid using Stampin Up Punches. Here are the punches used and a few tips to create your own. (this is at Splitcoastsampers. To access you will need to sign in to your account. If you do not have one you can download the files here. Password is spring)

I also did a Hula girl and Leprachaun using the same general idea.

Have fun and show me your creations

Good morning!

I received an email with this image from a few friends this morning and wanted to pass along the wish.

Hope you had a Happy Easter

I had to work yesterday but was able to be home for our own Easter egg hunt. Arthur took the kids to his Mom's for Easter dinner.

Hope you had a Happy Easter.

Where did they all come from?

At a family gathering for my Mom's 75th birthday, Aaron took out his guitar. Before we knew it there were 3 guitars and 4 players joining in the fun.

Easter Bunny Envelope Favours

I stumbled on these adorable envelope bunny favours by Danni while doing my blog hop. She has a tutorial on her blog. I think they are the cutest small Easter basket/containers I have seen this year. She used a Cuttlebug folder to texture them. Guess what I will be doing in my spare time before Sunday. I have at least 10 of the to make. (they took just over an hour to do but are well worth it)

Sizzix pop up cake die challenge

My Stampin' Up upline Heather challenged us to a Sizzix pop-up cake die challenge.

She gave us materials to make a card using pieces of the sizzix cake die and we could add anything we wanted. Here is my punch Mermaid card with underwater castle.

I had so much fun with the popup shell, crab and the swimming fish.

I used Best Wishes for the inside of the card. Just not sure sentiment I want to use for the outside of the card.

Colourful flower pots in a row.

This card was copied directly from a tutorial by Michelle Zindorf. I like making her cards because she helps me justify all the ink pads I own.

Flower pot card

Arthur asked me to make a get well card for a co worker's wife who just had a heart attack. I thought this challenge at Splitcoaststampers was a perfect way to cheer her up.

It was so much fun to make!

I have crocuses in my garden

A sure sign of spring. Crocuses peeking through the snow. Actually they have been blooming for a few days and we just got a spring snowstorm so Eliz reminded me to take a photo of the last snow for this year. At least we hope it is.

Get Connected with the Occasions Mini Catalogue

Get Connected with the Occasions Mini Catalogue From April 1-30, spend $50 on products in the Occasions Mini Catalogue or host a $200 workshop and get a FREE item from the “Under $12” page in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalogue (p. 208). Filled with exclusive, brand-new products, the Occasions Mini has the products you need to connect with friends and family! Occasions Mini Catalogue - EnglishOccasions Mini Catalogue - French

100 mile diet challenge: Local eating for global change

On Sunday evenings Jenna and I like to watch the food network for a cake challenge but last night there was something different on. It was a 100 mile challenge. Families in Mission BC were challenged to eat local which means only foods grown within 100 miles of them for 100 days. Although I am not sure we would be prepared to join in the challenge it sure has made us think about what we are eating and what is local. If you are interested in more information click on the header of this post. Tell us what you think!

One more box

One more box but this time it is a Scrapbook in a Box. It was so much fun to create and a wonderful way to share pictures of a day at Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto.

Another box cut with my Wishblade

Here is another little box I cut using my Wishblade. (Unfortunately, I don't know where I found this file so cannot give credit to its originator. If anyone knows please leave a comment and I will add a link).

This hexagon box is also big enough to add some kisses or maybe even some pretty soap to.

I made the tag using the new Stampin' Up scallop oval punch and the coordination large oval. A bit of ribbon and pattern paper to dress it up.

Dusted off my Blue Wishblade

Just dusted off my Blue Wishblade and checked out what I had saved on my old computer for Easter.

This cute daisy box was created by Kris Shaw (I'll find a link to post to give her credit when I have a chance to fire up the old computer) It has a liner in the box. I used Summer Sun cardstock to put behind the flowers and to stamp out the chick from A Good Egg set. I bought it last year but it is still in this year's catalogue. I used the "you crack me up" and "Happy Easter" sentiment from the same set.

I sponged the edges of the box in Apricot and added a couple of flowers to finish it off. The box is big enough to hold almost a dozen kisses.

little gift bag

When we went to the Arkona Scrap/Stamp Day a couple of weekends ago, Lizz and Eliz gave us each a little treat bag with some much needed chocolate in it. Lizz used a wooden tea box she picked up at Dollarama and wrapped Walk in the Park Designer paper around it. Added a handle with a couple of brads and a perfect little treat bag. She added a nugget size chocolate wrapped in matching designer paper. What a lovely personal touch.

Its an Open and Shut Case with added class

I just love the chipboard suitcase on the front of the occassions mini catalogue. I made mine. You can too!

Tuesday April 7, 2009 1-3 pm or 7-10 pm

$30. You will take home the suitcase, a card, tag, and mini gift box and the extra designer paper in your package. Contact me to register

Just one more

This make and take was done by Jenny of Skribbles and Scraps in Sarnia at the Arkona Stamp and Scrap Day.

Its cool because it is a card and envelope in one. It is hard to see in the photo but the bottom part of the envelope is crimped.

To do this card you seal up an envelope. Stamp and decorate it. Cut off part of the top portion and put the bottom portion through a crimper. Voila, still an envelope but also part of your card.

Thanks to Jenny and Bob for bringing their store so we could shop too!

Another Make and Take

Here is a lovely Easter card make and take presented by Ann with Close to My Heart products.

Thanks Ann it was fun to do.

LIzz's make and take

Lizz provided us with this make and take at the Arkona Stamp and Scrap Day.

Thanks so much girls for your efforts in putting on this wonderful day for a cause dear to our hearts.

ps Eliz and Lizz, do you know there are pictures of your event on Amy's blog?

Delight

I am sitting here looking at this layout I did at the Arkona Stamp and Scrap Day and thinking of what pictures I could put on it. I just have to look around my kitchen and I can see a few things.

A cup of hot Hazelnut cream coffee, the smell of freshly baked brownies (Jenna has a pot luck lunch at school today), the door open (first time this year I can do that and not be cold), sunlight streaming in through the windows, and the sound of birds singing. So what could be finer than a sunny day in Southwestern Ontario?