And the WINNER IS...

And the WINNER IS...

The Children in Haiti!!!!!

This past weekend we did our Crop For Haiti scrapbooking and crafting event and it just always makes me giddy that that we can have THAT MUCH FUN and raise THAT MUCH MONEY that is going to change THAT MANY LIVES!!!!

So our total raised was (insert drum roll here)...

$7607.25

During the event, I had a "moment"... 

I looked across the room at all the women laughing, crafting, eating and chatting away...

and I just had such a heart full of gratitude (my word of the year)...

I am still in awe how a few posts on facebook and my blog results in this event each year...

with the absolute BEST women ever!!!!!

And the best instructors EVER (seriously talented ones that give so generously of their heart, soul and creative giftedness without hesitation)...

and the best team of helpers (who take control of everything non-crafty for me!!)

and a church that enables all of it...

and an organization Live Different who is changing our world!!!!

We don't yet know exactly how much building the school in Haiti is going to cost or how much building a home in Dominican will be... but it is ALL GOOD!!!  I will keep you posted once I know, but in the meantime...

My heartfelt THANK YOU to those who joined in.  

I have no more words... just gratitude for you.

Crop For Haiti!!!!

Wooooo hoooooooo!!!!  As many of you know, I LOVE LOVE LOVE to travel the world on assorted humanitarian trips and this next year has me sooo excited!!!!

I am going to Haiti and the Dominican Republic in May 2014 with a wonderful team of family and friends to help build another home (this one made of heavy bricks!!!) and it sounds like we might also be helping to build a school?!?!?!?!

Be still my teacher's heart!!!!!

And as always, I LOVE LOVE LOVE to also extend the invitation for YOU my family and friends to partner with us!!  I do not yet know what the exact costs will be for the building projects, but I'm guessing it will be similar to past years (about $6000 per home) and because I love to party while partnering, we are again doing a "Crop For Haiti" event on Saturday, February 1, 2014 where 100% of the $100 cost PLUS all money spent at the event will go towards our projects!!!!

AND YES... we are bringing back the infamous "Garage Sale" of crafting goodness!!!

AND YES... as always, we will provide delicious homemade meals and strong helpful men to carry all your supplies to and from your cars (and if needed, clear the snow for you and start your vehicles so they are toasty warm!!)

And seeing as this trip seems to be all about the kids... all my promo is showing assorted beautiful children from past trips to Haiti/Dominican with Live Different!!!

Be still my photographer's heart!!!!!

So if you are able to join us either for the day or even part of the day, we would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have you!!!!

Click HERE to register starting Friday, November 28, 2013!!!

Shopping can change lives!!!

Who doesn't love to shop???!!!  Did you know that this Saturday, March 10, your shopping can change the life of an entire family?  Before I get into that... check THIS out...

See this beautiful mixed media canvas designed by the talented Christy Riopel????  YOU can create it along with this "Family" layout sponsored by Quick Quotes...

AND a card AND some of my best photo tips ALL in ONE fantastic class this Saturday, March 10 from 1-3pm!!!!  And the best part????  100% of your $45 class fee goes towards building a new home for a needy family in Mexico!!!!  

PLUS... check this out...

Here is just a sneak peek at some of the yummy goodies you can win or buy on Saturday too which brings me back to SHOPPING!!!!  We are hosting a "Garage Sale" of crafting goodies from 1pm - 4pm and 100% of your spending goes towards building a home for a needy family in Mexico!!!  How FUN is that???!!!  Bring your friend, your children, your neighbours!!  Your shopping and crafting will change a family's life FOREVER!!  We did it last year and we want to do it again!!!

And if you can come crop, create, play and shop the entire day away, with 3 homemade meals, make & takes and helpful guys to carry all your stuff... we still have 5 spots left...

To register or for more information, please click HERE or send an email to gbcscrappers@hotmail.com.

Crop For Mexico!!

YES, we will have delicious homemade food again (this year we will also serve a light breakfast of delectables in addition to lunch, supper and snacks!!)

YES, we will have strong abled guys to help carry all your crop supplies in and back out to your cars (and shovel the snow and start and scrape your cars!!)

YES, we will again run an on-site garage sale for attendees and the public (so please start gathering your donations now to bring along to the event!!)

YES, we will offer optional add-on classes taught by our hosts and instructors (will post these as they become available... meanwhile let us know what you'd like to learn!)

YES, 100% of your registration fee and ALL spending at the event will go towards building a home for a very needy family in Mexico!! Have fun and change lives!!

Registration opens Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 at 5am!!!

Click HERE to register!!!

NEW!!! Crop-a-ganza Event!!!

How exciting is this??????!!!!!!

This coming February you have the chance to partake in a most fabulous weekend called

 "Crop-a-ganza"

taking place at the beautiful Sheraton Hotel in Red Deer on the Feb. 17-19th weekend!!

Here is the lineup of instructors coming to educate and entertain you!!

YES, that's Donna Downey's smiling face you see along with Cathie Allan, Christy Riopel, Susan Weckesser and myself!!!

I have met Donna Downey at CHA, but never had a chance to take one of  her classes, but I hear they are amazing!!  And I can speak first hand about the talent of the others instructors and can't say enough about what each one brings to the craft table!!!  As for myself, I will be teaching a brand new photography class and am so excited to have this (see below picture) as part of our venue... a full wall of natural light with such beautiful potential for photos!!

And speaking of venue... take a peek at the rooms we will be staying in...

Not only is it a FULL weekend away (3 days!), but the "Stay and Play" package includes your crop space for 3 days, hotel room for 2 nights, 4 meals and a late night hot lunch right at the hotel, a goodie bag, door prizes and a ton of fun ALL for only $290!!!  You don't ever need to leave the building!!  Thinking THIS is the perfect Christmas gift for you and/or the scrapbooker in your life!!

So be sure to check it all out and register soon at

www.Cropaganza.com

COME SHOP!!!!

COME SHOP!!!
HUGE GARAGE SALE OF

Scrapbooking & Crafting Supplies

Sat. April 2

1-4pm

Grace Baptist Church

2670 Radcliffe Dr SE

Calgary, Alberta

100% of proceeds going towards a humanitarian project to build homes in Mexico for needy families!

Here is a sneak peek at some kits available for purchase!

PLUS...

all 12x12 paper is 4 for $1

still in package items 20-50% off

albums, tools, stickers, stamps and more!

gently used items starting at $1

Bring along your crafty children, friends, etc. and come shop and be part of a fun day...  all for a really great cause!  Our faith goal is to make $6000 during this Crop For Mexico event and we'd love to have you be a part of it :)

Trying to make a difference... wanna join me???

How would you like to live here...

This was the home of a lovely family in Mexico before a group of Canadians went down last year to help build them a new home.  Below is a picture of their new home almost finished...

Now I just built a new home for my family this year (or should I say we had it built for us)...

Here's a quick peek at my kitchen the day our appliances were being installed... I absolutely LOVE my kitchen and am really trying to do more cooking and baking there...  baby steps!!!!

But back to my point... I must say that the new home in Mexico does not compare with my new home here in Canada and in my constant quest for balance, my family decided to join this year's group going down to Mexico (by bus!!!!!) to help build at least 2 more new homes for needy families.

We will be going in July (thank goodness I LOVE the heat!!) and until then, we are doing fundraising. 

Now I am always seeming to be involved in fundraising whether it is through my kids school or their soccer teams, but I must say that I struggle raising money for "rich American kids" (as in North American) to get new computers or new matching track suits when children in other parts of our world don't even have their basic needs met of food, clothing and shelter.  

Now don't get me wrong... I support the fundraising efforts of our local kids and obviously believe in the benefits of them, BUT you will find I personally throw myself full force into causes that help others much less fortunate.

And so with great excitement, I personally invite you to attend a super fun event... 

You're Invited...

This event is two-fold:

1.  A scrapbooking party lasting 10 hours including 2 meals and a class of your choice taught by myself and two other fantastic instructors (see classes below)

2. A overflowing garage sale of NEW and gently used items!!!

And for both of the above 

100% of your money 

goes directly to the 

Mexico home building project!

It costs $6000 to build one home so we are hoping 

to raise the money for one completed home on that day!!!

So... want to make a difference in our world?  Want to be part of something life changing?  I'd love to have you join us!!!!!!  Here's how you can get involved:

• join us at the Crop For Mexico event!!!  Space is limited, but there is still room!!  

Click HERE to register!!!

• donate new and gently used items for our HUGE GARAGE SALE!!!! 

• come SHOP at our HUGE GARAGE SALE on April 2 from 1-4pm!!!!!

• please tell all your friends... post on facebook, your blogs, etc. about this event!!!

And if that's not quite enough to entice you, here are the classes that you can choose as part of your registration!!!!!  That's right, FREE with registration!!!!!!!

And tomorrow I will tell you about another amazing event...

near and dear to my heart...

life changing...

soul searching...

inspired creating...

one you won't want to miss...

Scrapbook Your Heart

and we'll announce this year's featured instructor for this annual Alberta-wide retreat!!!