CHA Goodness!

I haven't got long to load these images but I am dying to share this photo from Anaheim, CA. While it isn't as warm as I thought it would be I haven't had to shovel nothin' since I got here!

Gotta run!

No More Sleeps!

Since we leave tonight at about midnight, drive to Detroit and fly out to Anaheim at 6am...there are now no more sleeps until CHA! Yahoo!

CHA is the Craft and Hobby Association trade show. It happens twice a year. Craft companies, including those that manufacture scrapbooking supplies, show off their new lines and businesses place their orders. I can't wait!

This year I am actually ahead of schedule. I have business cards made. I have my four layouts and a card ready for Core'dinations as well. Here's one of the layouts. I had the technique in my head for days and finally had a chance to make it yesterday.
To create the look of the stars:
Use your craft knife to slice an "*" in the front of the Black Magic. Next, using a pencil or eyelet setter, push the cardstock forward from behind.
Using your fingernails, press down the star sections in the front. Finally, attach a coordinating sheet of Core'dinations cardstock behind the star holes you have created.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Black Magic, All in the Family), Cuttlebug embossing folder, Cricut diecuts (Stamped, George), foam layering tape, Zig black marker

Core'dinations Sneak Peek!

I am off to Winter CHA this Saturday. I will be heading there with Dana, our new store owner at All About Scrapbooks. I just got an image from Core'dinations that I can share with you:

It's 20 colours under a white wash finish (available in an assorted pack and individual bulk colours).

They are also releasing:

The Dust Buddy. . . you'll love this cloth to clean up the mess from sanding!

I found some images of the Whitewash cardstock on Kim Hughes' blog.

I can't wait to get my hands on some of this new product!!!

Fundraising - Suggestions Welcomed!

I am a teacher. I am currently teaching kindergarten gym. Yep. It's a blast! We dance. We run. We basically just play hard. I love it!

I also love the school I teach at. The staff is friendly. The kids are friendly.

Each year our grade 7/8 students go off to Camp Celtic and have a great time. The problem is that the camp is very expensive for many of our families and the teachers spend most of the year raising money to help with the cost. They have sewn scarves, flogged hot dogs and hot chocolate, sold copies of their "Thriller" dance party, held raffles and asked various sponsors for help.

My contribution has been getting the staff addicted to my milk chocolate chip cookies and then selling them each week for 50cents a cookie or 3 for $1. So far this has collected $30. It's a running joke at our school that I am now "dealing" in cookies.

So, my question to you is this:

What are some other fundraising ideas that have worked at your local school? Church? Sports team? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Another -30' Kinda Day

I did something I wish I hadn't last night. I visited Nic Howard's blog and read about her recent holiday. She lives in New Zealand. I used to live in New Zealand. It's summer in New Zealand right now. I miss New Zealand.

This past week has just flown by. I did manage to get this layout submitted to Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine for their spring issue sketch call. It was a sketch designed by Anam Stubbington. You can find the sketch here.

Next week I am off to Anaheim, California for the Craft and Hobby Association trade show. I will be heading there with Dana, our new store owner at All About Scrapbooks & More where I work.

Supplies: Core'dinations and Prism cardstock, October Afternoon and Scenic Route patterned paper, Gel-a-Tins and EK Success stamps, EK Success scallop circle punch, Tsukineko and Clearsnap inks, Ranger "Stickles", Uniball white pen, EK Success Perforater run through ink for stitching, Queen & Co. felt trim, Offray ribbon, Making Memories brads,
other: staple, foam layering tape

It's cold. Friggin' COLD!

It's -30'C here today (that's about -22'F in 'merican).
We are staying inside today. We are all longing for the warmer days of summer. Days at Frog Hollow with the rest of Hodgkinson clan. This is a layout that I created for a Becky Higgin's sketch call at Creating Keepsakes.

Supplies: Cosmo Cricket patterned paper, journal cards, American Crafts "Thickers", EK Success letter stamps

She did it!!!

Hats off to Ema! She marched right in and plunked herself down in the chair. She opened her mouth as wide as it could possibly go and let them not only count her teeth but clean them too. This earned her a fantastic new princess toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste.
Thank goodness we crammed in a last minute polish before we left home.
Today is one of those run-around-like-a-crazy-woman-and-work-two-jobs kinda day.

I also want to post this layout today in my gallery on 2Peas.

Gotta run...my spot in line for the shower just opened up!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Vintage, All in the Family, Black Magic), EK Success letter stamps and scallop circle punch, Storage Unit, Inks & More ink, ProvoCraft Cuttlebug embossing folder and Cricut cut letters, sandpaper, foam layering tape.

A Blog for my MIL

It's been a long time coming. A blog. A blog for my mother-in-law. Somewhere she can go to see pictures of her grandkids and read about what they are up to. Somewhere she can go to see scrapbooking pages about her kids.

Today's highlight:
-Ema's third attempt at visiting the dentist. To put it mildly, she doesn't trust the guy. She won't open her mouth for him, let alone let him poke around with his pointy tools. It should prove to be an interesting afternoon.