On My Journey

Days of Reflection

2012-01-05T10:16:00.002-07:00

It has been quite a year! what a delight to have both our children in our home now.   Being a forever family has been a gift I longed for ... for so long, and now that it has come to be, I feel like it always was. I don't want to sound trite but the waiting not only has faded away to the back of my memory, but it is just possible I can't believe it was as long as it was! 5 years has to affect us long term... some how... and yet... in the grace of the Lord, there is a faint memory that remains in my heart of an ache for the beautiful daughters I now hold so close! I guess it comes up when I read a book to the girls about the mother or father longing for their child whom they do not yet have... but I am pleased to say it does not come up often anymore.

When I was at the season of Christmas last year, we were leaving Katie with family for 2 weeks, praying she would not struggle as hard as we feared ( with being away from us for that long)... and traipsing off to the other side of the world to retrieve our beloved 2nd daughter Julia.    Christmas became the backdrop for the event of bringing home a precious gift... and the strange... almost misplaced setting for the westerner who would happen to be visiting China over the holiday time.    Our focus on Christ's birth, or on our family time (all together) could not be precedent, but we really found ourselves hunkered down with our newest little one and taking the time we needed to help her adjust to us and to becoming ours.

When we arrived back in Canada a few short days later...(it went SO fast! and yet so slow!!!) we were really exhausted and needed to help Katie and Julia adjust to each other and keep the fanfare of our little one's arrival to extended family to a minimum.   For all intents and purposes... we were surviving a very big transition... and trying to enjoy it in the midst.

FFWD One year:
In my heart I anticipate. Always. I am an anticipate-r. good or bad. You can always count on that. this Christmas was no different. I was pumped about the fun things we would do to celebrate as a family. The tree, the songs, the openings, the decorations and most important the time with loved ones. I am sure that there are more things to that list, but what I realized we did that I enjoyed more than I ever have before, was the Birthday Party we threw for Baby Jesus in my sister's basement... (decorated in Christmas lights... hung from the ceiling and a lovely birthday cake and the telling of the Nativity story...(which got overwhelmed at times with the young ones and their focus on the excitement of it all.) I just loved that we took a special time. I am confident that we will continue that tradition forever in our home. I LOVE IT... and I know it will have many forms...

but I want the lesson to be ...

May we learn how to give of ourselves...

from the One who GAVE of HIMSELF...

for us.

Let's give in response...

to Him and to eachother

out of our great love we have because of HIM.

It just brought out a whole different feeling for the gift giving the next day ... at least for me. I just really treasured the time of really thinking... reflecting on the WHY and HOW and WHO...

anyway... that seems like rabbit trail to me.... or the focus that i wanted to have but began with a different point.... oh dear... i am not a professional writer! for all i know no one is reading this anyway! just a fun collection of my thoughts... and a few digital pages to go with it!

well. thanks for listening. I hope your Christmas was a delight for your heart as well. I really love that we got to see our family, and to have the first EYES OPEN Christmas with our girls together, and we had the time and mental space to enjoy it(There is the link!!!! lol!) What a great get away and blessed season!

Thank you JESUS for bringing JOY to our WORLD!

Katie was SO IN!!!!

The kids took turns being in the MANGER!!! LOL!

The Nativity story was read... and the kids had their input! Love the ways kids interpret adult information!


The nativity set has been used for all of C & M's lives already... well loved... and not standing as well anymore! :D

If there is a birthday.... there must be CAKE!~

Dad & Mom get in on the action too! errr... Grandpa and Grandma I mean!

Balloons!!!

There were races and sugar run off as well! ;)

Cara

warm january family fun

2012-01-05T01:11:00.000-07:00

SO IT ALL STARTED A FEW DAYS AGO... we have had a crazy nice winter here ( ... so out of character for our northern area!) As we realized that it was going to be bed time soon, and we still had not gotten the girls out on this beautiful day... and what if there was a storm tomorrow... we decided to have an adventure... well it was only 5:30 but the girls could have believed it was midnight! it was SO dark and so much fun to be out at night playing! So i snapped a few fun pics , we played in the snow and swung on the swings at the park... and wandered home for some "PINK tea"...which i used to have at my Nanny Scabar's when i was a little girl. what a fun night!

my handsome man! oh how i Love him!

Can you HEAR the giggles? so fun!

Julia has been so excited to get out it was a blast to watch her that night as she and Katie enjoyed seeing the moon and stars!

why is my shadow out Mommy? The Sun is gone to bed!!!

katie was SO excited to be out at night. She could not figure out what we were doing... and if she would still have to go to bed when we got home or not...! Sorry Kiddo... everyone must sleep eventually!

Then ...today we did it again! except with daylight on our side... plus my new camera! yay!
i have joined a virtual classroom with BIG PICTURE... and i had to do a photo of something that made me think of a FULL CIRCLE moment... well... Julia was it... What a transformation she has been through in the past year! actually both the girls have been changing faster than i can believe...but with the adoption transisiton it has been deligtful to watch...

My Katie is a blast these days! talk about transformation! she is growing up on me WA Y too quickly!

"Can you push me TOO HIGH?" Please!!!!!

and daddy stealing a kiss... what a brat! Randy has to steal them because she won't give them yet! but as you can tell... she loves the seeking!

and now... on to the DIGITAL Submission for this week. well since i have not written since june... ummm... well let's say it will be montly! lol

Julia.... one year in review. I wrote a bit about who she was when we first had her in our arms,... so crazy that has been a year already! and then at her 1 year birthday... and then... now... 21 months. so much has changed.... and yet... I am so blessed that i can see the delightful little soul i know now... in the eyes of the pics of her from the beginning. What a Year!

savoring the everyday life

2011-06-15T20:32:00.001-06:00

I have done a new page... dont't need to share everything on here...but i am so happy with it... it feels like it will look more tactile...who knows... i have not printed any of MY pages yet... for My albums... a bit scared i think.

well here it is.
hope you can find some Favorite things to savor today.

cara

JUNE ALREADY?!!!!

2011-06-05T23:19:00.000-06:00

Hello again! I can't believe it is already June! so the old adage is true then... time really does go faster when you have kids! i am astounded and am trying to stay on track of just taking it ONE DAY AT A TIME!
Really??????? how did that happen!
I have changed my mindset from ... Life is swirling around me... and I can't catch up... to... I am going to stop and look for some details I may miss...that would bring me a delight that I can treasure all day long! My detail today is how lovely my children are to others! Their smiles are bright and ready... They interact with ANYONE... Julia only with her eyes... but Katie talks enough for both of them.! The things I love most to see are people feeling loved... and I believe they have picked that up and have taken it into their own interactions. I am so proud to be their mama! what a gift!

ok... well i am going to put a few of my newest pages up here. hope you all enjoy them!
have i mentioned how I am LOVING digital scrapbooking! i can't believe i am actually getting to create! wow! WHY didn't I do this so long ago!!!

hugs and blessings to you!

well that is enough for now. can't give you all my work at one time!
so excited to be back to creating! love to all!
xo
cara

Now in DIGITAL!!!

2011-04-21T07:26:00.008-06:00

Do you think it is a crazy idea to scrapbook with 2 kids under 2? I DO!
...... and yet I have found my way to make it happen!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You got it! DIGI!!!! yay! and I am going to add love to it! HYBRID!
So excited!

so this is my first published set of pages... only DIGITAL at this point.

hope you like em!
:)

POTTY TRAINING!

2010-10-29T11:26:00.004-06:00

bAH! this is not easy!
and she is so trying to figure this potty training thing out...but she is only 20 months... today i wonder.... What am i doing!!!! i have been reading... and my friend had the wise words for me...that i am trying to hold to... dont back down... so that doesnt just mean a change for her... but for me too! lol!
well... at least i have some adorable pics out of the process! and the potty training outfit!! here, i will share them with you... and a video too!

i was not sure how this happened...but she decided her bunny needs to learn too... so i put on a pull up and away we went! she does to others, the things we do for her... so funny!

and this video... is recorded facing away from her most of the time...but hang in there the pay off is awesome~ she wants to see what i am looking at... so i guess we record the door and the shelving in the bathroom! lol! and my dustbunnies... thank goodness that it isn't that clear!

I need a vacation!

2010-06-12T15:00:00.003-06:00

Well the time has finally come! we are on our way to enjoy a break.... Just me and my man and my KJ... I am so excited! nothing can stop us now!

My heart is filled with the anticipation of great tours of the Calgary Zoo and KJ's eyes lighting up when she sees and hears animals in real time... no more having to settle for our imitations... she is going to LOVE this! We are also planning on checking out the Botanical gardens in Edmonton! I am so excited to see everything blooming... but mostly we will step into the wonderland of their butterfly garden and i am confident be standing ...amazed for far too long... at the beauty of God's creativity and delightful imagination captured in that room! I can't wait to share these wonderful experiences with KJ...

I am also looking forward to Jasper... i just want to soak in the hotsprings...and get up late...and play with no life schedules ruling us ...

and...so... with these wonderful gifts ahead... and so much more in getting to see beloved family members... I better get packing! lol! only a few hours until the day is done...and then...we are off! yay!

hope you all have a fantastic weekend!...
i will post some pics when i have them!

Cricut contest answers

2009-09-14T12:35:00.002-06:00

I am just delighted to enter for a chance to win a free cricut or the 4 new cartridges... so here are my skill testing answers! lol

This is contest entry for those crazy folks at TodaysMama and Cricut. Be sure to check out Cricut's cool new cartridges and the chance at $30,000 in travel for you and your friends at the Great Gypsy Escape site! http://bit.ly/FWcud

Great Escape Meme
1. If you could escape to anywhere in the world where would it be? I would escape to Greece or Italy.
2. What song do you play when you are by yourself in the car? MY BELOVED by Kari Jobe
3. If you had a night to yourself, and money was no object, what would you do? shop till i drop!
4. What is your guilty pleasure? scrapbooking supplies!
5. What is the farthest place you have traveled away from your home? Bulgaria or Romania... I am not sure which is further from here.
6. Last book that you couldn't put down? The BIG PICTURE by Stacy Julian
7. When you want to escape into another time, what movie do you watch? Miss Congeniality... makes me laugh SO hard!!!
8. What is your favorite local escape? Starbucks!
9. How do you escape on a budget? Creativly! take in little events in town or just go hang out with a friend without baby girl by my side... Girl time is so refreshing for me~!
10,Best food you've ever had while on vacation. I think I will always say Mexican! Julios Barrio... makes me happy when we are in Edmonton or Calgary... As well my favorite in Dallas/Ft. Worth area is MACARONI GRILL!!!!

With passion I create... and hope for the blessing of a free Cricut... wow... that would blow my mind! until next time ... remember to stay inspired... and live out loud!
cara

Pottery...2008

2009-02-01T19:24:00.003-07:00

I recently had a very neat ... new experience... i dared to jump in with my friend... and play at a new form of creativity... and found that I enjoyed a new craft!

Pottery class was the coolest gift to me. what a fun experience to do with my dear friend Jennifer.

I loved it! i thought it would be fun to make Goblets .... ummmm... i was quickly told that there was no way I would succeed at that right away... so i am hoping that there will be more opportunity for me to try my basic skills to get some more new pieces made.New platters... I love them...

fun... so very fun!

thank you Jennifer. What a blessing that your bucketlist... allowed me to learn this new creative skill!

i love you my friend!

An Encyclopedia of My Ordinary Life

2009-01-05T20:43:00.009-07:00

i HAVE FINALLY COMPLETED
THE GREATEST EFFORT OF MY SCRAPBOOKING LIFE!
My encyclopedia is finally done!
thought you might like to see it!
YAYYYYYY!

Card Swap!!!!

2008-10-16T09:19:00.001-06:00

Hello Everyone!
i would like to invite you to participate in a card swap. it is getting colder, and we are beginning to think about Christmas. What a perfect time to get some Christmas cards done.... wouldn't it be great to not only recieve back a gift of inspiration from so many different styles and colors and layouts...but also to create a whole pile of creative cards for you to use in your Christmas card collection for this year. I hope you will consider participating.

please let me know if you are interested in adding your name to the list and we will make as many cards as we have people.

The deadline for adding your name will be October 25th.... And i will announce how many cards you need to make at that point. You are welcome to use stampin up, or any stamp sets you feel you would like to use. Please do your best work.

The deadline for handing the cards in to me will be by 4:00 on Sat the 15th of November. I will sort them that evening and the will be ready to retrieve on Monday the 17th.

Plenty of time to get them written in and sent off for Christmas.

I look forward to hearing back from lots of you!

ooooh... this cool weather does put a cozy feeling on me... coffee... fireplace, and a good creative time in the studio... hee hee
come and create here....yay... i would love that!

how fun is this page!!!!

2008-09-25T21:44:00.003-06:00

Celebrating our childhood is a fun way to live . There is always more to explore..and remembering the fun things makes a delightful page.

thought that today it would be good to think on the good things of life.

a years diary of love

2008-09-08T16:58:00.007-06:00

There is nothing more wonderful than love. And I love my man!

I just wanted to share the delight in creating a special book created just for my hubby...

there is a story behind this page... "George" was delagated as the way to say "I love You!"...
it was funny at first... but my man likes the shortcut of it all! Making it a word gone wrong! lol!

this is going to be filled with our love letters we have collected from our dating years, and our special days in the year... valentines, birthdays, anniversaries... even Christmas are times when we exchange letters. I just thought it would be a good part of our little book.

and the album is not yet finished... as the year is also not finished... so... i hope you enjoyed the tour... and glimpse of a silly little piece of me & Randy!

2008-08-06T21:53:00.003-06:00

I have to say that there are many ways to use the deep love i have for creativity. I love that my style of scrapbooking has had permission to burst forth onto the walls of our baby room. I am delighted with what feels almost complete in the project form... missing really a key ingredient... the baby. I also am wanting to put some finishing touches on the room after we know who our little one is. A Boy or Girl... and if our names we have chosen will work for this little one.

I saw this great scrapbook page and was inspired to create a likeness of it for the design of the room. i am so glad inspiration works for me sometimes.

and i so love the word DREAM for a sweet little accent for the room.

anyway
i just wanted to share my room inspiration.

Hope your summer is great!

from the balcony... friends that make themselves known!

2008-06-25T08:04:00.007-06:00

"Supply your creativity with great product
and you will end up with great creativity!"
Cara...wise words Burtis

Ok..... I love the Tim Holtz line of products! i am not really sure what to do with that... except enjoy them, and not worry about the fact that i sell Stampin' Up! I use both!
Making something great from a messy creative time...

if you haven't seen them there are plenty of great items there that you may enjoy. Check out his blog http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/
or the ranger site which i believe is the name behind it all. http://www.rangerink.com/

i don't know if i really love all their project samples, but i do really enjoy their crackle paint, alcohol inks, distress inks and distress embossing powder and his amazing grunge board. so fun!

i just did this page with them and thought you might like to see a bit of work done with alcohol inks on a scrapbook page as well i used the alphabet grunge board and crackle paint.
hope you like it.
from the balcony... friends that make themselves known!

In the midst of a great page... is an amazing friend as well. I am so blessed by her, and i love that we are such fantastic friends. Thanks Tracy for being so genuine in our friendship. You are a gift to me. I love having you in m balcony... and being in yours!
always, Cara

Grandpa Bond's Card

2008-06-10T10:46:00.015-06:00

Design team submission

Mini Album -Card with gift card enclosed

Heather has done a magnificent little album card for her father ...with a poem written by her children, and pictures of their family. She submitted it as part of the design team so to inspire others in their creativity.

i Hope you enjoy this masterpiece.

Well...here's to the bums of the design team!

2008-05-04T14:28:00.009-06:00

It has been a challenge to get these ladies in a photo for my ability to capture who the design team are. So here is the best i have been able to come up with to date...missing from this picture are Maxine & Sarah

Debbie, Deena & Heather... "Just bummin around.

and here is a bit of their work from this month!

Deena's Creativity which took far too long for me to try... but seeing complete may spur me into an attempt at it...

Debbie was hard at work creating Sympathy cards. Which are no simple task for me. I am impressed at how she utilized simplicity and not just a mature look which seems to be the way I naturally lean for these type of cards.

Heather was on fire on Saturday and came up with a great variety of creations all using the Tim Holtz distress inks... and Alcohol inks. beautifly done!

and last to be seen here are my creations using Heather's work as the base of one
and the other is completely mine.

i love it all!
so beautiful eh?

Danita's UTEE challenge submission

2008-05-04T14:23:00.003-06:00

Danita is one of the ladies in my
Advance 1 class who has taken the UTEE technique to a whole new level.
She has a real spark of creativity and I loved this page so much
I asked her to send it to me for the blog.
She was quite happy to oblige me.

I love how she made it look like water on the page.
So unique.

Alcohol Ink & transparancy letters look FABULOUS!

2008-05-04T14:20:00.002-06:00

Kristy has a slight addiction to her newest tool... The cricut expressions. It is a fabulous machine and I can tell you honestly that it will be on my wish list for a while ... but in the meantime i just get to stare longingly at her work and the ease of her pages.

Here is a page where she has used it with a transparancy which she has inked with alcohol inks.
fanstastic work Kristy!

The Note Dare by Kristy

2008-05-04T13:58:00.002-06:00

Kristy has sent me another terrific page to post.
I love it!
She used Alcohol inks on the metal pieces that she found for her page. ie: the photo corners.

great job Kris.
love your work!

Distress dare by cara

2008-05-04T13:41:00.003-06:00

Excess Testosterone!

1.The strength test... must be done to posture one's self for success by step #4.

2.Poise and Preparation for a challenge not greater than one's strength, but utilizing teh excess testosterone.

3.The Grunt or Whine are a necessary aspect of this excercises success.

4. The Slam Down.
Victory may occur at this point... if not than begin again at step #1.
Following Victory may come a dance or jig that symbolizes each man's personal power move.

hee hee... what fun!

May: Texture Challenge

2008-04-18T14:27:00.002-06:00

Distress Paint from Tim Holtz on a chipboard with a smooth surface.....extra cool looking.

what have you done to bring texture into your creativity?

send me your challenge submissions for May.

Cracked Glass UTEE challenge

2008-04-18T14:20:00.002-06:00

April's challenge

This is my challenge project for the Cracked Glass UTEE challenge.

Submit your efforts to see what you have been able to do. So fun.

My dare... Go ahead and Make a MESS!

2008-04-18T09:47:00.006-06:00

Well I played and played with this page idea for weeks, and finally I have overcome... I have conqured! Hooray! Check it out!

Here is my favorite page of Isabelle to date....

i was delighted with the effects that came in the blue paper when i serigraphed it. It was so fun! and i think the end result was exactly what went with the picture. There is way too hilarious of a costume and wig! And wow to the personality!

Journalling reads....
3 Quiz questions
#1. "If you could have ONE Superpower what would it be?
A super girl to punch out evil!"
#2. "What is your favorite song? Heart... Heart... I love you! (written by Isabelle)"
#3. "What is the nicest thing you've done lately for someone in your family?
I gave daddy one of his favorite hugs this morning!"
Journalling: "Isabelle has a fantastic free spirit and is an abundance of everything fun and silly! In the age of 4 Isabelle has captured my childhood heart and pours the fresh... juice...rich..lively spunk out on me every time we are together. Which is often... hee hee!"

WooHoo!

Just a bit of my thoughts...

2008-03-22T13:04:00.003-06:00

Well...
i have been not so creatively inspired as of late...
and then my friend Kristy came to visit me!

Wow...
what a wonderful gift she is to me...
and what a refreshing bit of fresh air she was to my spirit...
I have not yet done a great masterpiece since she left...
but it is brewing inside me...
oh yes it is!
I will be servin up somethin soon...
that I hope to savor for it's uniqueness and quirky compelling comments...
bringing life to memories i am working to set in stone...
never to be forgotten.

that is just a teaser...
a bit of a taste of what i hope will come from
my creative output in the days to come.

i hope your inspired too...
it is a wonderful thing to have something to communicate
with many forms of media... at your fingertips.

love it.

Technique Challenge for April

2008-03-22T12:55:00.001-06:00

A challenge for you...

I would like to see what you can do with UTEE... Your Technique Challenge is to create:

Faux Cracked Glass

if you would like to learn how to do this technique go to:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/crackedglass.php

i am look forward to hearing from you all... and having some beautiful projects to put up here on the blog for April.

you can email me your submissions to the challenge at my posted email addy.
Have fun...

We Dare You ...Why I Scrap

2008-03-22T11:53:00.006-06:00

My friend Kristy and I have taken on a challenge of working through a book of Dares... which inspire us for scrapbooking. She has already exceeded my accomplishments by doing this challenge so fast! Crazy Lady!
so here is her notes on her page....
Great Job Kristy... I love it!

"I loved doing this page.
It gave me time to
reflect on the reasons I  do scrap...
I discovered it really is
an outlet for a lot of different things.
It excites me, it's a hobby, it's my time,
it's about being able to be creative,
it's time to spend with others building
relationships and friendships...
it is FUN... but in the end I discovered
that it really is about
telling the story of my life
to share with
others and to reflect on myself.

So that is why i scrap.. 2 tell my story." Kristy

2007-10-23T13:31:00.000-06:00

Well I am so delighted to be able to tell you that 177.00 was raised for donation to Compassion and the missions team to Rwanda. Thank you to those who donated and those who purchased items.

What a blessing to have a great gift to give!

2007-10-08T14:46:00.000-06:00

Hello dear friends!

Fall 2007 Newsletter

Welcome to a new season! I hope your summer was great, and that your ready to kick off all that fall holds for you. Autumn is a lovely time of year... I love the changes of the colors and the starting again of the school year. I have a great tradition of taking photos in the fall of the family and I love that it kicks off the scrapbooking season with all my favorite colors; rusts, oranges, browns, olives, mustards, so many warm tones to savor. What are you favorite colors? I hope to see you soon... This time of year is a great time to gather and have a coffee. As the weather cools, remember the warmth of the friendships and fireplace in my home, and know you are welcome here friend.

Scrapbooking the Big Picture Course:

Based on the book “The Big Picture” by Stacy Julian, I will be teaching the fundamental points of this philosophy shift in Scrapbooking that is changing the way we create today. A 101 class of sorts; teaching how to organize your photos and your albums into a structure that will grow as we journey through life.

We will learn more about great journaling concepts, and you will find the life that inspires you is right under your nose. There will be a creative assignment for each month and a resource provided for you after each lesson. Life is more than the past, it is the present, and hopes and dreams for the future, the little things we can communicate love through. Are you leaving a legacy of your thoughts on this life in your scrapbooks, or are you just trying to get it done? The Big Picture is a dynamic and inspiring concept that I am sure you will embrace and appreciate, as it frees you to create by inspiration and with an altered focus to see the world around you for the moments you could capture and express. See the listing below for more information on what
the course will entail.

Private Workshops:
Book a workshop for you and your friends and you will receive the new Stampin’ Up! Catalogue that just came out this summer. As your workshop purchases grow you can receive free money to spend in the catalogue as well as a stamp set from the hostess benefits section of the catalogue. Contact me to book your workshop today.

What's Coming this Fall:

Charity Fundraising Stamp Auction:
October 20^th, from 1-4 pm I will be hosting a silent auction and creative time. All are welcome to join me here at my home to peruse the stamp sets and other creatively connected items that I will be auctioning for the purpose benefiting 2 charities. Compassion International, and a missions team going to Rwanda. Minimum bidding at $10.00 per set. In addition to the auction, I will be serving refreshments. I would love to have you join me for this special day, and have a visit with friends. The winners of the item bids will be announced at 4pm on that day (Oct 20^th).

Would you like to contribute to the auction? Contact me with your items and I will add your blessing to the pile of great items. Thanks for considering your contribution.

All proceeds would be divided in the following way:
RWANDA Missions team 60%; Compassion International Sponsorship 40%

New 8 for 8 Group:
Beginning January 2008- day of the week still undecided. There are still spots available in this 8-month group of 8 ladies. I will be teaching all the basics of stamping art. You will learn water coloring, masking, chalking, featuring, 2-step stamping & more. Call me or email me if you or a friend might be interested in joining us for this great group.

New Advance Group:
Date Change: Now beginning January 5th and running the first Sat of each month from 1 to4 pm. Inquire soon to see if you can fill a spot at this advanced table.

Scrapbooking the Big Picture: Group Details
January will start this 5 month course.(which day of the week that it will be on, is still to be determined) Pre Requisites: You must have read “The Big Picture” book at least one time prior to class. I have the books on stock for this course, contact me about picking one up so you can be ready to begin in October. Course cost: Book: $22.00; Course $50.00 to be paid at registration (* Please Note there is not a purchase requirement for this course, nor will there be hostesses benefits for the participants… The one time registration is the course fee, and will provide you with a class outline, and a book of notes to work with each month. GST Included in costs.

"Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life" Scrapbooking nights:
Sept 19^th, Oct 3^rd, Nov 7^th

Christmas cards & gift creating nights:
Oct 17^th, & Oct 24^th, Nov 14^th, & Nov 28^th.

These nights are open for anyone to come and create. The cost is $5.00 for your spot in my studio to create on that night, Please book with me as soon as you can.

Design Team Evenings:
Sept 25^th (TUES), Oct 25^th (THURS), Nov 20^th (TUES)

Monthly Challenges

Each challenge will be due at the end of each month.

Feel free to submit it to me prior to the end of the month.
I will be posting the submissions on this very blog!

Everyone can submit their creations for the challenges. Just email me at caracards@yahoo.ca with your digital photo of your submission, or scanned item and I will post it the following month for everyone to enjoy and be inspired by!

September submission will be a Scrapbook page “ABOUT ME”. .
October submission will be something that displays a feeling of fall, created in the form of a card, a Scrapbook page, or another item that you have paper crafted.
November submissions will be about Traditions. Try to capture something of your family, or lifestyle that you feel could be termed a tradition.

Enjoy the lovely moments of fall...
and i hope to hear from you soon!

Cara

Long Time No Write!

2007-09-11T15:27:00.001-06:00

Wow time has really flown by this summer!

I am blessed and greatful to be entering the fall. Ready to kick off some great new classes and a time of creating with many of you again.

In the near future... (like hopefully this week) I will post the newsletter i am sending out. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing some creative responses to the Monthly challenges i will put out there.

May God Bless you and be your portion

Cara

"Gimme 5 " Submission

2007-07-22T08:12:00.000-06:00

Here are 4 fabulous creations by Linda Alger all in response to my 5 item challenge.

Great Job Linda!

Enjoy!

Hi Cara,

Here are my cards that I made with 5 "ingredients".

Blue Stillness 1 is cardstock (three colors - does that count as three things?), ink (2 colors), embossing powder, and ribbon.

Blue Stillness 2 is (three colors) cardstock, ink (2), stickles and ribbon.

Green Stillness 1 is Cardstock (2), ink (3), ribbon and stickles.

Green Stillness 2 is cardstock (3), ink (2), ribbon, and embossing powder.

Where I've been spending my time.

2007-06-29T23:02:00.000-06:00

It is so wonderful to finally be able to enjoy the outdoors again!
I am finding it difficult to get into my studio and create these days ...
there is so much sun to soak up...
after such a long winter... and so many flowers to plant...
and enjoy...
i don't want miss anything.

I thought I would share with you
what this years' favorites of my garden are...
by color ...

ORANGE

GREEN

PINK

WHITE

BLUE

PURPLE

and Yellow

Hope you have enjoyed an upclose tour of my back garden....

tune in again for a view of the front yard of flowers.

Until next time

Ta!

"Gimme Five" Submission

2007-06-26T13:06:00.000-06:00

How do you like this beautiful page!

This is the first response to my June "Gimme Five" Challenge. Deena Honan... on my design team, stepped up to the plate with a page with five items or less... actually she went so far as to count each chipboard letter as a seperate item.

Great Job Deena. And thanks for submitting your creation for all to enjoy!

Challenge #3 June

2007-06-18T14:20:00.000-06:00

Technique Challenge # 3

Gimme Five!

I was reading my Simple Scrapbooks Magazine last night (last month's issue), when I came accross a great challenge that I would like to pass on to you.

It is focused on using the amassing tools and materials that we collect in our scrapbooking/ cardmaking endeavors. What they asked is that you create a card or a scrapbook page with only five items. Paper incuded... then list what you used. You are allowed to catagorize multiple papers together as "paper from...." but the point was to use only 5 items and find a simple, yet beautiful design.

i would like to put that challenge out to you for this month (which is now half over.) Due date would be mid July. ... but if your running behind... never hesitate to send me your results anyway.

show me your creativity.

I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Here is a page that i did with 7 items...
1. Stamp set
2. Ink
3. Paper
4. Brads
5. Flowers
6. White Gel Pen
7. Metalic feature piece

so it a bit of a challenge... but as close to 5 as you can get will sufice.

ENJOY!

Design Team Creation

2007-06-18T13:39:00.001-06:00

This was an assignment that I gave to one of my design team; Heather Wilson. She not only created this project, but then made one of her own choice of colors and images that she used then for a mother's day card. What a beautiful result she had with this project.

here is her variation on it.

Time Flies since the last creativity!

2007-05-29T15:51:00.001-06:00

It has been so long since I have blogged!

My apologies for the delay of creative inspiration!
Below, I have posted the pages of Chloe's Album...
I hope you will enjoy them... they were so fun to make!

Chloe's Album

2007-04-13T14:19:00.000-06:00

My sweet little neice has now got her own album in my collection.
I have just completed it and if you are interested in seeing the rest of
"The ABC's of Chloe"
than you can check it out on my split cost gallery....
then...
come back here
and let me know what you thought of it
by posting on my comments .... hee hee
enjoy!
Cara

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=77846

Challenge #2

2007-04-01T09:00:00.000-06:00

Well April has come! Hallelujah! There is no way that spring can be far off now! What we need now is a challenge to get our minds off the snow... and mud.... how about that?

April Technique Challenge:
For this month, i would like you to try a technique that i have enjoyed, as have many of my clients to whom I have taught it. It is "Faux Postage". The instructions on how to do it are found in the following link. I hope you enjoy your little creative exploit.... and i look forward to seeing your work. This is a sample of what I have done for the challenge.

click this link to get a tutorial:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/fauxpostage.php

April Color Challenge:
For this months' challenge, i would like to see you combine the following colors in a card, or a scrapbook page.... please include if you used any of these colors in ink instead of paper.

"Cool Carribean, True Thyme, Vintage Violet, & Rose Red."

Deadline: End of April

An Ode to Chris and Shannon... or at least a page!

2007-03-26T17:57:00.000-06:00

It is neat to have a new family member. It is a priviledge to know this man. He is my sisters husband. Chris. I have really been feeling grateful that they have found eachother, and are only beginning a great life together, which will draw them to cling to eachother in tough spots, and enjoy and delight in eachother through the blessings that come.

I am also glad for the missing piece that he brings to our family. He is great with the other men in our family, and they are such a sweet couple. It is fun to have all now entered the same stage of life so we can enjoy it more fully.

We love you guys!

chipboard instructions

2007-03-22T13:13:00.000-06:00

hey girls...
i thought you might like to be reminded that there is now a CHALLENGE on the table... and you can submit your great creations to me for this great CHALLENGE ...
please note... i don't care if the chipboard is from somewhere else, but just try working with it.

TIP 1: gluing the chipboard can sometimes be an issue... Crystal effects actually is a great glue for these kinds of items.

TIP 2: If you are desiring to adhere paper onto the chipboard, cut it out first (you can trace it and then use scissors, or use an exacto knife... as well take advantage of the templates they punch out of... don't toss them.. they will be of use for when you just want the shape for your later use. You can actuallly trace inside of the template for the paper to put on the chipboard as well...

but my other TIP 3: is that you will want to leave a bit extra so you can sand it off rather than have it not properly cover the chipboard...

TIP4: use modgepodge and a foam brush to glue paper on... let it dry for sanding it...

TIP 5: If your paper is too small for the chipboard, you can cheat by direct to chipboard inking ... with a color that will go with your paper. or is a stark contrast for edge effect.

TIP 6: You can stamp on chipboard as well, and regular emboss or clear emboss.

well that is all the tips i have for you on chipboard.... hope you have fun, and that i have the opportunity to see the great work you create...

Challenges Ahead!

2007-03-12T13:52:00.000-06:00

Well ladies, i would like to pose a challenge to you.

Are you looking for something to give you a bit of a Push! I would like that in my creative life. So I am laying before you a challenge that you won't want to miss out on.

Each month I will post a challenge for you to participate in.

There will be a Technique Challenge to try a technique or use a tool or supply item.
As well there will be a Color Challenge

The deadline for this challenge will be April 15.

NOTE: the two challenges do not have anything to do with eachother.
You may or may not want to connect them, but it is not required.

Please submit your entries in to me via email.
Each item you enter should be photographed or
scanned and emailed to me as well.
If you need instructions on how to do that, please ask me.
If the form of sending it is not possible, you may just physically hand it in to me
and i will photograph it.

I look forward to getting your entries. If you miss the deadline for getting your entry in,
you may still want to get it to me, and i will post it
so that it can be viewed in the future with the other similar techniques.
Thanks for considering this fun idea as part of your creative learning curve.

ENJOY!

March Technique Challenge
Make a card design using Chipboard from SU!
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/chipboard.php

March Color Challenge
Make a card or scrapbook page using Lovely Lilac cardstock or ink from SU! Lovely Lilac is from the Soft Subtles color family... this color must be on the page, but of course may have other colors to compliment it .

100% Original ME!

2007-03-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

the above title is Journaled to say:

"Embracing the looks of the past
means giving permission to myself
to BE ME!"

This page was a challenge for me to make. Why? Well, I desire to create with the beautiful parts of life. There is not really room for my imperfect pictures to be the focus. It is a challenge to my character that I don't really embrace with ease. This page is full of the hairdo's that have haunted me for years. No matter, that everyone has bad hair pictures, these are mine... and they are personal...Ya Know?

So originally I was going to do my page title as "Bad Do's of the 80's." But as I worked on the layout, I kept feeling like I was living in an illusion if I really believed that I would never look back on Now and feel it also is embarrassing to see pictures of Me.

I can feel good about myself in the moment, but it is a choice to embrace the past that "haunts" us, and allow it to be apart of who we have become.

DEEP THOUGHT EH?~

so that is why I made this page.
I feel it is vital that I allow the good, the bad and the... well, not so easy to accept to be apart of my decription of who I am... This page will go in the "All About Us Album", under the "Cara" tab.

In Memory of Vicky...my Texas Mom

2007-02-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

A long time ago, I lived in Texas and worked as a missionary. My focus was on young unmarried ladies who had found themselves pregnant and without hope. I worked in a place that housed these young ladies for the duration of their pregnancy. The would come and find hope with many people who loved Jesus, sharing His hope with them, as well as giving them some ground to stand on in the tough decision about what they were going to do with the baby they carried within. There was counsel, and equipping and practical help given to them, and many wonderful opportunities to just find a friend.

While i was doing this work, i found that i needed a time and place to get away to... and this page is dedicated to the family who "adopted" me into their home and lives during those 3 years. The connection is my friend Lynn, into whose family I was welcomed. She and I, as well as Meirla and Candy were all serving with the same mission organization (in different areas) and all found that this home was our refuge from the day to day work. What is also unique about this home is that we were all from different places, Candy from California, Meirla, from Porta Rico, Lynn of course from there, and myself from Canada. We were all far away from home, and rarely went back to see family.

Anyway. Vicky and Jerry were an amazing blessing to us, as was Jannelle , Lynn's aunt.
Some memories that i have of them are Jerry deep frying the Thanksgiving turkey... texas style... and also how he put sage sausage into the stuffing. Wow what a different thanksgiving that was for this Ukrainian Canadian girl. Jannelle had a disability and so although she was Jerry's twin sister, she was so young in heart and spirit that she loved to just be with us, and giggle like a 20 somthing. We loved having time with her.

Vicky was studying to be a nurse, her dream carreer that she had waited all those years to begin, until her children were grown. I admired her determination, and hunger to learn. She also quilted for a hobby, and made amazingly beautiful quilts which they hung on the walls, and on racks and couches and any place that they could find a spot. She was unstoppable. I loved her sense of who she was, and how loving she was to us. Strangers become family so quickly when you choose to welcome openly.
I also remember her love for bird watching, she and Jerry would sit outside in the back yard and be surrounded by these lovely creatures, and they would quietly talk about what kinds of birds they were. She had a bird clock in the room i slept in when i visited. It was her quilting room. The clock would sound on each hour with a different bird sound. I loved and hated that thing all at the same time!

I remember sitting with her on the porch swing and crying one day about struggles at work, and the desperate way i felt about getting back to my home, and my family. She just listened and comforted me the way she was so gifted to do as a mother. I felt so loved by her... always.
She was truly my Texas mom.

The reason this page was made in Memory of Vicky is that she passed away suddenly a few years ago from brain aneurysms... My heart is full of love for this amazing woman, and I feel like I did not get to say goodbye. So, after many tears while making this page, I was able to complete it, and create something that i can say goodbye with. She and I will sit for hours over a coffee in heaven one day, but until then, i will grieve in this small way.

thanks for letting me share this with all of you. It is good therapy for me to share moments in life that are treasures to my heart.

By the way, this page is going in my faith album.

Some fun with Chipboard!

2007-02-17T14:59:00.001-07:00

I thought you might enjoy seeing some fun of Stampin' Up!'s two sided designer paper used on their great alphabet chipboard. I really enjoyed making this page, and found it to be a great way to use a few great tools that I don't play with often. Magic Mesh (natural), the Whisper White Craft Pad and the white uniball gel pen are the tools I speak of. As well, this page has been done on our great cardstock, torn into layers. The butterfly stamp is from Sweet Shapes and the flower is from 06-07 Idea book & Catalogue's hostess benefits, called bothway blossoms.

100% Genuine Love

2007-02-17T14:59:00.000-07:00

My parents are a model of committment and genuine love. I am so honored to have been able to see those choices of love shown to me throughout my life. Thanks Mom & Dad for being a great example of marraige that honors eachother and Christ.

This page layout is my version of the Basic Grey one that I had previously posted. I am so glad that Stampin' Up! has put out some great doodle sets for me to play with. I enjoy them immensely!

Check them out in the spring mini catalogue! I think you'll love 'em!

Basic Grey has my attention!

2007-02-04T06:56:00.000-07:00

I adore this page. it is one that i uploaded from the Basic Grey idea gallery . I am going to try to work with this type of art style with a new stamp set that Stampin Up! is putting out this March, in our Spring Mini catalogue.

Watch for the results.

February... the month of romance and creative cards!

2007-01-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

http://images.splitcoaststampers.com/data/gallery/3852/35_Far_East_Mon_Ami_by_Speedystamper.jpg

Well friends, what a wonderful time of creating is approaching. Even children create valentines... well they used too.. these days everything is the quickest version you can find.
My favorite thing was getting homemade valentines from my classmates...

Do your kids have an interest in doing that? We have some cute sets available in the Winter Mini and the Sell-A-Bration Mini.
How about for you? Have you considered what you will give to your sweet heart this year? My challenge is to give a love letter written in a beautiful card that you have made with your own hands and creativity.

I am looking for 3 outside bookings... workshops that are not yet planned, that will have you as the hostess... and your friends as the guests... for some time in February. The hostesses who step forward in time will recieve a bag of sweets, in addition to the hostess rewards that come with the order placed. And Sell-A-Bration is a great time to be a hostess... Extra free sets.

Consider booking a workshop... These dates are still available... February 17 (1-4pm)15th (7-10pm), 20th (7-10 pm), 24th (1-4pm) I will only be available to host 3 workshops... and it is on a first come first serve basis.

March may also be an option for you... let me know if you would like to book then. (Sell-A-Bration ends Feb 28th.)

Catch the Wave!

2007-01-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

I am so blessed to have found an idea that has caught on with others. Angela Bergmann, a friend of mine and fellow demonstrator in the Stampin' business, has decided to create a yearly highlights page. I have recieved permission to post it for you to see.

I think this is a great single version of the Christmas Exchange Pages that I have previously taked about doing with family members.

Another idea you could do is Exchange with friends, and that way stay connected through the years and over the miles that often seperate friends.

Just wanted to share these great pages with you, and encourage you to participate in this as well. I would love to see your pages and post them for the inspiration of others.

Thanks Angela for sharing.

Christmas Exchange... a success!

2007-01-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

Well ladies, I said I would get back to you on whether my family would get into the Christmas Exchange with me or not. I am happy to report it was a success. My one sister is still working on hers, but anticipates it will be done in the spring. It doesn't really matter at this point when she gets it done.. as long as it is before the next one is due... next Christmas.

here are the pages my Mom did

and here are the pages my sister Tracy did.

I am so proud of them! Aren't these great pages?! We had so much fun working on this stuff together.

Christmas Exchange Album

2006-12-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

Most of you already know how brilliant I think Stacy Julian's book "The Big Picture" is... it has really done something great to my perspective on scrapbooking. Well, in addition to all the changes I have made in my own books, I have requested my family would participate in an idea that she suggests in the book, for the holidays. It is a Christmas Exchange of 2 page layouts... these layouts need to contain your family at a glance... over the past year. My family is still new to scrapbooking, well 2 of the 4 of us are not as confident on their own, so we will be instituting a gathering of the four of us to create these pages together one day over the holidays.

I am very excited to share my pages with my family, and to see what they will come up with. I think it will be a delightful tradition to add to our family holiday time. As well, when we can't all be together for the holidays, we will still get a glimpse of what this year has held for the others.

So I guess you could say this is an idealic moment, where it all looks as though the plan will work, but we'll see how it all worked after the holiday has ended. And if I can reconvince them to repeat this into a tradition.

I have an album set aside just for the Christmas Exchange. I am so excited to see it filled up over the years, and have the kids get to dive in looking for cousins, and fun family memories.

This is my family's year in a nut shell. I called it the "Burtis Top 10 of 2006"

Hope you enjoy your holidays.
God Bless you and your families!

Cozy by the Fire... Christmas is on it's way!

2006-12-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

Cozy and sentimental... that is what this wonderful wood stove had provided for our home. I love the smell of a wood burning stove... it brings back memories of my childhood home in the winter when we would light the fireplace, and sit around in the home, playing games, talking and laughing till our sides hurt.

Christmas is coming, it is amazing how fast this year has come and gone. I so adore this season. There is so much to celebrate, and everyone gets in the spirit of it. Unfortunately Christ is not at the center of most of these celebrations. I love having a reason to give a gift, and not getting a feeling of guilt about spending the money on it. I love seeing the face of a friend, delighting in the beautiful treasure that I have found for them.

This year we have once again entered into the conversation about how we will create traditions as a family. It is more of a challenge to separate yourself off as a family when you don't have children yet. and since that is a sore spot in our hearts while we wait for our daughter, this season can also be a challenge for us, and many others. I know that we will be getting our daughter a play version of the nativity scene. We want to tell her the story of Christ's coming and have her enter in.

We always enjoy the services offered by our church and participate with anything that comes up there, as well.

I would like to host people over the season, and at these gatherings, have the group share what God has done in their midst in the year past. How He has made himself real to them, and blessed them. And follow it with prayer of thanks... because He is sooo good! and I don't want to miss being grateful!

I think in the years to come when we don't travel over Christmas, we would like to be active in the community, serving here with the needy over the Christmas week, as a family. It will be a special time for us that we look forward to.

I would love to hear of any special family traditions that you have that bring Christ to the center of your Christmas.

May your Christmas be wonderful. Full of love and warmth. May you sense the reason for the season is Christ, the Living God. Love come to earth in the form of a helpless Child... so that we might be saved.

God's blessings on you and yours this Christmas season.

Cara & Randy Burtis

Welcome to the Christmas Season!

2006-12-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

Click above white bar to reveal the December Stampin' Up! flyer!

In this newsletter:

Welcome
Winter Mini's are here! December order deadline!
December promotion attachment
Some last minuite project nights "panic project nights"(dates listed)
Hostess Opportunities for the new year (dates listed)
Sell-A-Bration! Jan/Feb

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

What a wonderful time of year! How marvelous to celebrate with creativity and the chance to bless others.

I have attached an amazing promotion that only runs for this month. I am preparing to put a December order in on the 8th! Let me know right away if you are wanting to put an order in on the 8th so that you can catch this promotion.

I hope you recieved your Winter mini catalogues, and are inpiried by the beautiful new things that Stampin Up! has to offer. If you are wanting to put an order in for December, than the 8th is the deadline. I will not be hosting a workshop in December as it is just to busy for everyone. But I will put in the order that afternoon. Please let me know what you would like asap.

If you don't care if it happens with a group order, so that you will recieve the benefit of having only 10% shipping cost, than you may feel free to place the order later than the 8th. Be aware that this deadline is also the cut off for expected arrival for Christmas.
Panic Project nights...
If you would like to have an evening to create here, I will have the following evenings booked for working on projects.

Wed December 6th..7-10pm; Monday December 11th ..7-10pm; and Tuesday December 12th 7-10pm
The new year approaches... and i would like to welcome an advanced group into the mix. If you are interested in joining a group of ladies to create with monthly.... for 8 months... than you should let me know. I have 3 of the 8 already,and they are raring to get started.

Let me invite you to consider hosting a workshop on the following dates.... For the months of January and February, I will be opening up my home to a hostess and her friends, to host a great workshop on Embossing & Versamark uses; as well i will teach 2 step stamping; There will be some special project cards and a few classes done with a template that will help you to quickly prepare 10 cards!

If you are interested in inviting your friends to come, and can make it on the dates assigned, than you will recieve the hostess benefist for that party. In the months of Jan & Feb, there is a promotion, you will really appreciate as both a customer and a hostess. It is called Sell-A-Bration!
There will be Sell-A Bration mini Catalogues coming to many of your homes to begin use in Jan/Feb... it overlaps the Winter Mini that you will have already recieved running Dec-Feb.
If you would like more information let me know. The dates available for your hostessing opportunity are:
The Following dates are available to be filled for hostessing. Week days will be evenings 7-10 pm... and Saturdays 1-4pm
January:Mon 8th, Tues 9th, Mon 15th, Tues 16th, Sat 20th, Mon 22nd, Tues 23rd, Sat 27th, Tues 30th

Warning : i will only fill 4 of these dates. so book quickly. First come first serve.

February: Sat 3rd, Mon 5th, Tues 13th, Sat 17th, Tue 20th, Sat 24th.
This is going to be a great stampin Up! year.
Let me know how you would like to be a part of it.
God Bless

Cara Burtis
Your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!

Thankyou!

2006-11-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

Today was the closing of the 2nd of 2 groups that I began in January this year.
I have spent 8 and 9 months teaching and creating with these ladies,
and I have loved every minuite of it.
I am honored to have had this past year to see the
amazing things that they would create after
only a few moments of lesson and teaching.
I have loved working alongside of each of you.

It is truly a gift to have others to inspire us.

I recieved many wonderful friends out of the creating times we had,
and such encouragement from you all, for me to continue to strive to create to my fullest potential.

I am so blessed. thank you for a great year.
And I am looking forward to many more years with you that are yet to come!

Cara

Card Swap Comments are welcome here.

2006-11-16T11:20:00.000-07:00

If you really enjoyed the cards you recieved... please take a moment to comment here on the blog. There will be only a few of you who check the blog i suspect, so don't be discouraged if you are one of the few.

Thanks to all who participated. What a beautiful group of creative ladies I know. I am so glad to have you share your ideas and inspirations with eachother.

I would like to post photos of the cards, but my camera won't upload them for me.
So i will keep working on it... until then... mingle amongst yourself... here on the blog!
:)
Cara

Christmas Crazies vs True Celebration

2006-11-16T09:18:00.000-07:00

White and wet... fluffy well, not really... but it sure is beautiful unless you have to drive in it!

How are you preparing for the season? Getting a head start on your Christmas gift buying or making? Are you planning to make your own Christmas cards this year? How about wrapping paper, gift bags and tags? That is a nice compromise... if you have the time to do those things, it is a home made touch to your gifts.

I am making my Christmas cards, and have only accomplished the first one.. the template . It is beautiful, and I am thrilled about how it turned out... but ... I am also amazed at the vastness of my own expectations of myself when it comes to this time of the year. Good thing I don't bake as well. Far too many things to take on already.

I have shared with a few friends already that I think what I need to learn is that there is no balance that will just appear in our lives, it has to be chosen and implemented and maintained by... US! The Christmas crazies... are what I am evaluating in light of this balance thought.

I always make all my gifts... at least for the women on our gift list. As well the wrappings, and the tags.... and of course I can't not make Christmas cards for everyone...."what would people think of me if I bought a card... that I only make cards for a business, and don't make them for fun... or that they aren't special enough to recieve a homemade Christmas card from me..."

lots of malarky like that overwhelms me.... and I have a hard time making a balanced decision.... on what to drop, or who to Not have on my list... not who will recieve one...but who will Not ... crazy... that makes the list so enormous.... and so well... humerous! because well... what is one more card right?

Anyway... I guess I have another year to learn this lesson, and find balance and appropriate expectations of myself.

I am working on it... it just doesn't look like much yet! :)

My advice:
Be choosy on what you take on during this season... it is not about the above items... getting done.. and feeling crazy... it is about joy and peace and love... it is about a Saviour who came to earth to reveal what grace and true freedom look like. It is about being focused on family and friends who gather together to celebrate the birth of our Lord... and celebrating... our Lord!

so I share this advice with myself as well... I think I have already thought of some ways to tone it down for this year....

Peace be with you as you enter this joyous season.

Secret Sisters Unite!

2006-10-27T14:00:00.000-06:00

http://images.splitcoaststampers.com/data/gallery/5643/giftset_for_DDSS_by_trainorjessica.JPG

I am excited to begin a great new effort in team building. I have been praying for something that would help link the ladies that I have recruited into Stampin' Up!, to get connected with eachother... even across the many miles of this nation.

http://images.splitcoaststampers.com/data/gallery/5643/Card_Candy_Christmas_Swap_by_Adda.jpg

Some time this past month or so, I was reading about a Secret Sister gift that someone had recieved. She was so honored to have such beautiful items, that had been given to her ,and she proudly showed pictures of the little collection of items tucked into a beaufiful packages... it was a really moving moment for me, as I thought of these ladies i cherish so much, and feel connected to, and how delighted each of them would be to recieve something lovely like that.
http://images.splitcoaststampers.com/data/gallery/5643/Card_Candy_Out_and_About_by_Adda.jpg

I decided that if these ladies were interested, I would organize a year long Secret Sister Demonstrator group, that would exchange names through me, and be a blessing to eachother for 12 great months. I am delighted that it has come together. I know they will enjoy this so much. I hope you will find someone in your life that you can know better and bless with your creativity today.
http://images.splitcoaststampers.com/data/gallery/5643/roseswinterset_by_tx_stamper.jpg

Images are gift packages... images 2 & 3 use the Scrappin Kits to make an embellishment packages as a gift. Brilliant idea eh? Image 3... is a journal, tile stamped magnets, and set of cards/envelopes(i think) that all coordinate..

these are just some ideas for the demonstrators who are participating in the Secret Sisters. As well ideas that you might want to give this Christmas Season, or as gifts for other occassions.

Enjoy.

Family Reunion

2006-10-17T13:36:00.000-06:00

These pages are done on Stampin' Up! Weathered Designer paper. it was an easy layout to achieve because the paper does the work.

It is fun to reflect back on great times together as a family.

Family and Thanksgiving Reflections.

2006-10-10T16:09:00.000-06:00

It is so amazing to have a family. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Randy and I were unable to get back home to see either of our families for the holiday. It was still quite busy as we were blessed with mulitple invitations to join other families in their holiday celebrations, but it was definately different than it would have been in our own families.

There is so much tradition tied into holidays. My family celebrates with a Ukranian flare... and a lot of loud conversation and laughter. We have a baby in the family now who will always be the center of the party, as will our baby when she comes... Randy's family is a quieter type, and they enjoy just being together and reminicing on days gone by. I really enjoy just being with his side of the family, they are kind hearted and loving, and we always enjoy ourselves greatly when we are together.

This year I am thankful for the way that God has led us to come to this city and be in this Church. It is has been such an encouragement to be welcomed in, and to feel at home with everyone here.

Will you share what you are thankful for?

2006-10-06T11:16:00.000-06:00

A book to change the way I scrapbook!

It is truly amazing how free I have felt lately in the realm of scrapbooking... I wake up at night with an idea that I am so afraid I will forget by morning... Often I jot it down with hopes that my morning brain will recall the brilliance I captured on that little piece of paper by my bed... often it is written in the dark, and so I cannot clearly discern it's full idea... which is unfortunate! Unfortunate that sleep is necessary because I really should just get up and run down stairs and begin the maddness of creating in the middle of the night. What a trend that would set in my life. For sure my friends would call me crazy then...
But alas, they already do!

My freedom had been inspired by this brilliant book, "The Big Picture." By Stacy Jullian. It is a publication of Simple Scrapbooks. I am delighted with everything they put out these days. It all works together so well.

The Big Picture that Stacy communicates in her book, is the value of capturing moments, not being a slave to the photos and the chronological ways we have been taught to scrapbook. I have always been this type of scrapbooker... Free to just work by inspiration. But it is with a sense of validation that I go forward now. Inspired in the structure she suggests for how to categorize albums so that they are continual albums, not completed... but never incomplete.

I love it! (don't know if you would have caught that already... I am a bit expressive!) I learn things, from this book and the other publications they put out, constantly. Just the other day I realized that I really want to scrapbook my husband's child hood, as well as his mothers childhood. this doesn't have to be a huge part of the picture, but it is so inspiring to me to bring that into our family album. So along with gathering photos, i also did some quizes up for his mom and my husband each to answer about their lives as children. The quizes were adapted from the Simple Scrapbooks "Quizzes and Questions" book. It will be a neat feature of the pages i will put together, and it will help our children to know these very neat parts of their family. I am so looking forward to moving on this project.

I have already done one 2page layout of my husband's childhood. (see below) I really like it. It has lots of dimension to it, and texture, and questions that will be memories for our daughter. I am eager to see this whole vision come to fruition.

Anyway.
I would highly recommend this publication as well as others that they put out... I have read it over 10 times and still am finding gems of info that I am amazed by.

Go!

2006-10-02T13:37:00.000-06:00

Ladies Begin your Card making.....

The card Swap has begun....as has October!
the time will fly by... faster than any of us are really comfortable with!
Deadline for handing in your georgeous creations is Oct 21... please don't be late!
and remember to make an envelope to match!
Thanks

********************************************************************

I have a great idea...
In November I would like to have a special class that would meet for the day, in order to alter a journal or blank book, so that we could give it as a donation for a wonderful charity.

Are you interested in making a wonderful gift
that could really bless someone less fortunate than you?
Our women's shelter in the area has a need of blank journals that the ladies could recieve as a gift from us!

Many of us are journalers and can appreciate that
this would be a helpful tool for them to recieve.
If you are interested in joining in this venture...
All I would require of you is that you purchase a blank journal... hard covered...
and hopefully not to beautiful already... that can be altered....
I would love to have us work on them together...
but if you already have an understanding of how to alter books,
than feel free to just do the work and donate it by the deadline I will set up.

If you would like to be added to the class list for the project...
email me or comment on this post...
The class date will be Sat October 28th...from 10-4
(if I hear from enough interested people.)
Hope to hear from you soon!

These images are not ones I have created.. just ones I thought would inspire you.. I have listed the sites I have found them on. Thanks to those who created them for giving us inspiration...

2nd image is from: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179943&highlight=altered+journals

3rdImage is from: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=143981&cat=4963

2006-09-24T17:40:00.000-06:00

This is what the fun could look like ... don't you want to be part of it!
You need to get you name on the list for the classes spots.

Scheduled Project Times at My Place!!!

Saturdays will give you a full 6 hour project time; and Thursday nights will be 3-hour project times. It will be a time to utilize what you already know and not have to listen to a lesson or learn a new technique! This time can be used to get some much needed work done on your scrapbook, do a general card making session, complete that Christmas present you are making, OR.. you could do your Christmas cards that you were going to make this year. This day could be the answer to the chaos in your home! ...well maybe that is a bit to big of a promise, but now at least you know that there is hope for your scrapbook or card hobby!

Anyway. You will need to book your spot for the day or evening. The cost to you will be $5.00 to attend, plus any purchase of paper or product that you incur during the evening. I would like at least 24 hour notice of your attendance although you are welcome to book more in advance. Please also be courteous in your cancellation timing, 24 hrs would be preferable, so that I can welcome someone else into the spot you have left vacant.

The dates for these project times are:

Mark your calendar

September
Sat September 30th

October
Thurs. October 12^th Sat. October 21^stNovember
Sat. November 4th Thurs. November 16th

So, there it is, Saturdays are from 10 to 4 pm. And Thursday nights from 7-10 And I will be providing coffee/ tea and a snack. You will need to bring a bag lunch for the Saturday project times.

hope you can join me!
sign up right away... spaces fill up quickly!

How to leave a comment on the Blog

2006-09-05T19:16:00.000-06:00

Many of you have checked my blog out and have not been able to post a comment on it. This is partially due to changes that I needed to make.... which have now been done....

You DO NOT have to have a Blog to post a comment, nor a website.... you can click on comment, write your comment and sign it.... then click that you are annonymous and the comment will post. If you do these things you should be fine to post a comment at any point...

Now... what I am hoping this will become is a forum for communications to me, or me to you...

I would like to see you signing up for the listed activities, and or commenting on the writings that are posted.

Please know that my email still works, and you are free to use that... as well as the phone... >GRIN< but i would like to mention that this blog has felt for a while like a ONE way conversation.... and i am too extroverted to desire that!

SO.... please post....
thanks
Hope to chat with you soon!
TTYS
Cara

Welcome some new demonstrators!

2006-08-29T10:52:00.000-06:00

I just want to Welcome
Jocelyn & Andrea
to Stampin' Up!

These lovely ladies have both become Stampin' Up! demonstrators over the summer. They are both located in Sexsmith and will begin their parties in the fall.

If your interested in getting in on the groundwork, I know they would be dellighted.

You can get their information from me if you so wish! Leave a post to that effect and I will connect with you.

I am so delighted to share in this adventure with them! We have so much to learn from those around us! Both Andrea and Jocelyn have a natural flare for creating, and already I enjoy their unique styles and creations.

Feel free to encourage them via the comment section under this post.

photograph by Randy Burtis

Catalogs

2006-08-28T16:59:00.000-06:00

Holiday Mini Catalog is here.
September 1- November 30.
Have you got yours yet?

Contact me to receive one of these!

There are some amazing goodies in this one!!

Christmas come early!!!

Also Check out the Regular Online Catalog here!

New Groups

2006-08-28T15:06:00.000-06:00

So may great ladies have joined an 8 for 8 group of mine. I am delighted with the quality of creativity that comes from them, and the interest they show in learning new stamping techniques, that they can use for both card making and scrapbooking!

New 8/8 group -NOV

I will begin a new 8 for 8 group in November. It will be on Thursday nights, the 3rd week of each month (8 months total - we will take December off!). If you are interested in hosting a workshop, learning some great stamping techniques, and meeting some great new people, than you should consider joining this group. I have a few of the ladies already, and the groups fill up fast, so make sure to get hold of me right away if you want to join this group. The cost for being in an 8/8 group is $32.00 which is spent monthly on merchandise for yourself. This cost does not include the tax & shipping.

Some techniques we will learn in this 8/8 group are: Basics of stamping, 2 step stamping, watercoloring, chalking, versamark use, heat embossing, masking, featuring and embellishing. All these techniques can be used for card making or scrapbooking.

Advanced 8/8 Groups

I am currently running three 8 for 8 groups. Two of these groups will end in the fall, and I wanted to let all who are in those groups know that there is an Advanced Session that will be offered to those who have participated in the previous group. We will begin the Advanced 8 for 8 in January of 2007. I will only have 8 seats available, so if you are interested in being apart of that group it would be good to book your spot. This group will meet on the first Saturday 1-4 pm of the month. If there are too many ladies interested in the Advanced classes, I will consider doing a second Advanced group that would run simultaneously. In the second group I may be willing to allow those who have not completed the first course, but have a good base skill in Stamping. The second group will meet on the 3rd Monday 7-10 pm of the month. Both will run for a duration of 8 months, and allow each participant to be a Hostess one time in the cycle. The cost for being in an 8/8 group is $32.00 which is spent monthly on merchandise for yourself. This cost does not include the tax & shipping.

Some Techniques we will learn in the Advanced Group will be; UTEE, Paper dying, Texture play, Shaker tags, Pearl Effects, Dry Emboss and a few other great ideas.

It will be a lot of fun! Come Join Me!

Consider it, and let me know if your interested in reserving your spot.

CARD SWAP

2006-08-25T20:48:00.000-06:00

Are you interested in getting a collection of inspiring ideas? I am excited to announce the upcoming...

CARD SWAP!

Details:
Sign up deadline: September 30th

Card Completion & handed in deadline: October 21st

Theme: Holiday! I would like it to be around the idea of Christmas, Thanksgiving, Fall, Winter... that kind of thing...

Detail Info: 1. You must include an envelope for each card that is perferably decorated to coordinate with the Card.
2. Please choose a limit of 2 color combinations at most for the cards. And the cards must otherwise be the same design and images.
3. Please use Stampin' Up! products on the cards.
4. All cards need to be signed by the creating artist.
5. There is a maximum number of 25 cards. I will not know how many have signed up for the swap until the 30th of September. If you wish to begin before that date... than be prepared that you may not need to have 25 cards for the swap.

If you will need to have your cards mailed to you than you must include $12.00 for me to be able to mail them back to you.

You can call or email me to let me know that you are interested in signing up!

Looking forward to exchanging creativity.

Fall Project creating Scheule

2006-08-25T10:40:00.000-06:00

Creative News

Autumn Newsletter 2006

What a beautiful time of year! Soon the leaves will begin to change to the many magical hues of earthy golds, reds and oranges. The air smells different, the breeze feels a bit cooler, but still not frigid as we will soon remember winter bears us. Many wonderful thing happen in Fall. The children have a fresh start; entering a new grade, making new friends, the clothes are new, the books still unmarked, the pencils not yet sharpened.

The fresh start is a glorious gift to us all, we get to remember afresh were the school & playground zones are, so as not to incur the wrath of our local enforcement officer, and pay a penalty we wish did not happen!

There are so many new things for them- but what about us? Well, there is the RE-Beginning of the 8 for 8 groups, which is grown up fun and silliness all over the place. AND there is going to be a new occasion for all to enjoy...

Scheduled Project Times at My Place!!!

The dates for these project times are:

Mark your calendar

September
Thurs, September 7^th Sat September 30th
October
Thurs. October 12^th Sat. October 21^st
November
Sat. November 4th Thurs. November 16th

So, there it is, Saturdays are from 10 to 4 pm. And Thursday nights from 7-10 And I will be providing coffee/ tea and a snack. You will need to bring a bag lunch for the Saturday project times.

hope you can join me!

photograph by Cara Burtis

Mixed feelings...

2006-08-21T18:30:00.000-06:00

ho humm.... (this is a sweet little friend of mine... Isabelle) She seems to show how i feel about Summer ending...

There is just so few days left before the fall ... that being September... begins again! How crazy that summer flew by. I wish it were not so in some ways, but in others, it means I get to reconnect with great friends, and have amazing creative times with so many of them.

I look forward to diving in to some new creative ideas like playing around with acrylic paints and stamps, and trying new stuff with the chipboard that Stampin' Up! just came out with. I also purchased a new album that is in the Holiday Mini Catalogue which should be coming to many of your homes soon... If you don't expect one, and would like to get one, call me. I'll hook you up!

I can't wait to play with the new stuff, it feels just like Christmas each time I recieve a new order.

Yayy!

I was looking through technique ideas today and decided that i have not played with dry embossing enough to give it a fair chance. I am hoping that my deliberate choice to work on it this week will prove to be worth the effort.

Well that is what is on my mind, that and having a guest sleeping in my craft space... but it is only for a week, and i can take advantage of my afternoons being creative still.

I am looking forward to setting up my tables and chairs and hosting my workshops again.

I love it.

Well a great hello to all.
Cara

Heart & Stroke Foundation Fundraiser

2006-07-28T17:03:00.000-06:00

Well all who are interested in seeing a great promotion that has a great purpose... i hope you have some time to get an order in by August 31st. I am excited about this promotion because it has such a great blessing to it. The set's sales will have $3.00 given from each set to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. What a great reason to grab a cute stamp set!

Let me know if you wish to have one.

caracards@yahoo.ca

Enjoy the great weather!
and come create with me soon!

Cara

2006-07-18T11:27:00.000-06:00

For Me, Creating is: So Relaxing!

It is seldom these days that I sit down to just create for myself.
Is there anyway around that when the rest of my time is filled with teaching classes and preparation for those classes?

I am thinking that because Stampin' Up! begins their year in JULY that I also can do that, and so I bring you my "JULY -NEW YEARS RESOLUTION!"

My desire is to have more Cara creative time.
I will be setting aside 3 hours a week at the least to focus on my scrapbooking and cardmaking with no intention of teaching from it.
Further more, I will also be working more deliberately in an additional time frame set aside, to work on advance techniques. This will benefit me for teaching later, and will help me to become more comfortable with things I am not currently using in my teachings or my own creative times.

You are my witnesses... and I am planning on spending some concerted effort to make this happen. In the mean time, August is going to be a month off of classes for me, and I plan on spending the majority of it playing around and just having my own creative times.

How do you set aside times to create?
Please give me your feedback on this resolution,
and I challenge you to set yourself up for successful creating as well!

2006-07-15T16:31:00.000-06:00

FREEDOM TO CREATE!

To All of you who have seen my website, thank you for checking out my blog!

I am hoping to create more options for dialogue,
feedback and ability to show off the great stuff that gets created here in
my home studio from the ladies I teach classes to, and my own creations.
As well I can't wait to play around on the computer more.
The ultimate excuse for getting to do more than emails and check my business stuff.

I hope you will feel free to interact with me here.

The above card has been done with
watercolor wonder crayons from Stampin' Up!
as well as a background of watercoloring
done on the medium of watercolor paper.
The stamp set is On The Farm which is also from Stampin' Up!

I love this card and all the cards that I make from
this set because it looks so different from my typical
flower and butterfly theme stamps that i naturally gravitate towards.