Merry card-mass

This past weekend I got A LOT of scrapping projects done. No kids. No cooking. No distractions. I highly recommend Memories Manor if you live close to Saint Clair, Michigan. The meals were incredible. The mansion is breathtaking. Every aspect of this weekend was perfect...including the fact that I got to spend some time with my good friends - Sarah, Mel, Charlene and Carol.

Here are some cards that I finished up for a class that I am teaching on Wednesday, November 25th from 7-9:30pm at All About Scrapbooks & More in Woodstock, ON. "Merry Card-Mass" includes 15 cards and 6 gift tags...all for the low, low price of $20!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Whitewash, Snowflake white), My Mind's Eye patterned paper and chipboard, Sizzix embossing die and texture plates, We R' Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, Heidi Swapp edge distresser and Making Memories sanding block.

Challenging mystery challenge

Just a quick post sharing a recent project for Custom Crops. I was sent a Mystery Challenge box and was instructed that I had to make a project with everything in the box.

The seven mystery items each designer received were the following:

1. A box of Lucky Charms cereal

2. German glass glitter

3. Grafix Shrink Film

4. Jillibean Soup kraft paper

5. A set of plastic ware

6. Mini Gel Pen set & Mini Gel Pen Holder

7. Sizzix embossing dies

Here is a sneak peek of what I came up with. For detailed photos of the whole project and instructions click here.

Thankful for so much

First of all, I wanted to say that I am so thankful that we had so many friends help us with our move during the past month. I am thankful that we have lovely new neighbours and have finally found a perfectly safe and healthy home to raise our children in. Ema, our daughter, has several medical needs and this new house meets all of those requirements.

Next - totally centering her out - I am thankful for my new neighbour and good friend Kim. She celebrated her 8th 29th birthday on Monday. I made her this card and slipped it into her mailbox before I headed off to work. Very handy since she lives next door!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (from the Ebony & Ivory Collection pack), Jillibean Soup twine and A2 kraft envelope, Stampin' Up stamp and punch, Tsukineko ink (VersaFine), Cuttlebug embossing folder, Making Memories sanding block, other: foam layering tape.

Also, I can now finally reveal a layout that went up today on the Jillibean Soup blog...and the fact that it's my first project with Custom Crops. You can head to the Custom Crops website and see step-by-step instructions on how to create this layout.

Supplies: For a detailed supply list and instructions, click here.

Also, my first project with Big Picture Scrapbooking will be ready soon...after some delay. I must admit that I have been really nervous about this project and I want it to be prefect. Stacy Julian has been more than patient with me. More details to come soon!

I will never move again

Fact: Moving is a huge task.

Fact: Moving makes you take stock of everything you own.

Fact: We have a lot of junk!

Here is a picture I took of Matthew on the night before we moved. Behind him was a sea of boxes, wrapping papers and chaos. I would have to say the boy looks scared.

This past weekend was our move to our new house. I am currently sitting in our new craft room. Yep. Just like the Jeffersons..."we're a movin' on up!" We used to craft in our dining room so this is very exciting for Ema and me.

Now, as if the move wasn't crazy enough, on Tuesday of this past week I got a call on my cell phone as I was about to load my kindergarten class onto a bus for a pumpkin patch field trip. It was my son's school calling to say that he was sick and that he needed to be picked up. My husband picked him up and my dear mother watched him for us for the rest of the day. Turns out it was the flu. I was then up until 1am with him at the emergency waiting to hear if it was H1N1. Although it was never confirmed it has been a long three days of fever, vomitting, and troubles with his breathing. The fever finally broke this morning and now he is determined to make a 100% recovery by tomorrow night for trick-or-treating.

In other news, my retailers' class in Ottawa, ON, has been postponed until November 29th and 30th. It will be a two day event with cards, mini-album and other projects. Keep watching my "Up Coming Classes" section for more details.

Boxes, boxes and more boxes

Our house is almost packed up now. We move this weekend.
I was in Toronto, ON, last Friday for the CreativFestival and I had a fleeting thought as I arrived. I was carrying a box filled with supplies for the class and make and takes that I was teaching. I noticed that it was labeled "Kitchen Goods" on the side. Luckily it was labeled by the previous owners of the box and my supplies were inside.
I have a quick little project to share today. It appeared on the Jillibean Soup blog last week but I haven't had time to post it here.
All you need is small kraft paper bags, a border punch, a Hallowe'en stamp set and some Jillibean Soup.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, Hampton Art stamps (pumpkin, Happy Halloween), Tsukineko ink, Stampin' Up binder punch and scalloped border punch, other: foam layering tape, kraft bags.

P.S. I had a SUPER time at CreativFestival! It was so nice to spend a day "in the land of my people."

P.P.S. If you happen to see this magazine, be sure to look inside for the Hodgkinson Christmas card made with Core'dinations cardstock. It's a card that features a picture of all four of us sitting in front of our house. We will have to get a new photo done for this year's card...in front of the new house.

Happy Thanksgiving, my Canadian pals

It's Thanksgiving here today in Canada. Sadly, there was no turkey for the Hodgkinson family this year. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I can't find my turkey roasting pan. My kitchen looks like this right now:

I did, however, make a card. It appeared on the Jillibean Soup blog today. I love how it turned out.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, kraft A2 card and stamp (Give Thanks), Tsukineko ink, Coloring Book image of turkey (http://sunniebunniezz.com/activities/thakcbk03.htm), Font: Teletype (inside sentiment), other: sewing machine, thread, foam layering tape, and googly eye.

This Friday...in Toronto...

I will be teaching a class this coming Friday (October 16, 2009) for Scrapbook & Cards Today at the CreativFestival in Toronto, ON. I will also be providing two make and takes (images below) throughout the day as well. You can register for the class by following the CreativFestival link (http://www.creativfestival.ca/).

The class includes a double page layout (image below) and a card. As part of the class, each participant will receive a 150-Xyron Sticker Maker and a Fiskars' XL Round and Round circle punch. This class is sponsored by Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock and Jillibean Soup.

Here are some images...hopefully to tempt you even further...

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, twine, button, printed twill, number sprouts (Alphabet Soup Collection), kraft paper; Scenic Route grid paper; Tsukineko ink; Fiskars circle punch; 3M adhesive and double-stick clear dots; Font: Another Typewriter (downloaded from the internet); other, foam layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Barn Siding/Whitewash), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, twine and journaling sprout, Maya Road chipboard, Sizzix die cut (tag), Cuttlebug embossing folder, We R' Memory Keepers corner rounder, Making Memories paint and sanding block, Hampton Art letter stamps, Tsukineko ink, other: hole reinforcer, foam layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, kraft, journaling sprout, Maya Road chipboard, Stampin' Up scalloped circle and circle punch, Making Memories sanding block, EK Success marker, October Afternoon stamp (cloud), Hero Arts stamp (woodgrain), Tsukineko inks, Font: Teletype, other: foam layering tape.