Breakfast TV making Christmas Crackers

This was truly one of the most fun TV segments I have evah done!!  Thanks to Christy Riopel, our daughters and some fabulous papers from Basic Grey's "Eskimo Kisses" Christmas line, our crafting of Christmas Crackers was oh so fun!!

Those who know me, know how "jumpy" I am... if you watch closely near the end of the video, I actually scare myself with my snapper!!!  It didn't go off with the first pull and so I tried again... nothing like live TV to totally embarrass oneself :)  No... it was seriously all fun especially when Dave Kelly joins in!!  This truly is a great craft for all ages with a ton of ideas to include on the inside (like a trip to Crop Tropical in Cancun in Feb!!)

Rusty Pickle Coming to Calgary!!!

One of my favourite guys in the industry is coming to Calgary!!!

Lance Anderson from Rusty Pickle is scheduled to appear in Calgary at the Scrapbook Pantry to teach two amazing classes!  I first met Lance at CHA this year and was impressed with his company, his chocolate fountain and Lance himself as a genuinely great guy!!

Get a look at the two classes being offered on Monday, Dec. 28, 2010:

Be sure to call NOW (403-455-1558) to book your fun time with "The Pickle"... you won't be disappointed!!

New Tattered Angels "Angel"

So... it has been a fun game for the crafting community to try to guess the new "Angel" for Tattered Angels and it was finally released today...

Heidi Swapp!!

So... they are releasing at CHA's winter 2010 show her new "Exclusively Heidi" line of Glimmer Mist including "Viva Pink", "Silver Sugar", "Black Magic" and "Electric Blue".

I must admit I'm surprised!  Should be great for Tattered Angels to have such a big name endorsing their product and I am anxious to see the rest of the line! What are your thoughts???

Harmonie Blog Winner!

Alrighty!  We have a winner for this Harmonie Blog Giveaway (I hope!)

My daughter pulled a random number out of our bucket and it is #9 so if we count down from the top of the comments, here is our winner:

Anonymous said...

Ok, you know how I love anything/everything practical!!! So, if they even make the packaging useful (ie: the ribbon packaging) then you know I will love it! And, I'm always a sucker for cute packaging anyway!

So... "anonymous" did not leave her name... but I get the feeling that it is someone I know and I have a good idea, but don't want to make a mistake!!  So let me know and you can get this awesome Harmonie stamp set and funky ribbon (along with the oh so cute packaging) in time for Christmas!!

Thanks everyone for playing along and be sure to watch for this awesome CANADIAN company to hit the market by storm!!  Be sure to ask you local store to bring it in!!!

Crop Tropical Featured Sponsors!!!

It's official!!  It's officially AWESOME!!  We have confirmed 3 fabulous FEATURED SPONSORS for Crop Tropical in Cancun in February!!

MondayNightClass.ca is your best choice in Canadian Scrapbook Kits where YOU get to pick the kit you want!!  With a vast and talented design team, you get oh so many fabulous options, you're going to want them all!!  AND... their very own Christy Riopel is coming to Cancun to teach us all her secrets!!  I can hardly wait!!!

NEATNIX is one of my favourites for oh so funky and functional storage!!  And each Cropper of Cancun is going to receive a SUPER AWESOME tote bag/beach bag!!!  Watch here for more details!

 

HARMONIE is my latest favourite CANADIAN company eh??!!!  Check out some of their products in the blog post HERE and make sure to enter the BLOG GIVEAWAY for some of their delicious goodies!!

Watch here and on the Crop Tropical blog for more sponsors, more sneak peeks and GIVEAWAYS!!

OR... join us in Cancun in February and get it ALL and more!!  Just imagine....

Cancer in my gut...

I cried today... no big surprise for those who know me well.  The phrase "Cancer in my gut" has been hovering in my mind for months... sitting, churning, comforting and convicting me since this past July.  Let me explain...

As some of you know, our family is building a new home.  In fact, here is our annual family photo... standing on our lot one cold day in November...

Over the past 17 years when Brad would occasionally mention moving, I would refuse.  I felt exceedingly blessed to live in the home we had and although there were things I would change, I never felt right about "upgrading" to a different home (especially when so many in our world have so much less).

But, long story short, when this opportunity came up, I finally agreed to entertain the thought, prayed long and hard about it and ended up going for it!  Shortly after the decision, I was reading my Bible one night and came across a very interesting verse (BTW, I'm reading "The Message" and totally enjoying this "storybook" version as it puts things into such a different light!) :

"Your greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within." James 5:3

I kept reading and re-reading this verse and the whole chapter over the course of the next several days and came to feel like it was a gentle warning from God and sure enough, over the next many months of planning this home, it was hard to not get caught up in the desire for "greedy luxuries" in all the house decisions!  Do you know how many different types of "specialty" faucets there are out there, or types of granite with certain profiles and tiles and fridges and cupboards and carpets and windows and railings and lights????

BTW... see this light here... take a wild guess at how much just 1 of these pendant lights cost???!!!

This is the light my family and I picked out for over our island... at least until we found out how much it cost...  $900 each!!!!!  Oh, and we need 3 of them!!! I don't think so!!!  But it's hard to not get caught up in WANTING!!!  Decision after decision was so very hard for me especially when everyone's attitude is "It all just gets added onto your mortgage anyways!" or "If you're moving to Quarry Park, you obviously can afford it"!

Major life lesson:  Just because you CAN afford something doesn't mean you SHOULD!!

Anyways, moving ahead to today... well... today was the final signing of EVERYTHING we chose.  We finished checking it all over for the 1023rd time, signed it and I was driving over the pile of papers when the tears began to flow... I was simply overwhelmed again with how blessed I am... blessed with an amazing family, friends who love me and the opportunity to create a new home where more blessed memories will be formed (and scrapbooked!).  And I honestly feel like with God's help, the "cancer in my gut" was mostly under control through the whole process.  And even my kids get it too... Justin's comment when he heard the price of the light... "Do you know how many kids in Africa that would feed?"  And so we as a family have also made plans for giving more and blessing others even through our new home... LOVE that!!

BTW... want to see the light we ended up getting?  Here it is... and only about $130 each... and we think it's beautiful even if it's not hand forged in Vermont!!

New Canadian Company and BLOG GIVEAWAY!!!

Click HERE to watch my first City TV segment on my annual "These are a few of my favourite things" Christmas crafting segment and HERE to watch the second one which made BEST OF Breakfast Television!!
This year I am showcased a new favourite CANADIAN company Harmonie!!  I met the talented people behind this company when in Edmonton at the Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival hosted by Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine!

What I love most about this company besides being Canadian, is that they simply have delicious products that are so easy to fall in love with!!  For example, their packaging on their ribbons is a beautiful chipboard shape that you can then use for crafting (see my ornament on the top!)

And, I am drooling over their "Pacifique" line of everything...  umm... can you say PERFECT for any of my Tropical Scrapbooking Events?????!!!!!   BTW... there is still room to join us in Cancun in Feb. 2010 for the LAND event Crop Tropical or for those who love the SEA, we just opened up our registration for our next Crop and Cruise in November 2010!!!

And although this picture does NOT do it justice, I am smitten with their stunning 12x12 acrylic albums in an assortment of designs...

This card was designed by Marie-Eve a talented member of the Harmonie team and was great fun to put together for the TV segment!

So in honour of this new company, I'm going to do a BLOG GIVEAWAY!!!  Simply comment on this post and tell me what is your favourite thing about HARMONIE... feel free to check out their website and blog for even more inspiration!!  Here is what you can win!!

We will randomly select a winner on Dec. 13!!

BTW... I also showed a fun "Album Holder" from Chatterbox which can be purchased at the Scrapbook Pantry, Neatnix storage on sale this week at Scrapbooker's Paradise and Harmonie products at The Scrap Yard.

My Latest Front Cover!!

I finally got mine in the mail today!!!   My latest front cover!!!

I'm thrilled to see my little buddy Liam on the front cover of the new Canadian Scrapbooker Basics Volume 5!!!!  I absolutely LOVE the shot of him sitting on the side of the rink watching the bigger kids play hockey!!  Oh so CANADIAN EH????

And what an AMAZING magazine chock FULL of cool TECHNIQUES!!!  I got to flip through the issue in between booth visitors while in Lloydminster this weekend and WOW!!  I can hardly wait to play!!

And... it also includes one of my latest favourite layouts of mine... one inspired by the great artist Cathie Allan and her stamping prowress!!

Crop and Cruise 2010 REGISTRATION is now OPEN!!

Registration for 

Crop and Cruise

Scrapbooking Cruise

 to the Caribbean

 in November 2010

 is now OPEN!!!

This past weekend registration for our next ultimate Crop and Cruise Scrapbooking Cruise to the Caribbean opened and within minutes we received the first registrations and already have a wonderful group coming!!!  We have a few "repeats" from past cruises and several "newbies" excited to join in on the fun!!

If you are also thinking of joining us, know that we have a

special gift for the first 25 cabins 

that register and pay their deposits so don't delay too long!  And prices are still only

$995 CDN per person (or less)

 so know that we are doing our best to make it affordable!

Just imagine...

We'd love to see you there!

Announcing Crop Tropical Featured Instructors!!

CHRISTY RIOPEL - Crop Tropical Featured Instructor

MSF (Married Scrapbooking Fanatic) seeks same to crop the week away at Crop Tropical in Cancun, Mexico. I like long lengths of ribbon, patterned paper and sunset photo shoots on the beach. Will teach you new and amazing techniques while keeping you entertained and amused. 

My past and current relationships include being repeatedly published in Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine and being co-owner and head of the design team for  MondayNightClass.ca  (featured in Canadian Scrapbooker's Fall 2009 issue).  I also have experience instructing at BC Crop for Kids, Crop and Cruise, The Scrapbook Carnival, The Bloomin Inn and several LSS’s.  I have two amazing daughters and a very understanding husband. I look forward to sand between my toes and laughs across the crop table. Come join me in Mexico!  To get to know me better, please visit my BLOG!!

ALLISON ORTHNER - Crop Tropical Host and Featured Instructor

Allison's ultimate happy place is being anywhere hot and tropical with her true loves... family, friends and photography!!  So it comes as no surprise that she has hosted numerous events (including Crop and Cruise Scrapbooking Cruises) and LOVES to make each one a unique vacation escape for ALL who attend!  Her plans for Cancun involve special parties, games, activities, prizes and excursions exclusive to our family-friendly group!  And true to form, she is terribly excited to share her BEST photography tips and tricks to help YOU capture amazing photos of it all!!

Back in Canada, Allison appears regularly on TV helping Canadians improve their scrapbooking and photography skills, writes a regular column called "Lights! Camera! Action!" for Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine and has been widely published as well in Creating Keepsakes, Memory Makers, Simple Scrapbooks and Scrapbooks Etc. including 12 front covers.  In her spare time, she "plays house" in Calgary with her "gorgeous gadget guy" husband and two "delightfully fun" kids!!  For more insight, visit Allison's BLOG!!

Teaching alongside the oh so talented and simply wonderful lady Christy Riopel is going to be a blast!!!  I can hardly wait!!  Wanna come play with us too?  Just imagine!!!

Creative Costumes and something SWEET!

So... I really don't much like Halloween... never have been into the scary or gory kind of stuff and really don't like the focus on blood, death, etc. as we unfortunately see so much of that in the real world and I'd much rather fill my mind and heart with things that are beautiful, good, uplifting, encouraging, etc.

BUT... the one part I've always enjoyed is getting dressed up and so it's been fun over the years helping the kids come up with costumes!!  We don't do the typical and in fact, my son's "claim to fame" is that he concocts his own "one-of-a-kind-never-been-seen-before" type costume!!  Last year he was an orange crayon all triggered by an orange hat he found and this year, can you guess it????

He was "Purple Man Superhero"!!!!  His special powers?  The ability to attract all kinds of candy and chocolate!!!  I find my son so very amusing!!  I LOVE that even though he most definitely has his father's engineering/math/science mind, a little of my creativity managed to seep in as well!!

And my daughter was a "Teeny Bop Rock Star"... all her own clothes actually except the shoes which were a fabulous Value Village find at only $1.99 plus the wig!!  She is just way too cute!!!

And my other favourite part of this least favourite holiday of mine??? You guessed it...  the chocolate!!!! Now chocolate is definitely sweet, good and very uplifting and so THAT is what I choose to focus on!!!

Massive Car Accident...

It sounded like an explosion of metal and glass that just kept going!

It was just after midnight and I was heading to bed when I heard it.  I raced downstairs and out our front door to see what happened.  It was eerily dark and silent and it took a few moments before I noticed smoke coming from a car two doors down on my neighbours driveway.  I ran towards it and suddenly found myself flat on the cement!  I had tripped over our street light which was now lying across our sidewalk on the other side of our driveway!  I quickly ran back inside to get a flashlight, had Brad call 911 and headed back to the accident to see if someone was hurt and was the first one to the scene.

The vehicle had landed upside down, the windows were all blown out and smoke was coming from the engine and a lady inside was out of control crying "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! Get me out of here please!"

"Ma'am, it's okay, calm down, we've got help on the way," I replied as I shone the flashlight into her window to see her.  She was upside down, pinned in the crushed car with air bags deployed.

"NO!  Please don't call anyone!  I'm so sorry!  Please just get me out of here!"

"Ma'am, we need help to get you out.  Can you tell me if there is anyone else in the car with you?"

"No, just me.  I'm not hurt.  Please just get me out!  I don't need help! I'm so sorry!"  She was obviously in shock, had no clue how serious the accident was and kept apologizing over and over and begging me to get her out.  I tried to calm her down, asked her name, told her mine and just kept talking calmly to her while waiting for help to arrive.

By now a few other neighbours were emerging including one on her cell phone with emergency who was warning us to back away from the car in case it exploded from the leaking fuel and smoke.   They were also warning us to NOT touch her despite her pleas for help.

While sitting talking with her, I began to absorb the scene and was shocked as it came together what had happened. I admit that I enjoy watching CSI and felt like I was suddenly being called on to investigate. What was clear right away was that she must have been flying!

1. She smashed into the street light on the right side of our driveway sending it flying to the other side of our property and onto the sidewalk and street.  She must have missed our van parked on our driveway by mere inches!
2. She likely flew through the air (there were no tire tracks on our property) crashing through a large spruce tree on our neighbour's yard and damaging the back of his vehicle.  We figure she was sideways in the air at this point as there were tire tracks across his back window!
3. She continued through yet another large spruce tree on the next yard, crashed into their van (totalled it) and finally landed upside down on their driveway.

Paramedics, firemen, policemen were soon swarming the scene allowing us to step back and let them do their thing.  One neighbour was sure the driver was bleeding profusely from her head, but when they pulled her out, the only blood I noticed was coming from her hand (thank goodness as I usually faint at the sight of blood) and she actually seemed to be in remarkably good condition!  They braced her neck of course and took her away in the ambulance.

We didn't get to bed until about 3:30am and although much of the carnage was cleaned up that night, we did take some photos the next morning and further "CSI'd" the scene in the daylight.

Conclusion:  Although there were no apparent signs or smells of alcohol and road conditions were dry, there were indications that she was traveling at a high rate of speed and possibly talking on her cell phone.  At no point did she apply the breaks before impact.  Officers indicated that her life was spared due to wearing a seatbelt and the deployment of her airbags.  And our personal conclusion is that we were so very fortunate to not have our van or our property involved... not that I'm happy it was my neighbours, but we have already had 2 of our cars totaled in a similar fashion in front of our home and know the hassle it is, but most importantly I was so very thankful that she survived and no one else was injured as it could have been so much worse!

GBC Scrappers Update!

For those wondering... I apologize for the lack of communication regarding the upcoming GBC Scrappers events (my distribution lists went bye-bye when my computer crashed).  So here is a long awaited update!!

GBC Scrappers - YES, we are continuing with events this year, but we are changing our format a bit... our vision for GBC Scrappers when we started about 7 years ago was

 to bring women together and use scrapbooking to "dig" deeper in friendships, in life, in our spiritual journeys and in our scrapbooks.

Our events this year are designed to be more effective at achieving this vision vs. simply doing "marathon" scrapbooking.  We are basically creating an extended "class experience" where you will only need to bring your basic kit of tools, supplies along (and maybe an extra page kit or two if you are super efficient and finish class early!).  Here are the highlights:

• events will be Saturdays from 4pm - 9pm at Grace Baptist Church
• each event will have a theme and a corresponding discussion/video and a related project we will create through the evening all based on that theme
• we will have a fundraiser component as part of each event that will be optional to participate in
• supper will be provided at each event (also supporting a fundraiser for another Mexico Missions Trip the church youth will be doing)
• we will have a couple of "vendors" at each event for your shopping pleasure and to assist with the class projects
• cost for events including all of the above is $25
• space will be limited to 40 attendees so RSVPs are very important for these events

So, we are pleased to announce our first event (sorry again about the short notice):

Crop for the Cure

Sat. Oct. 24, 2009

4pm - 9pm

Theme: "Thankful" 

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, we are anxious to help out the cause AND take some time to reflect on our own lives, those around us who are battling breast cancer and focus on what we have to be thankful for despite our situations.  The evening will include a short video on fighting breast cancer and may include a personal story from a lady who is currently going through the battle.  Our project will be a layout with the Thankful theme sponsored by The Scrapbook Pantry and Stampin' Up! and our fundraiser will be for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Please RSVP to gbcscrappers@hotmail.com before Thursday, October 22

EEEEEK.... I have a teenager!!!!!!

I woke up this morning the parent of a teenager!!!!  Justin turned 13!!!  When did this happen????  It seems like it was just yesterday that he came into this world... Thanksgiving weekend back in 1996... my mom brought me turkey dinner at the hospital... my grandma kept lamenting "he's too pretty to be a boy!"

And it seems like only yesterday I took this photo of him and his sister on the beach... but that is already 6 years ago now from in 2003!!!  

So he was so cute this morning... when I wished him a happy birthday and commented "Eeeeek.... I have a teenager in the house!!"  He promptly rolled his eyes and gave me "attitude".  The funny thing is that he NEVER does that!!!  He was just playing along (I think he's been watching his sister... she, however, does it for real!!)  

So... one teen and one tween now... both hitting those "years" at the same time!!!  And I for one LOVE it!!  I know there will be "those days"... but this is the age I totally enjoy... attitude and all!!!

Happy birthday buddy!  Here's to some great years ahead :)

Mommy

Celebrating 17 years!

That was then...

Seventeen years ago, on October 10, 1992, I married my best friend and love of my life!  We initially met at summer camp at Camp Caroline when we were about 10 years old... we had a mutual friend so we actually hung out a fair bit over the years, but he thought I was a "spinny blonde" and I thought he was a "boring geek"!  We lost touch for a few years after high school and went our separate ways... he took Engineering and I went to Bible School and eventually landed in Education at University.

One evening while at church, I noticed a good looking dark haired guy chatting with our mutual friend...  naturally I inquired later about who he was!

"Don't you remember Brad Orthner?"

"That's Brad Orthner???????  What happened?? I don't remember him being that good looking!!!"

And so began the shameless flirting!!!  Within a few months, we were dating and the rest is history... a story that I would never change for anything!!  He is still my best friend, my rock, my cheerleader, my greatest support, my spiritual partner, my GPS, my hot waterbottle, my garbage-taker-outer, my gadget-guy and the best dad ever to our kids!  Sure we have our moments... who doesn't?  And we both have a little less hair, a few more wrinkles and deteriorating eyesight!!  But the bottom line is that I wouldn't trade him for the world and I'd marry him all over again in a heartbeat!

This is now...

Finally recovered!!

For those who do not know, my home computer crashed taking with it all my personal photos, client photos, work related files, email addresses, distribution lists, etc. so it has been a trying time this past few weeks!

The good news is that MOST of what I lost has finally been recovered!!!  So I will be busy this week catching up on some deadlines, projects, etc.

The one thing I have not yet recovered is my email addresses, distribution lists, etc. so I apologize to anyone who has been waiting to hear from me (re: upcoming events like our GBC Scrappers, etc.) I have one more chance at recovering those or I'll need to start from scratch.

Just know that October 24 GBC Scrappers will host a

"Crop for the Cure"

from 4-9pm so please let your friends know about this very important event!

And later this week I will share some of my BEST THINGS about the Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnivals that took place in Calgary and Edmonton... new favourite companies and a few fun announcements!

Watch TV Friday morning to win!!

Guess what I've been working on to reveal on Friday morning on Breakfast TV??  We are going to be on location at the Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival in Calgary throughout the morning playing, chatting and crafting with some very talented ladies...  Katharina Doyle, Jackie Ludlage, Leica Forrest, Christy Riopel and Heather Lancaster!!

So be sure to watch for your chance to win some awesome prizes and hear about two exciting things:

1.  Who our new Crop Tropical Featured Instructor is at our Feb. 2010 event at an all-inclusive land resort in Cancun Mexico!

2.  Details about our next Crop and Cruise Scrapbooking Cruise for Canadians in Nov. 2010!!

And of course we invite you to take part in the event at the Roundup Centre where booths full of yummy scrap and craft goodies are along with talented instructors and prizes galore!!!

And then we're doing it again next weekend in Edmonton!!!!!  Would love to see you there!!

Final week for Call for Instructors!!

Only one more week left to send in your application to be considered for an instructor position at our

Crop Tropical

Scrapbooking Escape

event in Cancun Mexico next February!! We are looking for fun, talented instructors that are anxious to be part of a great team so check out the details at www.CropTropical.com and consider joining us!!

Hosting the Shopping Network!!

Whenever I host an event, I never know what's going to happen (like this "classic moment" with Lisa Bearnson and friends taking scissors to my hair!!)!!

Well, this weekend I've been asked to host our local SHOPPING NETWORK taking place Saturday evening at the Scrapbook Pantry (AKA "SPSN")!! I get to play with the latest and greatest "Sham Wow's" of the scrapbooking world!!! But it is for members only so if you want to get in on the fun (and awesome prizes!!!!!) then NOW is the time to buy a membership!!!

And meanwhile, want to win some amazing Core' dinations cardstock? Simply go to Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine website (click on above image) and find the logo to enter to win!!

The Wait is Over!!

Sorry for the delay in posting today (and thanks for all the prayers and well wishes from so many)... and YES thankfully the wait is over!!

Brad received his official offer of employment from Ericsson!!!!

He still has a job!!! There may still be some "surprises" along the way in the transition from Nortel (like needing to suddenly somehow fit in over 6 weeks of vacation within 90 days or he loses them when Ericsson takes over!) But at least the wait is over on wondering if he will still be employed!!

So, let's celebrate by announcing the CHA giveaway! Lindsey chose a random number 20...

I love the new stuff! Thanks for sharing your top picks Allison!I love the Plum Crazy from Glitz Design! It's so "me"!! hahaha!

Melissa Haavind

Thanks everyone! And a special thanks to two of my oh so special soul sistas for a wonderful lunch today... love you guys!!

The wait ends tomorrow...

Well, we just found out that Brad will know TOMORROW if he still has a job with Nortel (now owned by Ericson). Yes, the wait ends tomorrow!!! And we will finally find out if he will be one of the lucky ones and receive an offer letter or if he will get his notice and be laid off!

The beauty is, he has so much peace about the whole thing that he forgot to tell me this "little" tidbit of information all day until just now (supper time!). One of many things I appreciate about this man is his steadfast faith... he really does believe that God is in control... and so he is out shopping with the kids while I absorb the news :)

Speaking of the kids, guess who captured this amazing shot of Brad while on vacation????? LINDSEY!! She often takes my camera and practices her photography (she has sat in on my classes on numerous occasions) so this is her shot... no cropping or anything... her beautiful self-described "rule of thirds" shot of her Daddy!!!!

And speaking of tomorrow, I will announce the winner of our little CHA giveaway that just ended so watch for that as well!!